This is Viewpoints for Friday, Feb. 5, 2016
Old white men
Recently I have seen the GOP referred to as the party of "old white men." This never seems to be meant as a positive descriptor. This got me to thinking about what "old white men" have contributed, not only to our country but also to the entire world.
From Columbus to George Washington, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, without whose foresight, efforts and dedication this country would not have been born. I think about Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower and John Kennedy, who got us through one crisis after another.
The Great Depression, World War II and the Cuban missile crisis were all world-changing events. These "old white men" saw us through them all. Were it not for these and others like them, most of Europe and the eastern U.S. would be speaking German today. The western half would probably be speaking Japanese.
Then there are industrialist and inventors like Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Alexander Graham Bell and Guglielmo Marconi, just to name a few. I ask you, what other mortal beings have contributed more toward our well-being and our very survival? Thank God for "old white men." I am proud he allowed me to become one.
— Larry Smith
Knoxville
Amazing experience
You had to be there to believe what happened. The Clinton and Gray United Methodist Church put together 27,487 meals for Stop Hunger Now this past Sunday.
Our ministers along with the charity orchestrated an unbelievable system that produced the meals in less than two hours. The sanctuary was set up with several stations, manned by more than 200 volunteers. Supplies were continually refreshed at the tables; runners were everywhere; gongs were going off as each thousand meals were completed and prayers were lifted at milestones.
Music was playing, everyone was loud, happy and glorifying God's work. What a wonderful site to witness.
— Bill Boyd
Gray
Wages of sin
When Christians speak of the Atonement, the underlying belief is that Christ died for our sins in accordance with God the Father's plan of salvation for humanity (1 John 4:10). However, in a recent column ("The blasphemy called 'Atonement'," Jan. 31), Dr. Bill Cummings stated, "No sane dad would ever hurt his son for any reason." Nevertheless, sin is the cause of suffering, not God. Although Christ is without sin (Heb. 4:15), he willingly suffered and died on our behalf (Matt. 26:39) and the Father permitted this (which is different from ordering it to happen, to use Cummings' terminology).
Is it still problematic to propose that a loving father would permit his son to suffer? What if the suffering arose from a painful but necessary medical procedure? What if the son was an addict facing the pains of withdrawal so the drug's hold on him could be broken? Suffering can have merit.
Sin is not only the rejection of God, but also all that God is, including life. The only realistic consequence of rejecting life is death, which is why the Bible teaches death to be the "the wages of sin" (Romans 6:23). Being merciful, God is willing to forgive sins, but he is also just, so he does not pretend that sin does not occur. He is not like Sgt. Shultz in the old "Hogan's Heroes" TV show, ignoring what happens while saying, "I see nothing!" Justice requires restitution, taking into account the dignity of the one offended. The dignity of God is perfect, but due to our human limitations it is impossible for us to provide perfect restitution.
In a similar way, an arsonist can destroy a building that he is financially incapable of replacing, but it ought to be replaced nonetheless (with his inability to do so being deemed a travesty of justice). Christ, however, is able to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
Cummings claims the Romans executed Jesus simply because "he loved too much," but offers no explanation as to why God the Father still let it happen. The concept of the Atonement, however, answers this question by teaching that, in becoming human, Christ likewise became our brother who agreed to pay the deadly wages of sin for us.
Due to his divine nature, his sacrifice was perfect, and transforms our biological death in this world into the doorway to eternal life in heaven (John 14:1-6).
— Fr. Eric R. Filmer
St. Patrick Church
Kathleen
Who knew what?
Frank Gadbois claims the British consulate warned our ambassador that the security situation in Benghazi was dangerous. That the ambassador did not heed their warning and leave, therefore, it was his fault he and three members of his staff were killed.
I do not know why the ambassador was in Benghazi. I believe Hillary Clinton knew. I do not know what was his mission. I believe Clinton knew. I do not know if the State Department warned the ambassador about the dangers. I believe Clinton knew. We know the CIA station chief in Benghazi told his security contractors to stand down. Therefore, their rescue mission was delayed.
We know Clinton emailed her daughter that it was a terrorist attack. We know Clinton told the families of those killed that it was the result of a video.
I wish Frank would explain his analogy between Benghazi and Custer's Last Stand.
— Jim Costello
Perry
Missing opportunity
Why does the state not want $300 million? On Oct. 1, 2014, Ed Crowl, of the Georgia Trucking Association, spoke to the Joint Critical Transportation Funding Committee meeting in Savannah. Crowl informed the gathering of representatives and senators that 85 percent of interstate trucks do not buy fuel in Georgia. He outlined how the state could correct this tax issue and increase diesel fuel tax income by north of $250 million.
Nothing was done in 2015 to recover these missed road-building dollars. So far, I have heard of nothing being done about it this year either. I have written about it across the state with only a few people taking interest in this puzzling issue. I would suggest that you call your representative and ask them why it is being ignored.
— Tom Payne
Wayside
A message
Hey, you out there, who are so bent on trying to destroy my Southern heritage. I am sure you see yourself as a very fair-minded, pure-hearted, noble creation and consider that I am only dust to be trodden under your political foot. However, you will never find me reviling your heroes by trying to get the name of a street changed to my preference. You won't hear my voice calling for the renaming of a school nor the expulsion of traditional mascots and symbols. I neither author bills nor lobby to get long-established holidays removed. My legacy may offend you, and if that is your narrow view, so be it, but in no way can it do you harm.
You that seek to remove every vestige of my birthright are easy to spot. You are the ones calling loudly with the feigned words of "equality," "civil rights," "tolerance" and "fairness." Those are intriguing syllables considering your actions. You, now, ride the crest of the wave because the winds of change have turned the political tide. Things change sure enough; in this state, this country, in this world — not in the hereafter — and here they sometimes change again. I owe you nothing. One day all that we strive for will not matter — but today, it does to me.
— John Wayne Dobson
Macon
Bravo, Georgia Supreme Court
In reference to: "Noncitizen students seeking in-state tuition lose appeal." Well at least the Georgia Supreme Court rules on the Constitution. Sovereign immunity is a legal privilege by which the American federal, state and tribal governments cannot be sued unless you have their permission. Amendment X1: The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against on the United States by citizens of another state, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state.
I'm just wondering when President Obama will issue another executive order to his attorney general and to the U.S. Supreme Court justices to step in and declare the 11th was illegally passed by Congress, therefore forcing the illegal students' lawsuit against the Georgia Supreme Court's ruling to stand as written.
— Faye W. Tanner
Macon
This story was originally published February 4, 2016 at 9:44 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Friday, Feb. 5, 2016 ."