Immigrant 'problem,' human lives

How to begin? Well, let's just say that in a recent "sting" a lot of "Hispanics" were rounded up for various "illegalities"; exactly what is hard to say because everything was hush hush, there was no bond, and it was hard to even find out what they were guilty of or where they were held. I hope this was not a political ploy (you know, like "our party was instrumental in deporting X number of illegals per month so we are doing something about it").

Take, for example, the case of Roberto. He was guilty of certain infractions years ago and lived here with his family. He is to be deported, not tried, to Guatemala.

He and his wife were sweethearts from the same Pueblo (read tribe). Their language is Quiche Maya; yes, they are both indigenous to America (there were no borders in America until centralized governments were established). He is a good family man and they attended an area church regularly. I know, because I've seen them there often. Now he, a steady worker and taxpayer (which is how they probably found him) is to return to a land notorious for its human rights abuses against native Americans, His wife, who no longer has a quiche speaker soulmate, and family must fend for themselves without a father or husband.

Their children were born here and are American citizens, so they are eligible for food stamps and welfare. His spouse will try to do the best for them, but it is hard to hold down a job and raise two children alone. Have we doomed a productive family to poverty? And should the children ever be found at risk, why, there's always the orphanages.

Is this the way to keep America strong?

Hermel D. Fortin

Columbus

Not even surprised

Lindsey Graham voted against relief funding for New Jersey because Chris Christie warmly greeted President Obama when he visited the hurricane-ravaged state, but now has his hands out for federal money when his own state is under water.

That, my friends, is political hypocrisy in action, and when asked about it on CNN, Graham actually said, with a straight face, that he couldn't remember that happening, which also makes him a liar.

Don't you just love politicians?

Hal Midgette

Columbus

Ideas and possibilities

My husband and I just returned from a vacation in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, a well-populated area frequented by a large number of tourists. In other words, an area with lots of cars. Since I am unable to walk long distances, we were pleasantly surprised by the number of parking places for the handicapped in all the cities and towns we visited. They were always located near the tourist attraction, restaurant, or shop we were interested in visiting. Many cities and towns had meters, but if you had a license plate or mirror tag for the handicapped, you did not have to pay. Parking spaces with time limits always posted extended time limits for the handicapped, usually for two hours longer. We never encountered a car without handicap identification in a handicap zone, something we very often encounter in the Columbus area. A "native" of one town told me parking violations incurred large fines, and the regulations were closely monitored by the police.

One city in particular had a feature I enjoyed. An entire city street in Winchester, Va., was closed to vehicle traffic and turned into a pedestrian mall. I couldn't help but think of how attractive Uptown could look if the area where the shops and restaurants are congregated was converted into a pedestrian mall.

Judy Hanley

Midland

Obesity in America

The American diet is high in calories, fats and sugar. Add to this lack of regular exercise, and the result is a growing obesity epidemic.

Right now, 35 percent of American adults are obese and more than 67 percent are overweight. If current events continue, more than 43 percent will be obese by 2018. In Georgia alone, 37.3 percent are obese, the third highest rate in the nation. In Alabama, which ranks 5th in obesity nationwide, 33.5 percent are obese.

Obesity may lead to diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and obesity-related cancer. About 13 percent of Alabama adults have diabetes, and more than 40 percent have hypertension. According to current health trajectory, by 2030 Alabama will have 1.5 million heart disease cases and more than 200,000 obesity-related cancer cases.

Parents should ensure their children follow a healthy diet and get adequate exercise. Also, advise your children to avoid drinking soda, "the tobacco of the 21st century."

The solution to the obesity problem could be summarized in three simple points: increased level of activity; reduction in daily caloric intake; and a diet characterized by a frequent consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole-grain cereals, and legume nuts and seeds.

Avoid overeating during the coming holiday season and when watching football games. Remember what Aristotle said: "Let your food be your medicine and let your medicine be your food."

Salman Elawad

Phenix City

Who's the bully?

On Monday, October, 5, my 6-year-old granddaughter walked into school tardy. An administrator proceeded to give her a brand-new alarm clock, still in the box.

Now, I don't know, maybe I'm not seeing things clearly. However, had that been me, this is how that situation would have gone. Versus punishing a 6-year-old for something she has no control over by having her carry this clock around all day, even after school at Girls Inc. for of all of her peers to possibly see and laugh at, pick on her, ostracize her, etc. I would have sent the student to class, marked her tardy and called her mother to let her know that we would like to help with her tardiness by donating an alarm clock, and when would you like to come pick it up? You should not hold a first grader accountable for these types of issues; the child has no control.

There is zero tolerance for bullying in the MCSD. What do you call this?

Danita Bright

Columbus

This story was originally published October 7, 2015 at 3:11 PM with the headline "Immigrant 'problem,' human lives ."