Power grid should take precedent
In Tuesday’s AJC, I was confronted with the obvious truth that as a nation, we are vulnerable to attacks to our power grid (“U.S. power grid vulnerable to foreign hacks,” News, Dec. 22). Our power grid is an engineering marvel, powering our hospitals, industries and homes. Due to our dependence on the power grid for security, communications and every facet of our military, this leaves us susceptible not only to attacks from terrorists but also to the weather. Severe weather is the No. 1 cause of power outages in the U.S., costing the economy between $18 billion and $33 billion every year in lost output and wages, spoiled inventory, delayed production and damaged infrastructure.
We have lawmakers who continually drone on about the need for boots on the ground in Syria. I disagree. We are exposed and defenseless against an attack to our outdated and antique power grid. Let’s make America safe again.
DAVE FEDACK, LITHIA SPRINGS
Muslims need to speak out on terror
Regarding your “Speaking truth about Islam” editoria l (Opinion, Dec. 20), I believe your comments to be somewhat off-point. Much is made of the AtlantaMuslim.com site. While that site is no doubt useful, allowing expression of the Muslim community’s views, it does not reach the larger audience that has concerns regarding Islamist terrorism, as well over the degree to which the Muslim community denounces and rejects that terrorism. It does not, and cannot, provide needed outreach to the non-Muslim community.
Kareem Al-Mulki is quoted as saying, “It is an unfair statement to say Muslims are not denouncing acts of terror.” How and when will that change if concerned Muslim communities are not more vocal in delivering that message outside of their communities? If the Muslim community wishes to promote support and understanding regarding this critical issue, it needs a far louder voice in opposition to Islamic terrorism.
ROBERT BANATHY, CANTON
Intelligent people don’t need profanity
Wednesday morning, I was reading the AJC’s front-page story about Atlanta rap “artists” joining an effort to petition the Supreme Court to allow violent rap songs (“Rappers join effort to allow violent lyrics,” News, Dec. 23). At the same time, Will Smith was being interviewed on NPR’s Morning Edition. Mr. Smith told of his grandmother finding his “rap book,” which used some off-color lyrics. His grandmother said not a word, but wrote in the book: “Intelligent people do not need words like this to express their thoughts. Please prove to us you are as intelligent as we think you are.” Grandmother was a class act.
MIKE CANFIELD, ATLANTA
