Apology to Marines is in order

In June of 2006 I wrote in response to Cynthia Tucker's condemnation of the so-called Haditha Marines ("Let blame in Haditha deaths reach all levels," @issue, June 4, 2006). You published my letter, which warned not to rush to judgment (@issue, June 11, 2006). I noticed in a recent AJC, buried on Page A5, a very small article about the charges being dropped against Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani ("Iraq developments," News, June 18). Chessani is the seventh Haditha Marine to have charges dropped or to have been acquitted.

When is your newspaper going to "splash" this news the way you did the initial charges? It seems to me that after vilifying brave Marines, an apology or at least an unbiased article explaining the media's rush to judgment is in order.

TONY CONTICELLI

Alpharetta

Health museum an anemic idea

So, $250 million for a health museum ("Health showplace to rise in Atlanta," Page One, June 19)! You have got to be kidding!

If downtown Atlanta is looking for attractions to bring tourists and locals to the city, I don't believe this would be it. I have spoken to several people and not one said they would see this museum. Atlanta needs to check out other cities, such as Chicago. It has wonderful educational museums, such as the Field Museum, that bring in thousands of tourists and schoolchildren each year.

LISA EGAN

Powder Springs

Keep spotlight on mental health issue

What will it take for real change to occur in Georgia's flawed mental health system? How many more devastating events have to be reported before the state acknowledges that it has lost control of the mental health system?

Consumers, families and advocates are being treated like the enemy of the state, when in fact we are trying to be its conscience. On behalf of Mental Health America of Georgia, I would like to thank the AJC for having the courage to keep the articles about mental health in Georgia in the headlines.

SARAH SCHWARTZ

Schwartz is executive director, Mental Health America of Georgia.

Let's keep citizen engagement going

Succession planning in organizations is well-represented in theory and lacking in practice. For over a year, our country has enjoyed an impressive escalation and excitement with civic participation, especially connected with the presidential, vice presidential and congressional races. Most of us see this adrenaline rush to engage continuing through the conventions up to November voting.

Why don't we get to work right now on a plan for citizen engagement that remains active and elevated beyond November? What are the citizen endeavors we can ramp up to keep up momentum? If you have renewed enthusiasm for public work, or if you are leading new civic activists, spend some time thinking about initiatives that will need this energy when the campaign tents are folded.

John Edwards had a plan for a citizens' congress. Let's push for something like what he described and create a habit of citizen deliberation around public policies that doesn't fizzle or idle until the next campaign.

MARGARET HOLT

Watkinsville

Luckovich has a way with memorials

I wholeheartedly agree with the letter writer (@issue, June 21) who said that Mike Luckovich saves his best work for memorials (Tim Russert, @issue, June 19). Luckovich did an excellent job in two other memorials, one being when Lewis Grizzard died and was greeted by his dog in heaven, the other pertaining to the firefighters' deaths on 9/11 during the rescue attempt.

SISSY ROZIER

Roswell