GOVERNMENT
The next time Georgia voters are asked to vote in a referendum to tax themselves (perhaps through a regional transportation funding plan), they should keep in mind how politicians reneged on an agreement to discontinue the Ga. 400 tolls, once the bonds were paid off.
Richard Wilson, Atlanta
Pattern of deceit is all too easy to see
Years ago, when the “Bush tax cuts” were passed, Congress and the president promised that the tax cuts would only last for 10 years. Now, Republicans wish to extend these tax cuts, especially for the “rich.”
When the toll was put in place to finance the construction of Ga. 400, the government promised that the toll would expire when the construction bonds were retired. Now the government (led by our leaders who have failed to realistically address our transportation woes for the last eight years) has voted to extend the toll for 10 more years. Do you see any pattern of deceit here?
Jerry Causey, Flowery Branch
MILITARY
Graft in time of war does psychological damage
“U.S. gift lost in fog of Iraqi graft” (News, Sept. 26) illustrates the continuing futility and frustration in helping a country where we are now unwanted and unwelcome.
While I realize graft in time of war is as old as war itself, that doesn’t diminish the psychological impact (not to mention the financial loss) a crime like this has. As a Vietnam veteran, I frequently saw stolen goods we were unable to buy at the PX being sold on the black market. That, too, instilled feelings of hostility (rather than hospitality) for a people you were trying to help. Certainly, multiple Iraqi officials had to be involved in the theft.
The only good news is that at least some materials were recovered, and perhaps this will focus attention on the growing problem. Now if the U.S. and Iraqi governments can more diligently monitor such corruption, perhaps some good will come from this loss.
Michael L. Shaw, Stone Mountain
MILITARY JUSTICE
Obama administration’s overreach is appalling
Regarding “U.S. says death-order suit imperils security” (News, Sept. 26): I find it absolutely appalling that the Obama administration and the CIA would arrogate to themselves the power to be judge, jury and executioner, as described in this article. This is exactly the kind of overreach that blackened America’s reputation as a bastion of civil liberties during the George W. Bush years. Call me naive, but I never expected Barack Obama (a constitutional scholar) to ignore due process.
Warren Goodwin, Atlanta
POLITICS
Those who investigated Obama were braced
Cynthia Tucker and other Obama supporters are “stung” and disappointed that the person they elected is not accomplishing what they thought he promised (“Count me among the stung,” Opinion, Sept. 26).
President Barack Obama is no surprise to those of us who investigated his past, his supporters and his own written (and in some cases, spoken) words. Apparently, a lot of his voters didn’t take the time to find out who they were electing.
Edward A. Watkins, Lilburn
'None of the above'
I have always wanted a way to be able to have a line on election ballots to vote for “none of the above”. It seems that on the November ballot for governor, we have a third choice: a Libertarian.
I have never voted Libertarian, but I am quite sure that a vote for this candidate will serve the purpose of saying as loud as possible that I do not want either one of the above bozos. I have researched the other libertarian candidates and offer no real information on them, but a vote for some of them might begin to point out that many of the voters want “none of the above.”
Glenn Mixon, Covington
Too many now vote ‘against’ rather than ‘for’
Why is it that in today’s culture, when we go to the polls, we go to vote against a bad candidate, rather than to vote for a good candidate?
We know little about the good qualities or qualifications of the candidate, but we surely learn about the negatives of each candidate’s opponent. Admittedly, we need to know the negatives, but it surely would be good to know their qualifications, so that we can vote for one candidate instead of against the other candidate.
I’d rather vote for the better of the two than the lesser of two evils.
Sue Shealy, Loganville
MEDIA
Appreciate the insight into Bishop Eddie Long
My commendations to Mark Davis, Shelia Poole and Katie Leslie for the Sept. 26 article on Bishop Eddie Long (“Powerful pastor’s ministry put to test,” News.) It was very well done.
Steve Wilkerson, Lilburn
IMMIGRATION
Since we ignore some laws, then let’s ignore all
The time is long past due to stop cherry-picking our legal codes, regarding which laws to enforce and which laws to ignore.
If we are going to turn a blind eye to our immigration laws, then we should be non-discriminatory and equal opportunity, by turning a blind eye to all other laws on our books as well.
About three months of total anarchy in this nation would generate changes beyond your wildest dreams.
William M. Savage, Lithonia
