Evolve Or Die

It is not the destination, it is the journey. ~Zen proverb

The beauty of the blog is how one blip of the RSS feed can lead you down a rabbit-hole of links.

Today, I noticed an interesting headline accompanied by one snarkily tasty graphic at The Moderate Voice. An aside. TMV provides some of the best media coverage and commentary around. If you aren't reading TMV, you should be. But back to that headline.

Shawn Mullen tags his latest post, "Growing The Journalist-Blogger Relationship". Given the travails of the local fishwrapper, my curiousity carried me through the RSS feed and onto the main page of TMV. Shawn's article led me to the blog of Will Bunch of the Philadelphia Daily News. Which then led me to this 2005 article by Bunch.

We are, and can continue to be, the front-line warriors of information -- serving up the most valuable commodity in a media-driven era. But that means we must be the message, not the medium, and so we must adjust to give consumers news in the high-tech ways that they are asking for, not the old-tech way that we are confortable with...If we don't change, we will die - and it will be our fault.

Follow the links and read the whole thing. Then go to your local media sites and judge for youself. Who gets it and who doesn't?

I Blame Scott Henry

On the day Creative Loafing publishes its annual Golden Sleaze Awards, the Georgia Republican Leadership loses its mind.

Governor Perdue crawls back from whatever fishin' hole he's been hiding in to do something no governor has done in 40 years. Veto the budget.

Glenn Richardson, already teetering on the edge of crazy, actually shuts the Governor's staff out of the House and starts recruiting Democrats to override a veto of the first Republican Governor in 8 generations.

Placed in a near impossible political position, Lt. Gov Casey Cagle chooses to walk around naked in the vain hope no one will notice the "emperor's new clothes".

Yeoman's work, Mr. Henry. Yeoman's work, indeed.

Dirty Old Town

WARNING! Adult language and subject matter.

The Lifeline of Hope

For complete background on the Genarlow Wilson case please see this Atlanta Magazine article.

A few moons ago, my friend Wilson Smith asked me if I believed the issues taken up by the General Assembly were pre-determined. I answered it is the nature of politics that those in power make the rules and there is little the minority can do. After seeing Wilson's face turn slightly ashen, I offered a lifeline of hope that there will be times when a brave legislator steps forward to do what is right instead of what is convenient..

As I followed the debate in the Senate on Amendments 1 and 1a to House Bill 197, I felt my own lifeline of optimisim slipping away.

Sen. Emanuel Jones rose to present Amendment 1. The law would allow judicial review of any convictions within the last five years which would have been rendered moot if last year's change to Georgia's aggravated child molestation statue, the so called "Romeo and Juliet" provision, had been in effect. Although the name was not mentioned, the unspoken beneficiary of the amendment would be Genarlow Wilson, sentenced under the old law to the mandatory minimum of 1o years for having consensual oral sex with a 15 year old girl when he was 17. If the act had occured after July 1st, 2006, Wilson would have at most been charged with a misdemeanor.

Frustration was evident on Jones' face. He had worked diligently the entire session to tailor legislation which would provide justice for Wilson. Faced with waves of objection, including specious accusations of freeing hoardes of sexual predators, Jones finally presented an amendment constructed so narrowly it would affect only 91 convictions. All would require judicial review specifically defined to address the change in the statute. No amnesty for molestors. No free pass out of prison for predators. Simply a chance for the original judge to review the case and determine if justice was truly done.

Jones' reward for his dogged work? First, Judiciary Chair Preston Smith rose to praise Jones for his hard work, receive reciprocal praise for his own assistance on the amendment and then matter of factly state despite all this hard work, the bill would not pass constitutional muster. Then, Erick Johnson rose to continue his tales of loosed predators, victims repeatedly traumatized and lawmakers intefering with the actions of juries and judges.

Democrats rose to defend the amendment. A second amendment was proffered to address the constitutional question. Attempts were made to part the lace of fear and deceit so carefully woven by their Republican opponents.

All political theater. All staged so the Republicans could act tough on crime and Democrats could be on record as trying to save a young man from a travesty of justice. It was apparent to all the Jones amendment was dead before it was born. Snuffed by a powerful committee chair, the President Pro Tem and their colleagues.

