Dear Governor: When you were elected, I wrote and told you I would be giving you free advice from time to time in my role as a public-spirited citizen. I mentioned also that I had attempted to do the same for your predecessor, Roy Barnes, but evidently his crack staff convinced him they knew more about politics than I did and suggested that he ignore me. He followed their … [Read more...] about Apr. 27, 2003: Some Advice For Governor Sonny Perdue
2003 Columns
Apr. 20, 2003: Memo To The World: We Are Back
Congratulations. After years of being ignored by the body politic, patronized by the media, criticized by every two-bit country on earth, made to feel that patriotism was passé and forced to endure human fruitcakes like Ted Turner extolling the “bravery” of the terrorists who killed thousands of innocent people in the Sept. 11 attacks, we have our voice back. Doesn’t it feel … [Read more...] about Apr. 20, 2003: Memo To The World: We Are Back
Apr. 13, 2003: Embedded in the Political War Zone
Maybe it’s the whole war thing, but I have decided it is high time that I become an embedded journalist. The term "columnist" no longer carries the panache it once did. Embedded journalists wear neat stuff like gas masks and helmets and goggles. Columnists wear loafers with no socks. Embedded journalists make journalism professors swell with pride, and I want so very much for … [Read more...] about Apr. 13, 2003: Embedded in the Political War Zone
Apr. 6, 2003: Goodbye to Two Great Men
The state of Georgia lost two great men recently. Charles Gowen, a former state legislator from Brunswick and one-time candidate for governor, died on March 31. He was 99 years old. That same day, Dr. William Suttles, 82, from my hometown of East Point, also died. Dr. Suttles had served as provost and as acting president of Georgia State University. Men of their stature … [Read more...] about Apr. 6, 2003: Goodbye to Two Great Men
Mar. 30, 2003: Delta Bonuses Would Make Enron Blush
What in the name of Orville and Wilbur Wright could Delta have been thinking! At a time when young men and women have sacrificed careers to go fight a war on our behalf; when more than 8 million people are unemployed -- many with no insurance or benefits -- and millions more wonder if they, too, may soon be out of a job, the robber barons at Delta Air Lines decided this would … [Read more...] about Mar. 30, 2003: Delta Bonuses Would Make Enron Blush