America needs strong leaders once more
Here’s an example of common sense that Washington should heed: The flight attendant before every flight advises that, should the airplane lose cabin pressure, the oxygen masks that automatically drop from the overhead compartment should first be placed on yourself before you try to help someone else. It is obvious that if you lose consciousness trying to help someone else first, both of you could die, whereas if you take care of yourself first, the chances of your both surviving are better.
America has metaphorically lost cabin pressure. Why isn’t it just as obvious that if we don’t help ourselves first, how are we going to be able to help anyone else? We need a strong economy and military or we won’t even be able to defend ourselves, much less help anyone else. Strong leadership would help.
DAVID PAUL, SANDY SPRINGS
Doctors’ series is spotlight on big problem
Mike Luckovich’s cartoon on the doctor and patient in the exam room is spot-on. The woman in the cartoon is telling her doctor an ankle sprain doesn’t require a breast exam. The same thing happened to me with a proctologist (no laughing, please) 22 years ago. I was having minor surgery following the birth of my third daughter. My doctor “surprised” me with a breast exam while I was waiting for the operation to begin. The sedation had started, and he said it was “customary” for patients to have a breast exam. It sounds laughable now, but at the time I was groggy and offered no resistance. It’s a shame I didn’t report him to authorities. Maybe I could have prevented the same experience for other female patients.
LAURA MULLINS, ATLANTA
Put-down of Andy Young not a conversation-starter
In (“Andrew Young’s remark riles NAACP leader,” News, July 13), we see the difficulty that exists in resolving race-relations issues. We keep hearing what’s needed is dialogue, to have a meaningful conversation about race. However, given Georgia NAACP president Francys Johnson’s swift rebuke of Andrew Young’s referring to some Atlanta street demonstrators as “unlovable little brats,” we find what’s billed as a “conversation” quickly becomes a lecture when one points out anything negative about those airing their grievances.
GREGORY MARSHALL, MARIETTA
Police of all colors hurting today
As we continue to work toward racial equality and respect for human dignity, there is never an excuse for violence against law enforcement officers. The tragedy led to many protesters eloquently stating to reporters that this is not about "us against the police," it's about "all of us together." The law enforcement community, doing the hardest job in America, is deeply wounded. July 8 was their 9/11. It has been years since I wore a blue uniform, but I will never forget the feeling of losing a fellow officer. The healing process should start, today. There is a large space where citizens of every race and the police community want the same thing — for the police to be close to the community in a mutually trusting, understanding and supportive way. It was particularly poignant to me to see the number of African-American police officers struggling with this situation in Dallas, just as those close to the two men recently killed by law enforcement are suffering. That is an example of the common ground that we should embrace and respect. That is the common human ground. We do not want to see each other suffer — citizens or police. I profoundly hope that these events will result in an elevated, thoughtful, realistic dialogue. We cannot get from here to there without supporting the African-American community and law enforcement. It's the only way we can walk hand-in-hand.
DENNIS G. COLLARD, ESQ., ATLANTA
