Editor’s note: A few of the letters below were received at the Post before the holidays. We apologize for the delay in publication.

It takes a brave person to work in law enforcement

This is in response to the letter by Jack Burke on Dec. 18 (“What about officer’s right of free speech and his career?”). It reminds us all to keep this officer’s family in our thoughts and prayers. They have hurt no one. Now their lives have been torn apart.

How grateful I am that I have a job. As hectic as it can be at times, I have to remember just how blessed I am to have it. As tired as I am when I get home, at least I don’t have people shooting at me. I don’t have to worry about being stuck with a needle while patting down a suspect.

I wouldn’t want that job, especially not today. I’m simply not brave enough. Few of us are.

Someone was, though. Perhaps God gave him that calling, to protect and defend. To, if called upon, risk his life at any given moment — for me, you, for any one of us. Because that guy in blue and red with  the big “S” on his chest isn’t going to show.

Somewhere tonight there’s a child in tears who would probably tell us all, if it were possible, that “my daddy would.” A child who, no matter what the world says, believes in super heroes.

For those of you out there who believe in them, too, let us ask for God’s mercy and grace as we pray this man might maybe, just maybe, receive another evaluation or assessment. That an accord might be reached between powers that be, so that this man could be given another chance or reassigned or even hired by another law enforcement agency. So that this man’s family might see that what he has done for 22 years has been appreciated after all.

Pending an apology, of course. Remember, blessed are those who forgive in his holy name, for they shall be forgiven.

— Tony Haney

Kannapolis

A good man and a good cop

I have known Bill Torrence for many years. He is a good man and a good cop. Twenty-two years on the force speaks for itself. Every work day for 22 years, he has put his life on the line to serve and protect us. The man is guilty of making inappropriate comments on Facebook; he should be held accountable and disciplined accordingly.

The comments were at once deemed “racist in nature” even though the chief of police did not agree. I feel that termination and loss of his pension was extreme, to say the least.

Since he has been terminated anyway, he should repost his comments and let it be known for what it was.

— Marty Barnes

Salisbury

Obey law enforcement

I read the letter to the editor by Wayne Eller in the Salisbury Post on Dec. 15 (“Post too quick to toss dart at fired police officer”), and I’m glad to see support for law enforcement personnel. It is long overdue.

People like Scott Teamer, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and Jeremiah Wright are troublemakers who think that the people they represent should be allowed to intimidate people with violent and illegal actions and attack police officers who protect upstanding citizens.

The people who were killed by police officers in Ferguson, Mo., and New York were dangerous; they refused to obey duly authorized law enforcement personnel. Not only did they defy law enforcement, they threatened the lives of those officers.

These examples are the most publicized, and there are many more cases of criminals fighting back against duly authorized law enforcement personnel. Most of the time the police win this deadly confrontation, but not always. We’ve lost many officers who took on the task of protecting our society from dangerous criminals.

So tell people to relax, shut up and put their hands behind their back when a law enforcement officer says, “You’re under arrest,” and they won’t get hurt.

— Mike Wilson

Salisbury

President was duly elected

“A king without subjects is not a king. Obama is not my king, nor is he my president! He does not believe in our country or our founding and the Constitution.”       

My purpose in writing is to express concern, as an American citizen, about the content and tone of the words quoted above. They are the free expression of another American citizen, published in a free press, (My Turn, Salisbury Post, Dec. 2), and freely read by any and all citizens. I rejoice in his freedom and in that enjoyed by all of us.

The writer of these words does not identify his political affiliation, but the tone and content of the column are consistent with much of what we hear from the Republican Party. It is this that concerns me.

The American Constitution is one of the greatest political and philosophical documents in human history. Thank God for the genius of those great early Americans who authored it.

Barack H. Obama has twice been elected president. These elections were mandated by our Constitution. Belief in and commitment to the authority and truth of that document clearly mean that he is the president of all the people, including those who did not vote for him.

I did not vote for Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, or George W. Bush. They were, however, my presidents. When it became apparent that George W. Bush did not actually gain a majority of our popular votes, I was concerned, but I understood that the electoral college is a part of our system. Because I believe in the American Constitution I understand that he was fairly elected and that he was my president.

I regret that many contemporary political conservatives do not share this elementary understanding of our constitution. However, I support their freedom to express their views, however uncivil and unrestrained.

— Jim Spiceland

Salisbury

VA pharmacy a big help

I went to the VA Medical Center on Wednesday morning about 9:30 to get a refill on some pills, had valet parking, checked in at the pharmacy, placed my order. Then I sat in the waiting room  until my order was filled.

I waited all of 15 minutes, and my order was filled, I signed for it and was on my way home before 10:15. There were other men waiting also.

I could not get that kind of service at any pharmacy that I know of in Salisbury or elsewhere. Service at the VA in Salisbury is great.

— Lenny Wolfe

Salisbury

Closer to concert in the sky

Today is a very sad day, sad when you lose another year.

I used to celebrate New Year’s Day. But that was when the path behind me was short, the path in front of me long. Now that is all different. Each day in the past, I went to the sports page first in the paper. Now I go straight to the obituary page and pray I don’t see my name there.

It has been a long road, and my feet are pretty wore out after all them years walking on them.

Sometimes I look up into the sky and swear I can see that big concert stage there. I now just wait for that concert ticket to fall down here and know at least the line probably ain’t that long up there — so that is at least something going for me, I guess.

I want New Year 1970 again.

— Arthur Liles

China Grove