E-Mail
Print
tool name
closeFamily legacy
For security reasons and for the benefit of all downtown it is in the best interest of Macon to put the new courthouse on the Oglethorpe/McKenna block. If the decision is made to erect a new courthouse on Mulberry and to use the Oglethorpe property as additional space for the Law Enforcement Center, then I make this proposal:
The Oglethorpe property is referred to as the Peter Harris Block. Harris was and is my great-great-grandfather and regardless of what is built on that property a marker will be placed there honoring him. My cousin, Harry Harris, who was the lead investigator in the Anjette Lyles case, and worked many years as a deputy sheriff under Sheriff Ray Wilkes, served this city honorably and well. The right and fair course to take would be to name the new section of the jail after him. Also, it would be a nice reminder for my kids and my brother’s children, as well as future generations of Harris as to the family history of that area of Macon.
— Anthony B. Harris
Macon
The commissioners voted to put a juvenile detention center on the Oglethorpe site rather than the courthouse.
— Editors
Courthouse decision
I applaud the Bibb County Commission for favoring the Mulberry Street location for the new courthouse. I have long maintained that this empty lot needed to be developed. After long debate on the new courthouse location, I feel the correct choice has been made. This location is virtually adjacent to the old facility, it is convenient to downtown restaurants and furthermore, can be connected to the old courthouse. For the life of me, I cannot understand why any other location was considered. I now challenge the commission to stand firm on its choice and get it done.
— Jim E. Crutchfield
Macon
Pet tax write off
Congressman Thaddeus McCotter from Michigan, has introduced a bill, HR 3501 — known as the Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (“Happy”) Act. This bill would make it possible for responsible pet parents to receive a tax break on pet care expenses, including veterinary care. The money spent on pet care would give families more income to properly feed and care for their companion animals and maybe fewer pets would be given up to shelters.
Please write, call or e-mail your representatives to let them know of this important bill and ask them to support it. This is a win-win situation for both animals and humans.
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”
— Anatole France
— Judy S. Veal Lawrence
Milledgeville
What logic?
In reference to the letter by Bill Waters in regards to the Second Amendment: If we were to apply his logic to the First Amendment, free speech could only apply to the written word. No television, no radio, no Internet, because those items had not been invented yet.
He defeated his own logic, since he advanced science by about 50 years as percussion caps had not yet been invented. Therefore no cap and ball pistols.
— Gary F. Biltz
Gray
More research needed
November is National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Seventy-five percent of patients die within the first year of their diagnosis and only 5 percent survive more than 5 years. By the end of this year, 35,000 people will have died from this deadly disease.
From a scientific research perspective, pancreatic cancer is where breast cancer research was in the 1930s. There are no early detection methods — nothing like a mammogram, PSA or colonoscopy. Little is known about prevention methods and risk factors. Most often the disease is too advanced by the time it is diagnosed to be treated successfully. Only 2 percent of the National Cancer Institute’s federal research funding is designated for pancreatic cancer research. Given the severity of the disease and its mortality rate, this percentage is too low. More funding and more research. A cure could be around the next corner if more funding were available.
Randy Pausch’s best-selling book, “The Last Lecture” and the recent deaths of actor Patrick Swayze, NCAA President Myles Brand, and NBA Hall of Fame coach Chuck Daly, have put pancreatic cancer in the news lately. But there are families in Middle Georgia who are being affected by this disease. My mother died in February of this insidious disease within only a few months of her diagnosis. We need to increase awareness and the number of community volunteers and advocates who can help raise the cure. Visit www.knowitfightitendit.org to learn more and take action.
— Janet Butler Walker
Macon
Boehner’s bummer
House Minority Leader John Boehner on the health-care public option said: “This is about as unpopular as a garlic milkshake.” Despite the results of a recent Quinnipac poll that found 61 percent in favor. Boehner claims that he is still looking for “the first American” outside the Beltway who wants the public option.
