This is Viewpoints for Friday, Sept. 11, 2015
Great planning
I read the article about Forest Hill Road with interest. I have certainly not seen anyone cutting the grass weekly and many days there is little or no work going on. I also assume the area between the black tarps and the road itself is now owned by the county or state DOT, not the residents. That area is nothing but high weeds. It is a hazard to all who must walk in that area and to the drivers who must make sure they don’t hit the walkers.
And the project is on time? I thought the initial time line included the redoing of Forest Hill Road from Northside Drive to Vine-ville Avenue. Now I read that the part from Wimbish Road to Vineville is set for 2020. And that stretch is the windy part that also includes the intersection with Ridge Avenue that is always backed up.
So I guess the plan is to speed the cars from Northside Drive to Wimbush Road and then have the backups? DOT sure knows how to plan and make our roads safer.
— Vivian Whelan
Macon
Doing something?
Ken Brown sarcastically asserts that Sheila Rahim took “pride” in her report on less fortunate families in Peach County, which seems unkind at best. In addition, his query “what are you going to do about it,” regarding such families sounds suspiciously like “someone else should do something.” Perhaps a better question is what can Brown do about it? He mentions schools. The best predictor of success in academics is family income. At minimum wage, a worker earns $15,080 a year. According to the National Poverty Guidelines, the poverty level for a family of two is $15,930 and of three $20,090. So by working for the election of candidates who favor increasing the minimum wage, Brown would help maximize school performance of children and keep adults off of welfare, of which he doesn’t approve.
There are also nongovernmental agencies such as Family Connections, which Rahim runs, and L.E.A.P (Literacy Education for Adults in Peach) in Peach County that provide help. Neither of these groups solicits for donations (though they are welcome) but both really need volunteers. Brown might join either or both. Rahim’s “pride” is not in the statistics documenting the numbers of less fortunate, but in doing something to improve their circumstances. What does Brown take “pride” in?
— Fred and Mary Ann van Hartesveldt
Fort Valley
Questioning Peake
Although our representative has been forgiven by his family, is it logical to ignore a highly wealthy businessman’s breach of voter trust? His excuse reeks of being overly simplistic. The obvious answer lies in a full disclosure of his application, followed by a Cosby effect to be considered.
Although adultery is rampant, should Allen Peake, R-Macon, become another Bill Clinton? I questioned his limiting his marijuana for medicine only when legalizing its sale would in fact have served as a multiple winner. It would end illegal sales, reduce prison growth, produce millions in tax revenue and make Georgia look more progressive.
— Joe Hubbard
Macon
Weapons on base — oh, really?
It would be helpful for letter writer Ken Brown to do a little fact checking before giving us the benefit of his wisdom. In his latest communiqué to the Telegraph, Brown decries loaded weapons being carried by “anyone with a chip on their shoulder openly wherever and whenever they please and without any controls in place,” and then goes on to describe a man he saw in the Robins Air Force Base Commissary carrying a Glock “that stood out like a giant sore on the hip.”
I don’t know what Brown thought he saw, but I’m sure the commander at Robins would be shocked by the assertion that just anyone can stroll around his installation with a loaded firearm. A quick Google search reveals that Robins has a no tolerance policy for anyone, civilian or military, regarding the carrying of weapons. The only exceptions are for personnel authorized to bear firearms in performance of their official duties, or for those engaged in hunting or shooting at the skeet range.
Is the “No Weapons Policy” imposed by the DoD at its facilities effective? Certainly not. Anyone intent on harming others will never be thwarted by such a prohibition. It simply creates a risk free zone where a monster bent on mayhem can run rampant and his victims are left defenseless; witness the mass murders at Fort Hood, The Washington Navy Yard or Chattanooga.
Former CCN News anchor Lynne Russell and her husband survived a deadly armed robbery because they had access to a gun. She explains the decision to be legally armed is an individual one and those who don’t wish to carry shouldn’t complain about those who do. She bluntly stated, “If you don’t want to carry please don’t. Then, shut the (expletive deleted) up about it. Make your own decisions.” Good advice, I’d say.
— Gary L. Kretsinger
Byron
Out sick?
Obviously Charles Richardson was out of work the day this letter slipped on the Opinion page or we would have never enjoyed Bob’s insight into the Richardson psyche. As Bob pointed out, I want to watch his Hillary justification and for my own pleasure, his assessment of the reasoning for Baltimore citizens having to pay $6.5 million to the family of a ne’er-do-well, drug dealing criminal.
— H.C. Puckett
Bonaire
Au contraire, Richardson was at work when the letter went on the Viewpoints page, in fact, he edited it.
— Editors
Here comes the cavalry
After reading Bob Norcott’s “It was a sad day” letter referencing Charles Richardson’s column, it is far past time for me to write this open appreciative letter to Richardson thanking him for his time and effort in editing and publishing opinions. Through the years, due to his time and efforts, opinions have increased. Other than my family, Richardson knows me better than any other person in Bibb County due to reading many of my thoughts that are not printed.
I know it must be hard for him to print harsh, negative and some degrading comments made concerning his opinions and thoughts, however, in my opinion, no one handles abusive comments better than he does and with such class. I have written many pros and cons in reference to some of his opinions and he has scolded me with his editing notes. However, I truly respect him, the performance of his job and most of all for publishing as many opinions as time and space allows. I also appreciate all pros and cons of any and all thoughts. And with all the added comments makes it more informative and enjoyable, even with some harsh cuts to each other.
I do apologize to Richardson ahead of time for we both know there will be many condescending negative remarks in relation to my appreciative letter, but please continue to take it in stride.
— Faye W. Tanner
Macon
This story was originally published September 11, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Friday, Sept. 11, 2015 ."