Pro-Catholic column has glaring problem
Christine M. Flowers’ column (“We Catholics aren’t having your version of ‘tolerance,’ ” Opinion, July 19) needs to be “fact checked.” She has no standing or right to represent “We Catholics” because, as a woman, she has no right or authorization to speak for the Roman Catholic Church. In every sentence, her use of the word “we” must be replaced with “I.” She cannot speak for Catholics. She can only speak for herself with regard to her faith in Catholicism. Pope John Paul II did not empower women to be any different than children, “Nice to be seen but not heard!” Ms Flowers has forgotten her “place” as a Catholic. I don’t like that fact, and it is a reason I am “lapsed.” But, it is a fact. Ms Flowers cannot have her cake and eat it too.
MIKE MCGOWAN, PEACHTREE CITY
Water quality demands diligence
For 40 years, Georgia’s water quality regulations have required that flow of 750 cubic feet per second (cfs) be maintained in the Chattahoochee River at Peachtree Creek. Maintaining enough water to dilute millions of gallons of wastewater from a dozen treatment plants is the most fundamental measure the state can take to protect water quality.
According to Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division Director, Judson H. Turner, that is no longer the state’s duty. (“Tweak river’s flow,” Opinion, July 15, 2015). Instead, Turner directs stakeholders’ concerns about water quality to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Water Control Manual update.
Twenty-five years of tri-state water wars has taught us that the Corps manages Buford Dam and Lake Lanier for limited purposes: hydropower, navigation, flood control and water supply; not for water quality. Water quality regulations are the purview of the federal and state environmental protection agencies.
Director Turner tells the public that he is “optimistic that there is a safe, lower flow target for Peachtree Creek…” If the 750 cfs flow requirement is not the right number, the director must produce a scientific study and a comprehensive monitoring program before asking the Board of Natural Resources to remove the flow requirement from the rules.
JULIET COHEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVERKEEPER
Trump shows ignorance of war
Being ignorant of air defense systems and the intensity of enemy ground search for downed pilots, can be the only reason for Donald Trump’s sad commentary concerning Sen. John McCain being shot down and captured during the Vietnam War. As a former U.S. Army air defense crewman, I can assure Mr. Trump that if he had been in the pilot’s seat, instead of John McCain, that he would have been shot down! North Vietnamese antiaircraft crews were good; and searching troops would have captured Donald. Trump owes Sen. McCain an apology, followed by his withdrawal from the Republican primary. Unless he wishes to elect a Democrat president, he will not seek the presidency as an Independent.
BILL SMITH, STOCKBRIDGE
Training, guns boost military security
Re: Jay Bookman’s column (“Arming military recruiters probably not best strategy,” Opinion, July 22), no one is calling for all service members in uniform to be allowed to carry arms at recruiting stations. Trained guards with weapons should be common sense. Bullet-proof glass, sure. Describing the Ft. Hood shooting as soldier-on-soldier is hardly accurate — it was one man shooting into an unarmed crowd. That bit of Islamic terrorism ended when a cop shot Maj. Nidal Hasan, demonstrating that armed response can end violence, rather that multiply it. Similarly, the Chattanooga shootings ended when Mohammad Abdulazeez was killed. Lacking such a response, we would have to wait for the perpetrator to run out of bullets. I think recruiting stations require the same protection as at military bases; all weapons kept under lock and key, except those being used in training and for security. But security certainly needs to be present, and ideally should have more than a sidearm. The one unauthorized Glock at the Marine recruiting station proves this. You have to have a hose to fight a fire, not a water pistol.
ROGER SOISET, LILBURN
