Relocation of Carolina Mudcats opens up a big opportunity for Raleigh | Opinion

MLB in Raleigh

The announcement that the Carolina Mudcats will relocate to Wilson County presents Wake County and the Triangle with a real opportunity to expand our vision. North Carolina should consider pursuit of a Major League Baseball team. The location of the current Mudcats stadium has the potential to be expanded and enhanced to accommodate such a possibility, with plenty of room for any expansion needed, plus parking and room to grow retail opportunities. Let’s get another major sports presence in the area beyond the Carolina Hurricanes.

Michael Rakouskas, Burlington

Thom Tillis

Sen. Thom Tillis objects to Colorado’s Supreme Court ruling that former President Donald Trump is ineligible to be on its state’s ballot. Tillis said he plans to introduce legislation titled the Constitutional Election Integrity Act. Given that the U.S. Constitution grants each state the power to run their own elections, Tillis’ move is ironic and lacks integrity. Surely Tillis knows this.

The insurrection clause in the 14th Amendment exists for a reason, and the highest court in Colorado had the courage to call what many of us watched in real time on Jan. 6, 2021 exactly what it was.

Tillis likes to come across as a “work across the aisle” moderate Republican, but in attempting this legislation he leaves no doubt he is as much a part of Trump world as the rest of the Republican Party sadly is.

Mary Williams, Cary

Let voters decide

Although I oppose Trump’s reelection, I don’t believe judicial limitations on his right to run, based on his connection to the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol should keep him off the ballot. Although his involvement in an insurrection is clear to many, barring him might bring potentially violent assaults by his supporters who would refuse to accept such a subjective measure. My vote will be against Trump, but let voters decide so we can hopefully avoid continued rebellion by his supporters.

Gary Jackson, Durham

Colorado case

Republicans are in a tizzy over Colorado’s ruling that Donald Trump should not be on the ballot there. They cry it’s illegal, undemocratic, stealing votes. It’s none of these. Six of the seven judges on the Colorado Supreme Court have won retention votes, so representative democracy has prevailed. Since the decision precedes elections — with time for an appeal — no votes have been stolen. Such wounded outcries in support of a law-flouting, election-denying, want-to-be dictator are ironic at best — and unconscionable in the extreme.

Don Clement, Greenville

History lessons

In his Dec. 11 op-ed David Mastio said there are two ways America’s story can be taught, “...as tale of hate and oppression still embodied in the very foundations of our society — or as American patriots see it — a saga of hope and progress...”

When there is an American history of oppression, slavery and racism and the systems we navigate in the present day have this history embedded in it, I would want my kids to learn about it. If they only learn about the American hope and prosperity with no connection to the systemic oppression in real life, they would have to spend the rest of their life unlearning.

Roshni Pattath, Holly Springs

Biden menthol ban

The writer is a Duke University School of Medicine professor. Nineteen N.C. doctors and research also signed on to this letter.

The Biden administration’s decision to delay a ban on menthol as a flavor in cigarettes is a significant setback for public health in North Carolina. The proposed ban is grounded in decades of research and its delay is devastating for the nearly 500,000 North Carolinians who currently smoke menthol cigarettes.

Menthol makes cigarettes less harsh, easier to smoke and more addictive. Menthol cigarettes have disproportionately harmed the Black community, with targeted marketing leading to higher usage and an estimated 157,000 premature deaths among Black people over the last 40 years. The tobacco industry also targets youth and the LGBTQ+ community with menthol marketing.

Banning menthol cigarettes will prevent 650,000 U.S. deaths. We urge state and federal representatives to support the menthol ban.

F. Joseph McClernon, Durham

This story was originally published December 24, 2023 at 5:30 AM with the headline "Relocation of Carolina Mudcats opens up a big opportunity for Raleigh | Opinion."