2005 Columns

In a former life, I was entrusted with the responsibility of dealing with the public on behalf of my company, Southern Bell and later BellSouth. Getting the trust and confidence of my management was a long and arduous task. There were many stressful days, a lot of weekends in the office and bulging briefcases in between. I took my role in the company very seriously. BellSouth … [Read more...] about Sep. 19, 2005: Delta Retirees Pay Big Price For Company’s Bankruptcy

I spent Sept. 11 where I should have. I was in church — specifically, Wesley Memorial Methodist Church on St. Simons Island. I had to be there. I was at St. Simons on Sept. 11, 2001, when the terrorist attacks occurred. The Glynn County United Way had invited me to address their annual campaign kickoff. It was a truly enjoyable experience that showed the best of the American … [Read more...] about Sep. 12, 2005: September 11 Reflections: Watching Good People Do Good Things

To quote Charles Dickens: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” He could have been talking about us. We have certainly been through the worst of times. If there is anything worse than the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, I’ll pass, thank you. Here we are at the fourth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 and all those bad memories, and … [Read more...] about Sep. 5, 2005: Hurricane Katrina Has Brought The Worst of Time, The Best of Times

My mission trip to Honduras was beyond anything I could have imagined. I highly recommend it if for nothing else than to give you some perspective on how good you have it. We have been abundantly blessed and still can find enough wrong with our country and ourselves to whine like spoiled brats. The Hondurans we visited have next to nothing — no lights, no water, substandard … [Read more...] about Aug. 22, 2005: We Have the Good Life; Hondurans Have the Good Attitude

As you read these words, I am in Honduras, a place I couldn’t have found on the map a month ago and would never in my wildest dreams thought of visiting. I am not sure what I will be doing here, but I am told I can expect anything from construction work to entertaining a group of children. What in the name of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John possessed me to dismount my bully … [Read more...] about Aug. 15, 2005: What Am I Doing In Honduras? Blame It On Dr. Gil