If confronted by police, don’t resist
While this country wrestles with the outcomes of grand jury decisions to not indict white officers in attempts to arrest two black men in separate incidents, I hope people watching these stories unfold consider the common thread: Resisting arrest, no matter the situation, can cause grievous harm to the arresting officer or the suspect. I heard the New York City mayor say he has felt the need to inform his biracial children that, if they were questioned by police officers, that they should not be obstructive but cooperate. He also said/insinuated their skin color could affect the outcome of any incident.
That type of comment is unnecessarily incendiary. Any responsible parent should tell their child the exact same thing, regardless of race. I told my children the exact same thing 10 years ago as they entered their late teens. They are Caucasian. If a police officer was involved in a situation, they were to follow instructions and call us as soon as possible. I do understand use of excessive force by police must be thoroughly investigated. No lawful citizen wants to be governed by brute force. However, I also understand both these tragic events were precipitated by two men who actively resisted arrest. That is the truth that continues to be overlooked by those protesting the grand jury decisions.
JOAN PIEDMONTE, MILTON
Kennesaw Council right about mosque
If I lived in Kennesaw, I’d be 100 percent behind the City Council in opposing the request for a mosque in my city. I realize we are a nation willing to let others worship as they please, but when Muslims terrorize people and nations and will not let one Christian worship or build a church in their Islamic country, then why should we let them build here? And has anyone heard one Muslim in this country condemn what has happened in the past in our country and to our servicemen? Or condemn the killing of innocent people working overseas? I didn’t think so. So stick to your guns, Kennesaw. This is one irate old lady who is behind you.
MARY LOU BROOKS, ATLANTA
Electric vehicles are still polluters
Regarding “In a city full of vehicles, electric cars multiply” (News, Dec. 4), electric vehicles don’t emit pollution through a tailpipe, but the power plants that produce the electricity to recharge them do. In Georgia, about 75 percent of electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, an average electric vehicle produces about 8,300 pounds of CO2 equivalent, compared to 13,000 from a gas-driven car. A large step toward true zero emissions would be to adopt a refundable carbon fee on fossil fuels produced in or imported into the country. This is an important way to send a price signal about the true cost of fossil fuels, and will help shift away from carbon-based energy toward clean sources.
DAN MAY, ATLANTA
