Rovers Upset!

Rovers over Arsenal 1-0!

On to the 6th round of the FA Cup and Man City!

Now that's the way to have a good day!

Some Local Perspective On The HPV Bill

My friend Wilson Smith once asked me, "can these blogs influence legislation?" I answered yes but was hard pressed to provide examples. I told Wilson that sometimes its more important to make sure there's a conversation going on outside the granite halls of the capitol. If enough people talk, the legislators will inevitably listen.

Hey Wilson? People are talking.

Nicki takes a practical turn.

Who says Peach Pundit won't take on Republicans? Unfortunately, dealing with medical issues can be emotional and get personal.

Jason Pye. Also calling out Republicans who fall into the nanny state trap.

And finally if you scroll down a ways, you will find what I believe is the best discussion yet had on DttG.

So people are talking. Will the pork slingers on the hill listen?

Don't Mess With Little Old Southern Ladies

Be careful what you ask our mamas and grandmas. They might just tell you the truth.

I swear I laughed so hard I nearly vomited. As a bonus, there's someone in the clip from Moultrie!

h/t: Spacey

That Darn Liberal Media

They never publish the conservative point of view.

Oh wait. Yes, they do.

Dr. Phil and I actually agree. Strange days, bubba. Strange days.

An Inconvenient Talking Point

I should have started a pool on how long after An Inconvenient Truth's oscar win we would hear this little gem.

Gore’s mansion, located in the posh Belle Meade area of Nashville, consumes more electricity every month than the average American household uses in an entire year, according to the Nashville Electric Service (NES)...blah blah bah...etc etc etc...

Three things you probably will not hear in the repitition of this mostly accurate story.

1. It's an old one. It's been around forever and some right wing sites have risen the zombie once more in an attempt to embarass Gore.

2. Gore buys carbon offsets. These waivers allegedly balance the cost created by the emissions. Having said that, I don't approve of carbon offsets. The point is to remove the amount of crap we are putting in the biosphere. Not to create a system where rich folk can "buy" there way out. (Just so you don't think all conservatives will leave this out, Capt Ed brought it up first thing. He also reflects my point.)

3. Most importantly, none of this hoo-hah does anything to invalidate the science behind climate change.

HPV Bill Hits Georgia

This is going to cause to uncomfortable shifting in the pews of Republicaterian sitting circles.

Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville) is sponsoring a bill which will require girls entering sixth grade to be immunized for the Human Pappilomavirus.

Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville), the sponsor of Senate Bill 155, said he believes the vaccination requirement is good public policy. The bill, which is scheduled for review today by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, contains an exemption for parents who oppose the vaccine on religious grounds or cannot afford it.

Well, opinions are like you know what, so might as well throw mine in. If I had a daughter, I would have her butt at the doctor's office as soon as she became eligible for the vaccine. But I have a big problem with the government mandating a drug being injected into children where the condition it is intended to prevent is not easily communicable to others.

Let me rephrase that. I have a big problem with the government mandating injecting drugs into any of its citizens, period. The only time it is acceptable is in the case of highly contagious diseases, i.e. rubella, pertussis, where the intrusion is outweighed by the potential for a rapid, highly destructive health crisis.

UPDATE: For some local perspective on the Texas fruforal that started this whole mess READ HERE.

More On The Pike County Abuse Case

When I originally heard about the case of animal abuse in Pike County, I said I would keep an open mind until the details were clear.

Well, the details are now clear. Based on the information I have received both in person and on this blog, there is no doubt in my mind the abuse was real and very disturbing. Stories of dogs becoming feral, stalking other livestock will wake you up quick.

Fortunately the animals have been confiscated and impounded. Unfortunately, the Georgia Equine Impound Program receives no state funds and relies on volunteers. With nearly 200 ill horses, the resources of the system are nearly overwhelmed.

Those tending the animals need both donations and volunteers.

If you would like to provide monetary help, please contact.

Georgia Department of Agriculture

Office of Equine Health, Room 143

19 MLK Jr., Drive

Atlanta, GA 30334

If you would like to volunteer your strong back and kind heart, please visit the Georgia Equine Rescue League site for details.

A Convenient Review

An Oscar bump for this one. Originally published on 1-23-07:

Oscar nominations were announced this morning. As expected Al Gore's slide show movie "An Inconvenient Truth" is nominated in the Best Documentary category. Expect much caterwauling from the usual suspects about another "Michael Moore" moment. Nothing could be further from the truth.

I finally watched the movie yesterday. Given my predilection for science subjects, particularly weather related, my reticence to watch the year's global warming "blockbuster" may surprise you. However, my gut refused to bypass the feeling that science and politics, although at times a necessary evil partnership, do not mix well. A description of a non-scientist spending 90 minutes using a slide show in an attempt to distill a complex idea to palatability brought visions of creationist abomination Ken Hovind.

Also, the clips I viewed seemed overwrought. My impression being Gore had gone for the easy sell; conflating individual disasters into evidence of a global problem. Science is not easy. Understanding weather is like plowing the ocean. I begin to claw my eyes when people use Katrina as evidence of global warming. They are both right and wrong, but miss the point.

As anyone who follows Creation/Evolution battles knows, a warrior for the right and good has to be a paladin not a politician. There can be no gray. There can be no vagaries. There can be no right and wrong. You must be pure and true in your quest. Since your enemies will use every stumble as a new flank for attack, you must give them no room for maneuver.

Following 2005's collossal hurricane season those with just enough knowledge to be dangerous screamed that the record number of hurricanes resulted from global warming. Many including myself cringed. What would happen we thought if 2006 was a fizzle? Hurricanes are the epitome of vagary in action. What little we do know about the formation of hurricanes is they are a delicate combination of multiple factors which must be stirred into a near-perfect witches brew. As is now known, the witches brew never bubbled the following year and the global warming doubters exploited the cries of the chicken littles to seed more doubt.

