Back South

More business to deal with down on the farm. Don't trash the place in my absence.

Water From The Stone

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. ~Proverbs 10:11

28, 26, 25, 24.

These are numbers that have haunted me for the past day. Normally, the only numbers I count are the ones I discuss with my favorite degenerate gambler friend on Thursday night as we wait, like two dogs slobbering over a bone, for the kickoff of the first college game. Do you take the over on the game and sweat through the first quarter when both offenses look like feeble junior varsity teams, do you dare call at half time to take the teaser second half line or do you just throw all you money at the nearest stumbling drunk and scream at him to call out random keno numbers?

At least football makes some sense. Unlike politics.

Politics is a loser. It will suck you in, drag you along and then crush you like the strange twisted ways of an 8th grade bra clasp. The man who tells you he knows the ways of politics is the worst kind of charlatan. He should not only be ridden out on of town on a rail but should also be shaved bare and left naked at the edge of a bee farm.

But bets have to be made and numbers have to be called. And only those who cannot resist the tug are awake when decent people are asleep, mumbling incoherently about the spread that they should have seen and the junk of the hard facts intruding on the voodoo behind their picks.

The worst bastard in the world is the one who crows at the bar about how he called the sure lock of the century while poor hopheads who spent their last rent check on some horrible deceit like South Florida start chewing at the brass bar fittings.

Politics. God help us all. At least the bookies win on the games. Hell, nobody wins at this awful thing that is politics. We chew around the edges hoping to nibble off just enough to sustain the vig.

The only safe bet is football. At least on those treacherous fields, the only ones who get hurt are the next generation. Lord knows, you read the bones wrong on this thing called politics and we might all be awash in gap-toothed carnies until the wheel circles again and bathes us all in the fires of Megiddo.

Songs In My Head

What Is Goin' On: Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center

Wilson has a fascinating interview Doug Wilson, Executive Director of the Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center.

They discuss how water affects the entire state, even those strange places far to the south of Atlanta and its beleaguered lake.

Go give it a listen.

I Am The God Of Hellfire!

Apparently, some think a few glib remarks by moi could cause despair and destruction to the entire Democratic Party of Georgia.

Oh, if only it were so.

For the record, what I said about certain Democrats remaining on the sideline was opinion not fact. In came from the terribly greedy part of my soul which whispers "if you were in the same position given the circumstances, getting the hell out and taking care of numero uno would certainly be priority number one".

But that's just me. And I speak for no one but myself.

Now, back to my lair, where I will plan my next earth-shattering, paradigm shifting, swoon inducing, fainting couch inspiring utterance.

UPDATE: And another thing. It may not be an "informed opinion" but in my experience when politcians hang 'em up for good, in many cases it is because they are tired of the sludge wars and want to move on to something a little more rewarding.

And you know my opinion, informed or uninformed, you decide, of that? Good for them!

Georgia Politics Podcast Episode 14

After a few months, the gang is back together.

Check out the latest Georgia Politics Podcast, live on tape, actually digital, from Manuel's Tavern.

We discuss the drought, Genarlow, Presidential politics and the sad state of affairs on the Democratic side of the upcoming Senate race.

CORRECTION: In the podcast, I said Wilson's sentene was vacated and I've now been informed that is incorrect. Mea culpa. Lawyer stuff is confusing.

CORRECTION II: Now I'm told I was right sort of. Vacated was the wrong term but the sentence was set aside. Lawyers. Bottom line, dude's free as he should be.

Go Fish

Remember that whole fishing tourney economic development thingie?

Two “Go Fish” tournaments on Lake Lanier were canceled last week due to a lack of water

That just about says it all.

Georgia Gang Howler Of The Week

But not for the reason you might think.

First, let me say the "Gang" showed remarkable restraint on the Genarlow Wilson decision. Even ardent conservative Phil Kent couched it as a philosophical question of one governmental branch versus the other. Nary one use of the "liberal" or "activist" slurs.

But wait, friend. It gets much, much stranger.

Phil Kent: I've come to the conclusion that we are going to have to start limiting some of this growth...and I'm not so sure if we were all county commissioners we'd want to put some building moratoriums on.

That sound you heard is pigs falling from the sky as their wings failed them.

Did someone put something in Kent's coffee?

Shame

It would be easy to say ignorance abounds, but that would be laying the light switch on the peckerwoods when they deserve the full strop.

