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!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
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.
Oh wait. Yes, they do.
Dr. Phil and I actually agree. Strange days, bubba. Strange days.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
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.
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.
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.
Monday, February 26, 2007
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 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.
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.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
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!
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, February 24, 2007
Friday, February 23, 2007
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.
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.
Hop over and check it out.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Georgia The Overgovernmented
Can someone please explain to me why a city needs permission from the legislature to set up a parks department?
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.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
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.
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.
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.Sen. Johnson? What will it take to make you stop lying?
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.
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.
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.
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