U.S. PRESIDENCY
A congressional seat is no match for top job
In George Will’s recent column (“Oval Office isn’t the only prize,” Opinion, Jan. 1), he contends that winning Congress may be more important for the GOP than taking the presidency.
This is a common belief among many “moderate” establishment Republicans. I disagree. If the GOP doesn’t regain the Oval Office, the “long run” will not be bright.
Even without Congress behind him, the president will continue using his executive power to circumvent the will of the people and will make appointments to the Supreme Court — cementing his agenda.
Reforming entitlements and repealing Obamacare (difficult now) will become impossible. Future presidential candidates will compete not to “protect and defend” and advance the interests of the Untied States, but to better manage entitlements. We will become a very large Greece — with no one to bail us out.
Edward A. Watkins, Lilburn
IRAQ WAR
Bush’s error set the stage for Obama’s presidency
I agree with a recent letter writer (“‘Misadventure’ in Iraq should’ve been assailed,” Readers write, Opinion, Jan. 1 ) that the AJC should have been a lot stronger in its condemnation of President George W. Bush’s action in Iraq.
The entire country was solidly behind the president to go into Afghanistan, but the decision to invade Iraq before finishing the job in Afghanistan was the worst decision of the Bush presidency.
It is the primary reason our country is in its current, sorry state of affairs: high deficits, budget shortfalls, not enough jobs, etc.
I feel sure that if we had concentrated on one war in Afghanistan and prosecuted it successfully (including getting and killing Osama bin Laden), President Bush’s popularity would have been so high that President Barack Obama would never have been elected. Just think of where the country could have been today.
Hopefully, history will someday correctly show the bad consequences of invading Iraq.
Earl Little, Mableton
MILITARY
Fire lawmakers who give the military short shrift
As a 100 percent-disabled veteran of the Vietnam War, I want to wish a healthy, happy new year to all my brothers and sisters of the current war era. I also congratulate you on the whopping pay raise Congress allocated you in 2011.
Should you be able to vote in this year’s elections (between your overseas tours), I urge you all to vote these rogues out. Less than 1 percent of them ever served in the military (much less combat), yet they are pocketing billions dealt out to them by the war industry.
These people are mostly scoundrels of the worst sort and do not deserve your backing on ballots or battlefields.
Please come home safely to us, and vote these selfish officials out at your earliest opportunity.
Michael J. Burke, Doraville
ATLANTA AIRPORT
Contract process proves cronyism still rules
Airport contract cronyism is alive and well in Atlanta.
Mayor Kasim Reed has revealed himself to be an apt successor in a line of corruption that traces back to the Maynard Jackson administration.
It’s business as usual.
Taxpayers should be outraged.
Arnold Simon, Atlanta
CHICK-FIL-A BOWL
Thank you, Atlanta, for a fantastic experience
On behalf of Auburn University and the Auburn family, I want to thank the city of Atlanta, the Chick-fil-A Bowl and the many volunteers who made the 2011 Chick-fil-A Bowl a fantastic experience for our student-athletes and fans.
As we learned again, it’s real-ly the people of Atlanta who set the Chick-fil-A Bowl apart.
I want to thank Truett Cathy, the entire Chick-fil-A Bowl organization and the volunteers who honored the Chick-fil-A legacy with their fine hospitality and outstanding service.
We are also proud to have been a participant in the bowl that leads all others in charitable and scholarship contributions.
Our football team and fans look forward to returning to Atlanta and the Georgia Dome again to kick off the 2012 season.
I could not think of a better place to kick off what promises to be another exciting season of Auburn football. Thanks again. God bless. War Eagle!
Jay Jacobs, director of athletics, Auburn University
TECHNOLOGY
Gauging new technology in an eco-political world
The recent letter “Thomas Edison would embrace technology” (Readers write, Opinion, Dec. 27) explains the hope for new technology but fails to address its real-world impact.
My great-grandfather knew Edison, and I know that if Edison were creating his electrical technologies in today’s “charged” eco-political environment, I would be reading the dear reader’s comments by candlelight.
Imagine the thought of installing lethal electricity into everyone’s home, generating power by mining coal and endangering the planet — with the EPA in charge!
The economy will dictate what is cost-efficient and will allow us to prosper.
We are not being told how things could be. We are being ordered by law how things should be — and Solyndra is our example.
Tom Byron, Marietta
