TEEN VIOLENCE
Response to “Georgia must work together to stem teen dating violence, death.” Opinion, March 29
Regarding “Georgia must work together to stem teen dating violence, death,” I would like to add two more messages. Even if children are not the targets of abuse, by witnessing the violence they are victims and often continue the vicious cycle by becoming victims or abusers. Therefore, it’s imperative that parental victims or anyone they ask for help know how to assist them. Abusers often isolate their victims. A whispered request to a cashier may be the only time a victim can ask for help. Communities can create safe havens by displaying a recognizable icon showing victims where they can ask for help. As a criminal defense and family law attorney, I have seen that the more overtly the community supports victims, the greater the chances the abuse will be reported — and the cycle of violence will end.
Esther Panitch, The Panitch Law Group, P.C.
POLITICS
So glad Tucker has gone to bat for Obama
Yay for Cynthia Tucker. She stuck up for President Barack Obama, which so few are ready to do (“In defense of Obama health law,” Opinion, March 27).
I’d vote for him any day, and will be proud to vote for him in 2012.
As Tucker said (and I believe), President Obama and Congress have a good health care law. Where is the Republican version? I have never seen it.
Is there still prejudice in the South? Is that why so many people are so ready to criticize our president?
I think Tucker tells the truth, President Obama tells the truth and I tell the truth. Perhaps so many people wouldn’t have to examine their consciences so often if they, too, would tell the truth. It’s just a suggestion.
Mollie Jane Mackin, Union City
Don’t understand all the fuss over West
After reading Kyle Wingfield’s column about U.S. Rep. Allen West of Florida (“The roots of a black GOP star,” Opinion, March 27), I am puzzled. Why is he a GOP star? He grew up in Atlanta in a non-affluent black family. He went to college. He served in the Army. Are those impressive accomplishments to Wingfield?
West is outspoken and abrasive. His major accomplishment in life is that he was elected to Congress without any special accomplishment in his life. For that (but nothing else), I applaud him.
Gerson Paull, Atlanta
PROM NIGHT
Here’s what’s truly beautiful: Being thrifty
The prom dresses shown in “Primping for prom” (Living, March 27) are all beautiful. However, they are outrageously expensive, too! Who can afford these prices? Why is the prom supposed to cost thousands of dollars?
A few years ago, my niece in Maryland found a clever, cost-effective way to attend her prom. Helly found her dress for about $20 at a consignment shop. Then, she used a “buy one, get one” dinner coupon with her date for the dinner before the prom. Helly looked on the prom as a fun challenge — to try to attend in a thrifty way. Clark Howard even interviewed my thrifty niece on his radio show.
Perhaps some young women will look on the wonderful dresses and shoes shown in the AJC as a fashion guide. It’s easy to spend money, but more fun and creative sometimes to find more cost-effective ways to do things.
Joni Pelta, Atlanta
PENSION REFORM
Don’t fault nonresidents for Atlanta’s deep deficit
No one is questioning the dedication and hard work of Atlanta firefighters, but Atlanta’s pension fund is not troubled because the city does not have a nonresident occupation tax (“No need to break pension promises,” Opinion, March 27) — but because benefits were given to city employees without regard to the costs. There is no constitutional issue here; simply a bad management issue.
Jim Nelems, Duluth
MEDIA
‘No-fly’ cartoon is no laughing matter
Over the years, Mike Luckovich has shown consistently how offensive he can be. His nastiness has reared its ugly head even higher in his “no-fly” cartoon (Opinion, March 27) depicting potential Republican presidential candidates as stinking garbage in a trash bin.
I had to ask myself if I would have been as offended by a similar depiction of Democrats, and my answer is a resounding “yes.” I know Luckovich wants to get a rise out of his opponents, but he hasn’t even treated the real dregs of humanity in such a despicable way.
Judith McCarthy, Atlanta
MIDDLE EAST
See through the scheme of blaming Palestinians
A recent letter writer states that the Palestinians are the ones who don’t want peace and are interested in the destruction of Israel (“No peace until Arabs recognize Israel,” Readers write, March 27). The writer goes on to say that “something has to be done to bring the Palestinians to the table.”
Evidently, the writer is not familiar with the latest peace initiative, when both sides sat at the peace table — until Israel announced plans to continue building illegal settlements on confiscated Palestinian land. It was at this time that the Palestinians walked out.
Portraying Israel as the victim when the truth is the exact opposite is a popular scheme by the pro-Israel side. This systematic, psychological conditioning has played on their side for more than 40 years, but maybe the American people are beginning to see the light. Let’s hope so. It may be the only chance to bring peace to both sides, and to lend a hand to defeat this ongoing world of terror.
James J. David, Marietta
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