What kind of country ends suicide prevention line for LGBTQ youth? | Opinion

What kind of a government cuts off a suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ youth? It isn’t enough to take away their rights and shame them? Let’s make sure we eliminate help when those attacks compel them to consider suicide.

After witnessing cruelty after cruelty related to immigrants, I didn’t think it possible for the government to exceed that level of brutality, yet here we are. Where will the government go next? Will you be the future target?

Carolyn Guckert, Raleigh

SB 266

In response to “NC legislature OKs letting Duke Energy charge for new plants before they’re built.”

We must also acknowledge Duke Energy’s history of disservice. From 14.6% rate increases over three years to continued investments in non-renewables, Duke Energy has garnered no shortage of criticism from North Carolinians. By allowing Duke Energy to charge for unbuilt power plants, SB 266 prioritizes corporate expansion at the cost of customers. It would also backtrack on the legislature’s commitment to clean energy by removing carbon reduction goals.

Our lawmakers must remember their foremost duty: serving North Carolinians, not corporations. This bill is disadvantageous for NC’s clean energy transition and increases our vulnerability to climate change. It does not prioritize progress, but rather a corporation that has repeatedly taken advantage of North Carolinians.

Ava Betanco-Born, Winston-Salem

Grow Raleigh

It’s gardening season in Raleigh. Plants are thriving, and gardeners find joy in the rhythm of tending and growing. For nearly half of Raleigh households, the ones who rent, that joy remains out of reach. Without access to growing space, they’re missing of one of life’s simplest pleasures.

Charlotte offers a better model: free garden plots at over 20 public sites. It’s a low-cost, high-impact way to promote health, equity and community. In community gardens, conversations also flourish, turning strangers into neighbors and giving people a reason to spend time together outside. In a time of deep division, gardens create connection. Raleigh should follow Charlotte’s lead and make gardening a part of public life.

Jack Hilton, Raleigh

AI

I am aghast the U.S. House passed a budget which would prevent state or local entities from regulating artificial intelligence for 10 years! This dangerous provision may violate budget parliamentary rules, so a Senate proposal would impose a moratorium on such regulation as a prerequisite to receive federal broadband expansion funds.

More than thirty states already passed laws regulating dangerous aspects of AI, such as creation of deepfakes, deceptive robocalls and nonconsensual and child pornography. These protections would be unenforceable if this bill passes. Congress is hell bent on giving unprecedented power to big tech to profile and deceive rather than protect us. This is one more reason to defeat this big bad bill.

Mark McClure, Durham

Prevent war

“The only way human beings can win a war is to prevent it” is fine wisdom from WWII General George Marshall. President Donald Trump would be wise to heed Marshall’s advice and stay out of war with Iran. Do people forget the Iraq War was a lie and a disaster? It destabilized the area, spawning ISIS. This would be far worse. Even Trump’s intelligence community says Iran is not near to nor interested in building nuclear weapons. Stay out of war!

Curt Patty, Carrboro

DMV

After months of research, our state auditor concluded the DMV needs more staff for adequate service. I figured that out in seconds. I admit, I did have to wait outside the drivers license examiners office for two hours before confirming my suspicions. I was let in and saw six examining stations and two examiners: quod erat demonstrandum.

Karl Gaskins, Raleigh

Kleptocracy

When Trump’s “big beautiful bill” passes, the U.S. will go from a democracy to a kleptocracy. The rich benefit by purchasing the president and his lackeys and skewing laws at the expense of the general citizenry. MAGA voters created the most corrupt White House in modern history.

Mike Wood, Sanford

Observation

I am pleased News & Observer highlighted the stellar images from Chile’s Vera C. Rubin Observatory. Instead of noting astronomer Vera Rubin advocated for women in science, her scientific accomplishments should have been emphasized. Her research altered our conception of the universe. She provided evidence 80% of the universe is unseen “dark” matter holding galaxies together. This created new astrophysics field.

Rosalind Coleman, Durham

This story was originally published June 29, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "What kind of country ends suicide prevention line for LGBTQ youth? | Opinion."