I felt the cautious optimism I offered Wilson seep away. I was actually witnessing the fait accompli I had warned was the norm. It mattered not that a life would remain in ruins; that a young man would rot in jail branded with the scarlet letter of "sexual offender" for the rest of his life. Despite the so-called stately manner of the Senate, this august body's continued claims of reason, on this day, only politics mattered.

Then another Senator rose to speak.

Sen. Dan Weber, Republican from Dekalb County.

Sen. Weber defended the constitutionality of the amendments. Politely but mercilessly he questioned a member of his own party on the specific statutes and exclusions. In the tortuous manner of Senate debate, Weber expressed to his colleagues that he believed the amendment was passable. That it was good law.

Jones amendment failed 32-19. The fait accompli done. Genarlow Wilson still incarcerated with little further hope.

As the camera panned the Senate chamber, I noticed one rather lengthy arm raised in support of the amendment. It was the prodigious appendage of Sen. Dan Weber.

It was a small act, probably lost in the maelstrom of the last days of an overlong session. But as I told Wilson, it is on the smallest stands where we must latch our belief that all is not pre-ordained. Although I weep at the travesty which was executed in the Senate on April 17th, one man's vote forces me to once again grasp at the lifeline of hope.

Thugs

Let me say first, in the end they did the right thing.

Where to begin? There are so many angles.

The politics? Certainly, good politics would dictate avoiding a controversial issue where many of your own allies stand against you on the day following a national tragedy which can be linked to the matter.

The new media? It's hard to imagine this story being reported on the same day it occurred in the old media world. It is easy to imagine a past where it would have been buried on the third page of the metro section. A practice that would allow it to be quickly forgotten. Godspeed, Tom Baxter. It makes one wonder if the AJC actually realizes what it is losing.

No, instead the focus should be on the viscera. The awful feeling that roils the gut when one can't quite believe what is happening. Surely in our modern world, filled with civility and post-modern idealism we are beyond Preston Brooks walking into the Senate to thrash Charles Sumner. Certainly, we must believe a gang cannot simply enter our houses of government and bend the representatives of the people to their will. But, yesterday, that is exactly what happened in the Georgia Senate.

There were no beatings. There were no scuffles. There was no literal blood on the floor. In this new political world, the thugs do not strike in the dark alleys. They march down the tiled halls of power, boldly into the very heart of Democracy and drag their shockingly docile victims into side rooms for the figurative beat down.

Instead of wielding guns while charging on horses, the gucci wearing lobbyist of the National Rifle Association flew from Washington in private jets armed with letters threatening political horror on any who would oppose their latest pet bill. So confident are these vigilantes, they refuse to remove their heels from the chest of the prostrate victims even when they beg to let the matter quietly fade away in arcane procedure.

We may never know what happened behind closed doors last night in the Georgia Senate but in the end Casey Cagle and his Republican caucus did march back into their chamber and adjourn the session without a vote on Senate Bill 89. There were no visible bruises but the deeper hurts will linger. Although unsuccessful in the end, for a brief moment, a gang brought a house of the people to its knees.

Somewhere in the darkened halls, the thugs remain. Patiently biding their time until the predator instinct once again urges them to seek blood.

The Coming Home

As if I wasn't already inspired. Senate Bill 89.

But an hour later, the bill came roaring back. Republican senators were called one-by-one up to the fourth floor office of state Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), where an angry official from the NRA — who’d flown in from Washington for this very bill —gave lawmakers what-for.

I guess we have to answer to Washington. That probably wouldn't have played well in 1861 Sen. Mullis.

Tomorrow.

Senate Bill 89, also Genarlow Wilson Amendment

Senate Bill 89 is scheduled for floor debate in the Senate today. For those of you not in Georgia, this is the mutated form of the original Senate Bill 43. Bill 43 would have prevented employers from banning their employees from carrying guns onto company property. It is strongly supported by the national N.R.A. but opposed by the Georgia affililate of the N.R.A. and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. The national N.R.A. even went so far as to try to subvert the age old legal principle of vicarious liability.

Some say the new bill removes the vicarious liability sacrifice. The N.R.A claims it got everything it wants. After a full day of analysis by the wonks, I'm not sure anyone knows for sure. Perhaps today's debate can elucidate. But given the tragedy in Virginia yesterday, I doubt even such a serene body as the Senate can temper the emotions.

