This is Viewpoints for Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Wrong headline

Headlines make a huge impact, especially those in a large font above the fold on page one. CNN labeled a major terrorist attack in Jerusalem as a “bus fire.” Not true. By the time the headline was published, CNN had already tweeted that the police had called it a terrorist attack. There is no excuse for any media outlet to publish a grossly inaccurate headline without double checking the latest information from its own on-site reporters. To make matters worse, CNN.com didn’t change the headline until the next day. Why is Israel so often on the short end of a sloppy media outlet?

In 1948, President Harry Truman got a big laugh when he was shown the Chicago Daily Tribune headline: Dewey Defeats Truman.

Trump’s triumph?

Although I support Trump’s candidacy, I firmly believe that the party’s leaders should play their best “quarterback.” The poll, if reliable serves as a valid indicator of the candidate most likely to win in the general election — that candidate appears to be John Kasich.

With that in mind, should the party do whatever it takes to make that happen? If the decision were mine, I would rewrite the rules or do whatever necessary to make it happen. The best interest of the party should prevail in all deliberative processes regarding the nomination of the candidate most likely to win in the general election.

Numerous, reliable polls predict Trump’s defeat in the general election if he gains the party’s nomination. Obviously, this would not be my preference if his candidacy were viable beyond the primary.

If this very delicate situation is not handled properly, there is no way possible for this party to defeat either Hillary or Bernie in the general election if Trump is the nominee. I am keenly aware that the magic number is 1,237, even if he achieves this number, the party needs to do whatever it takes to change the rules nullifying his apparent “triumph.” The Party’s interest should supersede the interest and prerogative of any candidate.

It is acknowledged that Trump is a crucial participant in this entire process, alienating him would reap severe consequences. Sorry Donald, you put up a good fight, now be presidential in your farewell.

Food banks

I am 65 years old, a Vietnam veteran, and a former nurse. I have a BS in multi-disciplinary studies with a focus in psychology and a post-graduate degree in nonprofit management and leadership. We all know life can throw some devastating curves. I am disabled due to an on-the-job injury. So, I get food stamp, all of $16 monthly.

I visit food banks most months just to survive. These food banks are a blessing. However, most of them are not generous in distributing food. People are allowed to come every 90 days, but given only one or two weeks of food, and no fresh fruits and vegetables.

Food boxes with packets, such as instant oatmeal, raisins, instant grits are not distributed in the box. Foods such as this are opened and a recipient only gets two or three packets from the box. Why not give the whole box? Since my trips to the food banks, I find they are not generous at all. However, one food bank (Mount Moriah Baptist Church) in East Macon provides food generously and with an open heart.

Turn the cheek

Contrary to popular belief, turning the other cheek doesn’t mean to be submissive or passive, just the opposite and here’s why. In ancient Roman culture the left hand was relegated to the unseemly tasks and striking someone with it wasn’t one of those tasks. Peasants were stuck with the back of the right hand across the right cheek (backhanded). The open hand slap was reserved for family disputes; fists were only used between equals. Violating Roman customs was social suicide and a peasant resisting a superior could be flogged, imprisoned or executed.

Knowing this, Jesus said, “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” (Matthew 5:39).

Jesus told them not to resist, cower or be intimidated by an evil person’s aggression, but to challenge the aggressor by standing their ground and defiantly turning to him the left cheek. To strike again the evil person would now have to use the back of his left hand and violate Roman customs — slap them and treat them like family — strike with a fist and treat them as equals or walk away. Turning the other cheek put the evil person on the defensive and in a no-win position making any further aggression foolish.

This story was originally published May 3, 2016 at 5:08 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Tuesday, May 3, 2016."