Time is now for U.S. to act
To paraphrase an old typing excercise: "Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the country." Now is the time for President Obama to resign, if he intends to continue to micromanage the war against the Islamic terrorists. His stated intentions are restricted to containment rather than the destruction of the enemy. His insistence that climate change is the greatest threat to our security shows a complete lack of comprehension of the actual situation, or a dangerous reluctance to aggressively fight the real and present danger to this nation, the Islamic terrorists.
His determination to bring thousands of Syrian refugees to this country without any means of proper vetting is an unconscionable act by this President that could endanger the American people. He has no way of knowing or identifying any jihadists who very likely are embedded in the group of refugees coming to this country. His oath of office to "serve and protect against all enemies, both foreign and domestic" is meaningless to Obama. If he ever took the oath.
It is time for all good Americans to stand up for our country and make our voices heard. We must demand that this President use all means at his disposal to eradicate the terrorist threat that is causing the torture, beheading, rape and displacement of thousands. Christians, especially, are being targeted by the Islamic terrorists for extermination as are any others, even other Muslims who do not accept their version of Islamic ideology. Members of Congress must put aside their differences and work together to protect our nation. It is a matter af life or death. May God continue to bless America.
Charles Maupin
Columbus
Better way to be heard
Who would you rather trust, Putin's hand on a stack of Bibles swearing to do right by the world, Khomeini's hand on a stack of Korans swearing he doesn't plan to build and use nukes, Obama's swearing about anything, or Congress's getting anything done? I suggest a T-shirt contest. The Russians go into the middle of ISIS wearing shirts proposing a double toast "To your health, Goodbye.". Khomeini's reads, "Death to America," Just Kidding". Obama's reads "What, me worry?". Ours read "Washington, D.C., You're Fired".
To thine own self be true. Don't swear, just vote.
Jack Tidwell
Columbus
Not up to the job
Around 25 years ago my aunt was eulogized by her pastor who remembered when she would send him some of her home-cooked goodies, mainly two chicken legs and a slice of cake.
That snack "thang" was a complete fabrication. Not by me, but by him. It never happened. That little scenario was stolen from the old "Andy Griffith Show": Aunt Bee did this for some old dude stranded over the weekend at their home while driving through town.
Now here comes Dr. Ben Carson with his book of some outlandish stories of his redemption and his hit-it-over-the-fence quote about Obamacare being the worst thing since slavery.
Come on, you conservatives. Don't be so eager to claim this man as the Republican equivalent to a President who is eloquent, intellectual, world renowned by everyone except Prime Minister BeBe Netanyahu and the descendants of the old segregated South.
So I ask what has Dr. Ben Carson exhibited to anybody black or white? On January 2nd 2017, he will be ready to lead the most powerful and diverse country in the entire universe. The only thing he would bring will be the pledge that was given to him by this lesser-known conservative deity they worship called Grover Norquist. The self-proclaimed destroyer of government of the people, for the people and by the people who would make it so small he could drown the world's greatest democracy in his filthy bathtub.
So and by God, like the other great black hope Herman Cain said proudly it ain't gonna happen. "Ny Ny Nine Nine Ny Ny Nine Nine H ey Hey, Good Bye, Look away Look away Dixieland."
Rudolph Jenkins
Columbus
Living past my time?
Recent zany events make me wonder if I have gotten too old for my own good. Examples:
(a) Glamour Magazine has named Bruce (Caitlyn) Jenner as its Woman of the Year. Really? They couldn't think of one "real" woman who might deserve that honor? Maybe this was just a publicity stunt, but good grief!
(b) The "word" of the year is not even a word, but a computer symbol. I can think of many words that fit, but some of them can't be printed in a family newspaper.
(c) Student performance drops at local schools, so seven members of our board reward the superintendent with a contract extension, and try to give him a raise! I'll bet classroom teachers really appreciated those classy moves.
(d) Hyper-sensitive and petulant "lazy liberal" students try to limit free speech that doesn't fit their demands, including "shaming" certain Halloween costume choices. It's just a holiday, people! Focus on your studies, so that one day you can help me continue getting my Social Security checks.
And finally, I grow nostalgic for the "good old days" of television with only three channels and news during only the 6 p.m. hour. Have you seen The History Channel (anything but) or The Learning Channel (Ha!) lately?
My time has come beam me up, Scotty!
Ken Paulk
Columbus
This story was originally published November 23, 2015 at 1:35 PM with the headline "Time is now for U.S. to act ."