This is Viewpoints for Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015
Huber poll
It seems that many have already anointed either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton to the presidency. I, for one, have not. Clinton seems to be the only serious candidate that the Democrats will put up. But it seems she is running on a sexist ticket like President Obama did on a racist ticket. They are making people feel guilty if they don't vote for her and calling them sexist if they don't. Like with the current president, no one wants to have an "racist" attached to their name. How anyone would know who they voted for is beyond me, but, they use it for an excuse.
Since Clinton seems to have a lock on it, let's go to the Republicans.
It is shades of Newt Gingrich all over again. He said, last election, that the Republicans should line up to defeat President Obama and should not attack fellow Republicans. After that statement, actually about 15 minutes later, he attacked Mitt Romney. Good going Newt.
The same thing is happening now. The Republican candidates, not their handlers, not their money men, not their PR men and women, but just the candidates, should have a meeting and go over some things. These are just my ideas. If you don't agree, fine. Attack me and call me names, I'm used to it.
1. Jeb Bush has no chance, I don't think he ever did.
2. Carly Fiorina has a somewhat better chance, but slim.
3. Mike Huckabee, no chance.
4. Rand Paul, not a chance.
5. Lindsey Graham, not possible.
6. Rick Santorum, no way.
7. John Kasich, no, people are tired of anger.
8. Chris Christie, too much baggage.
9. Marco Rubio, outside chance, looks good and sounds good.
10. Ted Cruz, a leader and a good speaker, looks like a contender.
11. Donald Trump, fun to think about, but I really don't think it is plausible. Some call his campaign, "bread and circuses."
12. Ben Carson, a fine man, but I don't see the leadership ability. It has been sorely lacking for about 20 years now.
Once again, these are just my opinions and will be accepted by some and lambasted by others. I would like to see what the American people really like.
These polls of 1,000 carefully picked citizens mean absolutely nothing. There are still people around that go by polls, but they are so engineered that they mean little to the well-read woman or man.
— James Huber
Centerville
Power of the tongue
There's nothing more despicable than a gifted person, with a gifted speaking or writing ability, to speak or write lies. Some, perhaps do this willingly, knowing better, others, the product of misinformation.
Whether ignorant or deception, they still answer to the Proverb: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruits thereof." (Prov. 18:21)
— Dwight Poole
Hawkinsville
A Time for action
The Muslim terrorist attack in San Bernardino was the latest salvo by our opponents. Like it or not, believe it or not, we are in a war. As much as Americans like to get along with others, sometimes it cannot be done. This is one of those times. We do not feel safe from another attack no matter what the president claims. Our elected officials have their heads in the sand and the media is shirking its duty by assisting the administration to diminish the seriousness of the threat. Only one presidential candidate is offering a solution, as extreme as it is, while the remainder hope the issue will go away. It won't, of course, because ISIS will not let it.
So we sit here, waiting for them to come where we live because we don't have the will to go after them where they live. This is not a comforting strategy nor is it the American way. The president is a clever coward who, with the help of a disgraced Congress, will use this threat to reduce our civil liberties in the name of security. We must not let this happen. We cannot sacrifice our civil liberties for a promise of security that will not be enforced but, instead, used against us.
What we must do is convince our leaders and the leaders around the world, to engage the enemy on their turf. Make them defend and die for their own real estate until they understand the error of their ways. Expecting fearful Muslim officials to rein the outliers in has not happened. Coexistence hasn't succeeded. Trying to outsmart Muslim terrorists isn't working. The only thing they seem to understand is power. It is time to use ours.
— Bob Norcott
Byron
A difference?
Religious extremists are people who support, or use, weapons against the innocent to either kill or terrorize. This is all done in the name of religion. Clearly, Muslim (Islamic) suicide bombers and those who support them are religious extremists. The recent events in France are just one more example of this horror.
However, what about Christian religious extremists? We in America and the West supply Israel with rockets, guns and bullets. Those same rockets, guns and bullets have been used to help the Israelis invade Islamic Palestine time and again. Not only to kill those who attack Israelis but to kill and terrorize thousands of innocent Palestinians.
Some American religious leaders and politicians talk about the defense of Israel. The Islamic Palestinians talk about the defense of Palestine and Muslims. Some Christians will point to passages in the Bible to justify their actions. Some Muslims will point to passages in the Koran to justify their actions. So, what is the difference between an Islamic religious extremist and a Christian religious extremist? Is there a difference?
— Barry McLeod-Hughes
Byron
Demand documentation
If governors don't have the legal authority to reject refugees, then they should demand each refugee be accompanied with the documentation justifying their vetting. After all, the administration claims to have an excellent, thorough vetting process.
— Robert M. Buck
Macon
Celebrate responsibly
As a physician, I have counseled many of my patients about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle during the holidays. Catching up with friends, family and neighbors over a festive cocktail can add to the conviviality of the season, but moderation is essential.
The Federal Dietary Guidelines define moderate alcohol consumption as up to two drinks per day for men and up to one drink per day for women. Importantly, a standard drink is defined as 12 fluid ounces of regular beer (5 percent alcohol), five fluid ounces of wine (12 percent alcohol), or 1.5 fluid ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits (40 percent alcohol). Each of these standard drinks contains the same amount of alcohol, 0.6 fluid ounces of alcohol, and each has the same effect on your body. Be mindful of oversized glassware and the fact that beer, wine and spirit products may vary in alcohol content.
Use this standard drink definition as your guide and remember there is no beverage of moderation, only a practice of moderation.
— Raymond Scalettar, M.D.
Washington, D.C.
This story was originally published December 12, 2015 at 5:45 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015 ."