Even aside from the fact that entering the US illegally is a crime in itself, an even bigger "crime" is that the DIMocrats argument that illegals are essential to our economy. While it still wouldn't change their illegal status, it would be one thing if illegal aliens added to our tax revenues rather than our welfare/indigent healthcare expenses.

 

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Well, Mayor Tom-LYING-son lied to us again to get Council to eliminate our twice-a-week garbage pick-ups.. W\e stayed in a private rental home in the Florida Gulf area, and we got Tuesday AND Friday pick-ups.

 

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Online headline: "Congress approves $1.3-trillion spending bill, sends to Trump" -- Have you noticed that when Congress passes a partial term, "Continuing Resolution" bill, it's simply referred to as a "spending bill"? It's treated as a child's "allowance". not a family's "budget". You know, when a "budget" is actually drawn up, it focuses on covering the essentials.. the NEEDS.. of a family rather than the "wants". "Wants" are secondary.. "wants" are "lagniappe" (something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure). Family's can reward themselves when the expenses allocated come in less than expected, or when a "bonus" is received from an employer that becomes "disposable income" (or set aside in a "rainy day" fund).

 

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You know, we have too many "spenders" versus "budgeters" in our local government entities..We are getting "wants" of the politicians versus the "needs" of the community taken care of.. the Mayor "wants" dog runs, indoor swimming, bike trails, new replacement buildings, roundabouts, and $244,000.00 unmaintained (and usually not even open) bathrooms instead of streets safe to walk or drive on. And our School Superintendent wants $312.00 a square foot metal-on-slab wrestling buildings, $3.600,000 high school baseball fields, and rebuilding an unnecessary high school rather than boosting teachers' pay or adequate teaching aids in the classrooms.

 

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Ah! 29 years ago today, I put out my last cigarette...

 

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Online headline/story: "March for Our Lives: Everything you need to know about the gun control protest * According to the official march website, some 838 events will be taking place around the world in conjunction with March for Our Lives efforts — with a central rally taking place in Washington D.C. Other cities including New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles are also scheduled to host events" -- Hmmm, and you can bet there are armed law enforcement officers on duty protecting all 838 groups from mentally-ill crackpot with guns.. Unfortunately, even armed law enforcement officers cannot protect the 838 groups from mentally-ill crackpots disguised as socialist organizers.. or themselves.

 

You know, maybe we need background checks on "antifa" protesters and organizers as well..

 

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From the "it's refreshing to have a businessman in the White House rather than a politician" department - Online headline/story: "Trump says he would tell 25-year-old self not to run for president * During the White House millennial forum on Thursday, President Trump was asked what advice he’d give his 25-year-old self, knowing what he does today. * “Don’t run for president,” he replied. * The line got big laughs, and Trump went on to note, “all my life I’ve gotten really, you know…I got the greatest publicity. I was getting such great [coverage] until I ran for office.” -- You know, but by being honest, Trump was ready to become president and survive the assault by career politicians and mainscream media for being strong in his beliefs.. Too bad no one told Bush43, the Clintons or Obama that getting "popular" coverage means you were not doing the job of a real president.

 

Appeasing sycophants in Congress or mainscream media is not what an effective president does.. it doesn't work in the private sector either.... ask Jeff 6uckerberg at 6acebook.

 

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From the 'but some animals are more equal than others" department - Online headline/story: "Maryland and Washington DC summon President Trump in a lawsuit alleging that he's violating the Constitution * The Emoluments Clause bars public officials from receiving gifts or cash from foreign governments, and ethics experts and lawmakers have repeatedly raised concerns over the patronage of Trump's properties by foreign government officials." -- Hmmm... and the Attorneys General of Washington, D.C. and Maryland felt the 100s of millions foreign countries and business interests donated to the Clinton's Foundations were not violations of the "Emoluments Clause".. not even the "gift" that got Russia 20% of our uranium supply?

 

You know.. Washington, D.C. is not a state.. nor did our Founding Fathers ever WANT it to become one.. how does giving Washington, D.C. Electoral College votes, or Congress even allowing talk about the possibility Congressional representatives get into the mix of the future of Washington, D.C.?

 

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Am glad to see Columnist Richard Hyatt speaking out about the proposed wants of Uptown to increase public drinking.. you can read his views at:

 

"http://www.allongeorgia.com/muscogee-column-lifestyle/column-theres-work-to-be-done-before-drinks-are-poured/ "

 

I added commentary to his Facebook link: "Good start Richard, but you didn't broach a vital detail... the majority of CSU students are under-aged.. most students do not reach the drinking age of 21 until they are engaged in their 3rd year of college, and CSU's.. like other colleges, has more frosh and sophomores than Juniors/Seniors (drop outs from financial/scholarship changes) . Sure, most have fake ID's but use of them would be moot if bars and alcohol serving restaurants used the ID readers like our voting precincts.

