Recent executions demean Georgia
Two back-to-back executions have been carried out by the state in 2015. First, Georgia executed Andrew Brannan — the first execution in the U.S. this year — on Jan. 13 for the horrid shooting of a young deputy sheriff at a routine traffic stop many years ago. Even so, two wrongs have never made a right. Brannan suffered from long-term post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of combat experiences in Vietnam, often having flashbacks and behavior issues. It was established by several psychiatrists that he was “not in his right mind” when he killed this law enforcement officer.
On Tuesday, Georgia executed Warren Lee Hill for the killing of a fellow inmate after Hill was already serving a life sentence for killing a girlfriend. Both of Hill’s killings were despicable, but numerous psychiatric and psychological reviews documented his IQ at 70 — low enough to exempt him from execution in most states, which do not execute mentally retarded people. Georgia has no comparable restrictions, and it has executed the mentally incompetent for decades, as well as juveniles up until recently. Georgia seems to have no scruples about this.
Undoubtedly, such barbaric, inhumane — indeed, shameful — executions are likely to continue in Georgia. Still, the day will come when the executions of mentally retarded and challenged people will be seen as a despicable practice that only demean this state.
EUGENE F. ELANDER, DAHLONEGA
Winning Hawks cure fan blues
The Hawks are proving that winning is the best cure for anything. It’s just a matter of time until new ownership will make us forget about the blunders of Bruce Levenson and crew. Maybe Danny Ferry will be welcomed back. After all, he’s the one who got rid of dead weight and brought in players who pulled their weight, as well as coach “Bud” and his excellent group of assistants. The Hawks are winning because they’re playing the way basketball was meant to be played, and the fans are loving it.
JERRY SCHWARTZ, ALPHARETTA
School bus drivers deserve insurance
Having lived in Georgia for a little over a year, I am no longer surprised by the numerous instances of corruption and shenanigans by local and state politicians, as continuously reported by the AJC. However, I must say the reasoning used by Gov. Nathan Deal in his effort to eliminate state health insurance for school bus drivers goes beyond the pale. Unfortunately, he didn’t say that since these part-time workers have access to health insurance, the state should consider providing similar coverage to other part-time state employees. I do, however, have one question: Do Georgia legislators have state-provided insurance? If so, shouldn’t Gov. Deal also propose eliminating coverage for these part-time employees?
NATHAN TINANOFF, MARIETTA
