One Man’s Opinion: Not JUST Johnny

By Bill Crane

Genuine humility, good humor, civility, and kindness can all serve you well in public life. Johnny Isakson lived those attributes, and then some.

He is the only person in Georgia history to serve in the State House, State Senate, U.S. Congress, and the U.S. Senate, as well as being the only Republican to be elected to three terms in the U.S. Senate, and the only U.S. Senator, during his final term, to chair two Committees, Veterans Affairs and Ethics. Johnny Isakson was a man of accomplishment, a leader with vision, and always willing to work with others, find common ground, and get things done for the people of Georgia as well as our nation.

Senator Isakson is a personal hero, but he is also my friend. As Johnny was fond of saying frequently, “There are two kinds of people in this world for me...friends and future friends.” Seeing and speaking with him frequently over thirty plus years, I would place his current elected title in front of his name. He would smile, sometimes even chuckle, and softly correct me by saying, “Just Johnny.”

In an era where national politics, in particular, have become toxic and polarizing, we can use a great deal more of that thinking and sentiment, or as I often said of Johnny, more who will walk their talk.

Isakson had first run for election in 1974 and lost. He ran again in 1976 and won his State House District, serving seven terms, the last four as State House Minority Leader. Along with two state senators, Bob Bell and Paul Coverdell, and some sage advice by folks like Bo Callaway, the trio would form the pillars of what evolved into the Georgia Republican Party of today. Johnny was also the last of those three to exit the stage.

Johnny ran for Governor in 1990 and lost in the General Election to then Lieutenant Governor Zell Miller. Like many other Georgia Democrats, Governor Miller still thought very highly of his opponent; and when Georgia’s Blue Dam began to crack in 1994, with Georgian’s electing a majority GOP congressional delegation and State School Superintendent Linda Schrenko, Miller asked Isakson to chair the State School Board, otherwise comprised of longtime Democrats, in part to ensure that the school board and school superintendent did not start out butting heads and at partisan cross purposes.

Isakson would later return to the general assembly, this time the state senate, and later make a run for the U.S. Senate in 1996. Isakson released a campaign ad, acknowledging his support for abortion rights, causing him to lose the GOP primary to Guy Millner in a race to succeed departing Senator Sam Nunn. Millner would score the second of his three big statewide losses to Senator-elect Max Cleland.

In 1998, U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich announced he would not seek re-election to his 11th term, vacating the 7th Congressional District seat, which Isakson would go on to win. Isakson served three terms in Congress, re-elected with 80 percent of the vote in his final term. U.S. Senator Zell Miller had been appointed to fill the unexpired term of Senator Paul Coverdell, who died suddenly in the summer of 2000. Miller, Isakson’s former opponent, but longtime friend, announced he would not seek re-election. Isakson immediately entered the field, and was later elected to the senate, returned three times by Georgia voters.

Several years ago, while racing to catch a flight at Hartsfield, there was an older gentleman hobbling and barely making any progress in the crosswalk. I honked the horn and startled him, before realizing that this slightly hunched fellow was Johnny Isakson. I pulled over got out of my car, and despite the rude honk, Johnny was as cordial as ever, urging me to come to visit him for coffee in D.C. or his Georgia district office. I knew something was off, but his optimism, smile, and those twinkling eyes were unchanged. It would be nearly 18 months before he went public with his Parkinson’s prognosis.

And while the damage to his body, nervous system, and musculature was ongoing, his mind remained razor sharp. He would continue starting each day with 10,000 steps on his treadmill, warding off this progressive disease as long as he was physically able. The bumper stickers for his last election simply read, “Vote for Johnny,” and I could always hear that “Just Johnny” refrain from him in my head. Now more than ever, we could use a few more Just Johnny’s – just like him as well.

Crane is the senior political analyst with WSB Radio and TV and owns the full-service communications firm, CSI Crane. More information at www.CSICrane.com

Parrot Productions and Fancy Feathers Continued from page 5

bring her parrots to parties and events to show people what they can do. You can book her services and enjoy learning about her avian friends. Parrot Productions will bring twelve to seventeen exotic parrots to your function, show what they have learned, and allow you to hold and cuddle some of them. Brenda’s motto is “Cuddle, touch and learn,” so you are sure to have a memorable and educational experience.

While Brenda works hard, she does not tackle these amazing feats all on her own. Cleaning cages, feeding the babies and the adults, training and socializing the babies and the rescues are a massive undertaking by a special group of parrot lovers. Irene Stovall, Brenda’s right-hand person, is known by Brenda as the “Macaw Whisperer.” Irene is less than five feet tall, but handles the largest birds like a gentle giant, anticipating their moods and whims. Jack Bean, Brenda’s husband, has been a rock for Brenda, often stepping in to realistically limit her endeavors and sending her home to rest on her days off. He also assembles and delivers cages and large orders of food. Finally, Kristina Barron rounds out the team, providing the much-needed expertise on some of the smaller birds in the store. Standing in for Brenda on her days off, Kristina has worked for Fancy Feathers since before the Beans took over the store from Ivan Nelson in 2016. Brenda, Jack, and their limited crew were honored to take over Ivan’s legacy and are building Fancy Feathers and Parrot Productions into a unique adventure in business.

At the end of the day, Brenda’s main goal is to give these parrots a high quality of life and teach others in the community about just how incredible and unique her birds are. But you don’t have to take her word for it. Just visit her shop in Norcross to see the parrots in action for yourself. If you’re lucky, Brenda might even ask one to give you a kiss. More information at parrotproshows.com or fancyfeathersstore.com

Travel Tales Continued from page 9 employees and they can’t fill their ships. I did have a wonderful time, but I wonder in the end if these huge behemoths of the oceans are not also part of the reason that we are spreading so much disease. I also could not help but think of the waste that is produced when so many people in the world are suffering with no jobs and no food.

Cruises are wonderful for a quick and fun getaway, and should make all of us grateful for everything that we have! But let’s think of others as well. I’m glad for so many great staff members taking things home to help support the world.

Pam Walker is a Virtuoso Travel Advisor. More information at pam@walkeradventures.com