The Georgian Gazette

“Corruption, political favors, cover-ups, power grabs, following through on promises, right choices, dedicated to public service, fairness, a level playing field, local control, public policy, private lives, many years of serving the public good, and I’ve always made decisions that way,” are just a few of the words being used to defend decisions that are being made today. It depends on which side one sits when these words are spoken as to how they are received. Hearing the speech that Hosni Mubarak made the day before he was forced from office in Egypt , one would conclude that he was determined to outlast the calls for his resignation. Criminals, politicians, notorious outlaws, public figures, preachers, and many others have all used their years in office or service as evidence that they tried to do the right thing when making decisions. This leads us to ask several questions: “What is the ‘new normal’ when it comes to making ethical decisions?” “What has happened to good old commo...

It is often said that all politics are local. When there is an election the candidates do everything they can to speak before as many groups of people in order to let their message be heard about how they intend to represent the wishes of the citizens once they are in office. Some of the candidates have organizations in their campaign that reach out to the churches and to the people who attend all the various churches in their districts. In the last several election cycles, campaign organizers have targeted certain churches where their candidate should be seen in worship. I have always had an open door to anyone and everyone who would like to attend worship where I have served. It is not my responsibility to determine the motive involved in any person’s heart when they attend church. I am pleased to have the folks who attend worship at whatever time they are present. There has never been a time when I changed a sermon based on who might or might not be present in worship on any given ...

Another Sunday alcohol sales bill is up and running There’re back and they are not going to take it anymore. Who are they? The chain grocery stores, convenience stores, beer and wine distributors, alcohol promoters, the tourism crowd, and all others who insist on having alcohol available 24/7 in every venue possible. With ready and welcoming government leaders in Georgia , soon it will be possible to buy packaged liquor on Sunday in our state when this bill passes and Governor Deal signs it. The proponents of this alcohol bill are trumpeting the surveys that have revealed many people want liquor available on Sunday. This bill will further the expansion of alcohol sales on Sunday and is a continuance of intrusion into the day of worship for the majority of the citizens of Georgia . In looking at this bill in the Georgia General Assembly, it is almost, in my opinion, a mockery of Sunday and Christians when the bill will set the hours of distribution of liquor to between 12:30 PM and 11:...