Stopping crime, wayward youth should be minister’s goal
In his Op-Ed, “How do we work to redeem America’s very soul?” (Opinion, Sept. 30), the Rev. Raphael Warnock listed the following ways: Rise up against mass incarceration and police brutality extinguishing your black and brown lives, those who value profits over people, and all forms of depression – in our schools, at our borders and at the voting booth. How about rising up to crack down on one-on-one black crime, gangs within metro Atlanta killing both white and black, break-ins, carjackings, robberies of people and businesses, and gang activity. Nor did Rev. Warnock mention anything about addressing why these young people are roaming the streets at night. He should be out in these communities, talking to parents and holding them accountable for their children roaming the streets instead of being in school. Until these issues are addressed and solutions are implemented, his issues will never be solved.
LANELLE LARUE, LAKE CITY
AJC is careful to balance opinion viewpoints
I appreciate the political cartoons from Mike Luckovich, especially one that appeared in the AJC of Sunday, Sept. 30. The picture featured President Trump, Bill Cosby and Judge Kavanaugh saying, “They’re all lying.” The AJC is careful to balance the progressive viewpoint with a conservative one. I always chuckle when a simple Luckovich cartoon can trigger readers so much, they are angry enough to write a letter to the editor, expressing their outrage. Many conservatives are mad and even hateful that someone has an opinion that differs from theirs. Luckovich speaks for so many of us and is such a talented artist. Mike has a unique grasp of today’s issues and what’s essential to the American people. Mike Luckovich is another reason I subscribe to the AJC.
DAVE FEDACK, DOUGLASVILLE
Changing street names ignores real problems
Thankfully, I don’t live in Atlanta. But the last time I heard, its infrastructure was still ancient and in serious need of upgrading and repair. I’ve also seen Facebook photos of shameful, near-Third World conditions in some inner-city neighborhoods. Crime has become rampant, and there’s a shortage of police officers. Yet officials seem to think spending money on changing the name of a street is the way to make Atlanta shine. Surely a name change is costly, and not just in the physical changes with road signs. Businesses on Confederate Avenue will have to spend money to alter their addresses, and residents will have bothersome changes. Just maybe, basic necessities for Atlanta residents, and especially those who barely scrape by, might be very welcomed. But hey! If a street name has suddenly become too offensive to bear, go for the change! Never mind real benefits to Atlantans.
LOUISE STEWART, NORCROSS
Republicans are self-righteously responding to Judge Kavanaugh’s challengers, using the way they set up the hearing, as a “he said/she said” confrontation, as justification of their continued support of him. Dr. Ford had asked for a serious, nonpartisan investigation. Initially, I was concerned about Kavanaugh’s expressed views on presidential powers and women’s rights, and particularly his treatment of the young immigrant at the border who had already secured a judge’s permission to have an abortion. Hearing his lies in Senate hearings and then the charges amplified my concerns, concerns only made more pressing by his comportment as he angrily made unfounded conspiracy claims against those bringing the challenges and refused to answer, while disparaging his questioners. The temperament he demonstrated was neither judicial nor respectful of the women, or men, simply trying to get at the truth. Hopefully, the FBI will shed more light on all of this.
LINDA BELL, DECATUR
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