This is Viewpoints for Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Voices for the voiceless

Regarding writer Jim Haley’s response to a letter by John Bennett detailing the evils of factory farming, Haley wonders why Bennett “doesn’t like to eat meat.” Is Haley living in Lala land or is he just a simpleton? If Haley can write a letter, surely he can look up the facts on factory farming that have been exposed for years.

Chickens squashed into an 8x10 inch square of “living” space for their entire short lives, unable to move or stretch at all, and female hogs put into “gestation” crates that crushes them so they cannot move, and giving birth under those conditions. If this was purported onto humans, the cry of outrage would be heard far and wide. These factory farming monsters would never see the light of day. But, do anything barbaric to an animal destined for one’s dinner table, and anything goes.

Until we as a civilized society see this inhumanity to animals as just unacceptable, and refuse to buy from the meat industry unless humane practices are in place, then people like Bennett and I will use our voices to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Expert opinion

Two of our “experts” on every facet of our lives have taken their precious time to tell us about how the lay-about, convenience store posers and freeloaders must have our support. This expert tells us to call and email our elected officials to increase the give-aways from the government. The other “expert” rambled on about the hours of the Houston County Commissioners new aquatics center. My goodness, that is such a worry.

If these verbose word demons could concentrate their “concern” onto a real problem, maybe it would help. I rather doubt it, though. Most people that I know usual skip their ramblings or laugh at their self-righteous indignation.

A real concern: Another administration, another president is going to send American men and women to die for some rocks and hills in “Whereveristan.” When will it be enough? I say it is time to end all of the legalized murder of our children. I did some time in uniform. I heard shots fired, and for what?

To be able to buy cheap electronics and eat weird food. Is any of that worth a 19-year-old’s legs and arms? England, France, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Vietnam. So we can buy their junk and give them aid? For what?

Get on track boys and put your verbosity to work. I do. No sense in attacking me on the letters section. I was blocked due to hurting some tender feelings.

Rational thought

Engaging in rational discussions about our federal government seems to be getting harder. Donald Trump goes straight for the part of the brain that determines the behavior of snakes, rather than to the part that determines rational thought. If he did not do this, we probably would not know his name.

Climate agenda

Macon-Bibb County Mayor Robert Reichert took a positive step last week when he declared the area will join the Mayors Climate National Action agenda with over 300 other cities to help combat climate change. This step will make Macon the only other entity in Georgia except for Atlanta to do so.

Even if the action agenda is voluntary, cities that join are expected to produce a plan which will help lower carbon dioxide levels to 1.5C as provided for in the Paris Climate Change Agreement.

This agreement has so far been a complete failure, and the world is on track to a 2C increase since the invention of the steam engine. But at this point, anything is better than nothing, so cities must address this predicament.

Adding wind or solar energy is unlikely to help us meet this goal because we just find new ways to burn it. Renewables also displace land and can cause more problems than they solve.

There will be resistance around every political corner for Reichert to push forward any project that may impede investors love of profit over a livable city. I for one, would love to see us start with a plan where businesses voluntarily scale back Sunday hours, which will also help unify the community. A large area north of Washington, D.C. does this with little opposition.

Macon-Bibb now joins cities like Austin, Texas Asheville, North Carolina and Atlanta in an attempt to give us hope for a future. Thank you Mayor Reichert.

Praise dates

The discontinuance of the religious Praise Dates or Praise Page on Saturdays showing the special activities of our churches and related entities is a great disservice to your readers and the community of Macon-Bibb and vicinity. Many of our church members and others interested in religious activities receive The Telegraph through subscription, etc., and they are faithfully and habitually checking the Praise Dates on Saturdays to keep them abreast of upcoming church activities.

I urge you to please restore this vital feature of The Telegraph because it provides an invaluable service to your readers. If Saturdays cannot accommodate the Praise Dates or Praise Page perhaps that section can be carried on Thursdays or Fridays (any day leading up to the weekend prior to Sunday) but to drop this section altogether is a complete disregard for a large number of your readers and I believe its discontinuation will be visibly reflected in the number of committed subscribers and readers that you have.

Please restore this valuable feature and asset to The Telegraph as soon as possible. Thank you for your service and your commitment to serving the community of Macon-Bibb and vicinity.

Covering all bases

In relation to Dr. Bill Cummings’ statement in June 19 Telegraph that love is better than faith: The Bible states of the three — faith, hope and charity — that charity is the greatest with some acknowledging it as love. In relation to human compassion I suppose one could say love is better than faith, having love for spouse and/or children and not for God. But is redundant in relation to religion, for it would be hard to separate faith, hope, charity and love.

A person could have all feelings of human compassion without believing in Jesus the son of God. Therefore, the question is, could one claim to be a Christian without all of the above mentioned? To me, to believe in Jesus is the greatest and best, covers all.

This story was originally published June 20, 2017 at 9:08 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Wednesday, June 21, 2017."