This is Viewpoints for Friday, Dec. 18, 2015
Classy lady
It was with great disappointment that I read of Leontine Espy's resignation from the Macon Charter Academy board of directors. I see no big loss with the others, but Espy was highly qualified and could have continued to bring her character and well-honed experience to the job.
I first met the classy lady when she was principal at Central High School many years ago. We were at the school for a Thanksgiving program with a well- known national speaker representing the Macon Exchange Club. As we walked down the hall toward the gymnasium for the program, Espy greeted the students with smiles and words of acceptance and encouragement. Many returned her acknowledgement with smiles of their own and big hugs.
On one rare occasion she found it necessary to reprimand a unruly student which she did by simply calling his name and pointing at him. I was amazed at the number of students she could call by name and it was very clear to me that she was highly respected and knew exactly what she was doing. Would that she could return and take charge of MCA.
I have been pulling hard, even praying for MCA to succeed. It surely needs to. There was a fine neighborhood school on that same site when Pleasant Hill was a thriving although segregated community. Look at it now.
Strong Tower Church and Campus Clubs are trying hard to turn Pleasant Hill around and make it safe and pleasant again.
By the way, am I the only one who has followed the beginnings of both of the new charter schools, who notices and compares the differences in the outcomes? The new MCA board could travel eight miles north to New Forsyth Road for some help.
— Charles T. Wolf Jr.
Macon
Nowhere to turn?
I have no idea how many individuals reside on this Planning & Zoning commission. I used to think it was three but that number is probably not correct today. Nevertheless, I find it so hard to believe that this few persons can change the lives of the residents of Zebulon Road, Ashford Park and Stone Edge.
Not once but three times? How is this possible and what is the everyday resident to believe about our officials? Their latest decision is just not believable. Does it mean this is it and the residents have nowhere else to turn? If not, why?
— Betty Barlow
Macon
There are five Planning & Zoning commissioners.
— Editors
Why come here?
Why would certain folks, hell-bent on killing Americans, want to come to this country? Why would they want to assimilate into our culture and way of life? Wouldn't their religious aspiration be best served in a country where the majority would share their religious views?
I know America is a melting pot but we are fast becoming a killing field. What role should our government play to balance real and potential threats to its citizens?
Those questions are rhetorical as I already know the answers. We need to pray that our leaders do the right thing to bring back the peace and tranquility guaranteed by our Founding Fathers. As fear escalates paralysis sets in. This is not the America envisioned by our founders.
Further, what's all the talk about "radicalization"? It's like asking a Christian born in America if they're "Americanized."
The social or political outlook of an individual can oftentimes be traced to their religious orientation. Certain extremist religion teaches that America is the "Great Satan" and all infidels should be destroyed, How do we deal with that?
— John Haugabrook
Warner Robins
Get a bigger gun
I have often felt that a guy who went into the woods to kill a deer with a 30-shot magazine like I had with a Browning Automatic Rifle either loved to lug ammo around, or was such a poor shot he should not be in the woods at all.
Recent events now seem to provide a reason to have a large magazine and an automatic weapon. And perhaps, we should now carry that piece in the car as well as keep it in our home.
And look for a bigger caliber. The BAR 30.06 seems a good choice in these times.
— Bob Hubbard
Perry
Still incorrect
Re: Harris County "politically incorrect sign ... ."
My parents came as post-graduate students to New York City in 1948 and stayed as immigrants/refugees after the Communists came into power in China and later were proud to be able to become (fully employed, taxpaying) citizens of the USA. Yet in the late 1960s in New Jersey, they were bluntly told they were not wanted in the neighborhood where they had sought to purchase a house. No political correctness worries there. No lawsuit.
So when I saw the photograph of the Harris County sheriff's sign, I wished the sign's last sentence ("If this offends you.... LEAVE!) had been omitted. My father-in-law has known this gentleman and has known what a nice person he is. What we need is real dialogue and tolerant listening instead — from the silent majorities and minorities alike, with respect all around.
— Stella Tsai
Macon
Inconsistencies?
President Obama and many Democrats have gone to great pains to convince America that those who terrorize under the ISIS or al-Qaida banner are not Islamic at all. These killers are simply terrorist thugs who hide under the banner of the Muslim religion to give their atrocities a religious legitimacy. I don't agree with this assessment, and I don't think most Americans do, but it is at least plausible.
But here's where that assessment breaks down. If the terrorists are fake Muslims, why in the world would the president order that the ISIS and al-Qaida terrorists imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay be afforded all the religious accruements of real Muslims — prayer rugs, the Koran, special food, even male military handlers so they won't be religiously "tainted" by the touch of a female soldier? Doesn't giving these terrorists all the deference given to authentic Muslims further legitimize them as a genuine sect within the Muslim faith?
Second, and more importantly, consider this: It is becoming crystal clear that more and more American mosques have imams preaching violent Jihad. Attendance at these radical mosques play a very prominent part in radicalizing many young American Muslims. Again, since the president and many Democrats are convinced that such imams urging terrorism aren't even Muslims and their mosques are nothing more than terrorist-training centers, why not shut such fake mosques down? Yet the president won't do that because, he says, of America's freedom of religion.
Huh? I thought the terrorists' so-called tie to Islam was bogus? If the president really believes that, and more importantly if it's really true, wouldn't real Muslims and real imans congratulate the president for shutting down the fake mosques that are producing terrorist followers? After all, these radicalized followers are giving their peaceful religion a bad name and causing Americans to begin to suspect all Muslims, especially after the latest massacre in California. This is not because Americans are anti-Muslim, but because it is obvious now that non-Muslims have no reasonable way of knowing which Muslims are secret terrorists. France and England have begun to identify and shut down mosques preaching violent Jihad — so should we.
I would appreciate a serious answer from some Democrat to this inconsistency — especially because the FBI has told us that there are mosques that preach terrorism all over the place in America and I don't think Americans want to vote for any candidate who wants to let these terror training centers continue to school their followers to kill their neighbors all over the country.
— Rinda Wilson
Macon
Misplaced worry
There are 25,000-plus deaths a year in the U.S. from gun violence. Nearly every one committed by Americans. And we're supposed to be worried about getting blown up or shot by Islamic extremists?
— William D. Carter
Bonaire
This story was originally published December 17, 2015 at 9:03 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Friday, Dec. 18, 2015 ."