Ban just paves the way for confrontations
Regarding “Park smoke voted down” (Metro, July 17), if the city of Atlanta really wants to help people keep their lungs clean, why don’t they pass a ban on carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide on the streets of Atlanta?
“Giving teeth” to those who already believe they are “righteous” because they don’t smoke gives the go-ahead for belligerent confrontation.
ALLYANA ZIOLKO, ATLANTA
Commentary was insubstantial, empty
Regarding “Give a hand up, not handout” (Opinion, July 12), I read and re-read Debbie Dooley’s commentary trying to understand her point, but I couldn’t — nor could I find much of substance in her “facts.”
What is her point? That food stamps should be temporary? How temporary is poverty? That more needs to be focused on necessary training? Can she be more vague? Should we be cutting the budget to provide more assistance? That sounds like magical thinking. She makes the point that 1 percent of food stamps are obtained fraudulently. Is 1 percent rampant fraud? Anecdotes of fraud might be great for shock value, but her quantifiable evidence is sketchy to nonexistent.
Although I am sympathetic to the overall point of tea party politics (our country needs to be more frugal and intelligent with the budget), Dooley’s piece sounds like most tea party banter — empty, and insubstantial.
GINGER TOWNSEND VOBEJDA, MARIETTA
Thanks to Georgia’s power crews for help
Thank you, Atlanta, for sending your power company crews to Baltimore to help us with our storm-related disaster. After a week in the dark, everyone on my street was extremely grateful for this help. These workers are our heroes.
SUSANN SCHEMM, BALTIMORE
ID law will not help reduce voter fraud
If you have not applied for a new (or renewed) Georgia driver’s license, take a tranquilizer with you.
The number of “original” and other documents required will drive you crazy even if you have them. I strongly suggest you call first to determine what you should bring, rather than get there and have to return home.
We all know the political party behind this law. You will recall that group hates government regulation and “red tape” — except when it serves its purposes.
A purported purpose of the legislation is to reduce voter fraud. Multiple reports have cited that statistics show this is a minimal problem. If the ratio of individuals denied registration exceeds the past experience of voter fraud, those who passed the law should be disenfranchised. Compare the expense of administering the new law with that impact — and decide whether it is worth the cost and inconvenience to the public.
STANLEY HARRIS JR., SAVANNAH
