NEIGHBORLINESS
Gas station attendant was Good Samaritan
I was traveling to a routine medical appointment recently when I chose to exit the highway and stop at a Chevron station on Forest Parkway. I stretched my legs, bought a pack of gum, and decided to use the facilities. My car key went down the toilet (and I presume is now united with the Clayton County sewer system).
The station proprietor was a most considerate young man who made that important phone call for me to a friend who could bring me a spare key. I had left my cell phone at home. The young man in charge was so very kind and understanding. He gave me a comfortable stool to sit on, and chatted amicably as I whiled away over three hours. He even made fresh coffee for me. When I tried to give him a few dollars to cover the inconvenience and possible plumber visit, he would not accept it.
I want to say “thank you” to the young man. He could not have been more kind and solicitous. What a blessing on an otherwise less than wonderful day!
KATEE DUGAS, WARNER ROBINS
CAREER POLITICIANS
To adopt true reform, strengthen term limits
It seems obvious that lobbying and related forms of influence peddling can be truly reformed and effectively controlled only by attacking the true root of the problem: the existence of a class of career politicians.
Thomas Sowell’s excellent commentary (“How to make term limits really work as intended,” Opinion, March 26) laid out a practical rationale for a single-term limit and intervals between holding another elected office. Such reforms are needed at all levels of government, from city to national, if we are to achieve good governance by people willing to deal effectively and appropriately with major issues — rather than worrying about being re-elected.
Given the low approval ratings of Congress and other elected officials, it is clear the public would support such measures. The media should lead a campaign to make this possible. Politicians and special interest groups will never do it.
RON KURTZ, ALPHARETTA
DEFENSE
It’s time to get serious about N. Korea threats
Can anyone imagine Russia or China rushing to set up a missile defense system because North Korea made ridiculous threats (that have no credibility) to them?
The United States in those circumstances rushed to get a missile defense set up in answer to the threats being made by North Korea’s Kim Jong Un. It’s about time we made use of some of the missiles we have to teach Un that his talk has consequences. We should put a missile submarine on the east and west sides of Korea and lob a missile from each to the other side and let them watch them pass overhead.
Letting saber rattling go by with no form of retaliation only leads those like Un to think we are really afraid of him, and to perhaps make him bolder.
BERNARD J. ROSS, WOODSTOCK
