Fort McPherson plans
Yes, history is integral to a sense of place
I was heartened (and a little surprised) to read that Atlanta’s mayor said preserving Fort McPherson’s historic structures is integral to redevelopment plans for the post, “Filmmaker eyes Army base” (News, June 19). While I am not sure what the exact context of that statement was, I welcome such a declaration from our mayor. I look forward to that executive point of view becoming manifest in future redevelopments, since preserving historic structures (and sites) is integral to our entire City’s sense of place. Well, what’s left of Atlanta’s historic structures anyway.
ALIDA C. SILVERMAN, ATLANTA
Obama’s Iraq comments belie stance on domestic issues
I was struck with the dichotomy of the president’s remarks on Iraq when he stated “It is clear, though, that only leaders that can govern with an inclusive agenda are going to be able to truly bring the Iraqi people together and help them through this crisis”. Substitute the word “American” for “Iraqi” and ask yourself if our president has governed inclusively.
The president has consistently moved against the will of the majority of the people on issues ranging from Obamacare, to the Keystone pipeline to U.S. foreign policy. Before lecturing Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki on policies detrimental to the minority Sunni population, perhaps he should look first in his own backyard to see how his policies continue to divide our country.
DOUG LOCKER, DECATUR
The real crimes of past centuries
A recent letter to the editor laments the killing of a family pet by Union forces during the American Civil War and declares it a war crime. Has the writer forgotten the record of his Southern ancestors for their crimes against humanity as they held fellow human beings captive, forcing them to work, beating and torturing them, breaking up families, humiliating them, dehumanizing them and, yes, killing and lynching them for the smallest infraction?
These were true crimes against humanity, and it is really disheartening to see many of our fellow Southerners suppressing and ignoring this past history as they try to blot out the nature of their forbears. We have a lot of healing yet to do, and the terrible crimes that our white ancestors imposed on the black race have to be remembered and used to redirect our philosophy and actions today to help atone for those horrific times.
TOM MCMANUS, ROSWELL
U.S. should flee unwinnable mess in Iraq
We need to get all Americans out of Iraq and the rest of the Middle East ASAP. This is an unwinnable religious war. Money already spent and lives already lost and soldiers already maimed are all sunk costs that cannot be recovered. It is absurd to devote any more resources to this war. We do not need to sacrifice more troops. I cannot understand why anyone would think we should. I have written my senators and congressman to express my views. I hope others will do likewise. We need to put pressure on President Obama to get us out of this incredible mess.
CAROLYN ANGEL, MARIETTA
