MIRABEAU B. LAMAR: Wright may speak out here (5.1.08)

Mirabeau B. Lamar

Mirabeau's thinking that the Rev. Jeremiah Wright may chose Columbus as the backdrop for his retort to Barack Obama's criticms. Wright has let the dust settle after being slammed by the Democratic candidate. Come Monday night, he'll be standing in a familiar domain — a pulpit in a black church — and Mirabeau thinks he might turn loose. Wright, who arrives Sunday, will lead a revival at St. John AME Church on Steam Mill Road through May 8.

Mirabeau congratulates Owen Ditchfield who on May 16 celebrates retirement from the Fort Benning school system after 47 years of federal service. For many years, Mirabeau considered Ditchfield the mayor of South Columbus.

Mirabeau will stand by until noon Friday anticipating that a shocking candidate will yet qualify for the July elections.

If Mirabeau could speak to Billy Ray Cyrus, he would advise him to keep daughter Miley away from Roger Clemens.

Mike Gaymon just celebrated an anniversary with the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce. Mirabeau thinks it's time for him to retire the jokes he has been telling since he got to town.

Mirabeau hears a couple of active duty sheriff's deputies were in attendance when former colleague John Darr kicked off his campaign for sheriff of Muscogee County. Mirabeau wonders what incumbent lawman Ralph Johnson had to say about that.

Mirabeau wishes he could could have been at Philips Arena for those recent NBA playoff games between the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks. Friends tell Mirabeau that the atmosphere has equalled that of a college basketball game. Now all the Hawks have to do is win a game in Boston.

Speaking of basketball, Mirabeau hears Doug Branson is safe for another season as head mens basketball coach at Columbus State. After that, he needs to not only win more games but better manage the team he puts on the floor.

Mirabeau is grateful for all the road improvements made in Columbus in recent years. At the same time, Mirabeau wishes the city had a true east-west corridor. Macon-Wynnton road could become that corridor but if it does the city should bite the bullet and name it Wynnton Road from start to finish. Quick! Tell Mirabeau where Wynnton ends and Macon begins.

Picking up a copy of the Columbus Times this week, Mirabeau was surprised when that rag felt more substantial than the Ledger-Enquirer. Some days Mirabeau thinks the Columbus daily has the thickness of a church bulletin.