We need better prevention training
Thank you for the article about churches, clergy and the movement for better training and screening in our faith communities to protect children (“Taking action on child abuse,” Metro, July 18). A great number of our local community leaders are responding positively to the recent change in Georgia’s law requiring clergy to be mandated reporters of child abuse.
We can develop sexual abuse prevention plans comprised of strategies — such as educating adults and children about healthy sexuality, passing and enforcing policies that minimize one-on-one contact between children and adults, and reporting perpetrators and suspected child abuse instances to the proper authorities (even when it comes at the expense of the institution’s public image).
What happened at Penn State and in church communities across our country in the past is a terrible tragedy. But, as AJC staffer Shelia M. Poole reported, that doesn’t have to be the whole story. We have an opportunity to broaden our conversations and enlist all members of our community in the efforts to prevent child abuse, support children and strengthen families.
CAROL NEAL ROSSI, DIRECTOR, PREVENT CHILD ABUSE GEORGIA
Luckovich cartoon divides us even more
There is absolutely nothing racist about having to show a photo ID to vote, yet Mike Luckovich is trying to make it appear so to stir the pot (Opinion, July 17).
I find it appalling that he resorts to these kind of tactics. We are divided enough in this country without Luckovich trying to find ways to divide us further.
DEBRA EVANS, CUMMING
Proof requirement is not an issue of race
I expect more from Leonard Pitts than to pander to people who would sanction corrupting voter rolls, by quoting Attorney General Eric Holder’s likening voter ID laws to the poll taxes of yesterday (“Voter ID laws pose threat but encountering silence,” Opinion, July 19).
I recently went to my bank of 30-plus years to cash a relatively small check, and was asked for a photo ID. According to what Pitts is saying, my bank was being racist in refusing to cash my check without photo ID.
Requiring a voter ID is not a race issue; it is a way of assuring that dead voters, illegal aliens and fictitiously named voters do not affect our elections.
BENJAMIN HIRSCH, ATLANTA
GOP is holding the U.S. economy hostage
Republicans are concerned about welfare fraud — yet, the present House of Representatives is guilty of welfare scam. They are being paid very well to sit and do nothing — except hold the economy hostage and prevent President Barack Obama from being re-elected, whatever the cost to the poor and middle class.
FRAN ROSEN, WHITESBURG
