Readers Write: Dec. 12

Fear will damage our Constitutional rights

When Boeing’s CEO, Dennis Muilenburg, expressed his concerns about Donald Trump’s trade agenda, he had no idea what the backlash would be.

Less than half an hour after his comments were published, Trump twittered, “Boeing is building a brand new 747 Air Force One for future presidents, but costs are out of control, more than $4 billion. Cancel order.” (As usual, he didn’t care that his facts were erroneous — Boeing does not have a $4 billion contract for this project).

Immediately after this tweet, Boeing stock briefly dropped. Now all U.S. executives have been put on warning — any criticism of Trump could be deadly to their companies by one presidential tweet. Forget the 2nd Amendment, intimidation and fear will do tremendous damage to our 1st Amendment rights.

DIANE STANNARD, AVONDALE ESTATES

Hawks’ struggle is karmic payback

We are witnessing a textbook example of the iron law of karma, which states that you get what you give off. A few years ago, the Atlanta Hawks had a very fine general manager named Danny Ferry. Ferry built the Hawks into a formidable team. Then, Ferry was charge with committing an unpardonable sin for repeating something over the phone that someone else was saying. This was considered to be very politically incorrect. Indeed, many people said that in repeating what someone else was saying, Danny Ferry was being racist. This was ridiculous. Danny Ferry was a victim of political correctness if not outright, anti-white racism. Couldn’t Ferry have been forgiven for the ridiculously minor transgression? Instead, the Hawks got rid of Ferry. In what can only be described as karmic payback, the Hawks are struggling since the Hawks fired Ferry. Somewhere, Danny Ferry must be smiling.

WALTER WATKINS, ATLANTA