CULTURE
Response to “Reviving colors and memories, piece by piece.” Living, Nov. 28
Thank you for sharing the story about the blind or visually impaired quilters. It is inspiring to read what these brave women are doing in spite of their disability.
I have a new appreciation for the blind and visually impaired after visiting an exhibit called “Dialog in the Dark.” Getting only a glimpse into their world, it’s hard for me to imagine how all the other senses come alive when one is lost. These women have learned to feel the warmth or coolness of colors to create quilts that are truly unique.
Andrea Hammond, Waleska
SOCIETY
When help was needed, many came forward
I will never cease to be amazed at the number of good Samaritans in the Atlanta area.
While walking recently in a department store’s parking area, I tripped. I struck my right eye socket, forehead and knee on the cement. One of the wonderful people coming to my aid gave me a new bath towel to stanch the blood.
I would like to reimburse that person for the towel (if the donor would contact me). Many thanks to all you good people. Shirley Finck, Sandy Springs
MIDDLE EAST
Please stop enabling rejectionist Palestinians
Michael Oren is correct: Israel can’t make peace on her own (“A 63-year search for Mideast peace,” Opinion, Nov. 28). Unfortunately, there is little evidence that the Palestinians are willing to negotiate. Hamas is open about its intentions to eliminate Israel. And “moderate” Mahmoud Abbas intends to destroy Israel by forcing her back to the confines of the pre-1967 state and flooding the country with descendants of those who fled the 1948 war. The world should stop enabling the Palestinian leadership’s rejectionism — it is responsible for the suffering endured by the Palestinian people for over 60 years. Toby F. Block, Atlanta
LUCKOVICH
Not much maturity in ‘gun in pocket’ cartoon
Regarding the Nov. 28 Mike Luckovich cartoon: Unwilling to engage in serious political confrontation, Mike Luckovich instead chose the sexual titillation card, and receded to the most sophomoric of journalistic efforts.
If I wanted what he offered that day, I would simply have gone to a gas station, and purchased the latest issue of Playboy. What I do wish for is a higher degree of political enlightenment and stimulation.
Cartoonist Michael Ramirez, anyone? Cliff Smith, Norcross
MILITARY
‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ was foolish from the start
“Don’t ask, don’t tell” was an absolutely absurd policy when it was signed into law years ago. Now that the Pentagon study has been released, and the secretary of defense and a large majority of the American people support repeal, attempts by Republican senators to stop repeal would be totally outrageous. Winston Johnson, Atlanta
ECONOMY
Deferring to the rich leaves nation poorer
America suffers from a “wealth addiction.” In spite of the fact that a small percentage of Americans are rich, many Americans are slavishly deferential to the rich because they, too, hope to someday be rich. This is, of course, completely unrealistic, because there is simply not enough wealth for the overwhelming number of Americans to become rich.
The wealthy own America: They own the politicians, the businesses and the media. And the American people continue to fall behind the rich, who are making out like bandits. America deserves what it gets. W. Keith Watkins, Atlanta
EMPLOYMENT
Unemployment checks buy essentials, not frills
I’ve been reading about the impending end of unemployment benefits. Many compare the heartless legislators to the Grinch, stating that millions will not be able to afford Christmas this year.
Whoa, Rudolph — hold the sleigh. I’m not concerned about buying Christmas presents. I’m concerned about keeping the lights and heat on, food on the table and abiding by the payment plan that Wells Fargo has set up (that will keep my house from going into foreclosure). Millions of Americans might have been able to take a little of their unemployment benefits and buy some Christmas cheer for their kids. But I bet most of them send the monies right back out to the landlord or mortgage company; to Georgia Power; to the doctor’s office; to the grocery store; or to the gasoline station, etc. Nobody is getting rich from unemployment benefits.
I contacted the offices of U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss, and U.S. Rep. Tom Graves to voice my opinion. I am not for a bigger national debt, but for the government being there “for the people” when crises occur. This is a national crisis. Beverly Harris, Dalton
Taxes aren’t to blame for loss of American jobs
I am confused about taxes and what they have to do with job creation. Have we not been providing these tax breaks for the past 10 years? Where are the jobs? Did they start disappearing when President Obama took office?
I am a small-business man, and I know business owners hire workers when there is demand for products and services. There is no demand today because Americans are in debt — afraid they may not have a job next year. American jobs are shipped overseas for the cheap labor. There are plenty of American jobs in China, India, South America and Mexico. That is what most Americans face.
The other Americans will continue to take the Bush tax cuts and pay off debt, put it in savings or invest in new companies in Third World countries. Rome is burning.
Raymond M. Brown, Marietta
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