| |
Below you'll find recent comments by Gwinnett Forum readers
about issues of the day:
FEEDBACK
11/25:
Dacula
glad
other
areas
are
finally
catching
up
Editor,
the
Forum;
Not
to
put
too
fine
a
point
on
it,
but
the
City
of
Dacula
has
prohibited
smoking
in
public
places,
with
certain
exceptions,
since
August
1998.
Glad
the
other
areas
are
catching
up.
--
Jimmy
Wilbanks,
mayor
of
Dacula
11/25:
Feels
banning
smoking
is
not
government's
job
Editor,
the
Forum:
While
everything
in
your
article
about
banning
smoking
is
possibly
true
(November
21),
I
think
there
are
much
larger
questions
at
hand
in
regard
to
Gwinnett's
proposed
smoking
ban.
Do
we
really
want
government
dictating
these
type
of
issues?
Shouldn't
the
laws
of
supply
and
demand
dictate
what
property
owners
offer
their
patrons?
I
personally
believe
the
latter.
Strong
arguments
can
be
made
either
way
but,
it
occurs
to
me
that
smokers
and
non-smokers
alike
could
easily
speak
with
their
pocket
books,
patronizing
entities
that
provide
an
atmosphere
conducive
to
the
desires
of
the
public
they
serve.
We
are
not
forced
to
enter
any
facility
we
find
offensive
now
so
why
should
government
even
be
involved?
I
think
it
may
be
because
many
people
don't
have
the
fortitude
to
stand
by
their
convictions,
so
they
turn
to
government
to
enforce
bans
on
things
that
they
may
personally
find
offensive
or
politically
incorrect.
I
can't
help
but
wonder
if
those
calling
for
a
smoking
ban
today
won't
be
calling
for
bans
on
such
things
as
religious
freedoms
tomorrow.
Where
does
it
stop?
When
do
we
as
a
nation
once
again
place
a
higher
value
on
our
freedom
of
choice
rather
than
turning
to
government
to
impose
our
will?
When
do
we
again
place
a
higher
value
on
others
right
to
choose?
You
have
mentioned
that
the
majority
of
the
public
is
non-smoking.
I
commend
that
majority
but
am
seriously
concerned
that
we
are
fast
becoming
a
nation
of
majority
rule,
majority
imposing
their
will
over
the
minorities.
I
find
this
disconcerting
when
I
reflect
back
just
a
few
short
years
ago
and
realize
that
had
it
been
this
way
then,
Blacks,Women,
Latinos
and
yes
even
people
of
some
religious
affiliations
would
have
no
rights
today,
that
decisions
affecting
all
of
us
would
be
being
made
by
Caucasian
males.
Many
people
will
think
I'm
over
the
top
on
this
issue
but
it
seems
to
me
that
if
a
business
has
a
demand,
it
will
meet
that
demand
or
face
the
loss
of
revenues.
I
have
no
problem
with
a
business
offering
a
smoke
free
environment
but
honestly
believe
that
business
should
have
the
right
to
offer
smoking
environments
as
well
and
let
the
public
speak
with
their
money.
If
the
demand
for
smoke
free
environments
is
there
business
will
meet
that
need
without
the
intervention
of
government.
A
simple
solution
would
be
to
allow
business
owners
to
be
either
a
smoke
free
business
or
a
totally
smoking
business
and
stop
trying
to
split
hairs
by
offering
both
in
buildings
that
really
don't
have
the
ventilation
needed
to
actually
remove
smoke
before
it
penetrates
invisible
barriers
currently
offered
in
most
establishments.
That
being
said,
I
have
no
issues
with
Government
imposing
such
a
ban
in
truly
public
areas,
properties
being
owned
by
the
public.
I
do
take
issue
when
privately
owned
property
is
considered
to
be
public
domain.
--
Jim
Dumond,
Buford
11/25:
Shiloh
coach
Roberrt
Matthews'
character
is
showing
Editor,
the
Forum:
The
sports
pages
sometimes
don't
do
justice
to
the
good
things
that
are
exhibited
there.
Will
Hammock
of
the
Gwinnett
Daily
Post
recently
wrote
about
the
somewhat
surprising
accomplishments
of
Robert
Matthews,
the
25
year
old
head
football
coach
at
Shiloh
High
School.
