This is Viewpoints for Sunday, March 20, 2016
Etc, etc and so on
Does anyone ever return phone calls? When answering machines became popular, companies and friends used them to screen their calls, one listened to the message recorded and left a return number for return calling. Then the excuses started for not returning calls. I am sorry and then etc., etc., and so on. Cellphones came along with their new technology and more excuses for not returning calls, etc., etc., and so on. I am tired of jumping through hoops when calling a company for information. And I mean hoops just to reach a human voice. The automated instructions given on the main menu are just the beginning. Each menu has its own set of instructions. Then the music just blows out one's ear drums and the instructions are even harder to understand. Companies lose business and I no longer call and leave messages. Technology has destroyed communication. Beep, please do not leave a message, etc., etc., and so on.
— Rita A. Keller
Macon
Trashy town
Larry Fennelly made some compelling observations about what makes Macon memorable to visitors. One thing that really draws my attention (and ire) is all the litter along our streets and roads. How this must impress newcomers with fresh eyes. Surely there are ways to manage this problem.
I understand there are many citizens who need to fulfill court-mandated community service hours. Can't our Macon-Bibb County government organize some clean-up teams with this "free" labor? Our cherry trees are blooming and the festival is here. Please don't let visitors remember Macon as the trashy town with pretty trees and houses.
— Lynn Faulkner
Macon
Kaboom
Once again our lawmakers make fools of themselves by passing a law on the use of fireworks and then have to amend because of the innumerable complaints about the noise. What is wrong with these people? Do they not understand that most people want a peaceful existence after 9 p.m. during a working week and that children have to go to school. Don't they understand that fireworks these days are capable of sounding like bombs going off when they are at close quarters in a neighborhood? I am shocked that anyone would want to fire off fireworks between the hours of 10 a.m. and midnight and later during the Fourth of July.
What is it coming to when we have to be so concerned with the use of a highly flammable substance possibly being set off at any time of the day and night and when citizens do not have the right to complain about it? Why in heaven's name does anyone want to set off fireworks during the daylight hours? Has all reason gone out of the window? Why, indeed, do we need to allow explosive substances anywhere near our homes, especially in wooded areas anyway? I am all for collective fireworks projects at the right time and place, and it is not in someone's back yard at 10 a.m. in the morning or after midnight. I hope that some common sense prevails when drafting the new laws for the state of Georgia.
— Carol Frayne
Macon
Do more than wear blue
March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, and because of that blue is "the color of the month." The colon cancer awareness ribbon is blue. You might even be encouraged to dress in blue at some point during the month as a way to raise awareness of the disease. While any awareness of colon cancer prevention is beneficial, as a gastroenterologist who has seen his fair share of colon cancer, I'm here to encourage you to do to more than wear blue or pin a blue ribbon on your lapel.
Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, as well as the third leading cause of cancer death in men and women in the United States. It is estimated that around 135,000 people will be diagnosed with the disease in 2016, and approximately 49,000 will die as a result.
Colon cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer when it is found early. Because many people are not getting tested, only about four out of 10 are diagnosed early enough to have successful treatment. That's why education about colon cancer prevention and screening is so important. Even more critical, is actually taking the step to get screened. If you're 50 or older, talk to your physician about the type and frequency of colorectal cancer screening that is right for you. Colonoscopies are often a dreaded word, but the procedure is simple and painless; if normal, it can take less than 15 minutes.
One procedure can literally save your life and that's why physicians everywhere join me in saying: Get screened! Wear blue; wear whatever color you would like, but please get screened.
— Don Heacock, M.D.
Macon
Consequences
Upon taking office, both Sen. Johnny Isakson and Sen. David Perdue swore to "defend the Constitution" and to "bear true faith and allegiance" to that treasured document. All agree that the Constitution requires the Senate to hold a hearing and vote on any Supreme Court nominee presented by the president, no matter who that president is and no matter who the nominee is. It is really that simple. The so-called Biden Rule does not trump the Constitution. Then-Sen. Biden was wrong when he said what he did and, of course, his comment has, until recently, been ignored as election-year nominees have been submitted to and approved by the Senate. And at the time of his statement, there was no vacancy on the Supreme Court. We all know that if we don't do our jobs, we will get fired. Apparently our senators hold themselves to a different standard. A flagrant violation of their oaths of office — their solemn promise to all Georgia citizens. There should be consequences.
— B.J. Survant
Macon
In need of prayer
So it looks like the choice we are going to have will be voting for someone who cannot tell the truth or someone whose personal idea of the truth alienates huge chunks of the population. I want to state that I am registered as an independent. Of course, to many people in our area, this means that because I am not a registered Republican, I must be a commie-pinko-liberal, or worse, a Democrat.
I would be willing to bet that this year, we may break the record for the most write-in votes for president. Paul Ryan would be my choice. But it does not seem like very long ago, the Republican stereotype was the fat cat businessman or banker sitting in a leather chair in his exclusive club planning with his cronies how to control the world economy. They had names like Reince or Milhous.
Ah, the good old days. Now they have riots at their campaign rallies. It brings a tear(s) to my eye to think of what they have become. We all need to put those "Pray for our Nation" signs in our yards. We are going to need a lot of prayer.
— Kirby Neal
Warner Robins
This story was originally published March 19, 2016 at 6:21 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Sunday, March 20, 2016 ."