Saturday, January 18, 2003Jeepers! What is up with the media, actually reporting news!?
Atlanta Journal Constitution on the war protests.
Bundled and buoyant, legions of protesters marched on their nation's frigid capital Saturday seeking to prevent a war with Iraq.
"No blood for oil," they chanted, their breath visible in the winter air. "Drop Bush, not bombs."
CNN.com actually reports on rallies throughtout the world.
They do play down the numbers, however.
In Washington, D.C., and San Francisco, California, at the two largest peace rallies, the crowds were urged on by international peace activists, religious leaders, members of Congress, actors and musicians.
At least tens of thousands of people rallied on the Mall in Washington, and a similar-size group crowded downtown San Francisco.
MSNBC reports on anti-war protests.
Also playing down the numbers.
A rally outside the Capitol, followed by a march to a naval yard, anchored the demonstrations and brought spirited masses together to declare the United States a “Rogue Nation,” as one sign put it.
“We don’t want this war, and we don’t want a government that wants this war,” said Brenda Stokely, a New York City labor activist.
A sign demanded, “Disarm Bush”; the crowd chanted, “No war on Iraq.”
Reuters gives a better write-up.
Hundreds of thousands of Americans opposed to waging war in Iraq rallied on Saturday in several cities demanding the White House back down and give U.N. weapons inspectors a chance.
Thousands marched on Washington and San Francisco and at smaller protests in Chicago and Tampa, Florida, in what organizers said was the largest showing of U.S. anti-war sentiment since President Bush started making his case for attacking Baghdad last year.
In San Francisco, a group of nude women demanded that the Bush Administration restrain what they called its "naked aggression" toward Iraq. In Washington, one placard read "Regime Change Starts At Home."
Reading comments pages on other blogs, people who were at some of the marches were reporting much higher numbers. Not tens of thousands, but topping 100,000, such as San Francisco and DC. At least they are reporting the marches. If this keeps up, some reporter may actually ask Bush a question he does not want to hear.
your note [] Ted Barlow's light bulb jokes.
If you didn't get a chance, go over and read the light bulb jokes that Ted Barlow has posted.
I will add:
Q: Haw many Sons of the Confederacy flaggers does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Well, since they don't have 'lectricity yet....
Q: How many Saxby Chambliss's does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Well he can't change a light bulb because of his bum knee, "but don't you know that Max Cleland doesn't have the courage to change a lighbulb!" Also, Bush has said that he will value Chambliss's light bulb changing advice.
Q: How many members of the Georgia Republican Party are needed to change a light bulb?
A: "Well, we don't feel that the old bulb ever should have been changed. We promised to have a referendum to see if we really want to change the bulb that is in their now, and so we will have that referendum. However that referendum will be non-binding. If after the referendum the members of the Georgia House of Representatives and Senate do decide to change that bulb, we need to figure out whether to use an old bulb, or perhaps a new bulb. It is up to the people of Georgia, and its goverment ultimately and actually, to decide if we need to change the bulb, when we need to change the bulb, and to what bulb we want to change it to. Remember that it is Barnes's fault that the old bulb was ever changed to begin with. We had nothing to do with that."
your note [] The Republican party trying to let the flaggers down easy.
Eric Johnson of Savannah, president pro tem of the Senate, is saying that the coonfederate battle flag will probably not ever be put back onto the state flag. The AJC reports:
"I'm just preparing the folks who think it's coming back that, no matter what we do, it's probably gone -- referendum or not," said Johnson, who vehemently opposed the effort by Gov. Roy Barnes to change the flag two years ago.
They party line appears to be:
1) Tell them that we are going to try to get the old flag back, but that it probably will not happen.
2) Tell them we we will get them a referendum if we can, but add that it is non-binding.
3) Keep reminding them that this ia Barnes's fault. He is the bad guy, not us.
4) Don't ever say we wanted to keep the St. Andrews Cross on the flag, or put it back on- that will make the GOP lokk like racists, heh heh. Just say that we don't like the way Barnes removed it. Again, make him the bad guy.
