Weekly Editorial

Considering the direction our country has been headed as of late…now might be a good time to really celebrate the freedoms we enjoy as Americans while we still can. I believe we live in the greatest country in the world, but our liberties are definitely being threatened more and more. [Full Story »] 

By Mike Huckabee

So let me make sure I have this right - a young man who has never been in any trouble accidently forgets that his hunting rifle is locked away in the trunk of his car. When he thinks about it, he doesn’t just keep his mouth shut, since no one would have ever known. He calls his mother to come and retrieve it from his car just so he can fulfill both the letter and spirit of the law. For that, he is severely punished. Heck, he ought to be rewarded just for having that good of a relationship with his parents. But maybe I shouldn’t be surprised. I don’t recognize my country anymore. We punish that which we should honor and honor that which we should avoid. [Full Story »] 

“The very word “secrecy” is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and secret proceedings. We decided long ago that the dangers of excessive and unwarranted concealment of pertinent facts far outweighed the dangers which are cited to justify it. Even today, there is little value in opposing the threat of a closed society by imitating its arbitrary restrictions. Even today, there is little value in insuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not survive with it. And there is very grave danger that an announced need for increased security will be seized upon those anxious to expand its meaning to the very limits of official censorship and concealment. That I do not intend to permit to the extent that it is in my control. And no official of my Administration, whether his rank is high or low, civilian or military, should interpret my words here tonight as an excuse to censor the news, to stifle dissent, to cover up our mistakes or to withhold from the press and the public the facts they deserve to know.” [Full Story »] 

On May 14 U.S. Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) sent a letter to President Barack Obama in response to the recent reports of the Internal Revenue Service specifically targeting conservative organizations for in-depth reviews.  In his letter, Congressman Barrow also called on the White House to fully comply with the investigations into the deaths of four Americans in Benghazi and the Department of Justice tapping the phone lines of Associated Press reporters. [Full Story »] 

It’s a special week in Appling County. Seniors from two local schools will receive high school diplomas and prepare for a new journey. Enjoy this special time in your life and we know that Appling County will be well represented by the Class of 2013. [Full Story »] 

As I listened to retired U.S. Army Staff Sargent and member of the singing group 4Troops Ron Henry share his testimony at Mayor Steve Rigdon’s annual Prayer Breakfast, held last Thursday on the National Day of Prayer, it was evident how God has worked through this soldier’s life. Henry shared an emotional experience of how he and other soldiers came under fire from insurgents with AK-47s at close range while traveling in a vehicle. As the shots rang out Henry stated he immediately began to ask for God’s protection and added that not one soldier in the military vehicle was harmed. To me, that’s evidence enough that God hears the prayers of the righteous. [Full Story »] 

By Charles N. Davis

Buried somewhere in my parents’ house in Watkinsville is a stack of aged newspapers – copies of the Athens Banner-Herald, The Oconee Enterprise and the dearly departed Athens Observer. You see, in my family, community newspapers have always been the chroniclers of family lore, of scholastic achievements, of the fleeting fame of youth. [Full Story »] 

Did you know that the Federal Government owns or leases between 55,000 and 77,000 vacant properties? The really insane part to this problem is that the government leases office space for various government agencies instead of using some of the vacant properties to house the agencies. [Full Story »] 

For 26 years this newspaper has published a Progress Report that presents a wealth of information the general public may not be aware of about our community. First and foremost, let me thank this community for its continued support of this publication. Without your support this special issue would not be possible. [Full Story »] 

Last week was known as Sunshine Week across our great land. What exactly is Sunshine Week? Sunshine Week is a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Participants include news media, civic groups, libraries, nonprofits, schools and others interested in the public’s right to know. Sunshine Week seeks to enlighten and empower people to play an active role in their government at all levels, and to give them access to information that makes their lives better and their communities stronger. [Full Story »] 

The following is a comment posted by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee on Monday about the current Washington quagmire: [Full Story »] 

(Published: December 30, 2012 in The Macon Telegraph)

By MIGUEL FARIA — Special to The Telegraph

The latest shooting rampage of 26 people, including six adults and 20 children in an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., on Dec 14, is a senseless tragedy and words cannot convey the horror and the magnitude of the loss of innocent life. [Full Story »] 

I guess the Mayans had it pegged wrong. The year of doom 2012 has come and gone. Guess what? We are still here. [Full Story »]