… Legislators aim to make same-sex marriage illegal

I hope I never see any of these Bible-believing legislators at the barbecue restaurants.

Read Leviticus 11:7-8: “And the pig, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. You shall not eat any of their flesh, and you shall not touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you.”

— Karen Puckett

Carl Ford also voted against the people in Dukeville on HB630 that will allow Duke Energy to leave its toxic, leaking, unlined coal ash pit dumps in the ground in North Carolina.  Buck is getting cleaned up, but not from HB630.

— Deborah Graham

This vainglorious bill was never meant to pass — it was meant to solicit attention. The flouting of the First Amendment and the fringe pseudo-Constitutional argument were written to serve the conceit of the HB780’s authors.

The shame of this impotent attempt to disenfranchise N.C. and U.S. citizens is the ginning up of hate against a minority group, merely so that these attention-hound legislators could preach to their choir.

Again the name of Rowan County has been dragged through the national news, and the internet does not forget. This is why Rowan cannot have nice things. The bill is dead, but the damage has been done.

From the Washington Post:

“A day after North Carolina lawmakers introduced legislation that would outlaw same-sex marriage and defy a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling, a top Republican there said Wednesday that the bill is dead on arrival.

“North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore released a curt statement Wednesday shooting down the bill known as the ‘Uphold Historical Marriage Act.’ Moore said lawmakers would not hear the bill, which prompted a new round of criticism this week for a state already drawing negative attention for its transgender bathroom law.”

— Al Adersen

I just don’t understand a person who makes it their life’s work to oversee other people’s lives.

I don’t understand bathroom concerns, marriage issues, insisting that everyone believe as they do, believing that there should be guns around every corner, limiting other’s voting rights when there is so, so much that needs doing to make our world a better place for all. What is wrong with folks like this?

… They must have been brought up in really toxic, judgmental homes and churches. If they didn’t exercise such power over the least of us, I would be able to better summon some compassion for them.

— Lewellen Padgett

No, Mr. Ford, the people have not spoken — yet.

As the article states, a measly 35 percent of voters turned up for that election. … Our county, state and country deserve much more than these hateful bills.

— Jenni Pfaff

“This is us doing what voters want.” Really? I believe all voters want their legislators to come up with ways of decreasing taxes, enhancing education programs and building better infrastructure — in short, bringing more revenue to the state.

This idea will do the same thing the bathroom bill did: turn people and businesses away. If these legislators cannot do the job of managing government in a fiscally sound way, they should be replaced.

— Kathleen Bergeron

It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are so ingenious.

With all of the issues facing North Carolina, this has to be dug up and raked through the mud yet again. How about extending Medicaid? How about doing something about schools and education? How about doing something about infrastructure?  … How about making laws that actually help people?

— Mark Lyerly

Does the Bible also say “love thy neighbor”? This is a waste of time and resources. Tell me how same-sex marriage is harming you. More pressing things happening

— Cynthia HIllard

Yes, same-sex marriage is unconstitutional but on the federal and national level. The Supreme Court of the United States erred and is not above the Constitution. Two judges had conflicts of interest by officiating on same-sex marriages, then ruled for what they just officiated on. A blatant and egregious error in judgment negating their vote.

— Ken Chang

… Cabarrus County legislator Larry Pittman likens Lincoln to Hitler

I love the South, as it is my home, but if the South had won the Civil War, instead of having a “United States,” there would have been two separate countries here with divided resources after Dec. 7, 1941, to oppose Hitler, Tojo and Mussolini. Surely, I can’t be the only one who sees this.

— Mack Williams

“It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” — Mark Twain

— Cynthia Russell

Lincoln was the cause of more deaths than almost every other president combined. … Not to mention that Karl Marx praised him for his policies, and Hitler also praised him in “Mein Kampf” and used some of the same tactics to control the press in Germany. … The man was a tyrant at best.

— John Collins

Wait. What? Mr. Collins, your history is based on what and whose evidence? According to Ken Burns, the Civil War was a conflict some referred to as “The rich man’s war and the poor man’s fight.” The elites tricked or forced primarily poor whites into fighting for the corporate interests of the wealthy. Blacks seized upon this opportunity to gain their freedom from slavery.

— Reginald Brown

… Business owner files suit against attorney Todd Paris, blog owner

Yep. These guys thought it’d be fun to go and play newspaper reporter, but didn’t think they had to abide by any sense of journalistic integrity or ethics.

Where’s my popcorn?

I’ve been waiting for this movie.

— Eric Shock

Food for thought: If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen. If you can serve it up, you should be able to eat it, too.

— Terri Cron

God is good and he doesn’t like ugly. I was waiting for this day to come. They write false things all the time and when they write on real things, they change and exaggerate it.

— Traci Collins

My question is why there was a need for security guards at Bounce City for an event sponsored by Livingstone College?

— Ashleigh Cupp

I can honestly say that after reading the article mentioned, I no longer took the grands to Bounce City.

I know a lot of people stopped going out of fear. I apologize to the owners for being led by a false story.

