This is Viewpoints for Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015

The system works

John Haugabrook is correct. The president is the commander-in-chief. In most countries the elected leader is the commander of the military. I do not think Gen. George Patton was crazy. He had lapses in judgment, slapping soldiers and such. He did not keep his opinions to himself. He did not get along with our allies, or considered their objectives as being relevant. Since all of the army’s command positions for the war in the Pacific were filled by April 1945, Patton was made the military governor of a section of Germany. President Truman fired Gen. Douglas MacArthur because he was insubordinate. What does Haugabrook think MacArthur would have done to a subordinate who criticized him publicly and questioned his orders?

Our Constitution authorizes the president to be the commander-in-chief. There are no requirements for military experience. It also gives control of the military to civilian secretary. There is no requirement for military experience. This approach was to ensure that the military would be responsible to civilian authority and preclude a coup. It has worked for more than 200 years. Generals are charged to carry out military objectives within the confines established by civilian leadership. The president is responsible for the defense of America and directing foreign policy.

I realize the war and peace in Iraq have not gone as planned. So far we have not implemented a successful strategy to defeat ISIL or bring peace to Iraq. Voters should take this into consideration when they vote for a presidential candidate. Any strategy must not only consider ISIL but all terrorists threats.

As far as I know Donald Trump does not have any military experience. Only two Republican candidates have military experience. And I think only one Democratic candidate has military experience. We have fought several wars with presidents who did not have any military experience. To me the system works.

— Jim Costello

Perry

What are you going to do?

Sheila Rahim must be “proud” of the facts presented to Peach County Commissioners at a recent meeting. “One in three Peach County children lives in poverty. Just over 40 percent live in single parent homes.” Statistics are but a number. Now what are you, yes you, going to do about it? The graduation rate from Peach County High School might be the first problem area to be addressed, and a new $32 million facility isn’t the answer. Welfare seems to be a good answer in the short time but in the long term you cannot retire from welfare and claim disability. Problem identified is only part of the solution, the rest is up to the community, not the government.

— Ken Brown

Byron

It was a sad day

It was saddening to read Charles Richardson’s whineatorial about Donald Trump on Aug. 22. He used all the perfunctory jabs about Trump’s personality, all the pejorative insults about his candidacy and, of course, the arrogant and scornful comment that Trump’s supporters fail to chew their food before swallowing. Yep, Charlie reiterated the same worn out clichés of so many other myopic media types. Sorry Charlie, but lots of serious people, more well-known and more thoughtful than you are, appreciate the Trump candidacy. They have looked past his bombast and have found — gasp — truthful substance. He might try it himself.

The god of political correctness has diluted the masculine personality for so many years people fear a true alpha male, a motivated and powerful force of personality and accomplishment. Trump is all male, ambitious and a relentless builder and warrior who puts everything on the line for his beliefs. Maybe, it might be that our editor hasn’t seen real political leadership in so long he can’t recognize it when it hits him upside his feminized head? Or perhaps it frightens him to the core because Trump has shown the way to successfully push back against an angry, irrational, liberal media. Ted Cruz, Dr. Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina have seen Trump succeed against politically correct journalists and are copying his methods.

Richardson’s opinions would have been more interesting if he bothered to look past the ruling class name calling of Trump and considered why professionals, regular working people and, yes, Latinos, are drawn to Trump.

However, since Richardson cannot raise himself to that level, can we look forward to his quality of laser-like focus on Hillary Clinton in the near future? It would be so telling if he changed his template for the target rich environment of Mrs. Clinton’s corrupt personality and stupidly illegal actions.

— Bob Norcott

Byron

Shame on you

Since Jim Sandefur read Dr. Elliott’s comment in relation to my August 22 opinion, surely he read that I am very protective of slanderous accusations against my family. First, in no way did my husband beat our children. That was the mindset of Dr. Elliott’s input, who is consistent in changing my opinion into his hatred and racist ideology. It is puzzling to me how anyone would find Elliott’s statement that he knows the thoughts of my children referencing their dead father, as priceless. But since he did, for the record, my obedient children were disciplined and listened to both parents.

He should stick to his comic relief in his criticism of me, but finding a person lying about my children and husband as “priceless” is rather shameful.

— Faye W. Tanner

Macon

Accuracy

All local news outlets are competing for viewers and readers. They all claim accuracy. However, when reporting a vehicle accident near the intersection of U.S. 41 and Ga. 49 which is blocking all lanes, I would think someone would at least make sure the visual map that is shown to viewers would be more correct when showing the location of the accident site.

The visual map actually showed the site as the intersection of Ga. 247 and U.S. 129 in front of Bibb Distributing. The actual location of U.S. 41 and Ga. 49 is four to five miles south in Houston County. The reporter even referenced information from the Houston County Sheriff’s Office.

If they cannot be more accurate than that, then why should viewers trust them for accuracy in other reports?

— Joseph R. Gibbs Jr.

Macon

This story was originally published September 7, 2015 at 8:40 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015 ."