2022 Columns

You can tell from the way the telephone rings who is on the other end of line. It is Skeeter Skates. When Skeeter calls, the phone doesn’t just ring. It jumps off the hook. He has that kind of effect on phones and people, too. For those of you who may be new to this space, Skeeter Skates is the owner of Skeeter Skates Tree Stump Removal and Plow Repair in Ryo, Georgia. He is a … [Read more...] about June 26, 2022: Talking Politics With The RYO Morning Coffee Club

We all know the story of how to boil a frog to death (Frog lovers: I’m not suggesting you do so, I’m just trying to make a point here.)  The premise is that if you suddenly plopped a frog into boiling water, it would jump out. But if the frog is put in lukewarm water which is then very slowly brought to a boil, it won’t recognize the danger. And before the frog knows what … [Read more...] about June 19, 2022: Is Our Democracy In Danger Of Eroding Away?

Okay, RITOOs (Republicans in Trump’s Orbit Only), what’s next? Planning on sitting out November’s general election in a funk so that Democrats can elect Stacey Abrams governor and give Georgia four or perhaps eight years of left-leaning policies? If so, you will deserve every bill passed, every act ratified, every liberal gubernatorial appointment made to every department, … [Read more...] about June 12, 2022: Now That Primaries Are Over, What Will “RITOO” Republicans Do?

She was Georgia’s Grand Dame. Our state’s First Lady. A prolific artist. A philanthropist and my muse. She was Betty Foy Sanders, who died on May 29th at the age of 95 after a life well-lived. I first came to her attention for my unabashed admiration for her husband, former Gov. Carl Sanders. It was through his leadership that Georgia was spared  lot of the racial strife … [Read more...] about June 5, 2022: Paying Tribute to Betty Foy Sanders and a Life Well-Lived