Via the live feed, I plan to live blog the debate. Prepare for the snark.


If they ever get to it.

UPDATE: Georgia Political Digest is reporting the vote may be delayed. Given the length of time spent on the appropriations bill and the sensitivity of the day, I'm predicitng GPD is going to be right.

UPDATE II: Session still not reconvened, but here's an interesting tidbit from the Political Insider.

We’re told that a handful of GOP senators are insisting on a vote — and that Cagle has promised the NRA that the revised bill will come to the floor. Another 10 to 11 senators adamantly oppose moving the bill today or any other day this session.

I can certainly imagine the angst this is causing the Republican leadership but to me the more interesting tidbit is the next paragraph.

The NRA has made the bill a scorecard issue, and promised an ‘F’ to any senator voting against it.

And there you have it. The N.R.A. scorecards are not based on a broad view of a legislator's history for or against gun ownership. It's based solely on whether said legislator is willing to drop trou and grab ankles over the latest piece of looniness dreamed up in a lobbyist think tank. Remember that the next time you consider being influenced by one of these "scorecards".

UPDATE III: Still no SB 89 but the Genarlow Wilson amendment is being presented.

UPDATE IV: I'm really disgusted by the whole thing. Sen. Jones tried to tailor his amendment as narrowly as possible in order to address the abomination that is the Genarlow Wilson case and now he is being pounded that it is too narrow. I hope you are proud Republicans. Smarmy doesn't even begin to describe this.

UPDATE V: Sen. Preston Smith. If you are so damned concerned about the constitutionality of the amendment based on the exclusion of those that pled guilty instead of asking for a jury trial than proffer a damned amendment. Based on the questions this thing is not going to pass. If I were a Republican in this state I would do some deep soul searching over the next year about the antics of your leadership on this matter.

UPDATE VI: Sen. Michael Meyer von Bremen (D-12) rescued Jones on the constitutionality question pointing out exclusions already exist in the current code as amended by this Senate last year. I have a new politician to admire.

UPDATE VII: Instead of Smith proffering an amendment to address the exclusion of pled sentences, David Adelman (D-Decatur) is offering the amendment. By God some Democrats are actually fighting! I'm wandering outside to see if pigs are flying.

UPDATE VIII: HERE'S JOHNSON! The gloves now really come off.

UPDATE IX: Johnson: "Wilson has an offer on the table to plead to a reduced sentence". BECAUSE HE WOULD STILL BE ON THE SEXUAL PREDATOR LIST. Johnson points out that he could conveniently wait the ten years to apply to be removed. Of course he doesn't mention how often that request is denied. Here we go with the second guessing again. Johnson: "We didn't listen to the evidence". But you got to Senator Johnson. For God knows what reason, the prosecutor in the Wilson case gave you the tape. And you and your cohorts have chosen to act as judge, jury and executioner while simultaneously asking others to not.

UPDATE X: Jones is trying to get Johnson to clarify some of his statements. Jones: "Doesn't the amendment simply require the case be reviewed by original judge". Johnson: "Judge could be dead". Can someone find out how much hay they grow in Savannah since Johnson seems so adept at constructing strawmen?

UPDATE XI: Smith is now up again stating the amendment would allow a reduction of the sentence of a conviction of a serious violent felony. THE AMENDMENT SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDES THOSE PARTICIPATING IN VIOLENCE. I am so mad now I could spit nails. Sen. Johnson and Sen. Smith you are not only liars but you are bullies. This is the chamber of reason and decorum? Today it is a sty. With hogs grinning as they roll in their own feces, self-satisfied that there is no world beyond their fence.

UPDATE XII: Two democrats, one who goofily used a Star Trek analogy, have stepped up to explain what this is really about. Redress for those convicted under "Romeo and Juliet" circumstances prior to this very legislative body changing that very law. The two Democrats certainly got sidetracked on some weird stuff but my God, at least they stated what the thing is really about.

UPDATE XIII: Smith is back in the well speaking of the continuing constititutional problems. Just prior to this he talked about how worked so hard with Jones on the amendment. As chair of the Judiciary committee if he worked so damned hard on the amendment, why is he just bringing up all these deadly problems now.

