VALDOSTA —
THUMBS DOWN: To Karen Handel, candidate for governor, for sending out a blast e-mail on Monday with the subject line "Happy Memorial Day." Birthdays are happy, anniversaries are happy, but Memorial Day is a solemn occasion and a time for remembrance of those who died defending our country. A gubernatorial candidate should know better.
THUMBS DOWN: To the Aruban authorities. Their botched investigation of the murder of Natalee Holloway five years ago has apparently resulted in the death of another young woman in almost identical circumstances. If the young man had been convicted, considering the avalanche of evidence against him, including a taped confession, the young woman would still be alive. Let's hope authorities in Peru and Chile are more astute in their investigation and are able to bring this man to justice once and for all.
THUMBS UP: To Kaleb Cowart for being named State Player of the Year. Cowart plays for the Cook High School Hornets, who lost their bid this week to be the baseball state champions.
THUMBS DOWN: To members of a local special interest group who are on a witch hunt against a Valdosta Board of Education member. The allegations being spread about the charges against him are inaccurate and he has yet to have his day in court. Those who have mounted this campaign, calling the Rant and Rave line repeatedly and sending anonymous e-mails to The Times and others, say that they want him removed from the board because he is white. Shame on you.
What We Think
What We Think: Thumbs up, Thumbs down
- What We Think
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Elections: Creating a two-party region?
Twenty years ago, most area elections were decided during the primaries. Then, almost every candidate qualified as a Democrat. While there may be plenty of challengers on the ballot, many seats were decided in July or a few weeks later during the primary run-off.
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Thumbs up, thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To South Georgians making fine impressions on television singing competitions. Phillip Phillips of Leesburg won “American Idol” this week. Meanwhile, Lowndes High School graduate Stacia Watkins participated in the new ABC show “Duets.” Well done!
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Farewell to the vanishing ace
Donald S. “Bush” Bryan was not only a rare individual. He was part of a vanishing breed.
An Adel resident for the past 30 years, Bryan was a World War II flying ace. Not just an ace but a double ace. A pilot must down five enemy aircraft to become an ace; Bryan downed 13.3 enemy planes in Europe. The fractions represent planes downed with other pilots. -
A widespread mosquito alert
In announcing the discovery of a mosquito carrying the West Nile Virus strain, city and health officials did not include the specific location of the discovery.
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Of Guantanamo Bay and a Founding Father
Some readers may wonder how a Valdosta High School graduate could bring himself as an attorney to represent a Guantanamo Bay prisoner charged in connection to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
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Congratulations, VSU Softball!
This weekend, Valdosta State University Blazers Softball became the latest team to add to Valdosta’s TitleTown legacy.
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School’s out so watch out!
Summer is a time of rest, vacations and trips. It is a time when school is out, when people take time off from work, when people may stay out a little later. It is a time of swimming, trying new things, and seeking adventure.
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Qualifiers are next leaders
While the national media focuses attention on the presidential election, it should be remembered that we will also choose our local leaders this year.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To the 2011-12 arts season. Theatre Guild Valdosta’s rollicking comedy, “Caught in the Net,” officially brings to a close a magnificent schedule of shows ranging from theatre to opera to concerts to art exhibits and more from a variety of area venues. Theatre Guild will also open the 2012-13 season this summer with the musical “Into the Woods.” Until then, arts lovers can soon enjoy a new series of exhibits from the year-round Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and three musicals starting in two weeks from Peach State Summer Theatre.
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Events that get things done
Finding something that repeatedly attracts the public is difficult enough, but finding an event that accomplishes that feat while also promoting your organization and helping others … well, in many places, that’s a rarity.
Not so for the Valdosta area. - More What We Think Headlines
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Elections: Creating a two-party region?
