This is Viewpoints for Friday, Nov. 20, 2015
Who wins?
I was disappointed to read in Sunday's paper that a group of Wesleyan students on a European tour canceled their trip to Paris after the terrorist attacks. The point was made sharper later that morning as I listened in church to guest speaker Rev. Andy Cook tell us about the groups he leads to Israel. In response to a question about whether it is safe to travel to Israel, he posed another question: "Is it safe to travel to Kroger?" He said he has friends in Israel who are afraid to travel to the United States due to all the violence they see in the news. He wouldn't hesitate to travel to Israel and to change planes in Paris if needed.
The point is that no place is completely safe, but if we let our fears alter our normal behavior, then as the cliche says "the terrorists win."
— Steve Allen
Macon
Looking for votes
Every politician running for office for many years has proclaimed we cannot deport 11.5 million illegals already here. It was reported that an estimated 11.5 million unauthorized immigrants were living in the U.S. in January 2000 through January 2011. I know for a fact that illegals entered the U.S. daily before 2000 and every day since. So in what category is the federal government listing them. Are they being counted in another 11.5 million unauthorized category? Surely the original 11.5 million in 2000 are not dying daily at the same rate as new illegals entering daily. What a joke the feds and politicians are playing on U.S. citizens. Illegals are being used by the feds and politicians to get support from Latino and so-called Hispanic U.S. citizens for their votes.
— Faye W. Tanner
Macon
Payton not the man
If my memory is correct, not too many years ago, the coach of the New Orleans Saints sat out a year because he was caught breaking rules (offering bounties), and a letter writer suggested that he be brought in as head coach for the Bulldogs? Surely he jests. It may be time to replace the present head coach and athletic director, but hopefully if that happens, someone with much more character and integrity than Sean Payton can surely be found.
— Ken Fowler
Hawkinsville
Bully pulpit
The top military leaders in Washington appear to be nothing more than puppets on Obama's string. They fear the loss of their job titles more than actually standing up to a bully. Of course, the legislative branch (535 strong) appears to be nothing more than a burden on taxpayers and is also afraid to stand up to a bully. That bully also totally controls the judicial branch of government.
In my opinion, President Obama refuses to see reality. He prefers to see the world as perhaps some kind of utopia that he is building and appears to spend his days patting himself on the back for doing such a self-proclaimed fine job. His oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States would seen to amount to his efforts of overcoming the writings of several old-timers that wrote all those famous words.
Those Paris attacks are partly Obama's fault for throwing rocks at the hornets nest rather than destroying it. He's done nothing more than agitate those bees. The United States has the ability to destroy ISIS whereas many other nations do not. That's why many other nations look to the United States for help standing up to a bully. With the power of a great nation comes great responsibility. I smell a hint of conspiracy. Don't know if others smell it. Our bully refuses to stand up to their bully. Why?
— Gary McCall
Warner Robins
Christian morality
The suggestion among some politicians that the U.S. accept only Christian refugees from Syria is an affront to Christian morality. The parable of the Good Samaritan tells us that our neighbor is the one we are inclined to see as "other." People of any faith who seek to live in peace, free from the horrors of terror, persecution and war are our neighbors, and we must respond as such.
— Oliver Ferrari
Adrian
Exchange rate
I just read the headline of Maggie Lee's article on Georgia money going to Cuba. I wonder how well a headline would have been received in the 1980s if it read "South Africa's apartheid ready for Georgia money."
Of course someone will disagree with my tone by saying that dollars will help the people of Cuba. Let me tell you that you are right, based on the current law enacted (not passed, obviously) after recent talks by the two countries, Cuban citizens will turn over 100 percent of all U.S. dollars to the government.
In return they will get back 2 percent of the total in Cuban pesos (1 for 1 exchange rate). So yes, the ruling elite will do quite well with these changes. The rest of the people will continue to get their heads bashed in for asking for free speech and free commerce.
Maybe Desmond Tutu can tell the Cubans how to get worldwide support.
— Pedro Camejo
Warner Robins
Is Georgia better than that?
I have spent two-thirds of my life in Georgia, almost half of my life in Macon. I brag about the beauty of my state and the musical heritage of my adopted hometown wherever I travel. On occasion, however, I am embarrassed by and ashamed of our elected leaders, and those who support them. Now is one of those times.
Gov. Nathan Deal's executive order to state agency heads to prohibit the resettlement of Syrian refugees in Georgia reeks of xenophobia, religious bigotry and ignorance. With a stroke of his pen, he has caved into fear and division, goals of ISIS. What more powerful way to advance the recruiting efforts of Islamic terrorists and substantiate their hatred of the West, the United States in particular, than by turning away thousands of the very victims of their tyranny, innocent men, women and children seeking safety and a decent life?
Our history includes sad, shameful acts of unthinking emotional rejections of innocent victims fleeing tyranny and terror by seeking political asylum in the inviting arms of our great Statue of Liberty. We often give up in fear a piece of our liberty in favor of security in times of crisis, as we did in the wake of 9/11. Our Constitution, embodying as it does due process, our identity as a nation of diversity within unity, and our democratic spirit are weakened when we cower and cave into the fear-mongers and fear itself.
Shame on you, Gov. Deal. Georgia is better than that.
— Franklin J. Hogue
Macon
Georgie
I enjoy Mark Ballard's column as well as his website and I've enjoyed his stories about his dog, Georgie. I was saddened to read of Georgie's death, and I hope Mark knows that all of his fans (and Georgie's) are saddened as well.
It would be a great tribute for Mark to write a few stories about Georgie and include some original artwork and publish it in book form. I know I would be interested in obtaining a copy, and would love to send it as gifts to my friends who have moved out of Middle Georgia. Perhaps this project would ease some of the grief that comes with losing a loved member of the Ballard family.
— Judy S. Veal Lawrence
Milledgeville
This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 9:58 PM.