Readers Write: Aug. 10

We must stand together to fight enemies

A Facebook video shows a baby elephant overturned and trapped on a railroad track. He frantically tries to free himself but cannot. An eager lion approaches, but hesitates when he sees the entire elephant herd moving helpfully toward their youngest member. When he accepts the fact that he is outnumbered, the lion slithers away.

Our country has its enemies, too. Sometimes, merely taking personal responsibility for ourselves won’t save us. We need the help of our herd. If we don’t stand together, we encourage our enemies. There is safety in numbers, whether it is in guaranteeing medical care for everyone, or protecting ourselves from other predatory nations. That’s just common sense.

MARGARET CURTIS, ATLANTA

Cyclists should not impede roadway

I quite agree with the letter imploring cyclists to choose a safer venue for getting exercise (“Cyclists need to find safer roads for rides,” Readers Write, July 30). If I were to lug my stationary exercycle out in the street in front of my house, I would quickly be arrested for obstructing traffic. But as long as I’m moving at 3 to 10 miles per hour, I’m allowed to obstruct with impunity. From the perspective of drivers traveling at much higher rates of speed, there’s little difference between encountering a stationary obstacle going zero mph and one moving 5 or 10 mph. Cyclists should be well-aware by now their lives depend on drivers encountering them not being distracted or impaired. There are loads of ways to get exercise without endangering oneself and others.

BIRNEY MONTCALM, WINSTON

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