Notes From Atlanta


Tuesday, December 30, 2003
 

Bush helping forests.



NY Times: Tongass Travesty

The Bush administration has pulled another thread from the intricate legal tapestry shielding the national forests from excessive logging. On Tuesday, it announced that the Tongass National Forest in Alaska would be denied protections provided by the so-called roadless rule, a federal regulation prohibiting the building of roads — and by definition most commercial activity — on 58.5 million acres of national forests.

...

The announcement came wrapped in the same deceptive packaging that has camouflaged much of this administration's forest policy. The most egregious example was the Forest Service's disingenuous assertion that the new policy would allow logging on only 300,000 acres of the Tongass, or about 3 percent of the 9.6 million roadless acres that are earmarked for protection.

Though that is technically true, the actual ecological impact would be far greater. For one thing, those 300,000 acres include many of the forest's oldest trees and most valuable watersheds, as well as an extraordinary collection of wildlife. It is no exaggeration to say that these acres constitute the forest's biological heart. And because these acres are not all in one place, but are distributed among 50 different logging projects, the new roads required to reach them will inevitably violate even more of the forest.

The administration's action is prelude to what is most likely to be an even broader assault on the roadless rule, which has been challenged in the courts by timber interests and six other states where logging is big business. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the rule; the 10th Circuit is reviewing a lower court's decision rejecting the rule. But rather than wait for a resolution, the administration has indicated that it will move administratively to give individual governors the right to ignore the rule. That would seem to pre-empt the judicial process. It would also give a handful of state officials power over federal lands, which belong to all Americans. [Emphasis mine]


One of the reasons I am so impressed with RFK Jr. is his assertion that the environment belongs to the American people and no business or government should be able to deprive us of it. Bush and company is trying hard to do just that. 


 

Bush with maple syrup.



"The most important thing is for us to find Osama bin Laden.
It is our Number one priority and we will not rest until we find him!"

George W. Bush, September 13, 2001


"I don't know where bin Laden is.
I have no idea and I really don't care.
It's not that important. It's not our priority."

George W. Bush, March 13, 2002


Monday, December 29, 2003
 

Soldiers and wives I saw during Christmas.



At a holiday party I ran into a buddy who has been in Iraq. He is a full-time reservist and former Special Ops, and had a very busy tour in Iraq. He was all over the country and his unit had their hands in all kinds of missions. He was happy to have served and happy to be home. He is a guy I have always admired, and I was happy to see him back with his wife and kids. He told some very funny stories about him and his fellow soldiers, and was very modest about the whole thing. He is just as modest about his advanced degrees he has earned while serving, and all his other accomplishments. He sets goals and works harder than anybody I know. I also know he is truly a badass, but I have never heard him speak poorly about or to anyone.

I also met the wife of a guy in the Army. Her husband is a lifer who had better hope for the charity promotion at the end of his 20. He is a retention officer who is not doing anything serious over in Iraq, and while he is a nice guy he is not the sharpest knife in the drawer- according to relatives I know. He plans to be a mechanic when he gets out. His wife could not shut up for most of the party. She was just going on about what a hero all the soldiers are, how there are not stupid people in the Army, how her home city in North Carolina are pulling together for these "heros" who are serving, and she pretty much was spitting out all the country music GOP talking points. She really seemed to be milking the situation, and drawing attention to herself. I honestly felt she was a glory hound, searching for glory on somebody else's work.

The difference between the two was amazing. One who served and was modest about it. One who's husband served, and she was sucking up the glory. I firmly believe that she and her husband, who work multiple jobs to make ends meet, will pull that GOP lever in 2004. The humble guy who served? I don't know how he will vote, but I know he will make an educated choice. 


Saturday, December 27, 2003
 

A few good letters to the AJC.



AJC: Letters

A few people are getting it:


CONSERVATIVES


Out of touch with average Americans


For the past couple of decades, the Republican Party has drifted so far to the right, and benefited so few people, that its agenda no longer addresses issues relevant to average Americans -- those citizens who favor such "liberal" ideas as secure employment, workers' benefits, affordable health insurance, clean air and water and the like.

The GOP has perfected diversionary tactics, mainly relentless attacks on the opposition. Calling liberals "traitors" is routine practice nowadays; it gets a little shrill sometimes. Aided and abetted by the right's radio mouthpieces, they hope for a huge victory in 2004. I hope Americans wake up and start thinking for themselves before they go to the polls.


