Achievement is better than protests
Leonard Pitts has done it again (“Seeing hope for America in a collection of protests,” Opinion, Dec. 14). Apparently, Mr. Pitts has become a cheerleader for any and every person or group that might be convinced to protest. Protest what? Just about anything that doesn’t go the way they would like it to go. Haven’t we had enough stiring the pot from the likes of Jackson, Sharpton, etc.?
Now the AJC keeps the fires burning with the “Black and Blue” feature. Isn’t it time for the black citizens of this country to admit that a significant number of them are not conducting their lives in a manner that will allow them to be successful? Many blacks have studied hard in schools, have become successful business persons, and have been leaders in their communities and on the state and federal levels. Most of these successes can be traced to family structure, schooling achievements, hard work and following the rule of law that is the centerpiece of our society.
And last but certainly not least, let’s get those chips off the shoulders, start working together and tell the likes of Al and Jesse to go back to preaching the gospel instead of inciting riots.
BOB GRAYSON, CUMMING
Who’s to blame for officers’ deaths?
Regarding the senseless murder of two police officers in New York (“2 New York officers slain in car in ambush,” News, Dec. 21), there is no doubt in my mind as to what influenced the murderer: A constant, persistent media presentation of police bias intended to place the blame for the unrest in our communities on our uniformed police officers. The everyday harangue against police authority has given license to the weak-minded among us that opposing law and order is justified and that robbing, burning and pillaging is their right and privilege. In order to prevent more mayhem, we have to respect the uniform regardless of who’s wearing it and behave in such a manner that confrontations with law officers are not necessary.
JACK FRANKLIN, CONYERS
First Amendment only goes so far
The blood of those two assassinated New York Police Department officers is on Al Sharpton and (Mayor) Bill de Blasio. Their words are responsible for those murders. It’s past time for serious, far-reaching limits to be enacted on the First Amendment. What Sharpton and de Blasio said goes far beyond shouting “FIRE!” in a crowded theater. They should be charged with incitement and perhaps “hate crimes” as well. Severe limits on the First Amendment are, to borrow one of your favorite phrases, “common sense.” You know, like the many anti-Second Amendment laws in effect in the 50 states.
GEORGE MITCHELL, BLAIRSVILLE
