DEATH PENALTY
Death-penalty advocates do care about the living
I take offense at a letter writer’s opinion of the audience’s cheering Texas’ record of executions during a recent GOP debate (“‘Let-them-die’ minority is vocal ... and troubling,” Readers write, Opinion, Sept. 18).
I want to suggest that a large percentage of death penalty advocates are the same folks who deeply value life and will go the extra mile to sustain it. This especially includes lending a helping hand to those truly in need.
I fail to see how the “choices and circumstances” of a hardened criminal compare to circumstances of someone who has lost a job and home. It can be said both situations revolve around choices, but the author seems to think both deserve equal humanitarian consideration.
Had I been in that debate audience, I would have applauded, too. Our taxpayer dollars would be better spent on those who truly suffer misfortune than on keeping people on death row for years, and housing and feeding them in better surroundings than the unfortunate around us.
Susan Noble, Woodstock
TAX LIENS
Thanks for telling which legislators haven’t paid
I want to thank The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for the article “Legislature: Lien on me” (News, Sept. 18).
Georgia taxpayers, these are our lawmakers. We should be a little concerned. Thanks to the AJC for keeping them honest.
Bobby Huckeba, Marietta
PEACE CORPS
Volunteers will be vital to our nation’s future
As a native Atlantan on a recent visit home, not only did I have the opportunity to enjoy the gorgeous night skyline, but my hometown paper, too. The Sept. 18 AJC featured an article on the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps (“Peace mission hits milestone,” News). Thank you for recognizing this incredible organization.
I am quite proud to say that my son Sam (who was raised in Atlanta) is serving in Namibia as a Peace Corps volunteer. He has been there all of four weeks. It is not an easy life, but it is one full of adventure already for him.
As your article pointed out, the Peace Corps is not without its share of controversy and tragedy, but the determination these volunteers have is amazing. Sam will be teaching English literature at a school and will be involved in HIV/AIDS education.
In a world that seems full of bad news, the hope of Sen. Jason Carter’s remarks certainly resonated with me (“Peace Corps is a great investment,” News, Sept. 18): “Peace Corps volunteers return armed with exactly the type of multicultural experience and international expertise that America needs in order to compete.”
They are learning the tools to guide us in the future. Hooray for them!
Debby Wynne Kelly, Washington, D.C.
GOP CANDIDATES
Doesn’t take a genius to know Obama must go
According to Maureen Dowd, I’m a know-nothing voter since I vote GOP (“Stunned by the ‘how great is it to be stupid?’ stance,” Opinion, Sept. 18).
This particular voter’s vote will go to the GOP candidate regardless of who it might be simply because the country is going to hell in a handbasket if we don’t get this president out of the White House come the next election.
Dowd (like all liberals) can’t say anything good about the present administration — so she spends all of her time and effort finding fault with Rick Perry and George Bush. Perry and Bush may shoot from the hip from time to time, but at least they carry a gun instead of a peace lily.
Jack Franklin, Conyers
Don’t mess with Texas from New York City
I read with interest Maureen Dowd’s column (“Stunned by the ‘how great is it to be stupid?’ stance,” Opinion, Sept. 18).
It is truly amazing to me that she knows so much about Texas and Texans while sitting in her cubicle at The New York Times.
I venture to say that she hasn’t stirred from that cubicle for a long time and that she has not interviewed Gov. Perry or anyone from Texas. She cites a movie as her great knowledge of these people and their mores.
Having a crush on William F. Buckley Jr. will not be her salvation. I’m just saying.
William Anderson, Lawrenceville
TRANSPORTATION
Not supporting Amtrak will prove detrimental
At last, it appears that our Amtrak station is being taken seriously.
I recently met an official of Sister Cities International at our Amtrak station. I am a native Georgian, and I found the present situation to be a total insult to Atlanta, the state of Georgia, and the Southeast.
We should be supporting and promoting rail travel throughout the United States (and especially in the metro area).
I recently took Amtrak to Washington, D.C., and found the trip to be comfortable, affordable and most enjoyable. In business class, I could use my laptop and my cellphone, and continued my business day without interruption.
Don’t expect me to support a SPLOST when rail travel is not being supported.
Donald S. Hardy, Norcross
