As a veteran, I find Trump’s Ft. Bragg and parade stunts offensive | Opinion

Our president put the Army at Fort Bragg on display in support of his immigration policy in Los Angeles, and this weekend he used the 250th anniversary of the Army’s founding for a parade in celebration of his birthday and agenda.

I swore an oath in defense of the Constitution and nation during the Vietnam era, not in support of the political agenda of any president or political party. Nor was my combat in Vietnam in service to political party or leader.

To politicize our military for purposes of any party or leader is extremely offensive and a danger to our republic’s welfare.

Cliff Mitchell, Selma

Audit

The June 7 article on the laundry/shower station caused me concern about the management of the Helene recovery funds. The information that was missing, based on my read, is who was actually responsible for managing the station. Was this the county government or a private company?

That is critical information when auditing such a service. Serving an area after a disaster is an expensive undertaking, and while you reported the $27.4 million price, provided to you by NC Auditor Dave Boliek, I have unanswered questions about the audit, which may have been done by a retaliatory GOP auditor on a Democratic administration.

I hope further investigation will be done into who was running the station, paying out salaries and the bills related to its operation.

Robin Hamilton-Brooks, Raleigh

Payment

Not all good deeds are punished. At the Publix checkout, I was told the woman ahead of me paid for my groceries. I didn’t know her, had not spoken to her. Was this a generous and caring person, wanting to take the sting out of an elder’s shopping trek? Maybe she witnessed my heartfelt offer to reach a loaf of bread on the bakery’s top shelf and was moved to do something for me. Pay it forward?

George Brooks, Durham

Ratepayers

North Carolina Senate Bill 266 allows a public utility, like Duke Energy, to incorporate into its rate base, with approval of regulators, construction costs for facilities. Ratepayers would be playing the role of investment bankers who would help finance construction, the idea being that doing so would result in cost savings.

It might do so. But should ratepayers play this role? Isn’t the reason for having a financial market and investment banks to provide this service? This is a fundamental element of Capitalism. Banks would have recourse and resources to ensure the appropriate use of funds. Ratepayers would not.

Robert Clemen, Chapel Hill

Vicious liberalism

Asking law enforcement to do their job causes left-wing activists to violently protest, throw rocks and burn cars. Liberals are encouraged by lefty politicians who call them “peaceful” and condemn people trying to stop violence. When it’s over, few arrests are made and no one is punished. It is a vicious cycle of liberalism that the rest of us can break if we vote right.

Lee Hortman, Raleigh

LA and J6

I deplore the violence in Los Angeles, particularly against police officers. I can understand President Trump’s concern. What I cannot understand is his acceptance of the more severe violence against officers on Jan. 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol, and his pardoning of those who were convicted of violence.

Robert Harrison, Durham

Gun bill

I moved to NC 19 years ago thinking it would be a lovely place to raise our son, enjoy progressive politics and hopefully retire. Since, the Great North State became regressive, lost most of its forward-thinking laws and became a bastion of fear mongers and haters.

State lawmakers passed SB50, allowing people to carry concealed weapons without a permit or safety training starting at 18 years old. No matter how Rep. Keith Kidwell of Beaufort or his cohort tried to spin it, most states that passed these laws had an increase in violence. Why put an 18-year-old in the situation of making a snap decision that could ruin lives?

Kidwell said, “It allows people to constitutionally carry a firearm without obtaining a permit from the government to exercise their God-given right to defend themselves.” I think not. God charged us with protecting children not handing them guns to potentially hurt others and themselves.

Elena Ceberio, Raleigh

This story was originally published June 15, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "As a veteran, I find Trump’s Ft. Bragg and parade stunts offensive | Opinion."