Foster care kids need advocates
The recent death of a toddler in foster care ("Foster parents jailed in 2-year-old's death," Metro, Dec. 7) sheds the spotlight, once again, on foster care challenges. When a child is placed in the state's care, there are many "collaterals" that enter the child's life — caseworkers, attorneys, therapists, tutors and, if the child is fortunate enough, a Court Appointed Special Advocate or CASA. This is a community volunteer thoroughly trained to advocate for foster children on behalf of the court. Unfortunately, only a fraction of the children in the foster care system are appointed a CASA.
There are two very important ways to offset this reality. First, there is a great need for qualified community members to volunteer their time and abilities to be an advocate. Secondly, additional funding is needed from the state to strengthen and expand the program. May we, as the great state of Georgia, continue to care for our most vulnerable children through highly valued programs such as this.
PAGE MIDDLETON OLSON, CASA VOLUNTEER
Don’t hinder teens qualified to drive
Years ago, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published my letter pointing out that if a capable 16-year-old, with Federal Aviation Administration-prescribed training, can solo a small plane in Atlanta air space, it would be ridiculous if he/she could not drive home after landing that airplane. Now, Rep. Keisha Waites, D-Atlanta, is tarring 16- and 17-year-old teens' capabilities to function behind the wheel with a broad brush ("My case for raising the driving age in Ga.," Opinion, Dec. 8).
Teens grow up by being empowered to do things for which they are ready, and rebel when unnecessarily held back by adults’ fears. By all means, the state should support comprehensive driver education, but if a 16-year-old can pass rigorous standards in such classes, let that teen drive.
JOHN SAWYER, ATLANTA
Fear of offending stifles U.S. spirit
On a daily basis, we read that some aggrieved minority group wants to assign today’s speech and morality standards to historical figures. They say stadiums, buildings, roads, et al, need to be renamed because the “honored” person was a Confederate war hero, slave owner or some type of politically incorrect (by their definition) person. I don’t see this pattern changing because far too many people fear live in fear of offending someone. … In light of the recent terrorist attack in California, government officials from the president on down are telling us, “If you see something, say something.” Good luck with that. You will offend someone if you say something, so be careful. Remember, tomorrow’s standards will condemn you today.
DOUG BROOKS, DULUTH
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