Ben Harbin deserves our support

He's had over a year to have his day in court. Let's see if he keeps his next appointed day in court this June 24th. He was all but dared to appear by the Chronicle in an earlier editorial. We'll see...

Ben has learned his lesson. He will never drink and drive again. Why we were just riding around the other day burning a big fattie and he told me he will never drink and drive again. I told him to quit Bogarting that joint. hee,hee,hee,hee. Now that is too funny-ya got to admit.

DUI cases in Columbia County sometimes take much longer. It appears some would prefer a separate, expedited court for public officials and another one for ordinary citizens. I don't think so.

Deserves our support? Are you f'n serious? He caused the problem, ran from the problem, and now is costing the state of GA money because of the problem. I actually supported the guy before this but now, oh hell no! It's sad really when you think about it, but hey at least we don't live in Richmond County!

Uh, you said f'n & hell in the same paragraph, without deletion, so far anyway...! lol
Oh, and someone deserving of "respect" would not have gotten into such a bind to begin with! Yanno?

This is nothing new for republicans to think they are exempted from the law and the justice system.

jack...don't be so small minded....this is nothing new for men of power, be they whatever party members...are you really that uninformed about such things as Ted Kennedy...how do you think he got that enormous head???? From running off a bridge...

i don't think a DUI is necessarily an indication that a person has low character (maybe some questionable self-control). to drag the legal process out like he has done, though, could lead one to conclude that harbin was making sure he exhausted every escape avenue (i.e. favors from friends) to just make this go away. no way he will get my vote after his blatant political maneuvering.

"Let's give him his day in court. Until then, please show your support for this fine man."
And when will that be? He's had over a year to take control of this matter and he kept pushing it under the rug. All of a sudden he wants his day in court. Is it getting time for re-election?

Elect the better candidate. Vote for Lee.

I don't quite get Jack Hayes's last sentence. He tells us to support Harbin UNTIL Harbin's court appearance. I guess we should withdraw our support after he goes to court.

Thanks for reminding us, 2cents. We'll see if he requests a continuance this week.

Maybe when Mr. Harbin got pulled over he should have reminded the officer he was on their side and explained to him how he had helped get raises for state patrol, and that the local cops were next.

Remember, this was no license check roadblock. Harbin was not "pulled over." He crashed into two telephone poles along a city sidewalk. Fortunately, there were no pedestrians around since it was the wee hours of the morning. Will the judge ask him to explain where he was coming from and where he was going? Will Harbin give straight answers to his constituents?

Yeah, get rid of Harbin who has been the goose that has laid many golden eggs in CC. Smart, real smart.

jack, eventually voters have to make decisions about the person they're voting for instead of worrying about losing the influence of the politician. are you telling me that this whole affair hasn't dampened your enthusiasm for harbin? i recall ben showing up to a meeting at evans high school many years ago and i have a been a huge supporter ever since; his recent behavior, though, seems to indicate he has lost perspective and should make way for someone else. granted, CC will take a hit politically; that doesn't mean that voting for someone else isn't the right thing to do.

I find it ironic of all the gaffs the presidential contenders commit with forgiveness and this poor guy is getting a new butt hole and no mercy. I wonder who is minister is? hee,hee,hee. How do you spell Chappaquiddick????

bizarro, ben just needs to step aside for a while and get his head on straight. he's playing too much politics and looking a lot more like charles walker. imagine if ben gets reelected and begins to believe that he really DOES have the power to walk around untouched by his own actions - he might start up a charity football game in CC or a community newspaper with phantom subscriptions!

Well, Mr Hayes, it's like this: the laws are for everyone to follow, and that includes our representatives in Congress. If they cannot abide by the laws, then they should be defrocked. It makes no sense to apply the laws selectively, as you are suggesting. Many a "good" person has done great things for society, but when they choose to break the law, they are no better than anyone else when it comes to enforcing the laws. Put it into another perspective: If the 'good senator' had collided with another vehicle and the occupant of that vehicle had died or was severly injured, would you be so supportive as to giving the 'good senator' a break and NOT enforce the DUI law? The fact that the citizens do not want Harbin to get off is because they also believe that he is no better than the rest of us. Laws are for EVERYONE and not a select few. Is that clear?

That is true bone. Why continue with political favoritism of the past. Chappaquiddick is a good reason to make an example of Ben. It wouldn't be the end of the world or his career. If he resigned or didn't run would go a long way to give credence he has character.

Bone, the charity football classic was so Charles Walker. Ben Harbin would likely establish a charity Little League tournament to launder money through.

And yes, the whole notion of voting for Benedict over Harbin would be to give Harbin the opportunity to reflect and actually repent (something he has not done yet). He could still have a political career, but he needs to be removed from office first so he can get his head on straight. There'll be more elections down the road.

Well Bone I can tell I made a good selection for VicePrez for the Bizarro Campaign. Integrity,honesty, character-dang are we super heroes or politicians? Vote Bizarro 08 Strange is Change. Change is Strange would work too.

i'm all there, bizarro. t-shirts should be our next order of business...little lamb, i can't believe i missed that obvious baseball connection - good catch. STRANGE CHANGE IN 08!!!

btw, LL, i completely agreed with your commentary re: mr. nagle's letter. i think i was a bit more vociferous in my retort, but you were definitely right on the mark - CCBOE is doing everything possible to hold back the students in this area.

First get the facts straight; Harbin hit 1 telephone pole, not 2 and he is a state Representative...not a Senator and not in Congress. He made a bad decision to drive but no one was hurt. I believe he regrets what he did and won't make that mistake again. He is now doing what most Americans do, hire a lawyer and take the advice he's paying for. Just because he is an elected official he should give up his rights? It does matter that he is the House Chairman of Appropriations. Vote him out and replace him with a Yankee who has no friends or alliances in the House and see what Columbia County gets in the next budget. Senator Jackson is doing a good job but he can't do it alone or with a neophyte. And no, I'm not Ben Harbin, a relative or an employee.

Well you just answered my question,I thought for sure you were Harbin.

What a group of fools we have here. I think if any of you are intelligent enough to register to vote you should vote for Rep. Harbin's opponent. That way he will get at least 27 votes. The court system is for all citizens even you dopes.

Yes, you sound like a good man. Calling others fools because they may disagree with you. I can see why you are a Harbin supporter.