In last week’s Triangulator, we discussed the shifting racial dynamics of North Carolina politics over the last century-plus.
Writer Terry Duff doesn’t like the insinuation of one of the points we made: “I enjoy reading the INDY every week, and I learn a lot about local and state politics, dining and entertainment. The August 9 issue was no different, thank you. Unfortunately, I learned a totally useless fact in the ‘Brief History of N.C. Racial Politics.’
“As a voter, I would never vote for someone based on race. A candidate must have my traditional conservative values. But Triangulator points out that every Republican legislator is white. They were elected on small government, less regulation, lower taxes, personal freedom and responsibility, support of police, and law and order platforms. These are the traits that made America great and getting back to them will ‘Make America Great Again’ for all races. Is noticing and pointing out someone’s race considered racist?”
Rhys Botica, who owns Surf Club, responds to a letter that appeared in last week’s Backtalk about Batalá Durham and noise near the Liberty Warehouse Apartments, in which writer Chris Allen mentioned an “outdoor d.j. party” that lasted until two a.m.
“Surf Club received a noise complaint from the Liberty Warehouse,” Botica writes, “and officers from the Durham Police Department asked us to turn down the outdoor speakers. This was not an outdoor event. We are in the process of removing our outdoor speakers that face toward the rear of the building because of this. When we have had d.j. fundraisers or events outdoors at Surf Club, we have endeavored to move the performers indoors at eleven, not two a.m., as you suggest.
“As a business owner who, along with many others, have helped create the ‘vibe’ Liberty sold itself on, it is frustrating to say the least. We support Batalá, and I was at Central Park [last] Monday when they were shut down. This is the tip of the iceberg, and it is affecting all of us.”
A number of readers responded to a column this weekend on the events in Charlottesville and President Trump’s culpability in them. Here’s a quick sampling.
“His unwillingness to call out the white supremacists pretty much means he’s siding with them,” writes David Hewitt.
“By his action, or better yet inaction, Trump has clearly shown that those old rumors about him being a racist are true,” writes Tim Hergenrader. “If he can’t or won’t single out the KKK and Nazis and call them for what they arewhite supremacists, evil to the corehe lacks the moral fiber to lead this country. If the Republican Party doesn’t condemn them and him, they are also morally bankrupt.”
In response to our coverage of Sunday’s anti-racism rally at CCB Plaza in Durham, Dorothea Brooks writes, “For somelike the rabid faux-left ‘independent’ mediait was disappointing that the Charlottesville false flag event did not precipitate race riots and further civil strife. Most people are too sensible to buy into INDY agit-prop.”
OK, then.
On Friday, we also noted a report that Russia had tried to hack the electronic voting system used in several North Carolina counties, including Durham.
“If anyone thinks this is the end of voter interference, think again,” writes Chris Jay. “Suffice it to say, if you’re registered as a Democrat, live in a Democrat-leaning county, or even are an independent who has a history of voting Democrat (which is public record), your vote can easily be compromised.”
“Russia and the Republicans didn’t need to change votes,” adds Andrew Robinson. “They just needed to create some chaos. If folks found long waits when they were trying to vote at the beginning the day when they had to get to work, they may have given up.”
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