READERS WRITE

Big Three grow obsolete

As a 70-year-old American, the car is in my blood. I remember the ‘57 Chevrolet (what a car!); the first Mustang; the Chrysler 300; the excitement when the new models came out every year; Sunday afternoons washing and waxing your car at a park (boy-meets-girl situation); the attitude that Cadillac meant quality (indeed, the word Cadillac was used with other products to illustrate class); the first V-8 engine. I could go on.

Having said that, I also remember the hula hoop, canasta, jacks, the tape recorder, the eight-track and pay phones everywhere.

Seeing those three auto CEOs, hat in hand, asking for money last week made me sick. Clearly they had changed from gas-drinking SUVs to hybrid or electric to save their skin, not because of innovative thinking. I can’t imagine the world without a Chevrolet or Ford, but someone else will come along. They always have. When did you last order from a Sears catalog?

LARRY P. JACKSON

Atlanta

Georgia’s actions in Davis case a disgrace

I was thrilled to read William S. Sessions’ opinion piece on the Troy Davis situation (“Our system owes Troy Davis another day in court,” @issue, Nov. 18). It gives me hope that if enough national and international attention can be brought to bear on this travesty, reason will prevail.

Georgia’s conduct in this affair is disgraceful. It seems to me that if any doubt exists about Davis’ guilt, every effort should be made to learn the truth, given that the man’s life is at stake. Apparently this is not the case in Georgia.

It’s troubling that the basis for denying Davis a hearing is essentially procedural. One would think that in this supposedly “pro-life” state, everything possible would be done to avoid the tragedy of taking an innocent life. Instead, bureaucrats have apparently decided that policy trumps the right to life. Surely we can do better.

ELAINE M. RONDEAU

Marietta

Consumption must go down, not up

I read Thomas Friedman’s column with amazement (“Obama must tell us to shop again,” @issue, Nov. 18). His conclusion: Go shopping. In these tough economic times, it’s interesting that there is not a voice saying: “This is a time to re-examine our past consumption habits.”

For example, do we really need that huge house, that monster-size SUV, the latest and greatest gadget or the latest fashion item?

Yes, our economy thrives on the consumer buying things. However, our soul thrives on things that money cannot purchase. Friedman ends with a quote from “Jaws”: “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” However, I’ll end with another classic quote that Friedman might ponder:

“Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into.”

KEN LEEBOW

Marietta

Real estate coverage ignores bright spots

The AJC’s portrayal of doom and gloom in the Atlanta housing market makes it almost impossible for Atlanta Realtors to sell homes. Your many stories of reduced prices, foreclosures and short sales are not entirely true. The prices are already reduced, the interest rates are low and possibly will be lower. Inventory of homes is steadily decreasing. Actually, it is a great time for buying houses.

Homes in good school districts are selling reasonably close to listing price. Prices in these popular areas have already compensated for the market. In Sandy Springs, Buckhead, Dunwoody, northeast DeKalb, east and west Cobb, north Fulton and Forsyth, home values have not declined significantly.

I would greatly appreciate your defining the areas of Atlanta that are being affected. Because of your reports, potential buyers are fearful of purchasing during this time when they can truly find a well-priced home and a low interest.

MARGIE ULMAN

Ulman is an Atlanta Realtor.

Obamas are great models for parents

I totally agree with Cynthia Tucker’s column regarding the example that the Obamas will hopefully set not only for black families but all families (“The Obamas can be a model for marriage,” @issue, Nov. 16). Michelle and Barack Obama did it right. They married, started their careers and then had children. Isn’t this what the American family and its values are supposed to be about? It is not about having children and maybe-maybe not marrying the father. There has been too much of this, with divorce for the slightest reason. The result is single mothers raising children, trying to hold down jobs with absent or nonexistent fathers.

You can see in the glimpses we have had of the Obamas’ daughters that they are well-adjusted young girls. The Obamas should and will be proud of their girls’ accomplishments throughout their lives.

I hope all Americans will learn from their fine example of parenthood and extended family. I hope they see it as an example of how, if America wants to be a strong nation, it should start in the home with parents who care and pass on good old-fashioned family values.

DIXIE L. KRAFT

Newnan

Fox News offers plenty to fear

If I spent my days absorbing the propaganda dished out by Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly and the other talking heads of Fox News, Barack Obama would scare the daylights out of me, too.

They focus on a single word and develop half-truths and innuendo designed to scare people. Their gullible audience keeps them in business and serves to keep the country divided.

ERIC PEARSON

Atlanta