BIN LADEN
Don’t expect bin Laden video anytime soon
Those who claim Osama bin Laden is not dead are irrelevant. If he really were not dead, he’d have a golden opportunity to embarrass the U.S. in front of the rest of the world by releasing a new tape six months, or a year from now. As for his burial at sea, it seems that the U.S. was far more respectful of a criminal than he was of the thousands of innocent souls that he murdered.
John Fillyaw, Tucker
BIN LADEN
Obama deserves bump; re-election not assured
President Obama showed great leadership when he greenlighted the mission that killed bin Laden. This achievement has temporarily brought this country together. There were coast-to-coast celebrations by college students, to a large group of people chanting “U.S.A.” in Times Square. Even though this military victory has pumped up Obama’s poll ratings, it may not help him in the 2012 election. In 2012, it will still be about jobs, the economy and the deficit.
William McKee Jr., Flowery Branch
BIN LADEN
U.S. must remain vigilant as terror fight continues
It has been said that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. Yes, bin Laden is dead, but al-Qaida is not. Another terrorist will slither out from under a rock to take his place. Though we can rejoice that justice has been done, we can never forget that there are fanatics out there who will redouble their efforts to do harm to America.
Jerry Schwartz, Alpharetta
BIN LADEN
America lights the way toward peace, progress
While death generally brings grief, bin Laden’s death brings closure to Americans who were touched by the senseless and indiscriminate massacre on Sept. 11, 2001. I hope that the back of terrorists has been broken once and for all, never to rise again. As an American, I pray that America will refocus on Americans and continue her march to progress and prosperity. As a Muslim who believes in the Messiah, I pray that America continues to be the vanguard of peace and stability among her sister nations. May she become the beacon of hope, and a guiding light for the rest of the world. Qamar Ahmad, Duluth
PUBLIC SAFETY
Care for children goes beyond check-ups
Bob Barr criticizes pediatricians for asking about guns in the home (“Doctoring gun owners’ privacy,” Opinion, May 2).
A cornerstone of preventive medicine is discussing with parents hazards in the home when they have a young child. In the last five years in the U.S., 225 children under the age of 12 have been killed by accidents with guns in the home. That may not bother Barr, but it bothers us. Pediatricians are dedicated to avoiding unnecessary harm to children. This is why we immunize to prevent disease; why we conduct periodic check-ups to monitor growth and development, and why we have these discussions with parents. Prevention and education are the best ways to avoid tragic accidents that can cause grief and loss to families.
Dr. Kathryn K. Cheek, president, Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
