PHYSICAL FITNESS
Study of kids’ obesity just states the obvious
A recent AJC article stated that a “study provides some of the first evidence of a causal effect between gym and childhood obesity” (“Study: More gym for kids means decreased obesity,” Living, May 27).
We actually needed a study to show a link between the lack of physical exercise and an increase in people being overweight? Did our taxes pay for this study? When did we lose our common sense? We have become a nation of idiots.
P.D. GOSSAGE, JOHNS CREEK
GOVERNANCE
Politicians forget what they’re elected to do
We all owe much to the genius and wisdom of our Founding Fathers. Nevertheless, I fear that the American Dream is now being sacrificed, as our elected officials embrace ideological extremes and partisan dogma rather than reasoning together to meet the needs of the nation.
Most elected officials, as lawyers, are primarily trained in contention. However, as a retired engineer, I know from 42 years of experience in my field that consultation is the key to progress. Our elected representatives have forgotten why we sent them to Washington.
ARNOLD C. MCQUAIDE JR., BERKELEY LAKE
COMMENTARY
Praise for columnists, but where’s Parker?
Thank you for E.J. Dionne Jr., David Brooks and Leonard Pitts. They are your best non-AJC writers.
I still, however, miss Kathleen Parker’s column.
MAX EPLING, CANTON
HIGHER EDUCATION
It isn’t brainwashing, it’s thinking for oneself
Perhaps Thomas Sowell should write a manual for parents to use for undermining free-thinking world views acquired by their sons and daughters while pursuing a higher education (“College parents can help undo kids’ brainwashing,” Opinion, May 28). Newt Gingrich could give him some tips on key phrases to use to bring them back into the fold.
However, I would caution parents not to set their goals too high. All my children and grandchildren exited academia with astounding immunity to sound bites and battle cries from various paranoid groups, as well as admonitions from their parents. It’s as if — gasp — they started thinking for themselves.
BARBARA RIVES, STONE MOUNTAIN
TAX ENFORCEMENT
Letter writer betrays ignorance on tea party
A reader writes that the tea party’s main reason for existence seems to be to destroy our government (“Maybe IRS is correct to scrutinize tea party,” Readers write, Opinion, May 24).
Perhaps the writer of the letter should attend a tea party meeting before making inaccurate statements.
LEITA COOK, PEACHTREE CITY
