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TODAY'S
ISSUE
Three Gwinnett students
place in First Amendment contest
By Sherrie Whaley
University of Georgia
Special
to GwinnettForum.com
MAY 13, 2005 -- Three Gwinnett County students and one Coweta County
student won top prizes in the first statewide First Amendment Essay
Contest. The contest was sponsored by the University of Georgia's
Cox Institute for Newspaper Management Studies, Georgia Scholastic
Press Association (GSPA) and Grady College of Journalism and Mass
Communication.
L'Anita Weiler, a senior at Gwinnett County's Berkmar High School,
and Carolyn Crist, a junior at Coweta County's East Coweta High
School, tied for first place in the contest. Each was awarded a
$100 cash prize and plaque, and $100 was awarded to their respective
school publications, The Berkmar Liberty and East Coweta Smoke Signals.
Weiler wrote about her personal battles upholding the First Amendment.
In her essay, she wrote, "Schools seem to have lost their vision.
They seek to foster students in a stimulating, thought-provoking
learning environment, yet when student journalists try to point
out faults or suggest change, they're shot down. Teachers emphasize
independent, critical thinking, but students aren't allowed to practice
it in real life."
Crist did some comprehensive research looking into the history of
the First Amendment and its development through various court cases.
She concluded that "the First Amendment must continue to be
treasured as a democracy preserver, public informer and rights defender."
Two students from Gwinnett County's Brookwood High School won second
and third place in the contest. Junior Rebecca Stewart was awarded
$75 and a certificate for placing second, and senior Michele Byrd
earned $50 and a certificate for her third place finish. Their high
school broadcast program, "Brookwood Up-Close," received
a total of $125.
Stewart wrote that censorship of the high school press not only
circumvents freedom of speech, but also shields them from the real
world. She wrote, "By giving students the right to determine
what is or is not appropriate to publish on their own, adults can
only provide them with more responsibility and a better understanding
of the consequences of one's actions."
Byrd wrote that civics education is the key for students gaining
a better comprehension of the First Amendment. "If more students
are educated in government and the inner-workings of the Constitution,
they will hopefully be more appreciative of the gifts they have
been given."
The contest was spurred by a much-publicized Knight Foundation survey
that found America's high schools are leaving the First Amendment
behind. The contest was open to students whose high school publications
are members of GSPA. The 48 entrants were required to write a 300-
to 500-word essay focusing on the importance of the First Amendment
and the role it plays in American life and in the student's school
newspaper, magazine, yearbook or broadcast.
The winners were recognized April 29 at the GSPA Spring Awards Ceremony
held on the UGA campus. Their essays were recorded for broadcast
on WUGA 91.7/97.9 FM, the National Public Radio affiliate in Athens.
Organized in 1928 by the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication,
the Georgia Scholastic Press Association assists Georgia high school
media programs and students by encouraging the production of quality
publications and broadcast programs through instruction and contests.
There are 117 GSPA member publications for the 2004-05 school year,
representing some 2,500 students across the state.
The Cox Institute for Newspaper Management Studies provides and
supports training to prepare students and professionals for management
positions and sponsors applied research that addresses contemporary
issues confronting the newspaper industry.
The Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication is home to
both GSPA and the Cox Institute. It provides seven undergraduate
majors including advertising, broadcast news, magazines, newspapers,
public relations, publication management and telecommunication arts.
The college offers two graduate degrees, and is home to the Peabody
Awards, one of the premier programs in broadcasting. For more information,
visit www.grady.uga.edu.
ELLIOTT
BRACK
New
tactic in barbecue serving isn't to your advantage
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com
MAY 13, 2005 -- Any restaurant might adopt this new tactic. After
all, it's one way to increase revenue.
In particular, I have found a new strategy at barbecue restaurants.
(Some of you know that many of my forays into eating establishments
concern my continuing effort to measure the quality of Southern
barbecue. After all, someone needs to be posted to this duty.) And
yes, I can direct you to some good barbecue. I can also suggest
places you might want to avoid.
Here's the new trick some eateries are adopting. I have seen it
at work in at least three different places within the last couple
of months.
Instead of having the traditional $3.95 barbecue sandwich on a
reasonable size (hamburger like) bun…..they offer only one
size sandwich on a much larger, king size bun. And since they offer
you more bread, they charge you more, now generally $6.95.
