MISTREATED KIDS
Response to “Girl had ‘nowhere to go,'" News, Nov. 10
I applaud Alan Judd’s continuing focus on the dire status of Georgia’s child protection system.
Gross underfunding forces DFCS to keep children in peril out of foster care, and makes it necessary to close cases as worsening situations indicate the need for additional care. There are insufficient funds to evaluate and reimburse foster homes, or to allow case workers to provide extra care when families being followed deteriorate even further.
It’s time for our state’s citizens and political leaders to fund DFCS adequately, to allow for appropriate care of maltreated children.
DR. JOHN S. O'SHEA, ATLANTA
HEALTH CARE
ACA is stumbling, but
Georgia’s not helping
Your “below the fold” story in the Nov. 10 edition convinced me that the venerable Atlanta Journal-Constitution — once the indefatigable supporter of the civil rights era — has lost its way (“Stumbling health law at make-or-break spot,” News.)
You assume that the Affordable Care Act will continue to fail. You do not point out that Georgia’s insurance commissioner has done everything he can to prevent the ACA’s success in this state, or that the governor has refused to allow Medicaid coverage that would benefit 250,000 Georgians.
Go on. Paint the worst possible picture — at least until the law succeeds, and you belatedly join the chorus of supporters, or until the negative voices harass this president right out of office.
Then, the country will have what it wants: no health care for millions of citizens, and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz for president. Think about it.
LLOYD FLEMING, DULUTH
ATLANTA BRAVES
When did fans stop
watching the game?
Following the announcement of the proposed move by the Atlanta Braves to Cobb County, I read the AJC coverage and the comments from officials, players and fans.
I ask one question: When did baseball fans quit going to games to watch the game? At the risk of sounding like an old fogey whining about the good old days, does anyone remember when there were no expensive shops carrying team paraphernalia; no restaurants and bars inside the stadium; no games for kids and, my least favorite, video arcades? If these are good money-makers and the players welcome them, then I agree that these “extras” are no worse than buying a ticket, going to the game, and never taking your eyes off your cell phone.
I can’t help thinking, “Where is the joy in Mudville?”
MARY MAHONEY, DECATUR
Build new stadium on
ex-Georgia Dome site
I wonder if any thought was given to building a new Braves stadium on the site of the Georgia Dome when it is torn down.
While the timing would have to be worked out, having both new stadiums in such close proximity would be an Atlanta sports fan’s dream. It would make Mayor Reed look pretty good as well!
SCOTT BUTLER, ATLANTA
Move to spark biggest
traffic jams in history
In retrospect, John Schuerholz will surely rue the day his legacy went from being the architect of the greatest Braves era ever, to the blankety-blank who caused the most monstrous traffic jams in Atlanta’s history.
Just as most ardent Braves fans are nearer the northern arc of I-285, so are most of the casual and couldn’t-care-less Braves fans, who fight persistently awful traffic in the area already. Don’t worry about parking lots; there will be one big one every game day, from I-85 north all the way around I-285 to I-20.
JIM CONNAH, SANDY SPRINGS