Shall we begin with Senate President Pro Tem Eric Johnson?

He, who when responding to a CNN inquiry regarding Genarlow Wilson's acquittal on a particular charge responded, "it was rape in my mind".

When legislation was presented to take fair unanimous correction in a heinously unjust law back through the throes of time to include the very soul who inspired such urgency for reformation, how did Senator Johnson respond?

With a tut-tut, he queried, how could the legistature in good conscience rewrite law to undo the good faith process of the judiciary? Had not the judiciary spoken in the matter of Genarlow Wilson?

Senator Johnson repeatedly asked us, the good people of Georgia, to trust the judicial process, for it was that holy institution which had convicted Genarlow Wilson and who were we, the people and the representatives of the people, to second guess the will of the Wilson jury in their wisdom?

But apparently the will of the judicial system only matters when it is convenient.

Following yesterday's ruling by the Supreme Court of the State of Georgia that Wilson's sentence constituted "cruel and unusual punishment", Senator Johnson issued the following statement.

By a single vote, the Supreme Court has opened the door for the release of hundreds of sexual predators. But equally disturbing is the fact that this activist court is once again clearly defying legislative intent. This case has never really been about Genarlow Wilson. It has been about the rule of law. The General Assembly did change the law related to minors having oral sex, but it expressly declined to make this law retroactive to those sentenced under previous laws. By ignoring this part of the legislature's wishes, this court has deliberately chosen to disregard the General Assembly's Constitutional authority. This is troubling to me and it should be to all Georgians.

What should be troubling to all Georgians is the the second most powerful man in the Senate implored us to ignore the sentence of a jury because we should trust what is "rape in his mind", then told us we should not change the law because we should trust the decision of the jury but when mule finally comes home to kick now tells us we shouldn't trust "activist judges" who seek to rewrite the "good" law so heavily weighed by our trustworthy legislators.

It is so terribly hard to keep count on who we should trust.

But here is an easy score to mark. When the Genarlow Wilson decision came down, on that clear day of justice and rectitude, certain leaders in the Republican Party and their personal harpies in the media chose not quiet restraint but instead opted for fakery and obfuscation.

A Life Renewed

A long, tortuous jouney reaches completion. Genarlow Wilson is a free man.

This morning the Georgia Supreme court ruled Wilson's sentence invalid under the Constitution of Georgia's "cruel and unusual" clause - bringing to a conclusion the four year odyssey which Georgians may wish to forget. However, a young man sacrificed nearly four years of his life and for this fact alone there are many things we should never forget.

It should have ended with the legislature. Seeing the insanity of the previous law, in the spring of 2005, that esteemed body moved quickly to adjust the law which snared Wilson. But as law making bodies can be wont to do, the leaders of Georgia only completed half the task. They did not include a retroactive clause to seek justice for Genarlow Wilson. The residents of the Hill must not forget that they are elected by the people to complete all the work before them. Not simply what is convenient.

It should also be remembered the task of the legislature was made more difficult by a lack of leadership from those in charge. Instead of quiet leadership to correct a grievous error, some chose the moment to grandstand and spray scurrilous tales to inflame the passions of the 'good people' of Georgia. With these acts, these leaders dishonored themselves and dishonored their duty. They must not forget when the oath of office is taken, it is a reflection of the three words on the Great Seal of Georgia; Wisdom, Justice, Moderation.

And lest we forget the original act, the young people of this state should remember that all actions have consquences. At times, as in Genarlow Wilson's case, the consequences do not reflect the circumstance but consquences will be applied nonetheless. Foolish acts bring repercussions. A few moments of immaturity and recklessness can ruin a life. No one should have to suffer as Wilson did but neither should anyone enter into circumstances where the possible outcome is tragic.

Unlike Genarlow, many are never saved. Many never have a chance for a life renewed.

To read the many strange twists of the Genarlow Wilson tale, please go here.

Georgia Blog Carnival

The Carnival is in town! Go visit Rusty's place to enjoy the best of the Georgia blogosphere.

Crist On The Water Wars

Another dispatch from Florida. This time in the form of a letter to President Bush from ridiculously popular Republican Governor Charlie Crist.

Reacting to the concerns of an upstream State to suspend environmental laws unilaterally at the expense of a downstream State’s ecology and economy cannot be justified in any circumstance.

Political Insider has the full letter.