There are two things wrong with this arrangement.
First, the amount of actual barbecue that they are giving you when
they serve it on the larger size bun is….not much, compared
to the higher price they charge. At least that is the way it appears
to me. They have charged you 75 percent more….and I suspect
that the most they have given you is 40-50 percent more meat. It's
a bad deal for you, a higher profit for the restaurant.
Perhaps the worst part of it, however, is what happens when you
attempt to eat that larger sandwich. The top part of the bun flops
over, with about one-third of the barbecue falling out as you start
to raise the bun to your mouth. It's messy.
So you're not getting a good financial deal, and you're having
a harder time eating. It's a bad deal all around.
 One
of our favorite places for barbecue is Lexington (N.C.) Barbecue,
hard by Business 85 (the old interstate). Here you get barbecue
served on a regular sized bun. And since you are in North Carolina,
the slaw comes automatically when you order the sandwich. It's good,
real good, enough to drive the about three miles out of the way
to enjoy.
Other favorite places:
- Maybe the best in the entire country is in Hot Springs, Ark.,
a place called McClard's. The place is always crowded.
- There's nothing like Harold's Barbecue down south of the center
of Atlanta. Their hot toasted bread helps makes their sandwiches
superb!
- Closer to home, there's Johnnie's on old U.S. 129 in Gainesville,
yummy and good. They will serve you either with a regular sized
or oversized (higher priced) bun, but that's being up front. We
don't mind that.
- Fresh Air Barbecue of Jackson, which now offers the same good
taste at a Macon location.
- Down in Newnan, Sprayberry's served us one of those larger buns
the other day. However, in this case, their barbecue is so good
that you don't mind the larger bun, though it is hard to manage.
With this short list, perhaps some of you are wondering why your
favorite barbecue spot has been omitted. If so, write and tell us
about it. If it sounds good enough, we might make a detour when
we're headed that way soon!
My apologies for causing all the salivating!
ABOUT OUR SPONSORS
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to you at no cost to readers. The public spiritedness of our sponsors
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Today's sponsor is Just Emissions, a firm performing State
of Georgia emission testing as certified by the Georgia Clean Air
Force (GCAF). We eliminate the potential conflict of interest in
the test and repair facility by performing only the test, never
the needed repairs. For our commercial accounts we offer charge
accounts and a single source of record keeping eliminating the need
to "scramble" when it is time to purchase vehicle tags.
Just Emission offers certified emission testing in minutes by our
courteous, trained technicians. In Gwinnett, we are located at the
corner of Scenic. and Grayson Highways in Lawrenceville. There are
also locations at 1830 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, close to Emory
University, and 51 S. Cobb Drive, Marietta one block south of the
Big Chicken. No appointment is needed.
For a list of other sponsors of this forum, go to: http://www.gwinnettforum.com/about/sponsors.htm.
FEEDBACK
5/13:
Another view of Miss Liberty
Another entertaining cartoon from Bill McLemore:
FEEDBACK
5/13: Says
nation has survived Senate changes of earlier years
Editor, the Forum:
It seems to me we survived the change from 75 to 66 percent in 1917
and again in 1975 when it went 66 to 60 percent. I suspect we would
survive the 60 to 51 percent proposal too. Mostly I am concerned
that we are "protecting the minority" by giving then a
tool to do nothing and create impasse. That seems to me to be an
infringement on the rights of the majority.
The best tool we have for the minority is called the ballot box.
Democrats will love the "nuclear option" when they start
playing attention to James Carville and reassess their platform
and create one that appeals to the majority of voters.
Until then, could we please have an up or down vote?
-- Patrick Malone, Snellville
(Dear Patrick: Ninety five per cent of judges
President Bush had submitted to the Congress have been approved.
Certainly we don't need to go to the "nuclear option"
based on such a small rejection rate. A few years from now, Republicans
could also elect to stymie debate with their own minority report.
Remember: yes, the world changes, and sometimes you wish that
it had not. This could someday be the case if a lower percent
is adopted. -eeb)
5/13: Won't consider home in Gwinnett after school incident
Editor, the Forum:
Your school board is more concerned with sports and obviously has
no concern for education. Because one student whined and complained,
you have decided to put a good teacher out on the street. Had this
not been a "sports jockey," would they have done the same?
