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Letters to the Editor

Why has drug dispute become so public?

The recent writings in this newspaper regarding the staffing of Fayette County's Drug Traffic Force bring to light several points that we citizens (and voters) should be concerned about:

- The fact that there are issues between the county sheriff's department and the county commissioners that are laid out on the forum of this newspaper for debate is in itself a major issue.

Why is it that some in the Drug Traffic Force finds it necessary to go before the public in a battle of letters-to-the-editor to find resolution?

Is it because the enforcement department finds itself in an impossible situation to do its job, or is the current structure and makeup and occupants of the county commissioners so far out of step with reality that they cannot do their jobs, or are they in fact doing well and it is the sheriff and his department that are failing to react properly to the problem?

- Is there a drug problem that is bigger than the county commissioners realize, and their zeal to keep problems buried under the carpet doing us more harm than good?

I am not writing at this juncture of the argument to say who is right or wrong. I merely inject the point of argument that Fayette County is one of the highest per-capita or family income counties in the state of Georgia, if in fact it is not the highest.

The illicit trafficking of controlled substances is one of the last vestiges of true free-market capitalism. Those who are selling this stuff go where the market exists.

You don't have to guess that a dealer makes more money selling his trash here in Fayette County than other adjacent counties.

To think that we are no different from any other county in the scope of why drug problems exist would be unwise. More later.

Juan Matute

Peachtree City, Ga.

Parents, students must share blame

This letter is in response to Shana Slay's comments about her niece receiving an award for chewing gum.

The award that was given her niece was voted on by the students, not the teachers. The awards were given in fun and were in no way meant to humiliate any of the students.

I worked at Fayette Middle School over 100 days this year as a cheer coach and a substitute teacher.

There are problems at FMS. But to blame them on the teachers is wrong.

Most of the blame lies with the parents and the students themselves.

It is not the teachers' responsibility to make sure your student does their homework. It is the parents.

It is not the teachers' fault if your student does not study for a test. It is the student's.

It is not the coaches' fault if your student fails P.E. because they do not dress out. It is the student's.

I have to ask Ms. Slay if she looked in her niece's agenda. This is where the teachers communicate with the parents daily. A lot of parents do not even check their student's agenda. This is not the teachers' fault.

It is time the parents of FMS stop blaming the teachers and administrators for their students' failures and lack of motivation. It is time the parents start supporting and working with the teachers instead of against them.

I personally have had the privilege to work with the teachers of Ms. Slay's niece. They are excellent, caring teachers. I have never seen them do anything that didn't have the students' best interest at heart.

I have had three children attend FMS and one that will be a sixth grader this year. I personally would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the hard-working teachers at FMS.

Tammy Passmore

Fayetteville, Ga.

Harris didn't start it

While Hollis Harris deserves credit for bringing World Airways back from the brink of bankruptcy, he was not its founder as reported in your article, "Second round of applicants sought."

The distinction of being World's founder goes to Ed Daly.

Bill Bynum

bbynum(at)citcom.net

Instead of more laws, gun safety training should be taught in schools

On Thursday, June 9, the 2005 Georgia 4-H Fayette County Junior State Trap and Skeet Champions were recognized by the Fayette County Board of Commissioners.

This honor was for the achievements of three teams and some individual members earning an invitation to the Scholastic Clay Target Program's division of the American Grand National Trap Association competition, as well as the 4-H National Modified Trap competition.

These skilled individuals practice at the 4-H shotgun facilities on Ga. Highway 85 where thousands of shells are shot by individuals ranging in age from 11 to 18.

Their skills are honed and trained to excellence under the watchful care and oversight of many dedicated adults who care about the proper use and place of firearms.

However, this week a young man in Atlanta accidentally shot and killed his sister while playing with a firearm.

How is it that tens of thousands of shotgun shells are fired over the course of a year at the 4-H shotgun range without incident but another casualty is suffered because of foolish judgment and simple ignorance?

I suggest that the reason for a number of injuries incurred by firearm misuse and abuse is mostly due to lack of training.

Gun control is a hot issue these days. All can agree that it is necessary that powerful machines are properly used, but everytime the issue of gun control comes up, politicians only seem to want to throw more laws and more regulations at the problem.

Gun locks, stricter permit laws, certain firearms outlawed, and even the complete abolition of firearm use: each of these are profitable in the right dosage, but the politicians take each one to the extreme.

It is interesting to note, however, that the areas (places, events) most heavily regulated are those where one is most likely to run into a malevolent criminal with a firearm. Clearly, these regulations are not as effective as some would hope.

These regulations need to be supplemented, at the very least, and I think that those regulations that make it difficult for responsible law abiding citizens to have means of self-defense should be repealed.

Firearm safety courses that teach citizens to be respectful of guns and use them responsibly need to be made readily available.

In fact, as bitter as it might taste in some peoples' mouths, I would even go so far as to suggest public high schools offering firearm training courses and even varsity sports teams as some states already do.

