Readers Write 02/15

POLITICS

Microchip bill no joke,
but perhaps Bookman is

In a blog post, columnist Jay Bookman recently called each of us “crazy” for supporting a measure which protects Georgians from being forcibly implanted with a tracking device.

Senate Bill 235 is about as common-sense as one can imagine. The measure prevents any Georgia citizen from being implanted with a tracking device against their will. Any Georgian who willingly accepts a microchip implant may still do so.

To oppose SB 235, as Bookman does, is tacit approval of forcibly injecting tracking devices into Georgians without consent. Where does it end? So we ask, who is crazy, supporters of SB 235 or Bookman?

It is important to note the process of the deliberations on this measure. The bill passed unanimously in two committees and was debated again on the floor of the state Senate and passed by a vote of 47-2. The senators elected by the people of Georgia heard the testimony, listened to the arguments, agreed with the legislation and passed the bill overwhelmingly.

Bookman was amused by the fact SB 235 pertains to microchips and each of us has the first name Chip. If this is his brand of juvenile humor, may we suggest the next episode of Barney on Georgia Public Broadcasting? We suspect he will find it funny. For the rest of us, we will continue take seriously all efforts to protect life, liberty, and property.

State Sens. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) and Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville)

MIDDLE EAST

So glad Palestinian point of view being published

Thank you, AJC! I highly applaud and sincerely appreciate “Debunking the Palestinian stereotype” by Ismail Khalidi (Opinion, Feb. 10). It is vitally important for the average American citizen to understand the history of the place and the people at the heart of so much contention. I also urge my fellow Americans to take it a step further and educate themselves about the true history of Palestine — particularly the events of 1948, which have caused so much turmoil, anger and oppression among the people of Palestine.

Keep up the great work. Nothing is more important to our democracy and free speech than being able to see and hear every side of any issue.

Yasmine Jandali, Cumming

MIDDLE EAST

No Palestinian state until Israel is accepted

Ismail Khalidi is in deep denial about the history of the Palestinians and the ability of the United States to improve their situation. The future of the Palestinians is completely in the hands of the leaders of the Muslim world; ending Palestinian suffering will require a sea change in the actions they have pursued for 60 years. They will need to stop demonizing Israel and begin teaching tolerance; they would have to admit to the Palestinians that their “right of return” would mean returning to the Palestinian state. They would have to turn their attention toward building the infrastructure required by a civil society rather than directing their energies toward attacking Israelis. Most important of all, they would have to accept the fact that true peace with Israel means the end of the conflict.

I hope that, one day, there will be a Palestinian state, living in peace, security and affluence side by side with Israel. But it will take two generations to undo the damage that has been done to two generations by Islamist rejectionists.

Toby F. Block, Atlanta

PUBLIC HEALTH

Do your part to end
the obesity epidemic

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few decades, you must know that obesity is the United States’ public health crisis. We spend billions each year on obesity-related health issues. That’s more than we spend on treating cancer. With statistics like these, it’s no surprise our children may not be as healthy as their parents.

The latest “Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation 2010” was released with startling statistics, but also real opportunities for prevention and developing a “new normal.” Creating healthy schools and work sites and mobilizing the medical community to be role models of healthy lifestyle habits are essential in establishing a new normal lifestyle. Come on, people— do your part! Choose better nutrition, get regular exercise and lower your stress level to stop the obesity epidemic.

Kudos to Michelle Obama for taking this issue to the next level. 

Melissa Nodvin, Sandy Springs

TOBACCO TAX

Pay to put an end to filth from cigarette filters

Instead of, or in conjunction with, a $1 tax on a pack of cigarettes, I propose a nickel deposit on each filter of a cigarette. Imagine how much cleaner the gutters of our streets, and our rivers, and lakes would become.

Heff Heffernan, Peachtree Corners

GOVERNMENT

Belt-tightening should begin with our officials

Every year at this time, it is budget time for counties across metro Atlanta — and all we hear is bad news of schools closing, reducing police forces, and axing other essential services unless taxes are raised.

These are the scare tactics all the counties use to raise property taxes and other fees. Citizens have no choice but to accept such increases.

Why don’t they freeze their wages, or stop giving raises? Why don’t they get rid of deadwood in their offices? The government is the most inefficient entity, and yet we do not see any belt-tightening by government departments. It is always us, the taxpayers!

Girish Modi, Decatur

MILITARY

Dangerous to ignore lawmakers’ comments

Regarding James Biwer’s plea to ignore Saxby Chambliss (“Readers write,” Opinion, Feb. 11), as much as I’d like to ignore our hapless senator, he is not someone you can dismiss like some flatulent talk-jockey spouting hate for ratings.

He is a sitting lawmaker making (or blocking) the laws and policy of this nation. What voters need to understand is that right-wing pandering for votes has severe consequences for the lives and effectiveness of our military and our citizens.

Remember the Georgia lawmaker/gubernatorial candidate who pandered to Confederate flag-lovers that he’d bring back the state’s “heritage”? Look at the mess Georgia is in now.

Ken Anderson, Decatur