Columns

The Supreme Court of the United States just concluded its most recent term with a number of landmark decisions.  Among the more noteworthy actions, the justices reaffirmed the so-called Miranda Law that requires criminal suspects be made aware of their rights before being questioned.  Partial abortion bans were struck down, as were group prayers at high school football games.  … [Read more...] about July 6, 2000: Principles Reign Supreme

I noticed that Robb Pitts, president of the Atlanta City Council and a mayoral candidate, is proposing to sell naming rights to Hartsfield International Airport, much as the free-loading professional sports teams have done.  Mr. Pitts says he was inspired by the fact that Philips Electronics is paying $20 million a year for 20 years to have its name on the arena in Atlanta that … [Read more...] about June 29, 2000: Sell Atlanta to the Highest Bidder?

A little public affairs pop quiz, readers.  What are the duties of the Georgia secretary of state?  The labor commissioner?  What about the insurance commissioner?  Who is the commissioner of agriculture?  Who heads up the corrections department?  The revenue department? Chances are that most of us don’t have a clue who these people are or what they do.  Yet, some – attorney … [Read more...] about June 22, 2000: A Public Affairs Pop Quiz

In case you missed it, the Southern Baptists are holding their annual confab this month in Orlando – home of the godless Walt Disney World – to affirm that women aren’t fit to be ministers.  It seems that through some kind of loophole, a hundred or so women got to be Baptist preachers and while I have been unable to uncover any evidence that any or all of them did a poor job, … [Read more...] about June 15, 2000: Southern Baptists Take a Hardline Approach

Honorable Roy Barnes State Capitol Atlanta, Georgia Dear Governor: As you know, I am one of your biggest fans.  I think you have done an outstanding job as governor and I have said so in my columns and in speeches around the state.  But today I am not a happy camper. You are being lobbied shamelessly by Colin Campbell, a columnist for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution to … [Read more...] about June 8, 2000: A Letter to Our Governor