Editorial Pages

May 7, 2008

Questions answered about this newspaper's

role in the political election process
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

The North Georgia News will address situations which directly involves our newspaper. We believe it is our obligation to keep the public properly informed about the newspaper's position and practice when it comes to the political process.
Two questions have surfaced. When is a person a candidate? Is allowing an elected official to continue an ongoing, regular column an in-kind campaign contribution which must be reported by the candidate?
The North Georgia News is a long standing member of the Georgia Press Association, an organization which contracts with a law firm in Augusta that is utilized by member newspapers. We asked the firm about these two issues. The North Georgia News contacted the Georgia Secretary of State's office and the Georgia State Ethics Commission.
The North Georgia News editor has reported that a person is not an official candidate until the fee has been paid.
The Georgia Press Association attorney confirmed that opinion is correct. His statement was, " Not an official candidate until qualifying fee is paid. De facto candidate when he or she announces they are running."
The Georgia Secretary of State's office confirmed that a person is not an official candidate until the qualifying fee has been paid.
The Georgia Press Association attorney confirmed the newspaper's position on continuing the commissioner's column. His statement was, "I do not think Commissioner loses his right to continue to be a columnist for the paper. I look at it as paper getting a free column, rather than giving a subsidy to the Commissioner. ... Part of free speech."
The Georgia State Ethics Commission affirmed that the newspaper's policy on the commissioner's column is not in violation of any ethics or campaign laws of the State of Georgia as long as the political content was treated as any other candidates' political content, which has always been the practice of this newspaper.

April 23, 2008

Crayon colors change names, my suggestion for 8 names
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

When I was a child, I loved coloring.
When I got a coloring book, it did not take very long until I needed another. I learned early to color inside the lines.
In school the teacher gave us a blank piece of paper and the assignment to draw a picture of the Mayflower. My picture looked like a Tulip. [You think I am kidding, but that really did happen.] Don't laugh, Tulips are a May flower - as in a flower that blooms in the month of May. How was I to know she wanted me to color a boat named the Mayflower?
When I first used crayons, there were eight in the box. It was so uncomplicated. The red waxy thing had a piece of paper wrapped around it that had the word "Red" on it. Blue was blue, green was green, brown was brown, black was black, yellow was yellow, orange was orange, violet was violet.
As I grew older, my collection of crayons grew. At some point I found in the box flavors as apricot, burnt sienna, maroon, pine green and other stuff. A yellow-orange and an orange-yellow was right there in the same box. Somewhere along the way a big box of crayons was introduced on one of my favorite shows as a kid - Captain Kangaroo - with a built in sharperner, and there were colors named aquamarine, sepia and Indian red.
The Indian red name was changed to chestnut. The color flesh was changed to peach. I have always believed it was political correctness finding its way into the color crayon box.
Eight fluorescent colors with strange sounding names were added. My favorite crayon color of all time was Copper. It is only one letter away from my being able to say it was named after me.
I outgrew the coloring age, but I have kind of kept up with changes. Nearly two decades ago, more colors were added - among them cerulean, dandelion, electric lime, fuchsia, neon carrot, purple pizzazz and razzle dazzle rose.
Along the line they retired the colors of blue gray, green blue, lemon yellow, maize, orange red, orange yellow, raw umber and violet blue. I thought the crayon creators went crazy when they added colors as asparagus, cerise, macaroni and cheese, mauvelous and purple mountain's majesty, among other odd names. Do you realize they even invented a color named fuzzy wuzzy brown? [I swear, I ain't making this stuff up].
But now, me thinks the color crayon creators have gone a little too far. Why? Because they stopped inventing colors and went to renaming colors. They are not adding or substracting colors, they are changing names. The crayon controlling crowd have changed the name of eight crayons, which will be included in the 64-pack this year.
Here is the list.
Watermelon becomes Awesome.
Laser Lemon becomes Super Happy.
Wild Tangerine becomes Fun in the Sun.
Screamin' Green becomes Giving Tree.
Beaver becomes Bear Hug.
Turquoise Blue becomes Happy Ever After.
Hot Magenta becomes Famous.
Orchid becomes Best Friends.
I admit I never knew that one of the crayons in the box was actually named Beaver. But, there is a flaw with this change.
Those new names are "happy" names, and not everybody is always happy. So, somewhere along the way in the future, expect more changes to accomondate the unhappy crowd.
I hereby submit a list of eight new colors to balance out the box: Grumpy, Frowning Face, Dog Ugly, Unruly Bore, Infamous, Bitter Enemies, Stingy Buzzard and Depression.

Columns by Norman Cooper

in previous editions

To boycott, or not to boycott; doesn't matter, not effective
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

California again sets the stage for the riduclous. The Olympic torch came to San Francisco on its only stop in America. There are several things wrong that with situation - but we will leave that for another column.
This column is about protests and boycotts associated with Olympics for political reasons and how they don't work. It is also about not boycotting the Olympics for political reasons and how they don't work.
The issue this Olympic season is about Chinese oppression in Tibet, an issue raised in London and Paris and San Francisco and now even in this country's presidential race.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger encouraged the protests. Sen. Hillary Clinton called on President Bush to boycott the opening ceremonies in Beijing. Many protesters are urging athletes to boycott not just of the opening ceremonies but the entire Games.
Don't misunderstand. Chinese conduct in Tibet is unacceptable and bad.
But will boycotts and protests of the Olympic flame, Olympic opening ceremony and games have any effect. Will full participation have any effect?
History tells us the answer is "No."
One group believes that openly opposing oppressive regimes by not participating will persuade the oppressors to change their ways. Another group believes that going there and being friendly will win the oppressors over and thus they will be the error of their ways and change.
Not going to happen.
Both approaches have been tried in the past with negligible results.

