Fat jokes are strictly forbidden in this space — except for Ted Kennedy. Therefore, the announcement that Gov. Sonny Perdue is going on a diet is a legitimate news story. Word is that Perdue decided to slim down after being informed by his staff that the four major food groups are not peanut butter, ice cream, banana pudding and chocolate. (Oops! How did that fat joke get in?) …
What isn’t funny is the governor’s ethics reform legislation. He has taken a worthy goal – strengthening Georgia’s woefully weak ethics laws – and politicized it. Perdue proposes to get rid of the current commission and appoint a majority of the members himself. The governor’s spokesperson tried to paint a good face on this ugly idea, stating the commission “rightly or wrongly has taken a lot of criticism for its lack of effectiveness.” That claim is not only incorrect, it is insulting. I served as a member of the state ethics commission for five years. The commission has been extremely effective despite the handicaps placed on it by law. Packing the commission with Friends of Sonny will not make things better, just more political. Yet, this legislation will probably pass because most Georgians don’t understand what is going on – or care…
Henry Aaron’s only claim to fame is that he used to hit a ball with a stick, which evidently makes him a big deal to some people. Aaron recently introduced Bill Clinton to a crowd as “still my president,” which tells you how Hank’s morality meter is calibrated. Does Aaron care that “his” president had serious zipper problems in the Oval Office? Do you imagine George W. Bush lies awake at night worrying about what a guy who used to hit a ball with a stick thinks of him? Hmm, I believe I just answered my own questions…
I have stated many times my opposition to the Confederate battle flag as the official state flag. Blacks rightfully find it offensive, and despite all the blah-blah from flaggers about “honoring our heritage,” our heritage is that we picked a fight with the Yankees and they beat our butts. Why do I want to remember that? However, if the Confederate flag would spare us the spectacle of another NBA All-Star game, which shut down the city of Atlanta and had zero benefit for the rest of the state, I might be willing to listen…
One of the most maligned organizations in our country is the U.S. Postal Service. Let me rise to their defense. I had to rely heavily on the USPS for the notification and distribution of my recent book. I give them an “A” for effort and execution. No problems whatsoever. They deserve a better reputation than we give them…
I received some great responses following my recent criticism of the French. My favorite was from an Athens reader who sent me an analysis of France’s military history and pointed out that the only time the French were ever on the winning side was when we did most of the fighting for them, plus the French Revolution. But as the reader noted, the reason they won that one was because they were fighting the French. Trés bon!…
I have a grandson who will soon get his driver’s license and two others ready for learner’s permits. I’m not sure they appreciate the anarchy that awaits them on our roads. Rep. Larry Walker (D-Perry) and several of his colleagues are trying to help. They have introduced a bill in the General Assembly to lower the speed limit for big trucks on Georgia’s highways. I would be amazed if the bill became law and if it did, truckers probably wouldn’t obey the new law any more than they do the current one, but Rep. Walker, know that one grandfather is grateful for your effort….
Finally, I am pleased to announce that I have found the ultimate weapon in my war on squirrels. It is a red-tail hawk. This fierce-looking creature lives in my trees. The same squirrels that used to chortle when they saw me and my Red Ryder now skedaddle when they see my new best friend, the red-tail hawk. God is good.
Leave a Reply