Tucker, Georgia



Partisan carping began with them

What goes around comes around, and the conservatives who bemoan how liberals find fault in President Bush's every action and statement have nobody to blame but themselves.

For eight years, President Clinton could do nothing right in the eyes of conservatives. Even in retirement, he's still being blamed for everything from the Sept. 11 attacks to the economic malaise that has lingered for three years.

I'm not saying an "eye for an eye" approach is justified, but Bush's supporters need only look in the mirror to discover the reason why political discourse in this country has degenerated to little more than petty personal attacks.


Atlanta, Georgia


 


Thursday, December 25, 2003
 

Holiday good wishes from Scott at The Gamer's Nook.



The Gamers Nook

And especially to Strom Thurmond's family -- I want to wish them a Happy Kwanzaa.
 


 

Dean speaks on religion and spirituality.



Daily Globe: Seeking a new emphasis, Dean touts his Christianity.

I thought they took a few shots, but the Daily Globe ran a piece on Dean and religion.

The move is striking for a man who has steadfastly kept his personal life out of the campaign, rarely offering biographical information, much less his religious beliefs. But in the Globe interview, Dean said that Jesus was an important influence in his life and that he would probably share with some voters the model Jesus has served for him.

''Christ was someone who sought out people who were disenfranchised, people who were left behind,'' Dean said. ''He fought against self-righteousness of people who had everything . . . He was a person who set an extraordinary example that has lasted 2000 years, which is pretty inspiring when you think about it.''

He acknowledged that he was raised in the ''Northeast'' tradition of not discussing religious beliefs in public, and said he held back in New Hampshire, where that is the practice. But in other areas, such as the South, he said, he would discuss his beliefs more openly.


I feel the Globe was trying to imply Dean was only speaking of religion as a campaign ploy. It seems he is just opening up as more people want to know about him. The part I truly connected with was:

Dean himself made a decision about religion in the early 1980s, opting to leave the local Episcopal church when it sided with landowners seeking to preserve private property in lieu of a bike path in Burlington.

''Churches are institutions that are about doing the work of God on earth, and I didn't think [opposing the bike path] was very Godlike and thought it was hypocritical of me to be a member of such an institution,'' Dean said.

Dean chose Congregationalism -- a denomination, he said, that suits him, because ''there is no centralized -- almost no centralized authority structure -- and I like that.''

Dean does not attend church regularly, but he said he prays daily.


The last time I went to church I had a similar epiphany. I had begun attending a Catholic Church near my home- I was raised Catholic when very young. During the service we were incouraged to vote for Republican candidates in the upcoming elections, and to support the views of the GOP. I was stunned. I never went back.

Like Dean, I feel the church should stay out of politics. 


Tuesday, December 23, 2003
 

Bush in 30 Seconds.



Bush in 30 Seconds: Seriously!

I have not seen many of these, but somebody provided this link. It is just so $^##@$ *$&#^#% funny! Seriously!

If any of ya'll (or "you guys" outside of the Southeast) see any good ones, be sure to leave the link.

Shoveldog left this link: What are we teaching our children? I love the tall guy doing his campaign grin! 


Monday, December 22, 2003
 

Best Christmas Song Ever.



Listening to Special Xmas on XM Satellite Radio this morning I heard a different version of "I believe in Father Christmas." Now I think Greg Lakes version is the greatest Christmas song of all time. However, now I have heard the "The Swingle Singers" cutting edge version of it. Lawrence Welk would be proud! Shocking to hear it, to say the least. 


 

Atlanta Thrashers Rock!!!



Atlanta Thrashers: True Blue!

At the game last night. Almost a full house was there for one hell of a game. Almost as exciting as the Thashers vs. Kings. I have been getting a lucky draw on the tickets! I am a Pasi fan, but Defoe has been playing goal like he is covered with stickum. Kovalchuck is always amazing. Sutton was hitting hard last night. All-in-all a great effort to beat the league leading Flyers. 


Sunday, December 21, 2003
 

Load of BS!



AJC: Cover-up toppled 3 officers in Roswell.

He was reeking of alcohol and was abusive toward the Roswell police officers who arrested him and hauled him off to jail for underage drinking, according to police.

It took two corrections officers to get him out of the cruiser, into a cell and quieted down.

