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4A ♦ FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2006 3&xustim iHailiJ djoarttal OPINION Daniel F. Evans Editor and Publisher Julie B. Evans Vice President Don Moncrief Foy S. Evans Managing Editor Editor Emeritus Mope is best You may not think it’s good news but we do. The University of Georgia reported last week that the job market for journalism graduates showed marked improvement in 2005 versus a decline in 2004. Why is it bad having more journalists on the streets? For the obvious. Some of them - it’s a proven fact - would say or do anything to make their way to the top. And, that isn’t to say there aren’t some outstanding journalists at the top - or at the bot tom. You know what we mean. It’s com mon knowledge, mainly because whenever they - the bad ones - do or write some thing unethical and get caught, we in the media - in a strange catch-22 sort of way - are always quick to tell on them. But, on the other hand, it’s good from our standpoint to know the career field isn’t stagnate, or to wax philosophi cal, believe we - newspaper people - are the last of a dying breed. The last of a dying breed? Well, yes, if you take note of how technology has changed our society, as well as the mil lions writing today in blogs and on web sites all over the Internet. Translated, that means less papers sold in a business that has existed how long? The difference between them and us, however - perhaps signaling their even tual downfall and our ability to with stand the test of time - is that they do it, on average, haphazardly with little regard to facts and we would venture to say more times than none, with no thought of integrity. That if anything else should explain why we think more journalists - journal ists trained to guard against libel, slan der, and protect the right to privacy - is indeed good news for us, and good news for you. Letter to the Editor Regarding the WORTH REPEATING article in Saturday’s (Houston Daily Journal) paper about John White Chadwick’s comments concerning six of the most influential men in American history. It should be noted that Chadwick’s statement was in regard to an 1872 proposed constitutional amendment recognizing God, the Bible and making Christianity the state religion. Ironically, of the six mentioned four have their pictures on American money along with the words “In God We Trust”. These individuals have often been called deists, but in all likelihood some were atheists. They were not Christians, as some in today’s clergy would like us to believe. These men were not caught up in the religious myth as many are today. Religion has developed into a mega business in America, especially among the evangelicals; and self-serving politicians, both nationally and locally, are certainly not reluctant to mine this pit of votes. On the other hand, in both cases, the professionals of the evangelical clergy, as payback, are allowed to use the bully pulpit of the political machines to exert their power in controlling the actions of others outside their sphere of influence. That,s why the Sunday blue laws are still in place, religious courses are being taught in public schools and Bible verses are on the walls. Why should it make any difference to the professional clergy or a politician what any person does differently on Sunday than any other day of the week? Once I was told when I hear an Evangelical Cleric speak, I hear a commandant of the “morals police” while a person “of the faith” hears a devout person who holds a genuine interest in his soul. My reply went something like: “When I hear an evangelical cleric, I hear a snake oil salesman; and you hear someone with a psychiatric disorder trying to insure his source of income.” I believe many great men of the past rejected Christianity as a myth; and great men that subscribe to the Christian myth are great not because of their faith, but despite it. For myself, I can eat a piece of cake without having to know the baker. Walter Huckeba, Perry You know what we mean. It's common knowledge, mainly because whenever they - the bad ones - do or write something unethi cal and get caught, we in the media - in a strange catch-22 sort of way - are always quick to tell on them. Hope y'all enjoy this one Age and experience have enabled me to draw certain wise conclu sions, almost always accurate, when dealing with people. Examples: ■ 1. If a newly-met fellow starts his introduction by telling you how hon est he is (i.e., “if you don’t believe me, ask Banker Jones”), he isn’t. Honest people don’t feel compelled to extol as a virtue something that they think should be a given. ■ 2. If they say to you, “it’s the prin ciple of the thing and not the money,” it’s most always “the money”. Like, “I want you to sue that company. It’s the principle of the thing, not the money.” Your response: “0.K., it’s a $5,000 retainer”. Their response: “The prin cipal (and interest) is too much for the principle”. ■ 3. If they are ashamed of where they came from (i.e., “I’m from Atlanta” when they are really from Barnesville), they will lie about other things - maybe even steal hen eggs. This brings me to where I should have started. I’m from the South and proud of it. And, if you are from New Jersey (“God bless you,” as we south- 1 area,. 