READERS WRITE

Firefighters show worth at garden

On Dec. 19, the absolute worth of Atlanta’s firefighters was demonstrated heroically as they responded to the Botanical Gardens bridge collapse with a tightly organized force that got the injured triaged and to the hospital within the critical one hour that saves lives.

No fire here. We count on them for that, but last Friday morning we were reminded that they do far more. They are a team of specialists, EMTs all, who restart our hearts, blow breath into our lungs, mitigate the damage of our strokes, cut us out of mangled metal, lift heavy things off of us, take on the management of the whole of our disasters and get us to the hospital with life-saving speed.

WARREN PRITCHARD

Atlanta

Ayers deserves forgiveness for good deeds over last 30 years

It is important for those who have worked with Bill Ayers to speak out against recent attacks in AJC letters to the editor. As a prolific author, community activist, supporter of disadvantaged and incarcerated youth, and recipient of a “citizen of the year” award, Ayers’ record as an educator and social activist is commendable.

Humans have an amazing capacity to forgive. We do so daily with those closest to us. Yet distance —- whether literal or that created by racism and false media images —- undermines our capacity to forgive and promotes a trajectory of hate. For those who can look beyond his earlier actions and honor what he has done over the past 30 years, there is a glimmer of hope for forgiveness on a social scale —- a critical step in progress in any society.

DONNA ADAIR BREAULT

Breault is an associate professor at Georgia State University.

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Responses to ” Life-and-death questions dog health-care debate,” @issue, Dec. 18.

Health care: An inalienable right

Jay Bookman asks whether access to health care is a right. Absolutely it is. The Declaration of Independence says, “We hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal and endowed by their creators with certain, inalienable rights, that among these are life…” The right to life is an inalienable right that can not be taken away from Americans.

WALTER KEITH

Atlanta

Pet’s health shouldn’t be a question

I was saddened to read Jay Bookman’s column. Our beloved 13-year old rescue dog, Dana, was diagnosed in 2006 with an aggressive form of lung cancer. We hoped for three or four months of quality time, but through the skills of her internal medicine specialist and her surgeon we were able to give her another 14 months of a pain-free, happy life. Could we afford it? That was never a consideration. We would have flipped burgers or sold possessions if necessary. The difference is this: Dana was family. Bookman’s poor dog is, in his own words, just a dog. Next time, Mr. Bookman, preserve your precious financial resources and get yourself a stuffed animal.

LESLIE GARRETSON

Marietta

Warren is closed-minded

I am disappointed and troubled that President-elect Obama has chosen Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at the inauguration. Warren’s dismissive disrespect for the beliefs of others is in sharp contrast to the positive message of Obama’s campaign.

I find it particularly troubling that Obama eventually “disowned” long-time minister Jeremiah Wright because of his divisive speech, but now chooses to elevate a man whose speech and views are at least as divisive.

I welcome President Obama inviting Warren to participate in a discussion on any issues facing our country.

Unfortunately, Warren has not demonstrated a similar openness to the ideas of others on homosexuality and abortion.

He believes these issues are not even debatable because God’s word is clear. I have trouble with a religious leader who thinks his clarity on God’s word supersedes how others hear God’s word.

MICHAEL HARBIN

Decatur

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Responses to “Don’t waste opportunity to merge black, white colleges,” @issue, Dec. 10, and “College mergers worth look,” @issue, Dec. 7.

Merger of black, white colleges would aid classroom diversity

Cynthia Tucker is right in noting that Senate Higher Education Committee Chair Seth Harp (R-Midland) has a good idea in merging Georgia’s black and white colleges to save money. Tucker has another good reason for doing so: to finally rid Georgia of its legacy of Jim Crow.

There is even a better reason though. As the Supreme Court pointed out in “Grutter,” the University of Michigan Law School case upholding race as a factor in the selective admissions process, diversity in the classroom improves education. The main objections to mergers have come from alumni fearing loss of heritage and administrators fearing loss of jobs. While these concerns need to be addressed, they can no longer be an excuse to stand in the way. Liquidate Georgia’s dual higher education system, root and branch. End racial stereotyping and establish a truly unitary system. Improve educational outcomes now.

ROGER MILLS

Stockbridge

Historically black colleges still serve purpose in Georgia

Combining Savannah State and Albany State with newer predominantly white schools may be a good economical move. However, I question why the historically black college and university is always the one to be lost. Savannah State and Albany State have longer and more significant histories. Why can’t Armstrong State and the other school be absorbed by them? Could it be that the state is embarrassed by the way the schools have been funded? Could it be that the facilities just don’t come up to standard for white students? HBCUs still have a viable purpose and losing even one during these times would be a great loss.

AUDREY QUICK BATTISTE

Atlanta

Combining schools may be necessary during times of cutbacks

Please keep the issue of merging University of Georgia institutions in public discussion, especially in a time of cutbacks in essential state services. Try to broaden the consideration of significant cost saving to all 35 institutions through regional mergers. As an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, I was impressed by the wave of bank mergers that swept the Southeast during the 1970s. The elimination of duplicate management structures universally achieved significant cost savings.

To its credit, the University System of Georgia has worked diligently toward such harmonization for years. There is no obstacle, other than the considerable political one of local pride, to regional consolidation. The local administrative structures for admissions, staffing, academic integrity, budgets and maintenance are already functioning well, serving their various missions.

A provost at each institution is adequate. Why the need for a $120,000-a-year president, four vice presidents, offices, staff and public relations experts? Local student access will remain. Bank branches seem to operate without such ceremonially important embellishments. Such a restructuring would release significant resources for Georgia’s mental health, family services, emergency health care and environmental obligations.

CHARLES D. SALLEY

Rome