This is Viewpoints for Monday, Nov. 16, 2015
Big thanks
Over the past year, Loaves and Fishes Ministries has been blessed by the efforts of many of our local businesses and contributors who have helped us continue to have a successful year in helping the homeless and less fortunate in the Macon-Bibb County area meet their basic needs for food, clothing and housing.
We would like to thank the local churches that have made Loaves and Fishes an ongoing part of their community outreach programs. In addition, we would like to especially thank those who purchased tickets to the Loaves and Fishes Raffle, the Dr. D.T. Walton Memorial Picnic and the Mentors' Project of Bibb County Picnic, for hosting these annual events for the clients of Loaves and Fishes and the Stamp Out Hunger project sponsored by the U.S. Postal Service.
Recently, Loaves and Fishes held a fundraiser at the Fish N' Pig. We would like to thank the management and staff of the Fish N' Pig for hosting the event and all those who helped organize, sell tickets and work at the event along with all of the local businesses and individuals who purchased tickets and helped sponsor the event.
The board of Loaves and Fishes would like to thank the Macon-Bibb County community for its continued support as we help the homeless and less fortunate in our community.
— Mary Alice Snow-Webb
board of directors, Loaves and Fishes Ministries of Macon-Bibb County
Three times better
As a former chief recruiter for the Marines, due to quota constraints, it wasn't unusual to deny qualified women enlistment in the corps.
During that period, women Marines had to score three times higher than their male counterparts. On the surface it appears such requirements were discriminatory and unfair; however, the law of supply and demand, coupled with congressional constraints regarding women serving in combat largely contributed to the disproportionate ratio. All Marines, regardless of their occupation are basic warriors and receive training in such skill requirements.
If Hillary's claim is true, that she tried to join the corps in 1975, it is highly possible she would've been turned down. In such case, we routinely referred our rejects to the Army and the Army, not being under similar constraints, recruited them.
— John Haugabrook
Warner Robins
Interesting comparison
Got a summons for jury duty, U.S. District Court. In addition to ID required, a 51 item questionnaire. Penalties assessed if failure to comply. So much for photo ID to vote.
— Jerry Smith
Macon-Bibb County
More than a penny
Fred Gunter writes "a fee or a tax would be charged at the source of fossil fuel production, but rebated to the citizens. This statement is followed with "it will not cost you a penny and may save you many." President Obama, Al Gore and other climate alarmist ideologues have all stated that the purpose of a carbon tax is to raise the cost of fossil fuels to the American citizen to force by means of higher cost, reduction in fossil fuel usage. This increase in cost will impact the budget of every citizen in the following ways: gasoline for cars, electricity, food/consumer goods.
A fee — call it by what is — is a tax, charged at the source of fossil fuel production will eventually be paid by the consumer in hidden and visible cost increases. There is no free lunch. Corporations do not pay increased taxes. They pass the extra cost on to the consumer.
Gunter says it won't cost a penny. He is correct. It will cost hundreds of dollars. Somebody always pays.
Remember, climate change is normal throughout Earth's history. Significant alteration to an always changing climate will not result in higher living costs on citizens' backs.
Dr. John Bowman
Macon
Academy protests
Last week many of the football players at the University of Missouri joined a larger student protest to force the resignation of Timothy Wolfe, the university president, for failing to address a series of overt racial slurs on campus.
Dan Topolewski recently suggested that the U.S. service academy football teams could force President Obama's resignation by threatening similar strikes. I guess I'm equally surprised to discover that there are racial tensions at the service academies and that Topolewski is the first to have heard of it.
— Neal Snyder
Warner Robins
Whiners on parade
It's called microaggression, and its presence is turning our country into a land of whiners. Microaggression occurs when one feels offended by a seemingly innocent word or action. It leaves no cuts or bruises. It doesn't maim or spill blood. What it does is permit an overly sensitive dolt to feel violated. It has been around for a while, but lately, it's really getting ludicrous. The University of California college system lists the following as offensive statements; "I believe the most qualified person should get the job" and, "America is the land of opportunity." I have no idea how anyone can find those phrases offensive, but I'm certainly glad to no longer live in California. Asking Latinos where they were born can be offensive because it assumes, somehow, they weren't born in the states.
As you can imagine, this type of activity can quickly get out of hand as people run for the cover of victimhood at the sound of a double entendre. The old schoolyard ditty, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me" no longer escapes from parental lips.
God help us if this disease finds its way into the military.
— Bob Norcott
Byron
Believable?
Paris is in a state of panic under a series of terrorist attacks. An assassin in Califorina waves an ISIS flag as he cuts his victims yelling islamic slogans. It's a good thing the president declared that ISIS is contained and that there is no tie between Islam and the West Coast assassin. Does anyone believe him?
— Dan Topolewski
Kathleen
This story was originally published November 15, 2015 at 10:04 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Monday, Nov. 16, 2015 ."