Tocher: Voting integrity matters beyond elections

With primary election results arriving this week — unfortunately, after press time for The Eatonton Messenger — voters in Putnam County and across Georgia will once more be relying on the integrity and accuracy of the election process.Most of that trust is naturally tied to politics.

Stone: Uh-oh, Spaghetti-o’s

“If at the end of each person’s life, he were to be presented with the living spectacle of all that he had [eaten] in order to stay alive, he might well feel horrified by the living energy he had ingested.

Rich: The thief

The email from my literary agent popped up. He is the wonderful man who first believed in me without having read a single line I had written.

Yarbrough: Keep talkin’ Southern, y’all

I’m a little late getting around to this, but there is a survey out by a group called Writing Tips Institute, a website that teaches people how to write correctly.According to the survey, 51% of Georgians would like our dialect protected by law.

Stone: Pick me! Pick me!

“You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice. If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice. You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill. I will choose a clear path. I will choose Freewill.

Rich: Southern rules of dinner

It is a line that Tink and I quote often, always with a shake of the head. We will carry it to our graves.A dear friend of ours — a successful entertainer from a storied family — had a cruel mother who left her children to figure out food, school, and life for themselves.

Letter to the Editor: Too much negativity

Dear Editor,The following was on my mind over a week ago, but as with most people, life takes precedence. Today, I received an election card from Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, prompting me to respond. A little over a week ago, I also received election cards from both candidates, Rick Jackson and Burt Jones.

Letter to the Editor: Putnam sheriff clarifies election claims

Dear Editor,I have been involved in politics and elections for most of my life. This election year has brought forth many new tactics and communication methods that have not typically been used in local campaigns.

Stone: Current events and other BS

Lately, I have caught myself calling upon the “Lord” quite a bit.As in “Oh, Lord,” or “Lord help us,” or “Lord have mercy.”I’m sure I picked up these phrases from my mother, because my father was a bit more colorful when he called upon the Lord.

Yarbrough: Some random thoughts on some random subjects

I would like to say I hate it when I’m right, but Jiminy Crickets, I am right so much that if I spent all that time hating myself, I wouldn’t have time to hate broccoli. And I really hate broccoli.