Opinions

Dear Editor,

I would like to talk about the tragedy that struck our nation last week. I am talking about the Sandy Hook School shooting. I, like many others, was shocked when I heard the news about this evil act of terror on innocent children and teachers. What kind of person would do this to babies that were just starting to live and enjoy their lives? I think a person that was full of evil. Nothing else can be said about that from doctors or therapists that are trying to analyze his actions. [Full Story »] 

All have witnessed some asinine solutions government officials have come up with at one time or another to common sense problems. However, the latest handling by the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) has got to be ranked high on the list of idiotic bureaucracy at its best. [Full Story »] 

Ever since the November General Election I have considered many aspects about our country and even myself.

Who would have thought ten years ago that marijuana would have been legalized in certain states? Would you have believed 20 years ago that same-sex marriage would be considered the same as traditional marriage (in parts of the United States)? What comes next? Bestiality marriage? [Full Story »] 

I will never forget when President Johnson instituted daylight savings time. My Grandmother, Jane Lott Vickers, who taught me to hate damnyankees and how to grow a garden, when asked what time it was, would say, “You want Kennedy time or Johnson time?” The first Sunday after the time changed, some people were at church an hour early, and some an hour late and some, like our family, were there at the right time. It was mass confusion. [Full Story »] 

L.L. Bean is currently running my favorite commercial. Ordinarily we record our favorite programs and watch them later so we can skip the commercials, but every time I catch a glimpse of this one, I stop and watch it. Four adorable children wearing head lamps run into the living room and sit on the couch before the fireplace to wait for Santa Claus. Their expectant, excited expressions capture the essence of childhood. My hat is off to whoever directed and filmed those children. They wriggle, squirm, and then settle in for a long night’s wait. The next frame shows them all sleeping on the couch with all their lights still shining. Then a voice says, “Memories that last start with gifts that last.” It’s a great commercial, but I’m not so sure about the veracity of the observation. [Full Story »] 

Dear Editor,

We have Black Friday and now it seems we are going for a Black Thursday due to commercialism of Christmas. People will stand in line for hours, even camping out for 2-3 days to get a bargain on a Christmas gift. People have camped out for hours and days for the release of a movie or latest high tech electronic gadget, but I have not seen anyone standing in line or camped out at Church on Sunday morning. The gift available on Sunday morning is FREE for the asking, no rebate form to fill out, no layaway, and no waiting. [Full Story »] 

It wasn’t too long ago that I shared with you a story about coaching my son Jacob’s baseball team. Coaching was not necessarily something I aspired to do again, especially with my schedule. However, it worked out and I had a great time coaching again. [Full Story »] 

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around the City of Baxley. Sounds like it, too. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I love it. I love the lighted snowflakes on poles all around town. I love the church chimes playing Christmas carols. When I’m alone in my car, I love singing every Christmas song I know, including “Good King Wenceslas,” at the top of my lungs. I do have quite a repertoire because I’ve been memorizing songs for many Christmases now. (By the way, I don’t subject other people to my singing. I believe it’s okay to entertain myself, but not to make other folks suffer for my efforts.) [Full Story »] 

My wife works for a company that requires her to travel often and it turned out she had to make a trip to Thomasville on the next Saturday morning and be there early to train a new hire. She asked if I would like to accompany her and that if I did we would go on Friday afternoon, go out on a date at a fancy restaurant and spend the night, sort of a mini-honeymoon. I do not like her to travel so much but there is little I can do about it and I could tell she wanted me to go with her so I agreed, and besides, it’s not often we get to go anywhere together overnight without the kids. [Full Story »] 

One of the main talking points or promises during the run up to the election by both President Obama and Mitt Romney was, “I can help the middle class” and/or “I can stimulate job growth”. Were the candidates at that time sincere or was this just hyperbole? [Full Story »] 

Last week when I saw Larry driving the tractor and lawn sweeper toward the front yard, I hurried out to stop him.

“Not yet,” I told him. “Leave the sycamore leaves on the ground for the boys to play in. You can rake them after Thanksgiving.” [Full Story »]