ATLANTA BRAVES
Response to “A major win for OTP,” News, Nov. 17
How could I not like this great article by Bill Torpy and J. Scott Trubey? They reference one of my two all-time favorite movies, and they cleverly employ a Cold War analogy.
I’ve only made it to one Braves home game ever, as the drive along I-85 from Hall County to Turner Field can be (and often is) difficult. I won’t make it to the new stadium often, as the drive along I-285 will likely be worse.
As a somewhat impartial observer, I think the comment that, “It’s not personal; it’s business,” is appropriate — and they are still the Atlanta Braves.
RON HARRIS, HOSCHTON
TURNER FIELD
Governor’s mansion
can replace ballpark
Let’s not let the Braves have the only big surprise in Atlanta. We can embellish the center of this great city.
Another soon-to-be-defunct “business center” is not needed. Give us an emerald in the crown. We should place a new governor’s mansion there in the midst of green glory that even Frederick Olmsted would appreciate. The old mansion would bring a tidy sum.
Washington has the White House near the center of that town. Atlanta’s poised Phoenix would rise again in a pivotal piece of verdant vitality. Now, that’s a brave venture!
CATHERINE BOONE SHEALY, ATLANTA
FOOD ASSISTANCE
Writer didn’t tell full
story of hunger’s toll
Regarding “First-hand view of living on SNAP” (Metro, Nov. 17), I can’t help but think that the author’s SNAP challenge was more a gimmick than genuine insight into the problems facing those who have to live on SNAP’s meager allowance.
The writer claims she learned from the experience, but her chief understanding seems to be that she would not want to do it for a month. Has her article really helped her and her readers understand what it is to live on around $33 a week month after month? She could see the “finite end” to her challenge.
I suggest that she has not helped her readers gain empathy for those who can see no end to their challenge. I suggest that she write another article, in which she explains to the affluent audience that reads the AJC what it is to be hungry — and why hunger is a cruelty no one should have to endure.
STEVE WILKERSON, LILBURN
HEALTH CARE
Before insurance,
medicine was easier
Regarding “If you’re against the ACA, what’s your alternative?” (Opinion, Nov. 17), the Republicans have put forth a good alternative that has been rejected by Democrats and ignored by the media.
Go back to the medical payment system before insurance and political bureaucrats took over. I’ve conducted an informal survey among physicians. My proposal: Suppose you did not have to deal with the expense and time involved with insurance, government mandates and such red tape. Would you be willing to devote the time and money saved to pro bono treatment of poor people, with the rest of your patients billed according to their ability to pay?
Overwhelmingly, the physicians say “Yes.” Many say they are now spending some 20 percent of their time and money dealing with bureaucrats. Meanwhile, the (non) Affordable Care Act is driving doctors out of business and causing others to refuse to treat Medicare patients.
I dare any news medium to conduct a scientific survey of physicians, asking my question. I’ll bet they will agree.
WALTER H. INGE, ATLANTA
