READERS WRITE
Traffic
Fellow Southerner berates metro drivers
I hate Atlanta drivers! I have worked all over the United States and you are, by far, the worst drivers. You are rude, aggressive and extremely dangerous. If I honk at you because I am forced to slam on my brakes because you ignored a red light, stop sign, yield sign, etc., you almost always reply by honking back and giving me the finger.
With little or no traffic enforcement, it will always continue. People are constantly getting injured and getting killed because of your arrogance.
Drivers in New York are much nicer than you.
KENNETH MAXWELL, PRAIRIEVILLE, LA.
Where was outrage in previous consular attack?
In March of 2006, U.S. consulate official David Foy was killed by a car bomb in Karachi, Pakistan, that was specifically meant for him. Where was the right-wing outrage? Where were the Senate and House hearings? Where were the letters of protest from all conservatives everywhere that a U.S. president did not take better actions to protect our embassy officials during 2002-2008?
Where were the good conservative readers of the AJC taking President Bush to task? How quickly we forget.
PHIL DAVIS, POWDER SPRINGS
Even for our prez, respect’s earned, not given
To the Vent author who wants respect for the president.
When the president starts acting like a (being) president and not acting like a (being) king, then he will deserve some respect. Until then, he is getting what he deserves. Also, he should stop taking all these vacations that cost taxpayers millions of dollars.
GORDON SIMPKINS, HOSCHTON
BOSTON BOMBING
Recent news reports say that the Boston bombing suspects used parts from holiday lights. It’s time to register Christmas lights. Require a three-day wait, a background check, no “straw purchases” of Christmas lights, allow the purchase of no more than one package per month and with no more than 25 lights in a package. And no one under 21 years of age should be allowed to purchase.
These are “common sense” proposals to “reduce Christmas lights violence”!
GEORGE MITCHELL, BLAIRSVILLE
Old arguments against rail transit don’t fly
Again we hear that rail won’t help Atlanta’s congestion problem, based on the alleged examples of Orlando and Miami “Congestion won’t be reduced,” (Opinion, May 20). A far more relevant example is Toronto, with a similar population and a large geographic area like Atlanta, where the major arterial roads are very effectively complemented by a network of seven regional “GO train” lines – with interlinked bus routes – connecting the outlying cities with the urban core and its subway.
In North Atlanta, only parallel rail will get enough cars off the major arteries (I-75, GA400, I-85) to reduce congestion; bus rapid transit will only diminish potential road capacity. The cost should be viewed in light of both reduced individual car-related costs, and the cost of time wasted sitting in traffic – currently estimated at $2,000 per person per year and growing. Finally, considering both our diminished crime rate and the competent new leadership at MARTA, it’s time to reevaluate these traditional objections to suburban rail expansion as well.
RANDY HOWARD, ALPHARETTA