Predicting hurricane frequency is akin to reading the bones. Predicting strength not so much. It's a fairly simple formula. Hot water combined with little wind shear creates monsters. While the media obsessed with the ever increasing numbers of hurricanes in 2005, hard core weather observers noted the Gulf of Mexico reaching its hottest surface temperatures in decades. It was apparent that any storm reaching this boiling pot of water would explode. The frequency only made it more likely it would occur. Thus Rita, Wilma and of course Katrina.

Gore does slip into the mistake of exploiting Katrina but more about that later.

"I see obstacles to understanding and I want to find ways to overcome those obstacles." ~Al Gore

If "An Inconvenient Truth" were merely the story of a charisma-challenged politician driven into the wilderness by circumstance then returning with near messianic power of persuasion it would be compelling. But without the science it would be hollow; a confection, tasty with no sustain. The penultimate compliment I can pay the film is the science is there. The ultimate compliment is Gore changed my mind.

Science is about evidence. Sometimes evidence leads you in a certain direction. Sometimes it skews you off the road like ice in winter. But if you can amass enough compelling evidence in a particular direction you will at least know you are on the right road. Gore presents a mountain of evidence. Evidence that despite certain criticisms has been verified by a consensus of scientists. My fear that Gore would cobble together a patchwork of anecdotal evidence that could easily be attacked has been allayed. Instead, he presented wave after wave of compelling anecdotal and empirical evidence; never leaving a flank unprotected.

It was a Gore most had never seen. A Gore his supporters wish they had seen in 2000.

And about Katrina. Gore is no scientist but like any good scientist he understands the importance of an addendum. In the special features of the DVD Gore notes that new data reported after filming leaves the correlation of frequency of hurricanes and global warming still unknown. However, he quickly points out the correlation between water temperature, hurricane intensity and global warming has little question.

Gore understands that science is not dogma. Science is about admitting you do not know everything. Most importantly, science is processing all evidence. Not just evidence that is convenient.

Plundering The Archives

I've been rooting around in my archives. Here are some things you might have missed the first time.

Hey, Sonny. About that whole Peach Care mess. You know? The huge budget shortfall? What the hell happened to that BILLION dollar surplus?

Remeber when Porter Goss resigned? And many thought it had something to do with hookers?

Some naval history you may not know.

My favorite Katherine Harris picture.

Mark Halperin is a jackass.

Last week, PaulaG from Blog For Democracy asked me why I'm not a Democrat. Well, this list probably will make progressives skin crawl.


Oh. And don't forget. Oscars tonight.

Oscar Open Thread

After getting caught up the Fontana Race, I've decided to not attend an Oscar party and instead relax on my couch with a personal beverage (apologies Lazermike, hope you guys have a good time).

If something really weird happens, I might throw in a few updates. Aw hell, it's Hollywood. Something weird is bound to happen.

UPDATE I: Peter O'Toole, God love him, looks more embalmed than Anna Nicole Smith.

UPDATE II: 8:42. First Al Gore joke.

UPDATE III: After 9:00 and still no major awards. FOR GOD'S SAKE GET ON WITH IT!

UPDATE IV: They have a choir performing sound effects to clips of movies. This is the most bizarre thing ever. Thank God I have beer.

UPDATE V: 9:23 and finally a major award! Best Supporting Actor is Alan Arkin. No big surprise there. First award for Little Miss Sunshine. Could it be a semi-sweep?

UPDATE VI: First a choir doing sound effects and now an interpretive dance troop doing their versions of nominated films? I may need something stronger than beer.

UPDATE VII: Gore is presenting. He's just there "for the movies". The Oscars have gone green whatever the hell that means. Hybrid limos? Good lord, Kate Winslet is crying! CRYING! What the hell is that all about? They must be passing out hallucinagens in the gift baskets. Hahahahahaha. Gore was pretending to announce and the orchestra played him off like he had run out of time. That was pretty funny. But the whole thing was so weird.

UPDATE VIII: The winner for Best Adapted Screenplay, The Departed, is high as an effin kite. What we really need now is a good drunk rambling moment. And when are they going to do march of the dead people? Dammit, that's the best part!

UPDATE IX: YAY! Tom Cruise! Now we're getting to the looney!

UPDATE X: Whoa. Catherine Deneuve? Still hot. Okay, so they roll out the people with the accents to do Best Foreign Language Film. And of course they then pan to Sasha 'Borat" Cohen. Because as we all know English is a foreign language. I think the directors and producers may also be high. This show would be really lame without the aid of chemicals. If they don't move this along Peter O'Toole may actually be included in the March of the Dead People.

UPDATE XI: Whoa. Pan's Labyrinth didn't win Best Foreign Language. That's a big upset. Instead it's some German film that was directed by a guy who sounds like he's from Iowa. The only thing that could make this whole thing weirder is for blood to start shooting from Ellen Degeneres' eyes.

UPDATE XII: 10:34. Another Al Gore joke. Delivered by George Clooney. Liberals just wet themselves. Best Supporting Actress coming up. And it's Jennifer Hudson. Simon Cowell just wet himself.

UPDATE XIII: Here we go! Best Documentary! And it's the slide show movie! And Sean Hannity rushes the stage with a fire extinguisher! Well no that didn't happen but it would have been cool. Gore hugged the director but there was no tongue. Tipper must have set some ground rules.

