2018 Columns

I am not very good at prognostications.  But I am always full of hope.   There are a number of events I would love to see happen in 2019; so much so that I have already written a short release on each should they occur.  That way, I will look very smart and since I will already have told you about them, I will have more free time to pursue my dream of … [Read more...] about December 31, 2018: An Advance Look At What Could Be Major News Stories In 2019

Well, we can pretty much stick a fork in the Year of our Lord 2018.  By the time you are through roasting chestnuts on an open fire or eating the last of the leftover turkey, 2019 will come knocking on the door.  This has been a very good year in one respect:  I did not read my obituary and I am guessing that you didn’t read yours, either. I don’t do New … [Read more...] about December 24, 2018: Recognizing Those Who Made 2018 A Year To Remember

I’m not sure I will ever qualify for the heaven owned and operated by God, but I have been to the Lego store in Rockefeller Center in New York.  That was about as heavenly an experience as this sinner could ever hope for. Cameron Charles Yarbrough, who gives special meaning to the word “great” as in great-grandson, is a Lego fanatic.  You name it and he has built … [Read more...] about December 17, 2018: Sharing A Great-Grandson’s Visit To Lego Heaven

My recent conversation with Gov. Nathan Deal covered a lot of ground.  In last week’s column, we talked about some his accomplishments over the past eight years of which he is most proud, including criminal justice reform that is a model for the nation.  We talked about the HOPE Grant,a scholarship that pays 100 percent of tuition for students to attend technical colleges to … [Read more...] about December 10, 2018: Gov. Nathan Deal Reflects On The Past As He Looks To The Future

I dropped by Gov. Nathan Deal’s office recently for a visit. In little over a month-and-a-half, our 82nd governor will be our newest former governor. My timing could not have been better. The governor seemed happy to see me. (Not the kind of reaction I usually get from many of our public officials.) What was supposed to be a 30-minute appointment stretched to almost an hour. … [Read more...] about December 3, 2018: Nathan Deal Proof That Nice Guys Can Finish First