READERS WRITE

Nothing wrong with judge’s action

I have followed with curiosity the lawsuit against Judge T. Jackson Bedford, particularly its allegation that Bedford punishes lawyers whose cellphones ring in his courtroom by requiring them to pay $50 to a particular charitable organization (“Judge warns lawsuit filer to back off,” Metro, Feb. 25).

I just finished trying a case before Bedford and witnessed the unexpected ringing of a cellphone and the judge’s treatment of the offending lawyer. I can state without hesitation that Bedford is being unfairly criticized.

The judge’s reaction was, in my opinion, perfect. He explained to everyone how the ring is disruptive to legal proceedings, as it causes everyone to lose their train of thought. He instructed the offending lawyer to bring a check for $50 to court the following day made payable to the charity of the lawyer’s choice. The judge in no way instructed the lawyer what charity the check should be made out to —- nothing of the sort was ever said or insinuated. Our trial proceeded without any more interruptions.

Bedford runs a superb courtroom. He has serious business to attend to daily and should not be spending his time defending enforcement of the simple rules of his courtroom.

R. CLAY MILLING, an Atlanta attorney.

Let market forces decide Sunday sales

Regarding Rick Badie’s column, “Public deserves last say on Sunday sales” (@issue, Feb. 28): While I agree that residents should determine whether alcoholic beverages may be sold on Sundays, I disagree with Badie on the method used to decide.

Conservatives believe that the market should (and will accurately) determine issues of commerce. If you run a liquor store in a small rural town where nobody would consider buying beer on a Sunday, you will not keep your store open on Sundays. If there’s plenty of business for you, well, that is the market’s assessment. Market forces are even more fair than letting a tiny number of voters in a special election decide for everyone (regardless of outcome). Republican policy always favors market forces over government intervention, and this should be no different.

But to extend the argument, I have never understood why only alcoholic beverages are banned on Sundays. Why should cigarettes and lottery tickets be sold on that day? All the same arguments apply. If morality is to be legislated, don’t stop at one little law.

CHRISTINE MARTENS, Atlanta

Limbaugh and the consequences of failure

Radio entertainer Rush Limbaugh says he wants President Obama to fail. Let’s think about what that means. It means that he wants the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs to remain unemployed. He wants the millions of Americans who have lost their homes to remain homeless. He wants the millions of Americans without health care to remain without health care. He wants us to remain dependent on foreign oil while climate change gets worse. He wants countless Americans to keep dying in Iraq and Afghanistan.

So, I have a question:

Why does Rush Limbaugh hate America?

JASON MOSSER, Tucker

Opposition not feeling pain

I wonder how many people opposed to the stimulus package are out of work and at the end of their unemployment benefits, are about to be foreclosed out of their homes, have no health insurance, are telling their children that college is out of the question right now, or cannot feed their family, much less provide luxury items?

How many are at ground zero in this crisis? This may not be the answer, but don’t we have to try something other than the same tactics that got us into this mess?

SADIE WHITMORE, Stockbridge

Georgia Power has been a good friend

Patrick Moore’s positive response to the question “Will consumers save in nuclear deal?” (@issue, Feb. 24) was good, but there are other good reasons for recovery of costs by Georgia Power for these new plants prior to availability of electricity. It will ensure the plants are built at lowest cost to Georgians.

Georgia Power, its officials, staff and work crews have been among Georgians’ best and most important friends since our family moved to Georgia in 1932. They have also been very important in helping restore electricity in other states after storms toppled trees, damaged buildings and disrupted normal activities. They understand that electricity is the foundation of modern civilization

CLINTON BASTIN, Avondale Estates