Politicians seem asleep at the wheel

Hello, Washington. Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Congress. Hello, Mr. President. Is everyone asleep?

Gasoline prices continue to rise, approaching $4 a gallon in some parts of the country. We have had prices out of control before, and our government stepped in with some kind of price control. But now it seems that all in control of our government are either asleep and don't know what is going on or what to do. All of us must ring the alarm clock and demand they do something to alleviate the problem. We the citizens are beginning to lose our patience.

IRVING BLOOM

Atlanta

Nichols non-trial a travesty of justice

The Nuremburg trials didn't take as long to get started as the local trial against Brian Nichols. Now his lawyers want another judge because the new judge said that the murdered judge was a friend.

To date, more than $1 million has been spent on this defendant. This thing goes on and on and the actual trial hasn't even started. If this isn't making a mockery of our justice system, it's real close. This kind of travesty should not happen.

BILL BURNS

Stone Mountain

Character transcends debates

The brouhaha about the ABC presidential debate is absurd. Over the course of some 20 debates between Obama and Clinton, we have heard over and over about their stance on various issues. Their "stance" really doesn't matter at this point because it's all just political posturing and there is not a dime's worth of difference between the two. The questions about the Rev. Wright, [William] Ayres, flag pins and Bosnian sniper fire are significant because these issues open a window into their character. And character does matter. It's the one thing that doesn't change every time there is a new poll.

EARL E. HIDER

Snellville

America has ceded moral high ground

Recently, in an interview on ABC News, President Bush admitted that the White House was deeply involved in decisions about CIA use of torture. It is interesting that any believer can justify any means to an end, and that we should stoop to the level of a lowest common denominator in war instead of leading the world by example.

By adopting and legitimizing torture, we become part of the problem instead of a leader in spreading basic human rights solutions. Short term, this lends legitimacy to our enemies, who may now use similar techniques on our captured troops. I would like to believe that my America would strive for the high moral ground.

EMIL WALCEK

Roswell

Indefensible —- more jobs lost

In response to "4,200 jobs in play for Georgia" (Page One, April 18): You hit the nail on the head when you spoke of Northrop Grumman's "semantic spin." The company's spin leaves more questions than answers.

What kinds of jobs will be created —- high-paying manufacturing jobs or low-level, low-paying jobs? Are these new jobs? Should the U.S. trust foreign governments who have not been our allies with building critical military equipment? If these countries disagree with U.S. foreign policy, would these governments hold hostage the equipment?

It's time to stop the spin and stop Washington from killing American industry by sending jobs overseas.

CATHERINE WATERS

Altanta

Way back, folks weren't 'bitter'

Growing up in a working-class neighborhood in Columbus, Ga., during the Great Depression, I somehow missed those "bitter" people some politicians keep referring to. I recall people who worked long hours at often dangerous jobs and who struggled to stretch every penny they earned.

When World War II came, these Americans were fearful but complained little as young people went off to war and civilians skimped on everything from food to gasoline. They honored those who served in the military and grieved for those injured or killed. Despite problems, disappointments and fears, they were thankful they lived in the United States. My memories are not of "bitter" people but more nearly resemble the memories of Tom Brokaw's interviewees for "The Greatest Generation."

GEORGE HINTON

Dahlonega

Merger will stifle competition

Its effect on Atlanta aside, the merger of Delta and Northwest airlines is a bad deal for the American public because it will further destroy the foundation of a capitalist economy, which is competition.

Proponents will argue the necessity of "economies of scale" and "critical mass." If that's the case, why do the AirTrans and Southwests continue to beat the pants off the "majors," keeping them honest and holding down cost to the consumer? Because they're better businesspeople.

The feds need to reject this merger and send a signal to Delta, Northwest and other major airlines that they must learn to adapt and compete to survive. In the process, our country, economy and the airline companies themselves will be better off.

JIM SCHISLER

Atlanta