Canada shows how to handle refugees
The contrast couldn’t have been more vivid: Newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greeting a planeload of Syrian refugees at the airport by saying, “You’re safe at home now” — while the Republican candidates for president in this country were falling over each other to deny entrance to these same refugees, and our own Gov. Nathan Deal was figuring out how to deny them the basic support to live. Meanwhile, the Statue of Liberty, the great beacon of hope for so many throughout the years, including many of our own ancestors, was standing forlornly on Ellis Island. Make America Great? Not this way.
SUSAN LAUTENBACHER, ATLANTA
Some could thrive at lesser schools
AJC cartoonist Mike Luckovich’s cartoon showing Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia stating minorities could do better at less advanced schools is as true as it would be for a student of any race. A more accurate statement would be: Regardless of race, many students would not only do better, but get a good education for less at local colleges or trade schools.
Many young people are intimidated into thinking they have to earn a four-year college degree. My dad only had a sixth-grade education; he started off as an office boy and rose to manager of a major corporation. My wife’s father had a similar education, became a plumber and opened his own successful business. I worked for a man who never finished grade school, but had a knack for machinery and founded his own company. He was a millionaire by age 30. I am not advocating students not go to four-year colleges, but only if the time and money leads them to their career objectives. In this life, one size doesn’t fit all.
BILL STAVRO, SUWANEE
We shouldn’t give in to fearmongers
Given recent events, many public figures and media have said people are “fearful” and, therefore, “something must be done.” For about a month now, I have been listening to ordinary folks going about their daily lives and have not heard anyone openly discussing being more fearful due to recent events. Among personal relationships, business contacts and simply out shopping, eating or going from place to place, I have yet to hear one person describe themselves as being afraid. Concerned and curious, for sure, but not afraid.
I am beginning to believe the whole “fear” theme is being sold to the public for private reasons. That worries me a lot, and it should worry everyone. At the height of darkness, FDR said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” We need that message now more than ever.
JERRY SEUFERT, ALPHARETTA
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