This is Viewpoints for Thursday, March 24, 2016
Are prisoners more important?
I have been a subscriber to The Macon Telegraph for many years. However, after looking at the front page of Monday's edition 3/21, I have second thoughts about renewing my subscription. When you have the picture of prisoners on the front page training dogs and our president setting foot on Cuban soil — something no other president has done in 88 years ending up on Page 5 of this "great non-biased newspaper" is deplorable. Please, for the sake of our children and grandchildren, give President Obama credit for the great job he is doing for the U.S.A.
— Winston Lawson
Warner Robins
If it fits
Trashy Macon, trashy people. If this fits, you must admit.
— Lehman R. Wood
Gray
Chicken hawks
It has never failed to amaze me how the people who avoided going to war are always the first to commit our troops to foreign battles. This is true for both parties, but especially mine, the GOP. Our Iraq "experiment," supposedly designed to bring enlightenment, democracy and freedom to the starving masses, is a good example of a totally misplaced effort by chicken hawks.
We still have these playacting militarists. The only GOP candidate in the race willing to call their hand was Rand Paul. And, for some strange reason, he was not supported by the GOP base.
The GOP voter would rather believe that an American "strong man" will bring back the good old days. Think John Wayne heroism; excuse me, bad example. He did not serve in the military either. But, he did look good in a uniform, right, ladies?
Lets use our heads instead of other parts of our anatomy. Instead of wasting money on foreign wars, which we fight while the indigenous population helps the enemy. How about if we take some of that money and redirect it toward taking care of our vets physical and mental health?
— Jack Bernard
Peachtree City
Better angels?
Donald Trump's party, the GOP, is in disarray. It is not a good omen for Republicans come Election Day in November. Trump's rudeness and crudeness on the debate stages and on the campaign trail are likely unprecedented in presidential primaries. Yet, he is currently dominating his top opponents, who have stooped to Trump's level by engaging in personal put-downs of Trump and each other that have nothing to do with the issues.
The path forward for Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders is to continue debating and campaigning on the issues in a civil manner. Both are passionate on the issues and get contentious at times but avoid the personal put-downs. There is such a contrast between the Democratic and Republican debates. In debates and campaigning, both parties' candidates should be appealing to the "better angels of our nature." Thus far, only the Democrats are doing it.
— Paul L. Whiteley Sr.
Louisville, Kentucky
Top secret
To John Ricks' point, he is correct, Hillary Clinton is not a proven criminal. I don't think it was suggested that she passed along top secret information to our enemies. The crime is in the fact that she used a private server to conduct government business be it classified or unclassified. Classified definitions can be found in 18 CFR 3a.11. Top secret information can cause "exceptionally grave damage to the nation." FBI investigators have found Top Secret Special Access Programs on her server. All classified information requires a security clearance and continual training on handling classified information. Having a clearance doesn't give you access unless you have a need to know that information. How many people in the household had access and had a clearance and need to know? How about the law firm where the server was stored? Did everybody have a clearance and did they have a need to know? I doubt it.
She did this for her convenience and I for one, believe she knew it was not legal to have a private server to conduct government business regardless of her position. Many brave men and women bet there lives that there would be no security leaks and our government has some pretty strict rules for handling classified information to keep information safe and secure. If anybody else did this they would already be on trial or in prison. In addition, the Department of Justice may not be cleared for access to the FBI documents that were found on her private server.
— Wayne Lettice
Byron
Redeemer lives
Easter, believing in the resurrection of Jesus, is the foundation of our Christian faith. As we celebrate, let us be forever mindful He protects against evil and keeps us safe.
I know that my redeemer lives, I know he died my soul to save;
No other hand shows me the way, no other love his death forgave.
His love is our salvation, for he turns the darkness into day;
He protects us from sin, giving commandments to honor and obey.
A gift from the Son of God, a cherished hope his life forever gives;
To all who trust in His resurrection, we know that our redeemer lives.
Happy Easter.
— Faye W. Tanner
Macon
More free stuff
The so-called town meeting of Democrats aspiring to finish running this "once-great" country into the dust fell to a new low in the annals of creating bigger government. Let me explain: Sen. Bernie Sanders, a sitting U.S. senator who, along with his opponent, helped create the biggest spending spree during the first four years of this administration that this country has ever seen are out on a new imaginary spending spree. Now comes the notion that a "free college education is a "right for all Americans who qualify." When asked how this idea would be paid for, Sanders replied that Congress had bailed out the banking system with some $70 billion of our hard-earned tax dollars and now we need to tax the rich Wall Street billionaires so that politicians can hand out some $70 billion each year to their supporters who vote the party line. Did you miss it?
— Ken Brown
Byron
This story was originally published March 23, 2016 at 10:09 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Thursday, March 24, 2016 ."