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Where have all the bluebirds gone?

When I moved here over seven years ago, I did not make the best impression on my new neighbors. A lady from down the street was introducing herself, and, as she was mid-sentence, I looked up to see over 20 bluebirds in our new yard. I interrupted, excused myself, and ran off to find my wife so that she could see.

In our first three years or so, we were amazed at our variety of backyard birds. In addition to some more common varieties (cardinals, bluejays, mockingbirds, black-capped chickadees, nuthatches, house finches), the list includes eastern meadowlarks, rose-breasted grosbeaks, blue grosbeaks, indigo buntings, cedar waxwings, great blue herons, banded kingfishers, ruby-throated hummingbirds, and a variety of woodpeckers, including the pileated woodpecker.

We’re still seeing the hummingbirds, and we spot the occasional woodpecker or heron. But the meadowlarks (my favorite for their song), grosbeaks, buntings and waxwings and others have not been back for years.

And it has been at least five years since the bluebirds have appeared in such numbers. I do not see that we are doing anything different.

What explains their disappearance? The (over) development of the area?

I wonder if anyone else in the area has noticed similar changes and, if so, whether they have any explanations.

Mark Linville

Fayetteville, Ga.

Subdivision helped by Open Meetings suit

I would like to thank your paper, your reporters, and your attorneys for helping the Saint Simon’s Cove Community with regards to the recent Target settlement.

Reporter J. Frank Lynch did a fantastic job covering our story over the last seven months. His articles, and your paper’s restraining order against the closed door meeting allowed our community to be heard at the Oct. 21 [Peachtree] City Council meeting.

Your paper’s actions gave my neighbors and I the chance to discuss our needs with Faison representative Mike Cohn.

After hearing our concerns, Mr. Cohn very graciously agreed to several alterations to the Kedron Development’s final design plans.

These concessions will help to protect our neighborhood and have allowed us to feel satisfied about the entire process.

If not for the diligent effort of your paper, it is doubtful that we would have had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Cohn face to face. Without that discussion, I am certain that the outcome would have been less desirable for all parties concerned.

I thank you for allowing our little community to be heard. My neighbors and I are all grateful that our local paper came to our support.

John Turner

Peachtree City, Ga.

Thompson’s column welcome to many

Please let [columnist John] Thompson know that there are many of us out here in Fayette County who appreciate his candid and hard-hitting examination of our current leadership in Washington.

Many of us can especially identify with the description of some of the more vocal groups out there as ”God bullies.”

It is as if those “bullies” have decided that they have got it all figured out and anyone who dares disagree is immediately branded as someone less patriotic and certainly less able to understand what godliness is all about.

Some of them seem to actually believe they are in control, and God will support what they think is right, instead of the other way around.

Programs such as the so-called faith based initiative plays right into their often misguided hands, such as the Rev. Pat Robertson’s Operation Blessing.

I, for one, am really worried about the future of this great nation if we continue along the path we have started down the past several years.

I don’t see a whole lot of Christian ideals in a government that purposely attempts to divide its people through the use of righteous intimidation. Once again, thanks for your desperately needed point of view!

John T. Russom, Sr.

Fayette County, Ga.

Mayor: Not a ‘one-man band’ against SPLOST

I want to thank The Citizen for giving me the opportunity to respond to their editorial entitled, “Why you should vote ‘yes’ for road SPLOST” (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax).

Unfortunately, the editorial made the comment I was a “one-man band” against the proposed SPLOST revenue distribution. The truth is that not a single member of the City Council of Peachtree City is on the public record as being in favor of the current proposed SPLOST distribution.

I offer your readers the following quotes in regards to the proposed SPLOST distribution.

The county proposal gives all the revenue to the county with the exception of 30 percent that would be split between the county and all the cities (referred to as the 70/30 plan).

At the May 20, 2004, City Council meeting, Councilman Weed “said he wanted to make it clear that Peachtree City never agreed to a 70/30 formula.”

It was proposed that the city send a letter to the County Commission stating that we did not agree with the 70/30 formula and Councilman Rapson “said he would prefer that the letter by signed by the entire council and not just the mayor.”

The letter dated May 21, 2004, was passed unanimously and was signed by all five members of the City Council.

In the May 20 council meeting I “said the county, under the old guidelines, pre-July 1, 2004, has the arbitrary authority to take things off the list and rearrange the priority list.”

Councilman Rapson “said he felt a 60/40 split [proposed by Peachtree City as a compromise] was not equitable either, and that he hoped the county would reconsider because they were missing an opportunity.”

