This is Viewpoints for Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015
Fans need to speak up
UGA has to make a decision. Again the football team has been eliminated from the east title race, which is the weakest division in the SEC. Four of its teams have losing records. At best, the team will have a 9-3 record and play in a low-tier bowl. Two of its remaining games are against teams with losing records, and the other is against a non-power conference team. The team lost to two ranked opponents. Five of its wins were against teams with losing records. And one of its wins was against a non-power conference team.
Over the last 15 years Georgia, has a losing record against Florida. Missouri and Tennessee. All of the teams in the western division have winning records. So there is a high probability in the future that one of Georgia's opponents from the western conference will be a ranked team.
It's not as if the team does not have talent. Georgia consistently has a top 10 recruiting class. Year in and year out its has four or more players drafted into the NFL.
Next year will be a rebuilding year. Three starting linemen will graduate and probably be drafted by the NFL. The team will also lose some defensive and offensive players to the NFL. The quarterbacks are inconsistent, and a kid from Washington will not be a panacea. Replacing the offensive or defensive coordinators will not fix the problem.
If UGA is happy with 10-2 or 8-4 records and an occasional East title, then no change is required. If the team is to be competitive in the SEC, then a major change is required. So it's up to the fans to let the school know what they want.
— Jim Costello
Perry
What a man
On Saturday, while volunteering at the Belk Charity Day sale for Relay for Life of Houston County, I met an amazing 7-year-old named Zachary Clifton. While I was talking with his mother about the American Cancer Society and about a Relay donation, Zach, who was listening, reached into his pocket and pulled out a $10 bill (money I learned he had in order to buy himself something while shopping) and handed it to me.
He said he wanted to help fight cancer. When I told him no, it was too much, he continued holding out the money. His mom asked him, "Is that what you really want to do?" He silently nodded and, with an OK from his mother, I opened the donation can and he put the money in, refusing to allow me to give him any part of it back so he would have some spending money.
It was then that his mom tearfully told me they had recently lost two of his grandparents. I told him that I would use his donation to order a luminary in memory of his grandparents at the relay. And, with a huge lump in my throat, got permission to give this amazing young man a hug to thank him for his donation and thoughtfulness.
Having lost my husband, father, an uncle and many friends to cancer, I have had many incredible experiences doing Relay For Life in their memory for 25 years. But, on Saturday, Zachary's youthful generosity put him at the top of my "touched my heart to the core" moments.
Brandi and Craig Clifton are to be complimented for how they have raised this amazing young man with such a kind and caring heart. And to Zachary, I want him to know that he made my day, week, month and year. He reinforced my belief that our youth are our hope for the future. Thank you Zachary.
— Thaina L. Brown-Brake
Warner Robins
Empty words
Wednesday was Veterans Day. Yes, it is a tribute to warriors who have put their lives on the line for our nation, but what gets me is when people say, "Thank you for your service." It is a nice gesture, however, it seems empty and not sincere. I say this because our warriors have never received the full benefit of being in the military.
Many of our soldiers are not at home, and their families are getting food stamps, welfare and charity. This is not right. It has been discovered (although it was never hidden) that veterans do not get the medical and mental care they need and some have even died waiting for medical care.
So when people say "Thank you for your service," most of us never take it seriously because we know they are just empty words.
Then on one day, people offer us free food and more "Thank you for your service."
— Dorothy Henderson
Macon
Practicing meatless compassion
It was interesting to note a UN agency, the World Health Organization, has announced that consumption of processed meat (ham, hot dogs, bacon and corned beef) causes cancer in humans. The agency went on to say that red meat, like beef, pork and lamb, probably cause cancer in humans as well. This is not really news to those who shun meat. This message has been long touted by many in the medical field, but few have changed their eating habits. How do I know? Try finding a true vegetarian restaurant in Middle Georgia (I know, one opened shop here several years ago and closed just as quickly).
You won't find much veggie food in American-styled restaurants and this is frustrating when dining out with a group of friends or coworkers.
Ah, but that smart and healthy Shawn McClendon of the health/fitness blog, who is also a certified personal trainer, has named several restaurants around town where good and interesting veggie food can be found. Shawn advocates taking a few meals without meat for health's sake as well as helping the environment. I would add that the animals would applaud such a commitment.
"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion." — The Dalai Lama
— Judy S. Veal Lawrence
Milledgeville
Free speech
Quinton Tard's tirade against Rinda Wilson provides, among other things, a teaching moment about the First Amendment right to free speech and the double standard that exists in its practical application. Free speech is tolerated only if one is in agreement. As for limiting the free speech of public officeholders, that is one of the things for which the ballot box is designed.
— Samuel P. Jones
Macon
This story was originally published November 14, 2015 at 3:16 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015 ."