Looks like the flaggers got there hopes up when Perdue recently announced that he wanted a referendum. Now they are trying to let them down easy. Don't worry flaggers, the GOP will call you.
Will the rubes buy it?
your note [] Friday, January 17, 2003Bobby Brown sentenced to eight days.
Neither Whitney's money nor Bobby's bullshit could keep him out of jail again. A Dekalb county judge issued and arrest warrant for Bobby Brown when he left the state while on probation and appeared on a television award show. The genius had been barred from leaving Georgia as a part of his bond on DUI charges. So he leaves Georgia and appears on the American Music Awards show in California. I guess the idea of getting a gig when his career is in the toilet was just too much of a temptation. After getting out of jail he will serve 24 months on probation, have to perform 240 hours of community service, and will have to attend AA meetings for 6 months.
I'm guessing he thought leaving the state while on bond was his prerogative.
your note [] Federated Department Stores, parent to both chains and to Atlanta-based Rich's, said Thursday it is dropping the standalone Rich's and Macy's names and combining them into one brand -- Rich's-Macy's.
In doing so, the company in April will close four Macy's locations, including the historic downtown store, and transform its store at Town Center at Cobb into a single-floor furniture gallery.
Well, this was going to happen sometime. Macy's and Rich's are two stores that target the same consumer. For Federated Department Stores this was not a good situation. Combining the two will save money, expand the single brand of Rich's-Macy's, and stop the needless competition. Unfortunately, what it will also do is close a few stores, and cost a few people jobs. It is estimated that 1500 Macy's workers will lose their jobs in these bad economic times.
your note [] Bill Gates proves that Bush's tax cut favors the rich.
From Nathan Newman:
For Bill Gates, who personally owns 611,749,300 shares, this will give him a dividend of $97.9 million.
Normally, this would be taxed at a 38.6% rate, but with Bush's new tax plan, Gates will save and the Treasury will lose $37.8 million.
A $38 million tax cut for the richest man on earth, while almost half of all tax filers would receive less than $100 in benefits.
MyDD adds:
What better way for the Gates to show the class warfare that Bush is proposing, than to show how the richest of the rich, will benefit the most, while the federal government's revenues are depleted. You think that doesn't trickle down?
MyDD's post also talks about how neither Gates Sr. or Gates Jr. like Bush, or his agenda. An Excellent read! Go read it!
your note [] Thursday, January 16, 2003
Notes About Washington 1/16
"Our Constitution makes it clear that people of all races must be treated equally under the law," he said. "Quota systems that use race to include or exclude people from higher education and the opportunities it offers are divisive, unfair and impossible to square with the Constitution."
Bush was very misleading. The University of Michigan does not have quotas, no hard percentage numbers they need to hit every year. However, you can get points towards your admission "score" for:
"membership in an underrepresented minority group, socioeconomic disadvantage, attendance at a predominantly minority high school, athletics, or at the Provost's discretion."
You also get points for residency in the state and certain underrepresented counties, personal achievement, and academic achievement. Most universities also give points for legacies. A legacy is a person whose has family members that are alumni of the university applied to. For an example of legacy you need look no farther than the president himself. With average grades and a SAT score 200 points below their normal admission guidelines, Dubya manages to get himself into the prestigious Yale University.
Democrats responded:
Democrats and civil rights groups criticized Mr. Bush, with Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle calling the announcement "a watershed" event in the administration's record on civil rights.
"Once again today, the administration has said as clearly by their actions as anyone can, they will continue to side with those opposed to civil rights," the South Dakota Democrat [Daschle] said on the Senate floor.
Republicans responded to the Democrats response:
"Race baiting!"
That is what they always say, isn't it?
Funny how Bush gets into Harvard because of his parents, but doesn't want others to get into a good university because of their parents. Funny how he also wants to send kids to war, when he was a kid he deserted from the National Guard for a whole year, which is where he went to avoid Vietnam.
Listen up all you seniors who voted for Bush.
