2005 Columns

In his book “Why America Hates the Press,” author Jim Fallows describes a press panel at Montclair State College in the late ‘80s. CBS correspondent Mike Wallace was asked, if he were embedded with enemy soldiers and came upon a small group of American soldiers about to be ambushed, would he try to warn the Americans? “No," Wallace said. "You don't have a higher duty. No. No. … [Read more...] about Mar. 14, 2005: Media Arrogance: Up Close And Personal

Rep. Ron Stephens, the author of an ill-conceived piece of legislation known as H.R. 218, was recently identified in this space as being from Garden City, near Savannah. Not so, say residents of that city. Even though most of the state’s media refer to him as representing Garden City, it seems Rep. Stephens has pulled up stakes and moved to an unincorporated area not far from … [Read more...] about Mar. 7, 2005: Make Government More Open and Less Secretive

The Legislature has announced plans to create a new automobile tag to benefit arts groups. If passed into law, the tags would be available in 2006 for $25. Proceeds would go to arts programs in the counties where the tags are purchased. The arts tag would join a list of other specialty tags in Georgia that include everything from wildflowers to dog and cat sterilization, and … [Read more...] about Feb. 28, 2005: Exclusive: A Look At Upcoming Specialty Auto Tags

Sometimes, this column just writes itself. Or, more accurately, readers write it for me. That is the advantage of having smart, articulate and passionate readers with strong opinions. Eat your heart out, Molly Ivins. Folks all over the state have their dander up over Gov. Sonny Perdue’s reappointment of Columbus liquor baron Don Leebern to the State Board of Regents. I have … [Read more...] about Feb. 21, 2005: Readers Have Strong Opinions on Leeburn Reappointment to Board of Regents