RESPECT FOR OTHERS
Adults need to step in, nip bullying in the bud
Regarding “Bullying takes physical, emotional toll on kids” (Living, Oct. 21), recent articles on bullying tend to place most of the onus for changing their lives on the ones being bullied.
Most of us have either been bullied or watched others bully at some time in our lives. I cringe when I hear people give the excuse, “Kids will be kids,” or, “You have to just toughen up.” The truth is that kids won’t always be kids — and it is our responsibility to help them grow.
Any parent who doesn’t step in and say “that is not acceptable” to a child guilty of bullying relays the message that it is OK to pick on someone different. It is our job to show them another way, and not to sit by idly and accept it as normal behavior in children.
Young bullies turn into adult bullies, and become those bosses we hate — or the heads of committees who demand more of others than of themselves. Bullying behavior easily becomes a lifetime flaw that damages society as a whole.
MADELINE G. KORFF, CANTON
WATER WARS
A matter of survival: It’s us or the oysters
Regarding “Florida water dispute threatens area growth” (News, Oct. 21), a note to the Floridians whining that Atlanta’s water usage is hurting the oyster harvest: Oysters are an optional luxury we can live without.
Water is essential for survival.
WALTER H. INGE, ATLANTA
FEDERAL BUDGET
Hold Democrats liable for our climbing debt
I would like to express my complete agreement with the author of “Future’s bleak due to entitlement spending” (Readers write, Opinion, Oct. 21). It is vital that people understand that the debt ceiling cannot continue to be raised in rubber-stamp fashion every time that ceiling is approached. They also will have to accept that changing it will be a bitter pill.
Here’s what I think Republicans in Congress should do. They should say, “Democrats, come up with a debt ceiling figure that you consider acceptable, with an explanation of why it is acceptable. Provided it is not totally insane, we will vote with you on it.” Make them state a figure for which they will be held accountable. It must be legislated that the next rise in the ceiling will require a supermajority of both Houses, or something extremely difficult to achieve.
The spending madness will stop only when the Democrats believe that they will be the ones left holding the bag when the debt finally sinks us.
DAVID SKINNER, GAINESVILLE
COMMENTARY
Artist’s critics need to refocus priorities
I’m addressing those who have written to complain about Mike Luckovich. Please heed the following advice.
Get a life. Please take the chip off your shoulder that no one but you cares about. Please take the time you used to complain about a particular Mike Luckovich cartoon, and write about something of consequence — like our dysfunctional government, human trafficking or perhaps the Affordable Care Act.
Be grateful that Mike hasn’t pilloried his critics in one of his cartoons.
SCOTT WILBUR, MARIETTA
