To the politicians: I detest telemarketers! They have invaded our privacy. They are the lowest of the scum of scammers. I tell them to get a real job. Now you, during the recent campaign, have stooped to the same level as that scum.You repeatedly called, and on the caller ID you were identified every time as “UNAVAILABLE”! Not answering these calls filled the answering machine with your recorded speeches. You couldn’t even have a live human campaign for you?
If we wanted to ask something about your platform, how do we ask a recording a question?
You lost my vote by this low level of campaigning. I do know others that were complaining about this, too.
Mary Ann Ferguson
Anniston
Religion in public
I want to congratulate Executive Editor Chris Waddle on his excellent editorial, “Who should we believe about religion in public?” which appeared in The Anniston Star on Oct. 24. It was so well done that one would think it would be convincing and, thereby, terminate further discussion. However, I suspect that such an outcome would represent wishful thinking on my part.I suspect Mr. Waddle will be getting a lot of grief from religious fundamentalists. He should take heart from the support he will receive from those of us in society who are not blinded by religious ideology and who prefer to be guided by science and rational thought.
Thank you for taking this courageous stand.
Sheldon F. Gottlieb, Ph.D.
Boynton Beach, Fla.
New Gamecock?
I’m an alum and a former player and All-GSC center from the ‘92 National Championship team.Change is not always the answer. Every time you change something you lose something that money can’t buy — tradition. Tradition takes time. It takes commitment to hold on to what is the foundation of what you are doing. Especially when the going gets tough.
The JSU Gamecock is ours. It is not used or duplicated on any level.
Changing the university logo will be a mistake. That gamecock is in my blood as well as those who graduate from JSU.
A new logo is fun and exciting for many people. However, the success of our university programs reaches far beyond a new “cartoon.”
I hate to see another part of JSU fall behind. Next thing you know they will change the school colors to Crimson.
Matt Hollis
Gamecock ‘89-’94
Cumming, Ga.
FEMA, Army too slow
The Anniston Star article, “Emergency Situation,” written by Jason Landers, built a convincing case that FEMA is dragging its feet as our community continues to prepare itself for a potential chemical incident at the Anniston Army Depot. This article spelled out how FEMA has failed to respond to repeated requests from the Calhoun County EMA for authorization to reprogram funds in order to purchase critical HAZMAT equipment for the Anniston Fire Department and pay to train these first responders.As troubling as the federal government’s backsliding may be, the article’s other disclosure was more disturbing. The Army plans to begin the incineration process many months before the protective equipment has been delivered and the first responders have been properly trained to use them. Local Army spokesman Mike Abrams was quoted as saying, “Preparedness has nothing to do with the startup of operations.” Really? Do you believe that? I don’t. According to the Army, there is complete risk in the continued storage of the 2,254 tons of chemical weapons at AAD, but no risk in handling, moving, reconfiguring, chopping and burning these weapons. There is definitely risk! These bureaucrats do not appear to be concerned about the safety of our local citizens.
Thanks to The Star, local readers have learned that the Army and FEMA are the reason our community remains unprepared for a chemical accident. They also now know the Army plans to push ahead with the destruction process before the promised safety measures have been delivered and are in place. Hopefully, The Star will demand that our elected officials in Washington hold the Army accountable and pressure these bureaucrats to get moving on our continued preparedness problems.
Brenda Lindell
Anniston
