Higher education
Response to “Colleges employ army of lobbyists.” News, July 26
Thank you for your ongoing series on college spending.
I have long complained to my state senator and state representative that they needed to look at the spending side of the equation. I just didn’t realize how out of control it was, and the arrogance and utter disdain the Board of Regents and the University System hold for the taxpayers of this state.
Regarding “Colleges employ army of lobbyists” (News, July 26), I also thought that the statement that taxpayer funds are not being used for lawmaker meals or gifts was rather disingenuous. They may be using foundation funds, but the people who donated to those foundations deducted those same donations from their income tax (and the rest of us taxpayers have to make up the difference).
Robert W. Peppel, Tucker
BOOKS
Alternatives can’t match joy of the genuine article
Thank you, Frank Reiss, for your thoughts on the book retail market in our country (“Humility returns to book business,” Opinion, July 24).
I was especially interested in the comments on electronic devices taking the place of books, and I also feel a deep sense of loss over this. I cannot imagine holding a piece of plastic in my hands and reading from it. I love the feel of a real book and all that goes with it: the smell, the tactile sensation of flipping the pages and the ability to “talk back” to the book by writing in the margins with a real pen. I enjoy being in a gathering place of others who love to read, too. How isolating it is to sit at home and “click” — no matter how good the deal is on either an e-book, or a real one.
Some of the video stores have recently closed. Some of the bookstores are also going under. Where will our gathering places be? Isabelle Werber, Atlanta
SOCIETY
Coverage of 2 deaths reveals our priorities
Regardless of one’s political party or ideology, when a story about the death of a drug-abusing entertainer gets a bigger write-up than a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, it shows just what warped priorities seem to govern news and too many people (“Ret. Army Gen. John Shalikashvili, 1936-2011,” News, July 24; “‘Exceptional talent,’ but a troubled life,” News, July 24).
It’s to the point that the general public is so superficial and shallow that the entertainment “freak show” seems more important than serious things that really matter — like national defense and the economy.
No wonder some people know who’s on “American Idol” — but don’t even know who their congressman or senator is. D. M. Smith, Marietta
SOCIETY
Test cheating indicative of a cultural collapse
It is both sad and insulting that to communicate the importance of the Criterion-Referenced Competency Test, some found creative ways to cheat (rather than creative ways to teach). We must acknowledge and loudly commend those in Atlanta Public Schools who managed to do the right thing.
I feel that the challenge is a culture that places too much emphasis on image and fashion — instead of character, scholastic achievement and intellectual growth. We seem to focus on “looking good” and having fun. In the end, many of our youth value only being good-looking or pretty, but are lacking basic skills or knowledge.
What is frightening is the general lack of perspective. The “in the moment” thinking has no awareness of the bigger picture. There is no understanding of the long-term disadvantages of ignorance.
I am angry for all who fought and died for our right to get an education. I am angry for all of the children who risked bodily harm to gain the right to go to school and be educated. And it hurts that today, so many of our children see going to school as a nuisance, or a waste of time. Charliss Green, Stone Mountain
POLITICS
Debt debacle’s warning to voters is clear
Congress has completely abrogated its responsibility to the people to guide this country and ensure our well-being. We are being held hostage to the poorly thought-out policies of ideologues who either don’t understand, or who don’t care how important it is to maintain our credit status.
It’s clear we have to work on reducing spending and changing our approach to taxes to make sure all citizens and businesses contribute their fair share. But let’s do it rationally and with careful analysis, rather than this “winner takes all” approach that our current representatives seem to have.
One lesson from this debt debacle is clear: Be careful who you vote for. Tom McManus, Roswell
POLITICS
Compromise inherent in our government
Our Founding Fathers had tough discussions about the form our government would take. There was a great deal of give and take (called compromise) that went into creating our Constitution and the United States as we know them today. Ongoing compromise has been important throughout our history as a successful democracy.
Yet our current crop of politicians (and many voters) seem to not understand that compromise is inherent in our government. For a politician from either side of the aisle to take a firm, unyielding stand is completely counter to our heritage, and counter to our survival as the democracy our forefathers gave us.
Voters and Washington need to remember that we elected our representatives to Congress to use their best judgment and efforts in leading us. That has got to include compromise — on both sides, and by all. Without that compromise and leadership, we should just replace them all with computers. Robert Axt, Sandy Springs