Read the entire column in the NGN

No such thing as a pregnant man, just freaky woman

By Norman Cooper, Columnist

Watching a news shows one morning something was said that caught my attention - man was having a baby. I've given birth to a kidney stone. But a baby? OK, I waited around to watch this.
It turns out that the person (and I use that term loosely and with the broadest application as possible) having the baby is not a man.
Why would news organizations say a "man is having a baby" when it is not a man?
It is a freaky, ugly female that takes testosterone to grow a beard and was artificialy inseminated by a female partner.
Just because you remove a pair of something below your chin so your shirt lays flat, grow a beard and cut your hair does not make you a man. If you were born with female plumbing inside your body, you are a female. Someone can surgically attach big floppy ears to their head, but it doesn't make them a rabbit.
I want to know how this is going to be explained to the child.
Child: Who's my mama?
Grownup: You're daddy.
Child: What?
Grownup: Your daddy was really your mommy, but your mommy didn't want to be a woman so he/she changed some things to look like a man, but the want-to-be-a-man person still had plumbling inside him/her so she/him could give birth to you. Then he/she went on TV to get money.
Child: So, I was concieved inside in my daddy, who is really my mommy?
Grownup: Not exactly. You were taken from a female who lives like a female and put into the female who wants to live like a male.

Why some Letters to the Editor and ViewPoints not printed
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

There are many Letters To The Editor and ViewPoints received every week at this newspaper, and every week a decision has to be made on each individual submission whether they should be published, tossed or researched. It is often easy to determine if readers will take an interest in the topic addressed. Some have suggested is unfair when their letter or ViewPoint is not printed. When it isn't printed, there is a reason. I am amused at those who claim they are being denied their Constitutional right of "Freedom of Speech" when yours truly does not publish their Letter to the Editor or ViewPoint. No, it is not.
One submission that didn't get published was from a person "who wants to make a joyful noise unto the Lord" but the choir director won't let them sing in the choir. They named the church.
Another submitted a ViewPoint concerning a high-profiled individual. When they were E-mailed back and asked for a phone number so their name could be verified, they responded by saying they had changed their mind. Some Letters to the Editor and ViewPoints can't be published due to an issue of libel, which is a legal word for "written slander." There are some people running for poltical office who try to critcize office holders under the cloak of a ViewPoint.
Often political candidates will create E-mails with false names and try to submit false information against the incumbents in office.

Read the entire column in the NGN

How did the Jerusalem Times handle first Easter story
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

If ever there existed a newspaper this scribe would want to find, it would be the front section of the Jerusalem Times during the week of Easter. Surely the managing editor of the Jerusalem Times would have assigned a reporter and photographer to cover Jesus.
On that week in 30 A.D., the writer would have covered the story of Jesus’ ride on a mule into the town of Jerusalem. The photographer would have captured the image of the Nazarene and throngs of people who were there to greet him. Letters to the Editor would have both praised and criticized his activities. Without a doubt, the paper would cover the speculation that Jesus would soon make his move to overthrow the local government officials, take the throne in Jerusalem and then throw out the dreaded Romans.
When would Jesus claim the throne of his ancestor King David? The media would interview various religious leaders. The writer assigned to the beat would catch wind of a defection among his close supporters and a conspiracy to have him arrested and possibly killed. Late on Wednesday night, the reporter and photographer would follow as Jesus and his friends enter into a garden. There would come a group to arrest Jesus on false charges....

The reporter sees the events unfold and follows as Jesus is carried before Pilate....

The reporter goes to the tomb and finds a nice safe place where he can’t be seen by the Roman guards. What will he see? Will he see followers try to over power the guards, illegally break the Roman seal and steal the lifeless body of their fallen leader? Will dawn come completing a third night, and nothing happen? Or, does he witness an event that would be the most dramatic, most dynamic and most tremendous story in the history of mankind? Saturday night. The historical accounts are very clear that Christ arose before dawn on the first day of the week - in other words - in the wee hours of Sunday morning. Sometime before dawn a bright light appears. The stone is rolled away. The stone, guarded by the world’s most powerful nation and best military force on Earth, is moved without resistance.
Then Jesus comes walking out of the tomb.
He is alive. The reporter sees this event take place. That is the paper I want to find! Sunday’s edition of the Jerusalem Times.
Just exactly how did the reporter handle the story of the resurrection of Jesus? In a scoop, the reporter hurries back to the newspaper office and then what? Does he write it or deny it? Does the editor print it? Does the paper ignore it? Does the staff at the paper treat it with indifference? Does the paper make it one the biggest headlines ever? The Easter season offers a time for mankind to examine the resurrection story. How did the reporter and editor for the Jerusalem Times handle the story?

Read the entire column in the NGN.

Safety of children, cleaning county, sending a message
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

It's 3 a.m. The alarm clock sounds and a weary journalist pops the snooze button. Minutes later the sound returns, and the jolt from dream land into real world occurs once again.
Why would I intentionally set my alarm clock for 3 a.m. during the middle of the week?
The same reason more than two dozen other people set their alarms for about the same time... to be at the Union County Sheriff's office at 4 a.m. You read that right. At 4 a.m. there were law officials from two different states and a half dozen agencies at the Sheriff's Office, plus me.
For more than a year yours truly and the Union County Sheriff's Office have been working to publish information about those who are involved in illegal drugs and the illegal use of prescription drugs. I do it for three reasons:
1. Safety of our children. Hopefully parents will take a close look at those arrested on drug related charges and keep their children away from them.
2. Cleaning up the county. Citizens will know that our local law enforcement investigates all situations about drugs, many of which are learned about through tips and information from the public - as well as using many other investigative resources available.
3. To send a message. Hopefully those who deal in drugs will realize they will be investigated, arrested and have their names, faces and information in the paper, alerting the public, employers, parents and others as to their identity. Hopefully this coverage will convince those involved with drugs to: (A) don't do it, or (B) don't do it here.
Back to the waking up at 3 o'clock in the morning and being at the sheriff's office at 4 a.m.
Last week I had the opportunity to observe several raids of houses in the county. They ranged from shacks not much bigger than the office I work in to a large house on a large tract of land.

