SPORTS
Thrashers are metro asset; owners are not
The Atlanta Spirit’s lack of stewardship is about to cause Atlanta to get another black eye if we lose the Thrashers.
I grew up in Atlanta, and was lucky enough to get turned on to ice hockey when the Flames were here. When my oldest son was 10, he said he wanted to play hockey. He now plays for the University of Alabama. My other son plays high school and travel hockey. Youth hockey is thriving in the Atlanta area. Thrashers games are the best bang for the buck in Atlanta. I recently watched the San Jose Sharks beat the Detroit Red Wings, and wished the Thrashers could get to that point to show our city the passion of this sport. The players fight like heck throughout the game, but shake hands when a series ends. Violence in ice hockey is surpassed by the sportsmanship.
Wake up, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. Don’t take another team away from Atlanta; just take it away from the rich spoiled brats (the Atlanta Spirit), who thought it was cool to own two teams, and then turn their backs on them.
Brett French, Marietta
EDUCATION
Parapros are important to educational success
I have a daughter in special education. She is now in high school. I was saddened to read about Fulton County schools abolishing so many jobs for our paraprofessionals.
They have been wonderful, and so helpful to all the special education teachers. There may be only nine students in a room, but five of them may need one-on-one care. Having the parapros in the room is a huge help to the other students and the teacher.
I have been pleased with the services offered my daughter, and the parapros have been a huge help. I think every school board member should sit in on a special needs classroom to see what some teachers go through in a day. They would have more respect for what they do, and show how important the parapros are.
Bonnie Petrukovich, Roswell
POLITICS
Obama a smart, competent president
President Obama cleaned up another mess left by President Bush by getting bin Laden. President Bush could have gotten bin Laden in Tora Bora, but he took his eye off the target, told a few tall tales and invaded Iraq for reasons only he knows.
Obama came into office facing an economic mess; two wars; American industry going down the drain; a direct attack on the middle class; and social safety nets. He has done a great job in reversing much of this, but gets little credit. Thank God for the smart, competent president we now have.
Sean McDonald, Atlanta
IMMIGRATION
Illegal immigrants here for an honest living
You may say or think whatever you will about illegal immigrants, but the vast majority are here to do an honest day’s work and make a better life for themselves and their families. In so doing, they will make a solid contribution to our society, whereas those who passed and signed HB 87 are useless.
David L. Perry, Clarkesville
