This is Viewpoints for Monday, August 31, 2015
Military better leaders?
Our military leaders and generals are well trained and equipped to fight and win America’s conflicts and wars. However, certain civilian leaders appear to think they’re better equipped than professionals possessing the requisite instinct to outthink and outmaneuver our enemies on the battlefield. How can you bring someone from the civilian world, with absolutely zero military experience, zero instinct for fighting and winning wars, tell a highly trained, “time tested” military leader how to fight and secure a particular objective?
Well, Harry Truman made sure that the likes of Gen. MacArthur and Gen. Patton never again be placed in a position to rely on such instinct — he fired McArthur for wanting to bomb communist China and advocating defeat of North Korea. Was history on the side of Truman? I think not. We had superior advantages over both then, but civilian prerogative prevailed.
Today, we face potential threats from both camps that possess proportionally greater fighting capabilities. Was Truman threatened by these generals popularity? Did he fear the military overthrowing the government? At any rate, the president is the commander in chief of our armed forces. Only in America.
We need someone as crazy as Patton and as shrewd as MacArthur to put ISIS in the history book and that person is Donald Trump. Plain old conventional wisdom would conclude that if you stop the flow of financial transactions through the banks holding and disbursing their funds and take control of the oil wells producing their income, you in essence, “cut the head off the snake.” Donald concurs and that’s why I am warming up to him. He wants to cut off the head of the snake and secure the promises made to our veterans, the true backbone of this nation and our way of life.
— John Haugabrook
Warner Robins
Time for change
A few weeks ago I wrote of my support for Donald Trump. I will not repeat the letter, but the main reason for support was because Trump showed a backbone. This is very rare for today’s politicians. After my letter, I was reminded that I forgot one of his strongest points.
He is a strong supporter of the Veterans Administration and all veterans. We have countless vets coming home with serious physical and mental problems. Trump will address this problem. It is time for the American people to wake up. We all must quit hoping for change and vote for change.
— Mike Wolff
Macon
Birthright babies
I have never been overly fond of Bill O’Reilly, but recently, his overwhelming desire to discredit Donald Trump by his long-suffering, arrogant and disparaging comments, has caused me to rethink my opinion of old Bill.
Admittedly, Trump’s demeanor can be a tiny bit unpolished at times, but O’Reilly’s norm, though he considers himself an intellectual superior, is an intellectual flop. He recently stated on his show that all persons born on U.S. soil are automatically citizens. How could this be? If this were true the children of any ambassador to the U.S., or those of any foreigner here on extended official business with their wives and the wife had a baby while here, that kid would be a citizen. That is just plain stupid, but O’Reilly and stupidity go together like peanut butter and jelly.
Fox should break out their shepherd’s hook and remove O’Reilly from the stage. He is boring, condescending and has turned to stale bread. It’s time to get rid of him.
— Walter Huckeba
Perry
O’Reilly is correct. Read the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It does not apply to those with diplomatic immunity.
— Editors
Social Security cuts
According to Congress, Social Security is to be reduced in 2016. Too many elderly will fall further into poverty if allowed. The disability laws under SSI are highly questionable.
Dead people still draw checks. The welfare system is competing with deserving SSI recipients.
— Carolyn Effie
Macon
Great comment
I sometimes read Faye Tanner’s letters to this page for comic relief. None are worth responding to, but the response to her most recent little rant got this priceless response in the comments section: “Dear Ms. Tanner, I am reminded of your recent letter wherein you indicated your children would rather be beaten by your husband than to have to listen to you. Well said.”
— Jim Sandefur
Lizella
Who knows more?
Arthur D. Brook’s recent letter criticizing new citizens — especially Brits — who might have ideas about how our country could improve and calling them “ingrates” for doing such is blatantly hypocritical. I think Arthur has forgotten our First Amendment to the Constitution that says that we have freedom of speech.
This includes my British friends who often know more about our nation’s history and our Constitution than many of us.
— Frank W. Gadbois
Warner Robins
Fate of truth tellers
Truth is dangerous. Jesus spoke the truth; they did away with him. Abraham Lincoln spoke the truth; they did away with him. John F. Kennedy spoke the truth; they did away with him. Martin Luther King spoke the truth; they did away with him.
Trump spoke the truth; they are trying to do away with him. I like the truth; are they coming for me?
— Max Sheffield
Fitzgerald
Likes new site
The new website is a vast improvement over what it replaced. I get delivery Thursday through Sunday, but like to keep up on the other days. Kudos to the person in charge of this project. A job well done.
— Tony Abel
Kathleen
This story was originally published August 31, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Monday, August 31, 2015 ."