Uber sanctions stifle progress
That was an excellent, balanced article by AJC reporter Kelly Yamanouchi regarding Uber (“Uber users skirt rules at airport,” News, April 28). If the political thinking in Atlanta City Hall and the state Capitol had prevailed in 1905, imagine how different our world would be today. In 1905, the threatened industries (horse-drawn carriages, buggy whips, etc.) likely would have asked for sanctions and limits against Henry Ford. They might have called automobiles “unauthorized transportation activity” and demanded government regulations to “ensure a standard of safety for travelers.” By trying to kill Uber and Lyft, the Georgia Legislature and Atlanta City Council of 2015 can justifiably be compared to the Luddites in 1811-12 England.
DAVID SEARLES, SANDY SPRINGS
Police, looters, media all at fault
Regarding “Riot erupts after Baltimore funeral” (News, April 28), I accept that the Baltimore police overreacted in an unnecessarily violent, prejudicial and unacceptable way when arresting the young man. How does this awful event grant free range for looters, arsonists and violent “protesters”? What benefit is gained by the wanton destruction of buildings? Where are the self-ordained “community organizers” and “community leaders”? I also wonder how much the ever-present news cameras and microphones contribute to the growth of the gatherings that become demonstrations and riots, spread all over local and national news.
HARRIS GOTTLIEB, DUNWOODY
Democrat policies run down our cities
Jay Bookman wonders “How far is Atlanta from being another Baltimore?” (Opinion, April 29). I’m sure he thinks that throwing more money at it in the way of social programs and handouts is the way to go. Baltimore has been doing that and has been run by Democrats since 1969. ls it any wonder there aren’t any jobs when you tax and regulate business from your area? The Democrats who have been running Atlanta for years are doing their best to remake it as the Baltimore of the South. The lack of rioting here might have something to do with strong Republican governors that keep city children (Democrats) in line.
EDGAR CLIFTON, LAWRENCEVILLE
Don’t call prejudice against gays ‘truth’
A woman is quoted in your article on gay marriage (“Georgia’s Great Divide,” News, April 26) as saying, “I believe the truth is the truth and you don’t evolve away from the truth.” While I respect her right to an opinion, that does not make it the truth. In the 16th century, it was common wisdom, enforced by the Christian church, that the earth was the center of the universe. To believe otherwise was heresy. Copernicus and other scholars later proved this to be wrong but were persecuted for their efforts. What was seen and fervently believed in as “truth” was evolved away from.
JOANNE ROTELLA, NORCROSS
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