A large part of the country is tired of liberals controlling academia | Opinion

UNC chancellors

In former UNC Chancellor Holden Thorp’s Dec. 8 op-ed, he chose to cast blame on the governing boards of the University of North Carolina System for his ouster and that of several other chancellors. He suggested that they were viewed in North Carolina “as failed chancellors who got run out,” but were seen as “survivors” in 49 other states. I find that hard to believe since many other conservative states and university boards likely hold views similar to the UNC Board of Governors and UNC Board of Trustees. In my view, and possibly theirs, liberals control academia and a large part of this country is tired of it.

David Ramsey, Mooresville

Abortion

Last week, we saw yet another woman suffer the consequences of Roe v. Wade being overturned. Rather than being able to decide whether or not to proceed with the pregnancy with her doctor and family, Kate Cox of Texas was forced to go before a judge and ask his permission. Cox was fortunate because she had the means to go to another state for an abortion, but many women are not so fortunate.

Since Roe was overturned we have seen more and more red states, including our own, pass abortion bans — and many women suffering because of them.

Many conservative groups are pushing for a national abortion ban and expect a Republican president to work to pass this. Republicans always say they are for “freedom,” but where is the freedom for women who cannot make their own health care decisions? How many more women have to suffer?

Laura Reich, Charlotte

Let all speak

The writer is CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte.

Following Monday night’s Charlotte City Council meeting, one thing is clear: regardless of one’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we need to stand firm against rhetoric and actions that serve to demonize the other side or justify violence against them.

While we recognize that the actions of the City Council disruptors are not reflective of the entire Charlotte community, we must speak out against attempts to silence Jewish voices.

We understand that many communities are impacted by the Israel-Hamas war and that everyone has the right to advocate for one’s cause. However, we must uphold a level of civil discourse to ensure that we do not allow harassment, intimidation and verbal threats to prevail.

Sue Worrel, Charlotte

Bombing Gaza

The writer is a history and global studies professor at UNCC.

Thank you for publishing Hadia Mubarak’s Dec. 4 op-ed on Islamophobia. Her comments on the dehumanization of Muslims and their invisibility as real human beings led me to think about the desperate plight of the Palestinian people, not only in the last two months, but for several decades, and the manner in which the crimes against them have been excused, when not overlooked altogether.

Seven thousand Palestinian children have been killed during the war on Gaza through indiscriminate bombings, destruction of hospitals (including Gaza’s only cancer hospital), and destruction of other infrastructure, such as sewage and water-treatment facilities. At least 18,000 Palestinians have been killed in the last 10 weeks, while the world essentially turns a blind eye.

Stating these facts implies no sympathy for Hamas, which has committed terrible crimes, although without the power to inflict the collective punishment being employed by the Israeli state.

John Cox, Charlotte

Fossil fuels

The writer is a Citizens Climate Lobby volunteer.

A sultan and CEO of a prominent Arab oil company presided over COP28, the United Nations’ annual climate change conference last week — in Dubai.

The fox isn’t guarding the henhouse. The fox is marching the chickens right into a luxury pool of deep fat fryers.

Climate experts agree fossil fuel pollution is a primary cause of the climate crisis. Yet the perpetrators of global warming, those fossil fuel foxes, continually sit at the head of the climate table and undermine attempts to clean up the crisis.

Remember when the tobacco industry spent decades denying smoking was a health hazard? Beware the foxes!

Mark C. Taylor, Charlotte