READERS WRITE

Clarity on airport gun ban

I must set the record straight regarding Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport’s position protecting the rights of passengers and airport employees to a safe, secure, gun-free airport (“Airport gun ban debate has hole,” Page One, Aug. 18).

Our position is clear. The law prohibits the carrying of loaded, concealed weapons at the world’s busiest airport. This is also common sense. The story raises a false issue, because it was already in the public record that firearms properly secured for transport are not our focus and do not involve the same risks to our passengers. Mayor Franklin and I made that clear in our July 1 news conference, and the point was again illustrated in an op-ed in the paper on Sunday, July 6.

Additionally, the GeorgiaCarry.org quote in this article is untrue. We have never said there would be a stampede simply because someone has a gun. In response to a federal judge’s question about what would happen if someone “accidentally discharges” a firearm in the terminal, we stated there would be a stampede. In addition to the human cost, we would have to shut down the airport, effectively crippling the national and international air transportation system. That financial cost would exceed millions of dollars.

BEN DeCOSTA

DeCosta is airport general manager.

Politics

GOP wants to fool voters on fuel

Apparently congressional Republicans think off-shore and Alaska oil drilling is a winning election issue (“Oil debate energizes GOP,” Metro, Aug. 14). That’s because after almost eight years of failed Republican governance in Washington, Republicans cannot win on any real issues. Now Republicans intend to try to fool voters into believing that American dependence on foreign oil can be eliminated if we simply engage in more drilling offshore and in Alaska.

As economists tell us, however, the problem is that increased domestic drilling would not yield enough oil to significantly reduce crude oil prices, nor would the additional oil be available for market for seven to 10 years. Nonetheless, Republican leaders are hoping that if they spin their message often enough and repeat it loud enough, voters will believe it. Republicans hope that voters will then blame Democrats for gasoline prices. Even in today’s cynical political climate, that’s a bit of a reach.

STEVE REILLY

Norcross

Obama ready to lose war to get elected

Jay Bookman, if anything, is consistent in his belief that we should run up the white flag of surrender any time we are confronted with adversity (“McCain, warrior no matter what the situation,” @issue, Aug. 18). Keep drawing these comparisons between Barack Obama and John McCain. It clearly shows the difference between the two and will persuade the American voter to elect McCain to the White House. Obama’s willingness to lose a war for the sake of winning a campaign has never been more apparent.

EARL EUBANKS

Peachtree City

Younger students need the basics

While schools scurry to increase their curriculum and get students ready for annual statewide tests, I wonder when our children are studying the necessary skills. Children are busy taking field trips to the theater and gardens, preparing school musicals and performances and baking and cooking holiday treats.

When do they have time to learn the two basics that they need as adults? Without strong math and reading skills, none of the other learned skills matter. While I enjoy the additional things my second-grader does in school, I wish a majority of his class time was spent mastering these two skills. There is time for plays and field trips at the high school level.

SUZANNAH HEIMEL

Decatur

Make lobbyist rules simple for politicians

I was amused to read the article (“Politicians watch what they eat at conventions,” News, Aug. 18) on the hair-splitting interpretation of rules needed to decide whether members of the House and Senate can accept lobbyists’ offerings of finger food (allowable) or quesadillas with chicken (not allowable).

When I worked for the Air Force, the rule was simple: Accept nothing from a contractor. If the company laid out soft drinks during a break in meetings, we could either lay down the going price of a Coke or not take a drink. Let’s see our senators and congressmen adhere to that simple standard.

RON BUTLER

Butler, of Powder Springs, was a civilian engineer for the Air Force for 13 years.