When he got out on bond a day later, he had a black eye -- and that, more than anything he had done, became the focus of his run-in with the police.

Before it was over, that shiner would effectively end three law enforcement careers, spark a recently filed lawsuit against the city and deliver a black eye to the Roswell Police Department.

...

Watkins and his mother, who declined to be interviewed, have sued the city and the three jailers for civil rights violations, mental distress and physical suffering. They are seeking actual and punitive damages in Fulton Superior Court. The case is pending.


When I was 18, I got a DUI. I made a complete ass out of myself during the arrest and booking. I insulted the officers, insulted there spouse, and their dogs. They removed me from the drunk tank, and in the elevator to the regular jail, the hit the stop button and then beat the shit out of me. I deserved every last bit of that beating. After I bailed out, I apologized to the officers involved. I told my parents, and they didn't have too much of an issue with it.

Now this drunken fool makes an ass out of himself, gets what he deserved for it, but wants to sue? Billy Watkin's parents are fools. They need to teach him to accept the consequences of his actions. They are lucky he did not go off somewhere else, like in the city. He might have died for that kind of behavior if not with the police. He escaped with a black eye. He and his parents should shut up and move on. Trying to cash in on a drunken son's moronic actions is shameful! 


Friday, December 19, 2003
 

Just out travelling a little bit.



There is a true story about a Santa Claus decoration that was stolen out of somebody's front yard. A month or so later they received an envelope in the mail that contained a picture of the Santa in another city. Throughout the year photos would arrive of the Santa in various locations- Golden Gate Bridge, and stuff like that. The next year, the Santa reappeared in the people's front yard, a little worse for wear, with an envelope documenting all the travels. I wonder if that is what is going to happen with Baby Jesus? Probably not. Nobody is creative as that anymore.

Via TBogg, via Rubber Nun 


 

Is Governor Perdue trying to pull a fast one.



Creative Loafing: The governor's faith-based initiatives plan just doesn't add up.

The plan sounds perfectly reasonable. Perdue wants to expand faith-based initiatives in Georgia and prevent an avalanche of lawsuits brought by people under the state Constitution's Blaine amendment, which states: "No money shall ever be taken from the public treasury, directly or indirectly, in aid of any church, sect, cult or religious denomination or of any sectarian institution."

...

"Gov. Perdue's whole intent was this: One, to avoid getting the state mired in litigation. Two, he has a very strong belief that the state cannot provide all the services for Georgians in need," says Perdue press secretary Loretta Lepore.

"A lot of these groups that are out there are already providing these services and in a lot of cases already doing a better job than government could do."

...

But then you dig a little deeper. The state has never been sued under its Blaine amendment. And yet it already contracts with faith-based groups through the Department of Human Resources for a variety of needs. Then you try to figure out how the governor has come to the conclusion that the private groups can do the human resources jobs better than current social service providers and more cheaply. Well, it wasn't based on any study.

"I don't know that there are any studies," Lepore admits.

Actually, there are studies, and the most recent and comprehensive of them doesn't agree with the governor's conclusions.


Seems the Governor is trying is trying to pull another fast one. He certainly has been less than honest before- ask the flaggers of the teachers who supported him. This seems like an end around to get school vouchers legal for private religious schools, which would be taxpayers money going to teach religion. Why would Sonny "Moon Pie" Perdue be doing that? 


Thursday, December 18, 2003
 

Luckovich gets all of that one!



RUMMY!
 


Wednesday, December 17, 2003
 

Damn, a little harsh!



AJC: Chinese court sentences two to life in prison for sex party.

Life for organizing a sex party. The lady selling the vibrator will be getting of light compared to these two folk. 


Tuesday, December 16, 2003
 

They get letters.



AJC: Letters

Some get it, and some don't. My favorite:

Lots of benefits to Dean presidency

Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) may be correct when he states that if Howard Dean were president, Saddam Hussein would still be in power.

However, he fails to mention some other important probabilities: If Dean were president, hundreds of brave U.S. troops would still be alive and thousands would still be healthy; Saddam would not be developing weapons of mass destruction because U.N. inspectors would be monitoring him; America would be billions of dollars wealthier, and our country would not be approaching a $1 trillion deficit; we would have maintained our moral authority and prestige in the world; tax cuts would have been targeted toward people who really need them; millions of Americans would still be working and their overtime pay would not be in jeopardy; since all our resources would have been targeted toward capturing Osama bin Laden, we would most likely have him in custody by now.