Politics - oh what a mess we have
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

Barack Obama’s wife, Michelle, has found a way to stick her foot in her mouth. The liberal media has found a way to divert the attention away from Michelle by publishing tabloid trash about the old white guy running for president in the other party.
Michelle was the focus of a lot of criticism for giving the impression that she hasn’t been proud of her country until now, and she is now proud only because a political party is beginning to rally around her husband’s campaign.
She was speaking in Milwaukee and said, “People in this country are ready for change and hungry for a different kind of politics and … for the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback.”
If Hillary Clinton is elected as President of the United States, is Michelle not proud to be an American citizen? She is only proud now that her husband is on a winning streak toward a possible nomination to be president? While Michelle was busy putting her foot in her mouth, the liberal media that attempts to control the thinking in this country went into action. They published a tabloid story with no credited sources for the information they claim to have gotten. John McCain came under fire when a New York newspaper gave its readers the impression that McCain had inappropriate contacts with a female several years ago. The New York Times suggested he showed favoritism for the clients of a female lobbyist, which McCain says is not true. The story does not assert there was a romantic relationship between McCain and the female, but it reports that McCain's staff worried about the appearance of McCain having close ties to a lobbyist with business before one of his committees.
Michelle delivered an amended version of the speech later in the day in Madison. “For the first time in my adult lifetime, I’m really proud of my country," said Michelle. After the liberal media's favorite candidate's wife puts her foot in her mouth, the story about McCain is printed? Is it coincidence?
Not hardly.

Read the entire editorial in the NGN.

Honoring on President's Day two of America's greatest
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

During the month of February a holiday known as President's Day is celebrated, said holiday being observed on the Monday of the week this newspaper is published.
Most American's have their favorites, albeit too often it is based along party lines rather than what the individuals themselves accomplished while in office.
This nation has had two outstanding pioneer presidents - those being President George Washington and President Jefferson Davis. Neither of them belonged to a political party, which increases their legacy tremendously.
President Washington was the first president of the United States, a nation formed out of colonies who seceded for a domineering government. The colonies believed in self-determination and President Washington strongly agreed.
President Jefferson Davis was the first president of the Confederate States of America, a nation formed by states seceding from a domineering government. The states believed in states rights and in self-determination and President Jefferson strongly agreed.
Jefferson Davis served as President of the Confederate States of America from 1861 to 1865 during the War Between the States, commonly known as the Civil War.
During his presidency, Davis was never able to find a strategy that would defeat the larger, more industrially developed Union.
Davis insisted on independence. As a West Point graduate, Davis prided himself on the military skills he gained in the Mexican-American War as a colonel of a volunteer regiment, and as U.S. Secretary of War under President Franklin Pierce.`

A child shall lead them
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

It is official. Something in the Bible fits the Georgia House of Representatives. In the scriptures there is a phrase that says that "a child shall lead them." Those to whom that quote is attributed didn't have the leader of the Georgia House of Representatives in mind. The context in which it was originally spoken was a positive perspective. In the situation involving the Georgia House of Representatives Speaker Glenn Richardson the context of biblical reference does not apply, but the words fit.
A vote was taken to select the chairman of the Department of Transportation. The Department has a capable, dependable and honest chairman, one who does the right things and says the right things - which of course bothered Richardson.
Richardson was not shy letting it be known he wanted somebody else. Why? Chairman Mike Evans is an independent thinker and Richardson wanted a person he could control and rule.
Richardson issued a decree. What was that decree from the leader of the House? For members in the House to search their souls and vote for the best person? No. For members of the House to look at qualifications and vote for the best person? No For members of the House to determine who would best serve the state in that capacity? No. The decree from Caesar Richardson was to "vote for his man." A majority of those casting votes rejected the decree from His Majesty and instead voted for the most qualified person, the person who had done an exceptional job thus far and who would continue to be the best person to serve the state as DOT chairman. Did Richardson show some dignity and take the high road in this process? No. Richardson pitched a hissy-fit, like a little child whose mommy denied him an ice-cream cone.

See entire column in the NGN.

Kid killed by cannon he loaded himself
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

Kid-Wantabe-Cool was a kid with a lot of potential and lot of promise who ended his life in front of a cannon he loaded himself. The scenario started one afternoon when Kid-Wantabe-Cool was on his way home from school.
Kid-Wantabe-Cool was a average kid, always searching ways to have fun in his young, energetic and adventurous life. Under normal circumstances, Kid-Wantabe-Cool would have gone straight home as were his instructions from those who cared about him. They knew that venturing into unfamiliar places could be harmful. ... This time Dunderhead offered the gullible and thrill seeking Kid-Wantabe-Cool an ultimate challenge. The cannon.
Dunderhead sold Kid-Wantabe-Cool a cannon ball, powder and a match. The wick was free. Kid-Wantabe-Cool loaded the cannon. He followed Dunderhead’s directions and stood in front of the barrel, and after lighting the match, touched it to the wick.
The ultimate thrill ended when Kid-Wantabe-Cool’s family was selecting a coffin for his funeral, while Dunderhead deposited the ill-gained profits into his bank account.
The Real Life Message of the above story
There are some thinking that such a scenario could never take place. No one would be this dumb. The story, many will say, is totally unrealistic.
However, this story is all too common, if you replace the weapons in this story with drugs.
Nobody wakes up in the morning and says, "I think I'll become a drug addicit today."
No, it starts slowly. A puff and a pill and a thrill. Then it escalates. The danger of drugs, I am told, is that it destroys a life and it is hard to stop.
Fortunately, I do not have any first hand experience on what effect drugs have on a person. I've never experimented with drugs - for which I am grateful. That is the message I hope many will hear. You don't have to start.
Doing drugs is not smart. Smart people don't do drugs. If someone offers you a drug - be it illegal drugs or the illegal use of legal drugs - know that you are not associating with an intelligent person. Get away from them.
You deserve better.
You deserve to live your life drug free.

Read the entire column in the NGN

Paying students to study is the wrong message
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

I read the article ... twice.
I just wanted to make sure I understood the contents. The first time through the article I could not believe what I was reading. A couple of schools in the Fulton County school system has a new program where students can learn and earn.
A private business is paying 40 students at a high school and a middle school $8 per hour to study after school. This company is also offering cash bonuses to students who improve in-school performance.
What? Are they serious?
Once again our society has found a way to reward those who have not applied themselves to excellence while not rewarding those who are already being successful.
What would be better, in my opinion, would be for a company to make the following announcement.
"We are giving every student who finished in the top third in their class academically a financial reward for their commitment to learning."
Those students who did not perform in the top one-third would get the message, learn and earn.
This program in Fulton County is sending the wrong message. Be irresponsible and we will give you money to get better. Those who have shown dedication by being responsible in learning get nothing for your time and effort.
That is the wrong message to give students.