Federal budget director Mitchell E. Daniels Jr. told business leaders yesterday that no one should "hyperventilate" because the government has "returned to an era of deficits," but he warned of serious fiscal problems unless Medicare is reformed promptly.
You know what that means, don't you? Well, yes, tax cuts of course. It also means Bush will shortly be coming after your Medicare. Seniors are not a big corporation, so they don't get anything for free. Medicare is is heading for the chopping block. The federal budget director did not say we need to do away with tax cuts, cut back on loan guarantees to the airlines, or hold down military expenses. He said we need to reform Medicare. All the seniors who voted for Bush wave your hands in the air!
your note [] Atrios points out two obvious things that the media has choosen to ignore.
It amazes me that the media has largely ignored the explicit symbolism of two things Bush has done this week. First he declared a Sanctity of Life day on the anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. Second, he came out in opposition of affirmative action, playing the dishonest race-baiting "quota" game, on the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
If the media was liberal, they would be having a field day about this.
your note [] Craig Patterson, a 45-year-old ironworker in St. Louis worried about dwindling construction jobs, summed it up for USA Today: "I trust Bush with my daughter, but I trust Clinton with my job."
Craig, why would you trust a drunken frat boy with your daughter? If I had to choose a boyfriend for my daughter, and the choices were a drunken frat boy with a "C" average, or a Rhodes Scholar, I would choose the Rhodes Scholar. Okay, I don't actually have a daughter, but if I did....... Just a thought.
your note [] Wednesday, January 15, 2003Ha ha ha ha ha! Georgia teachers just got screwed.
After teachers refused to support former Democratic Governor Roy Barnes last November, and instead voted for Republican candidate Sonny "Moon Pie" Perdue, they received some shocking news. Perdue's new budget does not give teachers, university professors, and state employees a pay raise next year. What the hell were they thinking? Republicans do not raise the salaries of public school teachers. They send their kids to private schools.
"That certainly will not help us recruit and retain teachers," said Bob Cribbs, a lobbyist for the Georgia Association of Educators [GAE] who began hearing a few weeks ago that teachers probably wouldn't get a raise.
Ironically, teacher groups made the same complaints last year when Barnes only gave educators a 3.25 percent pay hike.
The GAE is the group that refused to endorse Barnes during the election because he began making teachers accountable for their student's test scores, and they took credit for his ouster. That is ironic. Where the hell is Alanis Morissette when you need her? At least after Perdue gets rid of all of Barnes's reforms, the teachers won't have to worry about actually teaching the kids anything, as they won't be held responsible. What a victory for them!
your note [] Perdue to jack up sin taxes, and increase property taxes.
Perdue's mid-year and fiscal 2004 budgets call for almost $500 million in tobacco and liquor tax hikes, and would reduce the state homestead exemption, which, in turn, would raise property taxes.
Do you smoke?
The cigarette tax would increase from 12 to 58 cents per pack. Cigar taxes would be increased from 13 percent to 36 percent, and there would be a new, 36 percent tax on smokeless tobacco and pipe tobacco.
Do you drink?
The malt beverage tax would increase from 48 cents to 72 cents per gallon. The tax on wine would go from $1.51cents to $2.65 per gallon and the distilled spirits tax would jump from $3. 79 to $5.68 1/2 a gallon.
Do you own your own home?
Perdue also wants to scale back the homestead exemption increase pushed by his predecessor, Democrat Roy Barnes, over the past four years. The property exemption would drop from $10,000 to $4,000 next year, saving the state about $280 million to $285 million a year. A lower exemption means more of a homeowner's property will be subject to being taxed, so tax bills will increase. State officials estimated it would cost average homeowners $155.
Now let me see, Barnes was cutting budgets and not raising taxes. Perdue is going to raise sin taxes and property taxes. Are we sure Georgia elected a Republican? Perdue may start pissing off more people than Barnes did. I do like seeing all the Malboro smoking and bourban drinking flaggers getting dragged over the coals with these new taxes.
your note [] This is hysterical! LOTR Spoof.