Our youth are the citizens and government of the future. Just what
are you saying to them? There was a time when a teacher was respected
for decisions like this. The board is obviously more interested
in furthering their sports reputation instead of their academic
scores!
I was looking at homes in Gwinnett. However not only will I not
move to the county, I won't contribute to any business in your county
as well. I will also make sure that friends and colleagues, etc.
know what Gwinnett County is really about!
A Concerned Parent and citizen for the future of this country!
-- Cheryl Spring, Marietta
Dear Cheryl: We have been talking previously
about Cobb County being bad, and here you turn the tables on us.
-eeb)
5/13: More horses around here than many people realize
Editor, the Forum:
After reading Carol Knight's comments saying she thinks it's silly
to think there are enough equestrians to make the trails at Little
Mulberry worthwhile, I just had to comment. Evidently she does not
realize the large horse community in Gwinnett and neighboring Barrow
County. I myself have two horses and am thrilled to have more trails
opening up. She is going to be in for a surprise when those trails
open and trail riders start flocking to the park.
A survey by the Georgia Farm Bureau ranked horses as one of Georgia's
top 10 commodities in 2002, found that there are more than 230,000
horses in Georgia and that about 65 percent of those horses are
owned by "backyard horse owners," people like me who own
just one or two horses.
So to say that it's silly to think there are enough equestrians
to make the trails a "reasonable option" is not a valid
statement. Just ask the Georgia Horse Council who fights daily to
keep what trails we have open, while finding new ones.
-- Heather S. Loveridge, Winder
5/13: Controversy of
preaching politics in pulpit may have legs
Editor, the Forum:
Chan Chandler, a North Carolina pastor, drew national attention
for partisan politicking in the pulpit. It lead to ill will among
congregants and divided the congregation illustrating the danger
of this type of activity in churches.
His endorsements of candidates from the pulpit violate the Internal
Revenue Code. This incident illustrates perfectly why our houses
of worship should refrain from telling people whom to vote for.
A bill pending in Congress would lift the IRS ban on pulpit politicking
and encourage actions like Chandler's. The Houses of Worship Free
Speech Restoration Act (H.R. 235) is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Walter
B. Jones (R-N.C.).The sad controversy in North Carolina should put
an end to this type of misguided measure.
-- Ralph Greene, Snellville
UPCOMING
McDaniel
Farm is site of 5K race and festival on Saturday
The first "Hoof-It 5k Race" will be presented by Gwinnett
County Parks and Recreation at McDaniel Farm Park in Duluth this
Saturday, May 14.
The 5K Race begins at 7:30 a.m., with registration beginning at
7 a.m. The race day registration fee is $20 per person and includes
a commemorative t-shirt and entry into the festival.
An allied festival begins at 10 a.m. and runs through 2 p.m. with
music, blacksmithing, quilting and woodworking demonstrations, animal
exhibits from the Lanier Museum of Natural History, and lots of
fun activities for both kids and adults. Entry into festival only
is $2 per person (ages 3 and under free).
McDaniel Farm Park is located at 3251 McDaniel Road in Duluth,
off of Old Norcross Road. For more information call (770) 814-4920.
A free shuttle to McDaniel Farm Park will be available across the
street from McDaniel Road at the Gwinnett Prado on Old Norcross
Road.
Technology Forum to feature bioscience growth panel
A panel will discuss "strategic growth of bioscience at the
Gwinnett Technology Forum on Tuesday, May 17. The Forum will be
at 7 a.m. at the Scientific Atlanta Auditorium at Gwinnett Technical
College.
Mike Cassidy of the Georgia Research Alliance will moderate the
program. Others on the panel will include: Lee Herron, Georgia Tech
ATDC Director, Biosciences; Margaret Dahl, UGA's BioBusiness Center;
and Todd Sherer, Emory University Tech Transfer Office.
Deadline nears for application for UGA degree from GUC
Time is running out for prospective students to apply to the bachelor's
degree programs currently offered by the University of Georgia at
the Gwinnett University Center in Lawrenceville.
The admissions office will accept completed UGA at Gwinnett undergraduate
applications only through Friday, July 15, 2005. No additional students
will be admitted to UGA's undergraduate degree programs in Gwinnett
after fall semester 2005.
