When you see an advertisement on a Web site it will many times have an option to click on it so you can be taken to an advertisement with more information. The first ad is to pique your interest, the second is to keep it. Only you can decide – click or not to click. It is your choice. In the Internet world the success of the attention grabber ad is judged by the number of times a user “clicks-thru.”
I was thinking this week of its correlation with life choices. It’s the ‘click-thru’ that usually gets us into trouble. The option of choice is a right we all have. This newspaper is filled every day with people who make good and bad life decisions. Most everyone I am sure has been upset, surprised, disappointed and embarrassed by all of the violent crimes in our community in recent weeks. Next weekend, on our front page is an analysis of the crime here. There is even a map to show you where the murders have happened. When you read the story, you will not learn of a cure-all to stop future violence. I wish I could say we are that smart. I wish I could tell you there are people in our community with an easy answer. Our story does tell you how to protect yourself and your neighborhood. This is a positive choice you can make. We need to all return to the time when neighbors looked after neighbors. Being proactive can help curb the bad choice, the ‘click-thru’ that will destroy people, families, neighborhoods and communities.
‘TIME FOR SUPPER’
I ran into Jimmy Brooks at 306 North this week while having lunch. He and I go way back so there is usually much to reminisce about. Jimmy grew up in Valdosta at the time I was growing up in Lakeland. A lot about the good old times are not as good as we want to remember. Jimmy mentioned one fond memory that will most likely never return; a mother at home and the supper time call. “You would be out in the neighborhood playing,” he said “and your mother would step out on the porch and call out ‘supper time.’” I also remember there was hardly ever a name attached to the call but you instinctively knew it was coming from your home and your mother. As I think back, it was our mothers who kept guard over the neighborhood. That was our Neighborhood Watch.
I got this emailed to me this week … here’s a partial of what I was sent.
HEY, WASN’T THAT US?
A little house with three bedrooms and one car on the street.
A mower that you had to push to make the grass look neat.
In the kitchen on the wall we only had one phone,
And no need for recording things, someone was always home.
We only had a living room where we would congregate,
Unless it was at mealtime in the kitchen where we ate.
We only had one TV set, and channels maybe two, but always there was one of them with something worth the view.
Store-bought snacks were rare because my mother liked to cook.
I love the new technology but I sure miss those days.
So time moves on and so do we, and nothing stays the same,
But I sure love to reminisce and walk down memory lane.
Sandy Sanders
From the publisher: Life also has a click-thru option
- Sandy Sanders
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Think before you answer
I got an email this week where a writer of an online column tells the story of a young child in Sunday School. The writer says the little boy’s teacher asked his class ‘What’s the animal with a long, bushy tail that lives in trees?’ One child quickly answers while probably thinking about the usual answer to questions in his church Sunday School, ‘Jesus. Though it sure sounds like a squirrel to me.’
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Forgiveness, redemption go together
The news story on Friday read: “WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Thursday to censure once-powerful New York Rep. Charles Rangel for multiple ethical misdeeds — the first time in nearly three decades that House members have publicly rebuked a colleague.
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South Georgia roots run deep for these execs
David Ratcliffe and Mike Garrett, two highly respected executives with Valdosta and South Georgia ties, will be stepping down as leaders of two of the largest power companies in the nation by yearend.
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VDT ready with all-new digital edition
You can now go to the home page of our website (www.valdostadailytimes.com) and click on the link for our digital e-edition. You can sign up for a seven-day trial or, if you currently subscribe to the print edition, we will be glad to add the e-edition just by calling our office for details.
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We are losing our children and we are blaming ‘others’
Extinction! There are public outcries to save animals, bugs and reptiles while our own children are being lost to a new world order. In the past two weeks, I have seen two students, one high school, one middle school, with their parents blessing bring to the public area all the details of their student-teacher antics. Each student had been suspended from school and one was making his way to court.
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Do we want tax or football braggin’ rights?
A drop in our property digest seems evident and to maintain we will need a tax increase. We can recruit higher-paying jobs to the county and get more taxes that way but is that practical thinking for a quick adjustment in this economy?
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Blazer Zone moving into Drexel Park
Next Saturday, Blazer fan families will have a great opportunity for some pre-game tailgating fun. The university is turning Drexel Park into a mini carnival so families can spread out to enjoy an afternoon under the trees, as they get ready for the Blazers’ season opener.
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Maggots with your steak
Today, with online journalism on newspaper websites, readers are able to go online, read the story, post a comment and, within minutes, their comment (thread) is answered by another reader. The bantering can follow a positive line or it can quickly move to having all the attributes of a barroom brawl.
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Why do some children live in abusive houses?
As I have written many times in this column, I grew up in a small town. My father worked at Moody Air Force Base for 30 years and as he would recollect while laughing, “I ate a fried egg sandwich for lunch every day of those 30 years.”
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Turning 18 before the election board
When I turned 18 my father took me down to the courthouse one evening to go before the Board of Registrars so I could be qualified to vote. I was called into the room before three men. I remember being nervous. They asked me questions about residency and being an American before I was given their stamp of approval.
- More Sandy Sanders Headlines
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Think before you answer