UPDATE XIV: Sen. Weber (R-40) is questioning Smith's position on the constitutionality. A Republican! Might he get some credit from Dekalb Democrats?

UPDATE XV: Amendment 1a fails 30-22. Amendment 1 fails 32-19. It should be noted Weber voted yea on both amendments. I'll look for a full rundown later. I want to say something here. I do not hate Republicans. I enjoy interacting with Republicans. I also attempt to abstain from painting with a broad brush. But right now I don't want to see or hear from any Republicans. I am just too damned disgusted.

UPDATE XVI: Now they are debating Peach care. I just don't have the energy left for this. They aren't going to get to SB89 and I need a drink.

Tondee's Tavern

My buddy Jon Flack is starting a new group blog Tondee's Tavern.

Here is a segment of the New Georgia Encyclopedia on the original Tondee's Tavern.

Events of that summer, however, made Tondee's Tavern the hub of revolutionary sentiment. On August 10, 1774, despite a ban from the governor, delegates from every parish convened at the tavern, where Tondee himself stood at the door with a list to keep out intruders. Though failing to elect delegates to the Continental Congress, the meeting passed resolutions and organized as a general committee to correspond with other colonies.

This new tavern promises to be unabashedly partisan and probably a little revolutionary. Always good to have a new voice in the Georgia community and how can I resist one that's a bar? The Tavern is going up on the roll.

A Chilling Account From Virginia Tech

From Collegemedia.com

"It's a small class, about 25 people," she said. "And I would say no more than 2 people didn't show up, were absent. And of those of us that were in there today, only four of us walked out of that room, but two of us had been injured during the shooting," Sheehan said..,"I saw bullets hit people's body," Sheehan said. "There was blood everywhere. People in the class were passed out, I don't know maybe from shock from the pain. But I was one of only four that made it out of that classroom. The rest were dead or injured." She described.

h/t: Ima (For the record, my handle at that site is Jimmy The Hand)

The Speed Of Rhetoric In The New World

I'm watching coverage of the Virginia Tech shootings and immediately my mind wanders to the question of how long will be before both sides of the gun control issue start chirping. Turns out it didn't take long.

Glenn Reynolds wonders how it could have been different if a student or professor had been armed. Let the countdown begin until we see the N.R.A. using this incident to resurrect S.B. 43.

It should also be noted the other side is not silent. A reporter at the White House briefing asked if President Bush would consider a federal minimum age on the purchase of a handgun. Based on the evidence so far, a law which would have accomplished absolutely nothing in Blacksburg. Maybe there should a federal three strikes law on reporters asking idiot questions.

Is it too much to ask both sides exhibit restraint while bodies are still warm and victims are still bleeding?

My Morning Wooten

Back to back with Boortz!

Of course Jim couldn't avoid commenting on the Obama rally.

In the Obama story I kept looking for the name of some Democrat from outside I-285. Didn’t see it. Not entirely surprising.

Of course it's not surprising. But not due to Obama's liberal tendencies as Jim posits. I originally thought about commenting on how fear-mongers such as certain pundits at the AJC present inside the perimeter as a wasteland of crime and corruption but then I remembered something Jon Stewart once said, "Extremists run the country, because moderates have sh*t to do". A saturday afternoon. Intemperate weather. Little league games. Planting gardens. But the real reason rural Democrats didn't drive 100 miles to show up at the Obama rally is he's a hippie. Uh-huh.

Speaking of hippies...

For a fresh-face Democrat, Obama sounds an awful lot like one of the anti-war hippies of the bygone era which, alas, may be the only way any Democrat can win the party’s nomination... The war in Iraq, Obama said Saturday, is about “an administration that is trying to preserve its own political viability.” That’s the entrenched cynicism that has come to define the national Demcrats, the jaded and the fresh-faced alike. New face, same pitch.

I guess Obama is also speaking for all those hippies that consititute over 60% of the electorate who basically agree with his position. Must be a lot of bongs being passed around.

Then again, with the insistence of some in trotting out the same old tired rhetoric, maybe we're not the ones smoking.

To judge for yourself about the Obama rally, check out Amani's excellent report here.

Boortz The "Libertarian"

Neal believes the right to carry trumps property rights.

As we write this, WSB radio talk show host Neal Boortz has taken up the guns-in-parking-lots issue, and appears to be siding with the National Rifle Association.

