Will fuels paranoia, conspiracy
Columnist George Will extols science, modernity, rationality, intelligence and the spontaneous creativity of open societies. Somehow he believes Pope Francis is opposed to these. (“Americans should spurn pope’s rhetorical vacuity,” Opinion, Sept. 20). However, Francis has taken the position in support of the overwhelming 97 percent consensus of scientists regarding global warming. The only way to ignore that 97 percent consensus of science, modernity, rationality, intelligence and the spontaneous creativity of open societies is to engage in paranoid conspiracies that curiously coincide with interests of fossil-fuel billionaires.
TIMOTHY S. HANES, ATLANTA
Support revival of Peoplestown
I live in Grant Park. Peoplestown is like an earlier Grant Park, with longtime residents such as the 93-year old matriarch, Mattie Jackson, and newcomers like GSU law professor Tanya Washington. Driving through the area, I can tell the newcomers have spent thousands remodeling their residences. It’s an up-and-coming intown neighborhood. And the city wishes to tear all this down through “eminent domain” to create a park! Strange. I should think a strong African-American mayor such as Kasim Reed would support the revival of this old-time black neighborhood, once in the heart of “Black Atlanta.” But no. Evidently he prefers his “legacy” to be the Beltline and a downtown streetcar.
CHRISTINE GALLANT, ATLANTA
Atlanta bungled chance to keep Braves
Leroy Chapman writes “One of our most important duties as watchdog journalists is to vet Cobb’s unprecedented public investment in the stadium.” (“Braves stadium bridge delays affirms need for public scrutiny,” Opinion, Sept. 20). Atlanta is in Fulton county. The new stadium, being built in Cobb County, should be of no concern to the AJC. Atlanta and Fulton county had their chances of hosting the Braves and lost it.
JEFF LAND, KENNESAW
Voters want “outsider” to lead country
Political pundits and mainstream media cannot understand why three “outsiders” – Donald Trump, Dr. Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina - are doing so well in the polls. I found the answer recently while reading Jeff Shaara’s, “The Last Full Measure.” In each of the four parts of this book Shaara uses parts of a short speech given Nov. 19, 1863. Part four’s quote is “that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom; and that this government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.” Unfortunately the voters of this nation believe that an “outsider” is what the country needs because they see “that this nation is having a death of freedom; and that the politicians and bureaucrats see themselves as the people of the government, by the government, for the government.”
ROGER L. WARD, GRAYSON