Councilwoman Rutherford “said she would like to see the city work with the county if we can get the split the city would be comfortable with and the she felt there were other serious issues that needed to be dealt with as far as City residents paying for services they do not get.”

Councilman Kourajian “reiterated that he felt 60/40 [the city’s offer] was an acceptable split. After some discussion, Kourajian asked council and Mayor Brown if they would support [the city proposal of a] 60/40 split and each member agreed.” Unfortunately, our County Commissioners refused to agree to the city’s compromise.

A letter send to County Commission Chairman Greg Dunn on July 8, 2004, stated, “Your own legislative representative, the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia, supported HB 709 that allowed us to receive a minimum population share (35 percent).”

The letter continued, “In fact, the City Council’s letter to you dated May 21, 2004, clearly stated that we in no way agreed to the county’s unilateral decision as it relates to our share of the SPLOST proceeds.”

The July 15, 2004, City Council minutes aptly show Councilman Rapson stating, “From a city perspective, the city was giving away 60 percent of the revenue the city would be due under the new [SPLOST fairness] law.”

At that same meeting, Councilwoman Rutherford stated, “The city’s residents paid for county services they did not receive.”

Councilman Weed “said he could not tell the public with a straight face that he abandoned them, knowing the city could get $45 million and he had sold [them] out for $16 million [with the county proposal].”

The questions that citizens like myself should be asking is why has Commission Chairman Greg Dunn been trying to convince the county residents that Peachtree City has received all the county money for roads in the past?

At the County Commission’s Oct. 28, 2003, Special Called Transportation Meeting, Chairman Dunn stated, “He said Peachtree City was getting the lion’s share of the effort at the state and local level right now and in five years it would be over at the other end [of the county]” (italics added for emphasis).

Citizens of Peachtree City and Tyrone, what the chairman is saying is that a very substantial portion of our tax revenue will not be coming back to us.

The truth is that Peachtree City NEVER received a dime of road money from the County Commission in the past. Councilman Rapson was correct on July 15, 2004, when he made the remark about how the city was giving away 60 percent of our [sales tax] revenue with the county SPLOST proposal.

It has been remarkable to note that County Commission Chairman Dunn has continuously stated that I am being “unreasonable” regarding my position on the SPLOST revenue distribution.

However, it should be noted that every county in metro Atlanta that was due to negotiate a SPLOST this year (except for Fayette County) used the exact same formula that I proposed under the new state fairness law, HB 709.

The truth is that Chairman Dunn is, in fact, the odd man out and appears to be out of step with all the mayors and the county commissioners in the remainder of the metro Atlanta counties.

Our Fayette County Commission should not take advantage of the cities on the west side of the county. With recreation, emergency medical services and roads our position needs to be that all taxpayers should benefit from their tax dollars.

Creating a welfare system of taking from some and giving to others in not acceptable and every county government in metro Atlanta has honored that position except for Fayette County.

Please remember that if this SPLOST referendum fails that the entire county would be eligible to vote on a new SPLOST referendum that must comply with the new state SPLOST fairness law. We must be accountable to all citizens in the county.

Steve Brown, mayor

Peachtree City, Ga.

Council acted against wishes of westside residents on annexation

I was very disappointed in the actions of City Council Oct. 21. Their vote to deny and then table the request by John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods was in the face of the very public that elected them.

At the three public meetings that were held, where the specific topic was this annexation request, very few citizens spoke negative in any way.

Those that did speak negatively were raising issues that would be addressed by involving the city staff, which cannot happen if council denies the phase one request.

Of note, two of the council members simply couldn’t find time to attend any of these public meetings, so they didn’t get to hear all of the support for this request by members of various associations and residents alike. Despite not listening to the public’s desire, they voted “No” anyway.

I wish to thank Councilman Steve Rapson, Councilman Murray Weed, and Mayor Steve Brown for taking the time away from their families to listen to our needs and desires. While their final votes may not fully reflect what we wish, they at least showed us the courtesy of listening.

Councilman Weed, who has stated publicly that he will not support an annexation request, at least feels it prudent to investigate all possible issues and let the city staff look at the proposal.

Councilman Rapson is focused on the density. The problem here is that the phase one as outlined by the city doesn’t require that density be a factor for phase one approval.

The public is making severe demands of John Wieland Homes for green space, recreation facilities, civic facilities, and mixed use development.