UPDATE XIV: Celine Dion! GAH! But seriously, I'm a movie score nerd and it's good to see Ennio Morricone receive recognition. Should have happened years ago. The Good, The Bad And The Ugly may be the most recognized theme in history. This acceptance speech needs subtitles. He's probably telling them all to kiss his ass for not giving him a gold baby all the times he deserved it. Now Clint Eastwood is pretending to translate. Wait, maybe he is translating! No. In my addled mind I am going to believe Clint is just making crap up. More fun that way.

UPDATE XV. Lord have mercy Beyonce can sing. Almost 11:30 and still no march of the dead people. They haven't shown Peter O'Toole in a while. Not a good sign.

UPDATE XVI: Looking into the iconic eyes of Tom Hanks I want to now publicly admit I was wrong. Saving Private Ryan should have beat Shakespeare In Love. Still no dead people. Still no Peter O'Toole. I'm seriously concerned.

UDDATE XVII: YAY! March of the dead people! It's going to be a long list. We lost some great ones this year. OH MY GOD! I didn't know Basil Poledouris died! During the commercials I'm going to listen to the soundtrack from Lonesome Dove. I know it's television but it's one of the best ever.

UPDATE XVIII: Peter O'Toole sighting! Thank God! Although he looks so stiff he may have died and no one noticed. And he doesn't win. Again. I know he wasn't supposed to but I still feel it's a shame. And now we get another ragged acceptance speech from Forest Whitaker.

UPDATE XIX: Scorsese wins! Yay! I really wish he would just tell them all to kiss his ass. But he's too nice. And why is Jack Nicholson still backstage? They keep showing him backstage. In sunglasses. I bet during the commercials he's snorting coke of the asses of starlets.

UPDATE XX: And it's over! Thank the baby Jesus! I didn't really intend to live blog the whole damn thing but since I did, I should thank a few people. I would like to thank my agent, my attorney, my ex-wives, my dealer and all the wonderful people at Budweiser with whom this blog would not be possible. Oh. The Departed won for Best Picture. And I'm just kidding about the ex-wives and the dealer. But not about the Bud. Good night and thanks for all the fish!

Shadenfreude

hee

UPDATE: 2:30 and the main page is still down. I have sympathy for tech folks but this is now at least a three hour outage. At most companies someone's ass would be fired.

Saturday Stupids

All are welcome. Drop on by!

Songs In My Head

Virtual Flu Shots

CDC has set up shop in Second Life.

Forgive me for being a crotchety old luddite but this is public awareness just gone weird.

It's Oscar Time!

A break from politics!

Oscars are Sunday! Get ready for the glitz! Get ready for the glamour! Get ready to snooze!

But if it's your thang and since we may not see each other between now and then, let me recommend you prepare yourself by visiting my favorite movie site on the web.

Edward Copeland On Film provides a great scorecard.

Hop over and check it out.

Georgia The Overgovernmented

Can someone please explain to me why a city needs permission from the legislature to set up a parks department?

House Bill 524:

A BILL to be entitled an Act to create the City of Johns Creek Parks and Recreation Authority; to authorize such authority to acquire, construct, equip, maintain, and operate or contract for services to provide athletic and recreational centers, facilities, and areas, including, but not limited to, playgrounds, parks, hiking, camping, and picnicking areas and facilities, swimming and wading pools, lakes, tennis courts, athletic fields and courts, clubhouses, gymnasiums, auditoriums, youth centers, senior citizen centers, stadiums, performing arts centers, cultural centers, related buildings, golf courses, and the usual and convenient facilities appertaining to such undertakings and extensions and improvements of such facilities; to acquire parking facilities and parking areas in connection therewith; to provide that bonds be validated as authorized by Article 3 of Chapter 82 of Title 36 of the O.C.G.A., the “Revenue Bond Law”; to provide for construction; to provide for personnel; to provide for conveyance of property upon dissolution; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

The amount of top down regulation in this state is insane. We have a constitution so contorted it has to be amended to change how we ticket speeders. We have 159 counties including metro counties so large it is argued services cannot be provided adequately and counties with less than 5,000 residents and unincorporated county seats.

We like to pretend we are about independence and individuality in these parts when the reality is small government entities can't pass gas without asking permission of the legislature.

We are suffocating under the oppresive weight. It is past time for radical surgery on the distended body of our bureaucracy before our own governmental gluttony chokes away the life.

We Love The Crazy!

To paraphrase a quote from the movie Gettysburg, in the south we like our leaders a little religious and a little mad. In other words, we love the crazy. But there are limits.

Please save some of the crazy for us.

What Is Going On: The Doug Monroe Interview

It's up now at What Is Going On.

And I should update one topic covered in the interview. I'm the real father of Anna Nicole's child. Andy is a money grubbing pretender.

Sen. Johnson on Boortz

Political Insider has the audio of Senator Johnson on Neal Boortz this morning.

Practically the first thing out of his mouth is the implication the jury convicted Wilson on the act with the 17 year old. Later he goes beyond implication and specifically says Wilson is not in jail for the act with the 15 year old but for the act with the 17 year old.

Boortz: So you're saying Genarlow Wilson is in jail because of the passed out 17 year old.

Johnson: Yes, yes, if Genarlow Wilson had simply had the oral sex with the 15 year old, we would probably not be dealing with this.

Sen. Johnson? What will it take to make you stop lying?

Genarlow Wilson: The Spin Continues

Sen. Eric Johnson's poison continues to taint.

His call to Neal Boortz this morning apparently has caused not only the talk show host to think second thoughts but also Peach Pundit's Erick Erickson.

The latest spin? Although the jury in the Wilson case acquitted on the charge of rape of the 17 year old and convicted on the oral sex with the 15 year old, they really convicted on the second charge because they could not get him on the first.

