READERS WRITE: JUNE 10

Cowardly leaders too afraid to handle Trump

Where are our leaders? Our democracy is in peril because of the actions of our president – his moral standards and lack of support for the institutions of our government – and the lack of actions by our political and business leaders. Much blame needs to be placed on our news folks for giving Mr. Trump a PR platform and not presenting effective counterfacts/arguments for other than a few days, at most. I also wonder why our business leaders (as well as our political leaders) can’t do what is right for the country and stand up to Trump’s outrageous behavior. They all seem to be afraid of losing power and money, rather than doing what is right. History will judge these leaders as cowards – as well as their families and friends. God help this country; we know we are going in the wrong direction.

GEORGE FALKENSTEIN, CANTON

AJC should realize its ongoing left-wing bias

I think the AJC is making a mistake. You seem to be joining the “left wing” press and are trying to deceive your readers. You should know people who read your “Views From Both Sides” are not stupid. Trying to convince them that Ross Douthat, Kathleen Parker, and George Will are from the right is an insult to their intelligence. The anti-Trump writings of these three, along with their other views, show their true colors. You should cancel the columns or put them “From the Left” where they belong. I am now convinced that you cannot be an atheist or write for the New York Times and Washington Post and be “From the Right.” You are underestimating your readers. You tried left-wing bias before, and it did not work out. You should remember those times!

GARY BLAND, CONYERS

More nukes dangerous for rural Ga.

On the eve of denuclearization talks with Korea, it’s noteworthy that basic needs, such as health care, affordable housing, and healthy food, are hard to come by for many Georgians. However, 24 cents of every $1 of our federal taxes goes to the Pentagon. A chunk will support the National Nuclear Security Administration’s plans for a 167 percent increase in production of “plutonium pits”, triggers inside nuclear warheads. NNSA tapped the Savannah River site to produce 50 pits annually. This 310 square-mile nuclear weapons complex sits atop Burke County, a farming community with elevated levels of radiation in the water, air, and soil. Some radiological isotopes emit ionizing particles for centuries. The current Administration proposes to slash crop insurance, economic opportunities for rural America, and grants for rural water programs. Women on the front lines of peace, the environment, and nuclear harm reduction in rural Georgia will join Christine Ahn, Women Cross DMZ founder, to discuss local effects of a militarized budget and solutions for peace at a free event Sunday at 4 p.m. at Agnes Scott College.

BECKY D. RAFTER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GEORGIA WOMEN'S ACTION FOR NEW DIRECTIONS INC.

Starbucks was right about loiterers the first time

A few months back, a woman called the police because a couple of African-American men were denied use of the bathroom because they didn’t order anything. What did they then do? They loitered in the store. She called the cops, and now she is unemployed. Starbucks’ management calls for racial sensitivity training. I got an idea! Whether you are black, white, red, yellow or purple, how about if you’re going to just take up space, you go over and notify the employees that you are just hanging out and mean no harm. I am a 60-year-old man, and if I had two or three men of any color just sit at a table, I would feel insecure. If I denied them the use of the bathroom and they proceeded to sit down, I would feel rather anxious. I used to work in retailing, and it was basically company policy that people couldn’t take up space of paying customers. What has changed?

RICK BARNETT, JOHNS CREEK