MIDEAST CONFLICT
War’s toll on veterans demands accountability
It has been 10 years since we sent our service members to invade Iraq based on a lie. There have been no prosecutions of Bush administration officials for war crimes, Guantanamo is still open, and the Patriot Act is still in place. Moreover, the human costs of war are taking their toll on our veterans (and Iraqis).
Service members suffering from war’s invisible wounds are having a hard time getting the care they earned. Veterans face average wait times of nine months to get disability claims processed because there currently is a backlog of cases.
It is not too late to hold our government accountable by demanding better care for our veterans and environmental clean-up in Iraqi. And while we’re at it, let’s get out of Afghanistan.
The Department of Veterans Affairs recently increased its estimated rate of veteran suicide to 22 per day. Recent Congressional hearings on the epidemic of rape in our military also remind us that sexual violence is a byproduct of war that men and women in our military suffer from.
ROBERT VINE, PEACHTREE CITY
RELIGION
Muslims express hope for interfaith harmony
As an Ahmadi Muslim, I would like to congratulate Catholics on the election of Pope Francis. He promises us a breath of fresh air.
However, I believe what this world desperately needs most are unity and compassion. I hope that Pope Francis will lead us toward peace and mutual understanding. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is always ready to strive for peace and inter-faith harmony.
May Pope Francis lead the Church towards the unity of God and the true teachings of Christ, and thereby become a blessing for all people (not just Catholics) worldwide.
ALLISON KNIGHT-KHAN, POWDER SPRINGS
ANIMAL RESCUE
Shelters need help averting pet obesity
Obesity is a growing problem in America, and not just for humans. According to a recent survey by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), 53 percent of adult dogs and 55 percent of cats are overweight or obese. As with humans, improper diet and lack of exercise are largely to blame for this epidemic.
Owners of overweight pets can help their pets achieve a healthier lifestyle by making better food choices and adding in daily exercise in the form of walks, runs or playtime. For dogs and cats in shelters, these simple changes can be extremely difficult to implement. Shelter staff do their best to choose healthy foods and provide daily activity, but they lack resources to hire sufficient help.
By dropping off a bag of healthy food, volunteering to walk dogs or play with cats, or simply donating to your local shelter, you can make sure that homeless dogs and cats stay healthy while they wait to find homes.