Boehner favors the heath insurance industry making a profit by denying payments benefits. That is not a viable business model for our nation. He likes that one’s health care is up to an unknown board of directors at a health insurance company versus faceless bureaucrats. Some difference.
What’s surprising is how limited its effects would be. Most Americans — those who get their coverage through employers — would not even be eligible to participate at first. Plus, it wouldn’t be free. Those lucky enough to enroll would have to pay premiums just as they would to a private health insurance company. Competition with insurance companies would serve to lower prices to consumers. So what’s wrong with that?
— Frank W.Gadbois
Warner Robins
Coming dictatorship
This is in reponse to “your say” written by George A. Fadil Muhammad; A good old south Georgia family name if there ever was one. There is an ever-growing number of concerned citizens who love their country and view the entire Obama administration as being bent on the total destruction of America. The racial divide has been slipped into the Kool-Aid mixture and just like SugarCrisp, some just can’t get enough of it. Muhammad has overdosed on the elixer and mistakenly calls all who see our 44th president for what he really is, the Pied Piper of Pennsylvania Avenue, racists. Never mind that less than 20 percent of the U.S. population is black and Obama got well over 50 percent of the popular vote last November. The remaining 30 percent of those votes must have been cast by racists. Duh.
The Obama agenda is under way and the first phase calls for the complete collapse of the American economy. When this happens — along with the corporations and banks that have already been overtaken — we will all bow to King Obama and his merry band of czars and radical zealots.
By the time Muhammad and his ilk wake up and smell the daises, a dictator will rule the remainder of their lives on Earth. I’m sure my views must be racially motivated, after all, nobody can love their country that much — can they?
— Tommy Parker
Macon
Strategy backfired
A special election to fill a vacant U.S. House seat worked against the GOP in the solidly conservative 23rd congressional district in upstate New York. The contest to fill the seat sparked a vicious internal fight between GOP conservatives and moderates..
Doug Hoffman, who ran as a third-party Conservative candidate and not Republican, thought himself to be the better candidate than GOP nominee Dierdre Scozzafava. Hoffman ran a vicious attack campaign against Scozzafava. Hoffman said that the moderate Scozzafava had abandoned Republican principles on social issues and was no more than a Democrat (ouch!). Hoffman succeeded in forcing Scozzafava out of the race. The split resulted in the election of Bill Owens, the first Democratic from that region since the late 19th century.
Had Doug Hoffman won, it would have signaled an open season on ... other Republicans. Each future GOP candidate would have tried to “out conservative” the other, resulting in an uncivil war within the party
So, the loss to the Democrats of New York’s 23rd congressional district can be seen as a victory of sort for the Republicans.
— William D. Carter
Bonaire
Go to post
I would like to answer the misguided comments on government run health care. The members of Congress have healthcare as part of their employment package. If you don’t like it, vote them out. Federal civilian employees have health care they pay for.
Members of the military have government provided health care as a result of serving their country. I completed 30 years of faithful and honorable service. Service that included signing to give up my life if needed for my country. In 1975-1981 I was given annual career counseling as a first-term airman and told my health care would be free for life. That did not come to pass. However I do enjoy affordable health care as a result of service.
If the writer from Macon would like the same, I suggest he sign up, draw a weapon and go to post wherever in the world the needs of the military might send him.
— Bubba Leopard
Kathleen
Prayer for today
God of the ages, the stars and stripes on our flag remind us of days of glory and sacrifice. This is the special time set aside to remember the brave women and men of our Armed Services who are now our veterans. We lift them up to you with pride and gratitude for their service. Behind an often tough exterior, there is an incredible heart and soul that has seen them through rough times. Bless their lives, their families and friends. Heal them in body, mind and spirit. Thank you God for our veterans, our country and our freedom. In your mighty and holy name, I pray. Amen.
— Sheila Bennett
Jeffersonville
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.
@Nyx.CommentBody@