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Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009

This is Viewpoints for Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009

Thank you, community

Recently, our Alexander II Elementary School family experienced a disappointing loss with the theft of a statue of a little girl from the outdoor nature center at our school. This statue memorialized Tori Heard, a second grader at Alexander II when her life was suddenly and tragically ended in an automobile accident Oct. 28, 2006. Tori’s family as well as students and staff at Alexander II were shocked and deeply saddened, especially when the theft occurred two weeks prior to the third anniversary of Tori’s death. The bronze statue of a pigtailed little girl in a green dress and sandals gracefully captured the innocent spirit of Tori, who loved to “play, laugh, talk and dress up.”

Through the efforts of the Middle Georgia community, Coroner Leon Jones and local radio personalities Kenny Burgamy and Charles Richardson (Kenny B. and Charles E.), pledges totaling $2,000 were offered by callers in a brief 30 minute period last week on the radio show “Mix in the Morning.” These donations will more than cover the cost of a replacement statue for Tori.

The Alexander II family graciously thanks community members for reaching out to us during this time with positive words of encouragement and generous financial donations. We look forward to dedicating another statue in the near future in memory of our precious Tori.

— Dr. Linda A. Bivins

principal, Alexander II Magnet School

One question

Next week Warner Robins will be choosing a new mayor. I believe Chuck Shaheen is the front runner and I like many of the ideas he has put forth in his campaign. Finding ways to generate revenue without raising property taxes is a very good idea to me, even though some have written to the paper to oppose it. I do have one question I would like answered. I’ve been told by some (who support other candidates) that Shaheen is planning to keep working for his current employer if he is elected. Is this true? The city of Warner Robins is a growing town with many issues to deal with, and as far as I know, the mayor’s position is a full time job, isnt it?

I asked someone handing out Shaheen posters, but they said they didn’t know anything about it. I think he needs to come out and tell the people if he intends to be a full time mayor or just work as a part-timer. Telegraph, do you have the answer?

— Mike Simpson

Warner Robins

Shaheen’s employer has been gracious enough to allow him to run for mayor, however, he will leave his employer if elected and serve as a full time mayor.

— Editors

Nature’s wrath

All the scientists in the world are saying the North Pole ice cap will be gone in 10 years. After the human race has succeeded in destroying the enviroment, nature is going to destroy us.

— Carl Thomas

Atlanta

Being an eagle

Fox News has not changed from its beginning, but the rest of the liberal media “turned off” after former President George W. Bush served his eight years. Why?

It is time the media remove its liberal journalism before we lose our country. Fire them now. We used to be a feared eagle flying across the globe. Back in the 1970s, we became a hawk. Sept. 11, 2001, showed Americans that we are not a hawk, but maybe a pidgeon. I’m not even sure The United States of America would rate as being a sparrow, especially since the 2008 presidential elections. The U.S. is a joke. We need our media back. We need our country back. We need to return to eagle status.

— Greg Haire

Forsyth

Time for change

Pity the poor Obama supporters still waiting for the arrival of the hope and change their candidate promised during the campaign. Was it really just a year ago? The promise to close the hated Guantánamo Bay, hasn’t happened and likely won’t. Remember the promise of the most “open” administration in the history of the U.S?

As a senior citizen, I was really looking forward to never having to file another income tax form. What happened? And my children were going to get tax breaks. They are still waiting. And what about the ending of wiretaps? Why hasn’t the president stopped those?

Why hasn’t the revolving door for lobbyists been closed? Where’s our stimulus fix? And, the troops in Iran and Afghanistan would be home in 16 months. Why the delay?

We need to come to grips with the fact that President Obama is not the one who will fulfill all our hopes and dreams.

— R.D. Norcott

Byron

Snoozing all

That Northwest Airlines flight that overflew its destination by 150 miles brings forth a few troubling thoughts to this retired navigator.

Was anyone on that entire crew aware of the expected arrival time? Normally, a bird carrying a couple hundred passengers also has a third pilot plus a herd of crew members. Flying at 37,000 feet, under normal conditions the descent should start about 20 minutes prior to the arrival time. So this pilotless bird flew for close to an hour with no one at the controls, but wait a minute. Where was the rest of the crew? On a recent flight overseas in the same type aircraft, as a passenger, I was constantly updated as to our expected arrival time. I guess Northwest doesn’t have modern equipment. May be a while before I fly that airline.

