This is Viewpoints for Monday, Sept. 7, 2015
Not a dime?
According to Laura Mathis at the Middle Georgia Regional Commission the issue of encroachment at Robins Air Force Base will be resolved in one year or so. The other two USAF depots at Oklahoma City and Ogden, Utah, solved their encroachment issues decades ago.
The state and local governments in Oklahoma and Utah did everything they could to protect their two USAF depots. They had bond issues, changed zoning laws and moved buildings, etc. Their two USAF depots are their golden eggs and they knew it and still know it.
None of the above happened in Middle Georgia where every day is supposed to be Armed Forces Day. And it still hasn’t happened because of the apathy of the citizens of Middle Georgia and their state and local governments. Everyone thinks Robins Air Force Base will always be here. So why should we do anything more to protect our base? Why is encroachment still an issue? Apathy.
Warner Robins has yet to give a dime to protect the biggest business in our state. G-RAMP, yes, for $200,000 plus was an abject failure. Did they think that it was a county problem?
— Frank W. Gadbois
Warner Robins
Sunday specials
I always enjoy reading Sunday’s edition of the paper. And this week was no exception. I think it provides a great insight into the things that Middle Georgians consider to be important. Here are some of the things I found interesting.
I appreciate it when Bill Cummings provides a historical timeline of the origins of the four gospels and the letters written by Paul and others. He identifies the languages that the authors used to write the New Testament and historic scrolls. He identifies the differences in the words used in the New Testament and the Jewish Tanakh to refer to the same event or person.
To me, John Kelly is a great example of many Middle Georgia voters. He will vote for the Republican candidate for president, regardless of their positions, instead of the Democratic candidate. He proudly proclaims that he will Trump it up until a better candidate comes along. I wonder if this philosophy applies to congressional candidates too? I believe policies are more important than party. We are in a deep financial hole and it is getting deeper. Voters have a propensity to re-elect 90 percent of incumbents. There is something to be said about doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
Gov. Deal is considering an overhaul of the pay scale for teachers. Teachers’ pay is based on experience, advanced degrees, observations and evaluations and credentials. The proposed pay scale would be based on student achievement on standardized tests and higher pay for teachers in high-demand fields, math and science. But any overhaul has to consider classroom and school environments. I think class size should be reduced. Disruptive students should be assigned to alternate classes until their behavior improves. Social promotions should be eliminated.
If a student cannot do grade level work they should not advance until they demonstrate proficiency. Special needs student grade placement should be based on their abilities to comprehend and master subjects not their age. Second language students should receive extra instruction until they can master English.
— Jim Costello
Perry
Weapons on base
The freedom to carry loaded weapons seems to have exploded with anyone with a chip on their shoulder openly wherever and whenever they please and without any controls in place. Witness the middle-aged individual I spotted at the Robins AFB Commissary the other day. What caught my eye was the lack of uniform, security badge, or ID name tag on this otherwise well-armed individual. The Glock stood out like a giant sore on the hip. Come on, generals, colonels and others in command out there, have you lost control completely? Weapons on base belong with the military and only the military.
— Ken Brown
Byron
Silly response
In response to Charles Johnson’s letter of Sept. 1, he does see a lot of legitimate people carrying their guns everywhere — restaurants, department stores, parties and even some churches. But this is not for show. I am one of those people who carries a guns everywhere. I do this for the protection of my loved ones and myself. Can you predict when some thug decides to try and rob me or those around me?
Can I predict when someone will try to inflict bodily harm to me or someone around me or rob the place I happen to be in? No, I can’t and that’s why I carry my weapon at all times. I am going to protect myself and any loved ones that would be with me.
Stop looking through those rose-colored glasses and see reality. I am a retired veteran, too, but I can see the real picture. Johnson is the one who seems to be silly.
— Furney Mishoe
Macon
Why I carry
It is the thought process of Charles Johnson that puts so many of us at risk — lock it up, you don’t need it. I would rather not need it and have it than not have it and need it. I would love to know if he owns a fire extinguisher or alarm system in his house. Why carry a gun in a restaurant? Remember Luby’s in Texas about 20 years ago? Remember a school in Connecticut a couple of years ago. Work- place violence, remember Fort Hood and how our esteemed leader called that work- place violence?
The police, whom I have so much respect for and thank each and every one of them when I see them, aren’t there to protect us anymore. They can’t be everywhere all the time to protect everyone. They pick up the pieces and fill out the paperwork and protect us where they can.
The one stat that stands out over all others? What are convicted felons more afraid of than law enforcement? An armed citizen by over 70 percent.
— Steve Barker
Warner Robins
This story was originally published September 6, 2015 at 10:43 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Monday, Sept. 7, 2015 ."