Readers Write 11/18

Businesses fail to step up, lead way to growth

I went to make a deposit at my “big bank” recently, and was informed that the drive-through was closed for lack of staff and to please come inside. Later, I hastened to get a car emissions inspection and was told they would get to it — but they were understaffed that day.

Such lack of service may lead to customers going elsewhere and to loss of revenue for businesses. It seems many American businesses are failing to step up and lead the way to growth by hiring Americans for work that needs doing.

George Ference, Atlanta

Hunger, famine, wars will be among results

I was happy to see Robert Walker’s piece regarding the world population reaching 7 billion people (“Population nothing to cheer,” Opinion, Nov. 12).

I have long thought that overpopulation can be pointed to as the root of a lot (if not most) of the problems on our planet today. So many folks around the world (but specifically here at home) think that having lots of kids is a positive thing.

In another article in the same paper, Coca-Cola’s chairman and chief executive officer Muhtar Kent said, “the nation ... is on track to outpace population growth of many competitors” (“Coke chief cheers future giants,” Business, Nov. 12).

Burgeoning populations can only make today’s problems of hunger, famine, wars and global warming worse. We obviously do not want our government to police this problem (as they do in other nations), so we need to get it together and handle this on our own.

Dusty Rhodes Haverty, Marietta

Time of release brings motive into question

Sexual harassment is a serious offense. The use of sexual harassment allegations as a political weapon is also a serious offense. In the case of sexual harassment, we seem to throw away the precept of “innocent until proven guilty” and accept unproven allegations as perfect truth. Additionally, we stigmatize the accused for life — no matter the outcome.

I don’t know if Herman Cain is guilty of the allegations against him, but until I see some solid evidence I have to assume him innocent. The timing of the release of the allegations brings motive into question. It has been years since two of the “victims” claim to have been harassed by Cain. They obviously don’t fear being fired or being punished by him. Why wait so long to accuse him?

Sexual harassment should so enrage the victim that he or she should report it, regardless of the consequences. We have formal avenues to combat it and gain recompense. Unfortunately, the frivolous use of harassment claims has made the offense comparable to the little boy who cried “wolf.”

F.M. Ashmore, McDonough