Medical examiner criticism unwarranted
Mustaches and Tibetan trophies have no place in serious issues like those raised in “Ga. official faces flak for outside ventures” (News, Oct. 4).
Autopsies often add little to an investigation and scene; often photos disclose details otherwise missed. By these means, Dr. Kris Sperry alone came to the correct cause of death.
Manner of death depends on individual professional opinion, which is often controversial. Dr. Sperry, as a fair chief medical examiner, allows his deputies to certify death’s cause, differing from his opinion. It does not bar him from opining otherwise during testimony.
Restraint deaths often lead to differing professional opinions. One must have all available facts. Second-guessing is foolhardy. Only by contrasting testimony can a jury sort out these cases.
The discerning reader will understand the importance of having competent experts like Dr. Sperry testifying in adversarial cases. The compensation an expert deserves is at the discretion of attorneys. Bear in mind, it requires 13 years of expensive education to reach the level of Dr. Sperry.
PETE SPETH, M.D., WENONAH, N.J., RETIRED MEDICAL EXAMINER
No in-state tuition for illegals
Re: the Oct. 12 AJC Get Schooled blog post, “Georgia has replaced Jim Crow with Juan Crow,” here’s useful knowledge in deciding who should pay in-state tuition at Georgia’s taxpayer-funded universities: Illegal aliens who have received Obama’s deferred action on deportation are still illegal aliens. The DHS website makes it clear: “Deferred action does not confer lawful status upon an individual.”
The shameful, misleading and race-baiting “immigration enforcement is Juan Crow, return to segregation” campaign to put illegals in finite USG classroom seats with a lower tuition rate than a legal immigrant or an American kid living in Chattanooga or Asheville really is “anti-immigrant” — and is un-American.
A 2010 poll commissioned by no less than the Georgia Newspaper Partnership showed that two-thirds of Georgians want to bar illegal aliens from attending public colleges altogether, even if they do pay out-of-state tuition.
It is true that Obama has intentionally muddied the language of immigration. This edition of the ridiculous incremental move toward “equal rights” for victims of borders can be ended quite quickly. All the Regents need do is to change the language of their regulations to read “lawful status.”
D.A. KING, MARIETTA, PRESIDENT, DUSTIN INMAN SOCIETY
Civil rights groups wrong on memorial
Regarding “Deal asked to halt King memorial” (Metro, Oct. 15), the leaders of the NAACP and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference should be deeply ashamed of their bigoted stance regarding the Confederate carvings and flags at Stone Mountain. Instead of addressing the rampant crime, illiteracy, joblessness and skyrocketing illegitimacy in the black community, they concentrate on creating discord between the races … creating and maintaining a plantation mentality among all too many black Americans by constantly telling them they are victims.
Too many black Americans continue to nurse a grievance and wallow in self-imposed victimhood instead of rising up and becoming self-sufficient productive citizens. The once-great NAACP and the SCLC have become morally corrupt and now seem exist in order to give their leaders more wealth and political power. Black America deserves better leaders.
ERNEST WADE, LOGANVILLE
