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Unpopular speech
protected, too
Editors:
What's more tragic than sticking your foot in your mouth is having
your constitutional rights trampled. Do we really want the mob to
set the rules? In part, the Constitution was written to protect
people from the tyranny of the masses. Ergo, it clearly expresses
that some rights are not granted by the will of the majority, but
are ours from birth.
Perhaps we may
not agree with what John Rocker said, but something more important
is going on. The Bill of Rights was intended not to protect popular
opinions, but to allow for speech that typically offends some group
of people. It's there specifically to allow people to express opinions
that we may not share.
This country is
rapidly becoming one "politically correct" cesspool. Perhaps
one day we'll share something very undesirable in common with our
brethren in China. I'd be surprised if expressing an unpopular opinion
one day didn't result in incarceration.
You're missing
the big picture by focusing on a kid who let his mouth work before
his brain. Why do you insist on reporting about something insignificant
when our freedoms are at stake? One day you'll report exactly what
the ruling party desires or you'll pay dearly.
William A. Childress
Byron
Green space bill deserves approval
Editors:
Gov. Roy Barnes' Community Green Space Program does not go far enough.
While we commend
the governor for recognizing the importance of preserving "green
space," we are concerned that he has indicated that he will
"require" local governments to set aside 20 percent of
their remaining undeveloped land. Not only is this exceptionally
expensive (billions of dollars), but it violates the power of local
communities to determine their own land use policies.
Republicans believe
we can accomplish the goal of preserving more green space, maintaining
local control, protecting private property rights and providing
a dedicated funding source without a tax or fee increase.
The Senate Republican
Caucus encourages the governor to support Senate Resolution 4, which
was introduced during the 1999 General Assembly session. This legislation
would create the Land, Water, Wildlife and Recreation Heritage Fund.
In addition to
purchasing green space, the proceeds of this fund could be used
to preserve wildlife habitats and build recreational projects. The
source of the funds would dedicate 80 percent of the amount of existing
property taxes (1/4 mil) that the state already collects. It would
require no new taxes and provide a stable, dedicated funding source.
These funds could be leveraged at the local level, using matching
funds and private donations, to increase money for land and parks.
Although SR 4
was introduced on the first day of the 1999 session, this legislation
has never received a hearing in the Senate. We invite the governor
to join the Senate Republican Caucus in a bipartisan effort to pass
this legislation during the 2000 session of the General Assembly.
We also invite other Georgians to call on the General Assembly to
pass this worthwhile legislation.
Eric Johnson
State senator
Atlanta
Politics works against the people
Editors:
The reason that Bill Clinton and Al Gore and other politicians get
away with what they do is called politics.
Most people do
not know the definition of "politic" or "politics."
Politic: 1. Using or marked by prudence, expedience and shrewdness;
artful. 2. Using, displaying, or proceeding from policy; judicious.
3. Crafty; cunning. Politics: 1. a. The art or science of government
or governing, especially the governing of a political entity, such
as a nation, and the administration and control of its internal
and external affairs. b. Political science. 2. (used with a singular
or plural, verb) a. The activities or affairs engaged in by a government,
politician or political party. b. The methods or tactics involved
in managing a state or government.
Less than 40 percent
of the people voting means that more than 60 percent have been tricked
into not voting, and the ones that do vote have no means to fight
the special interest groups that our politicians are bombarded by
- lobbyists who could care less for law and order.
The good people
have no lobbyists with any power to defend them against these special
interest groups.
Bill Westbrook
Macon
Designated drivers saving lives
Editors:
As we enter a new millennium, news stories remind us of the century's
great leaders, important historical events, best athletes and significant
scientific breakthroughs. Yet, these end-of-the-year "lists"
overlook how 109 million responsible Americans have come together
to save thousands of lives by being or using a designated driver.
Designated drivers
became a part of the American consciousness only within the past
two decades and immediately they made a positive impact. A recent
poll, for example, shows that 91 percent of the public endorse the
idea of designated drivers as a good or excellent way to curb drunken
driving.
More important,
drunken driving deaths are at their lowest numbers since record-keeping
began. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's recently
released 1998 statistics, drunken driving fatalities are down 41
percent since 1982, and designated drivers certainly deserve some
of the credit. Obviously, there is still room for improvement and
more work to be done. But when it comes to reducing drunken driving
fatalities, we all make a difference.
As adults make
plans for holiday, millennium and Super Bowl parties, please remember
that responsible drinking is everyone's responsibility. Make designated
drivers a part of your party planning. And we encourage adults to
learn how everyone can be a winner when they designate a driver
by visiting www.beeresponsible.com.
Marilyn Ashmore
Bibb Distributing Company
Macon
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