With this extensive wish list, it is nearly impossible to specify a density level without having dialog with the city staff. Any number given by Wieland would be purely speculation and that could be even more harmful to providing a quality development.

After all, should Wieland provide a number now, they will most likely be forced to live with that number.

The final result will be the elimination of many of the demands that have been outlined by the public.

Why not approach this from the stance of incorporating the requirements, assessing a cost, then reversing this into the density required to pay for this type of development?

If the density is too high, then City Council can deny the phase two request when it comes before it.

The public could have input into trimming what would have to be trimmed to meet the density level, if density is to be the driving factor.

Personally, I don’t think that density should be the overriding factor.

One of the developments that may be incorporated is a senior community. This type of community can support higher density housing while having a minimal impact on the city.

As it has been said before, the seniors don’t add to the schools, they typically don’t drive during rush hour, and they are not notorious for committing crime.

For those in the public that are unaware of what is at stake here, please take note. The extension of McDuff Parkway to Ga. Highway 74 at the Comcast tower.

This will help alleviate some traffic problems at the Hwy. 74 and Ga. Highway 54 intersection. The city could then request that a quiet zone be created.

A quiet zone is an area where the trains cannot blow their whistle. This quiet zone could possibly extend from the Comcast tower down to Paschall Road. That will improve the quality of life all along Hwy. 74 North.

The development that the public is requesting is more akin to a village. It would include a church, civic facilities, soccer fields for the Peachtree City Youth Soccer Association, small mom and pop type of businesses, a senior community, and, yes, houses.

It will be built to John Wieland quality standards, which, as you know, will make it a vibrant community.

Please contact all City Council members and stress to them how important this development is to you and your families. Ask them to vote yes for phase one annexation. Let’s at least look at the development with city staff before we kill this opportunity.

Dana Kinser

Peachtree City, Ga.

Annexing West Village would violate PTC’s land use, comprehensive plan

The people who moved to Peachtree City through the years thought of the land use plan and zoning as a guarantee of what they were investing in.

The city made a contract with residents who bought into promises about what Peachtree City would be in the future, what the population would be when all the lots are built on as planned, how much high density, low density, multifamily, office, commercial, industrial, open space, buffers, tree save, etc., would exist, and what the nature of each of these categories would be.

Peachtree City marketed itself based on its plan, the village concept. The land use plan and the comprehensive plan call for a step down of density as you get away from the village centers and towards the city’s boundaries.

The land in question is indeed the city’s boundary, bordering on Coweta County, with Tyrone to the north, and as such should be zoned at our lowest density, ER, multi-acre lots like those on the city’s eastern and northern outskirts.

The West Village’s center is the area around the Ga. highways 74 and 54 intersection. With or without annexation, that village already contains its full complement of commercial, multifamily and high density zoning.

To add any more of these categories would be in violation of our own land use and comprehensive concepts.

To change these plans and ordinances at this time to accommodate a new agenda threatens all that Peachtree City represents to those of us who have come to love living here.

In determining whether to accept an annexation, the advantages to and the impact on the entire city need to be considered.

The land in question was proposed for annexation before [four years ago], when it was owned by PCDC (Pathway Communities), and annexation was denied because the plan presented was not in the best interest of the city.

At issue were questions of density, the creation of traffic, the blasting at the quarry, the Peach Pit former dumpsite, proximity to Line Creek which provides us with drinking water, and protection of the flood-plain and wetlands that protect the quality of the water in that creek. These concerns have not gone away.

In addition, people were worried about what the county might allow. That worry has been resolved, as the county fought the battle in court against higher density , and won. The land as now zoned would allow nothing smaller than two-acre lots.

This brings us back to questions of density and traffic, especially how allowing more residences than the number that was upheld in court (about 138 lots) would impact the traffic on both hwys. 54 and 74.

I am aware that some of the residents believe that having an access road onto Hwy. 74 would relieve their traffic woes, but I wonder whether they have given consideration to how much additional traffic [the new] development could create, as well as the impact of having McDuff Parkway become the shortcut for everyone wanting to get to and from hwys. 54 and 74.

The city needs to consider what the lineup of traffic would be like on Hwy. 74 trying to cross the RR tracks when waiting for trains to pass.

In any case, it is probable that a road to Hwy. 74 will be built whether the land is annexed or not, as there will need to be access for emergency services.

It is my hope that whoever does the zoning take into account that the impact of this road in terms of safety and convenience will depend on the density of development that is allowed along it.

