READERS WRITE: Yard signs will return

Every one stolen means $8 for Obama

My “Obama for president” yard sign has been stolen not once, not twice, but four times. Each time, I have replaced it. Although I have had strong political opinions in past elections, this is the first year I have put out a yard sign. Little did I expect that within a few days someone would steal it.

I was shocked that someone in my neighborhood would be so intolerant of political differences that they would resort to this behavior.

I promptly ordered five additional signs from www.barackobama.com in case it happened again. And like clockwork, every time I put up a sign, it was stolen. Next, I wrote on it at the bottom, “If you respect freedom of speech, don’t steal this sign.” But whoever has been doing this clearly has no respect for the First Amendment or personal property, since my appeal to fundamental American rights had no effect.

Although it is rather tedious to repeatedly replace my Obama sign, it gives me satisfaction in knowing that every time I do, another $8 goes to the Obama campaign. So go ahead and take my signs. It just gives me more reason to contribute. I’ll buy 100 of them and put a new one out every day if I have to. Because I have the right to express my opinion, and no one can stop me.

CARLOS MORENO

Atlanta

Buy school supplies with tax dollars

A relative in Forsyth County teaches at one of its elementary schools. The county administration has vetoed use of any so-called student “supply lists” for parents. The teachers were told that tax dollars would be used for needed supplies. If Forsyth County can do this, why not Fulton, DeKalb and Gwinnett?

GERNA M. DAVIS

Atlanta

East Point should seek annexation

Regarding “Threat of cuts causes outcry” (Metro, Aug. 22): Readers should remember that for 10 or more years East Point has not been your poster child among cities of fiscal responsibility and competency. The mayor’s office, City Council, departments and the housing authority have had serious problems of fiscal accountability.

It would be wise for the city of East Point to cease operations and request annexation by a more competent government. The situation is quite sad, but the remaining citizens of East Point deserve better treatment.

C.E. LUKE

Jonesboro

Tucker describes … McCain, Obama!

Regarding “Feckless council fired up for all the wrong reasons” (@issue, Aug. 20): As I was reading the first two paragraphs of Cynthia Tucker’s column, I thought she could have been writing about John McCain and Barack Obama, as well as the council.

She opened with the question “What’s the difference between a political leader and a political hack?” The first line of the next paragraph —- “A courageous leader will make the hard call, opposing constituents, if necessary, and leaving himself vulnerable to defeat in order to do the right thing” —- describes McCain. The second line —- “A hack lifts a finger to the political winds, shifting and moving constantly, to try to stay popular, avoiding even wise decisions that may cost votes” —- describes Obama.

However, knowing Tucker’s ideology, I doubt she would agree with my use of her descriptive words.

EDWARD F. GUNTER

Decatur

Applaud Georgia Tech for its detective work

Donna Gamble’s defense attorney reportedly said that his client defrauded Georgia Tech because “there were no checks and balances at the school and it took off from there” (“$316,000 state spree buys time in prison,” Page One, Aug. 20).

Deflecting blame is what defense attorneys do. As the prosecution made clear, Gamble deliberately and systematically circumvented Tech’s process controls using sophisticated techniques that included counterfeiting invoices, stealing small amounts from many large accounts and forgery.

A single slip-up on a falsified date allowed our internal auditors to unravel the crime and develop the evidence needed to send Gamble on a well-deserved trip to prison. Georgia Tech should be applauded for its outstanding detective work, not criticized for weak controls.

JAMES FETIG

Fetig is associate vice president of communications and marketing at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Speed up Social Security disability benefits to suffering Americans

Thank you for the editorial calling attention to the important issue of Social Security disability claims (“Social Security’s clogged pipeline,” @issue, Aug. 21). As an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization serving the 46 million Americans —- nearly 1.7 million here in Georgia —- living with arthritis, we at the Arthritis Foundation talk to people every day who wonder how they’re going to make ends meet.

In pain and unable to work, many are left waiting for months, often years, for a response on their disability claims. Most are not asking for handouts or special treatment, just enough support to live, eat, raise their families and pay for their medications, which in some cases can cost upward of $100,000 annually.

Partisan politics aside, there must be more funding and support for our sick Social Security disability claim system. While we applaud the efforts of Commissioner Michael Astrue (“Making progress against the backlog,” Equal Time, Aug. 21) and the Social Security Administration to streamline processes and improve their systems, we must advocate for more —- and faster —- change. Millions of Americans with arthritis and other chronic diseases are counting on it.

Dr. JOHN H. KLIPPEL and ROBERT G. SHAW

Klippel is president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation. Shaw is president and CEO of the Georgia chapter.