Talk about tortuous logic. Nevermind there is no evidence of such a heinous deal with the devil. It only lives in the mind of Eric Johnson.

However, there is evidence the jury did exactly what they said they did. Convict based their understanding of the existing law.

First, let's look at the statute.

Ga. O.C.G.A. 16:

(a) A person commits the offense of child molestation when he or she does any immoral or indecent act to or in the presence of or with any child under the age of 16 years with the intent to arouse or satisfy the sexual desires of either the child or the person.

(c) A person commits the offense of aggravated child molestation when such person commits an offense of child molestation which act physically injures the child or involves an act of sodomy.

The critical clause is "involves the act of sodomy". Sodomy in Georgia is defined as sexual contact involving the mouth or anus. There was no evidence of physical harm but there certainly was evidence of oral sex with a person under 16 years old.

Now let's look a section of the defendant's certori petition to the Supreme Court.

The jury asked in a written question to the trial judge for the meaning of the word “intent” in the aggravated charge in terms of proving an essential element of the crime. (T-164). This question shows that the jury struggled with the legal issue before them – that the law as given to them in their charge required conviction for a voluntary act of oral sex amongst teens.

It is apparent from the transcript the jury was dealing exclusively with the charges of aggravated child molestation. A charge that would not apply to the act with the 17 year old.

It is clear to all, except Eric Johnson, the jury was painted into a corner by a vague law and felt they had no choice to convict on the charge of aggravated child molestation. It is also clear the law was poorly worded, leading the General Assembly to later clarify with amendments. If these amendments had existed at the time of the Wilson trial, he would have been acquitted on all charges.

I come here not to praise Genarlow Wilson. He did some foolish things. But I do not come to bury him either. It is apparent those who do wish to bury him have no limit on exaggeration or pure fantasy in their quest.

Midnight Update: Still Water Buffalo

Not kidding. Still the primary story on the AJC's online Metro. Water Buffalo. Ooh-It!

Noon Update: Still Water Buffalo

Still no sign of Eric Johnson's lie laced rant regarding Genarlow Wilson, but we got some pictures of the water buffalo!

Too many times accusations of bias fly simply because a media outlet doesn't report an item in the manner someone thinks it should, but this is ridiculous. This is a national story. Now it's a national story with a fresh local angle. Yet, it is still buried in the AJC's online edition.

Oh it's there. You can find it if you click on the Print Edition section or click on the Legislature link in the Metro section. But it is nowhere to be found on the front page or the front of the Metro. It's really too bad since Carlos Campos wrote a pretty good piece.

The local rag is being lapped while it desperately tries to staunch the wounds from a self-inflicted case of the death of a thousand cuts.

Sen. Johnson Steps In The Poo-Poo

Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) was having such a wonderful session. He was named President Pro Tem of the Senate. His special needs scholarship bill looks to sail through. Then along came the case of Genarlow Wilson.

Two years ago, Wilson was sentenced to ten years in prison for having oral sex with a teenage girl. At the time Wilson was 17 and the girl was 15. A miscarriage of justice so ridiculous it even garnered the attention of ESPN. A miscarraige of justice so preposterous the usually sloth-like General Assembly quickly amended the mandatory sentencing portion in the "sex crime" law reducing Wilson's offense to a misdemeanor.

Yet, Genarlow Wilson remains in prison. A sad fact Rep. Emanuel Jones (D-Decatur) is trying to change. Jones is attempting to amend the law further to allow judges to reconsider rulings handed down under the old law.

Enter Senator Johnson. Not only did he make a floor speech filled with inaccuracies regarding the case but he was caught on tape. Then, he was publicly pantsed by CNN who took his speech apart bit by gory bit.

Want to know more?

Amy Morton has been on it since day one.

aTypical Joe has a transcript of the CNN interview.

Rusty handles the snark.

Senator Johnson took it upon himself to address the legions at Peach Pundit.

And some of the legions are not happy with the answers given.

Meanwhile over at the AJC? Well, if you search you can find a story dated 2-20-07 but it's not on the front page or even the metro section yet. They might be holding it for the morning. I certainly hope so. Because at the moment the only thing about the legislature on the front page is a story about the licensing of water buffalo. Seriously. Water buffalo.

So Julia? How's that step into the brave new world of the internet going?

8:00am UPDATE: Nope. Still water buffalo.

Your Cheese Has A Few Holes

If you're bleeding from every orifice, cutting off your hands because they offend thee and busy looking at the sky while the ground crumbles, what would be your next best move? Pick a fight with people who at best distrust you and at worst loathe you like an ingrown nose hair.

According to a memo by Atlanta Journal Constitution editor Julia Wallace, the big cheese, swiss by all the holes, is going to come online and teach all us chilluns the proper way to do this reporting and commentary thing.

Online, we will show that we know Atlanta best, providing superlative news and information and becoming the preferred medium for connecting local communities.”

Let's see. We've already got places where legislators float ideas and participate in discussion. We've got places acting as media watchdogs; the daylight the Cox media vampires fear most. We've got this best damned political interviewer to come along in decades. And while poor Doug Nurse is forced to sit through two hours of mind numbing federal court to get a measly five paragraphs in the Metro section, we have places dedicating lengthy coverage to local issues.

So Ms. Wallace, welcome to the tea party. Don't mind us chilluns if we snicker softly to ourselves while you turn up your nose at our viritual tea. While you've been slopping melon rinds and onion peels and calling it caviar, us chilluns have been making tea for years.

Quote Of The Day

Pretty early for a Quote of the Day but this one is a doozy. Describing McCain's candidacy, admittedly in context of the Iraq War and in comparison to Hillary Clinton, CNN's Amy Walter said:

They are both trying to position themselves as sort of straight talkin', I'm not just going to sit here sticking my finger in the wind kind of politicians.

