Opinions

Over and over again this newspaper has stressed the importance of voting. The time has arrived; the July 31 General Primary is here. [Full Story »] 

I was saddling my young mare for the first time one morning in 1965 when Howard Thornton, a young black boy who lived on our place, came up. He watched as I finished cinching the strap and allowed as how he would like to ride her. I told him he could and as he put his foot in the stirrup he asked if she was gentle. I responded affirmatively but knew darn well I was lying. I had no idea how the roan would react, I only hoped she was gentle. Howard mounted and I handed him the reins and stepped back a couple of steps as the horse started to walk. She took two steps and arched her neck and bucked just enough to throw Howard upward a couple of feet. As his butt was coming down she bucked again as forcefully as she could and met him coming down. Howard was thrown upward and forward over the horse’s head and landed flat on the ground with a ‘Whomp’! He jumped up unhurt, looked at me wide-eyed and said, “Uh Huh, See there! You lied!” [Full Story »] 

Last Friday, a gunman opened fire in a crowded theater in Aurora, Colorado, where moviegoers sat anticipating the latest Batman movie, “The Dark Knight Rises.” He came in an emergency exit and fired into the crowd after tossing tear gas canisters into the room. The result was 12 dead, 58 injured, and many families hurting. The press is calling it the biggest massacre in the history of the United States. From east coast to west, Americans are in a state of shock. We’re praying for the families and injured victims. The whole country is reeling as everyone fishes for a solution to such a horrific problem. What now? How do we prevent this happening again? [Full Story »] 

My childhood was filled with enchanting tales of fairy tale castles, dashing princes and beautiful princesses. I had always wanted to visit a real castle. B. J. and I were on a tour through a number of European countries. This select tour was taking us through some of the loveliest lands in the world. We were seeing a lot of gorgeous scenery, dining in fine restaurants, staying in excellent lodging, and, to my delight, visiting some ancient castles. [Full Story »] 

By Susan Stamper Brown

Legalization of something does not necessarily make it a good idea. It was once legal to own a slave. Democrats who voted against abolishing slavery in 1864, have been doing their part ever since to enslave Americans to one social program or another. Obamacare is just the latest example. [Full Story »] 

Dear Editor and Baxley Citizens,

In case you don’t know the City Council officials or someone else besides myself are tired of looking at boys and men’s underwear instead of their pants. [Full Story »] 

-Published in The Valdosta Daily Times on July 15

The practice of outsourcing jobs formerly held by Americans to foreign countries has been a hot topic this week as Republican candidate for president Mitt Romney is defending himself against allegations that he was still at the helm of Bain Capital in the early 2000s when a major outsourcing took place. [Full Story »] 

I recently had a Yankee friend stop for a few days and I had the privilege to take him out for a walk in midafternoon. Be advised I did this on purpose. I wanted to see his reaction to one of the South’s most celebrated residents, the black gnat; for I knew they were out in force. I believe they are the worse this year they have ever been. I remember my Daddy saying “they won’t bother you if you work hard enough.” What a crock. This was just another ploy of the old timers to get more work out of us young’uns. [Full Story »] 

As Larry and I sit watching a television show, it’s not unusual at all for him to pause the show to expound on some inconsistency he’s noticed. For example, Sunday night we were watching “Criminal Minds.” When a character started strapping on his artificial leg, Larry hit the pause button. [Full Story »] 

Obamacare is now the law of the land if only by a narrow margin of the vote of the Almighty Nine. The Supreme Court did, however, establish Obamacare as a tax. Our always honest “president” had earlier assured us that it was not a tax. Good, bad or indifferent, the passage of Obamacare is a significant milestone in the continuing growth of big government. [Full Story »] 

Dear Editor and Citizens,

Love, unity and compassion will change things; this is what God expects from us. Can we not see what is happening all around the United States and the world? We are blessed in our area. The heat is just a test. Can we not see that man has no control over the weather, heat, storms or rain? Fire is still burning, wind is still blowing, rivers still flowing and rain is still falling. What about the heat? Can we see the signs? Are we spiritually prepared? If we are not we need to get our house in order for God is speaking. [Full Story »] 

To support or not to support…that is the question

There are varying opinions on the state’s attempt to let Regional Commission Districts across Georgia collect a regional Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (also known as The Transportation Act of 2010 or T-SPLOST) for transportation projects. Some support the measure and some oppose. Ultimately the voters in each region across the state will decide. [Full Story »]