John Twomey: Global image damage

Regarding the May 13 news article “Delta’s nonstop to Paris gets a big sendoff at RDU”: The N&O touted that after years (decades?) of effort we now have a direct flight to Paris and enhanced connections to the rest of Europe. Michael Landguth, the airport CEO, stated this flight will stimulate more foreign investment in the Triangle.

A day later was the news that the EU has stated that HB2 violates an international agreement – one the United States signed (“European Union blasts LGBT laws,” May 14 news article).

The response from the N.C. Republican Party threw fuel on the fire, rather than helping: “absolutely no surprise since North Carolina Democrats led by Roy Cooper want to install European socialist policies ... that are an affront to the common sense traditions of North Carolina and America.”

I can’t help but think any European company weighing a move to North Carolina will take into account both the ease of travel and the less than welcoming attitude of the ruling political party as well as its contempt for international treaties signed by our country.

So one step forward, two back. How far will we let the now global self-inflicted damage go before we come to our senses?

This story was originally published May 21, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "John Twomey: Global image damage."