Liberals, media blinded by anti-Trump hatred
The unhinged anti-Trumpers and in-the-tank disgraced media are like rabid animals; nothing will satisfy or tame them. If Trump had punched Putin in the nose on camera, hugged him tight or bowed down to him as Obama did before the Saudi sheik, any of those actions would have been roundly excoriated. Just as recently as the last administrations, when they already knew about election meddling, Putin was our friend clearing brush in Texas or via “reset.” And what about the millions of taxpayer dollars Obama spent in Israel trying to defeat Netanyahu? When you are blinded by hatred and partisanship, any ability for working together or honest reporting is impossible.
REBECCA NOELL, ACWORTH
Column great reminder of lost civility
Leroy Chapman’s column, “The regression of politics since ’03” (Opinion, July 8) was definitely on point! It was a wonderful example of two men – senators Joe Biden and Strom Thurmond – with such different ideologies politically, who worked together, respected each other, and agreed to disagree at times. We all need to follow their example. I expect our leaders to set that example and the tone for our country, but unfortunately, many are too extreme in their views. They have set aside civility to fulfill their own agenda, beginning with the man at the top. Since we cannot always depend on our leaders to do the right thing, we should take the lead in our own lives and treat each other better, with respect. It’s OK if we don’t always agree. We should expect more civility and moderation from our leaders. Our country depends on it.
MARIA ACEVEDO, MARIETTA
Abusive doctors need sanctions, treatment
The July 13 AJC story about an Austin physician who kept his license for over a decade although he sexually abused over a dozen women was on target. I have known of at least one other similar instance in Texas.
Within the healthcare industry, internal estimates are that 10 percent of healthcare workers have substance abuse problems. Others are sexual predators.
While this is a small percentage of all physicians, more must be done to regulate abuses. Like in law enforcement, there is a “blue wall” which prevents other doctors from identifying or disciplining the bad eggs.
Reform is needed, including objective outside oversight. Sexual assault is sexual assault, no matter who does it. There must be appropriate punishment, as well as treatment.
No one wants a drunk doctor operating on them. Or, misdiagnosing them. It is clearly an unacceptable current state of affairs.
There must be private and public treatment centers for these people. I helped to establish one for health care professionals in Mississippi decades ago. If run by knowledgeable people with amenable clients, they work well.
JACK BERNARD, FAYETTE COUNTY
Done well, new schools job has potential
A recent article discussed Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’ decision to create a position within the mayor’s office to oversee education (“Atlanta names first chief education officer,” Metro, July 11). While I understand why there would be some concern about school takeover — especially given the poor track record of school takeovers by city officials in other large cities like Atlanta — I feel optimistic after learning more about what similar positions have done for places like Houston and Kansas City. Teachers in metro Atlanta work hard and care deeply about their students, but it often seems no amount of hard work and love can fix the systemic problems that come with teaching in an urban district with a significant wealth gap and complicated race relations. If the mayor’s appointed educational aide is a compassionate, thoughtful and justice-seeking individual, and if they can build meaningful relationships not only with administrators, school boards and superintendents, but with students and their families, there is great potential for positive change. I look forward to seeing that work being done and remain hopeful it will be done well.
BRITTNEY THORNBURLEY, DECATUR
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