My column last week on a radio commentary by the late Paul Harvey drew a lot of reader response from across the state, all of it positive. As you will recall if you saw the column, some 55 years ago Harvey penned a piece titled, “If I Were the Devil,’ that was frighteningly prescient.

Each of us has dates and events we will always remember. Teachers usually remember the excitement of getting their first job, the shock of seeing how much was deducted from their first paycheck, and the butterflies in their tummies when they met their first classroom of students.

"Anybody see that report on the economy on Friday? Things are looking up for us as a nation and we have our great President Donald Trump to thank."

Editor's note: In response to a comment in Wednesday's Forum about refuse collection in Dalton, the Public Work Department submitted this information: "The refuse collection schedule/map is conveniently published here on the city’s website: https://www.cityofdalton-ga.gov/rubbish. Citizens c…

"Local pastors, would it be OK if Trump has peaceful visitors on your front porch tear gassed by the U.S. military for a photo op with an upside-down Bible? Would it matter if it were you? Your children? Your mama?"

Imagine that you are an unborn spirit in heaven. God condemns you to a life of poverty but will permit you to choose the country in which you will spend your life. Which country would you choose? I would choose the United States of America.

Georgia’s budget writers are scrambling for savings. But there’s one program that should be kept intact — or even expanded — because the more money it gets, the more money it saves.

"Just finished reading the tribute to Tyson Brown and I read every last word. What an amazing soul! Although our paths never crossed, I sure wish I had had him in my circle of friends. To his many friends and family, just know, reading his story touched another stranger's heart."

I have long been an admirer of the words and works of the late Paul Harvey and his radio commentaries known as the "The Rest of the Story." I had the privilege of meeting him in New York at the Peabody Awards ceremonies, sponsored by the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communications at…

Here is what Dr. Kathleen Toomey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health, said earlier this month: "We have to have transparency -- we're continuing to work to improve all of our reporting systems. That is what is going to give us the ability to respond adequately."

"Everything said or written by the news media and all public officials, elected or not, should be required to be preceded by an identifier of 'fact,' 'fiction' or 'opinion.' If identified as 'fact,' supporting references must be provided. If something is reported as 'fact' and the provided s…

"The Dalton-Whitfield County Public Library Facebook DIY videos are great! Thanks to Miss Jessica, I am learning to paint, sew, crochet and make crafts without leaving my home."

We have a choice!

Is it important to have racial or sexual diversity in our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic?

"On Facebook, people have been encouraging us to shop at small businesses. Well, I've been to three small businesses this week getting things I really needed, wearing my mask, and not one of these businesses had their employees wearing a mask. I just thought to myself if you don't care enoug…

"As I read in the Forum and on social media pros and cons about the current SPLOST proposal, I can't help but feel the people against a recreation center for the southeast end of the county brought their children up through the northwest end where ballfields were plenty. Shame on all of you …

The $3 trillion bill that the U.S. House passed this month in the name of coronavirus relief — while tacking on a number of unrelated policy wishes — has been dubbed “totally unserious” and a “non-starter” by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

The class of 2020 endured more challenges and disappointment than any other graduating class in recent history. Despite these difficulties, our seniors have risen to the challenges and finished out their high school careers strong. We are so proud of each and every Dalton Public Schools seni…

For much of my adult life, I have tried to return to my alma mater, the University of Georgia, a portion of what the institution has given me. I say “a portion” because I can never totally repay the debt I owe UGA for the honor of being a Georgia Bulldog. But that doesn’t mean I can’t try. A…

"While Joe Biden obviously has his continued ongoing problems with his frequent gaffes, he also has a history of his conveniently failing memory to recollect the many negative moments that have occurred during his time as U.S. senator and vice president. These are some of the many things tha…

For the past several weeks I’ve written about some of the impacts of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on our agency and the work we do: safety precautions and procedures we’ve put in place in our clinics, the fact we are remain open to provide services and the potential mental health …

"Let's not trivialize the word hero. One's job position does not define a hero."

The government has closed most schools.

