Quote Of The Day

Charlie Harper on how politicians frequently skew budgetary priorities:

Georgia could spend $20 Million on fishing, but it couldn’t spend money on teachers.  On veterans.  On trauma care. Go fish represents the last Governor’s monument to misplaced priorities

Charlie's article expands on this most recent example of appropriations infamy to explore the upcoming transportation vote and the proposed new Falcons stadium.Well worth the read.

The Best Of The Drifts - Praying For Rain

Scene from the backbench at the rain dance

Originally published on November 13, 2007

Weirdness And Clarity At The Capitol

Bowed heads during the many prayer breaks easily denoted the heathens (and most of the media) from the true believers at Governor Perdue's pray for rain "hoot n holler" down at the Capitol today.

It was a diverse crowd of around 200 who came to hear the praying of preachers and the pontificating of politicians. Many beseechers raised their hands throughout the service towards a mockingly cloudless sky.

Like the proverbial moths, the media warrior camera jockeys working the edges of the crowd were invariably drawn to the weird. For those without a front row seat, this meant either the two pretty girls with a pink umbrella or one particular Frankenfreak-tall fanatic.

Practically bubbling, the umbrella girls would only confirm they were both state workers who brought the useless parasol to show their faith. However, most of their time was spent with their backs to the prayers, yearningly looking towards the row of local camera trucks - faith in brief fame being a surer bet than Jesus loving pink.

Down the way, possibly to the chagrin of the pretties in pink, cameras flocked to the broad back of one true-believer. He towered over the crowd, holding his hands towards his eternal home. Anyone who growed up in a small southern church would instantly recognize the creature - corrective shoes, short-sleeved dress shirt, a whiff of stale sweat and a look of vague zombie-like fanaticism which would scare all but the most degenerate gutter-drunk straight into the detox.

Most photogs quietly snuck up behind their prey, snapped away and quickly vamoosed fearing the giant might suddenly turn to lay the heat of holy rapture on their forehead. But one brave photojournalist insistently tapped him on the shoulder and eventually breaking the reverie received a whispered exchange from the devotee. The incessant whir of the news choppers and the verse spewing of the amplified preachers masked their conversation, burying it in the endless annals of mystical mutterings. Or a soon-to-be-seen AP caption in your nearest dead tree media.

Governor Perdue concluded the service with a brief prayer directed towards the heavens. Slowly, overhead a peregrine falcon circled, a church bell rang in the distance and probably somewhere a dog howled.

But sadly for all the fanatics, thumpers and quiet zombies shivering in ecstasy below, only the clear blue eye of the great Sky Daddy stared back. Not even a mist of weepiness in sight.

Sanford's Georgia Connection

Gov. Perdue spokesman Bert Brantley reached out to S.C. Governor Mark Sanford's staff during the "Days Of The Missing Governor Crisis". Above is the email. Click to enlarge.

So, that's why they never return my calls. I bet Baxter never has this problem.


h/t: Left On Lanier

Penitent Sonny

You know, the Insider has a point. Yesterday, Sonny did basically admit it's our fault the water supply is so screwed up.

We acknowledge our wastefulness. We acknowledge that we haven’t done the things we need to do. Father, forgive us and lead us to honor you as you honor us with the showers of blessing.

If it takes dragging his stubborn rear to an altar call to get him to stop talking about shellfish and start talking about real solutions, so be it.

Sonny Perdue: Pragmatic Technologist?

I've always loved the fact that Governor Sonny Perdue dresses up in silly clothes. My understanding is his habit of putting on every doo-dad a constiutent provides drives his staff batty. Especially his tendency to do it whenever a camera is near. But I've always thought it was one side of the Governor I could always relate to. Instead of the hard-nosed politician, it allowed me to view him as the goofy uncle who at the family reunion suddenly opens the flap on his overalls to moon everyone.

Now I have a new area where I can relate to the Guvner. He's a geek. The simple discovery that he can run a VI editor floors me quicker than any pictures of him partying with kids at a high school prom.

To see the true depths of the Guv's geekitude (as well as some interesting, possibly controversial, thoughts on the role of technology in government) read this thoroughly fascinating interview conducted by Stephanie Overby of CIO Magazine.

My Governor actually knows how to operate a UNIX system. Forgive me but that's going to take a while to process.