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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 newspaper’s readers. The Millen News reserves the right to edit any and all portions of a letter. Unsigned letters will not be published. Letters must include the signature, address and phone number of the writer to allow our staff to authenticate its origin. Letters should be lim ited to 400 words. The deadline for letters is Friday at noon. You can email letters to themillennews@yahoo.com. Chartered 1903 The Millen News is published weekly by Chalker Publishing Company, 601 E. 6th St., Waynesboro, Ga. The Millen News 856 East Cotton Ave. • Millen, Ga. 30442 Phone: (478) 982-5460 • FAX: (478) 982-1785 Periodical postage paid at Millen, Georgia. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Millen News P.O. Box 909 Millen, GA 30442 USPS No. 349-660 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 Subscription Rates (Includes tax): In Jenkins County $23.00 Elsewhere in Georgia $26.00 Outside of Georgia $29.50 ...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. KuIUk Up-K-Stgl OWrti® Mia Owner/Stylisl !e SaEun Valk Ins Welcome 47fl.5BS.1475 Mon,, T-LI-e.I Thu. S Fti, 3-6 LajB-.anac<n , keri!s 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 Need Help? Call: 478-982-4226 (day) or 706-294-4447 (night) American Trial Lawyers Association Southern Trial Lawyers Association Georgia Trial Lawyers Association Office located in The Millen News Building 856 E. Cotton Ave., Millen, GA The Millen News Deadlines THURSDAY AT NOON: Wedding Announcements Engagement Announcements Anniversary Announcements Birth Announcements School News Columns Memoriams and Thank You’s General News Items FRIDAY AT NOON: Chatter Box Items, Letters to the Editor, Datebook and Church News Items OBITUARIES Accepted until press time MONDAY-11 AM: Classified & Legal Ads MONDAY-NOON: Retail Display Ads