Meeting shows why we live in a great country
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

A packed jury assembly room on Jan. 15 at the county courthouse is proof of why America is great. No matter what your position is on the SPLOST vote coming up Feb. 5, the fact that citizens could gather at the courthouse and discuss the issues without fear of prison or retaliation was marvelous. Yes, some abused the opportunity and the spirit of the meeting to air their personal gripes and shame on them for doing so, but the fact they did without fear of law enforcement coming in and throwing them in prison for speaking their mind is something to be said about our country.
It should be noted that our elected official conducting the meeting accomplished several things - he presented the information, he let others speak, he responded appropriately and he kept the meeting in order and moving along without affray. Most other counties around these mountains would have never had that second meeting. They would have considered the first meeting where only a few showed up good enough and quit. Commissioner Lamar Paris had a second public meeting where more than 150 showed up. Regardless of your politics, you have to admire him for having that second public meeting.

Right decision by DA
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

District Attorney Stan Gunter made the correct decision when he offered to not seek the death penalty against Gary Michael Hilton, who was arrested for "kidnapping with body injury" in Union County in connection with missing hiker Meredith Hope Emerson.
In exchange for not seeking the death penalty, Hilton agreed to lead authorities to Emerson's body, which was dumped in Dawson County after he killed her.
Why is this a good deal? There are 10 reasons why this was correct.
First, and most importantly, the family and friends of Meredith can have some closure in this tragic situation. Knowing your loved one is dead is horrible. Knowing your loved one suffered compounds that horror. Not knowing where your loved one's remains are is unbearable.
Second, leading authorities to the location of the body is enough of a confession for any reasonable minded jury to find Hilton guilty.
Third, authorities may be able to convince Hilton to plead guilty and save taxpayers untold tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars that would have been in excess of normal costs.
Fourth, the events of Hilton agreeing to reveal the location of the body insures he never harms another human person since he will be in custody for the rest of his life.
Fifth, the discovery of the body could help authorities who are trying to solve other crimes of similar nature in determining if Hilton is guilty of those deaths also.
Sixth, Gunter is not making the same mistakes as a district attorney in Atlanta which is costing those taxpayers multiplied millions of dollars in a murder case. Grandstanding in a death penalty case is not on Gunter's agenda.
Seventh, even if Gunter sought the death penalty, chances are extremely slim that Hilton would ever be executed. Hilton is 61 years old and does not appear to be a healthy individual. Some inmates on death row have been there for more than 20 years. Hilton is not going to live to be 81 years old. He'll die before he would be executed, which means he basically would have served a life without parole sentence, which he faces now.
Eighth, while a majority of Americans believe barbaric killers should be put to death, justices in higher courts could issue rulings that outlaws the practice of execution at some point in the future. That would change every death row inmate to serving a life sentence.
(Just a side note: I would prefer death cases have one trial, then one appeal to an appeals court, one more appeal to the state supreme court. Then, send it the United States Supreme Court. If they take up the case within six months, fine. If not, it is over. After the United States Supreme Court upholds the death penalty the execution should be done within three months. The process should take no longer than three years. No governor or panel or group of sign carrying yahoos should be allowed to challenge it or attempt to challenge it.)
Ninth, if other states link Hilton to crimes of murder, then Hilton can be sent to their state and let Hilton face the death penalty there. And let their taxpayers pick up the tab for prosecution and defense of this worthless excuse for a human.
Tenth, it clearly lets the voters of this judicial circuit know that District Attorney Stan Gunter is willing to do what is right for the family and right for the community rather than try to use this tragedy for publicity or political gain.

Tragedy unfolds
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

It's shortly after midnight, exactly one week after New's Year Eve was celebrated. I sit here in a quiet office thinking of what can be written in this space after the week - and this day - that has just concluded. The column I had written here had to be changed. The contents of that column were valid when written Sunday night and were still valid at midday on Monday. By Monday night, it was mute. This column had been a letter to the suspect in the case of the missing hiker, Meredith Hope Emerson. It contained an appeal for him to do the right thing and tell the location of Meredith. I laid out a scenario for him to follow, but that means nothing now. The body has been found and recovered. ...  I have absolutely no idea what the family and roommate and godmother and friends of Meredith must be feeling. I have had plenty of relatives and friends die, but I have not had to deal with this kind of situation where a loved one or close friend died from violent circumstances at the hands of a [can't print here what I think, so use your own word].
But I could sense the grief and the turmoil and the anguish they must have felt being there for several days as efforts to locate Meredith continued around the clock. When I learned the day after New Year's Day that our finest were searching for a missing person in the mountains, I had only one thought - another photo opportunity of our rescue personnel successfully finding and saving someone. I had seen it before. Photographed it. I was there when they found a plane which had crashed in a remote, hard to find area. I remember hiking the trail with those guys. It was so bad the mountain goats had taken the week off. This time was different. The law enforcement and personnel from our local fire and rescue went into the woods and came back empty. They went in again with a much more expanded search and again came back empty. The reality that something happened other than a hiker getting off course began to settle heavy on me, but I dared not express my concern. ...  This has not been a good week. Happy New Year turned into a horrible tragedy with a senseless loss of life. Grief that words can not describe flourished in an area that should only bring happiness and joy and peaceful feelings. Sometime in the near future I may write that [insert descriptive term] another letter, but if I do, you'll not see it here. Care to guess why?

Read the entire column in the NGN.

Time for some who don't fit here to move on
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

In a conversation the other day with a few people, we solved all of the world's problems. Now, if we can only get the world to listen.
We talked at length about a lot of stuff and had some good laughs. Thought I'd share some of it this week.
During this conversation we discussed insignificant folks who amount to nothing, two-faced people who speak with forked tongues and insecure adolescents who masquerade as an adult, especially those who are preoccupied with picking at those they could never equal rather than working hard to make something of themselves. We agreed the community is better off when those kind of people move on.Our conversation included the topic of criticism. We all laughed. Some folks finding fault with others is like an ugly person looking into a mirror made of wood and thinking themselves beautiful while hurling insults at someone else.
We all agreed that many who criticize are so far behind that they have delusions about being out in front. We agreed the community is better off when those kind of people move on.

