This is Viewpoints for Sunday, Dec. 27

Thanks to Georgia lawmakers

I would like to recognize and thank our Georgia legislators for their work in supporting the recapitalization of the U.S. Air Force's JSTARS fleet and keeping the matter in front of Air Force, acquisition and Department of Defense leadership.

Sen. Johnny Isakson led a group of 13 senators in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter requesting that funding for JSTARS be protected in the 2017 budget request. Sen. David Perdue recently gave an insightful floor speech on the aging of the JSTARS fleet and the tremendous importance of recapitalizing this effort. Georgia's House delegation, including U.S. Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.), requested that the Air Force reconsider its lengthy acquisition strategy, shorten the development phase and enter into JSTARS production sooner.

Gulfstream, in a joint effort with Northrop Grumman, is one of three teams competing for the new JSTARS program. The Pentagon recently approved the next step in the competition to replace the Air Force's aging fleet of JSTARS airplanes. The approval of what's known as Milestone A clears the way for funding demonstrations of the potential new aircraft.

The approval of Milestone A means a great deal to the nation, the companies competing to supply aircraft for the program and the communities where these aircraft will be manufactured and outfitted.

It's clear state leaders understand the importance of this replacement effort to help ensure the security of our nation, protect our men and women in uniform and create economic development opportunities for the communities where our employees live and work. And for that, I thank them.

-- Mark L. Burns

President, Gulfstream Aerospace

Being PC and PO at the same time

An advantage one has when he/she lives to be called elderly is that you have had personal experiences which allows you to compare current day issues with significant clarity, like "I think I've been there before."

The phrase "common sense" is often associated with the thought, it is not that common these days. I agree with this especially when describing our political leaders that have promulgated the communication disaster known as "political correctness." PC has succeeded in creating a divisiveness within America not seen in generations, if ever. The average American is the one who possesses common sense only not to fully use it when voting in elections.

PC has been followed by "political obfuscation." (Obfuscation: To cloud over; obscure; muddle; confuse; bewilder.) Political leadership of both the Democrats and Republicans have joined in a common, non-coordinated effort to obfuscate the electorate so their political desires are met.

It would be amusing to compare the PO by President Obama and presidential candidate Donald Trump if it was not so serious and sad. Obama utilizes presidential executive orders to initiate new actions that will shield the public from observing how little is being accomplished toward the important national issues such as positive foreign policy, terrorism, the economy and adequate jobs for Americans. Trump's outrageous non-viable comments obscures his lack of knowledge and of "presidential qualities," amazingly so similar to what Obama has evidenced during his terms of office. The national media has been complicit with both parties over the years. Trump is playing the media like a fiddle and they willingly facilitate the charade, shameful as it is.

Why not, it conforms to their bias and /or takes little or no effort to fill their space for ad revenue. They get to loaf like some elected officials. Both Obama and Trump are sleight of hand carnival actors obfuscating so they can flimflam the "local yokels" out of their votes to achieve their greed for power, election after election. Hillary Rodham Clinton complements the carnival atmosphere of Obama and Trump as she walks through her not so "funny house" of mirrors email, etc., obfuscating who she really is and actually what she has accomplished in public life.

And, we wonder why others look strangely at our country. We have it all only to trust so much to many who have very questionable "credentials" and strange desires of change for our country.

-- Arthur D. Brook.

Macon

Celebrating the Paris accord

The recently concluded Paris talks on global climate mark a noteworthy achievement -- a historic milestone that deserves being understood, avidly supported, and celebrated.

First, the session gained unprecedented legitimacy among national representatives who agreed that the climate is a major problem and humanity must give high priority to getting it under control. The agreement for reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) was signed by nations producing over 99 percent of those heat-trapping emissions.

Second, the negotiations established a global framework for tracking GHG reductions at intervals of no more than 5 years. If reduction targets are missed, renewed negotiations will be conducted.

Perhaps most importantly, there was unanimous agreement that the dominance of fossil fuels must be ended. This realization will help restrict or prevent irresponsible investments and dangerous expansion of carbon-and-methane emitting activities that must be curtailed to prevent the worst impacts: rising seas and the destruction of marine ecosystems vital to human food supplies.

The U.N.-sponsored Paris climate talks will produce lasting benefits for responsible use and conservation of the earth, while revitalizing our shared sense of responsibility as consumers, workers, and voters. Naysayers and politically cynical opportunists cannot suppress or subvert the vision and resolve that are the legacy of Paris.

We urge fellow Georgians to join in celebrating this achievement as we resolve to do our part by working diligently to implement and enhance the framework for progress that's been set forth. There's much to be done in the next 35 years and no time to waste.

-- David Kyler

Center for a Sustainable Coast

Saint Simons Island

Thanks, Flint

I would like to express a note of thanks to the crews from Flint EMC who worked diligently to restore our power this morning (Dec. 23). If not for them, our holiday week with our family and friends could have been quite bleak.

Their dedication and professionalism, as always, resulted in an outage of less than an hour.

I would like to wish each and every one of them " Happy Holidays" from all of us here on Calvin Court.

Also I would like to wish every one that reads these words a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year. Quite often during this time of year, we tend to get wrapped up in self and things. Let us all remember that but for Him, we exist. Remember the meaning.

-- Bill Cox

Centerville

This story was originally published December 26, 2015 at 6:05 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Sunday, Dec. 27 ."