— Ken Brown

Byron

Too much government

First, let me start by saying I doubt The Telegraph will print this because it’s not written by an Obamabot like Frank Gadbois. But I am really concerned about what I see as a government takeover of my life and limiting my freedom of choice. Saturday I was watching two different cable news channels. Both showed the same thing concerning the health-care debate. What is it that catches my attention? It’s the fact that two separate news contributors say almost exactly the same thing. Why should the government be involved in shaping the way people behave? I’m way over 21 and have been making choices since I was 18. The choices I make are mine; the consequences are mine also. The government shouldn’t have the right to tell me how much soda I drink, whether I wear a seat belt or decide to smoke or drink.

I seriously don’t see how the United States government can justify spending — and I quote Harry Reid — $2 trillion on the Senate health-care plan. Come on, people. The problem isn’t health care; it’s the health-insurance companies, the pharisaical companies, frivolous malpractice lawsuits and illegal immigrants using the emergency rooms as primary care clinics.

— Wayne Overholt

Warner Robins

Changing the debate

The debate was supposed to be about health care, but that didn’t go over well with the American public as 90 percent were happy with their health care. So the president had a great idea to rename the debate to insurance reform as those nasty insurance companies are causing all the problems with health care while taking in “obscene profits.”

Now, there is a massive debate over the “public option.” Congress, seeing that the words “public option” are not going over well in the polls, have taken a page from the president and decided to rename the “public option” as “consumer option” or “competitive option.”

— William Walker

Bonaire

Where is it?

If you are for government health care, think on this: They had a year lead time to get the H1N1 vaccine ready and distributed. They even went so far as to say it would be in plentiful supply and ready to use by Oct. 1. Where is it?

— James C. Reeves

Macon

School prototype change

The statistics are clear — high school dropouts are a dysfunctional microcosm. They are more likely to be jobless, poor, on welfare, criminals and divorcees. Worse still, dropouts are likely to be single parents whose children dropout of high school themselves.

When asked during several studies to reveal their reasons for leaving school, the majority said the school curriculum was not interesting and they felt unmotivated or uninspired to work hard.

John Stossel, in ABC’s “Stupid in America” presentation, said: “Competition inspires people to do what we didn’t think we could do. If people got to choose their kids’ school, education options would be endless.

“There could soon be technology schools, science schools, virtual schools where you learn at home on your computer, sports schools, music schools, schools that go all year, schools with uniforms, schools that open early and keep kids later, and who knows what else. If there were competition, all kinds of new ideas would bloom.”

This is exactly what the dropouts said they were seeking. To that end, a group of Macon’s pastors and community leaders issued a plea “to improve the quality of programs within the buildings.”

Stossel’s call for radical school prototype change answers both pleas. And, with visionary leadership, it could be done minus more private schools. Imagine this: Westside Sports School, Northeast Music Academy and Southwest Science and Technology School.

— Lee Ballard

Macon

Let them do it

Let’s turn our health-care system over to the federal government. That way they can do for health care what they did for us in Vietnam. One quick Gulf of Tolkin Resolution and we are on our way fighting a war we don’t intend to win. Or maybe they can do for health care what they did for the war on poverty. Remember President Ford’s “Whip Inflation Now” campaign? Let’s just turn it all over to them. What a great idea.

— Jeff Barron

Danville

Prayer for today

Dear Jesus, we pray today for love, peace and hope for the U.S. and all the people who live here. Lord, give us wisdom to know that this is your world, not ours. Teach us that we are just passing through this Earth. Father, bless your people in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Submitted by Carrie Bronson

Macon

Readers — ministers, priests, rabbis, imams and laypersons alike — are invited to contribute prayers for this daily feature.

Send them to “Prayer,” The Macon Telegraph, P.O. Box 4167, Macon, GA 31213; or by facsimile to 744-4663; or online to letters@macon.com.