• IRS employees are human beings, deserve respect



On Feb. 18, a small plane was intentionally crashed into an office building in Austin, Texas, where almost 200 IRS employees work. This wanton act of violence took the life of Vernon Hunter, 68, who served his nation as an IRS employee for almost three decades. Others were injured, and given the enormous damage to the building, it is a miracle that more were not killed.

Our deepest sympathies go out to all who suffered through this terrible ordeal, but especially to the Hunter family and their neighbors, friends and colleagues who are struggling to make sense out of this senseless attack.

They are struggling to understand why Mr. Hunter was so callously slain. Why a husband won’t come home for dinner. Why a father, grandfather and loyal family man won’t be there for holidays and birthdays. Why the church usher won’t be at Sunday services at Greater Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Why a soldier who honorably served our nation and survived two tours in Vietnam died a senseless and violent death in Austin, Texas.

Sadly, in the mind of one deeply disturbed individual, it was because Mr. Hunter worked in a building that housed the Internal Revenue Service. IRS employees were demonized, human beings no longer to be respected, human life no longer to be valued.

In today’s world, it is difficult for some to see beyond the labels, to see the person. Mr. Hunter worked for the IRS, a difficult and demanding job. But he did his job fairly, and he did it well. He was a dedicated public servant who respected taxpayers and their rights. He viewed serving the taxpaying public as a high and noble calling and went out of his way to help taxpayers whenever he could.

And there are tens of thousands of Vernon Hunters throughout the country working at the IRS helping taxpayers navigate a difficult tax code that we did not write and collecting the taxes to keep our nation vibrant and strong.

The person standing next to you at your daughter’s soccer game may be an IRS customer service representative who answers difficult tax questions over the phone. The guy down the street helping with the community food drive may be a revenue agent who investigates wealthy individuals trying to hide money in secret offshore bank accounts. And the woman behind you in the supermarket check-out line may work at the IRS processing tax refunds.

For some in America, the IRS will always be viewed as a faceless bureaucracy. But they are wrong.

In fact, it is an organization of hard-working people whose love of country and spirit of public service were embodied in Vernon Hunter, a spirit that lives on in them today. I sincerely hope that is one lesson we can learn from this terrible tragedy.



Doug Shulman

Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service



• Thanks for all of the support



I'm sure most of you, if not all of you, take pride in your roots and in your name. What's in a name, what does it stand for? Have you ever thought about what it means to be who you are and what you are a part of?

For 26 years I have known, loved and respected my family and my roots. It wasn't until about a month ago that I truly was beyond proud and honored to wear my last name. I knew that my name meant honesty, integrity, faith, honor and love. My roots lead straight to Reed Bingham State Park and my name I proudly wear is “Powell.”

Over the past month I've read articles, letters, rant and raves regarding Chet Powell and Reed Bingham. I have been waiting for my moment to state my opinion, and I feel now is the appropriate time to do so. Let me first make this clear, if I haven't already, Chet Powell is my father. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that a man that lives and breathes his job/career, would never do anything to deceive or jeopardize it.

There are thousands of names and comments on petitions that I've read in support of my dad and Reed Bingham. Those of you who have spent many years at the park understand how much it has grown, not just because of Chet, but also the staff he had with him. They were all a big family and will remain that way. The park is a place where I've made many memories, as have thousands of others.

I realize that not all agree with the support he is getting, and that is why I am glad we do not have a "communist" newspaper that only prints certain opinions and statements but all of them.

I'm happy to live in a country where the First Amendment stands true but also disturbed greatly by how the government can take away a person’s life, job and dream so unjustifiably! A quote I've read and learned to agree with: "The line separating good and evil, right and wrong passes not through states, nor between political parties either — but right through every human heart."

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers.



Karrie "Powell" Clements

Thomasville



• Our involvement in the Middle East



I’m tired and fed up with what we are doing militarily in the Middle East. We can beat them down for a short period of time, but in the long run, it is like pulling your finger out of a glass of water. Pull it out, and the hole you created is gone. They, the terrorists, will be in charge within days following our departure — but I hope not. Vietnam and the Middle East are similar but not exactly alike. However, that’s what happened in Vietnam. The North Vietnamese were in Saigon the day after we left!

Also, we are too concerned with political correctness, Frankly, I don’t give a hoot what Ethiopia or the King of the Sudan thinks about what we do when we try to do something that’s in the best interest of the entire political world. Somebody or some country will get a burr under their saddle. That’s just the way it goes! We are the strongest country in the world, let’s act like it. Let’s quit being apologetic and submissive.

Collateral damage. We worry so much about collateral damage, that we can’t do the job in my view. The Germans didn’t worry about collateral damage when they leveled London neither did the Allies when we leveled Berlin and Tokyo. You are either at war or not. We don’t need to send another 30,000-plus troops into the region.

We need to decide to go to war and change the current rules of engagement which limit what we can do when engaged with the bad guys and as we try to mitigate collateral damage. That combined with the capabilities of our armed forces will allow us to get out with honor within six months.

Unfortunately, ye’ ole’ finger in the water will apply here also. However, it’s time to be assertive.



W. Troy Tolbert, Valdosta

B/Gen, USAF (ret)