Instead of bickering about Confederate monuments like Silent Sam, sell them

Silent Sam

Regarding “The Silent Sam-UNC deal has been reversed by a judge. But many questions remain,” (Feb. 14):

Instead of moaning and groaning about what to do about the Southern monuments, here is an idea: Sell them. If some organization or individual wants to put them in a park and charge folks to see them, let them go. If someone wants to put one in his backyard, let it happen. But the latest idea to give Silent Sam to the N.C. Sons of Confederate Veterans and then pay them was nuts.

Jim Nolan, Morehead City

N.C. 12 repairs

Regarding “NCDOT using sandbags to rebuild dune along NC 12 on Ocracoke,” (Feb. 14):

Enough is enough! In 2013 The Virginian Pilot did a report on the cost of repairing N.C. 12. It was determined at that time $104 million-plus had been spent repairing this N.C. highway between 2003 and 2013, and that was six-plus years ago. I don’t know about anyone else, but I am tired of spending tax dollars on a road that is basically for people who have chosen to build their luxury second home on a sand bar.

Rome Fontaine, Apex

Rush Limbaugh

President Obama gave the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Robert De Niro, Ellen DeGeneres, and Robert Redford. But President Trump is scorned for presenting same to Rush Limbaugh. I have listened to Limbaugh for years. I have never heard a racist remark. He promotes the country, Constitution, self-improvement, and the like. Moreover, he has raised millions for charity.

Bob Fuller, Raleigh

Black voters

Regarding “Who will black voters back in Democratic presidential primary?” (Feb. 16):

In reviewing presidential candidates who might be considered by black voters, this article failed to mention the candidate the Center for Urban and Racial Equity gave the highest grade: Sen. Elizabeth Warren. Their 2020 Racial Justice Scorecard states, “Senator Warren stands out among other candidates with a strong platform outlining specific strategies for targeting resources and policies to address racial inequities impacting Black ... communities.”

Warren has proposed $50 billion in aid to HBCUs, has plans to address racial disparities in maternal mortality, and details explicit ways to narrow the Black-White racial wealth gap, among other achievable goals. These thoughtful proposals have led a group of 100 black women activists to endorse Warren.

I’m tired of pundits telling us who is likely to capture a particular group’s vote. Voters can do the research and decide who is standing up for issues we care about.

Mindy Oshrain, Durham

2020 candidates

Articles about whether Bernie Sanders is surging, Joe Biden is falling behind, etc. are absurd. The people in Iowa and New Hampshire have a right to their opinions, but they don’t represent those of the majority. It takes 1,991 delegates to win the nomination. No candidate even has 25 so far.

Robert Brown, Cary

Durham housing

Much local and national attention has been given to living conditions at McDougald Terrace. In July 2019, Durham Congregations, Associations and Neighborhoods (CAN) conducted a resident inspection of the Durham Housing Authority’s Hoover Road community. We took over 100 photos from half the occupied units documenting severely damaged roofs, dangerous leaks, mold infestations, and gas leaks.

While the crisis at McDougald did not come as a complete surprise to us, we were horrified that many of these conditions of neglect came as a great surprise to leaders within DHA, in city hall, and to many citizens.

In 1967, Martin Luther King described the national crises of war, race and poverty as a diabolical brew demanding a “fierce urgency of now.” Durham CAN believes Durham faces a “fierce urgency of now” related to our multiple housing crises. Neighbors are being displaced by rising housing prices. DHA properties have been graded as the worst in the state. Every citizen of Durham should feel ashamed.

Atinuke Diver, Durham

CAN Executive Director

Banning cars

Regarding “San Francisco restrictions on cars part of national trend,” (Feb. 16):

After reading about cities across the U.S. banning cars on main downtown streets, I predict Fayetteville Street will once again ban cars. Can you imagine how much better walking and dining will be if there is no longer the noise and pollution coming from motor vehicles? Downtown Raleigh now has a sufficient core of business and residential that it doesn’t need the traffic of Fayetteville Street to be successful. Wouldn’t it be nice to have non-polluting, quiet streetcars in a continuous loop on the street? That would be even better than Denver’s popular 16th Street.

Steve Jenks, Carrboro