From "the worm turned" department -- Poor Rachel Maddow.. she acquired a copy.. illegally, of Donald Trump's 2005 Tax Return forms.. but she showed not only did Trump pay $38,000,000.00 in Federal Income taxes (plus NY's, and various states' sales taxes in addition), but he paid at a higher rate than Obama or Bernie and the Clintons.

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There was a new "list" out this past January ranking the states by school ratings.. Only the top 9 got a rating higher than a "C".. sadly, not one state got an "A" for running its public school programs. Georgia, as a whole, ranked in the bottom 40% (number 32). Even sadder is that Columbus is not up to average in Georgia.. Sadder still, is that the local newspaper, the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, and major local banking/financial corporations supported the incumbents in our last local school board elections.

http://247wallst.com/special-report/2017/01/20/states-with-the-best-and-worst-schools-4/8/

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Online story: "The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) opposes Republican moves to make healthcare costlier with less coverage. Republican efforts to gut Medicare basically tells seniors to stay well or die." -- Hmmm.. isn't this "life"... "stay well or die"? Now compare it to the Democrat's theorem: "Die and let us vote for you"

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Those Green Mountain Coffee ads must drive liberals nuts! You know, the one that shows the rise and success of a South American coffee grower who's success has influenced the improved lifestyle of his village. Green Mountain Coffee has become the "poster child" of "trickle down economics"!

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If you really want to see affordable insurance and lower hospital/doctor bills, just eliminate all mandatory regulations requiring individuals to have insurance and for hospitals/doctors from being required to give anything but free minimum treatment to those without insurance or ability to self-pay.

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Talk about double inequities! You go to Carmike and pay $4.25 plus .34 in sales taxes for a box of Butterfinger Bites candy you can buy at the Dollar Tree for $1.00 plus .04 cents sales tax. Now, tell me why the same product is taxed at 8% in the theater, yet taxed only the 4% local sales taxes in a retail store?

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On a local... and a VERY localized issue at that, let's talk about the "bike lanes" on Hilton Avenue.. They begin at Country Club Road and go for only two (admittedly long) blocks to Edgewood Road.. What's the purpose of this?.. From what I see, the bike lanes basically prohibit homeowners on those two blocks from having guests being able to park on the street to come visit them. Maybe that's why there are so many "For Sale" signs on those two blocks.

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Online story: "The Georgia Senate passed a resolution late last week for a proposed amendment to the state’s constitution to give counties in Georgia the option to elect or appoint school superintendents.
*  Counties had the option until 1992 to either elect a school board that would then higher (sic - insert "hire"than "higher") a superintendent, or elect a superintendent and have a school board appointed by the grand jury. In 1992, an amendment was passed that all school boards in Georgia would be elected and then appoint a superintendent. * Senate Resolution 192, which is currently being debated in the Georgia House of Representatives, would restore the option." --  I vote for the appointed school board. Then I would not object to that body from appointing subsequent Superintendents.. If not, lets make Superintendents to have to run for "voter confirmation" every 4 years of being appointed by either elected or appointed Boards.

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Online headline/story: "Georgia House adds distilleries to beer bill * Legislation that would let craft breweries and distilleries in Georgia sell their products directly to retail customers for the first time cleared the state House of Representatives Monday * The bill is the result of a compromise worked out by representatives of craft breweries and beer wholesalers, who were at odds for years over how to allow direct sales of craft beer by breweries without disrupting sales at supermarkets and convenience stores. *  Individual customers would be limited to buying one case of beer per day. * individual customers limited to 2,250 milliliters a day for consumption off premises. (that's three 750 ML bottles a day). I'd say craft breweries and distilleries could pretty much take the wind out of convenience and liquor/beer stores.. Wonder if Don Leeburn at Georgia Crown is taking this lightly?

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From the "now see why another Atlanta lawyer is advertising in Columbus" department - L-E headline/story: "MUSCOGEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT * Leg amputation ends in $25M lawsuit * Renee Tucker, the lawyer representing Montravious Thomas and his mother, Lawanda Thomas, filed the lawsuit Monday in Muscogee County State Court. Tucker works with the law firm Forrest B. Johnson & Associates," -- Hmm.. after looking at the list of entities/names listed as defendants, I can see why each of the individuals is named, but not why the taxpayers of Columbus d.b.a. the MCSD should be held accountable/responsible.

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L-E headline: "Audit: Darr was over budget by $13 million" -- Hmm.. "over budget"? Sounds more like Darr was justified at suing the City for "under budgeting" his departments for personnel and prisoner requirements mandated by federal/court rulings..Time will tell as the new Sheriff works with the same conditions. Oh, and one thing for sure, the "Rapid Resolution" program will constantly release convicted criminals back on the street, and MAY result in more future crimes/arrests (we pray not), and require hiring of additional police officers at taxpayer expense.

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You know, I do not want to hear a single Democrats opinion on a new healthcare act.. 8 years ago, Democrats passed its own version of one without even reading it, and it has been a disaster, so what expertise do they think... uh.. "feel" they have gained to critique a simpler new bill?

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Why is there still a post-season NIT basketball tournament? 68 teams start out in the NCAA tournament, so what school really wants to play a "championship" game to determine the 69th best team?

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L-E headline/story: "Student loan defaults increase, study finds *  As of the end of 2016, there were 4.2 million Federal Direct Loan borrowers in default, meaning they’ve not made a payment in more than 270 days. That’s up from 3.6 million at the end of 2015." -- Hmmm.. you know, if these "defaulters" had been out working hard for themselves versus campaigning for Hellary/Bernie in hopes of having their debts "pardoned", and violently protesting Trump's election, they probably wouldn't be in default.