Gov. Deal

I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised by one item in Gov. Nathan Deal's inaugural address -- his seeming rational, enlightened thoughts about treating drug addicts.

Picked up and featured on Huffington Post, Deal's agenda included this in his comments about drug addiction:

For violent and repeat offenders, we will make you pay for your crimes. For other offenders who want to change their lives, we will provide the opportunity to do so with Day Reporting Centers, Drug, DUI and Mental Health Courts and expanded probation and treatment options. As a State, we cannot afford to have so many of our citizens waste their lives because of addictions. It is draining our State Treasury and depleting our workforce.

AJC's political writer, Jim Galloway, pointed out that House Speaker David Ralston has also been commenting on the same problem -- so, as he said, "Maybe something's up."

Galloway also noted that Deal had put a lot of emphasis on transportation problems. In neither case did he propose specific solutions, but it gives me reason to wait and see before judging this career politician whose record suggests we're not likely to get much in the way of leadership or initiative from this governor. It may be just words of a good speech writer; but I'll wait and see.

Ralph