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TODAY'S ISSUE
Ex-Gwinnettian views anti-Americanism in Germany
By Brian Swint
Berlin, Germany
Special to GwinnettForum.com

APRIL 8, 2003 - - The war in Iraq is not popular here in Berlin, and every day the war continues, resentment towards America grows. The transatlantic dispute over what to do in Iraq has led some Americans to call for boycotts of German and French goods. Is this new anti-Europeanism the same kind of animosity as anti-Americanism in Germany?

Similar to the current anti-German (and anti-French) sentiments in the States, popular anti-Americanism in Berlin is an angry response to injured national pride. Both unfairly speculate on the psychological reasons behind the other country's position on war. And both tend to express their political anger at cultural symbols.

One curiously different aspect of anti-Americanism in Germany, however, is that it is not directed at American citizens. I have lived in Berlin for a year now, and no one has told me what a terrible person I am for being an American. Rather, being an American is often an invitation to a political discussion.

While it may be annoying to have to give my opinions to nearly every new person I meet, at least I have the chance to argue against anti-American views. What I have learned from my experience in Berlin is that, though I may never win an argument with an anti-American, I can easily have him buy me a few beers.

Germans may be hostile to many things American right now, but they will not be hostile to you. I've heard many more derogatory jokes about the French and German people from Americans than I have about Americans from Europeans.

Anti-Americanism is above all criticism of George W. Bush's style. Whereas anti-Europeanism takes digs at Europeans, anti-Americanism in Berlin is a prejudice against American foreign policy. The fact that Bush's style is attractive to Americans and repellant to Germans may merely be a cultural difference of taste, but style is of substantial importance in politics.

Whatever Bush's reasons for war, his Administration's rhetoric ruined the international reception of his message. On the other hand, even if you think that Gerhard Schröder did the right thing in opposing the war, he certainly baited popular anti-Americanism along the way.

Many Germans look at America today and see an entire country on an egomaniacal shooting spree. In this sense, anti-Americanism is no joking matter. People everywhere take the short, if mistaken, leap of the imagination from looking down on a country's leaders to looking down on a country's culture.

This exchange of ill-will between Germany and America has been harmful for everyone. Anti-Americanism overshadows the Iraq question in Germany, and Anti-Europeanism offends valuable allies and feeds anti-Americanism. Sadly, it is sometimes easy to forget here that Germany and the United States are not at war with each other.

In the past, America has been a great example to Europe and the world for how to win friends and influence people. I hope we decide to set the same kind of example today.

ELLIOTT BRACK
Two giants of Georgia die on same day
By Elliott Brack
editor and publisher
GwinnettForum.com

APRIL 8, 2003 -- Two giant figures in Georgia died in March. I refer to Charlie Gowen and Bill Suttles. Both were awesome figures who inspired others to greater heights.

Charlie Gowen, who died at age 99, was a favorite of mine who inspired me when back in college.

Mr. Gowen, you see, challenged the status quo in Georgia back in 1954 in an unsuccessful run for governor. He was taking on the Talmadge machine back in those days, who offered Marvin Griffin for the governor's post. Marvin had been lieutenant governor during Herman Talmadge's six years as governor, and was, of course, a formidable foe. Marvin got only 36 percent of the popular vote, but scored 302 "county units votes," and became the Democratic nominee for governor.

But Mr. Gowen ran a decent campaign. He was quite a credible candidate, having been an attorney in Brunswick for years, and was judge of the Juvenile Court for seven years. He had served in the House of Representatives since 1939, and except for when running for governor, continued to serve until 1960. He was a person who got things done in the House, serving as chairman of both the Appropriations and Judiciary Committees. He also was a member of the Constitutional Revision Committee of 1945.

His fellow lawyers thought enough of him to name him president of the Georgia Bar Association in 1945.

When I was a young college student, Mr. Gowen's run for the governorship got my attention, and gave me an early but distant introduction to politics. Years later, when one guy introduced himself and said that he had voted for him for governor, the every-alert Mr. Gowen told him that if everyone who had told him that had voted for him, he would have been elected governor.