Black politicians, civil rights leaders and their white liberal advocates have little or no interest in doing anything effective to deal with what's no less than an education crisis among black students. In city after city with large black populations, such as Baltimore, St. Louis, Detroit, …

"SPLOST is a tax increase that negatively impacts local senior citizens on fixed incomes and the poor the most, and there will be very little benefit to them if it is passed."

"What problem has ever been solved by throwing money at it?"

How many trillions of dollars can Uncle Sam borrow? It seems some in Congress are determined to find out: not only to prop up the economy, and not only to help well-managed states like Georgia, but increasingly to bail out the most spendthrift states in the union.

It’s hard not to be upset about missing my son’s graduation from college this semester. I sat in my office alone as I watched a virtual celebration of the graduates on my computer screen.

A flag-waving salute to the United States Air Force’s Thunderbirds and the Navy’s Blue Angels who roared across Georgia’s skies in tandem earlier this month, paying tribute to our state’s heroic first responders. The event was an example of everything that is good about this great country. H…

During the statewide shutdown, the Georgia legislature has been mostly shuttered as well, and campaigning for state office has been put on hold.

"I just want to thank our great president for the benefits he's giving me. He's really done a good job. I am a Republican and I am going to vote for him again, and I encourage everyone to vote for him."

A few days ago a colleague asked me how local charities and nonprofits are holding up during the COVID-19 crisis.

"Maybe some of these restaurants like Steak 'n Shake and others could build drive-in sheds like Sonic."

Last Sunday, Mother’s Day, made me think how my mom warned me, as a young teen: “Work hard! Or you’ll freeze in the dark!”

"I agree that we need a SPLOST, but I disagree strenuously that our schools are 'bad.' My children are receiving a great education in the county schools. Many of my friends’ children are receiving a great education in the city schools. I think our schools are something to be proud of."

Former Barack Obama adviser Rahm Emanuel, during a recent interview, reminded us of his 2008 financial crisis quotation: “Never allow a crisis to go to waste.” The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a wonderful opportunity for those of us who want greater control over our lives. Sadly, too many…

"Dalton has some of the lowest taxes in the state, and shockingly we aren't being stampeded by people desperate to move here. Nobody cares about the tax rate when the schools are bad and the infrastructure is failing. The SPLOST is a tool to fix the underlying problems."

Among the debates about the pandemic, and our response to it, is how soon we can return to “normal,” or whether we’re bound for a “new normal.” The answer is clear: There’s no going back to “normal,” because we were in the midst of destroying it when the new coronavirus arrived.

Today is Mother’s Day. During these unprecedented times, I think we could all use a reason to celebrate the amazing women in our lives.

It seems to take a pandemic for us to get our priorities in order. With the death toll in the country having passed 60,000 and with over a thousand of those here in Georgia, suddenly we realize that those who entertain us — like actors and ballplayers — are nothing more than diversions. They…

“To those needing disaster relief in Murray County, Trump just told you to kiss-off. MAGA.”

During this COVID-19 crisis, the men and women in our healthcare system are risking their own health and safety to serve their communities and save lives. However, these heroes have been put under tremendous strain. Nurses and doctors are working longer hours. Retirees are being asked to com…

"Quit whining about people whining."

May 3-9 is Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week.

Ever since our local mayor issued a COVID-19 shelter-in-place-and-go-completely-cocoa bananas order, my family and I have found ourselves cooking more than we have for our entire lives. We've even been following recipes and using the actual stove/oven thingy, much to the relief of our exhaus…

"Many of the Forum callers blame President Trump for the current economic crisis that has impacted the entire world. Before COVID-19, a deadly gift from China, our stock market was at a record high, unemployment was at decades low, wages were up and GDP was up. I'm voting for President Trump…

The Department of Education just released results of the quadrennial National Assessment of Educational Progress tests in U.S. history, civics and geography given in 2018 to thousands of American eighth-graders: “Grade 8 Students’ NAEP Scores Decline in Geography and U.S. History; Results in…

"There’s a vast difference between whining and correcting somebody that constantly says stupid or dangerous stuff or just plain lies. Trump has done all three. If you read the information parts of newspapers, not the editorials, you would know the difference."