The most dangerous individual is one with a gun who doesn't know how to use it, not someone who does and is more likely to have the respect and a disciplined sense of responsibility to safely handle a firearm.

Consider automobile traffic. The most dangerous driver on the road is the person who does not know how to operate the machine.

Also, the solution for making roads safer in general is training drivers how to operate cars more safely.

Statistics have shown that people who have taken driver's educational courses have fewer accidents. This same concept translates to firearms even though few people have the courage to face that fact.

In summary, I believe that current firearm regulations are probably more than adequate, if not overly so, and safety concerns should be supplemented with sufficient firearm safety training made readily available where young people can gain the proper respect and discipline to handle our constitutional right to keep and bear arms.

Drake Osterhage (age 17)

Fayetteville, Ga.

What's right with Fayette County: PTC Youth race

Too often we read about the many vexing problems concerning the citizens of this county. Issues such as traffic, zoning, taxes, schools, city facilities, and many others, trouble those of us who live here.

Instead, for the 14th year, we would like to highlight what is right with Fayette County.

This community supports one of the largest youth triathlons in the country. The organizers of the 14th annual Peachtree City Youth Triathlon would like to thank the over 100 volunteers who donated their valuable time to make this race a huge success.

We had almost 300 young athletes from the ages of 7 to 15 participate in the race. Also, thanks to Mayor Brown and the city of Peachtree City for their continued support, as well as the police and EMTs, who kept the race participants and volunteers safe.

Of course, we would be unable to put on a race of this magnitude without the support of our many generous sponsors.

Thank you to our title sponsors, Georgia-Pacific and Wal-Mart, as well as our newest contributors, Smokey Bones, Vassey Dental Partners, Southside Consulting, and Royal Food Service.

We always appreciate the devoted commitment of our long-time supporters: Cooper Lighting, Panasonic, World Gym, Melwood Springs, The Elephant's Tale, Kwik Kopy Printing, Smith and Davis Clothing, and Pathway Communities.

Finally, a very special thanks to Bicycles Unlimited for their sponsorship and bicycle support on race day.

Fayette County shines often, but brightest when the community joins together to sponsor and support another successful Peachtree City Youth Triathlon.

Thank you once again, and see you next year.

Steele Mehl and Jack Polo

Race directors

Peachtree City, Ga.

Bush a disaster on illegals

President Bush and conservatives: Mike Thompson, great article. I am a conservative who voted for President Bush; however, he has proven to be a total disaster to the illegal immigration problem.

On many issues, our government could be described as a rudderless ship.

As a Marine Corps veteran, I am saddened by the world our younger folks seem destined to inherit.

James Midkiff

Vienna, W.V.

Signs bad for PTC future

Re: Sign change. This is a sad day for Peachtree City.

Why people move to Peachtree City and plan to stay is because we are different.

[Councilman] Steve Rapson has it right. I hope and pray this is NOT a sign of things to come (no pun intended).

Steve Fraas

Peachtree City, Ga.

Thanks for mother's story

This story ["A Purpose-driven Woman"] is about my mother. I couldn't have said it better.

In many ways, [columnist] John Hatcher knows her better than I did.

Thank you for letting John express his views as he does in your paper. He is a called man of God and his expressions of faith are worthy of being printed in your paper. Thank you, John.

Wink Laney

Atlanta, Ga.

Sex arrest story unfounded

I was extremely upset by the article in the Wednesday, June 8, 2005, paper regarding Jose Rojas. Although some may see your article as "news," I do not.

It is extremely important to note that this article does not reflect the entire truth of the situation, nor does it mention that never in the history of Mr. Rojas 16 years has an allegation of this sort occurred.

I have had the privilege of knowing Mr. Rojas and have seen his interaction with youth. He had dedicated his life to working with children in the martial arts and is a wonderful teacher as well as person. It's a shame a man so dedicated would be arrested for a crime which he did not commit.

I urge each and every one of Coweta County's residents, as well as those in Fayette County to always seek the truth and know that a man is innocent until proven guilty.

Kelli Stearman

Sharpsburg, Ga.

Mayoral candidate Boswell: Brown flip-flops on annexation, tax equity

Steve Brown recently announced his bid for re-election. I had to make sure it was for mayor of Peachtree City, because only a few days ago he was going to run for Fayette County Commission Chairman. I guess he changed his mind.

His announcement stated that he wanted to "facilitate" some unfinished projects. Peachtree City simply cannot endure anymore of his "facilitation."

In this campaign, unlike many others, I believe there are distinct differences in the stances on the issues.

I say, "I believe," simply because his platform remains undefined, vacillating according to his whims. His direction just like his campaign changes with the wind. One week he is running for Fayette Commission chairman, the next week mayor of Peachtree City.

The list of differences seems to have no end, but let's start with the boundaries.

Prior to election, Brown vehemently stated that he was opposed to the annexation of the West Village. As a direct result of this move and ardent opposition, all Peachtree Citizens are needlessly frustrated by the MacDuff "road to nowhere."

