This is Viewpoints for Saturday, Oct 22, 2016

Say what?

After the outrage following Trump’s use of vulgar language during the last few weeks, I am reminded of former President Bill Clinton firing a CIA leader. During an interview on the History Channel this CIA leader acknowledged using foul language toward the former president during a telephone conversation after U.S. intelligence said it knew where Osama bin Laden was eating and sleeping. Despite a golden opportunity to capture or take bin Laden out, President Clinton refused to approve the mission. The CIA leader was then fired. In 1994, former President Jimmy Carter and sitting President Bill Clinton were part of a nuclear deal with North Korea in which the U.S. sent North Korea nuclear material by which North Korea would only use this nuclear technology for energy purposes and not to produce nuclear weapons. Several years later the communist regime produced nuclear weapons in defiance of this appeasement plan.

I am not surprised as to why The New York Times will not revisit a news story from April 2015 that outlined how Russia obtained approximately one-fifth of the U.S. uranium stockpile via the takeover of Canadian company Uranium One that made extensive donations to the Clinton Foundation. While both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have moral flaws, dangerous policies and actions can reap more deadly results than abusive language from several years in the past.

None willing

All most voters ever wanted was an honest person to elect as president or to any other level of office for that matter. Such people do exist but they seldom become professional politicians and rarely offer to serve at all. I suspect most are simply reluctant to run the predictable gauntlet of unjustified character assassinations.

In the early days of America, we were more prone to elect for the sake of integrity, clothed in the flesh, bone and blood of Godly men who primarily sought the good of this nation and not personal profit. Now, we vote for the candidate most likely to benefit us and not necessarily the one who is best for our beloved country.

I care not if a candidate is a man or a woman or what race they sprang from. Sure, I have my personal preference as to their religious faith, but a truly honest person would see to it that considerations for all faiths were equally apportioned. The heartbreaking lament of the American voter is that there is not one honest person among us willing to serve.

Saint Charles?

While Charles Richardson slams Donald Trump for his lewd comments, I’d like to ask him this: Who is more contemptuous, a man who uses vulgar language about women in private or a woman who looks a mother, a wife and other grieving family members in the face and lies to them about Benghazi? Secretary of State Clinton’s incompetence and refusal to provide additional security to Ambassador Stevens cost the lives of four Americans. Then she had the gall to ask during the Congressional hearings “At this point, what difference does it make?” She lied, she covered it up by prosecuting an innocent man for a video that had nothing to do with the event, and has shown no remorse whatsoever. What about this qualifies her to be president?

Perhaps Richardson will write a piece about Clinton’s greatest accomplishments. It would be his shortest column ever. But, should he decide to write an honest evaluation of her record, it would take several pages to detail her failures and corruption. And that’s only what we know about her. In over 30 years of living off of the taxpayers, she has been a disaster. From unethical behavior and lies while working for the Watergate Commission to the daily revelations now surfacing, she has proven herself worthy of occupancy in only one house — the Big House.

There is so much more I could say but I’ll close with this: as he takes Donald Trump to task, can Richardson claim to have never, at anytime in his life, spoken of women in any way that he would be ashamed to admit or should we address him as “Saint Charles”?

Not Libertarians

Most people would agree that, in a pure sense, a Libertarian is a person who upholds the principles of individual liberty especially of thought and action as long as it does not harm other individuals. The role of government should be limited in economics and social policies and world affairs.

This certainly does not describe the Johnson/Weld ticket. You decide if these positions qualify. As governor of New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson inherited a $1.8 billion debt, when he left it was $4.6 billion. He said he would sign the Trans Pacific Partnership, yet the TPP usurps the sovereignty of the participating nations to corporate control and governance. He supports admitting thousands more Middle Eastern immigrants as he is for open borders.

He became extremely petulant when an interviewer used the words “illegal alien” instead of the politically correct “undocumented person.” (So much for that interviewer’s right to choose his own words.) Johnson referred to Hillary as a wonderful public servant. These are all on video. He was for forced vaccinations and carbon taxes before he back-peddled on both. So what is he?