If you have seen LOTR, this spoof is a must see. Jack Black is brilliant. I believe this is from some MTV awards show. Nothing like Jack Black with his Prince Albert.
If the link screws up, it can also be viewed here.
Via Detache.org.
your note [] Tuesday, January 14, 2003A new flash animation from Take Back the Media.
The topic is so serious, that it is very deep. But yet Rumsfield is such an idiot, and looks so funny in this animation that while want to feel anger, you also want to laugh.
Just go watch it. And maybe donate to help take back the media.
your note [] Notes About Washington 1/14
Republicans getting ready to start slashing programs including homeland security.
Under a draft version of [Republican Incoming Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Ted] Stevens's 2003 budget plan for departments and agencies, funds for the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the FBI, "first responders" and port security would be reduced below levels set last year when Democrats controlled the Senate. Installation of a high-tech border security system would be delayed, and funding for new border facilities would be reduced.
.....
Education initiatives launched by several senior Democrats would be eliminated, but funds for the low-income program that is a centerpiece of President Bush's education plan would also be trimmed. There would also be reductions in aid to dislocated workers -- a top priority of senior House Republicans, such as Rep. Ralph Regula (Ohio), representing industrial states hit hard by the economic downturn.
.....
Money for maintaining national parks, Amtrak subsidies and restoration of the Florida Everglades would be trimmed from levels proposed by the Senate Appropriations Committee before Congress adjourned last year.
.....
The proposal would cut $132 million from the administration's $3.5 billion request for "first responders" -- state and local agencies that mobilize after terrorist acts. The cuts are in accounts funding improved communication between local fire and police jurisdictions, sources said.
To fund the tax cuts Bush gave away, they are going to cut not only funds for education, national parks and aid for dislocated workers, but they are also going to cut funding for homeland security, border security, port security, first responders, and communications for local fire and police. So before they give away even more tax cuts to the wealthy, they are going to cut many things important to all Americans including our national security. Isn't that nice?
President getting ready to enter affirmative-action case.
There is a landmark afirmative action case before the Supreme Court. The Washington Times, media with a strong conservative slant, believes Bush is getting ready to side against affirmative action.
President Bush is planning to side with white students against the University of Michigan in a landmark affirmative-action case before the Supreme Court this week, said a source close to White House deliberations.
He does not appear to be siding against legacy admissions, however. A funny way to show minorities that they are welcome into the Republican Party.
your note [] Perdue said he will seek a referendum.
Moon Pie proved me wrong! I guess he has decided not to back away from it. I don't think the GOP and local business leaders are going to be happy about this. It will, however, be a non-binding referendum, with the final decision left to the legislature. Now way the legislature ever changes the flag again.
Best case scenario is for him and the GOP to have the referendum worded so that it fails. A yes/no question "Should we change the flag back to the one that features the confederate battle flag?" would certainly fail. Giving an option of many flags may split the vote, and allow the flaggers to win. I believe we will see a yes/no question, and the referendum failing. The flaggers will still be all pissed off, Georgians will all look like a bunch of rubes, convention business in Atlanta will take a hit, but Perdue can say that he delivered. Oh well.
your note [] "This is America. They ought to know what their government is about. And the pledge tells you what that means definitively, plainly and simply."
Evidently reciting the pledge hasn't taught this guy what America is all about. One of the greatest things about America is that you do not have to recite the pledge, worship in a state selected religion, and refrain from criticizing the government. Maybe a good civics class would be in order for him? As if you could not guess, he is a Republican.
your note [] 
Just because Sheryl Crow wore the shirt at the American Music Awards, go buy all her CDs
your note [] This is the third dog shot by Cookeville police officer.
The Cookeville police officer that shot the Smoak's dog in a traffic stop, has shot dogs on two previous occasions. The circumstances were different, but Eric Hall seems to enjoy shooting dogs.
In one incident, the owner asked for the dog to be put down. In the other, Hall shot the dog and later the owner said the dog was mean and he was thinking of getting rid of it anyway.
I wonder what the statistics are regarding how many law enforcement officers have killed a dog in the line of duty? I wonder how many have killed three?
