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Page 4 — Wednesday, August 12, 2009, The Millen News
Opinions, yours and ours
The Chatter Box
By Deborah Bennett
I have recently had several inquiries from citizens asking if I knew
who the statute on the veiy top of the Jenkins County Courthouse
depicted. I didn’t, so I inquired at the office of the Jenkins County
Commissioners.
It is Lady Justice, and she is holding the scales of justice in her
hands. Now we all know.
Robert Reeves Jr., a/ka/ Horsefeathers the clown, suggested that I
climb out on the recendy erected scaffolding and take a photo of Lady
Justice so that everyone can see what she looks like up close. Since I
do my best work with my feet firmly planted on the ground, I de
clined. However, I did offer to loan Robert my camera if he would do
it. He has yet to take me up on the offer.
Come on, Horsefeathers, where’s your spirit of adventure? (I sus
pect it is in the same place as mine - on the ground!)
I am having a lithe double adjusting to how my new vehicle oper
ates. Everything is so “smart” that I am starting to feel a little “dumb.”
The gas tank is on the opposite side to which I am accustomed, and
there is a hidden release button inside the vehicle that must be pressed
before you can open it from the outside. I had to drive off without gas
the first time I attempted to fill up - couldn’t find the button.
There is also a “lock out” button that won’t allow you to roll the
windows up if you accidently press it. We rode halfway to Waynesboro
with the windows down one day before discovering that little piece of
technology.
Most recently, I discovered that the vehicle has a security system
that locks the ignition if you activate it. That one was a whole lot of
trouble, because I had no idea how I activated it in the first place. Only
after searching the owner’s manual for 20 minutes was I able to dis
cover how to disengage the system so that I could start the engine.
Hopefully, I will soon learn where everything is located, until then
it is a "search and discovery” mission every time I drive.
Happy birthday this week to: Art Johnson, Martha Edwards, Ryan
Cook and Leslie Williams.
Military Active Duty List: PV2 Jeremy Johnson, U.S. Army, 59 th
Quartermaster Company, Ft. Carson, Colorado; Ronnie Perryman,
Charlie Troop, 108 th Calvary Division, 4 th Platoon, Afghanistan; Lance
Cpl. Adam Lanier, U.S. Marines, 8 th & I Marine Barracks, Washing
ton, D.C.; E-4 Sr. Airman Roy Davis, U.S. Air Force, RAF
Molesworth, United Kingdom; Lance Cpl. Patrick Barnette, U.S.
Marines, Baharia, Iraq; Sgt. Adam Demshar, 44th Signal Battalion,
Baghdad, Iraq; Cpl. Lee Ogden, U.S. Marines, Camp Pendleton, CA;
E5 Petty Officer 2 nd Class Eric B. Kelsey, U.S. Navy, NSA Naples,
Italy; Senior Airman Charles F. Woods, Moody Air Force Base,
Valdosta, GA; Stuart Burras, U.S. Air Force, Barksdale AFB, Bossier,
LA; SPC 4 Travis D. Motes, 1st Calvary Division, T. Hood, Texas;
Capt. Donald Slade Burke, 735th Air Mobility Squadron Detach
ment 1 Commander, Richmond Royal Australian AFB, Richmond,
Australia; Staff Sgt. Gilbert C. Sheppard III, 48th Brigade, 118th
Field Artillery, Iraq; Petty Officer 3rd Class Jamie A. Yager, U.S.
Navy, Marine Corps Base Hawaii; Petty Chief Officer Andy D.
Crosby, U.S. Navy, Elroy Destroyer, Norfolk, Va.; Stephanie Crosby,
R.N., U.S. Navy, Lafayette Destroyer; Jimmy Cooper, U.S. Army
National Guard, 878th Engineering Battalion-Augusta, Persian Gulf;
1st Lt. J.R. Taylor, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Divi
sion, Iraq; SPC. Daniel Stuart, 18th MEDCOM, 121 General Hospi
tal, Seoul, Korea; Jeffrey Sweat, U.S. Navy, USS Kauffman, MM3
59/E-Division, A-Gang, Norfolk, Va.; Cpl. Larry Lamont Clark,
U.S. Marine Corp, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune,
N.C. Bagdad, Iraq; Khan Young, U.S. Navy, U.S.S. Kitty Hawk, Per
sian Gulf; Robert Milton Jr., E-3, U.S. Army, Ft. Stewart, Hinesville,
Ga., Mission Kuwait; Arnold R. Mosley, 2nd Lt., U.S. Air Force,
Randolph AFB, Texas; and Debra A. Mosley, Tech. Sgt., U.S. Air
Force, Randolph AFB, Texas; and SPC Charles “C.J.” Amerson,
U.S. Army, Camp Adder, Iraq.
Letters policy
Letters to the editor of The Millen News are welcomed and
encouraged. These are pages of opinions, yours and ours.
The unsigned editorials generally appearing on the left side of
the editorial page represent the opinion of the newspaper and not
that of any one person on our staff. Personal columns represent
the opinions of the writers whose names appear on them and are
not to be considered the opinion of this newspaper, its manage
ment or owners. Letters to the editor voice the opinions of the
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The Millen News reserves the right to edit any and all portions
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ited to 400 words.
