This is Viewpoints for Friday, July 15, 2016

Stop and go

I am not a regular user of the superhighway. I do not run to Atlanta, Savannah, Orlando or those cities in the west and northeast where vehicular travel is measured in feet per hour rather than miles. Suffice it to say that three and a half hours on this super slab in my neighborhood to travel just 100 miles is a mind-boggling experience. Eighty miles per hour for 10 miles, then stop. Then 10 miles per hour for what seems forever. Where’s the accident? Ain’t one.

Now we’re back to supersonic. All five lanes of traffic on a four lane highway. Crazy.

Silence

One thing I’ve always noticed about my daddy is he doesn’t say anything until he’s fully observed a situation. Even at 88 years old, people think he’s looking off not paying attention, but he’s still observing. For seven years I’ve worked in politics, attended rallies, marched, knocked on doors, registered voters, run press conferences, wrote speeches, researched and fundraised. I have done the same as Daddy: observe. When I worked as a journalist full-time and I couldn’t take sides, I did the same: observe. As I prepare to make the journey as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention I have observed my president and Hillary Clinton.

As I look back at the lists of candidates I’ve worked with, I observe and have watched — and for the most part, they are silent now. Let’s get local.

My congressman’s page posts pictures of people grinning on the U.S. Capitol’s steps like all is right with the world. He’s very worried about Hillary’s FBI questioning and telling women what to do with their bodies. My commissioner is silent. After all he’s in Hilton Head enjoying the summer. My school board representative hasn’t said anything either; he’s too busy gearing up for the next office he’s running for. My sheriff? Silent, too. My Republican senator? I doubt he’s released a statement. I observe other lawmakers I follow on social media and those whose mailing lists I’m on do the same.

We scream. I have screamed, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE! but the person/people I voted for have said nothing. I have plans to write every elected official I’ve voted for and worked for and challenge them to speak, to tweet, to Facebook, observe a moment of silence SOMETHING to let me know it’s real! You’re supposed to be my voice. Move red tape regular folks can’t. But I guess you’re worried about how I will vote in November. You’re worried about the people who gave money to your campaign and how they will feel. Where are the voices in Alton’s neighborhood, Philando’s, Tootie’s, or Junebug’s? Organize, organize. The revolution will not be televised.

New Watson Blvd.

I’d like to compliment the city of Warner Robins and the contractor who recently resurfaced Watson Boulevard. In a few short weeks, Watson Boulevard was transformed from a thoroughfare of potholes and manholes that jarred you to the bone when driving to a super smooth street with virtually no bumps. The process the contractor used of grinding off the old surface, hauling off the debris, and immediately laying down the new asphalt was very efficient. Best of all, the work was done at night, which greatly reduced the hassle on this very heavily traveled street. Thank you for the outstanding improvement to our city.

Being thankful

One recent Sunday School lesson said be specific in our prayers. I had this in mind one morning as I started to eat a banana and Little Debbie chocolate donuts. I started thanking God for all the people/businesses/things/etc. involved in providing this food in abundance.

Thanks included: the refrigerator (and those who built it), electricity, the grocery store and the workers there, the truck drivers who brought the food, (and the people who built the highways), the farmers (without whom we could not exist) who plant, fertilize, irrigate, harvest, clean, etc., the products and get them to market. The people who sold the seeds, fertilizer, the people who made the fertilizer, tractors, harvesters, milking machines and other machines and so many many more. For bananas and other products, I thought of the other states and countries in which they were grown/produced and harvested and the genius of man to be able to ship them such great distances before spoiling. Same thing for canned goods, dry cereal and frozen foods. We are so very blessed. Thank you, Lord, for these and so many, many other blessings.

Evil intent

I find it very disturbing that some have resorted to exploiting the recent tragic deaths of several black men at the hand of certain police officers. I find it equally disturbing regarding the disproportionate number of blacks killed by other blacks without equal outrage being expressed by the black community. The implication suggests that it is OK for blacks to kill other blacks. That doesn’t make news and apparently not worthy of community protest. Who is behind this nefarious effort to wreak discord among the races?

As Americans on both sides, we must flush out these purveyors of discord locally and nationally. These folks have one agenda — create racial unrest. They thrive off creating division in the races and being proclaimed as leaders they’re not interested in creating an atmosphere conducive to racial harmony, and it’s time for their evil intent to be exposed.

Easter for school board

We need Bob Easter on Macon-Bibb’s School Board. We have known Bob for almost eight years. During that time we have seen his love for the schools as well as his involvement in the school system. Bob has demonstrated his resolve to improve the lives of our students and has taught in our public schools. It is our opinion that Bob is the right person to lead the school board. He believes in common-sense solutions and has a plan to equip our kids with the skills they need to be college and career ready.

Bob Easter is a small-business owner who knows what employers are looking for from our students. He is a champion for our students and will support and work with our teachers and the administrators. Bob is a creative problem solver; a man of his word and his integrity and credibility are without question. We whole-heartedly endorse Bob Easter for school board District 6. Bob Easter can bring positive change to our schools and the school board.

This story was originally published July 14, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "This is Viewpoints for Friday, July 15, 2016."