Screen dependence cause of many social ills
I think columnist Mona Charen is on to something very important (“Decline of family a depressing problem,” Opinion, Dec. 2). In her last paragraph, she mentions our relationship to screens. More and more, that seems to be our only connection to the outside world. TV was bad enough by itself, but now little screens and hand-held devices appear to be our only connection to reality – a reality produced by Hollywood and a desire to have one’s picture spread throughout the universe. To me, it appears most of the disorders displayed by youngsters at school counselors’ offices are caused by their relentless dependence on what they see on their screens. Charen is correct: A family that has substituted screens for conversation is depressing and destructive to the health of our youngsters. And old folks.
JACK FRANKLIN, CONYERS
Learn from history, bring U.S. troops home
With more than $20 trillion in debt, why are we wasting billions of dollars and precious lives fighting an unwinnable war in Afghanistan? As a retired engineer who spent 50 years in the defense industry, I believe in a strong military, but I have no tolerance for “stupid” wars. Looking back on the American Revolution, we know Great Britain, the world’s most powerful nation then, could not defeat a few rag-tag colonists. Nor could the powerful U.S. win a war in Vietnam. Have we learned nothing? Satellite and aerial reconnaissance can spot significant military preparations in Afghanistan, which can be destroyed by a few missile strikes. Learn from history, and bring the troops home.
CHARLES E. GREEN, ATLANTA
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