William Weld is a Neo-Con who backed the war in Iraq, supported strict gun control measures, endorsed Barack Obama and is a long time friend of Hillary Clinton. Does he sound like a Libertarian? I have to wonder who has bought and paid for these two to be the spoiler ticket.

Absurd

Arthur D. Brook’s highly emotional Friday letter attempting to criticize a column in the Telegraph by New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman failed to make much sense. Since I have been reading the NYT since 1961 and was born in Boston and I have always admired Friedman.

The NYT sells a million copies a day all over the world and is widely respected for its investigative journalism and truthfulness. Its editors published the Pentagon Papers and it is in the forefront of innovation and new technology. Its columnists have won all kinds of awards. They are the creme de la creme of American journalism.

Arthur concludes his ranting, emotional letter by stating that the NYT’s attempts at public service are: “precluded from being of such public service because its history is much more suspect than, say, Fox News for fair and balanced news.” That is totally absurd.

Allegiance

In reference to Catherine Meeks’ “Pledge of Allegiance,” her beliefs are very disturbing. Is she speaking of the Pledge of Allegiance of the United States giving allegiance to the flag that was originally composed by Col. George Balch in 1887, later revised by Francis Bellamy in 1892 and formally adopted by Congress as the pledge in 1942 and was revised on Flag Day 1954 when the words “under God” were added?

Has Dr. Meeks forgot about the Civil War of 1861 – 1865 brought about states’ rights versus federal authority where some 620,000 of 2.4 million soldiers killed, millions more injured and the population and territory of the South devastated. One would think that all freed slaves would give allegiance to the U.S. flag that defeated the Confederate flag. The allegiance to the flag salutes those who fought and died for all and to say it was just for white people is a disgrace. Further, it is a dishonor today for all races of Americans who are fighting and dying carrying the flag for freedom of all men.

The Pledge of Allegiance was well adopted after the freeing of slaves with it last revision adding “under God.” Therefore how could Dr. Meeks arrive at her statement that the framers of these great words in 1887 with revisions to 1954 does not include all Americans?

Voting no on SPLOST

I find myself looking through the SPLOST list of improvements(?) for Macon-Bibb and I am left appalled. Is there a more needed “improvement” for Macon-Bibb than the Interstate-75/Interstate-16 interchange?

I realize it’s technically not a Macon-Bibb issue, it’s a DOT issue. But is there a more needed fix for this area than the idiotic interchange that enjoys a single lane from I-75 with a single lane from I-16? Think for a moment, that’s merging a three lane I-75 with a two lane I-16 by siphoning both down to one lane.

As a frequent traveler through that siphon I am amazed it has been given such low priority by almost everyone — local, state and national. It’s a horror and an embarrassment to the local area.

So no, I’ll not vote for any current or future SPLOST until our Middle Georgia leaders(?) assign a priority to the I-75/I-16 interchange. Not one. I would encourage all Middle Georgians to do the same. Fix it, now.

Lose control

Why do so many Democrats cry foul when reasonable people demand a concerted effort to ensure our voter registries are accurate? The usual liberal retort is that voter fraud is virtually nonexistent and that claims to the contrary are racially motivated. Maybe we should dispense with emotionally-charged rhetoric and examine the facts.

Not very long ago, the Pew Research Center commissioned a study of U.S. voter rolls by RTI International, a nonprofit nonpartisan organization. The study revealed that almost 2 million dead people were still registered to vote, and nearly 3 million were actively registered to vote in multiple states. Of course, if every state were to clamp down on voter identification, we could rest assured that people aren’t cheating — but wait, have you noticed how the mere suggestion of cleaning up voter rolls makes liberal Democrats lose control?

What did we do?

A few weeks from now we the people will be selecting the next leader of the free world, the country others come to for help. What are our choices? Hillary Clinton, a liar and a dishonest person or Donald Trump, a world class blabbermouth.

There are many people who are much better qualified to lead this country. What did we the people do to deserve to be stuck with these two losers?