I
say
surprising
only
to
repeat
what
he
has
said
in
the
article.
To
those
of
us
who
have
known
this
extraordinary
young
man
for
many
years--not
so!
Robert
has,
since
his
youth,
exhibited
the
finest
character
and
leadership
possible.
He
played
football
at
Duluth
High,
and
as
a
walk-on
at
the
University
of
Georgia,
not
as
a
superstar,
but
always
with
enthusiasm
and
character.
Good
people
can
become
good
coaches
and
I
for
one
am
glad
that
Robert
gets
the
publicity
that
he
deserves.
One
coach
pointed
out
that
leadership
is
not
a
matter
of
age,
but
of
maturity
and
character--which
Robert
has
in
abundance.
Look
for
even
greater
things
from
him
and
his
program
and
don't
be
suprised
if
he
turns
out
more
"young"
men
like
himself!
--
Charles
Summerour,
Duluth
PS-
Robert
is
married
to
Laura
Henderson
Matthews,
a
former
golfer
at
UGA
and
now
an
assistant
golf
coach
there.
Robert
and
Laura
are
great
role
models
and
leaders
of
young
people!--CS
11/21:
Rotary
scholarships
available
to
study
idea
of
peace
Editor,
the
Forum:
Scholars
for
peace
wanted:
Rotary
Clubs
around
the
world
are
seeking
applicants
for
a
two-year
masters-level
program.
Applicants
must
hold
an
undergraduate
degree,
be
proficient
in
two
languages
(including
location
of
study),
possess
proven
leadership
skills,
be
committed
to
peace
and
be
a
citizen
of
a
country
where
Rotary
is
operational.
The
program
accepts
70
scholars
per
year
to
study
in
one
of
seven
Rotary
Centers
now
located
in
Argentina,
Australia,
England,
France,
Japan
and
USA.
With
peace
now
thwarted
by
war,
famine,
poverty
and
disease,
Rotary
has
committed
through
this
program
to
build
world
peace,
goodwill
and
understanding.
Potential
applicants
should
contact
any
local
Rotary
club.
Buck
Lindsay,
Lawrenceville
11/21:
Seeks
veterans
going
together
to
form
political
party
Editor,
the
Forum:
On
November
10,
2003
the
Secretary
of
State,
Election
Division,
State
of
Georgia,
approved
"The
Georgia
Veteran's
Party
of
America"
as
a
registered
political
body
under
Georgia
Law.
We
are
in
the
process
of
getting
this
information
out
to
all
present
and
future
Veterans
in
the
State
and
seeking
them
as
members
of
this
Party.
If
you
are
a
Veteran,
family
member
or
friend
of
a
Veteran,
you
are
requested
to
join.
If
you
would
like
to
see
our
service
persons
receive
better
pay,
medical
and
other
benefits,
you
are
urged
to
sign
up
with
this
party.
…
Do
you
know
that
only
the
retired
veteran
has
to
forfeit
all
payments
from
the
Veteran's
Administration
to
receive
his
or
her
retired
pay
from
their
respective
branch
of
the
military?
…
Are
you
aware
that
a
divorced
retired
or
disabled
veteran
has
to,
by
law,
give
his
or
her
ex-spouse
up
to
one
half
of
all
pay
received
from
military
retirement
or
VA
disability
payments,
regardless
of
the
marital
status
of
the
ex-spouse?
They
keep
the
pay
even
if
they
remarry.
These
are
the
only
class
of
retirees
or
disabled
persons,
in
our
society,
to
bear
this
burden.
If
you
are
interested
in
seeing
these
and
other
unfair
laws,
concerning
our
veterans
changed,
we
need
your
membership
in
this
party.
For
further
information
and
instructions
on
how
to
join,
go
to
http://members.lycos.co.uk.veteranspartyofga
and
click
on
application
or
send
your
name,
address,
phone
number
and
county
of
residence
to
me
at
2078
Eastwood
Drive,
Snellville,
Ga.
30078.
If
you
have
Internet
access
you
can
send
this
information
to
gkelley951@aol.com.
Please
tell
me
if
you
are
interested
in
running
for
a
political
office.
