Over the past few years, I have seen quite a few people that I deeply care for fall victim to the local gangs that have been springing up across Gainesville, and much of Hall County. Those that don't fall prey to the addictive toxins that are peddled in seemingly every elementary, middle and high school all too often find themselves tempted to become initiates into the world of omnipresent violence that haunts many of our streets at night.

Two of my closest friends have been approached by and asked to join one of the local gangs. One of these individuals was asked fairly recently, and so was old enough to understand the negative implications of joining such a group. The first friend refused, but the second was a great deal younger when he received his invitation. He was, like many of today's gang members, initiated into the gang "SUR13" while still only in elementary school.

The gangs offer young children from broken homes a loving family that will never take them for granted, and it's an offer all too tempting for many of these needy boys and girls.

The point of my writing this is not to encourage or request more police action against the local gangs; as this is an option that I believe to have been proven itself ineffective by its lack of progress against the gangs.

Rather, this a call for the creation of new outreach programs, both church and state run, targeted at those lonely young people that find themselves the most susceptible to joining the local gangs.

Aaron Feizet
Chestatee High student

We should respect America's military
I recently signed up for the United States Navy, and during the time before I leave, we are encouraged to talk to others in hopes of getting them interested. While attempting this, I have come across many people who are strictly against the military and disrespectful of the young men and women who are serving our country.

I cannot help but get the feeling that if the American public is unable to separate soldiers from the war, we will see a similar incident to what happened at the end of Vietnam. Shouldn't we show our soldiers the respect they have earned?

Robert Bigwood
Chestatee High student

Student's appearance deserved scrutiny
I have a real problem with the UGA student who thinks looking like a terrorist is OK and that his rights were violated when questioned about photos he was taking outside a poultry plant here is Gainesville.

I don't think it was worthy of TV coverage, but I do think it was worthy of scrutiny by local authorities. Maybe he has never heard the old saying: If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck and looks like a duck, it must be a duck.

Gail Chambers
Gainesville