I am starting to think that Eric Hall has watched "To Kill a Mockingbird" a few too many times on Superstation 17, and thinks he is Atticus Finch. I would suggest he read the book too many times, but he doesn't really seem like the book reading type.
your note [] That is not the news. The news is that mainstream media, like the AJC, is finally starting to carry stories that are not flattering to Bush and company. Maybe reporters will actually become reporters again, instead of trying to be buddies with the news makers they are covering. Who knows, one day somebody may actually ask Bush a tough question.
By the way, Bush's rating according to the CNN-USA Today-Gallup poll is 58%, about where Clinton's was during the Monica Lewinsky story.
your note [] Monday, January 13, 2003Or some such game. South Knox Bubba is playing around again.
The middle one may be breeding......... gross!
your note [] You have to love great customer service.
I had a very old CycleOps fluid trainer so that I can "ride" my bicycle indoors. This trainer was at least 8 years old, and I had used it well. Now I have heard many stories about CycleOps fluid trainers begining to leak, but mine had been rock solid. Well, it finally began leaking. It began leaking puddles of fluid. Luckily, it does have a lifetime warranty. So I call CycleOps at Graber Products, the company's new owner. They explain that they bought CycleOps a few years ago, and have since changed the designs significantly. They cannot repair it, but they offer me a warranty upgrade. For $100, and my old fluid unit, I get their new Fluid2 trainer, a $300 trainer. I hop all over that deal, 'cause that is what I really wanted. I send them my old fluid unit, tracking it through UPS I see they get the delivery on the 6th, and on the 9th I am riding my new trainer. The turn around time was incredible. The Fluid 2 is a very well designed piece of equipment. At a nice steady speed its volume is lower than a whisper and the resistance is smooth and steeply progressive at higher speeds.
I am one happy camper!
your note [] Georgia's fornication law basically trashed.
The Georgia Supreme Court threw out the fornication conviction of a 16-year-old boy on privacy grounds. The mother of his girlfriend had prosecuted after catching the boy engaging in sex with her daughter. The Georgia law prohibits sex between unmarried people.
"Our opinion simply affirms that ... the government may not reach into the bedroom of a private residence and criminalize the private, noncommercial, consensual sexual acts of two persons legally capable of consenting to those acts," Chief Justice Norman S. Fletcher wrote.
He added that nothing in the ruling "should be read to address G.D.'s parents' rights to regulate what occurs inside their home, including who enters their house and under what circumstances."
In a related note, hopefully the United States Supreme Court will strike down all sodomy laws when it rules in Lawrence v. Texas, later this year. Then maybe we can get passed the government telling consenting adults what can and cannot be done in their bedrooms.
Needless to say, John Ashcroft was pissed. When asked if was going to Disney Land, the 16-year-old mumbled somthing about exercising some new rights and quickly left.
Update: Fomer House Representative Bob Barr (R) has released no statement on this issue, or fornication in general. He has released absolutley no statement on consensual sex between adults who are not married.
your note [] Sonny already being threatened by flaggers.
Three airplanes circled the capital during the inauguration. They dragged banners with the old Georgia flag featuring the Confederate Battle flag and three different messages: "Sonny Country," ""Let Us Vote - You Promised," and "Barnes Was Just a Warmup." Boy these guys sure do know how to make friends!
Update:Pointed out to me by Greg, WSB had the the "Confederate Air Force" story with a photo. The AJC Link now has a photo also.
your note [] Coleman wins speaker election after Walker dropped out.
Yes, Rep. Terry Coleman (D) won the election 109-70. Reportedly Larry Walker (D) dropped out at the request of Sonny Perdue. It seems Sonny's efforts at swaying Democrats did better in the Seante than they did in the house. Coleman did say he would stick to tradition and make his committee chair appointments exclusively Democrat. I guess the big question is if Perdue bitch Larry Walker now jumps parties. After the failed coop, it might be a good idea.
Speaker Terry Coleman (D)
your note [] Big controversy over Kate Winslet being airbrushed thin.
