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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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