This is Viewpoints for Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015
Memory loss
In his diatribe against every Democratic president from Truman to Obama in an attempt to blame all foreign policy problems on Democrats, (“It’s the Democrats’ fault,” Viewpoints, Sept. 18) Travis Middleton demonstrates a remarkable use of selective memory loss.
For example, the Beirut barracks bombing and the Iran-Contra affair, both happening on the watch of Saint Ronnie; the Gulf War under George H.W., although this one had a successful conclusion, due in large part because of a great general: “Stormin’ Norman.” This conflict kept the Iraq buffer in place against Iran. And then there was 9/11, and on whose watch did that happen? Why that must have been George W. And how can Middleton forget George W’s master move, the Iraq invasion, created by cherry picking intelligence, lies and perhaps a number of people who were living in some sort of fantasy world? After this debacle, the Iraq buffer no longer existed.
Of course, perhaps we shouldn’t be too hard on Johnson and the two Bushes, but it does seem each time we get a president from Texas, we get involved with a war with someone. Perhaps they’ve never gotten over that Alamo thing.
— Charles J. Pecor
Macon
A win-win
I was delighted to read your article “Pope Francis embraces — and challenges — America in first visit,” and to reflect on the greatness and utter humanity of this man. His words ring true to billions of followers, Catholic and otherwise. Pope Francis has been labeled anti-capitalism. This oversimplifies his stance on many issues. He is anti-poverty, anti-waste, anti-corruption and anti-ignorance. He understands that capitalism can be a force to drive greater prosperity for all, but that balance is needed.
His drive for climate action has been met with resistance from certain corners, but the “economy-versus-environment” issue also rings hollow. Studies have shown that a carbon fee can reduce harmful emissions, and when that fee is returned to the people, it stimulates the economy. That’s a win-win that our elected officials, and the pope, should embrace.
— B. Scott Sadler, CFA
Boardwalk Capital Management
Atlanta
Forgetaboutit
Before the Macon-Bibb Commissioners even think about speeding $50,000 on a feasibility study is there any chance of looking after the needs of taxpayers? Property maintenance is in dire need of some teeth. I have been trying with their full knowledge to have the two properties resolved. I am told they have been notified, and yet today, September 23, the grass is 18 inches high. My neighbors are trying to sell their homes. Both properties must be passed to get to their homes. As a very old real estate agent I know how badly these properties affect prospects. Do something now.
Now back to the stadium. It has been an utter failure and costly during every prior attempt. Stop all the frivolous travel and waste. Deal with the dump. The very fact that we have been paying fines surrounding that problem says to all taxpayers that we have very poor mangers and leaders.
— Joe Hubbard
Macon
How much is $1 trillion?
The United States is drowning in debt. We have been borrowing money since 1789 with the exception of one year (1835-1836). If you are paying into Social Security, you have expectations of receiving your full benefit check every month when you retire. In a few years, your expectations may not be realistic. Congress has been spending your Social Security money for decades. Congress uses the taxes collected from young workers to pay Social Security benefits to retirees. This is the definition of a Ponzi scheme. Congress has a spending problem. It’s one reason why their approval rate is 13 percent.
By the end of this year, we will be closing in on $19 trillion in debt. How much debt is just $1 trillion? If you had enough money to spend $5 million every day for 365 days of every year, you could keep spending $5 million a day for 546 years and still be shy of $1 trillion. Multiply this example by 19 and you should see our debt is beyond ridiculous.
China has been selling off our debt. Apparently, they see something our Congress does not. If you love this country, you need to write your representatives and express your concerns before the United States collapses.
— Mike Smith
Warner Robins
Bothered
It bothers me that people of the world are bowing down and worshiping the pope like he is the son of God. Well, he is not. Muslims bow down and worship Mohammed as if he is the son of God. Well, he is not. There has only been one and he was called Jesus Christ. Amen. The only risen son of God.
— Gilbert D. Irby
Macon
Don’t accept any
I’ve read reports that Secretary of State John Kerry and President Obama have stated they are going to commit the United States to accept 100,000 Syrian refugees. Along with that, I’ve read that we spent $1.1 billion to help resettle 70,000 refugees. That works out to approximately $15,000 per person. That means resettling 100,000 refugees will cost $1.5 billion.
I want you to know that I’m opposed to resettling any, I repeat any, refugees, even the modest 10,000 number that was once the target. Who are we going to borrow the money from? Which community will be selected and caused to spend local money? Why aren’t the Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman et al taking any of the refugees?
Don’t we have enough U.S. citizens that could use a helping hand like those folks in California who lost everything due to wildfires; veterans who need help and homeless citizens. We have a flood of illegal immigrants coming into this country due to the president’s policies. If Europe wants to take the Muslim refugees, that’s their problem. When Europe starts taking some of the refugees from south of the border, we might reconsider.
— Bert Peters
Warner Robins
Climate change
I just heard from a friend that you published an article on the pope’s visit and that the article mentioned the pope’s concern about climate change. I want to express my appreciation to you for that from over here in Decatur. I’m awfully concerned about what kind of shape we’re leaving the planet in for our kids and grandkids. We all want to keep eating Georgia peaches and enjoying the good weather here. Especially when there are good proposals like the carbon fee and dividend which would reduce emissions and be good for the economy. Our Congressmen should be doing something. Maybe your article will help with that.
— Dale Stratford
Decatur
Second-guessing geniuses
Two recent incidents in the news highlight the paradox that often confounds school administrators. A young man in Texas was stopped and turned over to the police (appropriately, I believe) for bringing a bomb looking device to school. In Houston County, the board of education disciplined (again, I believe appropriately) an administrator for not reporting a student for bringing a weapon to school to parents and authorities. In both incidents the press complained that the schools had either done too much, in the case of the former, or too little (The Telegraph referred to “sweeping the case under the rug”) in the case of the latter.
In my opinion, the critics of these school leaders should be ashamed of themselves. Since Columbine, there is no priority any higher for schools than keeping their students safe and we should be doing all we can do support their efforts. Just wait until an administrator ignores a situation and a tragedy occurs. These same second-guessing geniuses will be calling for their heads. These journalists should try running one of these schools themselves. They wouldn’t last five minutes.
— Charles M. (Toby) Hill
Warner Robins
The Telegraph’s editorial did not lay blame on school personnel who reported the incident leading to the arrest of the child who brought the loaded gun to school. However, charges were dropped and the child allowed to leave the state rather than face prosecution.
— Editors
This story was originally published September 25, 2015 at 3:00 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015 ."