It seems that Governor Perdue is intent on channeling the ghost of ancient firebrand Joe Brown to show a willingness to antagonize even his own borders in a fruitless bluster.

At least we can thank the stars Governors these days choose to fire off written missives instead of mustering the state militias for action.

Grady Roundup

Since the strange tale of Dr. James Murtagh, the fires of the Grady crisis have somewhat cooled. It is as if the city, region and state took a collective deep breath before the struggle which is sure to commence in January.

This does not mean activity has not been floating around just under the public's radar. Here are some items of interest.

Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth), who has played a critical role in tempering the rift between state and local, takes the AJC to task for two recent editorials criticizing State officials who are asking for accountability before providing funding.

But it is ridiculous for him to suggest that contract and culture reform are “sideshows” to Grady’s “revivial.” They are central to saving the hospital. Just like you cannot fix a leaky bucket by refilling it with water, you cannot save Grady with money alone. It takes governance, contract and culture reform, and those cannot “wait.”

Sen. Shafer also provides an explanation of DSH or "DiSH" and how it is possibly hindering Grady.

Yes, Grady has been hurt by the redirection of DSH funds. But as I told James Salzer of the AJC, Grady’s problems are bigger than this one program, and those problems cannot be solved with money alone. Saving Grady will require a combination of governance, contract and culture reform, and all three must be vigorously pursued.

Meanwhile, one of the current participants in Grady funding Dekalb County has its own politician wading into the fray. Republican commissioner Elaine Boyer has presented a rather strongly worded resolution regarding the relationship between Grady and the largest employer in Dekalb County, Emory Hospital.

1. Emory would forebear inadequately documented bills, eliminating debt from Grady’s balance sheet and giving the troubled hospital much needed breathing room.

2. Grady and Emory would implement audit recommendations requiring full documentation of all future bills. Grady’s auditors say that new documentation procedures would not only help Grady financially but improve the quality of patient care. Full documentation would also end the discriminatory treatment of Morehouse which is inexplicably required to provide six times as much documentaion for its doctors than Emory.

3. Emory would assume liability for its own malpractice. Not only would this save Grady millions of dollars each year defending and settling lawsuits against Emory employees, it would bring the Emory-Grady contract in line with best practices and likely improve the quality
of patient care.

4. A new Emory-Grady contract would be negotiated recognizing Grady’s in-kind value to Emory as both a tool to attract tuition-paying students and a source of patient and research revenue.

Positions are being taken. Maneuvering is being done. All agree the a solution has to be met. The only questions remaining are will the chicken (funding) or the egg (reform) come first and of course, the all important, who will get the credit. Stay tuned.

Water Tour Continues

Sitting in central Florida with the rain steadly pouring from above, one suddenly feels akin to the primitive humans who looked to the heavens and silently wondered, how the hell does this happen?

To travel from a land so parched to one so lush in just a few days reminds of one truth. Weather has a mind of its own.

Water Wars

Not 100 feet into the Moultrie City limits, a local radio talk show host was heard to say the following.

"Get ready for the water wars, folks. And Atlanta is the enemy."

It's a story as old as reckoning and I have a feeling it's about to get worse.

Saturday Stupids

Almost Halloween. Ooooooo scary.

No Worries South Georgia

House Speaker Glenn Richardson says despite the fact we are drinking dirt in North Georgia, my South Georgia farm has nothing to worry about.

South Georgia has nothing to worry about when it comes to North Georgia’s search for water, said Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson.

As with anything coming out of Speaker Richardson's mouth, my first impression is to wait and see.

The Way Things Work

Pardon my meta. Don't like it? I don't give a damn. Go somewhere else. There's a few things that need to be cleared up around these parts and I am about to do the clearing.

Let's be perfectly clear about one thing. I am not a journalist. There are many fine people trained in that profession and you will see me frequently refer to their work. They live by certain codes and certain rules. These codes and ethics protect them and at the same time protect those with whom they interact.

I am bound by none of these.

But, I still follow my own code to the best of my ability. Still, I have people who have never so much been in the same room as me question my ethics. I have those who are in the profession look down on me because of the medium I use. I have genuinely good people question why I am at a certain event when it's not a "blogger" thing. The thought that I might be after a story, just like them, never enters their thoughts.

But still I follow certain rules. Not because I am afraid of libel. Not because my corporate overlords require it. I follow them because it is the way I am.

