Levenson’s email had no racist intent
In response to “Hawks owner out over racist email” (News, Sept. 8), Atlanta Hawks co-owner Bruce Levenson was basically stating that the team’s marketing is not doing enough to attract whites, in plain simple English, and here’s why. There is nothing racist about that, if true. So why should Levenson sell the team if he was making an honest assessment in this case? These are not Donald Sterling-type comments, and should not be treated as such.
This matter seems to indicate that once again, political correctness is beginning to run amok. And once more, almost any statement, regardless of how thoughtful, intelligent, and well-supported, is construed as racist, sexist, homophobic or whatever else simply because some favored liberal victims group is “offended.” The end result, like the Levenson incident, is the unnecessary destruction of a person’s life or livelihood, simply because no one thoughtfully explored what was being stated.
Incidents such as these are no better than the effects of the McCarthy era or the Salem witch trials. Eventually, people will become too afraid or unable to distinguish between the truly offensive, such as Donald Sterling, versus an honest assessment of a marketing strategy and demographics, such as Bruce Levenson.
DAVID STEWART, SMYRNA
Let’s not downplay Watershed audit
I would be interested to know if Ms. Macrina, commissioner of Atlanta Watershed Management, was questioned by Congress regarding the staggering audit results of her department? The article “New audit slams Watershed” (Metro, Sept. 10) mentioned she would be discussing only water issues. I am stunned at the magnitude of the missing equipment, or the theft of so much equipment. How does one misplace or steal water meters weighing 700 pounds? How does one steal a backhoe without anyone observing? This sounds like a job for Superman. The situation is truly depressing and distressing, and someone in a managerial position pointing out how small this was in relation to all the good work they’ve done is just ridiculous.
NANCY SHARPE, MARIETTA
Tougher sentences for public officials
In response to “Boyer likely to be jailed 1-2 years” (News, Sept. 5), the sentence is far too lenient. As an elected official, DeKalb County Commissioner Elaine Boyer is expected to be held to a higher standard. I believe that it should be state law that upon conviction, an elected local official such as Boyer should be required to serve a minimum of 10 years with no time off for good behavior. State officials (representatives and senators) should likewise be required to serve 25 years, and those elected to statewide offices such as governor and attorney general, 40 years. No plea bargains. No exceptions. Not assisting in prosecuting co-conspirators should simply add more time to the sentence.
And no country club prison. No, they should go to the state’s big house. In addition to paying back taxpayers for the original theft, the guilty party should also be assessed a fine in the same amount to be paid to the state.
BRUCE BURNAMAN, WOODSTOCK
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