Opinion

By Admiral James A. Lyons
(submitted by Dan Rainey)

There is an urgent need for full disclosure of what has become the "Benghazi Betrayal and Cover-up." The Obama national security team, including CIA, DNI and the Pentagon, apparently watched and listened to the assault on the U.S. consulate and cries for help but did nothing. [Full Story »] 

With two regular season games left in the high school season and the college football season two-thirds complete, the outlook has changed for the most followed local teams
How do things shake out now?

Lamar County Trojans:
The Trojans played what was supposed to be the stiffest test left on its schedule Friday night when they hosted the Bleckley County Royals and superstar quarterback Tavon Ross.

However, the Trojans spent the night separating Ross and his teammates from the football and cruised to a 39-7 win.

Lamar (7-0-1, 5-0) travels to Macon County (3-5, 3-2) this week and hosts Crawford County (0-8, 0-5 in the regular season finale November 9. Bleckley, it should be noted, beat Macon County 51-0.

So, barring a collapse, Lamar wins out and hosts a first round playoff game most likely facing Early County. Team speed and a stout defense should carry the Trojans to the Dome. [Full Story »] 

By Jan Jones

As a mother of four children currently enrolled in or graduates of Fulton County Schools, I care deeply about public education in my community and Georgia. I know public education changes lives by giving young people opportunities to fulfill their potential and achieve the American dream. [Full Story »] 

By Patrick J. Buchanan

On Sept. 11, scores of men with automatic weapons and RPGs launched a night assault on the U.S. compound in Benghazi, killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and set the building ablaze. Using mortars, they launched a collateral attack on a safe house, killing two more Americans, as other U.S. agents fled to the airport. [Full Story »] 

By Dink Nesmith

Funerals aren’t supposed to be funny but appropriate humor can ease sad situations. People die twice. The first death comes when the heart stops, the second death when the stories and memories stop. When I share with you just one of Betty’s stories, you’ll know she’ll “live” among her family and friends forever. [Full Story »] 

Respondents to our non-scientific poll on the likely upcoming Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities brought forth an interesting respsonse. [Full Story »] 

By Claudia Gallion

Just prior to his election in 2008, Barack Obama promised a “fundamental transformation of America.” What was he talking about? He was referring to remaking America in the model of European social democracy. He was talking about progressivism.

Progressivism is a political ideology to the left of traditional Democrat liberalism (think San Francisco). American progressives support very steep progressive taxation, organized labor and government unions and a government-run universal health care system.
[Full Story »] 

By Kay S. Pedrotti

The words “Never Forget” have been used because of many hateful events, the Holocaust and the 9/11 attack being among the most notable. I have my own dark day that will not be forgotten; though the day was too horrible to contemplate, its tragedy brought a certain enduring light into my life.

That day was Sept. 15, 1963. Next year it will be 50 years since the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala., when four young girls were killed and many injured during the Sunday school hour. Three of the girls – Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley – were 14 years old. Denise McNair was 11. [Full Story »] 

In our recent poll, the vast majority felt Islam is a religion of violent savages not a religion of peace. [Full Story »] 

By Walter Geiger

I had not lived hereabouts for long when I was invited by the Barnesville Bulldog Club to go on its first ever bus trip – a men only excursion that kicked off a series of legendary trips.

That inaugural journey was to Knoxville, Tennessee where some 40 of us had the privilege to watch as Herschel Walker pounded Bill Bates into dust en route to his first touchdown as a Dawg. I knew Chunky Shiver before the bus departed but became aware of his quick, caustic wit on the trip. [Full Story »] 

By Kay S. Pedrotti

Those teachers who know how to use semi-colons, commas and proper verbs may suddenly feel they are becoming obsolete in this day of LOL, OMG and r u kidn. It’s my fervent hope that they may not disappear before my grandchildren and my greatgrandchildren learn to express themselves clearly and correctly. [Full Story »] 

Albany Herald
Every so often, there are events so monumental that where you were when you learned of it is indelibly fused in your mind.

Unfortunately, these seem most often to be tragedies, such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the attack on Pearl Harbor that launched America into World War II are some examples that, depending on your age, might apply. [Full Story »] 

By Walter Geiger

For football fans, the long break from the last snap of the Super Bowl to the first high school and college games in late August is a near interminable wait.

Now, gridiron action is so close you can feel a hint of fall breeze in the night air and almost taste the concession stand treats.

So, how will the local teams do? [Full Story »] 

By Walter Geiger

The TSPLOST referendum failed miserably in all but three regions of Georgia as well it should have.

Addressing the state’s transportation needs based on multi-county regions in which most counties had nothing in common with the others was flawed - and, it says here - doomed from the start. [Full Story »]