Saturday, November 16, 2002• Finally a major news source blames Bush with Homeland Security delay.
Bush and the Republicans are under funding Homeland Security. They have refused to fund measures to improve our sea port security. They opposed the Homeland Security Bill for eight months after 9/11, and now are the party causing the delays. Forget their campaign ads, which misrepresented their positions. Finally, a major news service calls them on it!
MSNBC also has an article that points out all the amendments the Republicans are adding at the last minute that have nothing to do with homeland security. The special interest amendments tend to aid the large campaign contributors, such as pharmaceutical companies. Isn't it nice to know you would have no civil recourse against manufacturers of a childhood vacine if it permenantly injures your child? Thank the Republicans and the Homeland Security Bill.
It is nice to see the conservative media actually start reporting truthful news. Maybe it would have been nice if they did so before the elections. The sword of truth, hold it high, unless you are scared of getting creamed by the White House and conservative Republicans.
your note [] • Jesse Jackson plans to protest at The Masters.
"It's an insult to all that America stands for, and the sponsors should not participate, and members should either change the situation or withdraw," Jackson said Friday. "And I think the PGA has a big obligation to take a stand."
Jesse must have been chasing skirts and not realized Hootie Johnson already dropped all sponsorship for the coming year.
your note [] Friday, November 15, 2002• My first batch of photos from Puerto Rico.
There are 11 photos, so if you are on dial-up, it may take a few minutes.
your note [] • Gore says Lieberman should run if he wants.
Gore said his 2000 running mate, Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Conn.), should run for president if he wants to, regardless of Gore's eventual decision. Lieberman has pledged publicly not to run if Gore does. "He hasn't made that pledge to me," Gore told Walters. "If he wants to change that, that's . . . his prerogative."
Looks like there won't be a Gore/Lieberman ticket again. Throw the old bumperstickers out.
your note [] • Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont calls Senator elect Saxby Chambliss a draft dodger.
"(Bush) supported a man, for example, in Georgia who was, well, the best way to put it, was a draft dodger who attacked Senator (Max) Cleland on his patriotism," Leahy said. "And the president joined in that."
Is Saxby thinking all the Senators who served in the military are going to jum at the chance of working with somebody who slandered a war hero?
I have yet to find a single mention of this in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. You think another Senator calling their states Senator elect a draft dodger would merit some story.
• Two Georgia Senators who switched party being billed by Georgia Democratic Party.
Senators. Rooney Bowen of Cordele and Jack Hill of Reidsville are being billed by the Georgia Democratic Party for money spent on their re-election campaigns. Both of these Senators survived touch elections against Republicans.
"Since you have chosen to defraud the voters of your district by switching to the Republican Party less than a week after your election, we are asking that you pay each of the attached bills in full," states the letter from Jon Anderson, executive director of the state Democratic Party. "Your actions in recent days betray the trust of . . . donors and violate the contract that you agreed to when you qualified to run as a Democrat."
Some individual contributors are asking for refunds also. Lucy Draper, an Atlanta activist has asked Hill to return her $1000 contribution.
"I worked very hard for the Democratic Party," Draper said. "For these defections to occur in a week is deeply troubling. They have the right to switch parties, but I am deeply concerned they did it a week after the election."
Certainly these switchers did not think there wouldn't be any political fallout.
your note [] Thursday, November 14, 2002• Mark Hosenball writes about a trip from hell.
The only problem is that the airline he complains about is the one that saved my return trip from Puerto Rico. I found American Airlines to be courteous and helpful. They went out of their way to help us, and did not try to rack up a bunch of extra fees on us. Another airline had condescending employees and charged us expensive fees. I will fly American whenever possible. The other airline I will avoid. I don't want to name the airline, but you can read about them in my story Delta Sucks!
your note [] • We could be in serious trouble if urban warfare is needed in Iraq.
Our guys are getting killed in urban warfare drills. Add enemy soldiers and live ammunition, and I think the body count is going up a tad.
your note [] • A video clip of Fox News anchor slipping up.
That's "block party" not "blow job." I guess Republicans have a hard job telling the difference. I bet J-Lo can!
Okay, okay, I'll say it. That was certainly a mouthful!
your note [] Educating people about what to be alert for, using first aid, and documenting moments following an attack are good. Training and arming citizens to me seems like a bad thing. Imagine setting down your briefcase to pay for your latte, and being shot as somebody thinks you are trying to leave a bomb.
I think we can all be better prepared if we just watch lots of old McGuyver episodes.
your note [] • Columnist Jay Bookman on the flag flap.
It is obvious that Barnes was defeated by the confederate flag wavers, also known as rubes, or rednecks. Perdue has been backing away from his promised referendum, and the flag wavers. While thanking the teachers and Northern Arc opponents, he has not mentioned confederate flag supporters. Don't look for him to schedule meetings with the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
The truth is -- and Perdue knows it -- putting the racially inflammatory flag question to a vote would inflict enormous damage on Georgia, both at home and beyond its borders.
Taking such a step would be irresponsible. But Perdue also knows that breaking his promise would be political suicide, ensuring defeat in 2006. He knows the numbers, and he knows those people won't forget. If they haven't gotten over it in 137 years, they won't forget in another four.
