This is Viewpoints for Friday, Feb. 12, 2016
What lies?
In Sunday's paper, Terry Thompson responded to a letter submitted by Marv Murdoch. In doing so, Thompson accused three conservatives, two who work at Fox News, of "telling outright lies." I would like for Thompson to backup his accusation and tell us specifically what lies he has caught them in.
I watch Bill O'Reilly and believe him to be a honorable man. In the six-plus years of watching "The O'Reilly Factor," I've yet to catch him in a lie or reporting of a story that was untrue, with the exception of the story of Shirley Sherrod, wherein he played an edited video of her supposedly making racist remarks during a lecture.
After learning of the editing and the mis-characterization of her point, O'Reilly apologized on his show and apologized to his audience, promising to do a better job of vetting before airing other videos/stories of interest. See http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/07/bill-oreilly-apol ogizes-to-shirley-sherrod-for-not-doing-my homework.html
As for Hannity and Limbaugh, I can't say because I don't watch or listen to either. That being said, all three offer their opinions on various topics and current events. Opinions do not equate to untruths (lies).
O'Reilly would call you a pinhead, but, of course, you would know that IF you watched his program.
— Eddie Coffee
Kathleen
Listening hard
Listening to Sen. Bernie Sander's acceptance speech in New Hampshire Tuesday, I continually got the impression he was talking about a Republican administration the last seven years.
— Gilbert R. Switzer
Warner Robins
Missed the game
I was planning to watch Super Bowl 50 as I have the previous 49. Conveniently scheduled after most evening worship, some churches host Super Bowl parties. In the past half a century, this game has become an ingrained part of our society and I have enjoyed watching.
Needing snacks, I made a stop at the grocery store and there it hit me. People were buying food and drink as if a blizzard had been predicted — a pre-game frenzy, like some high holy day. This was not new. We have all seen this spectacle before.
Suddenly, God reminded me that this was Sunday, his day. At home, I never turned on my television. For the first time in my life, I did not watch a single play of the big game. It was not like I would not have enjoyed it. I wanted Denver to win, but I just could not watch, this time.
I viewed the Monday newscasts and a Peyton Manning interview. He spoke of hugging his kids, kissing his wife and drinking a lot of beer. He has sponsor obligations and it is none of my business what he drinks, but being a role model, I wish he could have kept that detail to himself.
My comments and actions may seem overly prudish but that does not bother me at all. I care about pleasing almighty God and am just sorry that I have not done a better job of it while I have been on Earth.
— John Wayne Dobson
Macon
Cleaning it up
Imagine my surprise this morning when I was actually able to finish a Catherine Meeks column and, for the first time in 20-plus years of living in Middle Georgia, agree with everything she said.
Hopefully, the tragic events surrounding Jibri Bryan's slaying will allow the citizens of our area to get past the usual finger pointing, "us versus them" blame game that goes on every day, not just here in Middle Georgia, but all over our country.
Let's use Jibri and his Mercer teammates as an example of people of all races working together for a common goal. Get past black versus white, Democrat versus Republican, religion versus religion.
As Meeks wrote "all of us have a hand in the mess that has been created, and we need to join together to clean it up."
— Michael Trotter
Warner Robins
Left out parents
In "Eulogy for Jibri" Catherine Meeks recalls her work with Mayor Jim Marshall looking for ways to combat youth violence and I commend her.
She also calls for all entities in the community to come together to eliminate homicides in Macon. Except parents. She does not mention the all-important role of parents in raising children who know right from wrong, know how to act respectfully at school, and have a healthy fear of the consequences of bad behavior — no excuses.
As a retired teacher, I found that poorly-parented students could be disruptive and slow down the education process for students who behaved and really wanted to learn.
The family is broken; fix the family. Pastors, what are you doing for families? Otherwise, society will continue to waste money thrown at the symptoms without getting to the root of the problem.
— David B. Conner
Macon
Taking it back
Since 2010 the rallying cry of the Republicans has been "take back our country." Republicans control both houses of Congress and the Supreme Court. Thirty-one out of 50 governors are Republican. The GOP also controls a majority of the state and local legislatures. Despite this, I'm still hearing the GOP presidential candidates spouting the taking back the country line. Exactly who are they going to take the country back from? Themselves?
— William D. Carter
Bonaire
Prices going up
I just received my Cox Cable Internet bill. A 9 percent increase over last year, $52.99 to $57.99. Five bucks a month. Last year in this time frame it went from $48.99 to $52.99, for an 8 percent increase, if my math is right. January 2012 my bill was $35.99. Bill increased twice in 2013 and again in 2015. From January 2012 to February 2016 it has gone from $35.99 to $57.99. A 61 percent increase in four years. Same service plan. Are rate increases regulated? With rate increases of 61 percent over four years they should be.
— Mike Wilson
Byron
Democratic family gathering
The current Democratic Party and debates remind me of going to a family gathering. One candidate seems to be the grandfatherly type who loved you as a child, still cares about your well-being, gave you straight answers when you asked him some of life's toughest questions and seems annoyed when he has to deal with stupidity.
The other candidate appears to be the aunt who occasionally comes to family gatherings. She's nice enough and very competent, but you don't get a warm and fuzzy feeling around her.
She talks a lot about her career and what she has done. The family knows not to mention her husband's philandering when she is around. She played the "good wife" and didn't divorce him years ago.
Some family members think she made that choice to further her own career.
— Darrell Sy
Fairview Heights, Illinois
This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 9:37 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Friday, Feb. 12, 2016 ."