McCrory abandons NC’s tradition of compassion  

As a Lutheran bishop in North Carolina and as a member of the Ready Bench on Immigration of the ELCA Conference of Bishops, I was deeply disappointed by Gov. Pat McCrory’s decision to ask the federal government not to send Syrian refugees to our state.

As we mourn the lives lost in Paris, we remember also those who have suffered the senseless brutality and terror of ISIS for far too long. Ordinary Syrians have for years suffered persecution by their own government and now by a merciless terrorist organization. Over the years, Lutherans across this nation have welcomed more than a half million people fleeing violence and persecution. Thanks to robust security screening processes of the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, North Carolina has welcomed refugees with confidence and with very positive results for years. It breaks my heart that we would abandon that proud tradition now when the need is so great.

One of the Paris shooters reportedly entered France posing as a refugee in need. Despicable, yet I am sad to confess that the shooter in the recent massacre of the Charleston Nine was born, baptized, raised and confirmed an ELCA Lutheran. He, too, set up vulnerable people for devious purposes by taking advantage of their generous hospitality. Does Governor McCrory also plan to ban all Lutherans from our state in response to the horrific actions of one of us? Some of us believe that we can be compassionate and careful at the same time.

— Rev. Dr. Timothy M. Smith

Salisbury

Smith is bishop of the NC Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Premiums on the rise

When Social Security recipients do not receive a cost-of-living increase, their Medicare premiums remain stable due to the “hold harmless” clause.

Conversely, federal retirees and no doubt countless others on fixed incomes will see a significant increase in their health plans. Blue Cross of NC is going up 10 percent. It is unfortunate that this provision does not apply to private carriers. Which powers-that-be regulate this?

— W.L. Poole

Salisbury

Expand the menu

This is being written on Nov. 11, 2015, Veterans’ Day. For several days now a well known cafeteria in Salisbury has announced a free entrée for veterans on this day.

It had me a little confused so I called up some friends of mine to get their opinions. Here are some of those: (1) I don’t get it; just an entrée? (2) I’d just as soon have a pat on the back. (3) That’s crazy. (4) What if you are a vegetarian? (5) Are you kidding me? Just an entrée and not your whole meal? (6) Maybe they are on a “fixed income” and that’s all they can afford. (7) Do you just show half of your card to get half a meal? (8) There must be something wrong with them people. (9) What a stunt! They would be better off not to offer nothing. (10) I think I’ll just stay home and eat a mixed salad.

Here is what I think. I think they had the right string but the wrong yo-yo. If you do this offer next year, please add some beans and taters to the deal with some cornbread and ice tea.

— Whitey Harwood

Salisbury 

Climate change is real

Is climate change real? Bruce La Rue says no, Exxon/Mobile says yes.

In Saturday’s opinion page, Mr. La Rue claimed that global warming or climate change was a myth because only the left wing liberals believe in it. In the online comments part, the great and wise Steve Pender supported his beliefs.

Sorry, guys, but for one you are wrong. Big Oil (i.e. Exxon) knew about the climate change effect of carbon fuels way back in the 1970s but decided to keep it from the public because it would hurt their profits. Read: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/06/science/exxon-mobil-under-investigation-in-new-york-over-climate-statements.html?_r=0 for more information. Also if you don’t want to accept the New York Times, check out the following.

http://fortune.com/2015/11/05/exxon-mobil-climate-schneiderman/

ExxonMobil’s commitment to climate science

This is the same thing that tobacco companies did years earlier about the harmful effects of cigarette smoking.

— Julian Torrey

Salisbury

God’s hidden heroes

An acquaintance of mine asked me to write this letter to inform the public of her concern.

Her concern is the way some people are “frowned upon” or “labeled.” Many senior citizens and others have a difficult time surviving on Social Security, disability and other “fixed” incomes. The cost of living seems to exceed these basic resources. Some try to live above their means, but others fall through the cracks. Just because someone is struggling or has fallen on hard times is no reason to assume they are not trying and a good person.

Sometimes, we become victims of “loving too much” (especially family). In our later years, a situation can arise that depletes retirement funds and/or necessities required to survive. This can happen to anyone; good, bad, rich, poor, young or old. We can have health problems, employment issues or needy family requiring help. This can make “helpers” appear to be failures. If you’ll take time to learn more, you may find that actually he/she is quite successful in helping others, but at the helper’s expense, which can reflect unfavorably upon the “helper” in the eyes of the community. We should be less apt to judge others as Jesus stated in Luke 6:37: “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged.”

You may find these individuals are actually God’s “hidden heroes.” Just remember the “Golden Rule”: “Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you , do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.”

We all can be thankful that there are organizations available to help those in real need, such as the Rowan Helping Ministries. So don’t look down upon someone in need; rather, if you’re able, do something positive to help them. God bless!

— Jeff Long

Salisbury