You
can
also
click
on
www.veteransparty.us
for
even
more
information.
--
Glenda
D.
Kelley,
Snellville
11/21:
Toll
now
more
than
first
three
years
of
Vietnam
War
Editor,
the
Forum:
Now
that
Coalition
deaths
have
reached
the
493
mark,
417
of
which
are
US
troops,
and
7,000
of
our
troops
are
being
treated
in
Germany
for
injuries
including
lost
limbs
and
serious
brain
injuries,
the
casualty
rate
is
now
higher
than
that
in
the
entire
first
three
years
of
the
Vietnam
war,
1961
through
1964.
It
is
agonizing
for
those
of
us
who
were
aware
of
the
spurious,
contrived
"reasons"
for
the
invasion,
to
realize
that
our
worst
predictions
have
come
true.
Despite
government
interviews
with
friendly
Kurds
and
exiled
Iraqis
who
make
up
the
Iraqi
National
Council,
the
Iraqi
people
want
to
run
their
country,
their
oil,
and
their
businesses,
which
our
government
is
currently
selling
off
to
reimburse
Halliburton,
Bechtel,
Fluor,
et
al.
The
"leaked"
CIA
report
stating
that
the
resistance
now
numbers
about
50,000
--
and
growing
with
each
"retribution"
--
is
being
ignored
by
Bush
and
Company.
Bush
wants
us
to
believe
that
they
number
only
5,000.
It
is
time
to
call
an
end
to
the
slaughter
of
our
troops
and
of
innocent
civilians,
to
avoid
the
increasing
similarity
to
Vietnam.
--
Charles
Prendergast,
Los
Angeles,
Calif.
11/18:
Cheers
for
Snellville
on
trees,
concern
for
casualties
Editor,
the
Forum:
Bravo
to
Snellville!
Many
travelers
refer
to
Atlanta
as
"a
city
in
a
forest."
I
think
this
is
a
beautiful
way
to
describe
our
area.
Efforts
such
as
those
underway
in
communities
such
as
Snellville
are
helping
to
perpetuate
the
description.
I
only
hope
that
many
area
communities
will
follow
the
lead
by,
if
not
hiring
an
arborist,
at
least
using
community
(capable
and
knowledgeable
citizens)
and
area
(Educational
and
Governmental)
resources
to
protect
trees
and
wooded
areas.
On
the
subject
of
leaving
Iraq,
I,
too,
am
concerned
by
mounting
casualties.
Although
I
might
feel
differently
if
I
had
a
spouse
or
child
there,
I
sense,
from
news
reports
an
undercurrent
of
progress
in
nation-building
there
that
one
would
hope
make
our
efforts
worthwhile
and
that
would
justify
our
continued
efforts
to
create
long
term
stability
in
the
area.
I
admit,
though,
that
the
human
losses
make
it
tough
to
stick
with
a
"wait
and
see"
attitude
towards
the
situation.
--
Randy
Stephens,
Duluth
11/18:
War,
North
Slope
oil,
and
what
to
say
to
Saudis
Editor,
the
Forum:
Don't
start
this
with
me!
I
saw
what
the
press
did
here
in
the
states
during
the
Vietnam
years
and
I
also
saw
what
the
press
did
in
Vietnam
during
"My
Vietnam
year".
General
William
T.
Sherman,
the
first
individual
to
recognize
the
need
to
impose
"urban
renewal"
on
Atlanta,
said
"War
is
hell".
I
say
it's
only
hell
to
those
who
have
to
endure
it.
To
the
rest,
it
is
lucrative;
therefore,
pleasing.
This
includes
the
press.
Whether
we
were/are
right
being
in
Iraq,
let's
do
the
job,
then
talk
about
getting
out.
Forget
the
debate
on
the
Alaska
North
Slope
oil
and
whether
we
should
inconvenience
some
caribou
who
will
adapt
when
we
now
own
Iraqi.
Why
send
billions
to
the
country
to
rebuild
it
for
them,
when
we
now
own
it?
We
can
rebuild
Iraq
through
it's
combined
economy
and
ours
and
"save"
our
environment
by
rebuilding
Iraq's
oil
production
and
buying
exclusively
"from
ourselves";
thereby
helping
our
own
economy
in
the
short
and
long
runs.
