Use command of English, not interpreters, to vote

I implore the staff of the civil rights organization that filed a lawsuit to remove the restriction on the use of interpreters in state elections (“Lawsuit fights restrictions on interpreters,” Metro, Nov. 29) to redirect their money and effort to improving the English language skills of those who are not proficient. People will be far better served by becoming English-proficient 365 days a year rather than using interpreters to “get by” once every two years for elections. I’m wondering how foreign-born persons who have passed the required U.S. naturalization test (in English, I might add), which gives them the right to vote, are subsequently no longer proficient enough to read names on a ballot. A solid command of the English language enables one to be far more successful in navigating life in the United States. I, for one (of many), am tired of “pressing one for English” when calling customer service.

PHILLIP GOSSAGE, JOHNS CREEK

AJC opinion page wrong to cave to far Right

I am sorry the AJC caved in to those on the extreme right who apparently think "conservative" and "Donald Trump sycophant" are synonyms, and that "reliably conservative" means never disagreeing with the revealed wisdom of party leaders. That columnist Kathleen Parker thought for herself and didn't just spout far-Right orthodoxy was a strength, not a weakness. Your decision and the rationale for changing columnists are disappointing and smell of pandering. Ralph McGill would be ashamed. None of this is a criticism of Michelle Malkin. Thursday's column was a good, hard-hitting piece. Whether she consistently brings as much independent intelligence to the page as Kathleen Parker did remains to be seen. RANDY EIDSON, ROME

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