Terry Garlock's blog

Is our national anthem sacred?

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:33:39 -0500

At a local high school sporting event recently, a few parents were offended that one school’s supporters sang along with the ending of the national anthem and changed the last word to support their team. The offended parents feel that is disrespectful to our troops and want an apology. The identifying details don’t really matter.

Peachtree City Girls Softball League honors a soldier

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:49:55 -0500

Kailani Serapion is a 9-year-old softball player, and a fourth-grader this year at Huddleston Elementary. Her softball experience is a good example of what the Peachtree City Girls Softball League strives for, and the dad she misses a lot is a key part of our league.

Who’s responsible for saving you when disaster strikes?

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:26:04 -0500

For those able to think past the human tragedy in Haiti, there are some reminders of life’s realities. One of those reminders is that when disaster strikes somewhere in the world, our elected representatives in Washington will sell us down the river ... again.

Some important questions most governments never ask

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:24:57 -0500

Our bloated federal government has been running amok for a long time, under Democrat and Republican administrations alike, creating mountains of debt and intruding into nooks and crannies of our personal lives where they should not tread. The fingers of state, county and city government reach too far into our pocket and our lives as well.

The lost art of thinking

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:27:33 -0500

My friend Rod Albaugh asked a few days ago why I write columns now and then. Rod said he thought he knew but wanted me to tell him. So I explained.

Global warming fools

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:33:49 -0500

Normally I’d rather not discuss religion publicly, since it leads to hot heads not given to reason and logic. But today I’ll break that rule to weigh in on global warming, with no more than sober reflection as my credentials.

Mr. Obama, fight to win, or bring troops home

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:22:08 -0500

At this writing I don’t know what President Obama will decide and announce this week on Afghanistan, but I do hope he considers the men and women in our armed forces at the top of his priority list. Presidents have not always done so.

The economy makes my head hurt

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:23:38 -0500

Many years ago I earned an A in my college macro-economics course, thereby proving the hypothesis there is no relation whatever between a report card and mastery of a subject. I still remember how much my head hurt every time I took a seat in that classroom and when I studied hard for exams. An economist I am not.

Remembering veteran life-savers

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:27:24 -0500

Each year when Veterans Day comes again to honor those who served their country, my mind often drifts to those who served in the life-saving business, the medics, helicopter crews, doctors and nurses who make a memorable difference in the lives of so many.

Eat well, support troops at Mimi’s in PTC

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:21:19 -0500

“Morning, Vern!” is heard over and over at Mimi’s Restaurant on Ga. Highway 54 in Peachtree City, as regulars roll in one at a time with the day just starting and chat with Suzy, Stephanie, Mimi and Vern when he takes a moment to turn away from the grill. But something more important than eggs and burgers is being cooked up at Mimi’s in November.

Character matters

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:45:25 -0400

Who do you call when life throws you a curve? We are fortunate if we have a couple, maybe a few, people in our life who are so solid we know we could count on them in a crisis or to watch our back. Just a few. Earning that trust takes some time, and it takes a lot of character.

All winners, no losers in girls softball

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:40:45 -0400

If you think only boys step on a ball diamond with a steely glint in their eye prepared for fierce but friendly battle, while girls try to look pretty and smell nice, then you haven’t been to a middle school fast-pitch softball game lately.

If we are at war, all of us are at war

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:00:06 -0400

I’m no expert on Afghanistan, but I’ll give you something to ponder as you watch the news unfold.

Last week’s big story was the confidential report from President Obama’s appointed commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, candidly warning of possible failure in Afghanistan if we don’t switch now from a counter-terrorism strategy to a counter-insurgency strategy, and that substantially more troops are needed immediately to carry out that new strategy.

Message to teens: View news with skepticism

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:02:23 -0400

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard of New Portland, Maine, recently paid the ultimate price in Afghanistan.

Associated Press photographer Julie Jacobson, embedded with Bernard’s unit, was with them when they were ambushed by Taliban forces and Bernard was mortally wounded by an enemy rocket-propelled grenade.

40th anniversary: Woodstock and I

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:52:29 -0400

If you were at Woodstock 40 years ago, you might remember the music, peace and love from that monumental event as if it were yesterday.