Given these and other concerns, it seems to me that if Peachtree City decides to annex the land, there should be some stringent requirements in advance:

1. No more housing units than than would be allowed under the present county zoning after removing sensitive and unbuildable land.

The developer would obtain the advantage of being able to market as Peachtree City and having a creative mix of lot sizes, affording them a savings in the expense of running infrastructure.

2. All of the wetlands protected as one piece, with no property lines extended into them, after accurate delineation of the wetlands is achieved, with a conservation easement for the undeveloped portion of the land, thus protecting the wetlands and watershed and quality of our drinking water.

3. A commitment to providing ample undisturbed natural buffers around and tree preservation within the project(s), with no clear-cutting of trees on lots, given the environmentally sensitive nature and aesthetic beauty of the area.

4. A development agreement that all amenities promised and conditions agreed to will be provided. A commitment to the projects without recourse to asking for rezoning or variances in the future after the land is annexed.

5. A commitment by council that the final package (before annexation) will be sent for peer review by unbiased experts (consulting or engineering firm), at city expense, choices of firm to be provided by Line Creek Association.

6. Impact on schools and school access be considered given that the board of education does not intend to build a school in the area in the near future.

7. It would be wise to wait until the completion of Hwy. 54 widening to see what traffic changes result.

There is never an obligation for a city to annex land, nor to zone land to be annexed in any way other than what is in the best interest of the city.

Peachtree City has the opportunity here to be choosy and require exactly what it wants or say, “No, thank you“ to annexation.

Phyllis Aguayo

Peachtree City, Ga.

Oxford student riles readers

What a well-written response to the “Kerry Supporter? How sad” article by an Oxford University student from FCHS. Mr. Justino does a nice job showing how inflamed he may be.

However, his criticisms and assumptions simply affirm my points. His emotional reaction is used not to contradict any argument presented, but merely a platform to vent his distain for Bush and even America.

Choosing to attack motives and quotes, rather than debate the argument presented, is the liberal theme.

I am certain that Mr. Justino is a bright boy. But, in his own words, “let’s be honest with each other.” He knows nothing about me, my reading habits, my travels, Bush supporters and certainly not “Bible Belters.”

But, like a true follower of the omnipotent majority motivated by his professors’ foreign opinions of aristocracy and the Democrats’ undying need for power and control, Mr. Justino wields a sharp tongue as if it has merit and wisdom.

Additionally, how he could possibility have a pulse on what an embarrassment Bush is in the “global community”?

My assertion is that Kerry, Edwards, the United Nations, France and eager, misguided college students that are as informed as their professors permit them to be are the embarrassments.

Believe it or not, us “Bible Belters” read books. Some of us that live in “one of the world’s largest terrorist” countries actual think that the lessons of the past are as important as the words of today.

In fact, I am now reading, “OnPolitics and Education,” by John Locke. They do teach Locke in England, don’t they?

“Democracy in America” has been one of the most respected and studied books in American history. For credibility’s sake I contacted Mr. Heffner, the editor of “Democracy in America,” to question the quote’s authenticity. I informed him that I could not locate the text in the book, but I had read it many times.

Mr. Heffner stated it was not in the book, but did not deny that Tocqueville ever said it. In fact he noted that it was possible.

Why is it so hard to believe that people outside the protective walls of academia would refer to this book’s author when presenting an argument between social, religious, political or philosophical influences on democratic nations and the foreseeable issues confronting them?

Of course, I only went to West Georgia College, so I don’t possess the “book-smarts” of someone educated abroad, but us “Bible-Belters” do possess something equally as valuable: Common sense.

By the way, I never used the Tocqueville quote as a defense for Bush, as Mr. Justino conveniently misrepresented. It was used as a defense for liberty and a warning about the advancement of a more socialized America.

In fact, I never in any way even endorsed Bush. The letter simply questioned the intentions of Kerry supporters and demonstrated how far Kerry and Edwards have deviated from the traditional positions of Democrats of the past.

This of course leads to the greater problem with this election. People are so blinded by their disgust and disdain for Bush that they would elect anyone who was a Democrat.

I have never stated that Bush should not be held accountable for his actions. I too find the Patriot Act as well as John Ashcroft far too powerful and intrusive for freedom to exist as we know it.

In fact, if I didn’t feel so threatened by what I know Kerry will bring to this nation and the platform position against foreign affairs of the Libertarian Party, I would vote for Badnarik for President, and I will vote Libertarian in other races.

To imply that I am misled and misinformed is a tremendous error in judgment.

