Readers Write: Dec. 18

Reader expresses opinion through vote

Reading “East Atlanta precincts swung mayoral race,” Dec. 8, I found myself identifying with the white voters who chose party affiliation over race as reported in your article. I can pass for white, though the KKK and other such white supremacists surely would not approve me. I have followed both the GOP and the Democrats over the decades and the more recent machinations of the GOP have only served to strengthen my support for candidates who proudly declare themselves Democrats.

I cannot respect the peddling of bald-faced lies. When Rep. Akin, a Republican from Missouri, promoted the so-called “legitimate rape” lie – that women’s bodies shut down to prevent conception – I didn’t hear any of his fellow Republicans call him out. They held their tongues while waiting to see if the lie would sell. Likewise, I heard only Sen. McCain speak up when Republicans were busy pushing the birther lie, insisting that President Obama was not born in the U.S.

Silence is complicity. My voice is my vote. I will use it to defend truth, not fiction.

ESTHER ZELLS, ATLANTA

Express lanes don’t justify extra fee

I have to agree with the opinion “Express lanes not a great idea,” Readers Write, Dec. 3, concerning our new toll lane approach to traffic solutions. Not only have our taxes already paid for the excessive amount of asphalt being laid all over the Atlanta area, how in the world can anyone justify the extra charge for using these lanes? Further, we should all question the fiscal (ir)responsibility of spending all that money on two lanes of pavement that sit unused for over half of every 24-hour period! Wouldn’t another HOV lane in each direction or even just another lane in each direction serve us all better?

VICKI DAVIS, PEACHTREE CITY