Seventy five years ago, the final battle of World War II took place on the island of Okinawa.

It appears that the next election will feature a prominent discussion of the merits of socialism and capitalism. So, to get a head start in anticipation of significant distortions on both sides of the conversation, for the next few weeks, this column will focus on some of the pertinent facts…

Dear Editor:

It’s qualifying time in Georgia for a primary and general election in May.

Although the details are sketchy, it appears as if the International Trade Commission has ruled against SK Innovation in its fight with LG Chem over the misappropriation of trade secrets.

During my seminary days, the Board of Ordained Ministry of my denomination decided it would be a good idea for me to take Clinical Pastoral Education. The Powers-That-Were saw fit to place me on the pediatrics floor of a research hospital where I would serve as chaplain.

Iconic words... "Land of the free and home of the brave."

More ramblings about local and state government:

So Jackson County is now a Second Amendment "sanctuary county."

My mother duped me into dancing lessons when I was maybe four or five years old. She told me the lessons included what she called “acrobatics.”

The main product produced in the region remains agriculture – poultry and beef cattle – but local schools are heavily into gardens these days.

For $45, my parents could pay for my school lunches for the entire year back in 1957. But who, back in 1957, had that sort of money. It was best to pay by the week. And so, on the first day of first grade, I was given the responsibility of taking in that money and handing it to my teacher.

The spat between Gov. Brian Kemp and the speaker of the House, David Ralston, is heating up. The speaker has said the House is in recess for a while – maybe until next week – while bean counters figure out what the governor’s proposed budget cuts might do.

Donnie Lance was convicted of taking the lives of Joy Lance and Butch Wood on Nov. 9, 1997.

Dear Editor:

As January turns to February, here are just a few random thoughts about how the New Year has begun.

I had my first run-in with Sam (I’ll call him Sam) when I was in the elementary school band. I played trumpet one night at a Jefferson High School football game. We played three songs, I think, but the only one I remember was Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.

The state budget may have some numbers moved around. No one wants to say that for the record, but many of the House members are not happy with Gov. Brian Kemp’s proposed budget.

It's been 85 years since someone convicted of a crime in Jackson County has been put to death. That was slated to change Jan. 29, with the execution of Donnie Lance, who was convicted of a double-murder in Jackson County in 1999. (See news story and online updates.)

Just read a headline and part of a story that says Tennessee schools are “short” at least $1.5 billion. Brings to mind my oft-thought comment that area schools are funded relatively well.

On January 30, 1985, David Graham cut out a hole in the ice of his daddy’s pond. The hole was about the circumference of a basketball goal. But the ice was thick, maybe eighteen inches, plenty strong enough for two grown men to stand on. We both dropped in a line. I can’t remember what we us…

I'm a member of the "baby boom" generation, having recently turned 61-years-old. So it was great interest that the "Ok, boomer" phrase caught my attention.

I was five years old, maybe even four; I remember that we still lived in the house on Washington Street.

Dear Editor:

The state chamber’s eggs and issues breakfast was a glorification of “free markets” and campaign speeches by Gov. Brian Kemp, Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and U.S. Sen. David Perdue.

George Wallace wasn't always the bitter racist that he became and is now remembered for.

(Editor's Note: The following is a column written by noted Minnesota publisher Reed Anfinson of the Swift County Monitor-News in Benson, Minn. It speaks to a larger truth about how local newspapers help keep their communities informed and hold those in power accountable. Anfinson may be reac…

About peeling back and shedding the layers and layers of our consciously and unconsciously learned behaviors and attitudes that prevent us from experiencing the richness of diversity, tolerance and acceptance, anti-racism educator and activist Jane Elliott posits that “what we learn, we can …

You probably remember Shirley Jackson’s short story, “The Lottery.” Most of us had to read it in high school. Children gather stones at a village’s public gathering. It is the day for the annual lottery. Villagers discuss ending this traditional ritual. They question the need for it. Tension…

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but over the last few years, there has been a significant uptick in the number of demented men (sorry ladies, you’re not a part of this editorial), entering houses of worship and doing violence.

The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education held its 16th seminar on the “Top 10 issues to watch” in the year. The seminars are useful if only because for most of a day people focus on education, but the issue always is money.

We have just finished the decade of the 20-teens. It was a decade that began in misery and in many ways, also ended in misery.

Money or elections – scale could swing either way

I’ve got to get this off my chest. It happened during the second week of March in 1970. It happened at the then-new Macon Coliseum. The Jefferson Dragons were playing in the semi-finals of the Class B State basketball tournament. We’d had a tough game with East Laurens, a defensive struggle,…