HAH! How enlightening to see the "straight talk express" myth still exists in the bobblehead media.

Let's Go Racin!

VROOM! VROOM!

World's Largest Database

Can you guess what is the largest database in the world?

Bet you'll be wrong.

I actually knew this but hey, I'm a big geek. And in certain areas, a very big geek.

h/t: Chris Farris

Saturday Stupids

Batons for everyone!

One Thing Doesn't Belong

Something looks out of place in this sentence. Can you spot the anomaly?

A majority of Sandy Springs residents remained without water Saturday as Atlanta Department of Watershed Management crews tried to repair a water main break that occurred in Roswell Thursday afternoon.

Hmmmmm. There's the politics of political independence and there's the reality that we are all in this together.

Songs In My Head

Georgia Blog Carnival

Georgia On My Mind has published the latest Blog Carnival. Links to good stuff. Check 'em out.

My Morning Wooten: Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

I tell friends all the time I miss the old Jim. Back in the days when Atlanta had two papers and the competition fostered some real journalism, Jim Wooten was one of my daily reads. On an editorial page full of screaming mimis, Jim was the one of the few conservative voices I considered reasonable. I viewed him in the mold of George Will. Agreement with the issues was not necessary but at least the views were intelligent and well communicated.

I often wonder what happened to that Jim. Since the merger of the Journal-Constitution, Wooten lurched hard right. Reason became a thing of the past and parroting Limbaugh-like talking points became the present. I have two theories. Either Jim's actual persona was stifled at the Journal or with the move to the more liberal Constitution he was required to fill the ecosystem's niche as the resident kook.

Well, maybe yesterday's shake up at the paper stirred the ghost of old Jim because I'm having a hard time disagreeing with most of his column today. Sure, he's still drinking the Kool-Aid on Iraq but many of his other points are, dare I say it, sane.

Townships, a government form common elsewhere, is being proposed for Georgia by state Sen. David Adelman (D-Decatur). His zoning-only concept of local control may be too limited, but the key is to give people the ability to control their communities.

Good lord. Not only do I agree but he actually credits a Democrat with a good idea. Get out the fainting couch! But of course in the very next bullet...

All of this drive to incorporate and to break away got started because Fulton commissioners treated north Fulton like dirt, taking their money while completely disregarding their concerns about density and development. We can love and identify with the brand Atlanta, but need to relate to a government with which we can connect.

Jim gets it half right. The other half is the prediliction of North Fulton to act like spoiled brats.

Yes! State Rep. Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs), chairman of the House Rules Committee, offers legislation to allow individuals and corporations to get a significant tax credit for contributions that allow low-income or disabled children to attend private schools. Love this new Big Idea Legislature. They’re talking about things that matter — in addition, of course, to the usual things that don’t.

Although I am no fan of complicating our already ponderous tax code, if we must, tax credits are the way to go. If you listened to the Georgia Politics Podcast, you will note I want a little more accountability than conservatives but this bill demonstrates how government can work with the private sector to enhance the citizens.

There's more but I think I will limit myself to those few. Maybe one day Jim will come around on Iraq and his other sins but at least for today, I'm happy to see the old Jim.

Georgia Political Podcast Ep. 10

You can now download Episode 10 of the Georgia Political Podcast from the Georgia Podcast Network. Hear myself and Randy Lewis of Georgia Political Digest get into it over religion! I swear my mama always told me it wasn't polite to talk about religion and politics. But I did tell them I was feeling feisty!

Hell Hath Blah Blah Blah

Amanda Marcotte is pissed. Despite my intial ambivalence towards the fruforal, based on her Salon article (follow the link, click the ad, it's worth it), I admit she might have a point.

As for these "badasses" that get their rocks off on seeing just how big a shitstorm they can stir? Please, come fuck with me. I am beholden to no one and I know all about fucking. And you better bring some game. I know a few tricks beyond the missionary.

Spartacus

The Gloves Are Off

I've consciously kept my blog PG for some while now. Probably from a ridiculous need to "fit in". Maybe it's late at night. Maybe I've had a few beers. Maybe I will delete this all in the morning. But for now, no more restrictions. The gloves are off. Feel free to hide the kids.

See next post.

Let's Conversate About Drag Queen Giuliani!

A native South Cackalackian's take on yankee Rudy Giuliani.

Attica! Attica!

I try to be a good blog citizen. I dole out links like the ice cream man on the 4th of July. But Libby and Newshog got me thinking. Even us good citizens get little respect from some of the big hoo hahs. No problem. Anyone that gets a bajillion readers a day doesn't really need another link from a small fry like me. The sad fact is as much spew as there is about new media being the great equalizer castes are being formed and to a degree there are the cool kids and there are the kids standing against the wall. So what to do? What to do? Pretty simple. Stop trying to sniff ass of the big kids.

New rule: If you are in the top 10,000 on Technorati and you don't link to me? I don't link to you.

I should point out there are exceptions and some exceptional people. Joe Gandleman and Michael van der Galien of The Moderate Voice have been very gracious. Joe actually shocked the hell out of me when he once promoted one of my comments to a full post.

Also, Shakes lets me whore all over the place and also throws the occasional link pat on the head.

They's good people and will always be on the top of my list.

As for the rest of you? Let the delinking begin.

A Proud Day For Georgia

A kook in Texas has cribbed a rather brilliant idea originally spawned by a Georgia legislator.

