This is Viewpoints for Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015
Great performance
I cannot imagine more musical excellence than was performed Friday night at the Macon City Auditorium. The Macon Pops performed two classic Beatle albums — "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band" and "Abbey Road." No one could be disappointed if they were expecting perfection in the replication of the original recording or the small personalized touches the musicians added to the performance. Rarely can you attend any performance when you cannot identify some flaws in the vocals, instrumentation, arrangements or sound system — but none were to be found Friday night.
We were all surprised by a young lady from Mercer who provided some powerful, soulful, memorable vocals to "Oh! Darling." There was also some great visual entertainment from the dancers that relived their memories of that decade and the ballroom dancers that have not seen their equal as they glided across the dance floor. My wife was optimistic that the gentleman who danced tirelessly and energetically was surely a professional dance instructor who could coach me how to move beyond my Al Gore robotic rhythms, but he was a medical researcher who humbly gave credit to the many female dance partners who enjoyed his flawless perfection.
I confess that this was the first time in my 13 years in Macon that I have attended a Macon Pops performance, but I will most assuredly attend their future performances and the Macon Symphony.
— Chip W. Anderson
Macon
Sportsmanship?
Just a few observations from Friday night, Nov. 6, football game between West Laurens High School and Mary Persons. First, Mary Persons football players and coaches, refused to leave the field before the game in order for the West Laurens seniors and their parents to be recognized. The players were using very foul language toward our band members and a coach even stood in front of the parents and refused to let them line up to take the field. All this, even after the officials asked them to leave the field.
Second, a Mary Persons player, gave our head coach the finger and told him what he could do with it, but was allowed to continue playing. Third, instead of celebrating their region win with their fans, the coaches and players turned to WLHS side and celebrated. With all that being said, Mary Persons should be really proud they have such high standards for their athletes and that the coaches set such a good example of what good sportsmanship looks like.
— Lynne Darsey
Dublin
Positive consequences
I had the pleasure of attending a Veterans Day program at Perdue Elementary School in Houston County on Friday, Nov. 6. I want to thank Principal Andy Payne, the teachers and staff for an excellent program. A most impressive performance was presented by the students. I also attended a classroom program presented by Amy Warden's students. They were very knowledgeable, organized and their enthusiasm was heartfelt.
From my school days, I well remember a quote from Robert Louis Stevenson: "We will, at sometime in our life, sit down to a banquet of consequences." I know the students, with their early childhood education at Perdue Elementary School, will be well prepared to have positive consequences for their future lives.
— Druid N. Preston
Macon
Different outcomes
Re: Bass Road project versus Forest Hill Road. While attending the 11/9 Planning & Zoning meeting, I was interested to learn that the requested rezoning and conditional use for a Bass Road project was denied. The reasoning including potential loss of surrounding property values. Speaking against the proposals was Elmo Richardson, who lives in that neighborhood; is a (retired) civil engineer, former Bibb County Commissioner and Public Works Committee chair, who did not recuse himself from voting for the Forest Hill Road project while being a VP of Stantec (which company subcontracts with Bibb County for its road program).
I am happy for the residents of Bass Road and the surrounding area that they preserved their property values. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the residents of Forest Hill Road.
— Stella Tsai
Macon
Reality of evolution
In celebration of Carl Sagan Day, Nov. 9, that pre-eminent teacher of the beauty and wonder of science, the letter from Travis Middleton needs to be addressed. Clearly, Travis is ignorant of the facts and scope of evolution.
Proof of evolution is not just in the fossil record. Which, by the way, is extremely extensive and informative on the evolution of life on Earth. Darwin's theory of evolution explained the change in traits of biological organism over generations. However the mechanism by which these evolutionary changes were passed was not known. Scientists guided by adherence to the scientific principle of inquiry and testing and retesting over the next hundred years discovered genes, and the double helix of DNA. All because of the theory that Darwin first presented. Now much of modern medicine exists because of the reality of evolution. Biologics, gene splicing, disease theory and much, much more were developed because of the reality of evolution and the scientists that pursued knowledge.
Middleton's ignorance of all of evolutions repercussions on the advancement of our lives, lifestyle, health are not, I presume, from lack of intellect but rather from a conscious choice to ignore any knowledge that threatens his own insulated world view.
— N.A. Pietrzak Sr.
Macon
Voting for Walker
This past summer I had the chance to campaign for elected office yet again. While I didn't prevail, I had the chance to learn more about Larry Walker, who ran a fine campaign and was always a gentlemen. He is honest, sincere and I believe he understands the issues that Georgia faces. Further, he has a heritage of caring about Middle Georgia and a personal commitment to our area.
Gun rights are important to me, as I believe that if you don't understand the Second Amendment, you can't comprehend the rest of them. Larry is a fervent supporter of our right to bear arms, but he also supports our right to be free and will put our interests first. For those reasons, I am voting for Larry Walker in this race. I urge you to do the same, but whatever you do, please vote.
— Kelly Burke
Warner Robins
Academy boycott
A group of football players protested conditions on their campus, and the University of Missouri president was forced to resign. It seems that now that Navy is rated nationally, the service academies ought to agree to not play another game until they get a new commander in chief.
— Dan Topolewski
Kathleen
No slant
I have no problem with Frank Gadbois giving his slant on things, but I would appreciate him sticking to the facts and telling the whole story and leaving out the spin. It's hard enough to assemble a decent rationale when all parties involved have confessed their part. And at my last observation, the "wood work and office" have no voice or vote. I want names, chapter and verse.
— Daniel W. Gatlyn
Macon
This story was originally published November 11, 2015 at 9:52 PM.