POLITICS
Georgia’s Chambliss showed leadership
With all the senseless political posturing in Washington, (which will, in the end, do little to correct long-term issues), it is almost impossible to see those people who are trying to do the right thing. They are lost in a crowd of extremism, but they do exist.
I, who have in years past been very vocal about my dislike of Sen. Saxby Chambliss, am pleasantly surprised that he is turning out to be a champion of reasonableness.
Sen. Chambliss has been a role model for leadership — ignoring for the most part this ridiculous debt ceiling fight to concentrate and strike deals on more promising, long-term solutions.
For this, he gets tremendous “heat” from those in his own party. Perhaps he understood that this would happen (which is why most in D.C. subordinate the “right thing” to the politically expedient thing). But, he ignored any concerns he may have had and did the hard thing — the right thing. I applaud him.
Bobbie D. Munroe, Atlanta
POLITICS
Raising the debt ceiling: Gratitude to tea party
Although angst may have been created by the debt limit increase debate, it’s actually a very good thing.
Before this, debt ceiling increases had been approved without issue and the prognosis of federal debts eventually spiraling out of control was inevitable.
At the end of the Battle of Britain, Winston Churchill spoke of “the end of the beginning.” In our nation’s just-begun struggle with our nation’s debts, we have just finished the beginning of the beginning.
Although the result of this first step is far from perfect, now there is hope. And, although the media likes to group tea partiers with libertarians as kooks, the reality is, it would not have happened without them. Thank you, tea party.
Allen Buckley, Smyrna
MEDIA
Investigative reporting warrants new respect
I used to mockingly say that the biggest story in the AJC was the Pet of the Week, but I have repented.
Your wonderful investigative reporting on all the important issues (for example, APS, transportation and water wars) may actually help this city — which has much potential, but whose institutions are still in need of major repair.
Congratulations, and thank you.
Dana Greene, Atlanta
GOVERNMENT
Our ‘entitlement society’ has gone too far
Regarding “A long walk could get tougher” (Metro, Aug. 1), are you kidding me, that closing post offices will make hiking the Appalachian Trail even harder?
Let me see if I understand this: We need to keep post offices open on the trail so that hikers can mail themselves food? Lewis and Clark, Kit Carson and all the other courageous pioneers who explored the West are spinning in their graves.
How far will our “entitlement society” go?
Brandt Ross, Atlanta
