Blogging Is Like Love…

…’cause when you feel it, you gotta pass it on for it to work.

Sharing the love is strategic to the entire blogging process, and if you will notice, there are links embedded in these posts which allow you to access other articles, sites, etc. Click on them and discover yet another layer of information and insight into what is on my mind. Here’s one my friend Chuck Searcy sent me the other day in an e-mail. “Peter, remember, did cartoons for us at the Observer for a couple of years, before he hit the big time with The New Yorker and other publications.”

I worked with Chuck,  Pete McCommons , and Don Nelson at The Observer in the early 70’s – an opportunity I consider one of the most beneficial I have ever had. It was when the revitalization of Downtown Athens began, and it was a retailing, marketing haven – even though we were in a recession and businesses were struggling. It was a fabulous time because a less than stellar retail area found new life in the experiments of  a vibrant group of young entrepreneurs, who, according to the experts, shouldn’t have been going into business. In their youthful impetuousness, however, they pursued their dreams; and it worked.

Now for the hard stuff.

I follow politics, and that is not a secret among my readers, family, and friends. It is no surprise, therefore, that the Presidential Primary is right up there with American Idol in my favorites list. (Once again, thanks kids for the DVR – Idol and the Arizona Debate come on at the same time tonight). Furthermore, it is no surprise that I find Rick Santorum’s recent time in the media spotlight a good read. It always astounds me how politicians can make it as far as he has, continue to say controversial things, and then get all “I can’t believe you guys reported on what I said.” The ensuing eye-rolling that this attitude causes, however, is not reserved for those of us who have a tendency to prefer the color blue to red. There are conservative bloggers like Jennifer Rubin of The Washington Post, who also find his behavior a bit off target. Her assessment is excellent.

That said, try to pass on something good today. Share what you know and you’ll probably get something back; but don’t make Mr. Santorum’s mistake and hide in the locker room after halftime. ‘Cause once you put it out there, it’s open season.

Make Up Your Minds

There are times I simply cannot help but point it out.

For the past 20 years, we have watched politicians fall from grace because their secret, private lives became public. Folks got caught doing what folks have been doing since the dawn of creation. The difference this go ’round, however, is that other folks found out and did not hesitate making it public knowledge; and the resulting smut-firing and mud-slinging have clogged the air waves and distracted us from far more important things.

The ridiculous fact, bordering on stupid, however, is that folks who get caught continue to whine, “What I do in my personal and private life is my personal and private life with those individuals.” That is what those of us who truly support a premise of personal liberties believe. That is the campaign waged by those of us who want no government intrusion into our personal decisions. That is what those of us who believe in “freedom for all, regardless” believe. Oddly enough, however, that is the line drawn in the sand between the social conservatives and the rest of the world…those who are hell-bent on government intruding on personal decisions tell us personal lives are fair game…until…

…until they get caught, as Herman Cain’s attorney alluded when he defended his client from being judged by “public opinion”… where have you been, bro’?…then the line gets moved.

Again, let me assert, I don’t give a flying you-know-what (I do not cuss here because I know my late Mama would have a fit – although I want to do so very badly) about Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, the sheriff from Arizona, Bill Clinton or anybody else’s private habits; HOWEVER, you cannot have it both ways. You cannot infiltrate others’ spaces and keep yours closed. Game over. Make up your minds.

Nineteen and Georgia

It’s not what you think…it’s not about being 19 years old and a student at UGA.

“Nineteen” it’s about what happens every 19 minutes in the USA, and the majority of the incidents don’t receive national press as the recent event in the news has. It is a tragic set of statistics  caused by a prescription medication epidemic that is enmeshed in addiction, denial, dishonesty, and codependency. The fact that only 10 percent of the 23,000,000 estimated addicts in the USA receive treatment says it all.

We live in the most prosperous nation in the world, with unlimited resources and freedoms. I ask you: why are deaths caused by accidental overdose of prescription meds at an all time high? Have we lived by the mantra “don’t ask, don’t tell, don’t see, don’t face reality” far too long? Have we made too many excuses for one another? Is our dishonesty about who we are and why we do what we do catching up with us?

Talk to me.

On Georgia: It was one of the song choices for American Idol contestants last night (yes, I watch that, too – and, your point is?). Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell wrote it in 1930 and neither were from Georgia. Carmichael’s sister was named “Georgia.”

However, it was Georgia-born Ray Charles who gave the song immortality, and it was Ray Charles who always sang it as if he were crossing back over the state line after a long absence. For me, the song represents coming home, being centered, connecting…those things that are so precious when we have strayed.

‘Tis true our fair state is not perfect, but to all the critics I say: “Who cares what you think? We got Ray Charles on our side, and if you don’t like it here, move.”