America’s National Freedom Day

by Donald S. Conkey

Recently I learned that, while not a national holiday, February 1 each year is “National Freedom Day” here in America. I wonder how many Americans have ever heard of our “National Freedom Day?” National Freedom Day remembers the day Abraham Lincoln signed a resolution for the United States Constitution’s 13th amendment in order to abolish slavery, February 1, 1865. This amendment was quickly ratified on December Read more...

Teaching students the purpose of life?

by Donald S. Conkey

Tribune columnist Roger Hines’ recent column regarding the teaching of evolution as fact, not theory piqued my interest. Why, I ask, do two highly professional groups, the scientific and the religious communities, continue at logger-heads over this issue. While the “law of evolution” is real, we all see it in operation daily, there is no connection between the ‘proven law of evolution’ and ‘the prominent theory’ … Read more...

M L King’s Birthday Holiday

by Donald S. Conkey

Monday is a national holiday created to remember the life and death of Dr. Martin Luther King. King’s life changed America and his assassination in 1968 stirred America as America had not been stirred since the Civil War, a war that was suppose to remove the shackles of slavery in America. Breaking slavery’s back required wise men, compromise, a new constitution, a Civil War, and the … Read more...

Christmas –a reminder of Christ’s gifts to mankind

by Donald S. Conkey

For those who believe in the birth of Jesus Christ and in his life, ministry, death and resurrection from the grave to break the bonds of death, Christmas is more than just another holiday; it is a day to remember the birth of God’s only begotten Son, He who was born to set us free. Said He: “To this end was I born, and for this … Read more...

Too Many Counties, Too Much Money

By: Randy Evans

Given Georgia’s direction, it is difficult to imagine too much more to demand of Gov. Nathan Deal and the Republican-controlled Georgia General Assembly as the planning for the 2014 General Assembly begins next month. After all, Area Development Magazine and Site Selection Magazine both list Georgia as one of the top five states in the country to do business.

According to the Tax Foundation, Georgia has decreased … Read more...

Our new early primary election season

By: Randy Evans

When it comes to political primaries, scheduling can mean everything. Over the years, incumbent governors and legislatures of both political parties have manipulated the election calendar to maximize their chances of re-election. Yet, for Georgia in 2014, it was a judge — U.S. District Court Judge Steven Jones — that has set the boundaries for the timing of Georgia’s 2014 elections.

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Selecting and policing Georgia judges

By: Randy Evans

Ever wonder how judges get to be and stay judges in Georgia?

As to the first, there are two ways to become a judge in Georgia. First, get elected. Second, get appointed and then re-elected.

Getting elected is pretty straightforward. Georgia elects its judges. Anyone meeting the legal requirements for a judgeship can qualify with the Secretary of State during the qualifying period and appear on the … Read more...

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