 

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There's a list of the "25 Worst Cities to Raise Children" in.. Looking at the criteria. especially the Graduation and Crime rate.. I was a little apprehensive about scrolling through the list..I breathed a sigh of relief that I didn't see "Columbus, GA" in the Worst 25... but I also was grateful the list was not longer.

 

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From the "Grandpa McCoy, 'no brag, just fact' " department - What's with the criticism about Trump being proud of his accomplishments that actually happen.. Obama was always bragging about what only he thought were accomplishments.

 

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Online story: "The independent Christian movie “I Can Only Imagine” performed far better than anyone could have imagined at the box office last weekend, bringing in $17.1 million when it was only expected to sell between $2 million and $4 million in tickets.
* Why? Because people of faith in this country are speaking loudly. The elitists on the left who continue to ridicule Christianity while they preach at us to coexist need to stop talking and start listening." -- A really good movie.. if you haven't seen it yet.. put it on your "to do".. it's a message of hope.. not a sermon..

 

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Hmmm... You know.. with the absorption of Columbus Regional into the Piedmont Group, Columbus citizens no longer have a hospital that considers the needs of Columbus first. St Francis went first, and now Columbus Regional is governed by out-of-town interests, and the interests of Columbus citizens needs just went to the bottom of the corporate concern list.

 

And, of course, Columbus Council is still sending 3 mils of our property taxes to Piedmont...

 

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Online headline/story: "'Bozo the Clown' performer Frank Avruch dead at 89 * Longtime Boston television personality and children’s entertainer Frank Avruch, best known for his role in “Bozo the Clown,” died on Tuesday at the age 89, his family said." -- Hmmm.. at least it won't be so hard for Boston to replace Bozo this time as in the past.. Massachusetts' own Pocahontas Warren has been working hard to replace him.

 

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I tell you what..I'm not near as as concerned about my data being mined on Facebook by a political company as I am about what the FBI under McCabe and Comey collected. I try to limit as much personal info being published which would benefit a civilian company gleaning such to sell to advertisers, but I cannot stop the FBI from its demonstrated bias against conservative opinion.

 

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I haven't figured out what department to classify current Lindsey Graham comments...a Fox anchor of the obviously "balanced" and "fair" persuasion rather than factual, asked Graham about Russian election interference.. Graham started out, "If I were president "... hold on Graham! ..you were thoroughly rejected by the Republican primary voters who overwhelmingly said , "We want Trump, not you to speak for us! We want you and the other Republicans to SUPPORT Trump and our wishes!"

 

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I want to make sure this is on the front burner for all Columbus... all Georgia citizens for that matter, but there is a bill being floated around the GA Legislature that would change the rules on the Hope Scholarship. Some are thinking that Hope Scholarships only be awarded on a "need" basis, but that is not what was on the table when the lottery was being pondered and voted on.. if the legislature wants to pursue this new route, then the lottery itself needs be re-subjected to a voter referendum.

 

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L-E headline/story: "Bolton replaces McMaster as top security adviser * Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster, the battle-tested Army officer tapped as President Donald Trump’s national security adviser last year to stabilize a turbulent foreign policy operation, will resign and be replaced by John Bolton, a hard-line former United States ambassador to the United Nations, White House officials said Thursday." -- As skilled as McMaster is, it's time for a stronger opinioned spokesman to be America's lead in this area..the world is almost weaned off the Obama/Clinton/Kerry wishy-washiness, and Bolton will seal the deal.

 

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From the L-E's "soundoff" replacement.. Two Cents Worth: "Georgia House backs push to keep lottery winners anonymous * “The winner should have a choice. Plus, I have always felt publishing the winners name makes them a target.” -- Good grief.. allowing anonymity just insures the probability of future lottery scams involving friends/family of lottery officials...

 

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From the "is this really the best use of tax and donation funds for affordable housing" department - L-E headline: "NEIGHBORWORKS GETS NEW HISTORIC DISTRICT HOME" -- You know, the Historic District has a lot of rules and regulations involving construction and remodeling.. all of which drive up the cost of building/rebuilding homes in the area. Should not such funds be used in areas that do not demand materials be approved for its architectural compliance..

 

The photos and credits seemed to intentionally omit the NeighborWorks Executive Director... MCSB member.. and Historic District resident.. Cathy Williams..

 

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From the "yeah, that's the ticket.... NOT!" department - Online headline/story: "Citigroup sets rules on gun sales by business clients * Citigroup is setting restrictions on the sale of firearms by its business customers, making it the first Wall Street bank to take a stance in the divisive nationwide gun control debate. * " -- Mainscream media and ill-informed liberals will rejoice... but... Good grief.. all small merchants will do is issue a handwritten specific receipt to it's customers for the merchandise, and run just the card amount through the authorization system. Most small businesses do this already..