I agree wholeheartedly that Bush has made mistakes on social issues, censorship issues, and economic issues. I agree that he is a horrible debater.

But there will be no graver mistake that this country will ever make than to have the most liberal senator in the country become president and appoint at least two, maybe three, liberal judges to the Supreme Court, leave Iraq before the job is completed for the sake of appeasement, and place an even greater burden on the producers, employers and job creaters, jealously known as the upper class.

By the time this letter is published, we may or may not know who will be our president. No matter who wins, it doesn’t change the fact that liberty and freedom are at stake.

The leadership of the Democratic Party with the likes of Kennedy, Daschle, Clinton, Pelosi, Boxer, Schumer and Kerry do not view the Constitution as the supreme law of the land. They do not believe in personal responsibility.

This election has shown that the DCCC, DNC, state and local Democrats and the media will not present the truth and entrust the people to make their own decision. They have encouraged voter fraud and the use of unjustified lawsuits as tools to win election.

Mr. Justino claims that Bush plays the fear card. The fact is that the Kerry camp has the ignorant masses petrified that they will lose their Social Security checks, they won’t be allowed to vote, they will have a 23 percent sales tax added to their taxes, the draft will be initiated and that black people will be disenfranchised. That, my friend, is the Fear Card.

Bush has warned us that what has already happened will continue to happen.

While some may consider the Bible Belt and our conservative views a noose, it is liberalism that is choking the freedom and liberty out of our existence and our Bill of Rights.

Freedom is not for Americans alone. Freedom and liberty must be permitted to grow outside the confines of this nation. While the Bush haters only see the evening news with Kerry’s misrepresentations and outright lies, and soldiers dying, they do not see what they are dying for and what their dedication is creating.

What is the “War on Terror”? It is the battle that most people will never be willing to fight. It is the thankless job of creating a free nation out of a destroyed dictatorship. It is the first step in rebuilding a severely damaged economy and the freeing of millions of human beings that have been enslaved, raped, murdered and tortured.

Is it possible to defeat terror? Ask Hitler.

Ernie Jackson

Peachtree City, Ga.

‘Arrogant student vs. the clueless’ rest of us

Oh, to be a college student and vested with all the knowledge of the universe. Of course to such a worldly and educated person, anyone with a different opinion simply isn’t as smart, or they don’t know what is going on.

Wow, where has our educational system failed?

While you might disagree with someone else’s political opinion, does calling them ignorant accomplish anything other than show your contempt, lack of tolerance and extremely patronizing demeanor? One might label your words hate speech.

You diminish catch phrases, yet your letter regurgitates the mantra of the American-hating extreme fringe of the loyal opposition.

Yes, I have friends that are Democrats. You are guilty of the very sins that Republicans were accused of during the Clinton years, unbridled hatred and contempt.

You remember those years when the World Trade Center was bombed, embassies attacked, barracks blown up as well as assaults on warships.

That’s right, the world loved us because we just lobbed a few cruise missiles at the enemy and we all went on with our lives.

The fear card that you attribute to the Bush administration seems to be very prevalent in Mr. Kerry’s recent speeches. Without an ounce of proof Kerry accuses the president of privatizing Social Security, planning to reinstitute the draft and suppressing minority voters.

Like many “clueless” citizens, I did not “inherit” my political views; in fact my father was a solid Democrat, a disabled veteran, a union steamfitter who worked hard to make a better life for his family.

My political views were formed largely by my military career, including several overseas assignments and assisting in the liberation of Kuwait.

I relocated to the Bible Belt as have many Georgia voters. I was born and raised in New York City. You do remember the place that used to include the World Trade Center in its skyline?

The fact that one of my high school classmates was a firefighter lost on 9/11 might influence my opinion concerning a real war that the terrorists have declared on us.

I have formed my political opinion based on several FACTS: Kerry has not released all of his military records. He spoke against his comrades in arms in 1971. He met with the enemy twice in Paris, and has a dismal record in the Senate. He seems more concerned with being liked by the UN than doing what is best for America.

In closing I would like to modify a line from a popular movie that seems to summarize my opinion of your letter: Clueless is as clueless does.

Kevin Smith

Peachtree City, Ga.

Years from now, student will rue college letter

Hopefully, Mr. Alexandre Justino will gain more than just knowledge while he is at Oxford University, England.

A quote from my favorite “noose Book” seems appropriate: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

Maybe he will save a copy of his letter and some day, after he has matured, look back humbly upon his arrogance.

