IMMIGRATION
Columnist demolishes myths of foreign labor
Thomas Sowell’s recent column (“There’s really no ‘need’ for immigrant farm labor,” Opinion, June 18) eloquently, comprehensively and completely destroys three immigration myths: that the farm industry (and others) “need” low-priced labor; that illegal immigrants only take jobs that Americans do not want, and that without low-priced labor, consumer prices would increase dramatically. After reading this column, no reasonable, honest person can defend those myths.
The largest remaining immigration issue is how to handle the “illegal” immigrants already here. I say “illegal” because American businesses actually recruited this cheap labor and, in many cases, were aware the workers were here illegally. Those businesses largely escaped penalties because American policymakers winked at the law while perpetuating the myths.
America caused this problem of “illegal” immigration, so America has a duty to make things right with the real victims: the immigrants. I do not know exactly how to make things “right,” but I do know deportation cannot be right.
BILL FOKES, BRASELTON
WATER WARS
Congress shouldn’t get its feet wet in our spat
It was troubling to read that the positive decision by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding our state’s water rights may be appealed in Congress (“Latest phase of Water Wars plays out in Congress,” ajc.com, June 14).
We received an unequivocal and unbiased decision by the court, and it should stand as is. This issue is critical for the citizens of Georgia, because at stake is the water that we drink. Our needs are far more important than water planned for fish farming in Florida.
This matter absolutely should not be decided by Congress. We are all aware of the willingness of many congressional members to profit from robust lobbying efforts. We can’t trust them to decide anything impartially, because they can’t even trust themselves.
EDLA RINGUE, MARIETTA
RADIO
‘Mayhem’ gave station fair cause to pull plug
Regarding “790 The Zone fires Mayhem in the AM” (ajc.com, June 17), to go through an entire career as a sports radio talk show host and not say something regrettable is unlikely.
This trio’s attempt at humor was offensive — and worse than that, it was comically primitive. If the radio station wanted an excuse to fire the hosts because of poor ratings, it gave them an opportunity to do so under the guise of moral outrage.
Does anyone believe that these guys would have been fired if their show was wildly profitable for the station?
GERSON PAULL, ATLANTA
MIDEAST UNREST
Arming Syrian rebels is just inviting trouble
I guess curtailing international traffic in small arms doesn’t apply when this president sends arms to Syria.
Who will be responsible if, or when, those weapons are used against American civilians and the American military? Is this what President Obama intended when he and Hillary Clinton called for an “Arab spring”?
GEORGE MITCHELL, BLAIRSVILLE
