Tuesday, October 9, 2012
I sugggest parents allow their children to trick-or-treat only where they know the people.
Pedophilia is defined as a sexual desire in an adult for a child. The law in Georgia requires names of pedophiles be listed on a sexual registry. This is a subject deserving more attention than it receives in the media. Usually the first we hear about a pedophile is when the crime of assault or murder has been committed upon a child. With Halloween coming up later this month, it is not too early for parents to begin thinking about how they plan to keep their little innocent children safe from the lustful leering of a perverted predator who wants nothing more than to inflict harm on them. As a parent and grandparent, I admit this is a difficult subject to even think about. I have never been able to wrap my mind around the thought that must…
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
The reaction of the delegates to the readmission of God to the platform is a larger issue to discuss.
“I am playing the Devil’s advocate.” The quote that begins this column today was shared with me during a break in a radio interview many years ago when I was invited to be a participant on a talk show where an atheist and I were to submit to questions from the host and callers to the show. The program created so much interest, the producers decided to invite each of us back for a full week of programs. Each day of the week at the radio station during the lunch hour, my atheist friend and I would show up to stake out our positions on the questions from the cultural, political, theological and public policy issues of the time. I had been warned that the callers would set me up to try and disprove my positions and to humiliate me. That did …
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
At every level of government there are committees set up to review questionable practices.
An issue not going away is ethics reform that is needed in government. Following this election cycle, we heard from people as they evaluate the reality of many incumbents losing. We are finding more people willing to express their lack of trust in elected lawmakers. There has always been a certain level of distrust for any who serve over long years in elective office. Trust is earned, and once a reason is found to distrust a person, that trust level is hard to build up again. This is true in the business, education, and church world. It is hard to restore trust when a person or company has proven to be unethical in their treatment of others or by bending the rules in their favor, pushed the envelope their way instead of unbiased fairness…
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
There is much distrust of government.
I cannot remember when there has been as much frustration and tension being expressed from the public regarding what is taking place in government. As I travel our state speaking to various groups, there is more anger being expressed than I have ever seen. People are beginning to ask questions and to hold their elected officials accountable. One could muse as to when this anger and frustration began. It could well be that as the economy has weakened with so many people unemployed, we are paying more attention to where our money is going. When we hear of bridges to nowhere, and 14,000 empty buildings owned by the Federal Government, it is enough to cause people to begin to ask pointed questions requiring direct answers. When we see the …
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Just when we think it is over, we are faced with a 30 percent penalty for not voting in favor of a higher tax.
Just when we think it is over, that is, the issue of higher taxes that nine of the 12 regions in Georgia voted down last week, the realization dawns that there is a penalty for not voting to raise our taxes. We are being reminded there is a funding penalty built into legislation that was passed along with the original “Transportation Investment Act of 2010.” In simple terms, for the nine out of 12 regions daring to vote down the higher tax, GDOT will require the local governments to pay a 30 percent matching fund for any local maintenance and improvements approved by GDOT for at least two years until the next time a vote can be held on TSPLOST. In even more simple terms, this is the Department of Transportation holding the citizens hostage…
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Voting on non-binding questions allows voters the opportunity to express their opinion on the questions.
Early voting has started. With all the times available to vote, there is no excuse not to vote. On the ballot in the Republican Primary, there are five questions. Last week’s column dealt with two of the questions and my reasons for voting the way I have on those issues. Today, we take a look at questions three and four as they appear on the ballot. Question three is: “Should active duty military personnel who are under the age of 21 be allowed to obtain a license to carry a concealed weapon?” Our military volunteers are the most highly trained fighting force on the planet. As these men and women volunteer to serve our country, they are trained in every aspect of the use of weapons. For these people to return to their homes in the nation …
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
How are we supposed to feel safe with the government or a quasi-government board overseeing casinos when they can't control ethics in government?
In the Primary Election on July 31, the voters requesting a Republican ballot will have five non-binding straw poll questions to determine the opinion of the voters. I view the five questions on the ballot dealing with public policy issues from a moral perspective. Question number 1 is: “Should Georgia have casino gambling with funds going to education?” My answer for this question will be no. Across the country there is a major push taking place to increase gambling outlets. Like a fast food restaurant being placed on every corner, the marketing concept is the more outlets, the more money can be raked into the accounts of the casino owners. We are supposed to feel safe, however, with the promise that the government or a quasi-government …
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
The results of non-binding questions on the ballot are used to influence future legislation.
As voters go to the polls in the Primary Election they must ask for a Democrat or Republican ballot; they cannot have both. When they ask for a Republican ballot on which to cast their vote, they will find five non-binding opinion questions. These questions are not ballot initiatives or a referendum, they are only opinion questions. It is necessary to understand the difference before voting in order to clear any confusion if or when these issues will be on a ballot for a vote. Sometimes these opinion questions are called a “straw poll.” All that being said, the five questions asking for the opinion of the Republican Primary voters are: 1. Should Georgia have casino gambling with funds going to education? 2. Do you support ending the …
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
We get what we pay for.
This is a warning to any who have a weak heart, think that all politicians are crooks, dishonest, or con men, and find it hard to deal with controversial subjects this column will shock you. On the issue of ethics in government and holding our elected officials to a higher code of conduct, much is being made about asking the office seekers to sign a pledge to work for ethics reform allowing for no more than a $100 gift from lobbyists. There is currently a requirement that any campaign contribution for more than $100 must have the name of the giver disclosed. The officeholder or anyone seeking office must adhere to this rule. I am an advocate for ethics reform at all levels of government. The longer I have observed the political world, the…
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
The best way to have good government is for voters to vote from an informed position.
It is time to begin paying attention to the election. The deadline to register to vote, if you are not already registered, is July 2. Early voting begins on July 9. The Primary Election is on July 31. For the voter who will not be able to take advantage of any of the above dates and is already registered to vote, there is the opportunity to vote an absentee ballot. There is no reason why anyone should miss this election, unless there is a major illness or other personal disaster keeping the voter from the polls. Some people might accuse me of beating a dead horse. I want to go on record as doing everything I can possibly do to alert, arouse, and otherwise prod voters to vote. To sit out an election because your candidate did not make the …
Shana Rowan
5:48 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Anyone who believes the term "pedophile" and "sex offender" are interchangeable is the last person who should be suggesting ways to protect children from harm. People who molest children gain access to them by starting relationships with them and being in positions of authority - parents, grandparents, coaches, teachers, etc. Contrary to what the media reports, 96% of sex crimes are committed by … more ›