Opinion
Opinion

Time to kick off the winter blues

By Jay Bookman
Jan 16, 2015

The bad spell in the weather seems to have broken, the sun is shining and I'm in the mood for a little uptempo segue into the weekend. So here's the great Billy Joe Shaver with a blistering version of his "I've Been to Georgia on a Fast Train," featuring guitar work by his late son Eddy, who sadly fell prey to a heroin addiction.

If you know Shaver's story, the song is pretty autobiographical, although I'm extremely dubious that he ever rode a fast train to Georgia and given our state Legislature, even more doubtful that he will have a chance to do so in the future.

About the Author

Jay Bookman
More Stories

Keep Reading

U.S. President Donald Trump after signing the "Big Beautiful Bill" during a Fourth of July celebration event on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, D.C., on July 4, 2025. (Yuri Gripas/ABACAPRESS.COM/TNS)

Credit: TNS

Tax cuts help keep the American Dream alive in Georgia and across the nation

Federal tax cuts for entrepreneurs allow small businesses to invest more in infrastructure, employees and customer experience, and put more money in people's pocketbooks.

4m ago
OPINION

Readers write

Blaming Trump for the shutdown is a stretch, PSC vote was about accountability and thanks to FAA, TSA for commitment to air travelers, our readers write.

4m ago
OPINION

In shutdown fight, Chuck Schumer showed he was overmatched and over his head

Senate Democrats now own weakness and the perception that they are too spineless to stand up to Trump because they folded after they were winning the government shutdown.

The Latest

Our readers write. (Phil Skinner/AJC 2013)

Credit: pskinner@ajc.com

OPINION

Readers write

4m ago

Tax cuts help keep the American Dream alive in Georgia and across the nation

4m ago
OPINION

Mike Luckovich: Professional folders

Featured

U.S. Rep. Mike Collins' Senate campaign used Sen. Jon Ossoff's Senate portrait (center) to create an AI-generated video of Ossoff talking about his vote not to end the government shutdown. The video was reposted to Collins' campaign account on X (left). (Screenshot)

Credit: (Handout and screen grabs)

OPINON

Murphy: Jon Ossoff warned about deepfakes. Now he is one.

A Mike Collins campaign video uses AI to make Sen. Jon Ossoff say outlandish things. A proposed state law would rein in such uses of AI in campaigns.

President of Atlanta Fed Raphael Bostic announces retirement

Atlanta Fed President and CEO Raphael Bostic has served in the role since 2017 and is the first Black and openly gay chief executive of a regional Fed bank.

Savannah ditched 2 marathons. Can shorter race find Peachtree-like success?

Savannah is an attractive destination for those whose idea of a fun weekend getaway is a road race. But two marathons have left town. Will Saturday's shorter race be a keeper?