IMMIGRATION
Speak up, churches, on the need for compassion
In all of the publicity surrounding new immigration laws, the voices of several public systems have been heard. One major voice has been silent: that of the religious community.
Before our state moves to suppress the movements of people whom so many seem to feel do not belong among us, this voice ought to speak. My church was recently challenged to “love those whom we do not like.” We were reminded of the love of God for all of us who are sinners and who, in God’s sight, do not appear to be very lovable.
Much is said (by churches and politicians) about making America a “Christian nation.” Rejection of a large segment of the population seems to be a strange way of trying to do this. How shall the Christian community address the immigration question?
Can we not find ways to be compassionate on this matter? Surely, it is time to be less mean-spirited.
A serious consideration of the role of religious faith ought to contribute to a more humane approach than we are now seeing.
W.W. Givens, Atlanta
EDUCATION
Breaking the law isn’t the only option
Regarding “Out of school zone, out of options” (Opinion, Feb. 14): The writer is concerned that Kelley Williams-Bolar has no other option but to enroll her child in a good school. Really?
She lives in the wrong neighborhood and then realizes she has made a mistake that adversely affects her child.
The writer misses the point. He fails to look at the example this mother sets for her child. She broke the law.
Schools are paid for through property taxes from the home and school district you live in. You want a better education for your child, so move to the school district you can afford, which has the best schools (based on your taxes).
Your alternative is to get a better education, work harder, make more money, move to the better school district, obey the law and set a good example.
There are options: hard work and honesty.
Tom Byron, Marietta
ENERGY
Egypt shows why U.S. must tap own reserves
It is my impression that the environmentalists have prevented the United States from becoming independent of foreign oil. This Egyptian situation is (in my opinion) a last wake-up call to make available to us the huge reserves of oil and natural gas within our own borders.
Years ago, the United States should have initiated a national effort to use what we have available here before it’s really too late. We should start that national effort now.
Jim Warner, Atlanta
MIDDLE EAST
Obama inept in handling of foreign policy crisis
Regarding Egypt: I have been watching our president light matches in a situation loaded with gasoline and explosives. This is the most inept handling of a foreign policy matter since Jimmy Carter, and will likely prove just as costly to our national security interests.
Grant Essex, Woodstock
