Gun violence in Raleigh and nearby should sway NC votes in November

Guns, your vote

After five fatal shootings in Raleigh in a week and a Little League tournament in Wilson interrupted by gunfire, we do not need another gun advocate in Congress or the statehouse. We need common sense protections for our children and families.

As citizens, it’s our duty to end the horrific slaughter of our school children, neighbors and those just going about their lives. This insanity must end. Are we a nation that will allow the sacrifice of our kids, moms and dads, brothers and sisters to gun violence just so some can enjoy owning weapons of war?

This November, I hope we send a clear message to our elected officials by voting for those who pledge to enact stricter protections from gun violence for us all.

Robin Newman, Clayton

Dems must act

Hooray for Sen. Dick Durbin for calling out Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas for the continued gun violence in our country. It is time that all Democrats start naming names. Republican leaders like Mitch McConnell, Kevin McCarthy, Ted Cruz, Lindsey Graham and others are directly responsible for the continued mass murders in our country.

The mantra of all Democrats should be “Save our children. Vote for Democrats!” When will more Democrats stand up and fight to save our lives? It’s long overdue.

Ted Dunn, Pittsboro

Senator Berger

North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger recently likened the Jan. 6 hearings to “fictional readings.” It is unbelievable that a person who is elected to make laws for North Carolina continues to make up things that the whole world has seen and heard. But he closes his eyes and ears to truth. Jan. 6, 2021 was a horrible day for this nation. It is a shame that we have to continue to hear this garbage from our state representatives.

Dolores Banks, Cary

Pro-life?

N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore recently stated that he is “solidly, consistently pro-life.” (July 8) I look forward to his introducing legislation to end the death penalty. Now that would be “solidly, consistently pro-life.”

Margaret Toman, Garmer

Teacher donations

Regarding “How to donate classroom supplies to help Wake teachers,” (July 11):

Isn’t it sad that our public school teachers have to depend on donations for their classroom. The Republican legislators should be first in line to donate!

Jack Chrismon, Benson

US aid to Ukraine

It is a natural thing for Americans faced with economic hardship to resent the amount of aid going to Ukraine. But Sen. Thom Tillis is to be commended for realizing that the front line of freedom is currently on the steppes of Ukraine. Failing to arm and resupply Ukraine will lead to a Europe held hostage by Russian arms and oil, leaving America isolated. The burden and mantle of freedom is a hard one, but no other nation has the capacity to do what America does. Standing with Ukraine is what America should do.

Carlton Huffman, Granite Falls

Aiding ICE

The writer is Mecklenburg County sheriff.

Gov. Roy Cooper was right to veto the bill that forced N.C. sheriffs to work with ICE.

Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility. When police chiefs and sheriffs are forced to step in, trust among our communities erodes. My community is safer when all members are able to assist law enforcement with investigations and report crimes without fear of repercussions as severe as deportation.

Forcing sheriffs to honor ICE “detainers” also risks running afoul of the Constitution. Once someone completes a sentence or makes bond, law enforcement agencies have limited authority to detain that person for immigration purposes — and could face civil liability.

North Carolina sheriffs do work with ICE, as state law requires. Cooper’s veto supports safe communities, responsible government, and keeping immigration enforcement where it belongs.

Garry McFadden

Midterm elections

Contrary to Henry Olsen’s July 10 Opinion piece, I see a Democratic landslide in the mid-term elections as Democrats, independents and a host of Republicans rise up in response to three things:

The Jan. 6 committee has revealed the indisputable attempt to overthrow our constitutional republic, which millions of Americans have sacrificed to defend.

Voters will be motivated by the push to make all Americans safe from the wanton, indiscriminate killing by weapons that have no business on our streets. The Party of Guns (Republicans ) owns this horror, lock, stock and barrel.

It is now obvious that the Republican Party stacked the Supreme Court to bypass the legislative process and impose its agenda on America.

The pendulum is swinging in favor of truth, decency, safety and the rule of law.

George Brooks

Dix Park

Without doubt, the sunflowers on display in Dix Park are beautiful. It would be excellent if a field of milkweed plants was planted somewhere in the park. Milkweed is an essential element in the life cycle of monarch butterflies and monarch populations in the U.S. have declined precipitously in recent years. A field overrun with monarchs would be a beautiful sight to behold..

Hubert Winston, Raleigh