Clinic bombing a consequence of war
In response to the story, “Obama apologizes for clinic bombing” (News, Oct. 8), this is an unfortunate byproduct of the Afghanistan war that has been waged in that area of the world (seemingly) forever. To use a common phrase, “Stuff happens.” Seriously, compare this to the thousands of deaths that resulted from bombings during the Second World War, including the terrible atomic explosions in Japan that led to the conclusion of hostilities. The age-old phrase, “To make an omelet you must crack a few eggs,” seems to be appropriate here. This senseless conflict that seems have no end in the Middle East cannot seem to be resolved peacefully, ergo the often horrible results such as this bombing. Hopefully, the leaders of the various countries involved will be able to eventually come to a peaceful understanding, and some sort of sanity will be returned to their citizens.
BOB GRAYSON, CUMMING
Military training isn’t police training
In his column, “Outsiders should handle alleged police abuse cases” (Opinion, Oct. 4), Leonard Pitts listed some reader responses to his question, “What can be done about unarmed African-American men being injured or killed by police?” I would like to add one.
In the last decade, many former members of the military have found employment with police departments. As a former Vietnam veteran, I applaud this action. These military men and women are highly trained, motivated and well-qualified. Police administrators must understand, however, that military training prepared these veterans for combat situations where anyone they might come in contact with should rightfully be considered an “enemy” and treated accordingly. That is very different from “protecting and serving” their community. That should be emphasized in their police training and, where necessary, retraining.
RAY WOOLFOLK, VILLA RICA
Muslims indeed worship same God
Regarding “Lessons about Islam stir mixed feelings” (News, Oct. 4), it’s unfortunate the Georgia Education Department removed the relevant teaching guide from schools; perhaps some knowledgeable Muslims or non-Muslims could have assuaged parental concerns. Sensitivity to parental concerns obviously took precedence over principled student learning.
There have been many “multiculturalists” including popes, priests and pastors, past and present, who thought “God has various children whom he loved — Christians, Muslims, and Jews” — all belonging in the “Tent of Abraham,” worshiping the same God. Indeed, Arabic-speaking Christians (and Jews) in the Middle East say “Allah” for God.
The eminent Baptist evangelical Rev. Billy Graham, in true Christian spirit, was quoted in 2002 as preaching, “We should regard Muslims not as the enemy but as fellow believers who worship the same God.”
S.M. GHAZANFAR, ACWORTH
Study showed tax cuts, stimulus link
Regarding Paul Krugman’s column, “No correlation between tax cuts, economic growth” (Opinion, Oct. 5), there is plenty of proof tax cuts stimulate the economy. The Joint Economic Committee of Congress in 1996 issued the following statement on the subject of Reagans tax cuts which shows Krugman to be totally wrong:
“First of all, reduction in high marginal tax rates can induce taxpayers to lessen their reliance on tax shelters and tax avoidance, and expose more of their income to taxation. The result in this case was a 51 percent increase in real tax payments by the top 1 percent. Meanwhile, the tax rate reduction reduced the tax payments of middle-class and poor taxpayers. The net effect was a marked shift in the tax burden toward the top 1 percent amounting to about 10 percentage points. Lower top marginal tax rates had encouraged these taxpayers to generate more taxable income.”
Look at any graph contrasting the top marginal tax rate versus actual tax revenue to the government, and you will see this statement to be true. As a business owner, if my taxes go down, I am going to use that money to grow my company to make more money. Along the way, I will create jobs, which increases consumer spending, which grows the economy. As a consumer, I will either save that extra money, providing through my bank capital for loans to entrepreneurs, and creating jobs and stimulating the economy. Or I will spend it, also stimulating the economy.
What planet does Paul Krugman live on?
BRIAN WILSON, ATLANTA
