Unwise to deal with Iran
Just before reading (“Congress to scour final Iran nuke deal,” News, April 6), I read Isaiah 31:1: “Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord!” This verse caused me to ponder the efforts and wisdom of the Obama administration in attempting to make a deal with Iran. History tells us what happened to Israel when they turned to Egypt for counsel. They were destroyed. Is America following the same path that caused Israel’s destruction? Will America be destroyed for turning to Iran rather than to God who created America as a covenant nation?
DONALD S. CONKEY, WOODSTOCK
Speak out against child abuse
As a social work student at Dalton State College, I have the privilege to work weekly with children and families. April is “Child Abuse Prevention Month.” Cases of child abuse and neglect are far too common in our community and world. On average, more than five children die each day as a result of abuse or neglect in the United States. There are over 6.2 million reports of such incidents each year. Children are some of the most vulnerable members of our society because of their dependence on others to get their needs met. Sadly, in the majority of cases, the adults children depend on are the ones abusing them. If you or anyone else knows someone getting abused or neglected, please speak out.
CHELSEA LEWIS, KENNESAW
Was teen heart transplant a waste?
I disagree with Gracie Bonds Staples’ column (“It’s never a waste of time to save a life,” This Life, April 4). Her politically correct position is the type of attitude that contributed to this whole sorry story. The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. Stokes’ juvenile behavior led doctors to believe he would not comply with treatment requirements. Saving his life with a transplant heart, in short supply, likely caused suffering and possibly death for others. Was the transplant a waste? Ask those who suffered and possibly died waiting for that heart. Ask taxpayers, who likely paid thousands of dollars. Ask the victim whose house he attempted to burglarize and then shot at. Ask the victim whose car he carjacked. Ask the pedestrian whom he ran over. Ask the community to whom the other transplant prospects would likely have made positive contributions.
STEVE MILLER, DECATUR
