GOOD NEIGHBORS
Thanks to strangers
for acts of kindness
While I was with a group waving signs for the Cobb GOP on Election Day (and getting pretty soaked by a driving rain), a Cobb County angel appeared with hot coffee for us. This was a true, random act of kindness from a wonderful lady who did not give us her name. This helped us warm up a bit , and kept us waving signs and greeting those on their way to work.
This happened again that evening on another corner. Another angel offered me a wonderful cup of coffee. That gave me the energy to continue waving my sign. She also did not give me her name.
Despite the results of the election, my faith has been restored in the random acts of kindness that truly represent our terrific Cobb County residents. They have helped restore my faith in what it means to be patriotic.
JAN RYGERT, MARIETTA
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
Look who’s pandering
with amnesty proposal
Charles Krauthammer (“GOP can fix its problems, stay true to its principles,” Opinion, Nov. 9) attributes President Obama’s victory to “patchwork pandering.” His prescription for Republicans is to win over the Latino vote by promising amnesty for illegal immigrants — contingent, of course, on first securing our border to a point where “illegal immigration has slowed to a trickle.”
Now that’s pandering with a capital “P.” But what’s with those strings attached? Why not just promise amnesty, period?
The Krauthammer prescription for a GOP resurgence is so simplistic it’s laughable.
JERRY BEHRINGER, ATLANTA
PALESTINIANS
Abbas letter ignores
reasons behind plight
I concur with the author of “Abbas hasn’t changed stance on Palestinians” (Readers write, Opinion, Nov. 9) — that it is indeed a tragedy that generations of Palestinians have been kept poor and stateless — but the writer has conveniently ignored some of the basic reasons behind this tragic situation.
A crucial component of the Palestinian economy is the olive industry, which has been devastated by Israeli settlers who have damaged or destroyed thousands of trees. When you couple this with the severe restrictions placed on Palestinians’ freedom of movement, is it any wonder that Palestinians remain poor?
Another more serious barrier, and a major impediment to Palestinian statehood, is Israel’s rejection of the request to stop settlement building in the occupied territories, as it undermines the possibility of a two-state solution.
COLIN MASON, ATLANTA
POLITICS
Obama won, now I’ll
shirk responsibilities
This presidential election made me see the light. I will no longer stand by old, tired principles of fiscal and personal responsibility; honesty, and courage to do what is necessary (albeit, unpopular).
Now that I’ve changed my colors, where do I sign up for one of those special “bail-me-out-of-my-own-mess” loans, that the “more fortunate” have to pay for?
I feel like a heavy burden has been lifted from my shoulders already.
ED MARTIN, PEACHTREE CITY
Stop the negativity,
show some respect
It’s time for Republicans to get on board with America, and instead of choosing to posture and be negative, to look within their party, and recognize they are on the wrong track. Not only did President Obama win — he won big.
Mitch McConnell, John Boehner and the likes of Rush Limbaugh et al have already started — and they need to stop — the name-calling, hatred, negativity and disrespect of the office and of President Obama. He is the president. Show some respect.
DR. MELODY T. MCCLOUD, ROSWELL