Unlike many bloggers, I do not report rumors. I do not throw every piece of crap I receive against the wall to see what sticks. Oh, how easy it would be to just publish every salacious tidbit and never worry about the consequences.

If I am working on an original piece and someone tells me something on background that is where it stays. It is used as a lead to pursue a story and it is used to confirm things on the record. It is sacrosanct.

If it is on the record, it's fair game.

If I witness it myself, it's fair game.

That's the black and white part of the dance we dance.

Now here is the ugly part. Where the sausage is made.

We all use each other. Political groups use the media, and I mean all media, to get their story out. Media use their connections within political groups to get the real story. It's a relationship of mutual use for the benefit of both. It is tacitly acknowledged and as long as both sides feel the use is fair and is not misuse everyone remains happy and the game continues as it has for centuries.

The problem comes when one side feels the chafe of the use. It happens if a media outlet burns a source. There's a reason reporters go to jail when a judge orders them to reveal a source. It also happens the other way. Like when a campaign uses a a media outlet to beat the drum, to stir up certain passions, to manuever the story without the reciprocity of the opportunity to get the full story.

So there's a new rule I am going to follow more strictly and there are three words certain people in the game need to learn quickly.

Off the record.

In the past, knowing it could lead to future useful information, I've assumed many casual conversations to be off the record. It's just another part of the game. Even when someone tells you something you could report because they have not said it is off the record, you don't. Because the cold, hard fact is if you report that tidbit, a larger story down the road never happens because that source dries up.

But if you break the rules, the game changes. If a media outlet feels used, some of the casual assumptions may just be thrown out the window. You feel a lot less guilt about burning someone if they've held the torch to you first.

So, from now on, the record is the record. And if it's off the record, you damned well better say it.

And if this keeps me from being invited to certain soirees. So be it. I'll just have to work a little harder. I've been too damned lazy anyway.

Speaking Of Shellfish

Scientists may have found evidence of the first oyster dinner, pushing the notion of "culture" a few thousand years earlier than previously thought.

Josh Lanier

A little over 30 years ago I was in the third grade.

I'd never heard of Hunter S. Thompson but I did know Jimmy Carter.

After LBJ "lost the South for a generation" to have a relatively unknown one term governor from Georgia win the Presidency seemed inconceivable. But it happened.

Two years, earlier, Carter, at the time the Governor of Georgia, gave an address on Law Day at the University of Georgia.

When I was about 12 years old, I liked to read, and I had a school principal, named Miss Julia Coleman, Judge Marshall knows her. She forced me pretty much to read, read, read, classical books. She would give me a gold star when I read 10 and a silver star when I read 5.

One day, she called me in and she said, "Jimmy, I think it's time for you to read 'War and Peace.'" I was completely relieved because I thought it was a book about cowboys and Indians. Well, I went to the library and
checked it out, and it was 1,415 pages thick, I think, written by Tolstoy, as you know, about Napoleon's entry into Russia in the 1812-15 era. He had never been defeated, and he was sure he could win, but he underestimated the severity of the Russian winter and the peasants' love for their land.

To make a long story short, the next spring he retreated in defeat. The course of history was changed; it probably affected our own lives.

The point of the book is, and what Tolstoy points out in the epilogue is, that he didn't write the book about Napoleon or the Czar of Russia or even the generals, except in a rare occasion. He wrote it about the students and the housewives and the barbers and the farmers and the privates in the army. And the point of the book is that the course of human events, even the greatest historical events, are not determined by the leaders of a nation or a state, like Presidents or governors or senators. They are controlled by the combined wisdom and courage and commitment and discernment and unselfishness and compassion and love and idealism of the common ordinary people.

If that was true in the case of Russia where they had a czar or France where they had an emperor, how much more true is it in our own case where the Constitution charges us with a direct responsibility for determining what our government is and ought to be.

I will tell you this. I've shook the hands of men who have mended my fence. I've shook the hand of the man who tossed five 50 pound bags of 15-15-15 in the back of my truck. I've shook the hands of men who sign notes to save farms in the morning and go to help gather hay in the afternoon. I have shook the hands of men who have never seen a hard day of labor.

I've never shook Josh Lanier's hand but I have talked to the man. I can't tell you most of what passed because it was personal. I can't tell you because in some places that still matters.

We will see what comes next, but maybe it's time to pay attention to the things that still matter.