FALCONS STADIUM
Response to "NFL uses a silver linings playbook," Sports, May 12
Kudos to Jeff Schultz for his opening the eyes of readers in his column. He writes “how often local politicians, and sometimes fans, view sports owners as relative cinematic heroes, willing to do anything to please them. We’ve seen it here in Atlanta. Public funding measures for a new Falcons stadium were pushed through at the speed of an ATM withdrawal, even as polls indicated the majority of residents were against it.” Unfortunately, Atlanta taxpayers will now needlessly suffer because of this.
Politicians who approved the huge expenditure of the new Falcons stadium should be ashamed of themselves for making this a priority — especially now, when many Atlantans are either jobless or are just making it financially. Whether their decisions were based upon celebrity worship of Arthur Blank, or whether they believed they would gain in some other way, they did a disservice to Atlanta taxpayers.
Thank you, Mr. Schultz, for enlightening AJC readers. It’s too bad we can’t fight City Hall.
SY DAVIS, CUMMING
COMMENTARY
Clinton as rat in trap
disgustingly bad taste
I have chuckled and held my tongue as conservative letter writers from time to time criticize the liberal bias cartoons by Mike Luckovich. Well, I must now join their ranks from the other side.
The Ramirez cartoon in the May 12 edition (Opinion) depicting Hillary Clinton as a rat being squished in a trap is way over the top. Mike Luckovich skewers people with a sometimes tacky but always sharp wit. Michael Ramirez has a fine, unique draftsman’s talent that runs to the nasty side, which is often anger-producing in more progressive readers.
In this case, he goes beyond nasty to downright disgustingly bad taste — unworthy of a serious journalist, and unworthy of the AJC.
LOYD DOOLEY, ATLANTA
BENGHAZI ATTACK
Deaths of Americans
reflect badly on U.S.
Regarding “U.S. ideals lost in mad scramble to bolster myths” (Opinion, May 12), did that darling of liberal machinations and mayhem — Maureen Dowd — actually write something fair and reasonable? She did: “Benghazi, in which four Americans died, was unworthy of the greatest power on earth.” Yes!
She ended her column with this: “If there is anything, no matter how unlikely or difficult, that we can do to try to save the lives of Americans who have volunteered for dangerous assignments, we must do it.” Yes!
I am beginning to like Ms. Dowd a bit better than before.
CATHERINE BOONE SHEALY, ATLANTA
SECOND AMENDMENT
Gun violence calls for
constitutional change
It is clear that something needs to be done regarding guns to make our system better.
The solution should involve preventing people with violent pasts and those with mental illnesses having a propensity to produce violence, or harm to anyone, from having access to guns. It should also provide for very strict accountability for those possessing guns, if those guns cause harm to individuals by anyone. Let’s think it through and get it right, for now and for future generations.
However, any changes should be made only in a constitutional manner. That means amending the Constitution to deal with the matter.
ALLEN BUCKLEY, SMYRNA