After his election defeat, Mr. Gowen continued to serve Georgia in several distinguished activities, and was senior partner of the Atlanta firm of King and Spalding.

Bill Suttles, who died at age 82, graduated from Georgia State and served in several distinguished capacities. He was the third president of Georgia State. Dr. Suttles was a professor and later chairman of the Speech Department; dean of students; vice president for academic affairs; executive vice president and provost for 19 years, and finally, president of Georgia State.

He was a favorite of students, because of his deep devotion to them. As a student in the '30's the former president, George Sparks, loaned him money to remain in school. Years later, as a faculty member, he repaid that favor, helping no telling how many students himself, by paying part of their tuition.

What also singles out Dr. Suttles was his devotion to his church. The son of a pastor, he was himself a Baptist pastor for 50 years, conducting twice-a-month Sunday services at churches, in Haralson and Luthersville. He also was tending to both congregations' needs, such as weddings, funerals, counseling. And he did it for no fee.

Dr. Suttles was an imposing figure, tall and robust, often appearing in his dark, three-piece suits. He was a model of formal office dress, and it told something of his nature: serious, but sensible, father-like, and caring.

NEWS
4/8: Poetry workshop set for Norcross library branch

A Poetry Reading and Workshop will be conducted by Poet Kyle Mitchell at the Gwinnett County Public Library at its Norcross Branch, on Saturday, April 19, 2003 at 3:30 p.m.

Participants are invited to bring along their favorite poems to read. The event is free and open to the public. The workshop will include recent innovations in poetry as well as the general techniques and basics of poetry writing.

Poetry Games and Door Prizes will be awarded to participants.

The Gwinnett County Public Library, Norcross Branch is located at 6025 Buford Highway For additional information or directions, visit any Gwinnett County branch library, check the webiste at www.gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154.

4/8: Keep tools upgraded for safety for spring spruce-up

With warmer temperatures arriving, many people are going outdoors
to tend to a yard they've neglected all winter. Walton Electric Membership
Corporation offers these reminders so they can keep them safe while using
electric tools to do outdoor chores:

* Inspect power tools and electric lawnmowers for broken plugs, plugs with the third prong removed and cracked or torn insulation on power cords.

* Replace or repair damaged cords. If you're unsure, consult a qualified
repairman. Do not use tools that have plugs with the third prong missing.

* Do not use power tools in the rain or allow tools to get wet.

* Always plug outdoor power tools into outlets or extension cords equipped with ground fault circuit interrupters.

* Avoid carrying tools by the power cord.

* Don't yank electrical cords when disconnecting; instead, grasp and pull by the plug.

4/8: Street Smarts among top growth firms in metro Atlanta

The Atlanta Business Chronicle has recognized Street Smarts of Duluth for the second year in a row, honored as a "2003 Pacesetter" - one of the fastest growing, privately held companies in Atlanta.

To qualify for this recognition, companies must be headquartered in Atlanta and have revenue between $1 million and $300 million. They must also have a two-year growth in sales of more than 50 percent. Street Smarts ranked 40th on the list. During the recognition Friday at the Waverly Hotel, Street Smarts was also acknowledged for tackling one of the Metro Areas greatest problem areas - traffic congestion.

Marsha Anderson Bomar, president and owner of Street Smarts, said: "Our success comes from a strong faith, and the collaboration of outstanding people working together to be creative problem solvers. Our people work diligently to give our clients great value-added service. A community-minded attitude rounds out our focus."

Street Smarts, a Duluth-based Transportation Engineering firm founded in early 1990, now has employees in two states with plans to open two more offices. The firm provides service to both the public and private sectors in traffic engineering, transportation planning, roadway design and surveying, transit analysis, traffic signal design, training, planning and zoning work, impact studies, intelligent transportation systems (ITS), analysis programs, freight planning, impact fees, parking studies, public involvement and facilitation, and computer modeling.

Marsha Anderson Bomar is also past international president of the Institute of Transportation Engineers. She was a recipient of the Gwinnett Chamber Athena Award and a Small Business Person of the Year Finalist.