Read the entire column by clicking on the item below.

January 2, 2008

Important decisions for 2008
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

The year 2008 could be one of the most critical in the past 50 or more years and will affect what happens in the next several years.
There are many decisions that are going to have to be made, and some of those decisions will deal with the citizens of our community becoming aware of people as well as issues. This is an election year and Georgia is in the early mix when it comes to presidential campaigns. I have never heard so much bickering among folks who are supposedly wearing the same feathers. They say birds of a feather flock together, but the birds running for president in both political parties are so busy squawking at each other they are not having much success convincing us they are better than the folks on the other side. I am having fun watching the liberal media trying to cover their backsides and egos in this race. Read the entire column in the NGN.

December 26, 2007

New Year Resolutions
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

Every new year brings with it new challenges, the impression that one can shake off the year gone by and put on a new beginning.
With that hope comes resolutions.
Many have often said their resolution was to make no resolution.
Others would make resolutions and then resolve to keep all of them at least until midnight. Over the years I’ve tried to take humorous approaches, but I occasionally would sit down and write some resolutions that would be good not only at the new year, but at anytime somebody wanted to change their life for the better.
Thus, here are several suggestions for New Year’s resolutions. Some of these I have used before. Some are revised. Some are new. All are worth reading.
I resolve ...
1. To remember God is the creator and that his opinion of me is more important than what others think about me.

Read all 30 resolutions in the NGN.

December 19, 2007

The Elusive Christmas Spirit
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

Every year the same questions are asked over and over again, 'Are you in the Christmas Spirit yet?" or “Does it seem like Christmas to you?” The answers are usually “No” or “Are you kidding?" Nobody seems to have that Christmas Spirit that many remember from years gone by. I believe I know why. Elderly people often talk about Christmas long ago. As children, they were excited to get an orange or some candy. They sometimes would get a little toy. There would be a Christmas tree put up a day or two before Christmas, then that tree was taken down a day or two after.
Why was Christmas special to them in yesteryear? Because in yesteryear Christmas was a change from the routine of ordinary life. ... We no longer enjoy the magical Christmas Spirit because we do not change our routine, we just simply add more to what we are already doing all year long.
We maintain the same busy and often overbooked schedule we always keep. We continue our routine, simply adding more to our list of things-to-do in December.
Christmas in years gone by was cherished because it changed the routine of everyday life. Read the entire column in the NGN.December 12, 2007

The First Christmas Card
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

Sending Christmas Cards, as mentioned before, is a tradition.
When did this start? Who was that person who sat down, folded a piece of paper in half, drew something on the front, wrote something inside and then gave it to somebody else? Postage is still cheap enough to make Christmas card mailing an inexpensive, yet noble gesture. Be it an inspirational card, a serious card, a humorous card, something poetic or something offbeat, the sending of the card itself says someone cares. There is one thing about Christmas I’d like to discover. It has nothing to do with flying reindeer, wrapped presents or trees. Nothing to do with gifts and plays. It has to do with a piece of paper written on around 4 B.C.
When Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem, part of the purpose was to register with a census. Now, that’s what I want to see. The Census report. The Census that has the names Joseph, Mary, Jesus. That report, in itself, was actually the first Christmas Card. It simply proclaimed, “Joy to the World, the Lord has come.”

Read the entire column in the NGN.

December 5, 2007

Why only one Santa in parades and at the mall
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

During the Christmas shopping season, millions of people flock to the malls. The first week of December, hundreds of towns have Christmas parades. Going to the mall to shop is just asking for trouble. Folks carry bags weighing more than themselves. Ever wonder why are there no shopping carts in the malls? While you are out of luck finding a shopping cart, you can find Santa Claus.
Where did the tradition of having Santa Claus in the mall begin? Who came up with the idea of having Santa at the mall for four weeks? When you go to a parade, you’ll also see Santa. Where did the tradition of having Santa in a parade weeks before Christmas begin? And why do they make him last in line? If Santa is so important, shouldn’t he be in the front of a parade? I always thought Santa Claus was supposed to arrive on Dec. 24, during the night, and then be back home at the North Pole before dawn.

School tax an investment to literate society
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

During a discussion with one of our wonderful elderly residents, I learned they were determined to raise a ruckus about folks near his age who did not have children in school but were still having to pay school taxes. He wanted me to write an article about that point of view. I told him I would be more than happy to do so, but there would be other issues that the article would need to address. "Like what?" he inquired, cutting his eye at me and raising an eyebrow. I asked him to tell me about his school days. He did with great pride. He was proud of his school and the education he got there.
I asked him what he would have done for an education if only those people with kids in school were paying school tax or tuition. He agreed that everybody contributing provided the educational opportunity he had and that there would have been no schools if not for school taxes.
It is not just a tax, I offered, but rather it is actually a contribution toward a literate society with educational opportunities for all.
The elderly gentleman will be paying the school tax this year without a fuss and definitely with a different perspective than before. Read the entire column in the NGN

Things I am thankful for
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

God. America. Hearing the singing of God Bless America, America the Beautiful and the National Anthem. The ability to think reasonably. Physical strength. Sight. Ability to hear. Friends, good acquaintances, friendly folks and family members.

Having good people as my friends and having undesirables as my enemies.
Singing real low. (Sorry, that’s what other folks are thankful for.)
Those who express appreciation only to those who deserve it and awards that actually mean something. The ability to laugh.

Blessed to work in a profession I thoroughly enjoy, spell checker thing-a-ma-jig on my computer and those who practice journalist integrity. Earning my check instead of goldbricking my way through a job. The joy of photography, the fun of writing and the ability to express my views. Efforts to keep kids away from drugs, alcohol, tobacco and other bad habits.

Read the entire column in the NGN.

Honoring our Veterans
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

Veterans were honored in our community on Saturday, with your humble scribe in west Georgia covering the cross country state championships. Cloning hasn't extended to the newspaper folks yet.
The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans held the traditional and very impressive event on Saturday in Blairsville. Union County has an outstanding tradition of honoring Veterans. When Veteran's Day occurs, my mind remembers back to the Thursday night before the dedication of the Union County War Memorial in 1995. I took a stroll along the sidewalk and the plaza of the War Memorial.
Those veterans who lost their lives are remembered on Memorial Day while those still living are honored on Veterans' Day.

