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Letters for Monday, January 17, 2000   Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Weekend

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Kulash pays price for honest efforts

Editors: A surprising controversy has arisen out of CAUTION Macon's suit against the Macon/Bibb County Road Improvement Program: the involvement of Walter Kulash, a nationally respected traffic system planner/engineer and an expert witness called by CAUTION.

One suspects that this is an attempt to divert attention from the more substantive issues raised by the case, or another attempt by local officials to discredit Kulash.

A citizen legitimately expects hired or contractual professionals paid with public funds to promote the public interest. Unfortunately, professionals hired by the Road Improvement Program are forced to act as political operatives, loyal to a political boss rather than to the general interests of the taxpaying public.

Their recommendations support the "cause de jour" and change with the political winds (witness traffic counts). This is the price of eligibility for public contracts in Bibb County extracted from these individuals and firms.

Kulash reflects what is best in the profession - a man who honors his professional commitment to the public that pays him. He saw no conflict in his allegiance, as his professional opinions have been constant.

Unfortunately, we have created an environment where an honest professional is placed in the unholy conflict of choosing between the public interest for which he is ostensibly hired, and loyalty to the narrow interests of the political operatives who sign his paycheck. In this environment, Kulash is an embarrassment to his local peers - as a professional willing to act in the public interest.

In so acting, Kulash brings the competence and credibility of local "professionals" into question. As is often the case, a good and moral man makes less dedicated or principled men look bad in relief. We must do what is necessary to keep Kulash engaged in saving Bibb County from itself!

Daniel Fischer
Macon



Rocker critic also guilty of a slur

Editors: I sit here amazed and appalled after reading an article in The Macon Telegraph concerning the uproar over John Rocker.

Although I do not hold to his view of the world, my jaw drops when I hear the comments of the Rev. Gerald Durley of The Concerned Black Clergy. He is quoted in the newspaper as saying, "We will not tolerate the intolerance of this ignorant redneck from down south Georgia."

Am I dumb as dirt or what, but is this not the same recrement that flows out of Rocker's mouth? This person who calls himself "reverend" wants the Braves to fire Rocker from his job. Where was the reverend when the thug from the Knicks attacked his coach or when Albert Belle was being his reprehensible self, or when Dennis Rodman was, well, Dennis Rodman?

If Durley wants Rocker to lose his job for making racist statements, then Durley needs to do the same for himself. For some, "redneck" is just as offensive as "fat monkey."

I also am concerned by the lack of response from the ACLU and the media over the protection of Rocker's constitutional right to free speech. The ACLU jumps at the chance to protect freedom of expression when it comes to nude bars or filthy art. I guess the media think they are the only ones entitled to that protection under the Constitution.

David Bronson
Byron



Rocker should fight testing ruling

Editors: The media assassination of John Rocker has been appalling to many people. However, the order for him to undergo psychological testing/therapy for exercising his legal right of freedom of speech should deeply concern and frighten all American citizens.

I urge Rocker to refuse this outrageous and illegal order and to take his case to the courts. Despite what the "politically correct" media report, he has millions of supporters who would gladly donate to the very noble cause of protecting everyone's right of freedom of speech.

If professional sports want to test someone, they have plenty of foul-mouthed, drug-using, clothes-stealing, religion-bashing, ear-biting, wife-beating, prostitute-buying, hitman-hiring, referee-assaulting, coach-choking, point-shaving, game-throwing hoodlums to choose from.

Mike Wolff
Macon



Questions for Teasers supporters

Editors: A Jan. 6 letter by David Lawrence criticized the Rev. Andy A. Cook for his letter on Teasers in Warner Robins. I would like for him to respond by answering a few simple questions:

1. What is his idea of what kind of artistic expression nude dancing is?

2. What kind of honor would he suggest be bestowed on the owners and dancers for their contribution to the betterment of the city of Warner Robins?

3. Since we are a republic, and we are governed by laws and our laws put in force by our elected officials, didn't Cook's letter appeal to the right body?

4. Since when is dancing naked in public places a freedom guaranteed by the Bill of Rights?

Sollie Barrett
Macon

 


Gen. Lee: A god and noble man

Editors: Jan. 19 is a paid state holiday to honor Robert E. Lee.

Lee is best remembered as a military genius, but he was also an educator, and, more important, he was a man of sterling character and the epitome of a gentleman. He was respected and admired by even those who opposed him on the battlefield. Gen. U.S. Grant refused to accept Lee's sword when offered in surrender.

When Virginia seceded, Lee was loyal to his native state at great sacrifice. When he left Arlington, his home across the Potomac from Washington, to offer his services to Virginia, his property was confiscated and he was never able to return there. Defeated, he suffered hardships like other Southerners.

Through the years, millions of Southern boys have grown up to become better men because they were exhorted to emulate Robert E. Lee. On his birthday let's pause and remember this good and noble man.

T.J. Campbell
Smyrna

 


Super athletic events costly to state

Editor: I am constantly amazed at how seemingly uninformed many people seem to be regarding politics and the shenanigans that go on.

Of course the Super Bowl will cost taxpayer money. In addition to direct payments, there are the tremendously increased costs for police and other securities. There is no evidence it will ever be recouped.

It does, however, bring prestige to the state, or so we are told. It brings prestige only to Atlanta, a city I believe also costs the rest of the state many tax dollars.

We will never know how much the Olympic Games cost the taxpayers of this state. Was money made? You bet, but none, as far as I know, went into the state coffers, and neither you nor I received any direct benefits. Given my wishes, all these events would occur elsewhere.

Jerry Bush
Milledgeville

 

 

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Cecil Bentley
Ron Woodgeard
R.L. Day
Ed Corson
Charles E. Richardson

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