Perdue's only hope is to ask for the referendum in the Republican Senate, and hope it gets stuck in the Democratic House, so he can blame the Democrats. Don't look for that to happen, however.
House Democrats may not be willing to rescue Perdue. State Rep. Tom Bordeaux, a Savannah Democrat, expressed that sentiment perfectly when he said he would make sure the new governor got the referendum he claimed to want.
"I'd stick it down their throat," Bordeaux said. ". . . He ran on giving people a right to vote. If Perdue doesn't file it, I will."
Bookman sums it up nicely:
Under different circumstances, it might be possible to sympathize with Perdue's plight, but not this time. He made a deal with the devil to get elected, and the devil wants his due.
your note [] • Max Cleland losses Senate seat and gains wife.
Yes, Max Cleland has popped the question to long time companion Nancy Ross. While it was obvious the two had grown close over the last year, they would evade questions on their relatioship. Now they won't.
There is no date set, and no word what type of affair. I am thinking that Saxby Chambliss will not be on the guest list.
• The hell with the lawsuit, has the tip of Michael Jackson's nose completely fallen off?
your note [] Wednesday, November 13, 2002• Separated at birth?
Governor elect Sonny Perdue and Bib the Michelin Man?
your note [] •Atlanta cyclist killed on training ride.
David Martin, a longtime Atlanta area cyclist, was killed during a training ride in Emerson, Georgia on November 4th. He was killed by a motorist. Details are sketchy, and there appears to be little coverage in the press. Martin raced for the Fulton Flyers Cycling Club and Genesis Scuba Cycling Team. As a cyclist he was a fearless sprinter and feared by other teams. He had excelled at collegiate, amateur and professional cycling. As a man, he was a husband, father, and loyal friend, according to those that knew him.
your note [] •South Knox Bubba developes self-service airport security check software.
Taking a cue from the self-service check-in many airlines now encourage, he developed software to streamline security check-in. Tennessee's new software darling!
your note [] •Are you wondering who this Ralph Reed is?
You know, they guy who ran the Republican Party in Georgia. The guy who formerly headed the Christian Coalition. If you want to know more about a guy who is having a huge influence on the lives of everybody in Georgia, read this Creative Loafing story.
your note [] •Another article about the Confederates of Georgia getting used again.
He called them rubes, heh heh.
Yes, the Confederates lost again. They got taken by a moon faced politician who was promising to hold a referendum on bringing back the old Georgia state flag. You know the one with the racist Confederate battle flag occupying the majority of it. I saw this coming a mile away. The AJC picked it up very quickly. Now there are even stories about it coming out of California. The rubes still have not figured it out, however. Should we start a poll on when it dawns on them?
•Garrison Keillor fires back at the Republicans.
You need Salon Premium to read it. This is one I wish that they would have publish for everyone.
The old GOP of fiscal responsibility and principled conservatism and bedrock Main Street values is gone, my dear, and something cynical has taken its place. Thus the use of Iraq as an election ploy, openly, brazenly, from the president and Karl Rove all the way down to Norman Coleman, who came within an inch of accusing Wellstone of being an agent of al-Qaida. To do that one day and then, two days later, to feign grief and claim the dead Wellstone's mantle and carry on his "passion and commitment" is simply too much for a decent person to stomach.
I have a hard time stomaching most "compassionate conservatives.".
•Morehouse junior recovering in school infirmary.
They are saying the attack probably came about because of case of mistaken identity. Regardless of the reason, one does not take a baseball bat to a person's head unless you are defending yourself from a deadly attack. Evidently sophomore Aaron Price did not like the idea of another guy seeing his little wee-wee, and so went to his dorm room, returned with a baseball bat, and started beating the unnamed junior in the head.
Aaron "Small Dick" Price has been expelled from the university and is out on a $10,000 bond pending trial for aggravated assault. Gay and lesbian activist groups are calling prosecution as a hate crime.
The amount of homophobia at the historic black university, as being reported, amazes me. A group of people who have fought against racism for so long, blatantly discriminates because of sexual orientation. This is nothing new and is certainly not the first time it is being alleged. Can't we all just get along?
your note [] Tuesday, November 12, 2002•Roy Barnes returns to capital after post election vacation.
Losing the election because he had the courage to tackle the tough issues, Barnes is done with politics for good.
"I am so tired of bland leaders that tell us what they want us to hear, rather than saying -- these are tough issues, but we can work through them together. But I think the lesson that ought to be learned is that this is what leadership is about. Sometimes you pay the price," Barnes said.
your note [] •The bets are that the Republican government will soon reintroduce a rewritten bill that sets up a new draft.
The bill, known as HR 3598, would require that young men, age 18-22, serve 6-12 months in the armed services for basic training, education, and service. There would be very few deferments, unless your name is Bush, Cheney, or you have bad knees like Saxby Chambliss. Conscientious Objectors would be required to serve in non-combat positions, unless the local board decides that you do not have a valid reason for being a CO.
