Gun owners, be mindful of others
In response to “Stray bullet kills tourist in Helen” (Metro, Aug. 17), we spent a delightful couple of days in the Helen area this past summer, as we have done all over the state of Georgia, never dreaming that it might be a dangerous place. I didn’t think so then, nor do I now. The problem is not the places we explore, but the danger from others who so seriously take for granted their right to bear arms that they insist on their right to take them anywhere under any circumstances, and without the need to be mindful of the rights of others. It is said that your rights end at the end of my nose. Although I am not against the ownership of guns, properly used, I am against the right-to-carry laws now endangering not only the the end of my nose, but indeed my life.
MADELINE KORFF, CANTON
Blacks in Ferguson must organize, vote
As long as people allow others to do their bidding, they can expect to see little results (“Similar cities, diverse results,” News, Aug. 17). If you are not registered to vote, you cannot complain about what you don’t have. If the people of Ferguson want to have “power,” they have to vote the present people out of office, and that can only be done if enough people register and vote. How can you have a situation where there are so few blacks represented in various city departments and expect to get things done for or by blacks? Wake up, and realize this is America. The vote is extremely important if you want to get anything done for you or those close to you. The evidence of this is obvious with the representation of blacks in the Atlanta area versus the number of blacks in government positions in Ferguson.
DAVID CLARKE, BUFORD
Make new arrivals first learn English
I would like to make a suggestion about the influx of immigrant children and teens illegally crossing the border without their parents and enrolling in Georgia schools. Find a building comparable to a one-room school house. Do you remember those? Move the young people to this one-room school and teach them English. Only after they have learned English, move them to a regular classroom. (Otherwise) it is not fair to teachers. We have seen this happen in Gwinnett County, and it puts so much stress on teachers, and they already have enough of that.
JEAN VEASEY, STOCKBRIDGE
