Dan Forest sure is quick to sue, but where’s his plan for reopening NC schools, bars?

Lt. Gov. Dan Forest

Regarding “Forest files lawsuit challenging N.C. governor’s orders,” (July 1) and related articles:

After reading articles about Lt. Gov. Dan Forest’s response to Gov. Roy Cooper’s handling of the COVID crisis, I have questions for Forest.

He criticized plans for reopening schools, saying some were “nonsensical.” But what is his plan to safely open our schools? Forest sued the governor, partly over the closing of bars. Again, what is his plan to reopen safely?

It’s easy to complain and criticize; it’s hard to come up with good alternate plans. Forest’s lawsuit is not useful to the people of North Carolina. His time would be better spent working with the governor to find reasonable plans. And I suggest he work on opening schools before opening bars.

Gail Boyarsky, Chapel Hill

NC government

North Carolina government does not conform to the pattern established by our federal government, which consists of the executive, judiciary, and legislative branches. It appears N.C. has a fourth branch — the Council of State, elected by the people and not part of the governor’s Cabinet.

Even more odd is the fact that the lieutenant governor runs independently of the governor in N.C. Can any historian explain the source of this arrangement and what sense it makes?

Fortunately for the people, we have somehow survived this strange and rather unworkable system. But it cries out for reform. North Carolina is a wonderful place to live and work in spite of its governmental conflicts, but could be so much better.

Robert M. Hattler, Sanford

C’mon Tar Heels

I’ve lived in North Carolina during some of the worst hurricanes but always people came together to do what was necessary to rebuild and look out for one another. I’m asking that the people of this great state put their differences aside and do what’s necessary to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Wearing a mask, washing your hands and keeping your distance is not asking too much.

There is no room for bickering, lawsuits, party politics or tying peoples hands from taking steps to protect us. People are suffering with unemployment, a lack of business, and not being able to be with loved ones.

Come on, Tar Heels, we’re better than that. The sooner we work for the common good, the sooner we will be able to lead a more normal life.

I want to especially implore the younger population to do what it takes to not spread this to someone more vulnerable

Harriet Glassman, Cary

Learn from history

My family tree is filled with Confederates. I’ve been researching my family history for almost 10 years, and you know what I find over and over? Slave holders.

Whether they were new immigrants from Ireland, Scotland and England or established plantation owners, my white family members bought and sold human beings. They listed them in their property inventories, paid bounty hunters rewards to capture them if they ran away, and left them to other family members in their wills.

Many of my ancestors fought for the Confederacy, and some gave their lives for it. I have no illusion, however, that they were fighting to protect a “gentler way of life.” There was nothing gentle about a life based on the unpaid labor of enslaved people.

Don’t tell me statues erected during Jim Crow to remind Black people of their enslavers honor my ancestors’ history. History is meaningless if we don’t learn its lessons. We have to face our past, or we’re never going to make a better future for the generations to come. Tear the statues down.

Mary M. McClellan, Apex

Anthem kneeling

The flag of a country is a powerful symbol because its bravest and best fight, die and are buried under that flag.

Two of my wife’s great-grandfathers fought under the flag of the Union during the Civil War to restore the country and end slavery. They were captured by the Confederates, sent to the Andersonville POW camp, and had to eat rats to survive. My great-grandfather fought in an Indiana regiment. He survived, but many of those he knew died or were maimed.

When I see someone kneeling before the flag in protest, I have the same visceral reaction as those who must look at Confederate monuments. Any sport that condones or promotes kneeling during the national anthem will never receive my support in any form or fashion.

Randall Foulke, Raleigh

License plates

Regarding the July 1 article about replacing license plates every seven years, whether needed or not... It seems pretty simple to me — just follow the money. If the new plates are going to be made in the prisons, who will supply equipment and materials? If it’s an outside supplier, who will that be? Because we all know that when specific language is included, it’s often done to limit competition among suppliers or contractors.

By the way, the plates on my vehicles are 19, 14 and 13 years old and seem to be fine. The sticker areas are getting a little thick though.

Carey Camp, Raleigh