To the Editor:

A recent article accused Paul Broun of “denying basic science.” The writer (not without bias herself as a member of the Democratic Committee) accused Paul of being “unscientific” and therefore unfit to represent us in public office. I must take issue with her conclusion. The writer has confused “science” with “political correctness.”  Paul Broun is guilty, but not of being unscientific.
Scientific conclusions on such matters as the age of the earth are arrived at by interpreting data. It has long been demonstrated that the present entrenched presuppositions used to interpret such data are based upon the Lyellian theory of Uniformitarianism, a theory that is hopelessly flawed – thus the wild fluctuation of supposed dates when examining the same samples. Even some of the most avid evolutionists have decried the evident flaws in the theory that guides such studies. The more progressive of the scientific community have begun to rethink and reinterpret the data and many have found them well within the scope of a Biblical chronology.
Paul Broun can be faulted, not for being “unscientific,” but for rejecting a current political correctness that, when applied to social and moral issues has turned all we ever accepted as moral, right and good on its head. Real history will vindicate Paul Broun, but in the meantime, while we grope through the fog of the present confusion, Paul Broun is guilty of rejecting the theories that produced the fog in the first place.   

Bill Shade
General Director, Source of Light Ministries
Madison
Via e-mail

Printed in the October 18, 2012 edition

To the Editor:

Tax the rich more. They’re not paying their fair share. Sounds reasonable. The public opinion polls verify that a majority of Americans agree. The problem (as is often the case) is the unintended consequence.
Are the rich going to meekly absorb this increase and do with less? Most assuredly NOT! What will happen is that the prices on the goods and services provided and produced by these rich people will see a proportional increase in price. Another possible approach by the providers/producers is to reduce their costs of doing business. In most cases this translates to JOB CUTS and/or poorer quality.
So, who ends up REALLY paying the tax? Answer: The consumers of these goods and services. That’s you and me. Don’t doubt it!
The politicians know this. Despite public opinion they (or their staffers) are smarter than they look/act. So I suggest you think about why they aren’t telling you the full story. People it is time to hold our politicians accountable for what they say as well as for what they don’t (intentionally) say. Further I’m insulted that they think I’m that dumb! I hope you are as well.
This isn’t a left-vs.-right or Republican-vs.-Democrat issue. This is just plain common sense. Folks make our politicians develop real solutions not just throw out campaign rhetoric that tests well in focus groups.
Will Big Lie No. 2 be coming soon? I’m working on it.

David Moore
Buckhead
Hand-delivered

Printed in the October 11, 2012

To the Editor:

Do you want to meet some great people and enjoy a wonderful day outdoors? Do you care about clean drinking water?  Do you think it’s important to have a safe environment at Lake Oconee for swimming, boating, fishing and recreation for your family?  Do you want to preserve a healthy ecosystem and protect wildlife? Do you want to feel good about contributing to your community?
If the answer to any or all of these questions is “yes," then please join Georgia volunteers statewide as we clean up Lake Oconee on Saturday, Oct. 13 at the 11th annual Rivers Alive on Lake Oconee.  Volunteers will remove trash by boat and on foot from all around Lake Oconee.  Individuals and groups are welcome to participate.  All supplies needed for the cleanup will be provided, and all ages are welcome.
After the morning’s work, volunteers will be treated to lunch and will receive Rivers Alive T-shirts and other rewards for their efforts.
To pre-register, to donate supplies for the cleanup, or to provide financial support, please contact Janet Pearson at 4242OCONEE (424-262-6633) or riversalivelakeoconee@gmail.com.  If you decide to participate at the last minute, please register at the Harmony Community Association building on Highway 44 between 8:30 and 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct.13.
We need your help!

Janet Pearson
President, Lake Oconee Water Watch
(sponsor of Rivers Alive on Lake Oconee)
Via e-mail

Printed in the October 11, 2012

To the Editor:

Being the only commercial beekeeper in Godfrey/Morgan County has been a great pleasure over the past two years.  I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the best people including our loyal honey customers, retailers, neighbors, county/city officials, and area farmers.  It is with regret that I want to inform your readers that our Bee Factory and Kiddie Bee operations are moving to Hilton Head, South Carolina.

The reasons for this move are three-fold.  First we lost a number of bee colonies in the late June and early July to the heat wave–some of our hives in full sun actualy melted down.  This setback coupled with the Georgia Department of Agriculture's refusal to permit our honey cough syrup product line has forced us to find a new operating home. Finally my wife has the only job with benefits, and she and the rest of my family are located in the Hilton Head and Savannah areas.

For those of you still seeking local honey, I would like to suggest that you contact Margaret and Virgil Brady in Godfrey.  I have helped them with their bee hives, and they use the same organic and chemical-free practices that we do in our beekeeping.  Their products are available at www.madison.locallygrown.net.

Thank you once again for being such wonderful neighbors and a supportive community for local agriculture.

David Arnal
Godfrey
Via e-mail

Printed in the October 4, 2012 edition.

To the Editor:
 
I missed the column on the intrinsic value of teachers that so incensed Dave Belton in his “stop insulting our teachers” column. Unfortunately, Belton did not shed much light on the subject. He kissed the rings of the constituent groups that elected him, and he committed the fallacy of appeal to authority three times, but his justification for the status quo was simply an emotional argumentum ad populum.

Assuming his objection was to the use of intrinsic value as a basis for remunerating teachers, I agree. Intrinsic value is an ethical concept; market value is the appropriate economic concept. Teachers agree to accept a salary specified (primarily) by the state, and if a teacher believes that the salary is too low, he is free to find some other employment.

My problem with the system is that these salaries are determined by the state, in negotiation with representatives of teachers, but the money that is spent is taken from the citizens, and the taxpayers have little input in the matter. The intervention of the state distorts the market, and the taxpayer is stuck with the bill. That by itself is one good argument for private schools.

But, please, do not take my word for it, and do not take Belton’s word for it. See for yourself. You can check out market prices for teachers, and other state employees, at http://open.georgia.gov/sta/viewMain.aud.
 
George Batten
Madison
Via e-mail

Printed in the October 4, 2012 edition.

To the Editor:

Does Romney really care about poor and middle class people?
At Ryan's campaign rally on 9/26, a poor woman, who makes $350 every two weeks, told Ryan she is on welfare out of necessity.  She was in hopes Ryan would tell her how Romney's presidency would be able to help her so that she could get off welfare or give her some POSITIVE REASON to vote for Romney.
SO, what did Ryan tell this lady?  He lectured the less fortunate, then indicated that he would give them a hands-up, NOT a hand-out, then he indicated less fortunate need to be "taught to fish" because he and Romney don't believe in ''feeding the fish." WHAT????   WITHOUT ANY FEELING,  Ryan was telling the country where he and Romney stand when it comes to NOT caring about the less fortunate. He insulted this woman and all less fortunate and middle class people in this  COUNTRY that he and Romney want to control so that they can cut programs for the poor and middle class, like Medicare, Medicaid, welfare, food stamps, EDUCATION and many others just so that they can give more tax breaks to the already RICH.  TALK ABOUT THE REDISTRIBUTION OF MONEY.  ROMNEY WANTS TO GIVE IT TO THE RICH.
OBAMA WANTS TO HELP THE POOR AND MIDDLE  CLASS.
RICH?  VOTE FOR ROMNEY.
 
Barry Lurey
Madison
Via e-mail

Printed in the October 4, 2012 edition.