Crane: Here we go again …

The new U.S. House Speaker, Congressman Mike Johnson of Louisiana, is about to experience the first major test of his mettle and abilities. Just a few weeks into the job, Congress is again approaching another fiscal cliff and likely 11th-hour increase of the U.S.

Op-Ed: Maybe we need to peel the onion

Last week’s Eatonton Messenger had two articles that caught my attention. At first glance, they appear to have no relationship. Looking deeper, perhaps they do.

Rich: Southern gothic murder (Part Three)

There is not a Southern Gothic story, murder, or else, without the Devil in a starring role.

Yarbrough: Why Israel has a right to defend itself

When I reflected in this space recently about having lost a grandson some 15 years ago, I received a lot of responses, including from those who had shared a similar experience of losing a child or grandchild of their own. One particular note stood out.

Letter to the Editor: What’s the update?

Dear Editor, It is not often that I sign up to speak on a (Putnam County Board of Commissioners) agenda item. This past Friday, I did sign up to speak on an agenda item that was announced as a “Discussion and action on Updates to the Commissioners Compensation legislation.

Rich: Southern murder gothic (Part Two)

In Walterboro, SC, kindness hangs in the air like moss in the oak trees, providing a gentle whisper of invitation. This is what people call the Low Country since it sets near or below sea level on the coast.

Southern gothic murder (Part One)

The first time I ever sat in a courtroom for a Southern Gothic murder trial, I was 17. Back then, I didn’t know there was a name for it because I had yet to read “A Rose for Emily” by William Faulkner or “A Good Man Is Hard To Find” by Flannery O’Connor.

Crane: I stand with Israel

As a world leader, the United States has plenty of conditional allies and even occasionally helpful “frenemies,” but when the chips are down that list of nations that always have our backs gets pretty short pretty quickly. Canada, the United Kingdom, Israel, and most of the time Australia.

Yarbrough: Scott a good role model for GOP

Georgia Congressman Austin Scott of Tifton is what a Republican should be – and used to be – before the right-wing crowd took control.

Letters to the Editor: Lack of transparency or business as usual?

Dear Editor, I am running for Councilperson At-Large for Eatonton City Council. My opponent has been tutting about my associating this position with the title of Deputy Mayor (conventionally Mayor Pro-Tem). He says such an elected position does not exist.