Can’t be trusted

Some Republicans disgusted with Trump are planning to vote for him anyway because he promised to appoint a justice from a list of 21 conservatives. Can they trust Trump to do what he says? He is a former Democrat who contributed to Hillary Clinton’s 2008 campaign and has contributed over $100,000 to the Clinton Foundation.

He says he will be flexible on the issues. He has been flexible and changed his position on abortion and flip-flopped on immigration. Politifact says 75 percent of what he says are lies. He keeps saying, “Believe me” and “Trust me.” He has been sued over 350 times, many over broken promises. Can he be trusted on this promise?

For a safer America

Please vote. Not going to the polls to vote is a vote for Hillary Clinton. In the vice president debate, in my opinion Mike Pence won it hands down. He would make a great president if needed. Trump will make us more secure, will help us keep our guns, will appoint judges to the Supreme Court that will help keep our children and grandchildren safe. Vote for Trump for a safer, great America. Thank you in advance for voting for Trump. Our country will be safer.

Help from above

The only one I want involved with the November election, other than legal voters, is God.

Early voting

Monday, Oct. 17, marked the beginning of early voting in Georgia. There’s never been an easier way to avoid Election Day lines than taking advantage of our early voting period. Early voting is a key piece of our democracy. Too many Macon-Bibb County and Middle Georgia voters aren’t afforded the luxury of taking time away from work to participate in the process, often due to long lines and employers who don’t allow time off on Election Day, childcare considerations, lack of transportation, or a combination of all of the above.

Voting is one of the most important things we do as citizens. It’s an opportunity to make our voices heard. Your vote is a powerful tool. If it wasn’t, Republicans wouldn’t try so hard to take it away.

Year after year, Republicans push efforts that reduce early voting days, eliminate polling places and other restrictions designed to erect barriers between us and the ballot box. This is wrong. We should make it easier to vote, not harder.

The fact is, we all win when Georgians make their voice heard. Our community is stronger when more people participate in elections. And we cannot take for granted the extraordinary sacrifices made to secure our right to vote.

In fact, we anticipate that more than half of the votes cast this year will be during the early voting period. This is due partly to the fact that early voting is fun, convenient and easy. Georgia’s early voting period is from Oct. 17 to November 4. Find your closest early voting location, lock in your vote, then use the remaining days to help your family and friends make a plan to vote.

If you are in need of a free ride to the polls, please call 478-361-2188.

Can’t understand

I can understand the reactions of members of the black community in Charlotte, North Carolina. I can understand their anger, frustration and feeling of helplessness. No, I really can’t. I haven’t lived under the same conditions they have. I haven’t experienced the same problems they have. I’m an old, white man. Actually, I’m an angry, old, white man.

A peaceful protest or demonstration is one thing. But rioting, looting, destroying property and disrupting traffic are quite another matter. My mother watched from her apartment window while Detroit burned in 1967. What had been the Motor City and Motown never recovered.

I don’t know what the answers are, but a large segment of American society has been left behind and must be brought into the mainstream. Otherwise,we may only see more riots.

No free freedom

We know that freedom is not free, and we know little about the tremendous price paid centuries ago for this freedom. It cost more than the history books reveal. And we have treated our freedom as if it will last forever. No, freedom must be guarded and defended with minds and hearts similar to the great men who died and handed it down to us. We have done a poor job. And the precious freedom of America cannot be defended, militarily by men with averse cultures and religions.

Freedom must be maintained by obedience to strong laws and principles. The Constitution was written by men who loved and honored God. People cannot appreciate freedom or be good leaders who do not love God and the Bible. There deceit is: A nation of many cultures is strong and will not fall.

But God tolerates poor leadership and also evil regimes. One day, though, they will give an account of their leadership, as all men will give an account of their life. For we must understand, it is not only freedom that isn’t free. But, life itself is not free, we owe it back to the great God who gives life.

Non-lethal shots

I think I have a partial answer to police shootings. Bring back “warning shots.” A warning shot will certainly wake up a suspect.