Normally I would not give a crap about this, stars mean little to nothing to me. However, what I found funny is that they airbrushed the picture below, but forgot to airbrush her image in the mirror, or did not make her reflection as thin.
Full size photo here, where you can really see the difference.
your note [] Sunday, January 12, 2003There is this guy Mark Pilgrim who writes a blog that has popped up in my referrers list from time to time. I don't often read his blog because it is usually way over my head with programming stuff, although it is neat to peak in on his personal entries from time-to-time. I checked it today and it had this small world story from January 8. He was asking for "small world" stories. Now supposedly if I write one and link to this post, it will track back to him. Lets see....
BTW, most of the stories he has linked back to so far involve college, travels, church, mentors, and stuff like that. Mine involves two girls I dated and jail.
Back in the early '80's in Columbia, SC, when I was in college, bartending, and running around nightclubs in parachute pants and a mullet, I dated another bartender for a brief period of time. I will call her "C". Now "C" was from Augusta, Georgia. She used to regale us with this old story about her and a good friend getting seriously drunk one night, ending up at a lesbian club, and dancing on the bar topless before getting tossed in jail. Her very wealthy, and frustrated, father had to come bail them both out. I don't believe she ever mentioned the friend's name, other than to say that they were buddies and both straight. When I moved back to Georgia I lost track of "C."
Fast forward to the mid '90's. I was on a date with a girl I had known for a little while through some friends. This was probably our second "date." As we chatted over dinner, she began talking about growing up in Augusta. Since we had known each other for a bit we were telling each other old, funny, embarrassing stories. She told one about being very drunk, dancing topless on a bar at a lesbian club, getting tossed in jail, and her friend's father bailing them out. I thought for a second and then said, "Was this with 'C?'" I swear her eyes actually got as big as quarters. She just turned red after that.
Okay, that is my touching and heartwarming "small world" story.
Update: Damn if it didn't work. No wonder I can't understand the programming stuff he writes about!
your note [] Sonny Perdue's second battle coming up.
The first big battle was the Jay Neal (R) vs. Mike Snow (D) new election for the Georgia House of Representatives. Perdue and most Republicans went up up to north Georgia to campaign against the Democrat Snow. Mike Snow won handing Perdue his first loss.
The second battle is over the Speaker of the House for the Georgia House of Representatives between Democrats Terry Coleman and Larry Walker. Walker comes from Perdue's home county, and is really a Republican in sheeps clothing. If Walker wins with a coalition of conservative Democrats and Rpublicans, then Perdue will be more able to ram through all his changes more easily. If Coleman can hold on with a coaliton of Democrats, then the Republicans will not be able to effectively control the Governors mansion, the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Perdue has been pushing for full control. He persuaded some Senate Democrats to switch parties and become Republican just days after elections. Now moderate Democrats in the House are finding themselves with offers of key office space, good committee assignments and lots of pork for the home district if they support Walker for the Speaker position. Those not being persuaded are being threatened by Republicans with "'We'll get you in the next election."
The flaggers are also jumping into the fray saying that the only way there will be any vote on the state flag is if Larry Walker wins the Speaker election. At least the Republicans are already lining up the "It's the Democrats fault we didn't have a referendum on the flag" excuse.
I don't know who will win, but I have the feeling that if Tery Coleman wins, Larry Walker will just go ahead and jump to the Republican party.
your note [] Maurice Gibb of the BeeGees passes away.
Admitted to the hospital with a blocked intestine, he suffered a cardiac arrest during surgery. Maurice Gibb passed away Sunday morning.
Maurice was the bass playing BeeGee with the falsetto voice and the collection of hats. He was also the one the ended up in recovery after years of abuse.
The BeeGees were English brothers who emigrated to Australia and became pop stars. Their had a long a varied career, going through many different stages including the Disco era, with which they found their greatest fame. Younger brother Andy Gibb later became a star, and passed away of a heart attack many years ago.
A short history of the BeeGees.
your note []
Copyright 2003 Tim
Theme Design by Bryan Bell
