Opinion Roundup: Aug. 11, 2016 -- Trump's rhetoric, Cooper's job

Political violence is no joke (Washington Post column) -- It was with a real sense of sadness and revulsion that we listened to Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president, as he referred to the options available to “Second Amendment people,” a remark widely, and we believe correctly, interpreted as a thinly veiled reference or “joke” about the possibility of political assassination. Political violence is a terrible inherent risk to any free society.

Is Trump's winning formula beginning to fail him? (Fayetteville Observer) -- Donald Trump may never take up residence in the White House, but he'll leave us with memories of the most colorful and unconventional presidential campaign we've ever seen.

Don’t flush new CMS transgender bathroom policy (Charlotte Observer) -- The N.C. Values Coalition says the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board should walk away from its controversial new anti-bullying policy.

Cooper needs to seriously consider resigning (Wilmington Star-News) -- We aren’t certain Cooper is obligated to defend laws he finds indefensible or unconstitutional. After all, he is an elected official. Voters get the final say on how he’s performed his job. But with Election Day less than three months away and the state’s legal fees mounting, we think Cooper should consider stepping down and devoting himself to convincing voters that the Republicans are wrong on these issues.