Greg Markley

Greg Markley

Columnist

Greg is a writer for The Observer

Greg Markley's Latest

Israel-Hamas war: Blood and heartache continues

Israel-Hamas war: Blood and heartache continues

BY GREG MARKLEY OPINION — I taught a soldier in 2015 at Fort Benning (now Fort Moore) who was a combat survivor of the Iraq war with an interesting name: It was something like “Ahmad Bashar.” Ahmad, or sometimes Ahmed, means “the praised one.” His...

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To be or not to be in college? Part two

To be or not to be in college? Part two

OPINION — Several years ago, my wife and I interviewed several house painters for a major project. Most had the required experience, but we received high praise for one particular painter. Unlike some applicants, this 40-ish man did not have a...

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Israel-Hamas war: Blood and heartache continues

To be or not to be in college? Part one

BY GREG MARKLEY OPINION — Until age 11, I had never been on a college campus. On TV, actors spoke of college on “Leave It To Beaver” and “My Three Sons.” That deficiency changed in 1967 when on a trip to New Hampshire. My father drove to Dartmouth...

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To be or not to be in college? Part two

Thank you, USO

BY GREG MARKLEY OPINION — Memories came flooding back to me on Feb. 1 after I attended the opening of a United Service Organizations (USO) facility for active-duty service members and their families stationed at Fort Moore. In 1984, I spent a lot...

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To be or not to be in college? Part two

Wayne LaPierre, once an NRA hero, has been out-gun …

BY GREG MARKLEY OPINION — Teaching college at Fort Benning in 2013, I gave 30 soldiers an assignment: “Name your favorite of the Ten Amendments and explain why.” When essays came in a week later, I found one Sixth Amendment (criminal defendants’...

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To be or not to be in college? Part two

At Ft. Moore, holiday 'holdovers' kept busy with f …

BY GREG MARKLEY OPINION — In December 1989, the first story I wrote at Fort McClellan was covering at Zero-Dark-30 the transport of basic trainees by buses to airports, train stations and bus terminals. They were heading home or on vacations, with...

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To be or not to be in college? Part two

Sen. Tuberville, a Benedictine monk and the saga o …

BY GREG MARKLEY OPINION — It has been 51 years since the Supreme Court ruled in Roe V. Wade that the Constitution allows women to have abortions. It was a dreadful decision for my friend Stephen’s mother. Yet with four young children at home, she...

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Israel-Hamas war: Blood and heartache continues

More top words for 2023 — part two

BY GREG MARKLEY OPINION —For 2023, “authentic” is the Word of the Year for Merriam-Webster. Don’t let this distract you: No, it is not a new word as many top words in competitions are. It was judged as the most popular word for the year, based not...

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To be or not to be in college? Part two

Oxford Dictionary's words of the year - Part one

BY GREG MARKLEY OPINION — This is my fifth annual column surveying Oxford Words of the Year. This year, I salute the memory of William “Bill” Safire, legendary word maven for The New York Times. On weekdays, many Times readers might shrug at his...

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To be or not to be in college? Part two

Remembering Rosalynn Carter

BY GREG MARKLEY OPINION —Rosalynn Carter had a harsh reckoning after she wore the same gown at the 1977 presidential inauguration of her husband Jimmy as she did at several balls. She wore a caftan-like, high-neck, gold-embroidered blue chiffon...

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Israel-Hamas war: Blood and heartache continues

'Fumbling Fob' and Carter were good stewards of ta …

BY GREG MARKLEY OPINION — In 1955, Fob James was a Lanett native playing college football under Auburn’s legendary coach Ralph “Shug” Jordan. He would sometimes fumble the ball, so he was nicknamed “Fumbling Fob.” Yet that year, James was named...

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To be or not to be in college? Part two

In just five minutes, Britt gives cabinet member a …

BY GREG MARKLEY OPINION — Imagine a new U.S. Border Patrol agent getting his duty assignment and telling a friend: “Well, I guess I will have to go to supply and pick up snowshoes.” His friend says, “What?” Reply: “Yes, I am going to one of the...

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Israel-Hamas war: Blood and heartache continues

High school reunions fading, but not the 50th — …

BY GREG MARKLEY OPINION —I received confirmation that the 50th anniversary of my high school graduation will be celebrated in two years. I graduated in June 1975 when Gerald Ford was president and “Jaws” was filling movie theatres. It seems so long...

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Israel-Hamas war: Blood and heartache continues

Wokeness’ in the Army?<br>Not in Sand Hill class …

BY GREG MARKLEY OPINION — In the 2009 film “500 Days of Summer,” a young couple is the focus. Summer tries to avoid commitment with Tom, who seeks fidelity. The narrator declares: "Most days of the year are entirely unremarkable. They begin and...

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To be or not to be in college? Part two

The Wandering Jew and the Crimson Tide Fanatic

BY GREG MARKLEY OPINION —The horrible terrorist attack in Israel reminded me of an old friend who died more than two years ago. Whenever I saw him, there was a possibility to attend services with him at a synagogue. Also, football season surfaced...

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Alabama women in the US Senate — Part 2 of 2

Alabama women in the US Senate — Part 2 of 2

BY GREG MARKLEY OPINION —Some jaded and cynical voters may call presidential candidates “clowns.” Many modern-day men and women vying for the highest office do have blemishes or weaknesses. Most of us voters do, too. But “clownish?” No, but I did...

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Alabama Women in the U.S. Senate — Part 1

Alabama Women in the U.S. Senate — Part 1

OPINION —In 1992, I wrote a historical series at Fort McClellan, Alabama, on the Women’s Army Corps. These were amazing women, but one I met at a band concert in 2021 was 100 years old and in fine shape. She was one of the first women who trained...

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Coolidge Became President in 1923. Libertarians Say He’s No. 1 POTUS

Coolidge Became President in 1923. Libertarians Sa …

OPINION —Calvin Coolidge served from 1923 to 1929 as the 30th U.S. president. He was a man of high principles, fiscal conservatism and few words. Two men bet they could get at least three words from the quiet Vermonter. They failed. Dorothy Parker,...

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Coolidge Became President in 1923. Libertarians Say He’s No. 1 POTUS

Allen Follows Through With Positive Changes to Ala …

BY GREG MARKLEY OPINION —“It doesn’t matter what I think, it doesn’t matter what I feel, the dead are still dead,” so said a guard who allowed hundreds of women and children to die in The Reader (2008). I have lived in five U.S. states (Rhode...

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