Read the entire column in the NGN.

Gruding admiration, however...
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

I received an interesting email recently. In the email the writer stated they had "developed a grudging admiration" for yours truly.
"His work ethic and coverage of events in this county are remarkable," they wrote. Wow, I thought. I read further ...
"That said, I am frequently dismayed by his slanted coverage of local issues, and outright editorializing on the front page. Any good journalist should know that the place for such opinion is the Opinion Page. A good journalist should also present the facts of both sides of the issue, and give people enough credit to consider these facts and arrive at their own conclusions. The recent front page article regarding SPLOST is a case in point. I don’t think I have ever seen two such loaded beginning paragraphs in a “news” piece."
I am aware that some newspapers teach their reporters that the objective of an article is to find point "A" (i.e. the SPLOST for schools), seek out point "B" (someone opposed to it) and make the conflict between point A and point B the story. I know that. However, I chose not to do that.
Being pro-education, pro-athletics and pro-safety, I presented the SPLOST vote for schools in a positive light, reporting on all the good things it can do for our students and the community.
It never dawned on me to go searching for those who are anti-education and anti-students and create an article where the many pros and a couple of cons are fighting against each other.
Being accused of slanted coverage that is pro-students and pro-education is something I am proud of.

Read the entire column in the NGN.

Immigrants, aliens and the great debate
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

In today's world we label those who come to our land uninvited as an alien. Those who arrived here between the 1400s and 1800s are labeled as immigrants. Talk about immigrants and conversations can get nostalgic and patriotic. Talk about aliens and discussions can get nasty. The problem in the debate today is that everyone tends to lump all aliens into one category - bad people that need to be deported. That just isn't so. They are not all bad. If everyone reaching the shores of America without an invitation were to have been deported soon after arriving we would have no Thanksgiving, no stories about Pilgrims, no Plymouth Rock and Columbus would not have a holiday. When Columbus sailed the Ocean Blue in 1492, I am pretty confident that the natives on the island were not standing there with signs that read, "Discover us."

If you want to deport somebody, I have a suggestion.
Round up the worthless phantom forum writers and owners of forums who allow a space for spreading slander. Let's deport them.
I'll take a hard-working, honest alien per day if it would keep those low class forum promoters away.

But when I see a man, woman and child from another country and the only reason they are here is to try and have a better life than the poverty stricken conditions they escaped from, and they are willing to work toward citizenship while holding down a job - my desire is to help them, not deport them.
Instead, deport those sorry drug dealers and child molesters and habitual law violators who were born here.
I'd rather have a community full of honest, hard working, God-fearing immigrants over law-breaking, lazy, trouble making people who are born here.

Read the entire column in the NGN.

Idaho Hall of Fame should flush nominee
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

A United States Senator has become an embarrassment for our nation and his political party, but obviously not for the hall of fame officials of his home state.
Sen. Larry Craig, the hand signaling, foot tapping, stall peaking, soliciting senator is from Idaho has been in the news telling everyone he does not particpate in the "alternate lifestyle" activities after it was revealed that he was arrested in an airport bathroom and pled guilty to charges stemming from his actions that is frequently used to attract the attention of those who participate in activites of those with an "alternate lifestyle." Idaho Senator Larry Craig is being inducted into the Idaho Hall of Fame.
Seriously. Officials with the Idaho Hall of Fame Association said they had chosen the Senator before it was announced Craig was arrested in a sex sting at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport.

Read the entire column in the NGN.

The GREAT plan will be a GREAT disaster
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

Get Rid of Every Ad valorem Tax program is known as the GREAT plan. It's not even a good plan. If implemented it will become known as the GREAT disaster of Georgia. And who better to lead the charge than those who are pushing the proposal than those who are positioning themselves for the political future.

Under the plan championed by Georgia House Speaker Glenn Richardson - famous for Verbal Dueling with a governor of the same political party - the property tax would disappear. Oh, how wonderful the property owners would say. But, wait.
When that disappears, what replaces it? Sales tax collected by the state. Now, follow the money. When the local government and the local school board collects local property tax, it is the local government and local school board who decides how it is spent.
When the state collects the money, the state decides where the money is spent.

Read the entire column in the NGN.

Sweet smell of the smoking ban
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

Sitting in a restaurant enjoying a meal. Suddenly it is ruined when the whiff of obnoxious cigarette smoke filters up my nose.Yuk!
Having a non-smoking section in a restaurant is as useless as a non-tinkling section in a swimming pooi - eventually it gets to you.
Before the airlines banned smoking, a fellow getting on an airplane handed a card to a fellow passenger. It read: “I see you smoke, well, I chew. If you blow your smoke on me, I will spit on you.”
When teenagers see adults smoking, that gives them the idea it’s OK to light up. The only way nowadays to keep a kid from smoking is to assign smoking as a homework assignment. Kids dislike homework.
At a ball game once, a man said to another, “You wouldn’t buy that hotdog and eat it if you knew what was in it.” Then he took another drag on the cigarette. Yea, good health advice.

Read the entire column in the NGN.

Let students study intelligent design
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

The little red creatures which live on the planet Mars have launched a space ship toward Earth in hopes of finding the origins of their species. Space aliens on Saturn’s rings are developing telescopes to peer into space to learn of their origin.
Sounds like a bunch of monkey business. Which brings us to evolution. The origin of mankind has intrigued the race of humans roaming the planet for quite sometime. Every culture has some sort of a story about where they came from.
Atheists devote their lives insisting that a race of humans clearly superior to all other creatures on the planet are merely here by random acts of change over billions of years that began with big bang from far away. They are at a loss to explain what existed before the bang and they scratch their heads to answer the question, “Who made the stuff and pulled the trigger to cause a big band to start spreading stuff throughout the universe?”  ....  Give the students a chance to choose and they will likely give the monkey business a big good-bye and the theory of evolution may get tossed into the sea of unreasonableness.
We send probes to Mars and to Saturn and to outer space to try and seek answers to many topics - searching well beyond just one source in the search for answers.
Why can we not allow students to he equally exposed to more than one possibility about the origin of life in their search for answers?