This is very scary. Do all the soccer moms who voted Republican realize that not only will they losing reproduction rights over their body, but that they soon maybe losing their soccer sons?
A .pdf file of the bill in its December 2001 form.
Interesting comments on the December 2001 form of the bill from Y & M Online. While the viewpoint is slanted, there are some valid points. The short length of inscription is pretty much enough time to get through basic training, and a short bit of advanced training. Basically you can learn how to shoot a gun, and how to die for your country.
your note [] •Midwest families compared to mine.
This past week I spent some time with my girlfriend, a co-worker of hers, and his brother. All are from the Midwest. Talk went around to families and how we were all raised. These three people are from the Midwest, I was raised in Georgia and around the Southeast.
On Education and Career:
Girlfriend's Parents: "You will go to college at a Jesuit school, and you will choose a career path that serves the public. You can be a public defender, a social worker, or perhaps a professor."
Co-worker's Parents: "For a career you may be clergy, a doctor, or perhaps something like a social worker or teacher."
My Stepfather: "You know, if you go into the Army when you are 18, you can move out of the house!"
On Discipline:
Girlfriend: "I remember getting in trouble, and having to walk home to see my father. I would stand out in the yard and cry. My dad would never hit me, but I would feel so bad that I let him down."
Co-worker's Brother: "Mom was who to fear. She did the discipline. You did not want to make her mad."
Me: "Okay dad, I understand. But look, I have to go. I am hanging up the phone now."
The co-worker's brother left a good-bye message on my girlfriend's phone. One of his comments was about me, "I never expected to meet a white, straight, liberal male in Georgia." We had shared many views on the election season.
I am amazed by the people from the Midwest. Their upbringing tends to be more family oriented. The families I have seen or talked about are more giving to each other, and seem to be more connected, even when some move out of state. The children also seemed to be raised with a view of contributing to more than taking from. I can see why the Midwest seems to be stronger liberal territory. I am scared that hanging with such people will make me a better person. My friends would really be worried then.
•Thrasher's game.
I was at the Atlanta Thrasher's hockey game last night. That is such a blast. I don't even watch football anymore, as it bores me to tears. Hockey is fun and exciting. In person it is great! Not as many fights as a NASCAR race, but enough to keep it interesting. The speeds are incredible. Surgical shots can score instantly and without warning. The puck vanishes, and then it is in the net. The hand eye coordination of a good goalie makes Major League batters seem a little slow. The checks a player receives can be harder and more physical than NFL tackles.
The Thrashers won. A small crowd for the Veteran's Day afternoon game. However the crowd was vocal and at times very loud. The young goalie put up quite a battle with, I believe, 31 saves. He has been hearing rumors of a free agent signing if the Thrasher's goal tending does not improve. He may be able to stop that talk. The game was pretty much a must win. The Thrashers started out the season with a 9 game winless streak. The coach could be canned at any time. That only adds to the excitement!
your note [] Monday, November 11, 2002
There are at least 33 deaths from the storm that stretched from Alabama to Ohio. No deaths in Georgia, but there are injuries and property damage. Over 18,000 are without power. In Pickens County the Davis Barbeque building is cooked. Houses and chicken coops were damaged in Bartow County.
And to really top it all off, my dogs did not want to go outside and do their business in the rain. That really made a mess of my morning!
Still, Georgia will need much more rain to get out of the current drought. Lake Lanier is still 9 feet below its normal level.
"I admire Dr. King," he [Perdue] said. "I am afraid those people unhappy about it. They didn't vote for me anyway."
He must be a uniter, not a divider, just like Bush!
your note [] •Out going Governor Barnes tackled the tough issues others choose to ignore.
Zell Miller, when Governor, almost lost re-election for attempting to change the state flag. Still Barnes knew that not only would Georgia's image continue to be hurt by the divisive symbol, but that the economic impact would increase. Convention business and special events would bypass Georgia more frequently. Courageously, Barnes pushed through the new flag legislation.
That alone assures him a place in history.
As traffic and sprawl continued to worsen, Georgians and Atlantans could not get together on solving the issues. Federal funds could, and still can be, lost due to pollution and lack of alternative methods of transportation. The Atlanta Regional Commission was ineffective. Barnes pushed through the Georgia Regional Traffic Commission to get solutions in motion.
In education Barnes set up rules making it easier to fire poor performing teachers. He set up a differential pay plan to alleviate the shortage of math and science teachers. He also offered more pay to excellent teachers and reduced class size. He admitted the emphasis on standardized test score needed to be improved, but still insisted on methods to benchmark the quality of education. Teachers seem to be more concerned about protecting the status quo that has caused or low test scores, than actually improving it.
Barnes's helped push through legislation outlawing predatory lending. He poured additional funding into DFCS. He did what was right for Georgia.
All in all, though, Barnes made headway on intractable problems facing Georgia, leaving his state better off than when he took office.
•More praises for Barnes trying to make Georgia a better place.
"The governor's going to be remembered for the steps he took to make Georgia a better place and for his willingness to tackle tough issues, many of which were thrust upon him once he became governor," [Joselyn] Baker said. "That's going to be his legacy."
your note []
Copyright 2002 Tim
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