VETERANS
Response to 'Thirty Days with My Father' Living, Nov. 11
On Veterans Day weekend, the poignant reflections shared by Christal Presley were especially moving.
As a young college student during those turbulent times, I remember the apprehension felt over the draft, and being lucky (or not) when the numbers were announced. As Christal pointed out, it was an era with an unpopular war, and those who served were a forgotten casualty — disrespected, and tossed aside with little support.
The tragedy of PTSD for these veterans and their families is heartbreaking. I cried as I read her account of memories filled with sadness and angst. As painful as this situation is to read about, so many are living the nightmare. Our thanks and our prayers should continue for these veterans and their families.
DONNA GROOVER, PEACHTREE CITY
HURRICANE SANDY
Storm victim thanks
Georgians for helping
I am a resident of the Jersey shore. We just had the most devastating two weeks in my memory.
I am writing to thank the wonderful people of Georgia for sending us the help we needed at the time we needed it most. I am so grateful for all of your help in getting us back up and running for the most part. We still have so much to do, but it is wonderful to know that people are willing to do whatever it takes to make a difference in other people’s lives when they are most in need of help.
Thank you, Georgia Power. When I saw your trucks rolling down the highway and into our area, I knew we’d be OK. God bless you all.
KELLI O'NEILL, LAKEWOOD, N.J.
ELECTIONS
Political fairy tales
‘gobsmack’ readers
Regarding “A vote for change people believe in — themselves” (Opinion, Nov. 11), if you repeat something over and over and people don’t question it, that lie can become the truth in the minds of many. History shows that by subtle distortions of facts, people become “gobsmacked” (Maureen Dowd’s term in this column) into believing it. Look in the history books to find propaganda artists doing this very thing.
Dowd goes on in her rant about the Republican Party being all about white men and kowtowing women, oblivious to the strong female Republican governors in four states. Her aim is to convince people that Mitt Romney would have led us backward in time. She failed to note that his agenda was aimed at getting us on the track to a balanced budget and out of this fiscal crisis; to help businesses create jobs; to start the economic engine of our country, and to restore our pride here and abroad.
But as long as you promote and believe in fairy tales, how about this: Keep spending money; keep ignoring world problems; keep glossing over truth, and promise and give everything to every identifiable group, and we will be a strong country once again.
MEL MATUSZAK, DACULA
CONGRESS
New leaders needed
on both sides of aisle
I have zero confidence in President Obama. He has neither the ability nor desire to help this country improve its economy and foreign policy. Congress is presently impotent, and I feel the reason is no leadership. Congress must have new leadership.
Neither John Boehner nor Mitch McConnell has the ability to lead his own party — much less work across the aisle to work with the Democrats. The Republicans need House and Senate leaders who will find some common ground nearer the middle.
You could not find two more incompetent people than Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi. They have no ability to lead; will not look for non-partisan solutions, and certainly will not stand up to an incompetent president. The Democrats need leaders who will move them from extreme liberal positions toward the center, so they can better work with the Republicans.
Congress has some good people in it, both Republicans and Democrats. If they would only elect capable people to leadership positions and heads of committees, they may be able to get something done.
FRANK FREDERICK, GAINESVILLE