— Janet Keys

… East Spencer planner helps town forge ahead with projects

I spent many wonderful summers as a kid in East Spencer at my grandparents’ home, where Earnhardt Street dead-ends. My grandfather was on the Town Council years ago and worked for Southern Railroad, as did many relatives. Joe, so glad you are working to bring it back to life!

— Elaine Lyerly

I like Joe Morris. Just hope he has the residents’ best interests at heart and not just the elite of the county.

I have to question if the code enforcement will be changed to favor the county’s interests along I-85.

— Kenneth Muhammad El

… Salisbury’s small-town charm finally wore out its welcome for National Sports Media Association

My husband was fortunate enough to win Sportscaster of the Year a few times. We really loved our times in Salisbury and the friends we made. We will miss it.

— Tish Owen-Murphy

Concord, N.H.

… Letter: Here’s one happy Republican

Hey, I don’t agree with anything Biggerstaff said, and his ammo-laden analogies are very telling, but at least he made some kind of case besides “nanny nanny boo boo.” Up the game, Dems.

And yeah, they’re goin’ to jail — Trumpites that is.

— Steven Olsen

… Letter: I call bull

Benson’s strong identification of the new GOP is right on. This is what we think of the new fringe GOP. This doesn’t have to be proven; they incriminate themselves every time they open their mouths. The worst is watching good Americans like yourself fall for the vaporous dream that never just seems to materialize for the real working class.

— Brian Pfaff

Ha ha ha. When Dems take back the Senate, they’ll get rid of the filibuster for all legislation. See how you like it then. Come on, 2018.

— William Moffitt

Benson nailed it. McConnell has the integrity of the common snapping turtle he resembles. First he prevented Obama from exercising his constitutionally affirmed duty to nominate a candidate for the Supreme Court. Then he evoked the “nuclear option” to eliminate long-standing Senate rules and reduce the number of votes required for affirmation from a super-majority to just 51 votes. Then he had the gall to try justifying his action by claiming to “restore Senate norms and traditions.”

In researching snapping turtles, I discovered remarkable similarities between Mitch McConnell and snapping turtles. “The common snapping turtle is noted for its combative disposition when out of the water with its powerful beak-like jaws, and highly mobile head and neck (hence the specific name serpentina, meaning “snake-like”). In water, they are likely to flee and hide themselves underwater in sediment. Snapping turtles have a life-history strategy characterized by high and variable mortality of embryos and hatchlings, delayed sexual maturity, extended adult longevity, and iteroparity (repeated reproductive events) with low reproductive success per reproductive event.”

— Jimmie Moomaw

… Salisbury holds first closed-door Fibrant committee meeting

A big “thanks” to the community leaders on this committee for providing their expertise and acumen to helping the city figure out the best way to make this incredibly valuable and transformative resource successful for our city.

I have to say, though, that I find it puzzling and a bit concerning that there is no one on the committee that has expertise in telecom, content distribution and internet service. That seems like a significant miss to me.

— Gregory Shields

… Save this dance for Doris: She’s 100 years young and staying busy

Loved the article, especially the quote: “people who go down the aisle like they’re plowing corn.”

— Donna Poteat

I knew Doris Miller while serving the residents of Trinity Oaks for 11 years. She was fair minded, intelligent and a classy lady — so deserving of recognition of her 100th birthday! Thank you. Mark, for this article that captures the true spirit of a remarkable person.

— Meg Dellinger

… Catawba College students go to the prom at Oak Park Retirement community

That was a joyful read. I really enjoyed reading about what a wonderful community I live in — the wise and wisdom coming together to make everlasting memories.

— Hayes Rosa

The East Rowan High School Jazz Band was wonderful. So much talent. And the Catawba students were kind and fun. I watched residents’ faces light up when they were asked to dance, and if they couldn’t dance, the students sat with them and conversed. Our youth are our pride and joy. Our seniors are our gift. Thank you, Oak Park, for letting me be a guest at a lovely evening.

— Mary Jo Simpson

… Kenno Shoaf plans to retire from the Y in May

Kenno, I wish you the best. You forgot to mention all your hard work on those fabulous Halloween carnivals — not to mention being everyone’s friend. It was the highlight of my day to see you when I came to work. You will always be a friend to me.

— Keith Goins

The Y will never be the same, Kenno. You helped make the Y what it is today and showed everyone that you can do anything you want. Enjoy your retirement and always keep that sweet smile on your face and in your heart.

— Janet Lynn

Will not be the same. Kenno just makes you want to be a better person — honored to call him my friend.

— Dan Guertin

My first Y job was in Salisbury and I had the privilege of working with you, Kenno, in 1976-1981. What a great Y and community. After a 33-year Y career and an early retirement, I have found a new sense of adventure. I stay in touch with my Y buds and I know you will, too. That’s the best part. The Y saved me, too. That’s how I feel.

Thank you for your tireless dedication, happy personality and strong values — you will never know the full extent of your impact on others.

— Kay L. King

Kenno, you touched so many lives in your lifetime, and one was mine — with my 27 years of coaching YMCA ball, which wouldn’t happen if not for you saying come on, one more year, I need you. You had a great influence in my life. Working with you was such a pleasure. And you also changed kids’ lives. You will be greatly missed, Kenno. Love you, brother

— Bud Moose