TROOP SUICIDES

NRA should stay out of military health affairs

The NRA’s refusal to allow even a conversation regarding gun safety once again rears its ugly head. How else to explain opposing measures to prevent the soaring rate of military suicides (“Troops’ private guns at issue”, News, Oct.8)?

Why is the NRA so afraid of a suicide prevention campaign that will spread awareness, and help friends and family prevent the deaths of their loved ones? Why do they want to censor conversations between military mental health providers and commanders and the very troops that are at risk?

Saving the lives of the people that have protected ours is much more important than appeasing the NRA.

LAURIE WARLICK, ATLANTA

PAUL BROUN

Leader should stick to politics

Regarding (“Ga. rep says evolution a lie”, Metro, Oct. 7), Rep. Paul Broun and I share at least two attributes: we both confess Christianity, and we would both describe ourselves as conservative Republicans (the first is far more important, of course).

I am therefore appalled that Rep. Broun has managed to make both groups subject to uninformed ridicule. There are people who will now assume that all Christians deny physical reality, and all Republicans are as ignorant as he seems to be. He confirms every stereotype that insulting people have of Christians. The fact that he is a medical doctor makes it all the more depressing.

Unlike the case of Rep. Broun, the God whom I worship can work through scientific reality to create and sustain a universe that is far more than our human minds are able to comprehend.

Please, Rep. Broun, stick to politics.

BILL BROCKMAN, ATLANTA

ATLANTA SYMPHONY

Performances deserve continued media coverage

Hurrah!

I was delighted to see the review of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra concert in the AJC (“Symphony leaves ire of lockout behind”, Living, Oct. 6).

I am hoping that this will be a fixture during this year’s season. Your reviewer is good. A newspaper that purports to be “complete” should definitely cover the cultural life of its central city - especially when that city has such an excellent symphony orchestra.

ALIDA C. SILVERMAN, ATLANTA

CLIMATE CHANGE

Dietary changes can improve planet

Global warming is frequently cited as a primary cause of climate change in our world. We seem to focus on energy, recycling, and other similar efforts as a means to reduce this. These are all well-intentioned, but there has been little focus on a much greater cause of climate change that we can greatly influence: factory farming, used to obtain our meat, dairy, and eggs.

By eating more plant-based foods and fewer animal-based foods, we can make a significant impact on global warming, as well as other environmental problems, and our health. It is important we know how our food is produced. If we reduce our consumption of animal products produced in confined animal feeding operations one or two days a week, we can each have an impact.

JEANNE ROBINSON, SMYRNA