NC Freedom Caucus should not be interfering in the Durham election

Voting machines

Regarding “GOP lawmakers want to investigate Durham’s 2020 voting machines. The county says no,” (Oct. 7):

North Carolina Reps. Jeff McNeely, Bobby Hanig, and Larry Pittman of the House Freedom Caucus — and all other self-appointed Republican investigators of public morals, i.e. voting — should keep their hands and feet out of Durham County. If they feel compelled to interfere with the foundations of democracy, then let them bother the people who elected them in Iredell, Dare and Cabarrus counties.

And threatening to get the General Assembly Police to help sounds like little kids who threaten to get their daddies to punch out the meanies.

David Hopp, Durham

Right to choose

Watching the Supreme Court fail to act as the Texas abortion ban stripped away reproductive rights overnight was a troubling reminder of what’s at stake in the 2022 U.S. Senate race.

As a retired public health professor, I understand the impact laws have on health outcomes, and I can’t stress enough — these restrictive laws will exacerbate the maternal mortality crisis that exists in our communities.

Instead of attacking abortion access, we need a senator who will prioritize bettering the well-being of North Carolinians, especially Black mothers and Black pregnant people.

The statistics are alarming: According to the CDC, Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related issues than white women.

In North Carolina the pre-term birth rate among Black women is 48% higher than all other women.

Ted Budd, Pat McCrory and Mark Walker have made it clear when it comes to protecting abortion access and expanding health care, that they will do everything they can to strip away our rights. We can’t let that happen.

Trude Bennett, Raleigh

Forbes list

I read the Oct. 8 article about three N.C. businessmen that Forbes magazine rated among the 400 richest Americans. One paragraph struck a nerve: Forbes gave two of them a “philanthropy score” of “ 1” — the lowest Forbes gave.

Maybe when one reaches this pinnacle, $7.4 billion is still not a safe enough amount to live on. But, there are many worthy nonprofit organizations one might assist. Many of these nonprofits have struggled mightily during our two-year “COVID period.”

Perhaps these folks are waiting until they’re no longer around to offer any assistance, or maybe they simply have no interest in sustaining (or, even improving) the quality of life of their employees.

Whatever the reason, it simply looks bad; and is a terrible reflection of them.

John Pederson, Apex

Johnston County

I nearly cried when I read about Johnston County commissioners essentially holding the school board hostage by threatening to withhold $7.9 million in funding unless the school board approved a policy banning critical race theory teachings in the schools.

James Baldwin once said, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”

Allowing the full story of America’s history to be taught and acknowledging the pervasiveness of racial bias and discrimination in our culture is the first step towards actualization of what we declare in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

If we really want America to be great, we’ll work to make this declaration true for all of us. That starts with learning the full story of our history.

Susan Vickers Smith, Raleigh

Leaf blowers

Regarding “In a noisy world, NC man leads a quest to find quiet,“ (Oct 4 Opinion):

Is it truly necessary to blow leaves every week, 52 times a year, when leaves only fall in autumn? While people may value a pristine lawn, have they considered the negative impact on their neighbors or landscape workers? Even weekend quiet is gone.

Climate change affects us all, and an easy thing we could do is only blow leaves twice a year, just before the city picks up the leaves. Is it fair to landscape workers to subject them to constant gasoline fumes and noise?

Many cities and some states are banning gas-powered leaf blowers. We all grew up without leaf blowers, so for this fall and leaf season, ask your lawn service to dial way back on the leaf blower use, because they may think you want weekly noise and air pollution.

Perhaps pull out a broom or rake for some exercise, and out of consideration for your neighbors who’d relish some peace and quiet.

Karen Rindge, Raleigh

Cawthorn’s words

In recent speeches, Congressman Madison Cawthorn has asked “people of faith” to rise up against the “tyranny of the Democrats,” suggesting that violence may be necessary. He even suggested in an August speech that there could be “bloodshed.”

I find the appeal to violence not only un-Christian but also a violation of his oath of office.

What is the specific “faith” behind such threats? It can’t be Christianity, with its Old Testament commandment: “Thou shalt not kill” and the words of Jesus: “Love your neighbor.”

Carolyn Christman, Mebane

This story was originally published October 8, 2021 at 2:29 PM with the headline "NC Freedom Caucus should not be interfering in the Durham election."