GOP presidential pick isn’t what’s important
What a shame that we have to endure more than a year of presidential debates and media overkill for what is well-summarized in “Santorum respectable but Romney electable” (Opinion, Jan. 11).
Whatever happened to voting for whom you consider the best person for the job (not the most electable?) Are we so caught up with getting rid of President Barack Obama that it matters not who the GOP puts up to replace him?
I’m a lifelong Republican who is frustrated with my party. I’m also a realist who understands that personally we have little impact on what our president (regardless of party) does in office. We need to give more time and attention to those with whom we might have some clout: our representatives in Congress.
Let’s let the media blitz concentrate on making someone electable and watch the entire debacle for entertainment value, while we, the so-called common people, put our time and effort into identifying, electing and doing whatever’s necessary to ensure that our House and Senate promote and support legislation representing the way their constituency feels.
Dennis C. Brown, Villa Rica
Donated umbilical cords can save lives
Regarding “Debate over paying for body parts” (Living, Jan. 10), I feel compelled to add two facts that were omitted from the story.
Umbilical cords donated by birthing mothers are also used in life-saving transplants. An estimated 50 percent of all transplants to cure children of leukemia or other blood-borne diseases now involve umbilical cord stem cells. If not donated to a public bank (or privately banked), umbilical cords are discarded as medical waste at hospitals throughout the country.
And, there is good reason for the passage of the National Organ Transplant Act. If people begin to be paid for removing stem cells from their bone marrow, there’s the possibility of an underground market developing (preventing the very people who most need the life-saving procedures from receiving them), and “bidding wars” for stem cells or umbilical cords with the “highest yield.”
Ethics and humanity do not grow out of capitalism. They grow out of integrity and compassion.
Deva Hirsch, Atlanta
Muslims are taking a stand against violence
Regarding the case of Sami Osmakac, it is clear that Osmakac did not follow Islam when he tried to find a way to hurt his neighbors in Florida.
Thank God that the Muslim community realized his bluster was not just “talk.” Peaceful American Muslims are taking a stand against Muslims who plot destruction.
It is reassuring when Americans and good police work come together to undo harmful plans.
Allison Knight-Khan, Powder Springs