The second most powerful member of the Texas House has circulated a Georgia lawmaker's call for a broad assault on teaching of evolution...House Appropriations Committee Chairman Warren Chisum, R-Pampa, used House operations Tuesday to deliver a memo from Georgia state Rep. Ben Bridges...Mr. Bridges' memo claims that teaching evolution amounts to indoctrinating students in an ancient Jewish sect's beliefs.

YEEHAW! Welcome to the south, y'all! Lord God when will this ever end?

h/t: BfD

Songs In My Head

Happy Valentines Day, Screw You.

You stepped on my ass

You're breaking my glasses too

You won't drive my car, might be a star

I've had enough of you

There no one to blame, so f*ck you

Be my Valentine, Rep. Steve Davis. It warms the cockles of my heart to know there are still people in the world who believe the only image of family is Leave It To Beaver. Love obviously runs deep in your household and neighborhood where the "wifes" handle the chilluns, the gays keep their love that shall not be named in the closet and poor people are limited to cheery hobos who ride the rails and dream of the big rock candy mountain. Be my Valentine Rep. Davis, screw you.

Be my Valentine, John McCain. Now not only do you vaguely look like a Pander bear but you actually act like one. Your love holds no bounds as your give a big ol' expedient bear hug to religious nuts like Jerry Falwell and Jonathan Wells. My blood warms at the sight of brave politicians who will blatantly take the easy road to power. In an age of cowardly leaders chasing publicity whoredom by going against the grain, you are the epitome of the Hemingway hero, quietly showing true leadership by demonstrating good ol' fashioned pandering as the new radical. Be my Valentine Sen. McCain, screw you.

Be my Valentine, Glenn Reynolds. When I first read the Libertarian Party platform regarding war back in 1992, I was puzzled by its stance of defensive war only. My heart remained cold for over a decade until you and other "libertarians" explained it's a new world and we didn't really mean all that about defensive war. Pre-emptive war is the new libertarianism! Many called you stealth Republicans but you remained strong in your conviction to support President Bush even as the Iraq venture spiraled into doom. And when people accused you of being Republican shills, you quickly responded nuh-uh, I'm a libertarian! It makes me think of Valentine's Day back in elementary school when little boys were asked if they liked certain girls and they responded, nuh-uh, girls are icky! Be my Valentine Glen Reynolds, screw you.

Be my Valentine, Jim Wooten. Your proclivity to pass along rumors and straight out lies shows you are truly one of the libertine "new media" lotharios. You understand that fact checking, editorial filters and any possible validity of dissent are as stale as a 20 year old "Be Mine" candy heart. The love practically spews forth daily as you call out the unpatriotic, the anti-capitalist and all those dirty, smelly hippies who dare associate themselves with the Democratic Party. With so much affection pouring out of the Thinking Right column, it's surprising the AJC even needs Dear Abby! Be my Valentine Jim, screw you.

Be my Valentine, Christopher Horner. I was impressed with your appearance last night on The Daily Show. I was astounded at the quality of your jacket. I wonder if you have to shop at a special store to find pockets so big they can hold all that Exxon money. Your denial of global warming was not enough to cool the heat in my heart for your glib stories of attacking icebergs and thieving socialists. Since you are a lawyer, I immediately call to mind creationist Phillip Johnson who is also a lawyer that plays a scientist on tv. Then again, your sly manner and coy glances mostly reminded my of nutjob Kent Hovind. Be my Valentine Chris, screw you.

More Valentines to come as the love fills my heart. Feel free to add your own in the comments.

Talking Dog Interview: Adam Stein

The Talking Dog has an excellent interview with Adam Stein, Vice President for Marketing of Terra Pass. Mr. Stein is obviously on one side of the climate change "debate" but his thoughts are certainly well reasoned. Especially this one.

But a key point is that there is no scientific debate -- there is not a single peer reviewed scientific journal article that disputes the reality of man-made climate change at this point...CO2 records go back 600,000 years, and there is now no alternative explanation-- in short, the "debate" is over. The only question is just how long it takes for most people to understand, and act on this.

Despite what you may hear in certain circles, the debate on man dramatically affecting the world-wide temperature is indeed over. It is now only a matter of discussing what are the potential consequences and, if needed, what are the potential solutions.

h/t: Joe

Goodbye Charlie

Georgia Rep. Charlie Norwood has passed away. As someone who knows the loss created by cancer, politics are put aside and my thoughts are with the Norwood family.

Bizarre

As I occasionally do, I just checked the live feed for the Georgia House and instead of seeing Glenn Richardson beating his gavel, a hunting show is being broadcast. Somebody mix up the feeds? Not that I mind. It's quite enjoyable.

Another Courageous Politician

When asked if the Florida Republican Party should bankroll a ballot initiative banning gay marriage, recently elected Governor Charlie Crist responded, "probably not".

This is not the first time Crist has poked the rabid religious right in the eye. During last year's campaign he pointedly avoided a meeting with the Florida Family Policy Council.

Crist's willingness to buck conventional wisdom, including fiercely going after insurance providers, may be the reason he has a near 70% approval rating among Democrats. As we approach '08, look for Charlie's name to pop up more and more on the national scene.

Done. Absolutely Effin Done.

On February 23rd, John McCain will speak at the creationist Discovery Institute.

Any shred of a thought of my supporting this "maverick" is now gone. I will do everything within my power, including my editorial decisions on this blog, to ensure McCain never gets close to the Oval Office. Biased? Not objective? You bet your ass. As Rusty once said, your running a blog not a democracy. So you run my future posts on McCain through whatever sensey thought filter you want. The sonofabitch is on my list and he will not be removed.

I Fought The Flint

I was cleaning up a closet and found this old t-shirt. It's from the 1994 Flood of the Century. I worked flood relief in Albany, Ga for four weeks. It in no way shape or form fits any more but I can't bring myself to throw it away. Funny how even clothing can become tokens of our past.

