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closeBlue Star markers
You may recall that The Federated Garden Clubs of Macon, Inc. sponsored and dedicated a Blue Star Marker at the I-75 Rest Area/Macon Welcome Center located between Forsyth and Macon on Veteran’s Day 2007. There are more than 2,000 of these markers nationwide and more than 125 in the state of Georgia. This is an ongoing project of National Garden Clubs.
The markers are wonderful and lasting tributes to those who have served, as well as those now serving in the armed forces. They are a visible means to show that we support our troops and appreciate their service and the sacrifices they make to protect the freedom we enjoy.
The markers are also a way to say thank you to the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice and let them know that their loved ones will not be forgotten.
— Jan Thiese
Garden Club of Georgia
Blue Star Marker chairman
Macon
Bus and cell phones
I’m not positive on the number of school bus drivers in Houston County who are on a cell phone while performing their duties of transporting our children, but I do know that even one is one too many. I know I have seen some of them talking on a cell phone while driving, but was not able to get the bus number. I would call in to report them if I had all the information. These are the lives of children at stake. The drivers are supposed to be setting an example. We tell our children not to be on the phone while driving. I think it is time for the board of education to make it a policy that no cell phones will be permitted on the buses. The children aren’t supposed to have their phones on the bus, so drivers don’t need one either. It did, however, serve well when a child snapped a picture of their bus driver texting while driving. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I will not accept that behavior from a school bus driver.
— Jo Ann Rape
Warner Robins
That time of year
Once again, the calendar tells me it’s time to break out the old “war medals” and march around the town square with all the other war heroes, tell a few lies and maybe even make a toast to my heroes. Unfortunately, all of my heroes are deceased, and my medals reside in my closet. where they belong and forever shall remain (once every other year I view them as a reminder of the time spent away from my family).
Veterans Day is not about me, the living, but about the millions who aren’t here because they gave their all, and shall remain as a name on a wall or a gold star or maybe just a headstone.
One such hero was a fellow flier named James Mack Turner, captain, United States Air Force. He was a member of the 19th Bomb Wing at Robins Air Force Base who died in a B-52 crash following a Dec. 26, 1972, bombing mission on Hanoi.
I spent four years with the 19th shortly after this event. The B-52 which sits at the Air Museum should honor the memory of a great flier. The museum itself should be named after this hero and his sacrifice for his country.
— Ken Brown
Byron
Can’t believe it
I find it amazing that AARP can support the ObamaCare health plan. Taking $40 billion from Medicare to keep the cost of the bill under $1 trillion is really supportive of the seniors that AARP supposedly represents.
Unfortunately, you cannot cancel your AARP membership if you are in one of their health-care programs and ever expect to make a change in the plan.
— J.C. Jackson
Cordele
Firsthand knowledge
Today, I hear many adults taking about our “subpar” education system in America. When have these adults actually experienced students’ “subpar” education system? I have not seen them come into classrooms and work out the things that are taught. I believe if one of these adults stepped into a high school math class, they would be completely lost. Why should they criticize our education when they probably cannot even understand what students are learning?
I am tired of watching people decide what students should learn when they don’t interact with them. Has the board of education ever sat down with students and worked with them or considered teachers’ views on the curriculum? When having an opinion or trying to change something, please have some firsthand knowledge of what you’re talking about or changing.
— Bethany Fuss
Warner Robins
Looking for pixie dust
Houston County commissioners voted Tuesday to put another 854 acres of beautiful south Houston County into limestone mining and cement operations. The vote was no surprise to residents. After all, Chairman Ned Sanders, as well as other local officials and notables, were given the grand tour of the Suwannee American Cement plant in Florida in 2007, right before the county voted to rezone 2,000-plus acres for Houston American Cement.
After the tour, the group was said to be “jubilant,” and Sanders said it would be “heartwarming” to have a similar cement plant in Houston County. The most absurd comment, however, came from former state Rep. Larry Walker. He stated the Florida cement plant was like Disney World.
