Two Macon Brothers Speak About Gang Affiliation

The Macon Monitor met this week with two Macon-Bibb citizens who acknowledge gang affiliations, but who dispute the perception by many public officials and members of the public that gangs and gang affiliations are themselves the major cause of violent crime in Macon-Bibb. G-Rell, 30, is affiliated with the Crips, and wore blue clothing to our meeting at a Unity-N-Community office.  Johntellis Mathis, 27, is affiliated with the Blacc Team, and wore black clothing. Both are affiliations common in their respective neighborhoods. Mathis joined the conversation later.

Monitor: How long have you been affiliated with a gang?

G-Rell: Since I was about 10. But it’s not what you think, all fighting and shooting and such. It’s a brotherhood. And it’s also about … Continue Reading

Why Allen Peake Lost the Majority Leader Position, and What that Might Mean Going Forward for Peake

By Dave Oedel

Georgia House Representative Allen Peake from Macon lost the majority leader position by a reported 69-44 vote of the majority Republican caucus on Monday, May 11, 2015 under the Gold Dome in Atlanta.  Jon Burns from Newington in rural far-east Georgia prevailed. Peake was seeking to move up from the secretary/treasurer position, a position Peake relinquished to run for majority leader. The leader’s spot is being vacated by Larry O’Neal from Bonaire, also in Middle Georgia. O’Neal has resigned to assume an appointment by the governor to a position as a leading administrative law judge on tax matters. Bruce Williamson of the city of Monroe won Peake’s old slot as secretary-treasurer.

In effect, Middle Georgia’s clout in the legislature, with O’Neal retiring and Peake losing, took a double hit.

However, Peake’s loss wasn’t surprising. Peake’s reputation … Continue Reading

After Tsarnaev Gets Death, a Middle Georgia Marathoner and Law Professor Ponders the Death Penalty

By Dave Oedel

On Friday, May 15, 2015, the Boston marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19 at the time of the bombing two years ago, was sentenced by a unanimous federal jury to death instead of life in prison after Tsarnaev earlier had conceded participating in the murders.

My wife and I have run the Boston Marathon three times in the past few years, and my sister-in-law witnessed the bombs exploding near the finish line. None of that gives me any more insight than anyone else on the appropriateness of the death penalty in Tsarnaev’s case. In its extensive coverage yesterday, though, the New York Times suggested that most Massachusetts citizens, where I was born and raised, and by extension many Boston marathoners, are offended by the verdict.

The Times and its friends didn’t poll me. After young Dzhokhar tried to kill people like my family members and me at the world’s most iconic marathon, … Continue Reading

Senator David Perdue Defends His Votes on Enabling Iran With Nuclear Capabilities

By David Oedel

Last week, the Macon Monitor called attention to Middle Georgia’s freshman U.S. Senator David Perdue’s votes favoring the Obama administration’s preferred approach to dealing with the Iranians. Iran is driving to lift U.S. economic sanctions while ensuring continued development of Iranian nuclear capabilities. The Monitor pointed out that Perdue’s position seemed to be at odds with his first major speech from the Senate floor only days before. In that speech, Perdue railed at Obama’s unconstitutional usurpation of power.

In response to the Monitor’s coverage, Perdue’s press secretary Mark Bednar pointed out to the Monitor this week that the Senator has offered a defense of his votes.  In short, Perdue now declares … Continue Reading