Maddux did not have to overpower players to dominate them. He did not have to use performance-enhancing drugs to be effective, and in a time when many of the players he faced did use drugs, he still dominated. On top of that, he fielded his position better than anyone.

It doesn't seem fair to ask, but I hope Maddux does three more things: Go into the Hall of Fame as a Brave; accept Frank Wren's offer when he offers him the job of manager replacing Bobby Cox when he steps down; and once again lead the Braves to a World Series win!

TIM BURDICK, Duluth

Tossing out law clippings wasteful

Even though we find ourselves in a major economic slump that has led to municipal service cutbacks, area residents continue the wasteful practice of placing yard clippings and leaves on the curbside for city services to collect. While it may not sound like a big deal to some, this represents a major waste of taxpayer money and natural resources.

Fuel costs for leaf, grass and limb pickup must run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars per year for metro Atlanta. It is in essence paying for a disservice since the biodegradable materials would be used as compost or mulch in the person's own yard. My guess is that the same people who throw all of their compost materials into the area landfills are the same ones who foolishly go to a local hardware store and spend a fortune on prepackaged mulch and topsoil. It is indeed a waste to waste yard waste.

WILL LANCE, Atlanta

Corporate tax cuts would help economy

As a business owner, I'm concerned about the stampede toward a massive spending initiative on our country's infrastructure simply to produce jobs. Reducing corporate taxes could be a quicker, more effective method of stimulating the economy and one we can track. Building new or improving existing roads can't hurt in the long term, but can it quickly improve consumer, business and investor confidence in one or two years? Probably not; in our state it takes years to get simple DOT plans in place.

Reducing corporate taxes now would impact 2009 results. Even if companies don't reinvest the savings, improved corporate bottom lines mean improved stock values and stability. Consumer confidence will improve when they look at their 401 (k) returns too or feel their jobs won't be lost. That's what could stimulate the economy.

ERIC CROSS, Acworth

Real people can lose real weight

All the hype about Oprah's weight is interesting. No one who is fighting to get to a healthy weight should feel disheartened because of her battle with the bulge. Here's a wonderful and successful person, with unimaginable resources at her disposal, and yet she can't maintain control over her weight. Yes, she's human.

Bottom line: She has to do the same as the rest of us. Eat healthy, eat less and exercise. I know because in January 2005 at 54 years of age, I weighed 209 pounds. I am now 49 pounds lighter and counting. So for those who feel Oprah's pain, don't let it stop or slow you in your efforts to get healthy.

LINDA COLWELL, Stone Mountain

World War II ended Great Depression

In a letter "To help economy, ditch the plastic" (@issue, Dec. 10), the writer states: "Taking the United States off the gold standard in 1933 helped President Franklin Roosevelt beat the Great Depression."

I disagree. World War II beat the Great Depression. On Dec. 7, 1941, 12 years after the beginning of the Depression and 8 1/2 years after the coming of the New Deal, unemployment was still over 10 percent. I remember my cousin going away to a CCC camp in northwest Georgia around 1936. In fact, we had a recession during the Depression in 1938, when unemployment shot back up to 19 percent.

It was 1940, when we began seriously gearing up for the war that was already devastating Europe, that employment started to rise dramatically. Do you really believe we could survive an 8 1/2-year Depression in this country now? The "Greatest Generation" is gone and mostly forgotten.

BOB LEWIS, Decatur