My second suggestion is to change the way target practice is done. Focus on non-lethal shots instead of torso shots for high or perfect scores. Take a look at the Tulsa shooting. The man had his hands up but did not follow orders and started walking toward his vehicle. A warning shot would have most likely stopped him in his tracks. He was by the front door of his vehicle and lowered his hands or at least lowered one hand. Two officers were standing at the side of their vehicles apparently only five to seven feet away. Surely they could have first tried a non-lethal shot (legs or arms). If they could not shoot non-lethal shots at that range they certainly need follow up training at target practice.

Lethal shots should only be fired in situations where a weapon is clearly seen and the officer and/or citizens are clearly at risk.

Save us

I did my civic duty by watching all three presidential debates, something I have never done. This election is the most critical in my lifetime and could change the course of our country profoundly. A large majority of those surveyed indicate our country is going in the wrong direction, but many of them will still vote for Hillary Clinton. I guarantee she lied when she said her economic plan will not add one penny to the debt. The George W. Bush ($5 trillion debt) and Obama ($9 trillion debt) administrations have given us what is referred to as unsustainable debt.

If you watched the debates, you know Clinton is a disaster; however, if ignorant people vote in large numbers, Clinton will be elected. I have never been a fan of the boisterous, vulgar, lying Trump, but in all three debates, he crushed Clinton in every category I can remember: national security, foreign policy, the national debt, the economy, foreign trade, immigration, abortion, the U.S. Constitution, Supreme Court appointments, health care and Social Security.

Regardless of how you feel about Trump I hope you will vote for “The Donald” and save us from Clinton.

Showers of blessings

Recently, when I was walking in Tattnall Square Park, I started to feel ill and faint. Two people came to get me into the shade and assisted my family in getting me home and into the house. I was a little foggy at the time, but I believe their names were Tia and Henry. Thank you, Tia and Henry, for being there and responding to what was happening. You were both calm and competent, and I would have been in more trouble without you. I send showers of blessings for you.

No need to help

“The rest of the Story” is an oft used phrase that usually is “not the rest.” Charles Pecor’s assertion that the intent of Arthur Brook’s “Selective Memory” letter was to embarrass the Democrats is false. I have found that Democrats and Republicans are each fully capable of achieving self embarrassment on their own, far exceeding anything I might offer. Just look at their presidential candidates. They do not need help from me doing what they do without seeming to try.

Disreputable lawmakers

I, like Ronald Cain, am concerned about the future of Social Security and Medicare. The professional, incumbent politicians who created the current financial mess are considering ways to continue their irresponsible wastefulness. They will not replace the current tax code because it enables them to reward their supporters with deductions and incentives.

The debt will be over $21 trillion by March 2017. The government will have to divert 8 percent of revenue to pay the interest on the debt. As the debt grows so will the percentage of revenue that has to be diverted to pay the interest and the debt will grow. This is revenue that cannot be used to rebuild our infrastructure or create jobs.

Our professionals are proposing changes to Social Security and Medicare so they can continue their reckless practice. Workers and their employers pay a payroll tax every payday to fund Social Security and Medicare. Payees are dependent on these earned-benefit programs to help fund their retirements and pay some of their medical bills after they retire. They are not seeking anything for free, they just want the services they were forced to pay into.

Some of the things the disreputable lawmakers want to do are reauthorize payout levels to Social Security recipients and reduce Medicare payments to doctors. Another scheme they want to implement is cap the amount of money the government has to spend on Social Security and Medicare each year. This will enable them to spend any money paid over the cap limit collected through the payroll tax.

These are just some of the things incumbents will do to keep the dysfunctional government going if we re-elect them. They do not have the courage to do what is required, nor the will to reduce spending and downsize the government.

Question

For three decades I have enjoyed having a wonderful array of birds that consumed five pounds of a variety of seeds a week. Now there are no birds at all. Anyone know why this would happen?

This story was originally published October 21, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Saturday, Oct 22, 2016."