Read the entire column in the NGN

Dealing with annoying things in life
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

Early one morning the phone rings. “Hello?” “Good morning, sir, we are calling about an exciting new product to unclog your drains.” Why did this person think I want to talk about clogged drains at eight o’clock in the morning? I have something for those telemarketers. I keep them on the line for a longtime. I can do other stuff while wasting their time. After keeping this person on the phone for 20 minutes, I said, “Madam, I don’t have clogged drains and I don’t need your product. But, if you have something that prevents moronic idiots as yourself from calling me, I’ll buy that.”
Same is true for those who leave messages. Don’t erase them. Have some fun.
“Sorry we missed you, because I have a great offer on how to consolidate all your credit card bills into one payment at a low interest rate. Please call and have your credit card numbers ready”
I call them. I give bogus information to confuse them. My name: Jim Clip. (Think about that). Credit card company: First Bank of Bubbaville. Credit card number: In a slow drawl, start making up numbers and letters and just keep talking. 3-2-4-8-9-6-1-A-4-R-3-S-5-32-0-4-K-13-L-23-4-2-6-W...   You’d be surprised just how long it takes some of those morons to catch on.

Read the entire column in the NGN.

American Red Cross targeted by J & J in lawsuit over logo

By Norman Cooper, Columnist

Johnson & Johnson has sued the American Red Cross over the use of the American Red Cross symbol. It is simply unthinkable that a for profit company would sue a humanitarian organization over a symbol. The suit was filed recently in federal court in Manhattan.
The American Red Cross has used the Red Cross emblem since its inception in 1881. J&J started using a red cross symbol as a trademark in 1887. Congress granted the American Red Cross the exclusive right to use the Red Cross emblem in 1905. Some third-party users are called “grandfathered users” and J&J is one of several grandfathered users. American Red Cross President Mark W. Everson said the company’s actions were “obscene” and “simply so that J.& J. can make more money.” Americans should join in the effort to express outrage to Johnson & Johnson for this action. Write to Johnson & Johnson, One Johnson & Johnson Plaza, Room WH 2133, New Brunswick, NJ 08933 USA.
The items the American Red Cross is licensing for retail sale include emergency preparedness kits and grooming kits.
The nonprofit organization obtains part of the revenue from sales of those products, amounting to what is estimated to be less than $10 million a year. Johnson & Johnson's annual report of 2006 declared the company had more than $53.3 billion in sales.
Why is the for profit company on the NYSE with over $53 Billion in sales suing a non-profit organization obtaining less than $10 Million in sales of items with the logo it owns?

......  J&J products are about making money.
The American Red Cross products are only about preparing individuals and families for life’s emergencies and improving health and wellness. Less than seven percent of the American public has taken the necessary steps to get prepared. The American Red Cross strongly believes that the most effective way to distribute these emergency preparedness products is through retail channels where Americans regularly shop. This widespread distribution of products is what J&J is seeking to prevent. It is a shame that the American Red Cross has to waste valuable resources that could and should be devoted to helping to save lives and helping those affected by disasters, in defending itself against an ill-conceived lawsuit instituted by J&J.

Read the entire column in the NGN, or request a copy of this entire column via email at northgeorgianews@hotmail.com

Henry Aaron ultimate player
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

Henry Aaron the ultimate player
So some guy with puffed-up arms who plays half his baseball games in San Francisco tied the all time home run king in number of home runs hit in a career. Yawn. Discuss that with somebody who cares. I'd rather talk about the guy who launched most of his home runs with a Braves' insignia on his uniform. I remember the Braves coming to Atlanta. Henry Aaron, Joe Torre and Eddie Matthews became instant heroes to a young boy who still enjoys the game. There are some things about Hammerin' Hank that Bulging Biceps hasn't reached. 1. Respect as a player. Aaron is the ultimate gentleman. Fans love him, the media likes him and those involved in baseball idolize him as one of the greatest all time.
2. Good for the game. Aaron is the ultimate ambassador for baseball. Anywhere Aaron goes he is known as a player who played the game without reproach. 3. Role model. Hammerin' Hank handled his role in baseball history in a proper manner and has never done anything to embarrass the game.

Honoring Michael Vick not right

Did my ears deceive me? A group in Atlanta is going to be honoring Michael Vick, a suspect in dogfighting offenses that happened on his property he bought and owned?
Maybe they'll invite Michael Jackson and O. J. Simpson to be part of the party.

Read the entire column in the NGN.

Rumors and rumors of rumors ain't front page
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

When you have been in the business as long as I have, hardly anything surprises me anymore. I have learned not to be too shocked at things I see, things I hear, things I read or things that people tell me that they have seen or heard or read. There should only be one thing that a newspaper should report on. Facts.
People ask me all the time, year after year after year, "Did you know about ..." or "Why didn't you write about ..."
Recently, I have all kind of stuff come across my ears and eyeballs - from some nice people and from some really strange folks.
They want to know, "Why didn't you write about the arrests of ....?" Well, for starters, they weren't arrested. And, a reputable newspaper journalist doesn't write about rumors. There should only be one thing that a newspaper should report on. Facts. I like to tell people this ... When there are rumors, it shall remain with the tongues of those spreading the rumors. When there are facts, you'll see it in print with my by-line on it.
If you have heard the rumor that I am going to write a front page story about rumors, then you can be assured it is a false rumor. If it were a fact, this column would be on the front page, not here.
Enough said.  Read the entire column in the NGN.

Genarlow Wilson case, ViewPoint and DA response
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

This week's column deals with a ViewPoint and about a response from the District Attorney in the Douglas Judicial Circuit to a local citizen who expressed an opinion and included a copy of a column from the NGN concerning the Genarlow Wilson case. ... A writer submitted a ViewPoint to this newspaper, an obvious reference to Genarlow Wilson... The ViewPoint reads as follows: Can a 17-year-old vote? Can they sign legal contracts? Can they marry without parental consent? If the answer to those questions are no, then a 17-year old is a minor. ... Genarlow was not eligible to have his case tried in juvenile court because in Georgia age 17 is the age for adult criminal court. ... A local citizen wrote a letter to the District Attorney's office in the Douglas Judicial Circuit and included the NGN editor's column mentioned above.
In a letter dated July 16, 2007, Douglas Judicial Circuit District Attorney David McDade responded. It read in part:
"I really appreciate you taking the time to write and let me know your thoughts about the Genarlow Wilson case. It was encouraging to see the article that you included from your local newspaper." ...
The good citizens of our state should publicly thank and publicly support the prosecutor who successfully put the criminal in this case where he belongs.
Read the entire column in past issue of the NGN.

