Rockdale - CITIZEN I Perspective

Voice your opinion on the issues of the day. Letters can run as long as 400 words. The author's name and town of residence are published. To submit a letter, complete the online form.

JENKINS: A recent story on Yahoo asserted that parents these days are giving their kids more unusual names than ever.
A recent story on Yahoo asserted that parents these days are giving their kids more unusual names than ever.
SIMPSON: Moving forward, but is it really safe?
Toyota recently had a global recall on its automobiles. Twenty million U.S. customers suddenly became worried and confused. They thought they had bought reliable, safe cars. Injuries and fatalities were being reported in various parts of the country because Toyota cars were having floor mat interference, sticking gas pedals or faulty electronic throttle controls.
HUCKABY: No proclamation, but still a special birthday
I had a birthday this week. I turned 58 on Wednesday and don’t care who knows it. Despite the fact that my good friend Keith Estes makes a pretty convincing argument to the contrary, I still prefer growing older to the alternative — at least for now.
PARKER: Health care reform reveals a sweet tooth
Skipping through the Candy Land of the health care bill, one is tempted to hum a few bars of “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.” What a deal. For deal-makers, that is. Not so much for American taxpayers, who have been misled into thinking that the sweetheart deals have been excised.
HUCKABY: Sometimes laws are hustled by vile people
In America, we are supposed to be governed by the rule of law, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Policemen, judges and government officials aren’t allowed to bring charges or punishment against people for political reasons or because it may be the popular thing to do — or on a whim. And none of us are supposed to be exempt from the rule of law — which is the only way any of us can be protected by the rule of law.
THOMAS: D.C. swamp remains far from drained
Before Rep. Nancy Pelosi became speaker of the House, she promised during the Bush administration that if voters allowed Democrats to regain a congressional majority, Democrats would establish ‘‘the most ethical Congress in history.’’ Pelosi pledged to ‘‘drain the swamp’’ of corruption in Washington.
HUCKABY: To the bad things, you can stop now
Buzzard luck. Can’t kill nothing; can’t find nothin’ dead. That’s what I’ve experienced for about a week now. Remember the kids’ book, “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day?” Yeah. My whole week was about like that.
SHIELDS: Rick Perry banking on fool’s gold
Former Rep. Charlie Wilson, D-Texas, who died last month, was rightly remembered for the central role he had in changing the history of Afghanistan after the Soviet Union invaded and occupied that sad land. Former Texas state Sen. Joe Christie, Wilson’s close friend from their days and nights together in Austin, eulogized him well: “He took his work seriously, but he never took himself seriously. He changed the course of history, but he was not self-important. That’s why he was so damn much fun to be with.”
JENKINS: With apologies to Forrest Gump, sorry is as sorry does
When I was a kid and my dad would get onto me for doing something wrong, and I’d say “I’m sorry” without a trace of sincerity, he’d always respond, “I wasn’t asking for a character reference.”
HUCKABY: Georgia cannot afford to lose 4-H
There’s that great scene in “Gone with the Wind” where Rhett has come back from Europe with a pretty new bonnet for the recently widowed Scarlett O’Hara Kennedy. She hesitates before trying it on, not knowing which end of the bonnet is the front and which is the back. Rhett says, with obvious disgust, something like, “This war has stopped being a joke when a woman like you doesn’t know how to wear the latest Paris fashions.”

