I’ve lost all confidence in those who run Charlotte’s airport | Opinion
Airport traffic
Regarding “Charlotte airport plans traffic changes for holiday travelers,” (Dec. 8):
Think these folks in charge of the airport can improve the traffic situation — that they created — in time for the holidays? Dream on! These are the same folks who closed short-term parking for far too long during construction, narrowed arrival lanes to two and have had us walking across multiple bus lanes to get to grossly overcrowded arrival pick-up curbs for four years. All the while, they have been gauging how much gouging we can stand on parking rates.
Bob Lilien, Charlotte
Open dialogue
Submitted by MeckMIN’s Executive Committee:
Regarding “NC Voices: Canceled service was a loss for all,” (Nov. 29 Opinion):
We couldn’t agree more that the cancellation of our annual interfaith Thanksgiving service was a deep loss. Far from viewing the peaceful protesters that day as dangerous, our executive director and seven board members met with them. We heard their concerns, prayed together for a lasting and just peace, and invited them to be in further conversation with us.
At this moment, both Jewish and Muslim communities are feeling isolated and frightened. MeckMIN feels the pain of these communities deeply, laments the loss of life in Israel and Gaza and the dangerous rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia, and is committed to being a space where every voice is heard and respected.
We’re actively exploring how future community dialogues and events can be better designed to bridge gaps and foster deeper understanding among all faith groups. Our goal is to create forums where diverse voices can engage in respectful, meaningful conversations. We invite all to join us in this difficult but necessary work.
MeckMIN Executive Committee
A plea to Biden
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, more than 6,000 children have been killed in Gaza. Since Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. foreign military aid, some of those children have been slain with U.S. made or financed weapons.
Watching the images of parents holding their children’s bodies in white burial shrouds, I can’t help but think about holding my own son, Jules, who died at birth two years ago. President Biden also knows what it’s like to lose a child. His 13-month-old Naomi died in a car crash.
The president has said he found his way through the deaths of his first wife and daughter by turning his personal grief into purpose. As Congress weighs further aid for the Israeli government’s war, I urge him to make peace his purpose. There are still so many lives that can be saved.
Jacob Swenson-Lengyel, Mooresville
Biden and Israel
The Biden administration should refrain from trying to tell Israel how to fight in Gaza.
The U.S. must recognize that Hamas positions itself in residential areas, hospitals and schools in order to maximize civilian injuries and deaths when Israel attacks. What would have been the U.S. response if Israel had attempted to instruct the United States on how to conduct military operations in Afghanistan? I am confident it would have been “how we conduct our military operations is up to us and not any other nation.”
Turning on Israel in the war against Hamas will likely alienate many pro-Israel American voters.
Craig A. Reutlinger, Charlotte
Dan Bishop
Regarding “North Carolina Republicans divided on Santos expulsion,” (Dec. 2) and related articles:
On Dec. 1, we watched N.C. congressman Dan Bishop, who is running for state attorney general, vote “no” to expelling George Santos. His vote came despite an expulsion resolution authored by House Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest, a Republican, and a detailed committee report that found substantial evidence that Santos “sought to fraudulently exploit every aspect of his House candidacy for his own personal financial profit.”
Bishop’s “no” vote means he wanted an individual who is facing a 23-count federal indictment to remain in office. Bishop chose to support an unethical individual. North Carolinians should not choose him as our attorney general in 2024.
Mary Gaertner, Charlotte
