This is Viewpoints for Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016
A fighting chance
It is unfortunate that the Constitution does not clearly define "natural born citizen," a very ambiguous term at best that can logically be interpreted in a variety of different ways. However, from the initial adoption of the governing Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution, there hasn't been a person elected president of the United States that was not born on the shores of America or other U.S. territories.
With this premise in mind, it is difficult to predict the outcome of any potential challenge to Sen. Ted Cruz's eligibility to be elected president. The referenced article cites "natural born citizen" or a "citizen of the United States" both as qualifiers; accordingly, such dual qualifiers in the absence of any legal clarification can only be interpreted by federal courts and the Supreme Court, which have become too politicized.
With that said, Cruz may yet have a fighting chance.
— John Haugabrook
Warner Robins
Government sellout on dietary guidelines
The "Dietary Guidelines for Americans," released last week by U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services, marks the ninth time in a row that the meat industry has successfully suppressed scientific findings recommending reduced meat consumption.
The reduction was recommended by the government-appointed Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee in a 571-page report based on review of thousands of studies.
Reduced meat consumption was first recommended in 1977 by the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs in "Dietary Goals for the United States," a precursor to the "Dietary Guidelines."
The meat industry forced the committee to destroy all copies of the report and to remove the offending recommendation from a new edition.
That wanton government sellout to the meat industry has replayed itself with every new edition of the "Dietary Guidelines" since. "Dietary Guidelines for Americans" shape school lunches and other government food support programs and underlie public health campaigns to lower rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Fortunately, American consumers are not easily duped. Sales of plant-based meats, cheeses, milks and ice creams have skyrocketed, and every grocery store provides seemingly countless choices of fruits and vegetables.
— Morris Newman
Macon
All politicians lie
I once heard a man say, "If Trump says it, I believe it." I do not take anything any politician says at face value and especially anyone who admits to lying to make money like Trump. He explains compliments about Hillary Clinton and others as just business. How do we know what he says while running for president is anything more than politics?
Lets look a few Trump statements. A classic is having Mexico pay for a wall by imposing a tariff on Mexican goods. Mexico is the third largest receiver of U.S. farm exports in the world according to the USDA. American farmers would pay for Trump's wall in loss of business.
Trump's statement keeping all Muslims out of the U.S. — it may not be false, but is fearmongering. I dare anyone in Macon to tell me that ISIS is more of threat to their life than walking in some parts of Macon. I may not know what is in the heart of a Muslim, but I also do not know the intention of people in some parts of Macon. I trust Muslims. Excellent Muslim doctors care for my health. Do you want to keep the doctor out of this country who might save your life? One has saved mine and other Muslim doctors made my life better.
Trump's position on killing families of terrorists is simply advocating war crimes.
— Clarence Berry
Warner Robins
Crime prevention is a family job
While reading Jack Ellis' diatribe on why the Bibb County sheriff should be at the funeral of a young lady who was shot by a bunch of thugs, I was struck by the insinuation that he believes crime prevention is the duty of the county.
For some reason, this doesn't seem like the world where I was raised and seems to be a reason for those on the left to lay blame on the establishment instead of where blame actually lies. The family is where crime prevention should start.
I can assure you that I would rather have been picked up by law enforcement than my parents when I was young. Law enforcement would have counseled me on what I had done wrong, whereas my parents would have beat me within an inch of my life. Crime prevention should be with the parents, siblings, churches or anyone but law enforcement.
While I grieve for the young 14-year- old who lost her life, it is well past time for us to address the problem that continues to stare us in the face, the destruction of the family and the results thereof.
— Steve Barker
Warner Robins
On command tear?
The president got all choked up and even shed an on-command tear at his gun control news conference, an act he has not duplicated in any of his other releases regarding any U.S. casualties, either civilian or military. It reminds one of when Bill Clinton and Tony Campolo were leaving Ron Brown's funeral during his presidency.
They walked out of the memorial service joking and laughing until Slick Willie caught the camera out of the corner of one eye. In one step he went from cajoling with Campolo to pouting and crying, while Campolo, missing the cue, went on "carrying on." In either case, we were not convinced.
— Dan Topolewski
Kathleen
This story was originally published January 18, 2016 at 7:41 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016 ."