America
should
tell
the
rest
of
the
world
to
go
jump,
and
tell
Saudi
Arabia
"get
it
together
or
you
are
next."
Let
Israel
and
whomever
they
wish
to
fight
now
or
next
to
get
it
on,
since
we
have
our
hands
full.
After
all,
taking
care
of
number
one
in
our
own
best
interest,
and
"if
you're
not
part
of
the
solution,
you're
probably
part
of
the
problem."
--
Howard
N.
Williams,
Jr.,
Snellville
P.S.
One
more
thing,
new
topic;
where
was
Jessica
when
they
denuded
the
two
parcels
of
land
on
the
Georgia
Highway
124
south
of
the
Snellville
city
limits
to
put
in
two
subdivisions?
Was
it
annexed
after
the
fact?
Was
she
just
the
"Marshal"
then?
---Howard.
11/14:
Upset
over
country
consumed
with
death
of
soldiers
Editor,
the
Forum:
In
response
to
your
article
dated
November
11,
2003
(Extraction
of
U.S.
Forces
from
Iraq),
I
don't
understand
the
view
of
some
people
in
our
country
that
are
so
consumed
with
the
death
of
a
soldier.
Do
people
not
join
the
military
to
defend
our
country?
Yes.
Does
a
person
that
joins
the
military
understand
that
if
there
is
a
war
that
their
life
may
be
in
jeopardy?
Yes.
On
another
token,
when
someone
becomes
a
police
officer,
do
they
understand
that
their
life
may
be
in
jeopardy
while
defending
someone
else?
Yes!
Then
why
do
people
not
complain
when
an
officer
is
killed?
I
am
so
tired
of
hearing
the
media
and
the
general
public
complain
about
the
number
of
soldiers
that
are
killed
in
Iraq.
When
you
join
the
military,
you
are
joining
to
defend
your
country,
and
yes,
maybe
die
for
your
country.
Let's
compare
the
number
of
people
that
die
on
our
roads
everyday
across
America
to
the
number
of
soldiers
killed
in
Iraq.
Let's
compare
the
number
of
people
that
die
of
cancer
everyday
across
America
to
the
number
of
soldiers
killed
in
Iraq
defending
our
country.
Where
is
the
media
attention
there?
Why
don't
we
get
a
DAILY
death
toll
of
the
number
of
people
killed
in
wrecks
or
of
cancer?
Well,
the
people
that
die
in
car
wrecks
or
of
cancer
have
no
choice,
you
say?
I
say,
the
people
that
join
the
military
do
have
a
choice.
They
choose
to
defend
our
country.
--
Kathy
Thompson,
Bethlehem,
Ga.
11/11:
Programs
favor
the
rich;
cutting
Social
Security
next>
Editor,
the
Forum:
It's
difficult
to
understand
why
President
Bush
claims
that
the
economy
is
improving
as
a
result
of
his
tax
cuts
for
the
wealthy.
American
companies
slashed
twice
as
many
jobs
in
October
as
they
did
in
September,
adding
to
the
nine
million
poor
souls
already
unemployed.
Average
hourly
earnings
and
disposable
income
are
declining.
The
Guardian
(UK)
reports
that
the
richest
one
percent
of
Americans
own
over
40
percent
of
the
wealth;
half
of
Bush's
$1.35
trillion
tax
cut
went
to
that
one
percent!
Some
60
percent
of
this
year's
cuts
go
to
taxpayers
earning
over
$100,000.
Bush
also
wants
to
cut
the
inheritance
tax,
which
affects
only
the
wealthiest
two
percent.
The
majority
of
people
in
this
country
are
rapidly
losing
everything
they
have
worked
for,
such
as
health
benefits,
401K
funds,
jobs.
You
can
bet
that
when
the
bill
for
the
Iraq
debacle
comes
due,
the
first
casualties
will
be
Social
Security,
Medicare
and
any
other
social
program
that
has
merit.
Bush
and
his
buddies
and
benefactors
are
obviously
benefiting
from
the
cynical,
dishonest
policies
of
this
administration.
When
are
Americans
going
to
face
up
to
reality
and
demand
honesty
and
accountability
from
their
government?
