newsobserver.com projects - Deborah Ross - Comments

Re: Hensley, former Wake rep., dies

yanaha — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:32:48 -0400

Bob made NC a much better place. All who knew him have lost not only a friend but a true inspiration. I hope he is riding the heavens in his little sports car with the top down. A job well done my friend, may you rest in peace.

Re: Hensley, former Wake rep., dies

flacar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:46:03 -0400

Not enough time nor words to describe a truly caring individual as Bob. I met Bob under not the best of circumstances (for myself). He helped me through more than one very trying time over the past two decades. Years would go by, and I'd call Bob from Florida, and it was just as if I just left speaking with him. He never forgot a name. Always respectful of good or bad situations, he laid it on the line and talked straight. As an attorney...as I knew him best, he was the utmost professional. As a friend...you couldn't ask for anyone better. His intestinal fortiude will never be matched. Since the day I stepped into Bob's office many years ago, he was truly instrumental in assisting me in changing my life. He never dwelled in the past, only moved forward. He was always someone I could look up to, yet at the same tme..be right on my level. May the Lord Bless You Bob...You will never be forgotten. My prayers and thoughts are with his family. Bob will always be there looking over and keeping all in check. Goodbye my friend.......

Re: Hensley, former Wake rep., dies

pamlovesrandy — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:36:17 -0400

Bob was a great person. When I saw him he always had a smile on his face. When I went thru a very difficult period in my life, he was always uplifting when I saw him offering up a greeting and a great smile. We will keep his family in our prayers. But they should be encouraged that he continues to live on. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Re: Hensley, former Wake rep., dies

John_Burns — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:18:09 -0400

He will be greatly missed, as will his wonderful sense of humor, way with a story, and ability to quell disputes with a well-timed joke.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Re: Hensley, former Wake rep., dies

RobSchofield — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:17:55 -0400

VERY sad news about a great guy.

Re: So did we

AquaMan — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:27:56 -0400

spoken like someone who has no experience actually running a government program

At first thought........

captainjack — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 08:03:13 -0400

Sounds like something our "now incarcerated" former state elected officials might have been hoping.

Re: Deaf jurors debated

PJMarie — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:10:11 -0400

This comment by Mr. Sutton is unbelievable, unfair, discriminatory and not an inaccurate comparison. Is he saying that Deaf people should not be considered active citizens of this country?

The decision to run track is a personal choice or a hobby. However, if called, serving on a jury is a responsibility all citizens of this country as people of a free democracy. While not always fun, serving on a jury is a way of serving our country. True, quadriplegics can’t run, but Deaf people CAN do anything except hear!! We have Deaf doctors, lawyers, presidents, professionals, organizations, and publications (among other things). Why shouldn’t they be able to be a fellow peer? Would a jury of our peers really be so if we pick and choose who not to include in our society?

A Deaf person, given appropriately qualified and certified interpreters, will not miss anything that is ‘said’ in a court. They are still ‘hearing’ what is said, just through their eyes instead. The English word for water means the same thing as the Spanish word for water, the only difference being language it is conveyed in. We have no official language in this country so why can’t AMERICAN sign language be used in courts to give Deaf people equal access? What about the Americans with Disabilities Act? Doesn’t it require that services, such as interpreters, be made available for just such circumstances? Stop trying to weasel your way out of making all citizens equal. After all, it’s that what our country is based on?

Re: Deaf jurors debated

motherdhh — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:21:49 -0400

there's more

http://www.nad.org/blogs/lindanelson/north-carolina-legislators-oppose-deaf-jurors

Re: Deaf jurors debated

ASLPro9 — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:15:18 -0400

These reps have no idea of how much of an asset we are to the legal system and the community! Through the interpreters, not only we get verbal information, but we are capable of getting a lot of non verbal cues on our own. People with full hearing capabilities rely on their ears when they should rely on their sights. What happens if there are no sounds, what would you notice? The interpreters and deaf jurors are an enchantment to all in the court room, which is equality. Let's not go backward and remember we must not make mistakes for our future generations in our country. If we cannot achieve equality, American cannot maintain its greatness….

Re: Deaf jurors debated

carolinachickenboy — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:28:15 -0400

I just hope that the newspaper made a misquote when they interviewed Rep. Ronnie Sutton. If they didn't, then it is an embarrasment to NC a Representative of NC would think the way he does. He has taken the progress of the last 50 years back into the dark ages again. He has completely ignored the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Acts and has trampled on the Rights of every disabled citizen in NC.

It's a crying shame that he is not taking into consideration some of his own people in his own district who may have gotten injuried while serving the United States of America in the Armed forces, may have lost all of their limbs due to roadside bombs, or may have lost their hearing defending our country being inside the tanks. When he said that, he has absolutely removed these citizens from consideration eventhough they have given far more than many citizens who serve on the jury. Our Declaration of Independence indicates "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certian unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." It makes me wonder if he sees us as non-equals?

With this in mind, I sincerely hope that Ronnie will reverse his thinking, and support this bill. He is absolutely rejecting the 23 million Americans who have disabilities because he thinks they do not have the ability to perform tasks on a jury. Hmmm.... Does this mean that people who are Deaf or Quads are exempt from any legal rammificaitons? Does this mean that since we are not seen as peers, then the rest of society cannot be our jurors? We are entitled to be judged by a jury of our peers.

I just hope that he was misquoted, but if he wasn't then he should have no business being a Representative of the People because he sure isn't representing all of us equally!

I will say I am pleased that he is in the minority,.

A concerned citizen

Re: Deaf jurors debated

iluvmonica — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:12:54 -0400

Seems like the proposed law and debate are unnecessary. Doesn't federal ADA requirements trump state law in cases like this anyway?

Re: Deaf jurors debated

ajmarkin — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:14:22 -0400

As a long-time registered Democrat and NC licensed sign language interpreter, I have to say I am truly embarrassed and can say this is the most IGNORANT comment I have EVER read about deaf people from a state legislator. I wonder how my deaf attorney friends will feel when they read these comments by Rep. Sutton??? I can't wait to send it to them!!!

Re: Deaf jurors debated

tpgrad — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:53:00 -0400

Ronnie Sutton obviously doesn't know anything about hearing loss or deafness or what it takes to be a good juror. I suggest he learn a little more before making such "caveman" comments that are down right wrong and very unprofessional. Deaf jurors would probably make better jurors than some I have seen sitting on the jury.

Re: Deaf jurors debated

englewood — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:07:55 -0400

"This is one example of taking political correctness too far".

Serving on a jury is part of being a good citizen, and all of us should have the opportunity to do that.

Opposition to this bill is one example of taking bigotry too far.