When Disney World visitors see elegant turrets and spires rising majestically to the sky, they’re probably looking at Cinderella’s Castle. When visitors and residents visit south Houston County, the cylindrical objects they’ll see on the horizon will be multiple cement smokestacks releasing heavy metals and toxins into the air. Big difference. But hey, the county could make some money out of the terrible situation they’ve put us in. We suggest the county build a mine-trolley rollercoaster. It can start at the Perry Ag Center, twist and turn through Georgia Limerock’s quarry into CEMEX’s quarry into Houston American Cement’s quarry and end at their plant. The smokestacks can be painted bright colors to mimic storybook castles, and we’ll tell the children the gray toxic cement dust covering their faces is magical pixie dust.
— Brenda Maxwell
Elko
No effect
Robert Gibbs, the president’s mouthpiece was asked if the two Democratic gubernatorial losses in New Jersey and Virginia had anything to do with the administration’s radical spending, high unemployment, health care reform and discontent with the Democratic Party. “No way,” he replied. Just wondering, could it be that George W. Bush had something to do with it?
— Glenn S. Gibble
Bonaire
Don’t need new system
I agree with James Gates on his thoughts about Medicare. This system has been in place for decades, and for the most part, it works. Why should our government look to put another system in place when we already have one. Yes, it has problems, but those problems can be fixed. Yes, it costs much more than was originally estimated. So will the new one that President Obama would like to put in its place.
Sorry, I just cannot see how a new system is going to be better than what we already have. There are lots of folks who don’t have insurance, but that is what Medicare and Medicaid are all about.
And if anyone was watching Sunday Morning, on CBS not so long ago, I especially liked what France is doing for its people. Everyone is covered from birth. And isn’t that what this is all about?
— Cathy Gill
Warner Robins
Unique property for sale
If anyone believes President Obama did not follow the elections last Tuesday evening, I can sell them a nice building in north Macon for $49 with a view of the Gulf of Mexico in the front and the Smoky mountains in the back. You can bet your persimmon tree that he and his advisors were doing a play-by-play of the results and trying to develop a spin suggesting the election was nothing but sound and fury of disgruntled Republicans that got lucky at the polls.
Truth is, Obama took a hard lick in these races, and we will begin to see some of his support wane. Honest historians will record the Virginia and New Jersey elections of 2009 as a beginning of this administration’s decline.
Obama is still immensely popular, but using the vernacular of an old Texas rancher, our president is more “hat than cattle.” His political bent is less individual liberty and higher taxation to support a more socialistic country and its not cherished by the typical American. Unfortunately, he can still muster large numbers of ill-informed voters to keep him in office, but as evidenced by this election, he is unable to spark their interest in sufficient numbers to support other Democrats.
Many of us almost voted for Obama because he obviously is smart, a great speaker and looks the part of a president, but he lost us with the Joe Plumber interview. His true colors, in that brief moment, were revealed when he said, “I want to spread the wealth around.” I appreciated his honesty during the campaign, although I could not support him. Last Tuesday, many of the voters who did support him failed to do so.
What an opportunity lost, what a setback for America. To have an emperor with overalls in our castle.
— John G. Kelley Jr.
Macon
Embarrassed UGA fan
I’m embarrassed, not by the score, but by the thug actions of a few players. It appears the scouts are only looking at a player’s 40-yard dash times verses an aptitude and basic understanding of the rules of the game. I believe obeying the rules of the game translates to abiding by the rules of society.
The failure of the coaches to draft players with character who are committed to play within the rules is a direct reflection on the coaches’ character, gumption, ability to coach and teach, and flies in the face of the millions of dollars they make.
Are players running the game or the coaches? Over the last 20 years, I’ve seen the game change to accommodate the players. Defensive backs are all over the receivers, with their hands and face guarding rather than playing the ball. Is it so hard to teach, or is it easier to just bend the rules in order for the game to continue in a reasonable time?
I’ve been a fan since I was 6 years old to the point of obsession. If the UGA coaches do not have the courage and fortitude to show those who cannot follow the rules where the door is, then it is time for them to pack their F-150s and head back to FSU.
— Johnny Wilson
Warner Robins
Prayer for today
Father, I am so thankful for all of my friends. They encourage me and bless me in so many ways. Help me to be a better friend, and to be a good listener. Bless my friends with good health, happiness, and a desire to serve you every day. Thank you for being my best friend. Amen.
— Submitted by Alice M. Pritchett
Hawkinsville
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.
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