Readers write: May 29
Obama critic isn’t telling full story
A recent letter writer (“Why fixation on climate change?” Opinion, May 27) criticized President Obama on a number of fronts, none of which contain the whole truth. Here is the rest of the story: ISIS is the inevitable result of a destabilized Iraq, and we know who caused that. As the president has often said, we will always support Israel, but not necessarily give Israel everything it wants. The threat of another terrorist strike is always with us, but the worst terrorist strike in our history happened in 2001. The president’s effort to bring an agreement over Iran’s nuclear threat is the only solution to that thorny problem short of war.
The Russian bear’s growl has not goaded the president into more belligerence. Sanctions have proved sufficient, as the president’s diplomatic efforts remain strong. To call the very substantial economic gains “marginal” can only be deliberately delusional. The writer should recall the deep financial trough into which this president’s predecessor led us. The president’s trade proposal will level the field with China, a global behemoth we cannot ignore. The president continues to speak and act in reasoned and hopeful ways about racial tensions in America.
LLOYD E. FLEMING, DULUTH
Don’t demean this family’s good name
In Wednesday’s cartoon (Opinion, May 27), Mike Luckovich brands everyone with the last name of Duggar a sexual predator and hypocrite. There are almost a thousand people named Duggar in the United States, the majority of whom are not related by blood, religious beliefs or politics to Jim-Bob Duggar and his extended family. Duggars have been in North America for 400 years. The family name has been carried honorably by scientists, doctors, professors, architects and patriots (from Confederate soldiers to Navy SEALs). Mike Luckovich needs to think twice before he disrespects an entire surname based on the disgusting behavior of a single individual.
JOHN AND CATE DUGGAR, ATLANTA
UGA’s irrefutable climate change data
The University of Georgia’s assessment of the state’s climate change vulnerability is one of the first to demonstrate scientifically our climate is changing (“Ga.’s climate change vulnerability assessed,” Metro, May 27). The study shows that over the last 37 years, statewide temperatures have increased, and precipitation has decreased. In some counties such as Fulton, there have been increasing numbers of floods partly due to the fast runoff of rainfall from more impermeable surfaces such as roads and parking lots. Whereas good land-use planning and changes can alleviate part of this problem, climate change is a global phenomenon. Any hope of solution needs a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
DAVID GREENLAND, SANDY SPRINGS
