EDUCATION
Don’t rush teens into making career choices
Regarding “Freshmen must now choose career paths” (News, Sept. 9), as a high school principal, my objection to having ninth-graders choose a career path isn’t because I don’t think they can make lifelong choices at such a tender age. These students have not experienced the demands of high school academics.
Every spring, I have an orientation for rising ninth-graders and their parents. I ask any student who plans to enroll in a four-year university after high school to stand.
Every kid stands. Why? They have no idea what high school is about to demand of them. They think that, based on their academic experience from middle school, they’ll ease right through high school and on to college.
It would be better to wait until the sophomore year to choose a career path. Doing well in high school requires effort. Doing well enough to get into a four-year school requires even more. Let’s give freshmen a chance to get a feel for high school, so they can decide how hard they’re willing to work.
KEN PRICHARD, LOGANVILLE
HEALTH CARE
Hudgens deserves praise for resisting
Regarding “Ga. sees ways to resist care act” (News, Sept. 8), your screed against Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens — who is courageously battling against unbridled collectivism — belongs in the editorial section, and not on the front page masquerading as “news.”
ROBERT HENDLEY, MARIETTA
Opposition will mean struggles for residents
Regarding “Ga. sees ways to resist care act” (News, Sept. 8), I hate to break it to Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens, but all Georgians are his constituents — not just those he hangs with at the club.
Because Gov. Deal is no better, we working Georgians will struggle to maintain our health care next year.
Thanks a lot, elected representatives.
SALLY MCDONALD, CHAMBLEE
SECOND AMENDMENT
NRA is wrong about ‘good guys with guns’
The NRA’s Wayne LaPierre likes to say that the only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is with a good guy with a gun.
Tell that to the women of this country. Tell that to Antoinette Tuff, who disarmed Michael Hill with words. Tell that to Ashley Smith, who disarmed Brian Nichols with words. Tell that to Patricia Maisch, who — along with other bystanders — helped to subdue Jared Loughner after he killed several people and nearly fatally wounded former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
We do not need more guns in schools, churches, bars, cars or on the streets. We need more women to stand up to the NRA. Universal background checks, which close all loopholes for gun purchases, would also be a good place to start.
PATRICIA EVANS, MOUNTAIN PARK
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