opinions
Omicron — By Tommy Purser
Okay, folks. Let’s talk about omicron. Is it OH-muh-kraan, AH-muh-krann, OH-my-Kraan, or o-MIKE-Ron. According to Merriam Webster, Omicron is pronounced “OH-muh-kraan” or “AH-muh-kraan.” In British English, it is “OH-my-kraan.” The New Oxford English Dictionary offers a different pronunciation: o-MIKE-Ron. The word made it onto this year’s list of most mispronounced words, as compiled by the…
Read MoreHope — By Tommy Purser
What to hope for in the coming year? The world getting a grip on the spread of COVID. People wearing masks which are not to protect them but to protect those they come in contact with. It occurs to me that people who refuse to wear a mask don’t really care about other people —-…
Read MoreA New Year — By John Reed
A New Year After a truly challenging year, resolutions for 2022 will include efforts to return to normalcy. But looking backward to past lifestyles doesn’t take into consideration lessons learned over recent times. So, here are some suggestions for a return to sanity: 1. Take political philosophies of both sides out of medical decisions. It’s…
Read MoreRemembering Claude Cook
It was 20 Christmases ago that Jeff Davis County lost Claude Parker Cook Sr., the man that had perhaps more to do with the growth of Jeff Davis County than anyone before or since. Today, there is an entire generation of local people who never knew the man and have only vague or non-existent knowledge…
Read MoreSports Teaches Valuable Lessons — By Tommy Purser
I had a visit this week at my office from School Superintendent Dr. Chris Roppe. I’ve known Chris a long time, ever since he roamed the sidelines as an assistant football coach under the tutelage of the late Neil Graham. As is usually the case with Chris and I, our conversations escape the confines of…
Read MoreTheory Vs. Reality — By John Reed
Theory vs Reality My better half frequently berates me about having my head in the clouds. And it’s true that I sometimes do better working things out on a theoretical level, while she is much better dealing with reality. That’s one of the reasons she keeps me away from power tools. Apparently I’m not alone.…
Read MoreThe Best Is Yet To Come — By Tommy Purser
A picture can speak a thousand words. This photograph tells the story of a group of young men that worked hard, gave it their all, and thrilled their fans with one of the most exciting football seasons I’ve seen in my 49 years of covering Jeff Davis High football. They are a special bunch of…
Read MoreThankful For Foresight — By John Reed
Thankful For Foresight Monday morning quarterbacks usually have 20/20 vision. Always plenty of “I told you so” after any big news item or sporting event. Hindsight is easy, but what about foresight? Those of us with grandchildren face the daunting task of planning for their future when make out will’s and estate plans. How can…
Read MoreOffense vs. Defense
This Friday night’s playoff football matchup between Jeff Davis and Rabun County brought to mind the ancient irresistible force paradox, also called the unstoppable force paradox. The paradox dates back at least as far as the 3rd century BC when a philosophical book tells the story of a man who was trying to sell a…
Read MoreNot Really A Tax Increase? — By Tommy Purser
John Reed begins his column this week by referencing that old phrase, “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” Several years ago, I had an experience with that phrase when a former government person informed me that when our county commission and board of education set a millage rate that year that brought…
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