This is Viewpoints for Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015

Phone matters

In listening to the GOP presidential debate on national security and the terrorists' use of the telephone in communicating with their groups and leaders, I have some questions. It is said that our government can track overseas calls of possible terrorist. Well, I have a way to fight terrorists based on my recent experience of asking the phone company to give the time that I placed an 800 call to Macy's concerning an online Christmas order. After placing an order of six items and authorizing payment, I received an email stating I have thirty minutes to update, cancel or make any kind of changes. After 21 minutes, I decided to change three extra-small size clothing to small sizes. Going online to Macy's, there was a long wait time so I looked at my clock to note the exact time. It took a representative more than 13 minutes to assist me. When they finally spoke, I was told my 30 minute time has elapsed. I told the employee the time I called was within the 30 minutes, but I had been holding the phone for more than 13 minutes while waiting for a customer service employee. I told him to take a look at the time my phone call was answered by the company's answering services. He said he did not have access to that information and could not change my order. I further asked whether incoming calls to Macy's were logged by their answering machine and he did not know. I gave up and, of course, the order remained as placed.

So in my frustration, I call AT&T to ask for the time I placed the 800 phone call and was told AT&T does not have the capability of recording 800 calls, much less the time placed. I told her when my pocketbook was stolen the first thing the thief did was to use my cellphone to call all the 800 numbers on 14 credit cards and my bank card and started charging. I had to go downtown to the AT&T office to request a copy of same to turn over to the investigator. The AT&T employee stated that cellphones have access to such worldwide 800 numbers but land phones do not. I replied that the AT&T telephone book was full of 800 land phone numbers for which she still replied she did not have access to.

So for terrorists living in the U.S. to communicate with each other without AT&T having the ability to tell the government the time they place a call much less to whom, they need to form a business and get a 800 number to communicate to each other for based on the AT&T employee, the government cannot obtain such due to the phone company has no data.

— Faye W. Tanner

Macon

GOP turncoats

In 2014, Americans voted to give the GOP Senate and House majorities to stop the Obama agenda. Austin Scott and Johnny Isakson benefited from the hope for a real change in direction. They lied. After crafting a false narrative to replace Speaker Boehner with Ryan we now see the end game. A bloated bill to hike spending by another $50 billion, Planned Parenthood fully funded, thousands of refugees that won't be vetted being brought ashore, blue collar jobs threatened and your Internet actions observed without a warrant. This further proves Austin Scott and Johnny Isakson are not keeping their word. Not even close. When you compare their campaign rhetoric against this legislation . when you understand these two incumbents knew that refusing to oppose it would anger the folks at home, you really have to wonder what they received to go along with this terrible budget bill.

Conservatives are being successfully marginalized by both parties and do not like being dragged along by this madness. They are turning to the ultimate outsider for hope because they understand the Republican party double-crossed them. Mr. Scott and Mr. Isakson are in serious trouble if they believe their re-election next year will be as easy as was their lying to the voters.

— Bob Norcott

Byron

Isn't it ironic?

Bernie Sanders' campaign committee has been punished for a security violation against the Clinton campaign. What a laugh! If ANYONE should know about security violations, it's Hillary Clinton.

Every year those with national security clearances undergo training that reminds them of their responsibility to safeguard all classified information including that information which their professional judgment tells them SHOULD be classified. There is no room for "It wasn't MARKED classified when I received it." Forms are signed agreeing to compliance with laws, and potential punishments are described. There is no possibility of misunderstanding the learning objectives in this process

With the lack-of-debate strategy within the Democratic Party, Mr. Sanders and other candidates who we can't even recall will be marginalized. When Hillary is indicted, and she WILL be indicted if national law enforcement agencies are honest to their jobs, the road will be paved for Vice President Biden to walk into the Democrat convention and accept his nomination.

— Dan Topolewski

Kathleen

Help the homeless vets

Our military veterans, collectively, are responsible for Americans enjoying security and a way of life most countries can't afford. However, we too often take for granted the sacrifices these veterans made to secure this opportunity for all of our citizens.

Now, with that said, why would we want to secure certain refugees and totally ignore our homeless veterans? I have no problems with this country taking in refugees as long as we guarantee all of our homeless veterans' shelter and food.

It is time to give back to our veterans, recognize their huge sacrifices in a substantial way and get them off the streets. I believe Donald Trump will make this a priority if elected or raise the consciousness of this country to the plight of these veterans — a shameful, embarrassing situation for the most powerful nation in the world to allow!

— John Haugabrook

Warner Robins

This story was originally published December 29, 2015 at 8:29 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015 ."