I don't know about everyone else, but I for one would give up Saddam for all of that.


I would give up Saddam for that.

Of course you also have to love:

In the big picture, nothing's changed

I fail to see the significance of the capture of Saddam Hussein. Didn't we overthrow his regime months ago? What is different now? We all know what a horrible person Saddam is, so what's new?

We invaded Iraq because the Bush administration claimed that Saddam had weapons of mass destruction and was ready to attack this country, which so far has turned out to be a lie.

Our young men and women are still dying in Iraq, and now we find that there is war profiteering by Halliburton, the company formerly run by Vice President Dick Cheney. In my view, nothing has changed.


Think of a football game where one team has a goal to score more points than the other team so they can win. Well after the game they announce they won. Well no they didn't score more points than the other team, but they got more passing yards! We did not capture or find the Weapons of Mass Destruction Bush sent our young men and women to find. But hey, we won because we captured an old man! Hooray!
 


Monday, December 15, 2003
 

The payoff for all the brown nosing Zell has been doing?



AJC: GOP wants Zell Miller statue at Statehouse.

Sen. Zell Miller, the maverick Democrat who left fellow Democrats sputtering with a critical book that has become a national best seller, may get a statue on or near the state Capitol grounds, thanks to home state Republicans.

A bill creating a commission to honor Miller, a former two-term Georgia governor, was pre-filed in the Legislature Monday by Sen. Bill Stephens, R-Canton, the majority leader of the state Senate. The legislative session begins in January.


Funny the GOP brought this up. Georgia elected Democrats will support it, but I think most Dems would say "Fuck him!"

Next: Hartsfield-Jackson-Miller International Airport! 


 

They lost their son in the war.



11Alive: News Opens Wound of Soldier's Parents.

For the parent’s of slain Roswell soldier, Jamaal Addison, the capture of Saddam Hussein brought a combination of relief and sorrow Sunday.

“It just opens a wound that is trying to heal,” says Jamaal’s father, Kevin Addison, wearing a button with his son’s photo on it. “It just keeps rehashing the same thing. It’s like you’re living it over and over again.

...

“If they do find what they were looking for then maybe I could say there was a reason for all the boys and girls to go over there and some of them pay the ultimate sacrifice,” Kevin says. "Maybe it was really necessary.”

“We want to know that my son died for weapons of mass destruction,” says Patricia Roberts, Jamaal’s mother. “I want to know about them.”


We didn't go there to get Saddam. Bush told us we went there to find WMDs because of an imminent threat. I hope we at least find something. Many parents, spouses and children will sleep easier if they know their loved ones died for a just cause. However, I doubt we ever will.  


Sunday, December 14, 2003
 

We got him!



AJC: Braves pick up Drew, Marrero.

Uhh, I mean the Braves got J. D. Drew. What did you think I was talking about? 


Friday, December 12, 2003
 

Everybody Goggle Bomb Tonight!



Unelectable!

Add it to your blog or website today! 


 

Carter thrashes Zell.



AJC: Carter attack likely only to help Miller's Democrat-bashing book.

You have to love Jimmy Carter:

Carter, appearing on the radio program "Fox News Live with Alan Colmes," said Wednesday that "one of the worst mistakes" Roy Barnes made during his term as Georgia governor was appointing Miller to the Senate following the July 2000 death of Republican Sen. Paul Coverdell. Miller later won a special election to fill the rest of Coverdell's term.

Since joining the Senate, Miller has often sided with the Republicans on issues such as tax cuts and the appointment of federal judges. He has also endorsed President Bush for re-election in the 2004 White House race.

"He has really betrayed all the basic principles that I thought he and I and others shared," Carter told Colmes.


The "so-called-liberal" Atlanta Journal Constitution points out that Zell Miller's book is climbing the New York Times Bestseller List, but fails to mention that it is doing so on the strength of bulk orders. It is fact the only book on the list carrying the dreaded bulk order symbol, "+." Even with all those bulk orders it barely remains ahead of the ghost written "The Stone Cold Truth," about the WWE's Stone Cold Steve Austin. If you are going to buy one of those, I recommend "The Stone Cold Truth." There is likely to be more truth and honesty in that one. 


