Judicial system fails us yet again
In reference to “Deadly loopholes in DUI prosecutions,” News, June 12, it was certainly disheartening to read how our legal system has once again failed to protect the public from such an obvious tragedy waiting to occur. The fact that Ryan Lisabeth, now charged with vehicular homicide, was still roaming freely among society after his criminal history defies belief. But perhaps the most unpleasant aspect of this debacle is that he had an accomplice – our grossly inept judicial system. How many more must needlessly die before these legal failings are addressed?
MICHAEL L. SHAW, STONE MOUNTAIN
VA change will jeopardize care
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has proposed a policy that removes physician anesthesiologists from surgery and replaces them with nurses, lowering the standard of care and jeopardizing veterans’ lives. The proposed policy change posted to the Federal Register on May 25 and is open for public comment until July 25.
While some advocate that the policy change will improve veterans’ access to care by addressing a shortfall of medical staff, there is no shortage of physician anesthesiologists and the change is not needed to improve access to anesthesia care in surgery at VA medical centers. It will lower the standard of care and jeopardize our veterans’ lives.
The policy, if adopted, will abandon a proven model of care where physician anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists work together as a team to provide high-quality and safe anesthesia.
I applaud U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson for joining this effort to protect veterans’ health and safety. If you care about those who served our country, visit safeVAcare.org and submit a comment before July 25 to stop the VA’s risky plan.
STEVEN SWEEN, SANDY SPRINGS,
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ANESTHESIOLOGISTS
Potential security takeover a risk
Thank you, Bill Torpy, for reminding us of the pettiness and petulance of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. Unfortunately, most Atlanta mayors since Maynard Jackson became mayor in 1974 shared the same traits with the possible exception of Andrew Young and Shirley Franklin, but even they had their moments.
Starting with Maynard Jackson, most of the mayors of Atlanta have treated the Atlanta Airport, excuse me — the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport — as a jobs project reserved for the inhabitants (voters) of the City of Atlanta. The granting of airport concessions, including parking lot concessions, have enriched more than one Atlanta mayor. Any criticism of them will be responded to by screams of racism! The very idea that Kasim Reed wants to take over TSA inspection duties fills me with fear that, still again, inferior employees and bribe-paying security companies will endanger our safety. To assume that high TSA standards will be maintained is foolhardy if Kasim Reed gets his way.
As long as Atlanta voters base their vote because of their own racism, they will continue to have second-rate, petty, petulant, small-minded opportunistic mayors.
ERNEST WADE, LAWRENCEVILLE
Trump might be antithetical to Christianity
Ralph Reed was quoted June 16th in the AJC as saying “hatred, bigotry, and violence” are “antithetical” to the Christian faith — yet he is endorsing Donald Trump who proudly says he’s never asked God’s forgiveness. If Trump doesn’t need The Good News, that is truly antithetical to the Christian faith and Christians need to distance themselves from him.
DIANE STANNARD, AVONDALE ESTATES
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