A better DACA compromise is possible
Perhaps there is a compromise to be found for the DACA people as well as some illegal immigrants. First and foremost, there is a legal process for entering this country.
All who enter illegally should understand they have no legal right to stay, or protest deportation. However, for those brought here illegally by their parents, they should also accept responsibility for not coming here legally. And as a result, should not expect full citizen rights. So, grant them legal work status and allow them to stay.
However, under no circumstance should they be granted full citizenship, until they obtain it legally. If they choose to stay, without legal citizenship, there should be consequences. For one, they should not be able to vote. They should not be eligible for Social Security benefits. And any welfare benefits should be very, very limited.
If that choice is not acceptable to them, let them go through legal immigration or be deported. We do not have open borders.
DONALD VARN, ROSWELL
Outgoing MARTA CEO overrated
There seems to be universal acclaim for outgoing MARTA CEO Keith Parker in Atlanta media – presumably from people who have extremely limited experience riding MARTA. Whatever spreadsheets and capital reserves say about Parker’s tenure, as a MARTA rider I have experienced no discernible improvements in MARTA service, and believe “the Authority” (as MARTA refers to itself in promotional material) grew increasingly hostile to its most-regular patrons under Parker’s leadership. Most notably, Parker’s “Ride with Respect” campaign was a condescending order to regular MARTA riders to stop behaving like animals so that new riders (i.e. white Atlantans) would no longer feel so uncomfortable on public transportation. Given the widespread praise Parker is receiving in Atlanta media, it seems his lecture to MARTA riders was appreciated by those he was trying to lure into ridership, even if more white people have yet to start using MARTA regularly. Too bad MARTA didn’t “Operate with Respect” for its most-consistent users during Parker’s tenure.
RYAN LEE, VINE CITY
Equifax execs not likely to face jail time
I read that a group of senators want the SEC to look into the Equifax executives who sold $2 million in stock three days after their massive security breach was discovered. One of them even mentioned possible jail time.
I’ll believe it when I see it.
Thirteen years ago, a similar thing happened in Atlanta and the SEC did nothing. In October 2004, after a large security breach at ChoicePoint, a company which had spun off from Equifax, the CEO and COO got approval to sell stock for a $17
million profit prior to public disclosure of their breach.
The ChoicePoint CEO claimed that he didn’t know about the breach until late December 2004. The SEC apparently believed him and did absolutely nothing.
If a CEO can successfully claim ignorance of a serious breach for two full months, certainly the Equifax executives should be able to claim ignorance for three days.
ERIC RIDENOUR, ALPHARETTA
Vulnerable regions need strict building codes
Has Florida done away with building codes? I remember after the 1935 Labor Day hurricane, they were very strict 0n what you could build; had to be concrete with steel rods, I believe. That was after more than 500 people were killed when the altimeters blew away at 200 miles an hour. We lived in Rockdale, about halfway between Miami and Homestead. Dad drove us down to Key Largo and then to Tavernier a few days after the hurricane hit. They were burning some of the bodies there. Florida East Coast Railroad sent a train down there to bring the Civilian Conservation Corps workers out, but it was payday and they wouldn’t leave. The engine and all the passenger cars were blown off the tracks and were towed by our house about nine months later. Florida needs to tighten up on building codes in the Keys. Trailer-type structures should not be allowed.
GRIER LIVINGSTON SIMS, COVINGTON
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