 

They get letters, and sometimes good ones.



AJC: Letters.

Gosh, free speech sounds expensive

I would broadcast it on TV, but I can't afford $2 million for a 30-second spot. I would say it on the radio, but I can't get past the idiotic pop music the record execs deem popular. I would publish it on the Internet, but the FBI, under the irrefutable search warrant known as the Patriot Act, might label me a terrorist. I would write it on a sign and march with it, but some agent of Homeland Security might beat me with a baton or shoot me with pepper spray.

So I'll just say it here: I sure am glad we live in a democratic country, with freedom of speech and expression, where the power lies in the hands of the people.


And one on Georgoa's predatory lending institutions, aka payday lending companies, which Republican Governor Perdue helped relax some regulations on:

An eye-opener on leg breaking

In response to Wendy Ruff's Equal Time column in favor of payday lending ("Payday advance legislation can work in customers' favor," @issue, Dec. 8): What does it say about an industry when one of the restrictions it requires is "don't threaten customers with physical harm"?

 


Thursday, December 11, 2003
 

gttim's Law



Via Atrios

Blah 3: Stranger's Law

Remember Godwin's Law?

As a Usenet discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one. There is a tradition in many groups that, once this occurs, that thread is over, and whoever mentioned the Nazis has automatically lost whatever argument was in progress.


Now we have Stranger's Law:

As a discussion of US politics grows longer, the probability of a liberal or progressive being called a 'Bush-Hater' approaches one. Once this occurs, that thread is over, and whoever called someone a Bush Hater has automatically lost whatever argument was in progress.


Now I claim gttim's Law:

As a discussion of current Republican politics or politicians grows longer, the probablity of hearing "But what about Clinton" approaches 1. Once that happens, the Republican, Independent, or "So-called-former-Democrat" automatically loses the argument.


So decreed!

My boss is one of the worst at this. You can have no discussion about politics without him turning red and going, "But Bill Clinton was the biggest liar...." Now I just look at him and say "We weren't talking about Clinton. WHy do you keep bring him up. You can't win an argument that way."

I was arguing with a wingnut one night about Bush lying concerning Iraq. He says "But what about Bill Clinton and Somalia?" I just looked at him and said "Why do you wingnuts always bring up Clinton when you have nothing of value to say in an discussion?" He just got more pissed off.
 


Monday, December 08, 2003
 

A Sample Living Will.



Miami Herald: A living will to disinherit politicians.

...

Under no circumstances -- and I can't state this too strongly -- should my fate be put in the hands of peckerwood politicians who couldn't pass ninth-grade biology if their lives depended on it.

...

1. While remaining sensitive to the feelings of loved ones who might cling to hope for my recovery, let me state that if a reasonable amount of time passes -- say, ____ (fill in the blank) months -- and I fail to sit sit up and ask for a cold beer, it should be presumed that I won't ever get better.

When such a determination is reached, I hereby instruct my spouse, children and attending physicians to pull the plug, reel in the tubes and call it a day.

...

3. Under no circumstances shall the governor of Florida butt into this case and order my doctors to put a feeding tube down my throat. I don't care how many fundamentalist votes he's trying to scrounge for his brother in 2004, it is my wish that he plays politics with someone else's life and leaves me to die in peace.

...

If any of my family goes against my wishes and turns my case into a political cause, I hereby promise to come back from the grave and make his or her existence a living ____ (fill in the blank).


Go read the whole thing


 

More reasons to like Cher.



NY Daily News: Side dish.

"Queer Eye" guy Carson Kressley asks Cher in Us Weekly who she'd most like to have as a co-joined twin. Attorney General John Ashcroft, she says. "So I could influence him a bit - or just beat the s-- out of him." Kresley notes that Cher doesn't seem to be a Republican, "Are you kidding me?" she says. "I'd rather stick needles in my eyes" ...


Oh, the good natured hilarity. 


 

Lane Ranger on the Toyota Prius.



AJC: Toyota's hybrid Prius lives up to most of the hype.

Our local traffic expert drives the Prius for a week and gives some good marks, and no real strong negatives. He calls it "the power train that will bridge us from the standard internal combustion engine to the hydrogen-powered fuel cell."
I am waiting for the Ford Escape Hybrid to debute. Since I have over 400,000 miles on my Ford Ranger I will try to buy from them again. (And yes, all miles are on the same motor and almost all miles driven in Atlanta.)

