Re "The Death of Jimmy Lee Jackson" (Insight, March 6)I applaud John Fleming’s article, which has brought renewed attention to Jackson’s murder. And I raise my voice to join The Anniston Star, and the voices of the Alabama Legislative Black Caucus, in calling for a full investigation of the murder.
While the prospect of an investigation is still new, I want to urge the press and those who may pursue the investigation to think broadly about responsibility for the murder. James Bonard Fowler may well have pulled the trigger, and his case should be pursued vigorously.
However, according to Albert Turner, who was in Marion on the night in question and was for many years the leader of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Alabama, Jimmy Lee Jackson was badly beaten by a slew of police officers after he was shot.
There may, in fact, be numerous culprits who should be prosecuted in the name of justice. The press has a unique opportunity to shape public discussion of Jimmy Lee Jackson’s death. I urge The Star to continue its coverage, and to broaden it with interviews with witnesses, community members, and activists.
Benjamin Greenberg
Boston, Mass.
God’s love
I know that God may not be a popular subject to write about in America these days, that mankind has become wiser, but how can one who knows the love of God and his free gift of saving grace help but speak of it. It must be horrible for a teacher to know the truth and not be able to tell children of God’s love and mercy. We are losing our children because of this ignorance. This is like not telling someone his house is on fire when you know it is and he doesn’t know it.If it weren’t for the prayers of the prayer warriors of faith, called religious fanatics or religious bigots, I fear to think where America would be today. It is time to really pray for America and a real revival.
Our God has much to give us if we ask him. There is much to learn in God’s Word and we are all in need of more learning or wisdom and knowledge. How badly this world is in need of God’s love.
Gerrie Harman
Heflin
Animal cruelty
Re "Dog tired’ (Editorial, April 1)The recent mauling of the 4-year-old Cleburne County boy by a chained dog was an awful, yet preventable, tragedy. Keeping an unsocialized dog continuously chained is an accident waiting to happen. The Centers for Disease Control, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the USDA all agree that chaining leads to aggression in dogs.
The CDC found that chained dogs are almost three times more likely to bite. Chained dogs become very territorial of their small area. When someone enters their territory the dog’s "fight or flight" instinct kicks in. Since the dog is unable to flee, he often chooses to fight. Children are their most common victims.
Chaining is also one of the most common forms of animal cruelty. Dogs kept continually chained are exposed to weather extremes, often become entangled in their chains, and are unable to exercise or have any freedom of movement. They are treated like prisoners, with no hope of parole.
More and more cities are banning or regulating chaining as a way to protect citizens and help dogs. Please visit www.UnchainYourDog.org or www.DogsDeserveBetter.com to learn more about this issue.
Kathleen Lane
Little Rock, Ark.
Myopic energy policy
Re "Geo-green" (Thomas Friedman’s column, March 31)Friedman makes an excellent case for why and how sound environmental policies in coordination with progressive energy policies could be translated into increased U.S. national security and geopolitical standing in addition to the obvious environmental benefits.
Why the Bush administration isn’t giving this as much attention as Social Security is something I would like to ask someone in the highest levels of our government — but Vice President Cheney isn’t taking questions on energy policy.
Even if drilling is allowed in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge, experts say that oil from that area will not come online for 5-10 years. Implementing the measures that Friedman suggests to move the American economy away from its reliance on fossil fuels would provide far more benefits in the long run as opposed to the short-term gains to be made in Alaska. Unfortunately, when it comes to energy and environmental policies, America, with the Bush administration firmly at the wheel, seems content to continue barreling down the same dead-end street we’ve been traveling for decades.
Carol Balch
Hoover
