Make alternative energy sources viable
Commercial aircraft running on farm waste? (“Farm waste, animal fats to help power United jet,” Business, July 5) What’s next, aircraft running on algae? Yes, it’s possible. Scientists are frantically working to slow human-caused climate change, 3.5 percent of which is related to aviation. Biofuels could be an important solution, but are not ready for widespread use. They can be costly, need further research and have their own climate degradation issues (lost forest lands to farm them as well as the use of petroleum-rich fertilizers; even for algae production). The solution? A steadily rising fee on fossil fuels making biofuel research cost effective and biofuel and other alternative energy sources more viable. Climate change is accelerating. Our efforts end humanity’s contribution to its cause must too, for the sake of future generations.
JEFF JOSLIN, ATLANTA
Criminal justice system doesn’t serve all
Did Caroline Small have to die? The answer is no. (“Did she have to die?,” News, July 5). As the GBI investigation and the investigation conducted by the AJC and Channel 2 Action News indicates, misconduct permeated the Glynn County police department and the district attorney is just as culpable. Some police agencies and officers constantly crave respect without ever considering that respect is earned, never given. Since the district attorney probably has legal immunity for some of her actions, the police chief, officers involved in the shooting and those who chose to attempt to subvert the investigation must know there is no statute of limitations on murder in this state. In this particular case and too many others, the criminal justice system seems to serve only those whom the district attorney, police chief and rogue officers deem worthy. Not the poor, the mentally ill, the throwaway people.
RONALD D. JOHNSON, retired law enforcement executive, AUSTELL
White lives matter
The police shooting of an unarmed Caroline Small by two Glynn County cops is outrageous. After viewing the video, there is no question that she could not have moved her car so as to be a menace to the officers. Talk about excessive force! Apparently in this case, white lives don’t matter. She should have cooperated with the police but that doesn’t justify being riddled with bullets. If she had been black, we would never hear the end of this story, and I hope we don’t hear the end of this story until justice is served.
PATRICK MORRIS, ATLANTA
