CEO’s mea culpa little consolation
It was forthcoming and refreshing for Delta CEO Ed Bastian to come forward accepting responsibility for the unbelievably disruptive computer glitch recently experienced. However that is little consolation for the multitude of affected flying passengers – both Delta and other airlines as well. It was also engaging to hear Bastian acknowledge company shortcomings in technology. Of course it was just last month that Bastian proudly announced Delta’s continuing profitability of adjusted net income in excess of $1 billion for the quarter. Perhaps had the CEO handled his job better he would have applied some of Delta’s profit towards remedying a recognized flaw in its computer system. I am certain countless thousands of inconvenienced passengers would have appreciated that more than a mea culpa from the man in charge!
MICHAEL L. SHAW, STONE MOUNTAIN
Have cell phones made lives better?
With the proliferation of cell phones and the amount of time so many people spend on them, it would seem that there should be some improvements or advantages as a result.
Have cellphones made us safer? In some ways probably so, but in others, maybe not. Why is it that so many people want to take video of an emergency or accident, rather than helping?
When in a restaurant, check out the families around you and look at how many parents and children are all on their cellphones rather than talking with each other.
Driving is certainly not safer today. Look at other drivers either talking on their cellphones or looking at them, presumably texting or checking Facebook or other web sites. It is astounding that so many drivers pay such little heed to the danger of inattention.
Cellphones are a fine convenience, but whether or not our lives are better for them is questionable.
MIKE DEAL, ALPHARETTA
Johnson ignored by national media
To read the political news, one would think that there are only two candidates in the race for President.
There is another option in this election, whose ideas I would really like to learn more about. This man was the Republican governor for two terms in a Democratic state.
Outside of politics, he was a successful businessman who made millions before running for office. I have also read that he has climbed several mountains, including Mount Everest, and has competed in a number of marathons and iron man triathlons. Of course, this man’s name is Gary Johnson, and he is the nominee of the Libertarian Party. Why aren’t the national media in general, and the AJC in particular, giving us information about this candidate and what his platform is?
CARL TOMBERLIN, PEACHTREE CITY
Race issues more than black vs. white
In your article on race in America (“Race called key topic for president,” News, Aug. 14), there was no mention of Hispanics or Latinos, Koreans or Vietnamese, Pacific Islander or Native American, Indian or Pakistani. The narrative that race relations only refer to blacks and whites is not in sync with the dynamic demographics of our changing nation, and is therefore an incomplete picture of race in America. “Asian” (a huge category that probably deserves some greater specificity to be helpful), Hispanic, and African communities are the among the fastest-growing racial groups in our country and it is time they received a seat at the table when race is discussed, and the AJC should evolve past seeing race as only a black and white narrative, as it so often does. Atlanta is now truly an international city, with an international community that deserves attention in the print news media.
JOSEPH KERNAN, ALPHARETTA
