TERRORISM
Bravo, Barr. This ‘war’ isn’t one for the military
May I laud Bob Barr for his excellent commentary (“Court system perfect for bomber,” Opinion, Jan. 11.)
I think U.S. Sens. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) should carefully consider these arguments. Simply because we call the fight on terrorism “war on terrorism” does not mean that it is a military problem.
In fact, the phrase “war on terrorism” is a figure of speech or a metaphor, just like “war on cancer” or “war on poverty.” This distinction is often lost during debates. Terrorism is not an act of war, period. It is a heinous crime. It belongs in a civilian court.
Ramakrishn Raman, Tucker
ETHICS
Legislators too corrupt to do their own policing
To ask our state representatives to enforce ethics is like asking a fox to keep foxes out of the hen house. An independent board appointed by the majority and minority parties may be a better choice.
John Shepherd, Douglasville
POLITICS
Those calling for Reid to resign are hypocrites
Is there no end to politicians’ hypocrisy? Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) made some unfortunate remarks about President Barack Obama, a member of his own party, and Republicans asked Reid to resign.
I sincerely ask all Republicans: If someone in your party said something insensitive about Michael Steele, and that person apologized to Steele, would you expect a resignation?
Both parties (and the media) can act like vultures: They hover around looking for weaknesses, and when they see one, they go in for the kill. We are all human beings, and we all make mistakes. Has that been forgotten? Lighten up!
Tom Ashley, Chamblee
PUBLIC SAFETY
Firearms license should require course of study
I would like to suggest that persons holding a Georgia firearms license complete a course of study concerning the use of deadly force, personal liability, firearms safety, accuracy and other related classes, to be recommended by the Georgia Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors.
I would also like to suggest that each license holder qualify on a licensed firing range every year, with a minimum score of 70 percent, to be allowed to maintain a firearms license.
Finally, I would like to suggest that each license bear the picture of the holder, rather than a fingerprint. I have been a peace officer for more than 30 years and a voluntary holder of a firearms license for most of that time.
Georgia needs to exercise the same standards utilized by other progressive states, where residents are licensed to carry concealed weapons freely throughout the state.
Lewis Cazenave, a deputy sheriff and training officer, Macon County Sheriff’s Department