Scott Ash

Peachtree City, Ga.

Humility missing in Oxford writer

I hope that Mr. Alexandre Justino, who wrote a letter to The Citizen last week, learns a little humility while he enjoys his stay at Oxford University, England.

First let me tell this, no doubt, bright student that political philosophers do not have a lock on wisdom. We all learn from our experiences if we use our brain and follow common sense.

Mr. Justino made a number of blank statements that are just plain false, too many to counter. However, I will deal with the most offensive of the bunch.

Mr. Justino, who claims to dislike “labels,” sure uses lots of them himself. For example, he labels Bush supporters ignorant and easily manipulated. He of course ignores that many in the Kerry camp suffer the same affliction.

Mr. Justino again labels the United States the world’s largest terrorist nation. This one is so obviously stupid that does not even deserves a reply.

However, he seems to ignore the millions that have been liberated by the U.S. from the tyranny of Nazism and Communism. We are talking millions here.

We are also by far the most generous nation on earth. Each year we give away billions of dollars in aid to a large number of countries, but of course we are probably doing that just so we can steal the oil. Is that how you see it?

Mr. Justino calls our President “average.” I must remind Mr. Justino that many of our leaders have been considered average and most of those that have given their lives for this country in the military were also average.

Anyway, I rather deal with average people than the likes of those that go around trying to sound intelligent but lack complete common sense.

Finally I just think Mr. Justino’s final comment is intellectually dishonest and yet another label when he refers to the Bible Belt as a community that is stupid and backwards.

I have lived North and South and there are plenty of ignorant as well as smart people in all parts of this country. The Bible Belt does not have a lock on that.

Marino M. Fuentes

Peachtree City, Ga.

Chase right on about Tyrone

The article written by Dennis Chase is on the mark [“Time for Tyrone to stop ducking mud,” The Citizen, Oct. 27, 2004]. The mayor and Town Council knowingly refused to obey state mandates and local ordinances.

As Mr. Chase described, the taxpayers of Tyrone will be burdened with the expense, which could and should have been avoided by simply obeying the ordinances. This is a prime example of no enforcement or selective enforcement of the ordinances.

I applaud you for bringing this information to the citizens of Tyrone.

Mike Caldwell

Tyrone, Ga.

TV wrong about Oak Grove

Misinformation regarding Oak Grove Elementary

Since WSB-TV would not return my call regarding a student being denied access to school, I hope The Citizen can help properly inform the public.

When parents cannot prove residency, they are given a week to rectify the situation. When you fail to meet the deadline, you already know the consequences. Your child cannot return until you rectify the problem.

Do not blame Oak Grove or the Board of Education for doing proof of residency checks. Blame all of the property-owning taxpayers in this county that demand we rid our system of those who do not pay taxes, nor belong here.

I was appalled how you let the TV media misinform the public for your personal gain.

Oak Grove is a superior school with a staff that is second to none. As a parent volunteer, I see these wonderful people care for and inspire our children. I am grateful for all that they do and will not tolerate slander from someone that does not have good follow-up skills.

Take responsibility for your own actions and let the focus remain where it should be, on our children.

Matt Bergen

Fayetteville, Ga.

Stem cell research controversy: Fetus and embryo are different things

This is a response to Trey Hoffman’s letter to the editor (found online), about stem cell research.

Hoffman: “The intellect will clearly and obviously apprehend that an embryo is a human life because given its natural course, it will develop into a baby within a few months.”

The implication is that all embryos develop, if left alone, into children. This is completely false.

Every statistic I’ve read indicates that over half of all fertilized embryos die, for various reasons. This includes natural and artificial fertilization.

Many scientists claim that one cannot predict a definite success rate for only natural fertilization, but all scientists agree that many natural embryos die before they become even a zygote.

Some embryos do not manage to embed themselves in the womb. Others have what is called an unhealthy polarity, and die later. And this doesn’t even take into account miscarriages, etc., that happen later on, for natural reasons.

Quite simply, not every embryo becomes a human being, even if left to nature’s devices. This is why we have prenatal care.

For an excellent overview of the scientific data on this subject, see Discover Magazine’s article “The Good Egg.”

I disagree with his statement and all of its implications. An embryo is alive, the beginnings of a human being, but fundamentally not a human being.

Hoffman: “Why liberals can gush tears over the fate of the spotted owl, or a mass murderer on death row, or a teenager who is denied an abortion by her parents, but cannot see fit to protect human life in its initial stages is quite beyond me. It’s a feat of logic that utterly defies logic.”

