AIR TRAVEL
Move security gates,
don’t arm TSA agents
The Vienna and Rome airport terminal attacks in the 1980s illustrated that security screening — particularly for firearms — should take place at the terminal entrance, not deep inside an airport.
In response to the recent terminal shooting at Los Angeles International Airport, the prospect of arming TSA guards is now being raised. As one of those who opposed the proposal to arm cockpit crew members after Sept. 11 (as they are not professional lawmen), I feel the same reasoning should be used to deny weaponry to TSA officers.
I feel arming underpaid — and often under-educated and temporarily employed — personnel within the small confines of an airport terminal would only increase the chances of possible harm to the traveling public.
ROBERT ROGERS, COLLEGE PARK
EDUCATION
If we don’t help poor,
we put society at risk
To the conservative right-wing in the state of Georgia: Ignore the critical need for early care and education of our young and poor citizens at your own risk.
History has taught us of the perils that come with this course of action. One need only to look at the crime statistics comparing those who have been abused or who lacked education as young children with those who have been given the opportunities to thrive.
We cannot ignore those with less, while supporting those with more. By not appropriating the necessary resources for early education in favor of funding sports stadiums — and other pork — we continue to risk a repeat of the same history of crime, poverty and anger that we see rising daily.
MICHAEL DE GIVE, DECATUR
HEALTH CARE
Just take ACA funds,
buy people insurance
According to “‘Wasteful’ coverage is just part of insurance” (Readers write, Opinion, Oct. 31), “The ACA will help move health care from emergency care and bandages to the full spectrum of preventive care, and to higher-quality outcomes.”
Since when has a government-run program had higher-quality outcomes? We should just take the funds allocated for this disaster, and purchase the millions of uninsured their policies in the private sector — and save the cost of another cumbersome program.
STEVE CHRISTOPHER, HAMPTON
CRIME
Nation must address
drug use prevention
“Money, drugs and illegal immigration” (News, Nov. 4) is an excellent illustration of the role of drug users. It is the U.S. drug user who supplies cash and more to the drug cartels. When will we write about the drug users, and how they contribute to the cartels and gangs?
Are we not concerned that the cartels around the world are murdering law enforcement personnel and their families, as well as the mayors and news reporters who try to protect communities?
The U.S. once funded our nation’s schools to teach about the harmful effects of drugs on the body and society. Funding is now pouring into treatment and law enforcement agencies. The prevention of drug use is getting little attention.
THOMAS J. GLEATON, ATLANTA