 


Sunday, December 07, 2003
 

He Hate Me



Charleston.net: Smart, aka 'He Hate Me,' catching on in Carolina.

Buddy of mine was telling me about seeing a story on "He Hate Me" on TV. I never knew he made it out of the XFL into the NFL, but I rarely watch football. I googled a story on him from September. Nice to see things working out for him.

But the main attractions Thursday were the two jerseys hanging in his locker from his days with the Las Vegas Outlaws of the now defunct XFL. With his self-chosen nickname "He Hate Me" on the back, teammates gathered to get a look at what made Smart so well-known.

"I just knew him as 'He Hate Me,' so that's what I call him," safety Deon Grant said. "And you can't get one of those jerseys anywhere. Every time they put them in the stores, they sell out right away."


It would be neat owning a reproduction of one of those jerseys. 


Saturday, December 06, 2003
 

Wow, AJC prints story on electronic voting concerns.



AJC: Electronic votes touch off doubts.

I was very surprised to see this. The AJC has carefully avoided this issue. It would be nice if it picked up a little traction. They did, however, fail to mention the RobGa files and how many people are pushing for a paper trail so voting can be audited and recounted. I was proud they mentioned some of Diebold's GOP contacts.

The Diebold system, whose customers include Maryland, California and Kansas, is at the heart of concerns that for months have fueled dire conspiracy theories of a possible electronic coup d'etat.

This fall the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper disclosed that Diebold's chief executive, Walden O'Dell, is one of Bush's top fund-raisers and, in a letter to potential Bush donors, he had underscored his commitment "to helping Ohio deliver its electoral votes" to the Republicans.

O'Dell has since expressed regrets for the remarks, saying that while experienced in business, he is "a real novice" in politics. Even so, he has no intention of stopping his fund-raising efforts as a "Pioneer" and "Ranger," designations used by the Bush campaign for elite fund-raisers who collect a minimum of $200,000 and $100,000, respectively. "I am one, and proud of it," O'Dell said in a statement issued by Diebold's corporate headquarters.


If you think about it, write the AJC a letter thanking them for the coverage. You know the wingnuts are going to be writing them complaining about it. 


Friday, December 05, 2003
 

Maybe kids should be taking care of things on their own by the time they get to college.



CNN: Parents having their say on campus.

Things are different today, as Lantz is well aware. As WVU's parent advocate -- a salaried position at the Morgantown school -- Lantz fields up to 4,000 calls a year to the school's Parents Club Helpline, asking about everything from roommate problems to transportation glitches to billing questions.


A buddy of mine was interviewing at a Big Five Accounting firm for positions in his department. He had one girl with a great college resume, including tons of activities as well as working. He was looking forward to maybe hiring the girl. One of the first questions he asked was "How did you find time to study, get involved with all these activities and work?" In her answer she included how her mom kept her on track with all her wakeup calls and helping her squeeze everything in. As my buddy was mentally tearing up her resume, he was thinking "Just couldn't hold it together through the interview." 


Thursday, December 04, 2003
 

There is obnoxious, and then there is obnoxious and funny.



I was at the Boston Bruins at Atlanta Thrashers hockey game last night, here in Atlanta. There are two Bruins fans sitting a few rows behind me. Just obnoxious and loud. They had strong Boston accents. They were wearing Bruins jerseys. They were making references that I assume only people from Boston would understand. With one minute left, Boston is up by one goal, and Atlanta has pulled their goalie. Boston scores an empty netter, putting them up by 2. Thousands of Atlantans rush the exits. One of these guys from Boston stands up and starts doing the beauty pageant / flight attendant wave and yelling in his thick accent, "Thanks for coming, drive safely. Thanks for coming, drive safely. Thanks for coming, drive safely."

That made up for having to listen to him for the entire game. 


 

How the City of Atlanta can raise money for new sewer system.



