Opinion roundup, July 11, 2016: Tragedy, mourning, violence, guns, reconcilliation

Desperate need for reconciliation (Southern Pines Pilot) -- How should Americans as a nation — and we are still a nation, aren't we? —respond to the horrors that we witnessed in Dallas late last Thursday night?

Shootings provoke anguish, outrage (Rocky Mount Telegram) -- The tragic events last week in Louisiana, Minnesota and Texas spurred anguish and outrage across the nation.

Those not fed up with violence are the problem (Greenville Daily Reflector) -- The slaying Thursday night of five officers of the Dallas Police Department and the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system and the wounding of seven other officers and two civilians is an intolerable national tragedy. There is no possible justification for this violence. Enough is enough.

We can grieve for officers and protest deadly use of force (Elizabeth City Daily Advance) -- The ambush shooting of 12 police officers, five of whom died from their wounds, by a gunman in Dallas Thursday night was a grim reminder of the personal sacrifices our nation’s law enforcement officials make every day they put on a uniform and head out to serve, defend and protect us.

What should go without saying this tragic week (Charlotte Observer) -- Two police shootings, followed by five officers killed in Dallas; We should protest and demand answers regarding tragedies like Baton Rouge and suburban St. Paul, but we should remember something else about police.

‘This must stop’ (Greensboro News & Record) -- Police can make mistakes and misjudgments, especially when they must react immediately to violence or threats of violence. Most of the time, they do exactly what they did in Dallas — rush to protect. They deserve thanks and support for that. If Dallas police have learned better than others how to build positive relations in their communities, to resolve conflicts without escalating them, to resort to the use of weapons less often, other law-enforcement agencies should learn from them. Many, including Greensboro’s, are working hard on that, from the time recruits enter the police academy. No agency is perfect, but good ones are always striving to become better. Otherwise, tensions will increase, leading to more tragedies and loss of life.

TIM WHITE: How do we stop this spiral of killing? (Fayetteville Observer column) -- As he talked with a Dallas police negotiator, one of the snipers who shot a dozen cops and killed five of them said he wanted to kill white people, especially white officers.