Make full use of talent, regardless of gender
Thanks to Mary Sanchez for decrying the tendency to apply demeaning, sexually oriented labels to female politicians (“More female candidates face down sexist critics,” Opinion, June 12). Reducing women to sexuality means wasting their multitude of nonsexual talents. We must make full use of talents of men and women if we are to maximize our potential as a country. Examine each candidate (male or female) as to abilities and policies. Onward and upward — with the best people filling political offices.
Denise Noe, Atlanta
To curb violence, ban guns from our streets
The cultural shift that seems to indicate that even the slightest disagreement is grounds to shoot someone has led me to conclude the only practical solution is to ban handguns on the streets. Penalties for possession similar to current penalties for carrying nonpermitted handguns would start putting an end to the madness (most recently demonstrated by the killing of several young men near Auburn University). Gun-rights folks could keep their rifles and shotguns for their sporting purposes. I only see this situation worsening and it’s time to take action to get handguns out of the public arena.
Steve Inman, Atlanta
Partisan warfare is hurting our country
How refreshing for Jeb Bush to speak out about the fact that his father and Ronald Reagan would find themselves out of step with today’s Republican Party (“Jeb Bush critical of today’s GOP,” News, June 12). Its ideological orthodoxy does not allow for disagreement — only intense partisan warfare. George Bush and Reagan got things done by allowing for disagreement, but also by being able to get true bipartisan help for the good of our nation. Each side has to give up something and get something to create a win-win for the U.S. Bitter Republican partisan warfare (even within their own ranks) has created a dysfunctional government that must change.
Linda Edmonds, Decatur
Georgia needs to let the sun work for us
According to Suniva’s Anthony Coker, Georgia is among the top states in “available sun and other factors that support solar energy production. But currently our deployment of solar is less than 1 percent of the national total” (“State has bright future in solar,” Opinion, June 9). The problem is legal barriers in Georgia law that impede development of solar options for businesses and homeowners. I don’t think any enlightened citizen in our state would deny that with these natural advantages, we should be proceeding at a faster pace toward solar energy development. Policy makers in our state can strike a blow by working to remove barriers that inhibit our state’s more rapid development of solar energy.
R. CARY BYNUM, ATLANTA
