I was at the sausage-making plant last week, better known as the Georgia General Assembly. I was there for a good cause. The state Senate was honoring Dick Pettys, one of the finest journalists to walk through the doors of the state Capitol, and I was asked to be a part of that special day. Pettys covered state government for the Associated Press for four decades. He was a … [Read more...] about March 17, 2014: Celebrating The Life And Legacy Of A Great Journalist
Columns
March 10, 2014: Legislature Solving Another Problem That Doesn’t Exist
The scene: I-16 near Dublin. WAAANGH! REEP! REEP! REEP! “Driver! Pull your car over immediately!” “Officer, have I done something wrong?” “Sir, I clocked you in the left lane going 87 miles per hour!” “Gosh, I am sorry. I was in a hurry to get to an all-day singing in Dudley. In my excitement I must have let my speed get away from me. Thank you for stopping me. You and I … [Read more...] about March 10, 2014: Legislature Solving Another Problem That Doesn’t Exist
March 3, 2014: Sen. Tippins Working To Improve Common Core Standards
As predicted in this space a few weeks ago, there is compromise legislation pending in the General Assembly regarding the Common Core curriculum, the controversial program which seeks to establish consistent education standards across the country. For this, you can thank Sen. Lindsey Tippins (R-Marietta), the chairman of the Senate Education and Youth Committee. Getting a … [Read more...] about March 3, 2014: Sen. Tippins Working To Improve Common Core Standards
February 24, 2014: Easing Restrictions On Convicted Sex Offenders Is A Bad Joke
The Cherokee County Republican Party has a blurb on its website about Rep. Sam Moore, who won the 22nd District house seat earlier this month following the death of veteran lawmaker Calvin Hill. Among other tidbits about Moore are his hobbies, including this: “Playing jokes … watch out. You have been warned!” Boy, were they ever wrong. Sam Moore doesn’t play jokes. He has been … [Read more...] about February 24, 2014: Easing Restrictions On Convicted Sex Offenders Is A Bad Joke
February 17, 2014: Protecting Our Children More Important Than Toting Guns To Church
Let me run some numbers by you: 152: The number of children who died in 2012 in Georgia, despite the intervention of the state’s Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS). 13: The number of children who died in 2012 while in foster care. Zero: The number of people who died in shootouts in a house of worship in our state during the same period. 152 to 13 to zero. So … [Read more...] about February 17, 2014: Protecting Our Children More Important Than Toting Guns To Church