SECOND AMENDMENT
Successful duel would provide half of solution
I have to admit when I first learned about House Bill 615 (which would allow concealed handguns into most public buildings), I was a bit skeptical. I am an instructor at Georgia State University, and the prospect of facing dozens of gun-toting students (particularly at exam time) was disarming.
However, I would be able to back this bill if Rep. Bearden would amend it to allow guns in the Statehouse — his place of work. As a matter of fact, I would like to go further and propose that we bring back the tradition of the duel, reminiscent of the famous shootout between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. What could be the harm in allowing politicians to settle their differences at 20 paces? At least a successful duel between two legislators would provide half of the solution.
William C. Fleming, Atlanta
MIDDLE EAST
The world is a dangerous place, and we need allies
Events in Egypt could teach us a few things, like how a peaceful gathering can change a government from dictatorship to — well, we don’t yet know. Egypt was never able to get rid of a dictatorship before (even when Egypt was our ally, after agreeing to a treaty with Israel).
That’s another lesson: the power of a peace treaty with economic help to both sides.
Our own country started in violence against the reigning king of England, and endured more violence around the issue of slavery. We talk of our country as being peace-loving and supporting other countries in their quest for democratic government. Yet our allies in Africa are some of the harshest dictatorships (especially those with oil wells and uranium mines). The world is a dangerous place, and we need allies.
Here at home, for example, we learn that local governments see people surviving in tents under the shelter of bridges. Some governments get rid of these settlements. What happens to the people who were living in those tents? Whose responsibility are they?
In Egypt, people said they would stay peacefully in the square until the dictatorship was gone. And so they did.
Adele Kushner, Alto
MIDDLE EAST
U.S., Obama should grab the opportunity
Algeria is next. The United States (and President Barack Obama) should grab this opportunity to make an announcement to the citizens of any oppressed nation that now is the time, and the U.S. will be there fully for the citizens after they overthrow whoever needs to be overthrown (if they then need our help). This is what should have been done with Iraq.
Jeff Block, Milledgeville
SUNDAY SALES
Inconvenience worth it to ‘help’ those in need
The current law forbidding alcohol sales on Sunday is not about choice. It is about acting as a village to protect those who have become addicted to the substance, which they have lost the ability to forego. Increased business for grocery stores will also increase business for mental health services. I’m willing to accept inconvenience one day per week in order to “help” those who can no longer “help themselves.”
Rachel Bird, Stone Mountain