It’s not only liberals that lament our disappearing biodiversity, Trey. Nor is it only liberals that lament the insistence of many that capital punishment is an effective deterrent, or the denial of a (relatively) safe abortion.

I am not a liberal, and I dislike all these things. However, I think I can explain the lack of concern for an embryo.

First, you’ve created a false dichotomy. Not everyone who is for embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) lacks respect for unborn humans. In fact, there are many people who are anti-abortion, but are pro-ESCR.

If you ask them why, they will tell you it is because they see a difference between a fetus and an embryo. And they are convinced that ESCR can help humanity.

As a side note, many liberals do promote the protection of embryos. A great many liberals promote extended, universal prenatal care, which, by the way, many scientists claim could be greatly improved through ESCR.

And, by the way, anything that defies logic must be illogical, or, at least, outside the realm of logic.

Second, quite simply, it is because I am not a liberal that I support ESCR. It is because I see the obvious, undeniable difference between a small collection of cells and a small child with giant collections of cells that give rise to consciousness and emotion, let alone a full-grown adult.

It is because I am not a liberal, not a person willing to give importance to everything anyone labels remotely human, that I do not feel the need to protect every embryo.

It is because I am not a liberal that I am able to look at facts, and intentions of involved parties.

Embryos used in research are donated, often from women having hysterectomies to save their lives. And the research, the scientific literature states, has the potential to be very, very valuable.

Hoffman: “... but that doesn’t mean intellectually speaking that an embryo is not life.”

The most reasonable of us wouldn’t argue that it isn’t alive. We would argue that it isn’t a human being. It isn’t a child.

Also, I would be very interested to chat with you about the definition of life. With the advent of biocomputing and bioinformatics, the classical definition of life has been lately coming into question.

I am not saying that I would deny that an embryo is alive. I am merely saying I would like to have a conversation about just what makes something alive. Feel free to email me at medra42@gmail.com.

Hoffman: “A newborn baby is less complex than a fully formed adult, but we don’t dismiss it as a human life, do we?”

This is just silly. Seriously. The magnitude of difference here is huge. Comparing a small collection of cells to a well-developed animal requires a very, very liberal comparison.

At the level used in ESCR (embryos are not allowed to develop for more than a week), you can compare a mouse embryo to a human embryo.

Actually, scientists have long used comparative embryology to study many things, including evolution. Many people would be startled at just how similar a human embryo is to a dog embryo.

Of course, I wouldn’t argue that they are the same. It is obvious that one is from a dog, one a human. My point is simply that Trey is making rather rash comparisons.

Hoffman: “Read this carefully: not one disease has been cured by embryonic stem cells and the scientific jury is definitely out on their potential effectiveness.”

This is true. But, it is true mostly because we haven’t had enough time. We have been able, with adult stem cells, to create various types of cells and some tissues. We have been able to show that chemicals can be synthesized from adult cells that help cure diseases.

However, the very fact that embryonic stem cells have a much wider range of possibility (embryonic stem cells can turn into ANY kind of cell, whereas adult stem cells make, if memory serves, less than 10 kinds) leads me (and much of the scientific jury) to the conclusion that ESCR could potentially uncover many, many, many more treatments.

Stopping the research now could be like stopping Mendel before he developed his theories of discrete genetics, or halting the genetic engineering of plants before it saved billions of lives.

Or, it could turn out that we cannot develop effective technology, that all the money is wasted.

The point is that we don’t know for sure, yet. However, the prospects, according to the scientists working in the field, are excellent.

Yes, the jury is still out. But they’re at recess, waiting for the rest of the evidence to arrive, evidence that many people don’t want to give them.

Hoffman: “Since there is no real medical reason, I fear that it is because these people believe we as a society must continue to destroy innocent human life or stop altogether.”

Your claim that there is no medical reason is simply false. It is true that there is currently no treatment found through ESCR. It is not true that none will ever be found, that the prospects are not good, or that scientists are just bumbling along, doing research on things they believe will be fruitless.

And it is not because people in America have a sick desire for death that they endorse ESCR. It is because many of the scientists who were working on ESCR have told the government that the restrictions on their work are causing problems.

It is because the scientists have a lust for life, and helping humanity, that they push for fewer restrictions on ESCR.

Hoffman: “However, adult stem cells are already proven to work. They have already been used to cure over 50 diseases in thousands of people, and research continues to expand their effectiveness.”

