Terror acts aren’t Islamic teaching
We are Charlie Hebdo.
These are the powerful words spoken by the Parisian people in light of the horrendous terrorist attack on the satirical French magazine Charlie Hebdo. These attacks were carried out by radical Muslims, presumably because the magazine published offensive comics about the Prophet Muhammad. In its truest sense, comedy is meant to poke fun at society in order to better it. So what I would like to ask is, “Were the satirical comments about the Prophet Muhammad supposed to better society — or was it just meaningless humor?”
Still, as an Ahmadi Muslim, I fully support free speech and condemn the attack on the magazine, even though I am also offended by what the magazine printed about the Prophet Muhammad. The acts of these terrorists are against the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and Islam.
SULTAN HUMAYUN, MUSLIM WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA
Luckovich is good example for all
The popular Internet buzz words in French, “Je Suis CHARLIE,” means I stand with the murdered victims of the French magazine, Charlie Hebdo. This popular phrase was bravely embodied and echoed like a lion roaring when news of Atlanta’s own AJC cartoonist, Mike Luckovich, as reported by WSB Radio, basically said he will draw anything he darn well pleases regardless of any opinion or consequence. Now that is a real American, and I applause his courage. May we all follow his example in spirit.
DAVID C. HOLMES, MARIETTA
Free college may not be right path
Until we know more about the process associated with the president’s plan for a free two-year college education if students maintain a 2.5 GPA and make progress, we won’t know if it’s a good thing or not. There is, however, a hidden impediment many students may have to overcome before they can take advantage of his plan.
When there is talk of lowering high school graduation requirements, it only confirms some educators and school systems just care about looking good. Their mission to prepare our children for a productive life after high school will be swapped for a paycheck and a pension. When too many schools report 60 percent dropout rates, changing it to 40 percent by lowering graduation requirements will not necessarily mean schools are turning out smarter kids — just more kids who can’t compete for a decent job or gain admission to a two-year college without remediation.
So if the president’s plan survives scrutiny, it may not be the path to a better future. Those who leave high school, graduating under-prepared because their school system or state education departments declined to provide them a 21st century education, may not be eligible anyway, and all the argument in the halls of Congress and state assemblies will just be so much rhetoric.
LAWRENCE P. KING, AUSTELL
