READERS WRITE

Republicans did bad stuff, too

Jim Wooten (“Use tobacco money wisely despite smoke,” @issue, Nov. 21) writes that Eric Holder, the likely new attorney general in the Obama administration, is the Clinton administration retread who essentially green-lighted the Marc Rich pardon in Bill Clinton’s last hour of office and wonders if a Republican could get away with doing that.

You betcha, Jim. They got away with a lot more during Bush’s administration.

CHARLENE SMITH, Tallapoosa

CDC chief cares, values people

I read with keen interest the AJC story about CDC Director Julie Gerberding and the new administration (“CDC director faces ouster under new administration,” News, Nov. 23). I speak for many who are looking forward to the future under President-elect Barack Obama. Nobody knows for sure what will happen to Gerberding.

However, I feel compelled to elaborate a bit concerning several characteristics. She is a “people” person and she always did her best to care for those she referred to as the “greatest work force in the world.” Some questioned and disagreed with the tough decisions she had to make under the Bush administration —- decisions she did not take lightly. But there should be no doubt that Gerberding is a person with tremendous values and vision, and she cares about people. These are qualities that we all want in a leader.

TERRENCE MANNING

Manning is president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 2883.

Parents, not ads, make kids fat

Kids are not obese because of fast-food ads. There are zero calories in a TV or radio ad, and unless you eat the paper it’s printed on, there are no calories in a newspaper or magazine ad.

The calories come from actually eating fast food, and we all understand that young children (who have no money or transportation) are being fed fast food by their parents. The fault lies entirely on parents who choose to feed their kids obesity-inducing amounts of fast food and chips, cookies and unhealthy food at home.

MIKE PERCY, Marietta

Give thanks for men, women in service

As we celebrate Thanksgiving, please take time to be thoughtful and thankful for those brave men and women of the Armed Forces who give so much. As we roam our minds and memories, give real thanks for acts of kindness, words of encouragement, pastoral preaching or the love of a family member.

My 13-year-old grandson recently gave me cause to be thoughtful and thankful. Listening to Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA,” young David put his arm around my shoulder, intently followed lyrics (“And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today”) and said, “Grandpa, I’m thankful for you and that you were a soldier, too.”

This season I’m especially thankful for the loving words of a young man proud his grandpa was a soldier. So give praise and prayer for the people who serve our nation.

GARY M. FREEDMAN

Freedman is a U.S Army veteran and a former Henry County commissioner.

Companies, co-workers could help save jobs

With so many companies laying off large percentages of their work force, why aren’t some doing all they can to keep the average employee on the job by asking employees close to retirement to retire; asking employees to take a pay cut until the economy improves; and, most importantly, asking the big moneymakers at the top to take a pay cut. After these three steps, there may be a chance to save many employees who would have lost jobs otherwise.

I am sure many employees would be willing to reduce their pay instead of being thrown into a job market that is a nightmare for folks like me who have been out of work for over a year, with no hope in sight of finding a job.

JOANNE CONSALVO, Stockbridge