Opinion

Editor’s note: As I struggled with how to write about my feelings regarding the Charlie Hedbo/kosher market attacks in Paris, I stumbled across this piece by syndicated columnist Leonard Pitts. Though I seldom agree with Pitts, he is dead on target this time. His work appears weekly at ajc.com.

Dear Terrorists: OK, you win. We surrender.

Never thought I’d say that, but then, I never thought I’d see gunmen burst into the offices of a satirical magazine as happened last Wednesday in Paris. Never thought I’d see 12 people killed — most were employees, two were police officers — because a magazine published provocative cartoons mocking extremist Islam. [Full Story »] 

By Walter Geiger

I have long been a proponent of a college football playoff, having gone so far as to use this space to lay out a 16-game version utilizing the existing bowl system. We finally got a four-game playoff this year and it most certainly will grow to eight games soon.

Once the playoff structure was in place and the playoff committee at work, the NCAA wisely let ESPN pimp it. [Full Story »] 

By Mike Ruffin

My family had Christmas Eve and Christmas Day rituals during my childhood. Interestingly, though, even though my parents were the kind of Christians who were at the church every time the doors were opened, none of our rituals involved the worship of God for the sending of Jesus into the world. [Full Story »] 

Each year while reviewing the hundreds of letters to Santa we receive, I am amazed at how many of the standards from my youth are still popular. Girls are still very much into Barbie and even the Easy Bake Oven. Boys still want BB guns and Legos still have a large following. [Full Story »] 

By Walter Geiger

Those who end up in the small room outfitted in old church pews behind Door 34 take long, varied roads to get there.

My most recent trip was last week. I arrived at Door 34 in a state van.

Four reporters took a prison perimeter road through a high security checkpoint. There were heavily armed corrections officers in tactical gear everywhere. The prison was on lockdown.

It was eerily quiet as we approached the red door with the number 34 emblazoned upon it in white paint. Beyond the door is Georgia’s death chamber. [Full Story »] 

By Dink Nesmith
Athens Banner Herald

“You meet the nicest people on a Honda.” Remember that advertising slogan? That was before Hondas had four wheels in America. The commercials always featured happy people scooting around on their motor bikes. I’ve never owned a Honda with two or four wheels but I’ve discovered some mighty nice people where they park those big red fire trucks.

There’s something about firemen that fascinates kids. I’ve never met a firefighter – man or woman – who wouldn’t take time to let a little one explore his or her fire hall and climb up into one of those shiny trucks. When our younger son Eric was barely talking, he’d tell you, “I’m two fire engines old.”

That’s why I could relate to Carter Sanborn’s love of everything to do with firefighting.

In October I introduced you to Carter, who lives in Ashburnham, Mass. [Full Story »] 

By Patrick Buchanan
Creators Syndicate

“It is ordained in the eternal constitution of things, that men of intemperate minds cannot be free. Their passions forge their fetters.”

Edmund Burke’s insight returned to mind while watching cable news coverage of the rampage in Ferguson, Missouri, after St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch announced that officer Darren Wilson would not be indicted in the shooting death of Michael Brown. [Full Story »] 

By Walter Geiger

Thanksgiving is upon us and we have so very much to be thankful for. All you have to do is follow the news cycle for 24 hours and you will realize we have it pretty good.

It is highly unlikely, for example, that we will be beheaded because of our faith. Freedom of religion is alive and well in the United States of America but, sadly, many do not avail themselves of it. They remain faithless at a time when faith is so sorely needed. [Full Story »] 

By Walter Geiger

It was a perfect night for a big time college football game Saturday in Athens.

The day dawned cold and got progressively colder. It was a day to dig out two layers of long underwear, sweaters and fleece.

Our youngest, Livia Lanier, and I made the drive to the Classic City early in the afternoon. [Full Story »] 

By Walter Geiger

For many years, the annual Georgia Press Convention was held on Jekyll Island. We’ve rarely missed it, often traveling to and from the coast via Hwy. 341 as I much prefer the backroads and their backdrops to the monotonous interstate.

We always went past ‘Miss Mit’s House’ south of McRae just east of where the highway crosses Sugar Creek. We always slowed to look at the house where Gene and Herman Talmadge lived. Both father and son were Georgia governors. Herman also served many years in the U.S. Senate. [Full Story »] 

I’ve written before about our soccer team but have never been prouder of them than I was Sunday afternoon.

The nucleus of the PC Fury U15 team has been together for over 10 years. Our daughter Livia Lanier joined them five years ago. The girls have grown up together and are now beautiful young ladies and ferocious competitors. [Full Story »] 

By Walter Geiger

Three weeks ago, I took a look at the status of the high school and college football teams most folks around here care the most about. I analyzed performances to that point and made some predictions. I hit on some and missed badly on others. So, here is an update. [Full Story »] 

By Walter Geiger

It is a sad fact that a higher percentage of Americans than ever before are dependent upon some sort of government assistance in order to muddle through life.

Republicans argue Democrats work towards higher numbers on the welfare rolls in order to guarantee votes and there is no question liberals feel as if government has a better handle on what we need and want and we should just let Washington handle it all. [Full Story »] 

By Walter Geiger

Daily, it seems, I read something in the multiple newspapers i peruse that mystifies me. Most often, it seems political correctness is culpable for my state of confusion. Some examples. [Full Story »]