AFFAIRS OF STATE
Petraeus had to quit,
but Clinton got a pass
Only in America: David Petraeus has an extramarital affair; gets caught, and resigns from his job in disgrace.
President Bill Clinton has multiple affairs; gets caught, and not only keeps his job, but ends up a respected elder statesman.
RICHARD DOWIS, WALESKA
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Simple measures can
solve jail’s problems
Regarding “Old jail locks will stay on” (Metro, Nov. 21), as a mother of a son who spent the last month on Rice Street, I am appalled at this article. He has to fight to survive in that jail — and now the Fulton County Commission says basically that they don’t care about the safety of the inmates or staff.
Shame on everyone involved. The problems at this jail could be solved with simple things like alternative sentences, reasonable sentences for first-time offenders, boot camps, recovery programs and much more.
After 20 years of living in Fulton County, I am embarrassed by how our government turns a blind eye to the real issues at hand. My vote will reflect this.
KATE BOCCIA, ALPHARETTA
POLITICS
To win, Republicans
need new world view
Republicans are in deep trouble — and with changing demographics, they may very well never win another presidential election.
But the root of the problem is not demographics or a growing entitlements electorate, as much as Republicans want to believe this. The problem is Republican obstinacy toward bringing themselves into the 21st century. You cannot be anti-science and dismissive of realities like global warming and evolution; anti-gay; against the right of women to control what happens to their bodies; and against change of any sort, and expect to win the hearts and minds of intelligent, informed and open-minded voters.
What the Republican Party needs is not more voters, but a new world view. Otherwise, they will become extinct.
WILLIAM JORDAN, LAWRENCEVILLE
SECESSION
Before leaving, look
at what you’d give up
I wonder if those who promote Georgia seceding from the United States of America have thought through all the ramifications of such an act.
What would happen to Fort Benning, Fort Stewart, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Dobbins Air Reserve Base and Robins Air Force Base?
What would happen to the Veterans Administration facilities in Georgia, and all the vets who need their services? How about the air traffic controllers at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and the Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Lanier and other lakes in Georgia? Do they really want to do without the FDA, or the Department of Agriculture?
What about federal aid to education? How about Medicare?
These people are totally unrealistic — and they are evidently unaware that they would be shooting themselves in the foot.
ROZ WELCH, ROSWELL