AJC: Letters

For you not following along the City of Atlanta has some serious problem with its crumbling sewer system. We are under court orders to repair it, and to quit dumping sewage into the Chattahoochee River. People in metro Atlanta who get their water supplied by the City of Atlanta, which includes almost all of Fulton County, are about to get hit with some serious rate hikes. The federal government has refused to help, as it has helped others in the past. The state has refused to help, as it has helped smaller cities, lately one with a Republican representative in the State House. Fulton County has refused to propose a one cent sales tax to help. The city commissioners have refused to raise water rates enough to cover funding the start of the work. All this sets up the money quote from the Atlanta Journal Constitutions Letters page:

Raise enough money in an instant

I have a suggestion: First, change the name of the city to Atlanta Inc. Then, make a large contribution to the campaign to re-elect President Bush.

Just like magic, the problem will be no more, at least not until the midterm elections.


Nice!
 


 

Editorial on Limbaugh slams Bush and hypocrisy.



AJC: Limbaugh episode a reminder to condemn sin, not sinner.

It connects to our failure to notice how bizarre it was for our president to denounce Osama bin Laden as a coward for sending young men off to die while remaining himself protected from danger. Neither the president, nor the media covering him, seemed to think it strange for this accusation to be leveled by the best-protected person on the planet who had just sent young men off to war. For there's something in our culture that can make it difficult to see ourselves in the same moral perspective we apply to others.


Hey, somebody in the press noticed! 


Wednesday, December 03, 2003
 

Homophobia strikes again.



AJC: International custody feud has new twist.

A mother does not want to give the father of her children visitation, and so disappears with the children. The father spends years looking for them and finds them in the Cayman Islands. The children are given to the father, and the mother and her current husband face criminal charges. Now a judge had ruled that the mother has custody of the children because the father has admitted to being bisexual.

In a decision late Tuesday morning, Goger gave primary custody of the children back to Joyce Williams, 35, of Sugar Hill, claiming he had misgivings about their father's character.

Goger's ruling capped what had been an international struggle for custody of two children involving at least three custody hearings. The latest revealed that Weeks is bisexual, which he reluctantly admitted in pointed questioning.

Weeks should not have tried to hide his personal life, Goger said

...

The computer expert, hired to check Weeks' computer for evidence of pornography, testified that the machine's hard drive had been erased a day before his probe. The expert also testified that he found evidence Weeks had been active on manhunt.net, a gay Web site.

A second witness told the court that her son, who is gay, had told her he had lived with Weeks during 1999 and 2000.


Fucking ridiculous. The woman violated custody orders, interfered with visitation rights, and fled the country taking her children with her. Now because the father is bisexual, this criminal gets her kids back? Maybe this is why the father was not forthcoming with his sexuality?
 


Monday, December 01, 2003
 

Have you own voter registration drive.



Slactivist: Guerrilla Voter Registration.

* Admittedly, this process favors Democrats. The kinds of places where predominantly Republican crowds gather also tend to be the kind of places where they frown on people with clipboards talking about democracy and empowering the electorate, and where they tend to discourage this sort of thing by employing humorless security guards to chase you off the sidewalk. When this happens, be polite and remember that your goal is to register voters, not to engage in a First Amendment debate with an underpaid security guard. Before agreeing to leave, first try to register the security guards themselves.


Now all we need is a national day to do this! 


 

Critical thinking.



AJC: Letters to the Editor.

Somebody who does not get it:

Daring actions worthy of applause

When I heard the reports of President Bush's surprise visit to our troops in Iraq I felt like cheering. His flying into Baghdad right under the noses of what remains of Saddam Hussein's thugs took daring.

All Americans should applaud our president, and those adhering to the idiot left should now get off his back, stop criticizing his decisions and begin acting like true Americans.


Somebody who does:

We'll see these photos next year

I was thrilled to see that President Bush was able to visit some of our troops in Iraq on Thanksgiving. It is a sign of his great respect for the efforts and sacrifices made by ordinary Americans.

My only disappointment was that he did not appear in uniform. Based on his previous heroics at the end of the major fighting, which culminated in his full dress battle apparel on the United States aircraft carrier, I thought for sure that he would wear full desert battle dress -- perhaps artfully dusted with Iraqi sand and accessorized with at least two still-smoking pistols that could later be sold off at a campaign fund-raiser.

We could all have pretended that he had just come in from hours in the "trenches" and rigorous house-to-house searches for those pesky, elusive weapons of mass destruction.

I know everyone here in America shares my disappointment with this lost opportunity, but there is the consolation that we can all hope to see the campaign pictures of this visit in the upcoming election.
 

News and notes from Atlanta, and a touch of national stuff, as seen by gttim.




Georgia for Dean



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