Cochran exposed Atlanta to liability
The issue of former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran’s book is not whether he considers the LGBT community “less than” the rest of the community. The issue isn’t freedom of expression or religion, or even the chief’s insubordination in not pre-clearing publication with his employer. The overriding issue for the city of Atlanta is liability. As Bill Torpy reported, the chief was attempting to change the culture in the Atlanta Fire Department from one of “damn the torpedoes, I’m going in” to “well, only if I confirm that there is someone in there we are able to save.”
If a person who died as a result of this change were gay, lesbian or transgender, and the ultimate decision of entering a burning building rested with a man who has, on the record, stated his disdain for people in that community, the liability in the inevitable lawsuit the city would be saddled with would be astronomical. He is free to believe whatever he wants and to publish his beliefs. The city is free to decide whether to continue the employment of someone of those beliefs in that position of power.
CAROLINE KNIGHT, ATLANTA
Reed was right to fire bigoted chief
Mayor Kasim Reed was quite right to fire Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran. Cochran may be entitled to his own beliefs, but the taxpayers are not obligated to pay for it. Let Cochran be a bigot on his own time. The “city too busy to hate” can do better.
MIKE CANFIELD, ATLANTA
Firing of Cochran over book a shock
I am still shocked Kelvin Cochran was fired as Atlanta’s fire chief. Cochran has an admirable work history and no signs of ever treating those with different beliefs unfairly. I do not understand why Mr. Cochran got in trouble for publishing a book about his personal beliefs. Do we need permission from our employers to self-publish a book in America now?
JAN WEST, KENNESAW
McGill’s wisdom is what we now need
Thank you for the section of Monday’s paper regarding Dr. Martin Luther King and the important events in the civil rights movement (“A dream, celebrated,” News, Jan. 19). What especially impressed me were the old columns by Ralph McGill. His columns, accompanying the major events of that era – the Selma march and the assassination of King – exhibited extraordinary eloquence and wisdom.
This type of courage and leadership is missing in today’s dialogue. McGill was a leader who dared to challenge the recalcitrant and extremists of that time to hear and embrace Dr. King’s message. To have that wisdom demonstrated, and to have our dialogue framed as McGill did back then, would go a long way today to moving us forward in a more positive and productive manner.
LINDA K. DISANTIS, ATLANTA