What Is Goin' On: The Griftdrift Interview

My interview with Wilson Smith of What Is Goin' On is now up. You can find it HERE. Scroll down to 2-21-07.

UPDATE: Bumping this back to the top since I posted it so late on Friday. Now that I've listened, I guess I don't sound too much like a raving socialist on schools and Gwinnett county might forgive me. Might.

Happy Birthday Darwin

It seems appropriate in the week leading up to Charles Darwin's birthday I'm once again involved in a small but fierce debate over the validity of evolution. Like this particular debate, most are small affairs which devolve into an exercise of mental mastubation. But it is important to remember there are other times the battle really matters.

To wish Mr. Darwin a happy 198th, I'm resurrecting from nine months ago the story of one brave Georgia teacher.

On April 25, 2005, during a meeting about parent complaints with her principal, Rick Conner, she recalled: "He took a Bible off the bookshelf behind him and said, 'Patty I believe in everything in this book, do you?' I told him, 'I really feel uncomfortable about your asking that question.' He wouldn't let it go.' " The next day, she said, in the lunchroom, "he reached across the table, took my hand and said: 'I accept evolution in most things but if they ever sayGod wasn't involved I couldn't accept that. I want you to say that, Pat.' "

The teacher Pat New had received complaints from parents regarding her teaching evolution in her biology class. In the Principal, the angry parents found a sympathetic ear. Ms. New could have easily backed down, remained silent and moved on. Instead, she filed a grievance with the state Board of Education and she was supported fully in her efforts to teach her students the very cornerstone of biology.

Pat New of Lumpkin, Georgia. Just another hero in the seemingly never ending assault on our children's science education.

Also, Coturnix has an excellent list of Darwin Day links. Get thee there and read!

Hawaiian Hookers

To celebrate my subscribing to the excellent newsfeed stateline.org (thanks Randy for the tip), I present to you the enlightened folks of the Oahu State.

Hawaii's legislature is discussing legalizing prostitution. It's believed the bill has no chance of passage but it presents an opportunity to discuss a long ignored problem. Now, here in Georgia we can't even buy beer on Sunday so I have no hope we will have this discussion any time soon. But maybe us sinners might soon get opportunity to satisfy our gambling jones without driving 400 miles.

In a perfect example of the law of unintended consequences, the above picture of the spike heel appeared in an ad for shoes in the story's sidebar.

Pardon My Global Warming

Huntington Beach, California must be so proud. Republican representative Dana Rohrabacher not only disagrees with the recent IPCC report on Global Warming but offers a potential alternate explanation. Dinosaur flatulence. Think I'm kidding? Watch the video.

An Impressive Legislator

Yesterday in my interview with Wilson Smith, I mentioned people should not give up hope in the legislative process because there will always be courageous lawmakers. Idealistic words one could easily sweep away with a wave of post-modern cynicism. Then, you read about David Adelman (D-Decatur).

Earlier this session he showed he is one of the few true leaders is solving Atlanta's balkinazation problem.

Now, he is reintroducing his stem-cell bill that was quashed last year. The bill would simply allow people to donate excess embryos created during fertility treatment to the research facilities at the Medical College of Georgia. Without this type of system, the embryos would be discarded. Now, before the pro-life crazies jump all over me, go back and re-read three words. Would. Be. Discarded.

So the choice is very simple. Toss them in the garbage or store them where in the future they can be used to potentially cure deadly diseases. Seems an easy choice if you are one of those who claim to care so much about the sanctity of life.

Gettin' Strangled In Pike County

Hearing the news of a case in Zebulon, Ga where the Department of Agriculture seized 170 horses and dogs sparked my interest for a couple of reasons. My family has raised livestock including horses all my life. Also, I have a good friend who is a state livestock inspector. I casually wondered if the friend was working the case, then my mind passed on to other things.

Last night, sitting at a bar, an acquaintance brought the case back up. Apparently while I was out of town the incident continued to burble and now has escalated to the point where Commissioner Irvin is suggesting arrest warrants be issued.

My bar buddy suggested the government had gone too far. With an air of authority, he explained he had raised horses and the pictures he had seen showed healthy animals. I pointed out I heard some of the horses had "strangles", a highly contagious respiratory disease which requires immediate quarantine and usually destruction of the animal. He said he didn't know about that but it still seemed they had gone too far.

Apparently, one of the farm's neighbors, Cherry Richards, agrees with my friend.

"This isn't even about the animals," Richards said. "This is about communistic government overrunning human rights. It's political.

Well, now. I don't know the details of the case so I am willing to keep an open mind. It's an inflammatory situation but if someone as reserved as Tommy Irvin is calling for warrants, I suspect there may be some fire with that smoke. Y'all down Zebulon way feel free to change my mind.

I will say one thing definitively. If anyone were to ever call my Ag Inspector friend a communist? They would shortly find a cowboy boot up their ass.

The Gals Are Back!

New episode of True Gritz! Lawrsy help us they done been held down at the cathouse!

My Morning Wooten

What kind of Democrats does Jim Wooten like?

I’m rebuilding a national Democratic Party to my liking. So far, its leaders are U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and … well, I guess it’s just Joe.

In other words, the only Democrats worth a damn are ones that agree exactly with Jim on the War In Iraq. All the rest are dirty, dope smoking, hippie, anti-war, unpatriotic thumb suckers. What color is the sky in the world you live in, Jim?

Three Thoughts On The Blogger Scandal

So John Edwards hired some bloggers to perform outreach and then was shocked, SHOCKED these gals may have used some inflammatory language. Including cussing!

First thought. Right wing bloggerati? He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind.

