Why students shouldn’t be allowed to pack heat
I have been a Georgia Tech faculty member since 1976, and I’m writing regarding the piece concerning carrying weapons on college campuses (“Recent violence pushes gun debate for Georgia colleges,” Metro, Dec. 11). Before I was a professor, I served as an infantryman in Vietnam from June 1969 to June 1970. I recall about a half-dozen friendly fire incidents in my battalion, resulting in about that many fatalities (and several more who were seriously wounded). I don’t want to see any friendly fire casualties at Georgia Tech. Keep the guns off campus!
Alfred D. Andrew, Dunwoody
A start toward reduced carbon emissions
We should all breathe a sigh of relief (“Climate deal doesn’t make things worse — or better,” ajc.com, Dec. 11). The climate talks in Durban didn’t solve global warming, and there is a lot left to do — but an accord is in place. After the hottest decade in history, any progress is welcome.
The politicians cannot solve the greatest problems we face, but if they support the Save Our Climate Act and put a reasonable price on emitting carbon, they can hand us the tools for the United States to put our energy and ingenuity to work to lead the world to reducing our emissions by 2015 (as we must).
Our greatest days are before us — if only we will seize them. Dr. Timothy S. Hanes, Atlanta
Lowe’s decision to pull ads from TV show is sad
As an American Muslim, I am very disturbed that a retail giant such as Lowe’s has decided to pull its advertising from the Muslim reality show on TLC (“Lowe’s pulls ads from TV show about U.S. Muslims,” ajc.com, Dec. 11.) It is alarming to see a company such as Lowe’s taking such an open stance concerning religious discrimination. It is sad that the officials are very concerned about the feelings of a few individuals in Florida — but are not worried about hurting millions of Muslim Americans.
I appreciate [California state] Sen. Ted Lieu for behaving like a true American and for standing up against discrimination. I totally agree with him for calling this decision “un-American” and “naked religious bigotry” — and applaud him for warning the retail giant against a possible boycott.
Saima Ahmad, Suwanee
Candidates don’t realize they must represent all
After watching the various debates and campaign appearances and reading op-ed pieces, I’ve come away thinking that none of the candidates grasps the enormousness of the position to which they aspire.
My reluctance to take them seriously doesn’t stem from Newt Gingrich’s (and Herman Cain’s) arrogance in the face of marital infidelities, Mitt Romney’s flipping on a health care plan and other issues, or Rick Perry’s gaffes under stress.
Nobody has said, “I want to be a president for all the peoples of the United States.” They don’t recognize that all Americans are not “anti-everything” — and most Americans don’t have any use for people who don’t care about others.
Ronald D. Johnson, Austell
The very existence of our republic is at stake
As this republic founders, we will leave behind the shame of having elected Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
We will leave behind hundreds of thousands of pages of federal (not state) regulations restricting business. We will leave behind a public school system that has become an expensive indoctrinational system. We will leave behind a nation that didn’t think highly enough of its sovereignty to enforce immigration laws.
We will leave behind a body of “representatives” who were no longer bound by their oaths to protect, defend and preserve the Constitution, and who valued their own power over the people’s freedom. We will leave behind a percentage of people who no longer pay income tax, but expect to be provided for. We will leave behind a legacy of a people who valued not offending more than they valued the truth. No nation lasts forever. Nov. 6, 2012, will be the day the people decide if this nation will remain a republic.
George Mitchell, Blairsville
Consumers have already paid too great a price
For Georgia Power to attempt to justify rate increases based on Environmental Protection Agency regulations regarding coal plants is unconscionable.
Consumers have already paid too great a price in health-related costs associated with the archaic way Georgia Power manufactures power. Coal-burning plants account for thousands of premature deaths and lost workdays each year. Coal-ash is cached in dumpsites, contaminating drinking water.
Having chosen coal over renewable energy for so many years, Georgia Power bequeathed a legacy of increased risks of cancer, chronic illness and reduced longevity to Georgians. Isn’t it time they (not the consumer) accept responsibility — and the costs — for clean energy alternatives?
Brenda Deily Constan, Decatur
Pride in an alma mater doesn’t end at state line
The parochial, inward-looking tirade by Mark Arum regarding Georgia license plates that promote out-of-state colleges is beyond ridiculous (“Such plates should not be allowed,” Metro, Dec. 12).
Those of us in Georgia who attended out-of-state universities are just as proud of our alma maters as those who attended schools here. Local alumni associations worked countless hours assembling the necessary applications before the plates could be issued.
There are tens of thousands of these plates across Georgia that generate a significant contribution to the state coffers. Perhaps Arum does not maintain a loyalty to wherever he was educated, but many of us who are transplants here do. Maybe it takes a Southerner to understand this.
Steve Braden, Atlanta
Response to “Jobless punished enough.” Opinion, Dec. 11
Thank you to Jay Bookman for his comments concerning state Sen. John Albers’ bill, “The Dignity for the Unemployed Act.”
When I first read about the act, I was speechless at the mean-spirited kicking of someone who is down. We must have a better response than this.
I appreciate Bookman’s clear and insightful response.
Lois Curry, Roswell
