REMEMBERING 9/11
AJC’s coverage captured the tragedy’s impact
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s special coverage issue of Sept. 11 might have been one of the newspaper’s finest moments. How can you capture that horrific day and the impact it has had on the American people the last 10 years?
The AJC’s coverage did that by following its credo: Credible. Compelling. Complete. I read every word of the issue and was amazed, awed and emotionally affected by the comprehensiveness of the reporting, and how the spirit and resilience of the American people had been captured. Jerry Schwartz, Alpharetta
Why didn’t editorial mention radical Islam?
I read the piece “We are so much more than our enemies knew” regarding the Sept. 11 attack (Opinion, Sept. 11). In these columns, there is not one mention of radical Islam.
While the vast majority of American Muslims are good Americans, the AJC’s politically correct approach does an injustice to the lives lost Sept. 11 and the sacrifices of those fighting against radical Islam. RICHARD WATTS, DULUTH
GOVERNMENT
It’s sad that some fail to recognize federal role
“Should the federal gas tax be extended?” (Opinion, Sept. 13) reveals the division in our nation between those who understand us to be a community of states and those who prefer every state for itself. It is the old federal-vs.-confederacy debate in new clothes.
Rep. Hank Johnson (D- Ga.) understands (correctly, in my opinion) that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Of course, we wind up helping federal projects in smaller states such as South Carolina. Residents of Georgia benefit when they travel to other places, and lots of federally funded roads lead into and through Georgia. As folks travel from other places to here, they spend a little money. It’s a no-brainer.
Republicans such as former President Dwight Eisenhower understood the importance of a national transportation plan. Too bad current members of his party (such as Rep. Tom Graves) have lost that vision. Jim Watkins, Decatur
FOOD PANTRIES
KSU applauds UGA for helping to feed students
During these tough economic times, some college students don’t have enough money to put groceries on the table. So I applaud the efforts of the University of Georgia students to start a food pantry (“Food pantry opens on campus of UGA,” Metro, Sept. 12). I wish them all the success we have enjoyed with just such a program at Kennesaw State University.
Kennesaw State’s Feed the Future food program is supported through the generous donations of KSU students, alumni, faculty and staff. Operated out of the Student Health Services, Feed the Future provides nutritious food for 10 to 20 students in need each month. Any student with ongoing financial needs is seen by a KSU Student Health Services social worker to help that student access available forms of assistance.
Students can’t learn if they don’t have enough to eat. Anne Nichols is Director of Student Health Services, Kennesaw State University
POLITICS
‘Let-them-die’ minority is vocal ... and troubling
Thankfully, I think I only speak about a small portion of Americans — but there is a significant and vocal minority among us that believes some people should be allowed to suffer whatever their choices and circumstances bring, without giving a great deal of humanitarian consideration to consequences.
Invariably, this includes those we characterize as the “least among us.”
The “let-them-die” group is represented by that portion of audiences at recent GOP debates that cheered Gov. Rick Perry’s record of executions in Texas.
It seems that for many in our society, we are no longer our brother’s keeper. We simply don’t want to be bothered or inconvenienced by someone else’s suffering or need. William A. Jordan, Lawrenceville
SOCIETY
Strangers rushed to help victim of heart attack
I was a visitor to your city recently and witnessed something that should be acknowledged. I attended the filming of a concert at the Fox Theatre when a gentleman behind me had a heart attack. Fortunately, there were two doctors and a nurse attending, as well as several people who knew CPR. They worked for more than 20 minutes to bring this man back to breathing on his own.
The paramedics arrived and took him to the hospital. I do not know if any of the people who helped were from Atlanta or were visitors. But what they did should be recognized. We don’t know their names, but they stepped up to help a man they did not know, who might have died before the paramedics got there. NANCY HUNTER, SHREVEPORT, LA.
