This is Viewpoints for Thursday, April 14, 2016
Love of learning
Mercer University reached a significant milestone in its growth and development last week when a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa was installed on its campus.
Widely considered to be the nation's most prestigious honor society, Phi Beta Kappa (founded in 1776) "aims to promote and advocate excellence in the liberal arts and sciences and to induct the most outstanding students of arts and sciences at American colleges and universities." Its name is derived from three Greek words translated, "Love of Learning is the Guide of Life."
In the ceremonies at Mercer on April 9, the national president and other officers of the Phi Beta Kappa Society presided over the installation of the chapter designated Zeta of Georgia and the induction of its officers.
Twenty-six outstanding Mercer students were initiated into the society and presented with certificates of membership, Phi Beta Kappa keys and distinctive stoles to wear at their forthcoming graduation.
These ceremonies marked the successful culmination of 20 years of significant efforts by Mercer to join the top 10 percent of American universities and colleges with a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa.
— Charlie Adams
Fort Valley
Tormented souls
Inbreeding is when family members such as father/daughter, mother/son, brother/sister, aunt/nephew, cousin/cousin or any combination have children. Add to these people ignorant of their ancestry and the results are disastrous. Inbreeding produces children with bad genes, weakened immune systems, diminished mental and emotional capacities, congenital birth defects, learning disabilities, retardation and morbidity.
Decades of inbreeding mostly in, but not limited to, inner-city neighborhoods and socially isolated communities is slowly and silently eating away at our humanity. America's underbelly is saturated with the byproduct, and health care professionals, social agencies and mayors dealing with the homeless and the moral sewage that saturates their cities are subliminally if not consciously aware of this reality.
A reality that has become a perpetual breeding machine producing children who are physically, emotionally and intellectually, defective. Distinguishing the difference between right and wrong and good and evil is difficult if not impossible for them. With an almost animalistic approach toward life these tormented souls, abandoned by humanity, huddle together for survival and companionship.
— Travis L. Middleton
Peach County
Huberizing Gadbois
In regards to the spew of Frank Gadbois, we all realize it is just a cry in the dark for him looking for attention. But in the same vein let's ask him some questions: Does everyone who is a waitress make only $2.41 an hour? Or just the places he frequents? The statement is patently false.
I have no idea how many candidates are decent and honest. None running this year, that's the common perception. Of course the majority of people do not have the same intimate relationships with them as he does.
Since he said Gary McCall is wrong stating Secretary Clinton is not qualified, we can expect a landslide of people switching to her. After all, Frank said so.
Frank's reputation for addressing wrong and realistic is purely out of "Alice in Wonderland" — a comic fairy tale.
Thanks for the laughs however. I am recovering from surgery and was felling down until I read Frank's letter.
— James Huber
Centerville
No attack on Christians
I disagree with Dwight Poole. I do not believe the high court's ruling in 1963 against Bible reading and prayer in public schools was a victory for those who do not believe God. The court's ruling was an affirmation of religious diversity in this country. The ruling stated schools could not conduct Christian activities because they marginalized non-Christian students of faith. And, some schools were emphasizing one denomination's theology to the exclusion of others.
One religion's concept of sinful ways or habits is not applicable to all people of faith. Most people of faith know they are accountable for the way they lead their lives. And, some believe religious tolerance should be encouraged.
I do not believe the Bible can hurt anyone. Many people of faith do not believe in the Bible, but they do not advocate that the Bible should be suppressed. Not all Christians share the same Biblical beliefs, but they do not advocate that others Biblical beliefs should be suppressed.
I realize that Sunni terrorists are killing both Christians and Shiites. But I do not believe there is a worldwide attack on Christianity.
— Jim Costello
Perry
Put up or shut up
The argument against higher wages is astonishing especially in that Georgia's minimum wage is set at $5.15 an hour unless employees are covered under the Federal Labor Standards Act, in which case they fall under the federal minimum wage increase of $7.25 an hour signed into law by President G.W. Bush in 2007.
If you make $7.25 an hour or more, you stuck out your hand and you took that increase and you're still taking it nine years later. No letter writing, deep thoughts or concerns for small businesses have prevented your participation. Unless you stuck this wage increase under the mattress, your decisions on how it was spent had a direct effect on our economy and productivity.
If you sincerely believe that wage increases are wrong and cause more problems that they solve, put up or shut up. Give your wage increase back and refuse further payments. I won't hold my breath.
— Pat Fair
Macon
This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 9:43 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Thursday, April 14, 2016 ."