READERS WRITE

Obama and al-Qaida

Responses to “Obama’s win a nightmare for al-Qaida,” @issue, Nov. 23

Al-Qaida can enjoy this fairy tale

I had to stop laughing before I could write this letter. Cynthia Tucker’s Sunday column was beyond belief. Has the editor of the editorial page written a fairy tale or a satire? How does she know Barack Obama so well? I’m sure Osama and crew are quivering in their caves at the prospect of the new U.S. president.

The most ridiculous statement is: “They know he’ll fight both the propaganda war and the shooting war a lot better than Bush ever did.” They do? How does Tucker know what they think? She ignores the fact that we have not had another terrorist attack since 9/11. Can Obama beat that?

JAMES MARTIN

Marietta

Neophyte is nothing for terrorists to fear

“Zawahiri’s diatribe is good news.” I’ve read some ridiculous statements by Cynthia Tucker in the past, but this latest sophomoric observation is beyond the pale. Not only does she childishly support a smooth-talking neophyte to be commander of our armed forces, she suggests al-Qaida is frightened of him. This misguided claptrap is both sad and laughable.

JACK FRANKLIN

Conyers

Nightmare will come, and it will be ours

The nightmare for al-Qaida that Cynthia Tucker sees is going to, in all likelihood, turn into Tucker’s nightmare. While Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton negotiate and pull back troops, Iraq will fall into sectarian violence not seen since the worst days of 2006 and 2007, Iran will get its bomb, and Afghanistan will be ruled by the Taliban once again.

ROGER KENNEY

Arlington Heights, Ill.

Tobacco control can save lives, money

Regarding Jim Wooten’s recent comments on tobacco-prevention programs (“Use tobacco money wisely despite smoke,” @issue, Nov. 21): It is established that comprehensive statewide tobacco-prevention programs prompt sharp reductions in smoking levels among adults and youth (a point mysteriously omitted by Wooten) by increasing the numbers who quit or cut back and by reducing the numbers who start or relapse. These programs can reduce smoking, save lives and save money.

Tobacco-control programs play a crucial role in the prevention of chronic conditions such as cancer, heart disease and respiratory illness. Georgia policy-makers have ignored this issue far too long. This year, Georgia received $159 million from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, yet only $2.3 million is budgeted for tobacco control. Georgia ranks 50th in the country on tobacco-control spending.

It is discouraging to read of threats of further budget cuts to tobacco prevention when it is currently funded at only a substance level. It’s only right that states use tobacco money to fight the tobacco problem. It’s not too late for Georgia to keep its promise and fund tobacco prevention.

Dr. MARY ELLEN SWEENEY

Sweeney is an associate professor of medicine at Emory University’s School of Medicine and chairwoman of the Georgia Advocacy Committee of the American Heart Association.

Better school funding will lead to more jobs

Maureen Downey’s Learning Curve column is right on point (“Better schools will bring better jobs to Georgia,” @issue, Nov. 24). Georgia has one of the lowest tax rates in the country, which is attractive to companies and corporations that want to relocate here. On the downside, however, we fall short in raising enough taxes to adequately fund public schools. Rural school systems in particular are hard hit by underfunding because of our inequitable system of taxation for public schools.

Unless and until the Legislature appropriates sufficient funds to public education, we will fall further behind in creating a more educated work force. Let us stop the bleeding of public education funds for proposed vouchers for private schools and commit to improving our statewide school system.

TORIN TOGUT

Lawrenceville

Troubles of today 60 years in making

By virtue of being a conservative Republican and an “older white male,” I seem to fit a recent letter writer’s stereotype of an angry, narrow-minded, racist, xenophobic, bigoted theocrat (“As GOP goes on to right, U.S. just goes on,” @ issue, Nov. 21). Well, I now know who the letter writer thinks I am even if I don’t recognize myself in his description. Perhaps I’m insensitive as well.

However, on one point he is certainly correct. I am angry after a lifetime of watching elected officials spanning the spectrum from left to right systematically destroy the integrity of my government and loot the Treasury for political expediency. I know it’s fashionable to attribute all our current problems to President Bush, but I believe we are really reaping what we have sown for more than 60 years. If the U.S. “just goes on” with this historic trajectory, it won’t be long before our journey as a nation will end.

DOUGLAS H. NEALE

Decatur

Would Big 3 follow route set by airlines?

Now that airlines are charging for luggage and seat assignments, I think it’s time for another distressed industry to charge us for add-ons. GM, Ford and Chrysler should start charging for wheels and steering wheels.

However, there will be one accounting problem. It certainly will add revenue to their profit-and-loss statements; however, goodwill will take a major plunge on their balance sheets.

KEN LEEBOW

Marietta