AJC leads the way in informing public
In 40 years as a reporter and editor around the South and in New York, I have never seen more rapid improvement in a newspaper than that shown by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. That progress comes from a staff focused on Georgians’ most pressing needs, reported thoroughly with insight and courage in investigative depth, and written and illustrated so as to assure readers clear and even analytical understanding of the most difficult topic.
Ironically, the AJC’s grasp of journalism’s vital mission — providing the informed public necessary for democracy’s very existence — comes as too many newspapers seek readers and advertisers in bloggerism’s brevity and frothy content. Let us hope that these publishers and editors (and their missing subscribers) will awaken from their ignorance in time to save not only newspapers, but also, the nation.
Claude Sitton, Oxford
For hardcore right, the more radical the better
Regarding “Stronger conservative voices still needed” (Readers write, March 15), and “Firepower imbalance among illustrators” (Readers write, March 15), so Kyle Wingfield and George Will are too soft for the hardcore conservative right? I consider myself a moderate. I enjoy Wingfield (though I sometimes disagree with him), and I respect Will (when he is not substituting fiction for fact). Both are legitimate heirs to William F. Buckley. Charles Krauthammer is sneeringly harsh. Michael Ramirez is twisted by a hatred of Barack Obama.
Radical Republicans have shifted political discourse so far to the right that centrists are now seen as liberals, if not “socialists” or “communists.” I am reminded of what William Butler Yeats wrote: “The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.”
Neil Murray, Lilburn
How about a daily candidate scorecard?
The Campaign 2012 articles have been very good. However, they lack a scorecard. The series needs a daily scorecard showing each candidates’ number of delegates won and percentage of the total 50-state delegate count.
Allen B. Babcock, Marietta
Let’s value dignity, privacy, compassion
Abortion rights should not have to be legislated for or against. There are viable arguments for each point of view. The decision a woman makes is shaped by her physical condition, life history, beliefs and, perhaps most importantly, a personal definition of compassion.
Mercy can take many different forms as an appropriate response to suffering in accordance with the circumstances presented. Let us take this debate out of the political and judicial realms and return dignity, privacy and compassion to each individual’s decision — whatever it may be.
Sybil Thomas, Whitesburg