Second thought. I agree with Sara. Why the hell are campaigns hiring bloggers? I will skip past the why the hell aren't they giving at least a casual vetting of bloggers question for a second. But hiring bloggers? Hey! Where can I sign up for one of these wheelbarrows full of cash? Oh wait a minute. I say bad words, tell people exactly what I think about them and pretty much piss off everybody in sight. Guess that's why I'm still poor.

Final thought. Apparently this little "scandal" was all the rage of the internet crowd over the last few days. And because I was in the country I missed it all. Gawsh, Wally. I guess being "wired" in just ain't all it's crack up to be.

Griftdrift Is Goin' On!

Tomorrow morning, on my way back to the ATL, I'll make a stop in lovely Vidalia, Ga to visit with What Is Goin' On's Wilson Smith. Mr. Smith has graciously requested an interview. We'll be talking politics and the subjects might be far and ranging. No telling what will happen when you get two south Georgia boys together. I can guarantee one thing though. You'll hear accents you may not hear every day. I'll make every attempt to not let Wilson influence my eloqution causing me to drop back into my honey dipped, marbles in the mouth southwest Georgia accent.

UPDATE: Things I learned. It is absolutely necessary to differentiate between Vidalia and Lyons. Given the current state of the BBQ market in Vidalia, I may consider taking my heavy duty cooker down there and opening shop. I need to take a basic marketing class as I am pretty sure I mentioned Peach Pundit about a dozen times and my own blog only once. I think by the end of the interview I asserted Erick had mental powers that controlled the legislature. I'm pretty sure I came off sounding like a raving socialist on public education. I'm also pretty sure I took a shot at Gwinnett and now have to mark it on the list of counties where I am no longer welcome. Despite my usually craziness, I had a blast. Check back for a link to the podcast when it's up. Many thanks, Wilson!

Air of Superiority?

Just heard on the news we lost another helicopter near Baghdad. That makes five in the past three weeks. In the past, the one arena untouched by Iraqi militants has been the air. Are we now being confronted on this battlefield as well? Anyone still believe we aren't facing organized armies? Anyone still think we aren't just targets for both sides in a civil war?

Nothin'

I got nothin today. Too much to do outside. Check blogroll.

On The Road Again

Headed south for a few days. Library blogging tomorrow!

The Longest War

The evolution battle never ends.

Fortunately, one side has fought a continuously losing battle for decades. But just because they always lose doesn't mean you ever let them up. Stomp every brush fire before it becomes a conflagration.

So Much For Statesmenship

Georgia state Senator Eric Johnson on global warming in the AJC:

It's really hard to ask politicians to think about the election next year and think about what the coast is going to look like in 100 or 200 years.

Points for being honest, but, wouldn't it be nice to expect our leaders to be able to see beyond their nose.

h/t: Atlanta Political Party

Saturday Stupids

Too many people on the same old road

Loaded down with the same old load

To live a good life you can't do it that way

Cause every day is different and it's different every day. ~ Words of Earnest

Songs In My Head

You Put Your Candy In It

Georgia Legislator Judy Manning wants to ban marijuana flavored candy.

Time to roll in the clue machine. Rep. Manning? No one smokes pot because of the flavor. Now if some mad scientist were to gin up some candy flavored marijuana...

My Morning Wooten

Is it no longer a requirement to fact check the opinion pages?

Let's look at some gems from Jim Wooten's Thinking Right column.

This week’s AJC look at how drivers cope with long commutes identifies the problem of creating a useful mass transit system: Briarcliff Road to Sandy Springs, Alpharetta to Duluth, Barrow County to Alpharetta, Locust Grove to Morrow, Cobb County to Atlanta, Cherokee County to Perimeter Mall, East Cobb to the airport. You get the picture. A handful here, a handful there. Now design an affordable transit system. We missed that bus about 60 years ago.

Actually Jim it was only about 40 years ago and it was anti-mass transit crusaders such as yourself who killed MARTA entering Cobb, Gwinnett and Clayton. In the 60s, Atlanta had a chance to create a world class mass transit system and due to latent racism, anti-government hysteria and the short sighted belief that places like May-retta and Duluth would always be rural, we are now stuck with few answers to a destructive transportation problem. Irony I name thee.

Hmmm. “Macaca,” when used by a U.S. senator with presidential ambitions, is a crime warranting public execution. When a U.S. senator with presidential ambitions declares Barack Obama to be the first African-American candidate who is “articulate and bright, and clean, and is a nice-looking guy …,” the excuse-makers pour forth. Imagine the reaction if a Republican, say former U.S. Sen. George Allen of Virginia, had used the same language as Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.).

Well, Jim, in my unscientific survey, I discovered yesterday that most people snarled at the idiot Joe Biden. Including those notoriously forgiving people at Daily Kos. Lots of people think Biden's an idiot. You could uses the google to find just as many as you want. Of course it's much easier to follow the old demagogue maxim of "if I say it, it must be true".

My only explanation for Jim getting away with these howlers is his editors assume readers are also laughing. Sadly, many are not.

Florida To End Touch Screen Voting

Florida Governor Charlie Crist is requesting the legislature provide funding to convert all of Florida's counties from touch-screen voting to optical scanners.

More paper does mean more accountability. The only problem? The HBO documentary "Hacking Democracy" demonstrates optical scanners are just as vulnerable to tampering.

The only real solution?

Open source. Now.

What If...

What if Joe Biden were a sportscaster?

Barak Obama = Very athletic and can improvise on the scramble

Joe Biden = Very smart and masters the playbook

Songs In My Head

Texas Woman

From The Rookie:

I'm a Texas woman, which means I don't need the help of a man to keep things running.

Godspeed Molly.