READERS WRITE: FEB. 19

Writer wrong to protect only one viewpoint

The writer of “More than one side of speech worth protecting” (Readers Write, Feb. 11) makes a good point about free speech protection and government’s imposition on it, and then he ruins his argument by making it about conservative speakers on college campuses who are shouted down by audience hecklers and chastising these speakers for their “thin skins.” I wonder how long the writer would accept his own college speaking engagement or classroom instruction being continually shouted down by students? I wonder what educational value and guiding principle he’d see in that? Survival of the loudest? My sense, and hope, is his view on protecting the shouting down of speakers invited to campus might change if both ideological sides employed this disruptive and disrespectful tactic.

GREGORY MARSHALL, MARIETTA

Power grid changes might entice Amazon

Atlanta can simultaneously improve its chances to land Amazon’s second headquarters and increase rural economic activity by removing some regulations on electricity production. Doing so will signal Amazon that we understand their priorities and want to create a business climate that is as committed to the future as they are. Amazon invests heavily in future products and services. Internally, Amazon has invested heavily in renewable energy. Their goal is to transition to 100 percent renewable energy for all of their web services infrastructure. Amazingly, they are already roughly half-way to achieving that goal. For their Virginia data center, they’ve built five solar farms that span roughly 1,500 acres and produce 260 megawatts of electricity. Our Legislature should adopt an aggressive strategy that enables rural landowners the ability to work with solar developers and earn a fair price for the electricity they provide to the grid.

DON MCADAM, SANDY SPRINGS