Columnists Headlines

Let’s look at the Republicans’ records
The overriding issue of the 2010 campaign can be boiled down to the same three words that then-Secretary of State Jim Baker used in 1991 to justify sending U.S. soldiers and Marines to drive Iraqi occupying forces out of oil-rich Kuwait: “Jobs, jobs, jobs!”
OUR VIEW: A costly lesson for the council
The Covington City Council has reversed its position on holding an out-of-town retreat at Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa, agreeing in principle to cancel the reservation and hold the meetings locally.
OUR VIEW: Nesbitt failed to use good judgment
We can debate from now until the proverbial cows come home whether comments on Rockdale County Commissioner Oz Nesbitt’s Facebook page were racist or not. Bigoted or not. Prejudiced or not.
OUR VIEW: Don’t delay ban on texting while driving
A motorist has no business driving and typing at the same time, and it’s only common sense for the General Assembly to nip in the bud the increasingly popular pastime of texting while behind the wheel of a vehicle.
Covington City Council Editorial - 01/22/2010
Covington City Councilman Mike Whatley went on a tirade against the local media Wednesday night due to coverage — and subsequent public criticism — of the council’s decision to hold an out-of-town retreat at Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa. Based on his lengthy comments Wednesday night, Whatley obviously feels that the criticism is unwarranted and blames the media for letting the city’s residents in on the council’s plans to spend thousands of dollars on the retreat. He claims the media coverage of this planned event is divisive and conflicts with the council’s need to work together.
OUR VIEW: It’s tough, but good health is a worthy goal
Every year when the time for New Year’s resolutions comes around, one of the most mentioned ones is a driving desire to this year, at long last, finally get into shape and lead a healthier lifestyle.
OUR VIEW: Retreat not respectful to economy
Covington Mayor Kim Carter and the majority of the City Council members seem to be living in a reality different from most of the rest of us. The council voted in December to conduct a planning retreat at Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa, spending more than $8,500 for lodging, food and a facilitator.
OUR VIEW: Handel did right thing
Whether it was mostly for pragmatic campaign reasons or primarily because of ethical concerns, Karen Handel has done the right thing by announcing she’ll step down as secretary of state by the end of the month to focus on her campaign for governor.
OUR VIEW: May you find peace on this day
The rush is over. It’s time to pause, take a deep breath, and allow a moment of peace and calm to come over you.
OUR VIEW: Give a little to brighten a holiday
As we prepare for the final stretch before the Christmas holiday, it’s good to take a moment to remember those who may be in difficult circumstances this holiday season.

Editorials Headlines

LETTERS: Obama continues to show signs of being narcissistic
Some two weeks prior to the November 2008 General Election, a prominent TV anchor made the observation, here it is, two weeks to go, and we still know very little about candidate Barack Obama. Now in the second year of his presidency, that question lingers. What is this president, as a person, all about?
LETTERS: Trails would have improved quality of life in Newton
We are disappointed by the Covington City Council’s refusal to approve pursuing a nonbinding grant for funds to aid in conversion of unused rail lines in the city to walking and biking trails, should the rail lines be purchased. The grant investigation would have cost the city nothing; it would have simply added information to help the council weigh the merits and costs of trail use of the rail line.
LETTERS: Many great people made FaithWorks event successful
The Church at Covington did, indeed, ring with the sounds of love and praise at the FaithWorks’ benefit, Sing-A-Song of Love, on Feb. 26. Choir members and performers from the churches and community came together to raise funds for our ministry to those needing rent or utility assistance in Newton County. Admission was free, but generous hearts contributed more than $4,600 in offerings taken that night. We could never have imagined such an overwhelmingly successful event, an event that will be repeated again next year.
LETTERS: Obama health care plan not the reform we need
President Barack Obama has submitted the latest version of health care reform and told our Congress to pass it, even by breaking the rules of the House and Senate. The trouble is they are not voting on Obama’s latest version, but a Senate version of the health care bill.
Furry family friends: Mom and son find fun in raising rare breed
Chris Miller once had a Canaan dog that had a unique way of getting table scraps not intended for canine consumption.
Thanks to Sen. Douglas
Please allow me to thank State Sen. John Douglas for visiting with my boys and me at the Capitol Thursday. He made it one of the most extraordinary days I have ever spent with my children.
LETTERS: Mullins using a suspect source to trash Obama
Will all those who trust a Macedonian ex-con over the president of the United States please raise their hands. Is that the hand of a recent letter-writer I see?
LETTERS: Mock trial a great experience for students and professionals
In November, my daughter asked me whether she could participate in a mock trial competition being sponsored by the Newton County Bar Association through her high school. She told me that fellow students were playing the various roles as prosecuting attorneys, defense attorneys, police officers, victims and witnesses. Since then, she has stayed after school preparing for the competition.
LETTERS: Mercy Heart gets great response from community
On Feb. 8, Mercy Heart Health Clinic opened its phone lines and began accepting patient appointments. Within 30 minutes, we had six medical and six dental appointments — our quota for our first clinic nights.
LETTERS: Phillips left behind legacy of friendship
Eddie Phillips was many things — a pillar of the community, a strong family man and a friend to so many people. By trade, he was a real estate broker and appraiser. His genius was in appraising property. Indeed, when he gave his word on the value of a property, it was solid. We never bought or sold land without consulting him.

Letters to the Editor Headlines

Pop-Up Blocker must be disabled to play video.

	Albany Herald Albany, GA
	Clayton News Daily Jonesboro, GA
	Gwinnett Daily Post Lawrenceville, GA
	Henry Daily Herald McDonough, GA
	Jackson Progress-Argus Jackson, GA
	Associated Press Global news network.
	NewsBank Web-based research products.
	Newseum Daily newspaper front pages.
	USA Weekend Weekend magazine, Make A Difference Day.
	Kidsville News Educational resource for children grades K-6.