1 \ Wwjm:<o m enough] 1 ¥ TOWILUNGAT f Jl oV IF IS N * jAIAAKAPIPELINE! Taking a stroll down memory lane Please forgive me while I take a short stroll down Memory Lane. I’ll be back to my usual cranky self next week, I promise, but today I wax nostalgic. Nobody loves gigging politicians more than I do, but occasionally I need to be reminded that Georgia has been blessed with some outstanding leaders over the years. I was with a group of them last week. Some of the names may be unfamiliar to you, because many labored in a different era. But by their collective efforts, they have played an important role in the success our state currently enjoys. The occasion was an art exhibit fea turing the works of one of my favorite readers, Betty Foy Sanders, wife of one of my favorite governors, Carl Sanders. Ms. Sanders, a native of Statesboro, is a warm and gracious individual. She is also an extraordinary artist. Art is a passion of mine, and while I have a couple of my own paintings hang ing around the house, I was quickly reminded that the difference in my tal ent and that of Betty Sanders is akin to the difference between butter and butterflies. At the private affair was a Who’s Who of Georgia’s (mostly Democratic) political past and present: Former State Highway Director and Carter adminis tration Budget Director Bert Lance and wife, Labelle, were on hand talking proudly of their grandchildren. Ben T. Wiggins, chairman of the Georgia Public Service Commission when I was a pup at Southern Bell, was in OPINION erners would say), you should likewise take pride in where you came from. But for me, it’s Georgia and the South! “Y’all,” the magazine of Southern people, published in Oxford, Mississippi, in its July/August edition had a test to determine whether or not you are Southern. Let me share part of Y’all’s test with y’all. You are Southern if: ■ 1. You think Piggly Wiggly is a place to socialize. ■ 2. You know the South has had three Kings (Elvis, B. B. and Martin Luther). ■ 3. If you schedule your wedding around the college football schedule. ■ 4. If seersucker is more than a fab ric, it is a way of life. ■ 5. The smell of cow poop brings attendance, insisting I call him “Ben” instead of “Mr. Wiggins.” (Old habits are hard to break.) Pete Wheeler, commissioner of Georgia’s Department of Veteran Services, is still fit as a fiddle at 83 years young. Wheeler has been a strong advocate for Georgia’s veterans for more than 50 years. When his son told him he should tape his memoirs, Wheeler quipped, “There’s a lot of stuff I know that some folks wouldn’t want on tape!” Former First Lady Betty Vandiver, wife of late Gov. Ernest Vandiver, was there with daughter, State Rep. Jane Kidd, a current candidate for the state Senate from Athens. Ms. Vandiver reminded me that Gov. Vandiver, anoth er unsung hero of our state, was always quick to give me “instant feedback” on my columns when he disagreed with my opinions which, thankfully, wasn’t often. One of his last acts before he passed away was to send me an autographed picture, which occupies a special place in my office. Retired UGA Athletic Director and Hall-of-Fame Coach Vince Dooley was there, having just returned from a trip to Idaho and Montana with one of my Larry Walker Columnist lwalker@whgb-law.com _ -P* \ ’ Dick Yarbrough Columnist yarb24oo@bellsouth.net HOUSTON DAILY JOURNAL back wonderful memories and you feel instantly happier. ■ 6. You have a portrait of your dog. ■ 7. If you schedule your dinner around a Braves game. ■ 8. You wore flour and feed sack (homemade) during your youth. ■ 9. You cringe when you hear transplanted Northerners saying “you guys”. ■ 10. If you were mad when they sold Turner South. Scored 10 out of 10? You could be on Jeff Foxworthy’s staff. Seven or better, we will keep you - and we will keep an eye on you. Less than seven? You are probably the same kind that would claim Atlanta as your hometown when it is actually some place in New Jersey. And, by the way, have you guys ever considered moving back? I’ll bet not. And, actually, we are glad to have y’all. PS. Real Southerners would enjoy “Y’all”. One year’s subscription is $19.95 and the address is: Y’all, P. O. Box 0567, Selmer, TN 38375-9908. favorite people on God’s Green Earth, wife Barbara, who had been laid low by illness, but is back and better than ever. I must confess that I love Barbara Dooley better than banana pudding. Former Gov. Roy Barnes was mak ing the rounds, telling folks that these days he is “just a country lawyer try ing to make a living.” That is akin to Michael Vick saying he “plays a little football.” Gov. Barnes has an outstand ing law practice in Marietta with his daughter Alyssa. I didn’t get a chance to see Ms. Barnes, but I think I am in her doghouse. When I recently observed in this space that The Woman Who Shares My Name admired her husband, she sent a note saying, “The woman who shares your name is MUCH SMARTER than you!” That would have stung, had it not been so true. It takes a smart woman to know a smart woman. As I have grown older, I generally avoid these functions like the plague because (a) I hate putting on a tie, (b) I don’t go out at night much anymore and (c) I no longer make an effort to be nice to people I don’t like. I came because of the respect and admira tion I have for Gov. and Ms. Sanders. I stayed because I enjoyed seeing so many friends from the past, and I left with a renewed appreciation that Georgia is a better place today because of the contributions of those assembled at the gala affair. It was a great night. You can reach Dick Yarbrough at yarb24oo@bellsouth.net PO. Box 725373, Atlanta, Georgia 31139, or Web site: www.dickyarbrough.com.