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.

SIMPSON: Many are going through recession’s cold reality
These are times that can try the soul. We read stories every day about our fellow people losing jobs through no fault of their own. Companies lay off loyal, dedicated workers to reduce expenses, increase profits and protect the bottom line. External economic pressures are forcing some companies to downsize. Often those employees highest on the corporate ladder with the greatest benefits and salaries are cut from the work force.
HUCKABY: Sand, surf, seafood make some of my best memories
I love reading the funny papers and have been known to subscribe to multiple newspapers just for the comic strips. Back when I was growing up we had two big city papers to choose from, and my daddy was a Constitution man. There were some great comics in the Constitution — “B.C.‚” for instance, and “Peanuts‚” “Snuffy Smith” and “Phantom.”
PARKER: Transforming a horrible event into a dream
August finally redeemed itself from shark-jumping hysteria with an original, spontaneous, transcendent event — the accidental intersection of one Antoine Dodson, his sister, her would-be rapist, and some musical magicians who tapped into that uniquely American reservoir of salvation — irreverence.
HUCKABY: Empty nesting not an easy transition
My lovely wife Lisa and I have officially been living in the dreaded empty nest for exactly three weeks now and, to be perfectly honest, it ain’t all bad. There are drawbacks, to be sure, but there a few pluses, as well, and as a wise man once told me, you have to learn to take the rough with the smooth.
SHIELDS: McCain deserves a little slack from you and me
Let’s be blunt: John McCain’s winning campaign over former Rep. J.D. Hayworth in the Arizona Republican Senate primary was neither edifying nor inspiring.
HUCKABY: It took a little time to find some decent pizza
I hadn’t shed enough tears this month, so I volunteered to help move my daughter’s friend Nadia into her dorm room Saturday. I give Sam Ramsey a hard time about his alma mater, but those folks at Emory know something about efficiency. We pulled up in front of Nadia’s dorm at 10:20 Saturday morning and a gaggle of students in blue and gold T-shirts descended on my Dodge Caravan like buzzards on a gut wagon. Within two minutes my vehicle was empty, and within two more minutes all of Nadia’s belongings were in her second floor room. It beat all I ever saw.
SHIELDS: America’s mood in great need of genuine humor
We are told hourly that our national mood grows even sourer. Referring to the meltdown of the flight attendant who, after allegedly enduring abuse from belligerent passengers, lost his temper and exited the aircraft by the emergency chute, Democratic pollster Peter D. Hart quipped: “I think it’s a ‘JetBlue’ election. Everyone is frustrated, and everyone is headed for the emergency exit.”
HUCKABY: Signs of the apocalypse
I am a big fan of Sports Illustrated magazine. No surprise there, I guess, but I’m not just talking about the swimsuit issue — although honesty compels me to admit that on a few cold January days I have made more than one trip to the mailbox looking for my copy.
PARKER: Free speech isn’t easy, nor always sensitive
NEW YORK — It is hard to imagine that anything has gone unsaid about the so-called ground zero mosque, but we seem to be missing an important point.
JENKINS: Parents, cover your daughters
Dropping my son off at his high school the other day, I was reminded of a Bible verse. And no, it wasn’t “Come unto Me, all ye that are heavy laden,” even though students these days, between backpacks and gym bags and band instruments, cart around more luggage than I packed for a weeklong trip to Europe.

