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The vast majority of Americans take democracy for granted. Despite ever present political disputes among people as to the political party in charge, the distribution of wealth, health care benefits and continuing involvement in Afghanistan, the United States has maintained its political system for over two hundred years and consistently broadened and deepened the civil and political rights it provides to all its peoples regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity. Read More
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Two weeks ago, 40 community members joined Hall County School District personnel for a "Bus Tour of 21st Century Education" at six of our local schools. Organized by our district team, participants visited numerous classrooms and were encouraged to look at all that we do with a critical eye. Read More
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The U.S. recession officially ended in June 2009, but most Americans don't feel like we are in a recovery. That's because it's been a weak recovery, with the size of the economy barely bigger today than it was four years ago, when the recession started. Read More
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The U.S. economy has been doing poorly for so long now that it's easy to get dispirited. But there are several reasons to think 2012 might be a good one for American economic performance. Read More
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Rick Santorum's near-miss in Iowa provides a reminder that, for many Republican voters (and not a few candidates), religion and politics overlap. If you need another reminder, though, consider this: recently, the Smithsonian has restored and put on display a weird and fantastic 19th-century book known as "The Jefferson Bible." That's Jefferson as in Thomas, and this private, personal document offers a useful case study in how politics and Christianity have mixed it up in ... Read More
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We lost Ed Jenkins a week ago. But in a larger sense, we will never lose Ed. For his legacy - his exemplary record of accomplishments and legislative successes in the U.S. House as North Georgia's 9th District representative - will remain with us and those who will come after us for a long, long time. Read More
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The United States has a terribly dysfunctional health care system, unique among the rich countries in the word in its waste and abuse of its citizens. Read More
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Christmas tree or "holiday tree"? Manger scenes on public property or a "naked public square"? These are long-standing American arguments, historically associated with the desire of religious communities to receive visible public acceptance and respect. Read More
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The latest scare tactic by right-wing opponents of the Affordable Care Act aims at convincing Americans that reasonable trims in Medicare spending will make it very difficult for seniors to find a good doctor in coming years. Read More
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No matter how you slice it, the Medicare program as it stands today is financially unworkable. Read More
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It was inevitable. Only those who are principally opposed to abortion can withstand the onslaught that the left is sure to unleash when there is even the appearance of being pro-life. Read More
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In other states, voters are trying to decide whether Mitt Romney or Newt Gingrich or Ron Paul will be the Republican nominee who runs against President Barack Obama in this fall's election. Read More
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Abortion is about as old as history itself. The Greeks did it. The Romans did it. Even the Catholic Church accepted abortion at one time. St. Thomas Aquinas did not believe the soul entered the body until quickening, the point when movement could be felt. Read More
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Whew! That was close! I almost became a Baptist the other day. Not just any Baptist, but a (gulp!) Southern Baptist. Read More
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The little boy tagged along with his father to a meeting held at an all-you-care-to-eat buffet restaurant. I guess I could describe him as stout or portly or chunky but, truth be told, the child was obese. He was probably 60 or 70 pounds overweight. His Spiderman T-shirt strained across his belly and his neck had disappeared into his chins. He had breasts. Read More
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We make every effort to cover the news objectively, but once in awhile, we encounter a story we can't wait to tell. Read More
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Last year when Georgia passed a tough new law cracking down on illegal immigrants, it was feared crops would be left rotting in the fields at harvest time. Read More
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As pundits spend the day assessing results of Saturday's South Carolina Republican primary, Georgia voters await their turn in line to select the nominee. Read More
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Airlines do it. Phone companies do it. Even grocery stores do it. Mergers are nothing new. Read More
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Concerning Alan Shope's latest political-religious rant "Being good for good's sake is its own reward:" I am in no way, shape or form in agreement with any of his radical, distorted and possibly blasphemous religious views. However, in this latest article, I perceive he has failed to take advantage of an opportunity to point out the real truth of the matter. Read More
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How many times have you heard someone say "the government should do something about that?" Read More
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This comment is in relation to the recent controversy surrounding Gainesville High School's selection of co-valedictorians for the May 2012 graduation. Historically valedictorians have been chosen based on highest GPAs. When deviations to this norm are taken, people pay attention and ask "why?" Read More
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I want to start by saying congratulations to Gainesville High School student Cody Stephens for being named valedictorian. His work and persistence are to be commended. The fact that he was named co-valedictorian takes nothing away from my respect for him. Read More
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It is difficult for me to disagree with some of Alan Shope's observations, but I wonder why he submitted all of this Billy Graham stuff. When did he have his meeting with God? Is he a frustrated preacher wishing to share his fear and confusion? Is practicing the Golden Rule too simple? Read More
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