Several recent events in North Georgia involving government transparency — or the lack thereof — prompted friends and colleagues in other parts of the country to ask whether I am living in some 18th century time warp, as they frequently perceive this portion of the country, where absolutists reign with absolute disregard for their subjects. After more than 30 years of defending my adopted state against the verbal depredations of outsiders, I must admit that these latest efforts at government secrecy make me wonder the same thing. One or two such events can be sloughed off as mistakes or bad judgment.