Columnists Headlines

OUR VIEW: Five years later, New Orleans still in danger
As the fifth anniversary of Katrina came and went Sunday, a question came to mind: Is the city of New Orleans any safer from that type of disaster today? The answer is: Probably not.
OUR VIEW: Elections need to be cleaned up
For anyone who’s ever wondered where the old saying that “politics makes for strange bedfellows” means, just look at a couple of recent statements released by the National Deal gubernatorial campaign regarding Karen Handel.
OUR VIEW: Our students need a push to success
Earlier this month, Georgia joined 20 states in adopting a set of standards for what students should be expected to know at certain points in their education.
OUR VIEW: SPLOST will give county needed push
Rockdale County voters will have an opportunity on July 20 to ensure that the county continues to move forward over the course of the next six years.
OUR VIEW: Big numbers hide truth on employment
You would think that Friday’s employment report that the United States had added 431,000 jobs in May, the biggest monthly gain in 10 years, would be welcome news. That’s especially true when you also consider the added employment dropped the national unemployment rate two-tenths of a point to 9.7 percent.
OUR VIEW: Newton better due to Mr. Roy
Words cannot adequately express the loss that Newton County has experienced with the death of former Newton County Commission Chairman Roy Varner.
OUR VIEW: Graduation a big step to adulthood
The caps and gowns have been handed out, the announcements mailed, the diplomas printed. And now hundreds of high school seniors look forward to the moment tonight and Saturday when they will officially become high school graduates. Whether a student is finishing at the top of the class or barely squeaking by, the occasion is a momentous one for students and families throughout the community.
OUR VIEW: Lower prices for gasoline a welcome relief
Memorial Day is right around the corner, so motorists are getting prepared for the prices at the gas pump to ... fall. Odd as that sounds, that’s what experts are predicting.
OUR VIEW: Mahaffey too young to die so soon
The words of Rockdale County Sheriff Jeff Wigington couldn’t have been more appropriate when he described this community’s loss of one of its finest: “Way too young to die so soon.”
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.

Editorials Headlines

LETTERS: Help exists for children going hungry at school
Do you ever wonder how many children in our county go hungry each day? As an employee of the Rockdale County School Nutrition Program, I worry about that every day.
LETTERS: America needs to better stand up against terrorists
Kathleen Parker is right in saying “we seem to be missing an important point,” but the point is not about construction of a mosque near ground zero. It isn’t about religious tolerance, either. It’s about standing up to terrorism.
LETTERS: Charter change lowers ethics in Covington
Since 1962, the Covington city charter has forbidden the mayor, members of the City Council and city employees from doing business with the city during their term of office or employment. This is a conflict-of-interest standard that protects the public from insider abuse of power and position, and protects office-holders from the public perception of self-dealing. Last week, the City Council decided the standard was too high.
LETTERS: America is in good hands with people like Ray Powell
World War II and Korean War veteran Ray Powell passed from this life on Aug. 9 at approximately 2100 hours. This tough, scrappy warrior of yesteryear was just six days short of his 81st birthday and is finally at rest, and finally at home.
HUCKABY: Coming back to an empty nest
There are certain life experiences that tend to stay with you. You never forget your first base hit in little league, for instance, or your first kiss. And for those of us who were fortunate enough to attend an institution of higher learning, the day you left home and moved into a college dormitory.
LETTERS: Extremists would be funny if they weren’t so scary
I am addicted to mixed nuts. Give me a can of cashews, pecans, peanuts, almonds, Brazils and macadamias and I’m happy. But the can has spilled and there are nuts all over the place. Like a cheap horror movie, they’ve come alive and threaten our nation and humanity.
LETTERS: Mosque has no place so close to ground zero
As many of you have heard, a mosque is being proposed within blocks of the Sept. 11 tragedy. The government and residents of New York are supporting it. They say the purpose is to show society’s tolerance. What the huge 13-story mosque will show is another defeat of the Western world. I will not be surprised if this hateful act continues and it is opened on Sept. 11, 2011. That would be the 10-year anniversary of the attacks.
LETTERS: School board could use a man like Jeff Meadors
My husband and I have followed your news daily since my colleague and friend of 23 years, Jeff Meadors, began his campaign for the Newton County Board of Education.
LETTERS: Oden, Nesbitt have twice put shame on BOC
It’s been almost a year since two of our county commissioners, Chairman Richard Oden and Commissioner Oz Nesbitt, approved the appointment of Roselyn Miller as finance director. This appointment was surrounded by controversy since Miller did not meet minimum education requirements for the position.
LETTERS: Regulations force fun out of great activities
Years ago, I was an avid saltwater fisherman. One early spring day my son and I took the old tub out for a spin just to be sure she was in good running condition. I didn’t want to get miles from home and have the engine go out again. We took several high-speed turns around the basin, then chugged back to the dock satisfied that everything was in good order. Then I saw the DNR officer motioning me toward him. I pulled slowly into the dock and asked what the problem might be. He replied that I was causing a wake. I was astounded, as was my son. We had made very deliberate efforts to return to the dock very slowly. I challenged his accusation when he replied, “That’s not the reason I pulled you over. Your sticker has expired.” I was written out a ticket.

Letters to the Editor Headlines

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