Judge, legislators wrong in criminal-friendly actions
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

The society in which we live is becoming so criminal-friendly it is sickening. Take the case in Douglas County. A group of people are trying to get the court system to give a reduced charge and a shorter prison sentence to a defendant convicted of sex with a minor. The person had sex with an minor girl, which is a crime. There were drugs at the party, which is a crime. There was alcohol at the party, which is a crime if you are the age the defendant was when he committed the offense of sex with a minor. They video taped the sex, which is pornography. Underage sex, illegal alcohol, illegal drugs and pornography with minors. And they want to get this guy out of jail early? He, and all those like him, should be kept in jail for as long as possible.

Read the entire column in past issue of the NGN.

The solution to the local vs move in debate
By Norman Cooper, Columnist

As a native Georgian having grown up just south of here, the community fight was about the white folks verses the black folks.
When I enlisted in the Army, a fellow in our unit at basic training was from Hawaii. He told us that the fight in that state was between natives and non-natives. At that time none of us had a clue what he was talking about. Now I have a clue.
Since moving here in 1994, I have learned there are two types of people who live in our wonderful paradise. Those who were born here. Those who were not born here.
Both of those groups have two types of individuals - good people and undesirables. There are Good people who were born here and good people who moved here. There are Undesirables who were born here and undesirables who moved here.
In reading the letters to the editor and viewpoints - both the one-third of those which have been published and the two-thirds which have not been published - I discovered that the people debating each other are missing the point.
The debate should not be about who was born here or who moved here, the issue should only be about what those who live here contribute to our community.
Read the entire column in past issue of the NGN.

Many in community are good, others are fire ants
How many times do we, in our wonderful community, miss the wonderful things in our community because our focus is on something else? An example: Many people come here in the summer and in the fall to see our wonderful mountains. That means more cars. How often do we focus on the increased traffic when we would do well to fully appreciate the mountains we live in year round? How many times do we focus on the few in our community instead of focusing on the good so many people are doing?
The fire ants use an abdominal stinger to release venom. The undesirables in our community (human fire ants) use various forums to spread their venom - verbal, internet and publication. The little worthless pests attempt to sting those they can't equal in terms of accomplishment and respect. Our community has done a tremendously great job of focusing on those who do good while ignoring the worthless human fire ants who attempt to spew their venom. Read the entire column in past issue of the NGN.

Happy birthday to the other 16th President
Jefferson Davis was born June 3, 1808, in Kentucky. In 1824, the 16th year of his age, he was appointed by President Monroe to West Point military academy as a cadet. When Mississippi left the Union, Davis resigned the Senate after a noble speech. He was elected to the command the state's forces. On November 6, 1861 he was called by election to the Presidency of the Confederate States of America and commander-in-chief of the army and navy.
As a U.S. senator from Mississippi, Davis had tried to keep the Union together. When Mississippi seceded from the Union, however, Davis became a Confederate man. After his inauguration as provisional president of the southern states, Jefferson Davis sent a peace commission to Washington. The President of the northern states, Abraham Lincoln, refused to see the ambassadors from the South. Read the entire column in past issue of the NGN.

If everyday life could be like camping
Friday and Saturday and Sunday the activities in this town had taken place without my camera clicking a shot. I was out of town on a camping trip with a lot of other people. Camping is fun. For the time I was there - an event that involved about 120 people - I didn't hear one negative word the entire time. No gripes. No complaints. No back stabbing. No gossip. No put downs. No slanderous attacks. No false accusations. No nasty looks. Nobody was disagreeable. Good thing since about half of us there had black powder rifles for target shooting (this was not a hunting trip). There were also many tomahawks and throwing knives. Everything there was terrific.... Those of us at that camping event appreciate each other - not for what we can get out of each other, but just for being friends. That is not always the case in the everyday world. Often people only like you for what they can get out of you.... This weekend was a time to not think about the morons posting their printed diarrhea on Idiots.com, or to be concerned with folks who spew forth their slanderous nastiness and the backstabbers who did not abate just because the back they were stabbing was out of town.... Thoughts of disagreeable malcontents were left among the litter and the garbage and road kill on the side of the highway... This past weekend I enjoyed a snake-free paradise and had a great time. If only everyday life could be like a camping trip.

Read the entire column in past issue of the NGN.

Why did God allow Virginia murders?
A few years ago our nation was attacked by terrorists and many asked, "Why didn't God stop that?" Recently more than 30 innocent people were murdered by a lunitic, and again people are asking, "Why didn't God stop it?" Here is a repeat of a column after 9-11. The answers and thoughts then are still the same. Different place, different circumstances, but both horrible murders none the less.
Why didn’t God stop 9-11 attack? Where does this blaming God for bad stuff stop? Why doesn’t he stop it? God gives humans the power to make choices. If God stopped every wrong deed from taking place, planet Earth would be unoccupied before you could finish reading this column. Those asking the question, “Why didn’t God stop them?” should be mindful that if God stopped every wrong doer that they would be on the list of those to be stopped.
It’s our choice. The much better question to ask is this, “Why do humans make bad choices when God gives us the ability to do good?” Read the entire column in past issue of the NGN.

Civil War Great Grandpa
I liked the time travelers, especially where the fellow gets into a little phone booth that whirled through space and time.
Whether through the time traveler’s telephone booth or a sliding device, I would not mind traveling back to the late 1870s. Just to have a chat. You see, I have some questions for my great-grandpa.
First thing I’d want to know, is why?
I’d ask my great grandpa why in the world did he sign up and fight for the Confederacy during the War Between the States, also known as the Civil War. Why did he endure the hardships, the hunger, the fatigue, the endless bloody fighting?