--
Angela
Bradshaw,
Los
Angeles,
Calif.
11/7:
Says
tomb
guard
would
not
leave
post
in
hurricane
Editor,
the
Forum:
On
the
ABC
evening
news,
it
was
reported
that,
because
of
the
dangers
from
Hurricane
Isabelle
approaching
Washington
DC,
the
military
members
assigned
the
duty
of
guarding
the
Tomb
of
the
Unknown
Soldier
were
given
permission
to
suspend
the
assignment.
They
refused.
"No
way,
Sir!"
Soaked
to
the
skin,
marching
in
the
pelting
rain
of
a
tropical
storm,
they
said
that
guarding
the
Tomb
was
not
just
an
assignment,
it
was
the
highest
honor
that
can
be
afforded
to
a
serviceperson.
The
tomb
has
been
patrolled
continuously,
24/7,
since
1930.
We
can
be
very
proud
of
our
young
men
and
women
in
the
service
no
matter
where
they
serve.
God
Bless
them.
--
Boyd
Duncan,
Duluth
11/7:
Even
with
few,
good
can
come
from
peace
effort
Editor,
the
Forum:
A
Peace
Academy
focused
on
reconciliation
and
finding
ways
to
deal
with
conflicts
other
than
by
force
is
long
overdue.
I
attended
a
conference
at
Hopewell
Baptist
Church
last
week
that
was
sponsored
by
the
Reconciliation
Networks
of
Our
World,
based
in
Georgia.
It
was
an
international
conference
with
people
in
attendance
from
all
areas
of
the
world.
Stories
were
shared
of
reconciliation
and/or
the
need
for
reconciliation
by
individuals
from
various
sections
of
Europe,
the
Middle
East,
South
America,
Australia,
Africa,
Asia,
and
North
America.
The
intent
was
good,
but
the
attendance
was
small,
approximately
150
people.
However,
even
with
small
numbers,
good
can
be
realized.
And,
we
must
start
somewhere.
As
a
lifelong
peacemaker,
I've
so
often
thought
force,
a
most
common
knee-jerk
reaction
to
offenses,
should
be
the
last
solution.
However,
even
as
a
"Christian"
nation,
our
leaders
seem
to
have
little
patience
with
the
notion
of
looking
deeper
at
a
problem
and
working
on
the
causes
of
the
problem(s).
It
seems
there
is
still
a
widely
held
belief
that
to
seek
different
solutions
than
force
is
weakness,
not
strength.
It
takes
a
great
deal
more
strength
to
wait
and
investigate
a
situation
fully,
than
it
does
to
strike
back
when
offended.
Yes,
a
Peace
Academy
is
overdue,
and
opportunities
for
our
children
and
adults
to
learn
the
value
of
studying
the
whole
problem
and
discovering
or
inventing
new
solutions
together
is
much
needed.
Count
me
in
if
you
can
get
something
going
on
this.
--
Carolyn
Collins,
Norcross
11/7:
Rotary
Scholars
come
together
to
study
for
peace
Editor,
the
Forum:
Scholars
for
peace
wanted:
Rotary
clubs
around
the
world
seek
applicants
for
two-year
masters-level
program.
Must
hold
undergraduate
degree,
be
proficient
in
two
languages
(including
location
of
study),
possess
proven
leadership
skills,
be
committed
to
peace
and
be
a
citizen
of
a
country
where
Rotary
is.
The
program
accepts
70
scholars
per
year
to
study
in
one
of
seven
Rotary
Centers
now
located
in
Argentina,
Australia,
England,
France,
Japan
and
USA.
With
peace
now
thwarted
by
war,
famine,
poverty
and
disease,
Rotary
International
has
committed
through
this
program
to
build
world
peace,
goodwill
and
understanding.
Persons
may
apply
through
local
Rotary
clubs.
--
Buck
Lindsay,
Lawrenceville
11/4:
How church
can remind
you of
Zell Miller
Editor,
the Forum:
In a
Zell Miller-like
moment
of truth,
our preacher
recently
said,
"This
church
has all
the money
it needs.
At the
moment,
it just
happens
to be
in your
bank accounts."
--
Brian
Luders,
Duluth
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Forum for future publication.
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