THANKSGIVING
We all owe gratitude
to service personnel
This Thanksgiving, I wanted to show gratitude to our troops for putting themselves in harm’s way, day in and day out, to protect and safeguard this great nation.
Even though (as an immigrant) I did not grow up celebrating this holiday, I know that it is an integral part of the American culture, and a great time for families to come together; a great time to count blessings, and a great time to celebrate togetherness. It is at times like these that people are touched by one of the harsh realities of war — that it brings great distance between loved ones.
My prayer is to see an end to war, bloodshed and loss of life so that peace can prevail everywhere, and people from all corners of the world can live with mutual respect and harmony. Although our troops are not able to go back to their loved ones this Thanksgiving, each person serving is appreciated dearly for their bravery, sacrifice and commitment to defend this country every single day.
Lastly, I hope and pray that each of them can come back home in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with their loved ones next year.
To our servicemen and women, I would say, “Please hang in there. Remember that your countrymen are proud of you. Thank you — and may God bless you for putting your life on the line to keep all of us safe.”
SAIMA AHMAD, SUWANEE
SECESSION
Talk of leaving U.S.
disrespectful to dead
I am appalled that anyone or a group would bring up secession. The Civil War settled that issue.
Thousands of young men on both sides of the conflict lost their lives in that war. Many more lost an arm, a leg or more. This talk of secession is totally disrespectful to our war dead.
If those who are “fed up” want to protest, they must do it the proper way: Write letters to the House and Senate. Send emails, and phone their offices — and keep doing it.
PATRICK KELLY, CONYERS
FISCAL CLIFF
Who are these ‘rich’
we’re going to tax?
I am at a loss. I keep hearing “Tax the rich,” but from everything I can uncover from financial journals and television coverage, the U.S. government could take everything from this mystical class and keep the government running for a month (or two months) at best.
So, what “rich” people are we talking about, and what do we do after that money runs out? This is like melting a snowflake on the tip of an iceberg; the iceberg would still be there.
If I am misinformed here, let me know — but this seems to be a childish approach, while the problem is being ignored. And somehow, I do not think the U.S. can find a Germany (as did Greece) to bail us out.
It’s time to get serious, and do away with the small talk.
COSBY SMITH, ELBERTON