The deadline for letters is Friday at noon. You can email letters
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Chartered 1903
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Publishing Company, 601 E. 6th St., Waynesboro, Ga.
The Millen News
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Walter Harrison
Editor 1946-1985
Frank M. Edenfield
Editor
1985-1998
Roy F. Chalker Jr Publisher
Bonnie K. Taylor General Manager
Deborah Bennett Editor
Lavonna Drawdy Advertising Composition
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Elsewhere in Georgia $26.00
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...I thought these
town hall meetings would
give us Congressmen
a f resh perspective
on health care...
Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor:
Today I talked to some busi
ness owners who are worried
about their drop in business.
As I began to think about
Millen merchants I realized
that I have certain places
where I eat, shop and do busi
ness. Then I had an idea that
I’ll pass on to you.
As each of us go about our
business maybe we should
make a conscious effort to
spread our business to every
one. Eat at different places;
shop in different stores; and in
general support all our mer
chants who have chosen to do
business here. Yeah, it may
cost a bit more or be a little
inconvenient, but isn’t it
worth it to help local busi
nesses? If we all do this then
everyone benefits, and we can
save some gas too.
To all the local merchants I
say, "thank you,” for being
here; I know it’s tough right
now, but a lot of us in town
are truly glad you’re here. I
promise to make a real effort
to spread my business around
so at least “I” will feel better
and can, hopefully, make a bit
of a difference.
We’re all in this together
whether we realize it or not.
Sincerely,
Ryan Burke
Millen
Jim Hite
AM I MISSING SOMETHING?
A letter attributed to a soldier known only as Isaac came to my
inbox from a friend. I cannot vouch for its validity, but its ideas
struck a chord. It may have come to your inbox as well.
Isaac, serving his third tour of duty in Iraq, had an interesting
take on the media frenzy in the days following the death of
Michael Jackson. While his comments apply to this particular
event, they can apply as well to the silliness of our nation’s “cult
of personality.”
Noting that Jackson was an entertainer who made and spent
millions and who also “did a lot of things that made him a villain
to many people,” Isaac admits that Jackson’s death would affect
many people. But he asks why the whole of America would grieve
so much over an entertainer that they would flock to memorials
in Hollywood and elsewhere and why even Congress would call
for a “moment of silence.”
Isaac continues: "Am I missing something? What about all
those soldiers who have died to give us freedom, who swore to
defend the Constitution and the United States of America? Where
is their moment of silence?”
In sum, he wonders how a country can blow off their sacrifice,
yet have national mourning for a pop icon? He suggests that if a
moment of silence is held for Michael Jackson, there needs to be
a moment of silence for every service member killed in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
There is more in his letter, but my space is limited.
I contend that far too many have values that are out of whack.
While this phenomenon appears to be worldwide, I comment
only on observations made in the United States.
Many are fascinated with “Inside Hollywood” type of gossip.
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430 Perkins Road
Wed, 9-12 Sal, IkJIJ'IZ upontequest Millen, Georgia 30822
JENKINS
COUNTY
AUG. 18-22
Monday - Ham or P/B Jelly Sandwich, Macaroni & Cheese, Sweet
Potato Pattie, Pineapple Cup, Roll or Salad Bar: Lettuce, Tomato, Celery
Sticks, Boiled Egg, Cheese, P/B Jelly Sandwich, Grapes.
Tuesday - Sausage Pizza or P/B Jelly Sandwich, Corn on cob, Carrot
Sticks & Dip, Peach Cup, Graham Crackers or Salad Bar: Lettuce,
Tomato, Celery Sticks, Boiled Egg, Pimento Cheese, Grapes, Graham
Crackers, Saltines.
Wednesday - Italian Spaghetti or P/B Jelly Sandwich, Tossed Salad,
Fruit Cobbler, Garlic Bread Sticks or Salad Bar: Lettuce, Tomato, Pickle
Spears, Boiled Egg, Cheese, Cold Cut Sandwich, Grapes.
Thursday - BBQ Chicken or P/B Jelly Sandwich, Creamed Potatoes,
Broccoli & Cheese, Orange Slices, Roll or Salad Bar: Lettuce, Tomato,
Celery Sticks, Cheese, Tuna or Chicken Salad, Grapes, Graham
Crackers, Saltines.
Friday - Hot Dog on Bun or P/B Jelly Sandwich, French Fries, Cole Slaw,
Baked Beans, Juice Bar or Salad Bar: Lettuce, Tomato, Pickle Spears,
Boiled Egg, Cheese, Turkey/Cheese Sub, Grapes.
•School Menu#
Many adopt and copy these individuals’ behavior, mannerisms
and their styles from head to feet. Ticket prices reach the out
landish, yet millions pay such unbelievable prices to see mil
lionaire entertainers and athletes. For years, if a millionaire ath
lete puts his name on a shoe, the cost becomes astronomical.
The examples are legion.
This all fits together. So a repeat of Isaac’s question should be
pondered by us all: “Am I missing something?”
And let’s add one more: “What are my values?”
HAWK & ASSOCIATES, RC.
Victor C. Hawk Melissa Detchemendy
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