In order to keep my national certification as a modest and much-beloved columnist, I am required to submit annually a State of the Column message. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Please stand and applaud if you hear something that floats your boat or look bored if you don’t. You may be on television. “My Fellow Georgians, Ladies and Gentlemen and Significant … [Read more...] about February 6, 2012: Annual State Of The Column Covers A Wide Range Of Important Topics
Columns
January 30, 2012: Southern Baptist Leader Speaks Right From His Heart
Whew! That was close! I almost became a Baptist the other day. Not just any Baptist, but a (gulp!) Southern Baptist. Let me add here that there have been times when the Rev. Dr. Gil Watson, the World’s Greatest Preacher, has become so weary of trying to save my sorry soul that he would gladly trade me to the Baptists, Presbyterians or even the Islamic Center for the … [Read more...] about January 30, 2012: Southern Baptist Leader Speaks Right From His Heart
January 23, 2012: Random Thoughts On Politics, Distinguished Journalists And The Birthday Girl
State Sen. Tommie Williams (R-Lyons), one of our two unelected lieutenant governors — Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) is the other — sent out a puff piece taking much credit for authoring a bill to require local school boards to consider a teacher’s “effectiveness,” not seniority, when getting rid of teachers. People both inside and outside state government tell me that Williams has … [Read more...] about January 23, 2012: Random Thoughts On Politics, Distinguished Journalists And The Birthday Girl
January 21, 2012: Marietta Art Instructor Shares His Techniques Via New Instructional Video
At a time when many people my age think Twitter is something a bird does and YouTube is what doctors use to peek into your insides to see if everything is working properly, I am busy mixing pthalo blue and cadmium red oil paint in hopes of creating a masterpiece on canvas. Like an oil wildcatter, I haven’t hit the big one yet, but I’m still drilling. One thing for sure: I’ve … [Read more...] about January 21, 2012: Marietta Art Instructor Shares His Techniques Via New Instructional Video
January 16, 2012: Georgia’s Education Chief Sees Teachers As ‘Life-Changers’
State School Superintendent John Barge knows what teachers can do, given the opportunity. “A teacher turned my life around,” he said in a recent telephone conversation. Monty Fountain, a teacher and a coach at Alexander High School in Douglas County became a father-figure and set him on his career path. “Given the impact that Coach Fountain had on me, I knew education was what … [Read more...] about January 16, 2012: Georgia’s Education Chief Sees Teachers As ‘Life-Changers’