CRANE: The giving $ea$on is upon us

As we finally emerge from this pandemic and folks are traveling and having holiday events again, a gaping recession apparently looms ahead. But for now, at least judging by the crowds on Black Friday, consumers are exercising some pent-up demand.

CRANE: A salute to the speaker

Mr. Speaker...I rise to recognize the fine gentleman from the 7th District of Georgia (R-Blue Ridge)...spanning Fannin, Gilmer, and parts of Dawson County.

CRANE: What about a nice, even dozen?

Georgia’s U.S. Senate runoff on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, will decide whether the 2023 Senate holds the 50-50 chamber status quo, or gives Democrats a 51-49 majority. The U.S Senate is 232 years old, and the Upper Chamber has had only 11 Black senators.

CRANE: Some big shoes to fill

Georgia’s General Assembly will reconvene on the second Monday in January of 2023, and for the first time since January 2010, Georgia House Speaker David Ralston will not be presiding over the State House of Representatives.

CRANE: Vince Dooley, more than a great coach

Others have written and more will write detailed tributes to Coach Vince Joseph Dooley (age 90) as the winningest coach in the history of Georgia football (201-77-10).

CRANE: There oughta be a law

Andre Dickens is the dynamic, results-oriented young mayor of Atlanta, Georgia’s capital city, after having won election early this year.

CRANE: What matters most in close contests

Two years ago this fall, the challenger candidate, Reverend Raphael Warnock, mopped the debate room floor with his opponent, junior incumbent U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler. Hers was a wooden and flat performance, appearing to recite lines from a script not connecting with any audience.

CRANE: Your vote is secure. Your vote will count.

Early voting for the Nov. 8 general election begins Oct. 17. Absentee ballot applications are being accepted and those ballots are already being cast. You will need to submit your Voter I.D., electronically or through the mail, along with your absentee ballot.

CRANE: Water, water ... everywhere

Two of the strongest determinants of whether you are standing in a First World or Third World nation are whether you have ready and easy access to potable water and whether the nation has some type of sewage removal and possibly treatment system in place.

CRANE: In the home stretch

Mid-term election cycles tend to not favor the party in power in the White House. True to form, President Joe Biden and the Democratic majority in the U.S. House and a tied balance in the U.S.