You admit that further research has expanded the effectiveness of adult stem cell research, yet you neglect to apply this logic to ESCR.

ESCR is still a very, very young science. Comparing it to adult stem cell research is dubious, at best, as there are many more hurtles that must be overcome. Not the least of which is Bush’s ban on creating new lines. Doing the tests on the same lines all the time is like perpetually testing the same child for mental retardation.

We need more time to get a better picture. Cutting out ESCR now removes all possibility.

Hoffman: “So the proponents of embryo-killing research go around scaring the hell out of everyone and ridiculing those who are against it as damn-fool religious bigots. They have a taste for death, and believe that death can solve their problems, and will brook no opposition to that notion.”

Yes, there are many liberals who want to cast conservatives as religious nuts. But, do you not understand that casting every opponent (you say “they” implying everyone who supports ESCR) as someone with a morbid fixation on death is the committing the EXACT same crime?

I support ESCR, but I do not cast all of its opponents as religious lunatics. Many are reasonable people. Making stereotypes for people with a common cause is an intellectually bankrupt process.

To conclude, I’d just like to say that I am skeptical of the claims made about ESCR. It IS disappointing that no viable applications have yet been discovered.

The evidence, though, currently points to a bright future for ESCR, if a few basic problems can be dealt with. I also think that most people who see embryos as human lives are confused, or clinging to a belief in something that the evidence just does not support.

Since I don’t think embryos are humans, if it turns out that no treatments can be found through ESCR, that’s okay with me. Such things happen quite frequently in science.

Anyone curious about ESCR might want to start with the University of Wisconsin, Madison’s ESCR site at www.news.wisc.edu/packages/stemcells/.

Jason Crain

Fayetteville, Ga.

Pro-life positions by Epps are inconsistent

The last time Father [David] Epps wrote a column about the evil of being a pro-choice voter I wrote him a note back, which was never answered, asking what he would do if he had a daughter who was raped.

Father Epps appears, in my opinion only, to believe that the only thing a pro-choice voter believes in is using abortion for birth control.

Father Epps, in so many instances a woman has not chosen to have unprotected sex. There are exceptions. And yes, we are sinners, and we make mistakes.

Do you really think a 14-year-old child who may have made the mistake of confusing sex for love is going to be damned because she has an abortion?

I don’t know statistics but would venture to guess the “daddy” is not going to be hanging around to help raise the baby.

And yes, the baby could be carried to term and given up for adoption. Unfortunately in so many of these cases the “mommy” will not get proper prenatal care, may have emotional, drug or medical problems herself and live in an environment that does not bode well for a newborn.

Our sitting President, who firmly believes in the sanctity of human life, also believes in abortion in the case of incest or rape, which would appear to be a choice.

Now, I am definitely not a Bible scholar, but it surely seems to me you can’t have it both ways, Mr. President. You either are or are not pro-choice. This is one of those areas that has no gray area.

This issue is not going to go away. If we go back to the days of no choice, we are going right back to the days of back-alley abortions for those who cannot afford to travel to a state that will still allow them.

In so many cases, having an abortion must be a heartbreaking decision. That decision needs to be made between a woman and her God.

We live in a truly imperfect world. Perhaps if we all tried a little harder to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, it would be a step in the direction of healing some of the deep schisms that have been caused by the fight over abortion and similar issues.

Wendy Kovacs

Atlanta, Ga.

Stop fill-in-the-blank taxes

The problem: We need to do (fill in the blank), which will cost a lot, but nobody wants to pay for it.

The solution: Borrow the money and spend it now. Let the loan accrue interest year after year, until our children finally can (or have to) pay for it.

Now where have I heard that before? Lets see: War, welfare, Star Wars, Social Security, and now, Fayette County schools.

In my opinion, policing, firefighting, and education are the three most important things we can spend our community dollars on. But these things will be important to our children as well.

If we have to pay for these fundamental services by borrowing from our children, what options will we leave them?

Also, a point on economics: Contrary to what many in government (and many who want to be in government) claim, there is no free lunch.

Per your editorial, “Should projected growth continue for the next seven years, the increased tax base could repay the entire amount before any interest comes due.”

While this may be technically true, it is also misleading, implying that if we pay the bonds off early enough we won’t pay any interest. In fact, we start accruing interest on the first day that we take out the first dollar.

Once we have paid back the entire amount we borrowed, we will continue paying until we have covered all the accrued interest as well. Whether we pay it now or pay it later, we will pay it.

David McBroom

Fayetteville, Ga.