My fellow Georgians: Now that Pres. Barack Obama has delivered his final soppy State of the Union address (Yay! Hooray!) and Gov. Nathan Deal has given us a nautically-themed State of the State address that would have made Moby Dick proud, (Ha! Ha! Ha!) I come today to submit to you my annual State of the Column address, better known to many of you as the State of Confusion. … [Read more...] about January 18, 2016: The State of This Column Can’t Be Overstated
Columns
January 11, 2016: Some Thoughts on Education Reform Commission Recommendations
Dear Georgia Public Schoolteachers: You have read and heard a lot of scuttlebutt about the recommendations recently sent to Gov. Nathan Deal by the Education Reform Commission. I thought you might like some thoughts from one of the commission members. Me. As you may know, I had the privilege of serving as a member of commission this past year. Our work is done and is now in … [Read more...] about January 11, 2016: Some Thoughts on Education Reform Commission Recommendations
January 4, 2016: Annual Letter to My Grandsons
Dear Cameron Charles Yarbrough: Welcome to 2016. This begins your eighth year with us. I think you would agree that at this point in time, life has been better than good. May it remain so. Today, you are sowing the seeds for your future. Of course, nobody can predict what that future will be. Hopefully, there will many good days ahead, but you can be sure … [Read more...] about January 4, 2016: Annual Letter to My Grandsons
December 28, 2015: A Love Story That Defied Time and Circumstance
Perhaps the most appropriate way to end this year is with a love story – the story of Dr. Raymond Cook, 96, and Dr. Elisabeth Mays Stein Cook, who passed away last week at the age of 94. Even the most casual reader of this column knows the influence Raymond Cook has had on my life. I won’t go through the details again today because this column isn’t about me. Suffice … [Read more...] about December 28, 2015: A Love Story That Defied Time and Circumstance
December 21, 2015: I Wish I Had Been There. In Bethlehem
This column has become a Christmas tradition and I share with you once again this year. It is dedicated to all who believe. I wish I had been there. In Bethlehem. I wish I had witnessed the birth of the baby Jesus in a lowly manger. Was it really as cold that night as it is sometimes depicted on our Christmas cards or was it as cool and comfortable an evening … [Read more...] about December 21, 2015: I Wish I Had Been There. In Bethlehem