Buford memorial weekend auto show benefits new statue
On Memorial Day weekend, May 28-30, Buford will hold an automobile
show to raise money for the Roy Rogers Memorial Statue Fund and
the Roy Rogers Happy Trails Children's Foundation. The event will
be held at the Tannery-Row Mercantile (formerly the Old Bona-Allen
Shoe Factory) at 554 West Main Street.
The City of Buford new city park will feature a life sized bronze
statue memorializing an important event in its history, when famous
cowboys traveled by rail car from Hollywood to Buford for hand tooled
custom saddles. The bronze sculpture created by local artist Vic
McCallum is presently currently being cast at a foundry in Canton.
Besides Rogers being depicted in the sculpture is the likeness
of master saddle-maker, John Johnson, who represents the many skilled
master craftsmen and women who worked in the Bona Allen leather
factories during and after the Great Depression.
The show will feature all types of vintage and new cars. The Georgia
Racing Hall of Fame Association will have on display 10 antique
race cars depicting race cars from dirt track, funny cars, dragsters
and even modern NASCAR Championship cars. Over 400 cars are expected
for the event . The event will feature live entertainment, an Elvis
Impersonator, Blue Grass music and more.
More information may be found at www.royrogersautoroundup.com
RECOMMENDED
WEB SITES
Consider Ghost Towns
"Recommended sites : ghosttowns.com
and atlantatimemachine.com
. I used to drive back roads out West when I worked at Eastern Airlines
and visited many of the places on the ghosttowns site. You would
be amazed at the level of relaxation you could achieve in the rural
West, with no phones ringing, almost noiseless, a little eerie when
you think about it, but very nice. t's great to dump urban sprawl
for a while. I stayed until Eastern shut down, mainly for the free
flying.
"As for the Atlanta site, it features old and new photos of
the same places and many forgotten landmarks of old Atlanta. I grew
up in Atlanta and it brought back a lot of pleasant memories. A
retired DeKalb teacher friend told us about the Atlanta site."
- An invitation: What Web sites or books have you enjoyed?
Send us your best recent read along with a short paragraph as
to why you liked it, plus what book you plan to read next. --eeb
ENCYCLOPEDIA
TIDBIT
5/13: Oglethorpe University
closed during Civil War, to open later
Oglethorpe University, known for its Gothic Revival architecture
and its landmark location on Peachtree Road in north Atlanta, is
on the National Register of Historic Places. The school is the only
Georgia coeducational institution classified by the Carnegie Foundation
for the Advancement of Teaching among Baccalaureate (liberal arts)
Colleges I, a category that includes selective institutions that
award more than half of their degrees in the arts and sciences.
Oglethorpe's Lupton Hall |
In 1835 the state of Georgia chartered Oglethorpe University as
a Presbyterian institution named after James Edward Oglethorpe,
the founder of the colony. The antebellum college was originally
located on a hill at Midway, a small community in Baldwin County
near Milledgeville, then the capitol of Georgia.
Oglethorpe University ceased to exist during the Civil War (1861-65).
Nearly all of its students fought for the South, the endowment was
lost in Confederate bonds, and the buildings were used for barracks
and hospitals. The school closed in 1862, and in 1870 it was briefly
relocated to the Neal House in Atlanta, at the present site of Atlanta's
city hall.
In 1912 Presbyterian minister Thornwell Jacobs began campaigns
in Atlanta and the South to refound Oglethorpe University. It opened
its doors in 1916. Although Presbyterians contributed generously
to the revival of the institution, it never reestablished a denominational
affiliation and has been independent, nonsectarian, and coeducational
since the 1920s.
Under President Thornwell Jacobs (1916-43) Oglethorpe University
fostered many innovations. These included perhaps the first summer
school in Georgia (1919). In 1950 Oglethorpe, under President Philip
Weltner, secured accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges
and Schools. President Weltner initiated one of the earliest efforts
to develop a core curriculum as a common learning experience with
the twin aims "to make a life and to make a living," a
plan that was applauded by the New York Times.
Oglethorpe's enrollment is about 1,300, with plans for controlled
growth. The student body, primarily from the South, has become increasingly
cosmopolitan; typically it includes students from about 30 states
and 30 foreign countries.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Thoughts to calm you
about the United States Congress
"This country has come to feel the same when Congress is in
session as when the baby gets hold of the hammer!"
-- Will Rogers, via David E. Tyre, Jesup.
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