Readers Write 12/22

RELIGION

U.S. must continue to respect right to worship

It was sad to read of the persecution of Christians in the Middle East, particularly because that is where the first Christian disciples established churches (“In Mideast, Christians face unrest,” News, Dec. 19). Even so, it would be sadder still if we imitated those countries — and persecuted Muslims who are a minority religion here.

This country has benefited from being founded on guaranteeing freedom of religion. Our talent pool has never been diminished by acceptance based on religious tests, nor should it ever be. We haven’t been perfect in respecting our own values, but overall, we have been a shining example to the rest of the world in terms of respecting the rights of others to worship in their own way.

We are not like those who fight each other even within the same religion, and we don’t want to be like them. Do we?

Margaret Curtis, Atlanta

EMPLOYMENT

Revive Depression-era civilian work program

Instead of an extension to unemployment benefits for another year, I would hope that a bill reviving the Civilian Conservation Corps would have been voted on. This was one of the most successful programs established to get us through the Great Depression, and build a stronger country.

These men were also the ones sent to fight in World War II. They are called “America’s Greatest Generation.” With all the infrastructure repairs and other projects that need to be done in our country, those who are physically able should have to work to receive the benefits. Sitting at home and refusing to take a job and still receive unemployment benefits is unfair to those in the country who work every day.

The CCC camps contributed greatly to the nation. In every state, you will find projects still being used that were built by the men of the CCC. The pride in being able to again provide for their families was a major benefit to the program, along with a reduction in crime. This would be a step in the right direction to solving our unemployment problems for both men and women.

Tom Topkoff, Douglasville

POLITICS

Congressional stimulus: Going home for holiday

This session of the U.S. Congress has been eerily similar to an NBA basketball game. Before the basketball game tips off, opposing players greet each other on court with handshakes and pretend hugs. At the beginning of the session, senators and representatives greet each other by pledging bi-partisan efforts to work with “their friends across the aisle” to do the work of the American people.

As the basketball game progresses, the team on the short end of the score will often switch to a defense in which all team members move to block whatever move the opposing team attempts. The Senate even put in a ringer called “filibuster” that, reportedly, could stop anything.

As the clock winds down, both teams launch an all-out effort to win the game. The lame-duck Congress begins to act responsibly only when faced with a similar time constraint. What was the motivator? They wanted to go home for Christmas.