Now, of course, Mayor Brown speaks in firm favor of annexation.

Prior to a vote on controversial rezoning of the Lutheran Church, Brown staunchly advocated a zealous and almost inflexible view on city zoning closely adhering to the land use plan.

When the issue finally came to fruition, only one vote of 10 [Planning Commission and Council combined] was cast in favor of rezoning. Of course, Mayor Brown was the lone vote.

Consistently, Mayor Brown has stated that Peachtree City has been short-changed by the county concerning taxation and provision of EMS services.

Yet despite this rhetoric, he deliberately dropped the very lawsuit by Peachtree City against the county that would have had the issue resolved by the court.

The city of Tyrone, meanwhile, has relentlessly pressed the county over the same issue, maintaining its lawsuit against them.

Last fall, Mayor Brown unequivocally stated that the city "could actually have lowered the [tax] millage (for last year), but" a shortage for the LOST distribution disallowed the option.

Why was the LOST distribution less? Mayor Brown "facilitated" the agreement himself, of course.

His brilliance not only leaves Peachtree City with a lower percentage last year but this year also.

In October 2000 our percentage was 38.76. After Mayor Brown's facilitation, our percentage went to 35.13 percent in 2003 to 34.46 percent in 2004 to 33.45 percent in 2005. (A copy of this agreement is attached for the convenience of the editor).

I am not a prophet, but I suspect with additional SPLOST funds (which he was also against) our millage rate will be lowered with him proclaiming what a wonderful job he has done. The truth is they could have lowered them last year.

I am not from Paris, but the clear fashion statement for the current mayor is the Brown Flip-Flop. He has spent four years flip-flopping and "facilitating" for Peachtree City so that now we have a traffic nightmare with egress from MacDuff Parkway being a major culprit.

The Brown-"facilitated" LOST distribution will cost Peachtree City millions of dollars over the next few years.

This list is by no means a comprehensive discussion, and the November election allows much time for ample consideration by the electorate.

However, what is not in question is that the leadership of Peachtree City requires integrity, reasonable spending measures, and planned growth in and around our city.

I am convinced of the validity of annexing the West Village as well as providing sound egress solutions to Ha. highways 54 and 74. Critical concerns in this endeavor are density and adherence to the land plan.

Our citizens have watched the chief negotiating strategy of the city drift closer and closer to whining, blaming and bumbling.

As I stated, unlike many elections, the issues and differences are clear and decisive. We can continue with the Brown Flip-Flop, but that choice is a course toward the destruction of not only civic pride and responsibility, but also to respect and reason.

I respectfully ask all Peachtree Citizens to follow the election closely and understand what is at stake. Observe the obvious, and vote this fall for common sense rather than hit and miss politics.

Phil Boswell

Candidate for mayor

Peachtree City, Ga.

Beyond animal liberation: Waaaaay beyond it

Peter Singer is probably the only philosopher ever to be interviewed by Dan Rather. What could be so newsworthy about a philosopher? Well, Singer is notorious for espousing some controversial (some would say outrageous) views.

He is perhaps best known for his book, "Animal Liberation," in which he argues that the interests of individual animals, like the hens down on the factory farm, count equally with those of individual humans.

He thus compares chicken magnate, Frank Perdue, to Adolph Hitler, as each is responsible for his respective "holocaust." (I suppose, then, that our neighbor, Truett Cathy, might be thought of as a kind of Mussolini with a Georgia accent.)

In one essay, he balances the interests of children living in a slum against those of rats that live in the slum and occasionally bite those children. Would it be permissible to exterminate the rats for the sake of the children's health?

For Singer, this is a genuine moral dilemma because the rats have moral standing equal to that of the children.

With regard to human life, Singer, of course, advocates the moral permissibility of abortion. But he is not content to stop there.

Infants are not persons, according to Singer's reckoning, and so there is no good sense in which we may say that they have any rights, such as a right to life.

Thus, it is morally permissible to kill an infant if there is some good reason to think that its future would be "bleak": "Killing a disabled infant is sometimes not wrong, given that the infant like any infant is not a person as I see it," he says.

He continues, "I think that it's ethically defensible to say we do not have to continue its life. It does not have a right to life. And we can choose to end its life on the grounds that the future otherwise will be very bleak for that child."

(Are you following all of this? So far we have "Save the chickens! Kill the babies!")

He also argues that it may be morally permissible to perform experiments on irreversibly comatose patients in the name of science. And he advocates active euthanasia in a variety of circumstances, especially when medical resources are scarce.

Outrageous? Well, I certainly think so. And there is much fodder here for philosophical argument (which I will spare you here and save for my philosophy classes). So you might think that there is little else that Singer could say that would shock.

But then a friend sent me a link to an article penned by Singer at nerve.com. The article, titled "Heavy Petting," is Singer's defense of the moral permissibility of bestiality, sex with animals.

Reading this reminded me of a Weird Al Yankovic skit in which he is playing a talk show host. He holds the microphone up to an audience member and says, "Sex with furniture: