LEO FRANK
Column lacked context
behind man’s lynching
In “Murder case lives on in ballad” (Metro, Oct. 1), you responded to a reader’s request to print the lyrics to an old song about the murder of Mary Phagan.
Those lyrics, as you published them, point a condemning finger of blame at Leo Frank. While it is true that Frank was convicted of the murder, your column did not put the matter in the context it deserves. Many factors raise serious doubts about Frank’s guilt: The trial took place in a poisonous atmosphere of anti-Semitic bigotry tainting the community against Frank; the eyewitness whose testimony was key to the conviction recanted his version of the story years later, and the then-governor of Georgia found the trial to be so biased, he overturned the death sentence Frank received.
By not pointing out any of this, your column would lead readers to conclude that there is no doubt Frank was guilty.
BILL NIGUT, SOUTHEAST REGIONAL DIRECTOR, ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE
SHARING THE ROAD
Cyclists should bear
safety responsibility
Regarding “Cyclists blast plan for fees, restrictions” (News, Oct. 5), House Bill 689 is a step in the right direction.
Anyone using our public roads must be accountable and identifiable and abide by the rules of the road. Side-by-side bikers in non-motorized vehicles are a traffic hazard on most suburban and rural roads.
I am not surprised at the outcry from the bike folks. The playing field is not level, and this must be corrected. Equal privileges should mean equal responsibilities. I fully support Rep. Rogers and his efforts.
If a bike and a motorized vehicle are involved in an accident, the motorist is identifiable, can be held accountable, and is readily identified by his license plate and license. A biker cannot be readily identified or held accountable. If you use the public road, then you have to be responsible.
ALTON POWELL, CHATTAHOOCHEE HILLS
GOVERNANCE
GOP should abandon
its tactics of bullying
I learned civics in grade school — the lessons that introduced us to the genius of our American experiment, and the same lessons used to teach us how to be good citizens on the playground and in the public square. Republicans are behaving like the very bullies and cliques we youngsters were taught were wrong, and who our elders fervently hoped we would not become.
People of all political persuasions can be pigheaded, but since the election of President Obama, Republicans have been sinking to new lows. I believe they should clean up their act and join in working for the common good.
MARIAN K. GORDIN, ATLANTA
