Surge 'success' due to massive bribes

The success of the surge is a myth. The decline in attacks on U.S. forces and the general decline in violence in Iraq is not a function of the surge but of the hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes (blood money if you will) that the U.S. government has been paying to Sunni tribal leaders and their supporters. These are the same leaders who supported and were tied closely with Saddam. These are the same tribal leaders whose forces led the attacks on American forces and fought alongside al-Qaida terrorists.

These are not individuals who support democracy, human rights, equality or peace with Shiite or Kurdish Iraqis. The surge did not stop them militarily, but our bribes in terms of cash, arms, cars and trucks, and even some heavy weapons, have brought about a temporary reprieve. The moment we stop paying for their loyalty, those same weapons may be turned against Americans and their fellow countrymen and women again.

RICHARD VENGROFF

Vengroff is dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and a professor of political science, at Kennesaw State University.

Permanent bases were always the goal

Columnist Charles Krauthammer makes clear the Republican definition of victory in Iraq: permanent U.S. military bases from which to "project American power regionally" ("Right on time, Iraqi leader's in sync with Obama," @issue, July 25). This has been the goal of neo-cons right from the start, and they won't be satisfied with less. At a press conference on May 24, 2007, the president said, "If they were to say, leave, we would leave."

Prime Minister Maliki is now saying it, and the GOP is dragging its feet. Before you accuse Maliki of being ungrateful, ask yourself what George Washington would have done if the French had demanded permanent military bases in Boston and Philadelphia in exchange for helping America gain its independence.

W. JOSEPH MADDEN

Atlanta

Banning trans fats is right thing to do

Beginning in 2010, no California restaurant will be able to serve products containing harmful trans fats. Retail baked goods containing trans fats will be banned by 2011, while packaged foods will be exempt.

Trans fats are used in fried foods as an alternative to other healthier oils that break down faster under high temperatures, and in baked goods to extend shelf life. Trans fats raise the LDL (bad) cholesterol and lower the HDL (good) cholesterol —- the opposite of what you try to achieve if you are following a heart-healthy diet.

When more states jump on the trans fat "ban wagon," the sooner action will happen at the federal level to remove these fats from processed food production and supply. It is sad that we need laws to inspire change. What about doing it because it is the right thing to do?

MELISSA NODVIN

Nodvin is a registered and licensed dietitian in Sandy Springs.

55 mph speed limit a non-starter

In a recent opinion column, Sue Carlton supports setting a 55 mph speed limit on the nation's freeways, stating that the reduced speed limit would result in savings in fuel consumption ("America, is 55 mph such a scary idea?" @issue, July 27). I don't doubt that some fuel would be conserved, but at what price? As well-intentioned as the proposal is, would it produce benefits that outweigh the total costs, including the value of a person's time? This is a classic case where environmental zealots calculate benefits but have little concern about the overall costs to society.

Only a small percentage of vehicle-miles traveled in this country are on roads that have a speed limit greater than 55 mph. Most trips are taken on local roads with lower speed limits, and the travel time (and fuel consumption) on these roads is most affected by traffic congestion, not the speed limit. If we're really serious about reducing fuel consumption, let's improve these local roads and reduce the amount of time that vehicles sit idling in traffic.

If we're going to justify setting a 55 mph speed limit on our freeways, by the same logic we should reduce the speed of commercial airliners to 250 mph.

JIM CHAMBERS

Tucker

Politicians' supporters spread lies

Most new political attack e-mails and blogs are shown to be false or gross distortions when checked on snopes.com or other urban-legend debunkers. When that is pointed out to the senders, they usually fall into two groups: A small group sends a retraction to the original address list. A larger group does nothing because "that's politics."

Willingly spreading information you know or suspect to be untrue, or that you decline to check because you want it to be true, or that you send anyway because it damages the opponent, is the worst kind of political dishonesty. Both major presidential candidates condemn the practice. It appears the problem is their win-at-any-cost supporters.

TOM CARLSON

Jasper

Raging federal deficit must be addressed

Tuesday's AJC reported that the 2009 federal budget deficit is expected to be $482 billion (" '09 budget deficit is record, and it could get even worse," Page One, July 29). When will our politicians honestly face this issue? Barack Obama doesn't say anything, and John McCain doesn't say much.

We cannot continue as a nation to live beyond our means. We cannot create more and more programs without having a way to pay for them. When will someone stand up and tell us honestly that we have to cut back, we have to be ready to sacrifice. I don't see any candidates at any level willing to be honest on this issue. But at some point we are going to have to "pay the piper."

JOHN TITUS

Stone Mountain

Central Library part of city history

So now Atlanta is calling our Central Library not modern enough and [saying it] should be sold, which of course means demolished ("Beauty, truth and bonds: Is library a classy eyesore?" News, July 28).

I imagine this was the same argument when the ornate 1902 Carnegie Library was torn down in 1977. Not modern enough. When is Atlanta going to realize that tearing down our old buildings robs the city of our history and makes it less interesting to live in or visit? If a new library is really needed, then build a new one on one of the many parking lots around the city, but please have a plan of how to convert and use this unique structure, designed by the renowned Marcel Breuer.

CRAIG ANTLER

Atlanta

MARTA needs to connect to surrounding counties

In response to the letter about the many destinations provided by MARTA, there were a few points it missed ("MARTA goes to plenty of places," @issue, July 28). MARTA does go plenty of places but is in need of expansion. Due to growth, traffic congestion causes Georgia drivers to spend hours of extra time on the road and use gallons of additional gas. Yet metro Atlanta residents are divided on the issue of MARTA expansion. The Gwinnett County straw poll on MARTA expansion had a split result.

Intown transit is efficient enough to support the mass commute to and from Five Points; however, the surrounding counties are overlooked and lack financial support. We must support organizations promoting commuter rail projects connecting Atlanta with suburban areas, and repeal the laws that prevent local governments from funding transit projects.

FAATIMAH STEVENS

Atlanta

There's no sensible reason not to drill

I have yet to see an intelligent counterargument to the proposal of drilling for our own domestic oil reserves. We have heard the time argument, and given the rebuttal of the '70s. We have heard the environmental argument, and given the clear answer that such a contention is rubbish.

Now we have the argument of "our leaders should stop lying to voters about oil prices. Instead they should give monetary help to needy motorists." Our leaders haven't got much to do with the price of oil, save for their restrictions on drilling in ANWR and offshore. And where's the money for these so-called "needy" motorists going to come from? Who's "needy"? How "needy" must one be?

CHRIS NEHLS

Athens