Interesting, considering one of the basic tenets of libertarianism is an unwavering belief in property rights trumping most else. Even conservative Erick Erickson and Libertarian Jason Pye recognize Senate Bill 43 as an unholy abomination. Then again, instead of a radio show, they have something else. Principles.

Arte Et Labore

Semis of the FA Cup today. Rovers face the near impossible task of taking on Chelsea or as they are snidely known, the World Cup All Stars.

UPDATE: Jason Roberts equalizes at 1-1 in the 64th minute! YES!

UPDATE II: Extra time!

UPDATE III: Dreams dashed by the German. Ah well.

Saturday Stupids

The word traveled swiftly, up and down the coast, and by nightfall the downtown streets were crowded with people who had come from as far away as South Point and the Waipio Valley to see for themselves if the rumor was really true - that Lono had, in fact, returned in the form of a huge drunken maniac who dragged fish out of the sea with his bare hands and then beat them to death on the dock with a short-handled Somoan war club. ~Hunter S. Thompson, The Curse of Lono

Quote Of The Day

Someone please tell me what pagan ritual I need to perform to get Dollar Bill back into politics. Former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley last night on Bill Maher, speaking about Iraq.

It was a conceptually flawed policy. You are not going to create a liberal democracy out of three provinces of the former Ottoman Empire that are really a figment of Winston Churchill's imagination.

Wow.

My Morning Wooten (And Erick)

My morning irritation is causing me to focus on a single issue.

Another clue as to whether congressional Democrats have any interest in legislating or simply politicking for 2008 will come on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. The Democratic bill, which President Bush has vetoed once, is a slippery slope to embryo farms. The votes don’t exist to override. Georgia’s Republican U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson authored one the president will sign that allows federal funding only for stem cells taken from deficient “naturally dead” embryos. It has risks, too, but is the best deal that supporters of federal funding for embryonic stem cell research will get out of this president. Isakson does have a knack for finding the middle ground on contentious issues

And then there's Erick at Peach Pundit.

The Speaker and Senator Shafer are working to move Sen. Shafer’s important bill forward while making sure living embryos are not destroyed in the process.

Forgive me, for by internet standards, I am about to do something very crass.

WHAT ABOUT UNWANTED EMBRYOS DISCARDED FROM FERTILITY CLINICS?

The question will remain in caps and the font will grow larger and larger until one of these conservatives finds the stones to answer.

Thousands of embryos are discarded every year. Do we save these as well? Sen. David Adelman authored a reasonable bill to simply provide storage for couples who want to donate their excess embryos created in fertility treatment. It was promptly shot down and faced the usual rhetoric of "embryo farms" and portraying stem cell researchers as modern day Frankensteins.

So, Jim and Erick. What do we do with all these embryos which will eventually be dumped in the garbage with the rest of the medical waste? Do we store them until the rapture calls them home? Do we force them to be implanted? Or do we ban fertility treatments as in your world view it ultimately destroys life? Or do we just do what you and your brothers and sisters in arms continue to do. Ignore them because you can't easily pop forth a lurid description to provoke visceral reactions?

The question will continue to be asked. And it will continue to be asked loudly.

My Morning Wooten

Can someone please explain to me the right wing's obsession with the Duke "rape case"?

Like most conservatives, my first inclination is to support the cops, the prosecutors and the men and women in the criminal justice system who are constantly under the gun. But as former governor Roy Barnes was fond of saying, “I gotta tell ya” And this “I gotta tell ya” is that the prosecutor’s conduct in the case of the Duke University lacrosse players scares the bejesus out of me.

An inclination to support the cops and prosecutors? No kidding. In most cases, right wing pundits are a breath away from advocating behind the barn shooting for anyone seen in handcuffs. Yet, from the get go the more rabid right wing spew mouths like Sean Hannity questioned everything about this case. Turns out they were right and bully for them. This fact will of course blind all to the question of why the hell did the usual law and order crowd turn so quickly on a prosecutor in a local case?

Admittedly Jim is pretty late to this party. But I can't help but compare how certain Georgia Republicans desire to emphasize that Genarlow Wilson is no choir boy yet anyone who comments on the Duke case, including Wooten, conveniently omits the less than choir boy antics of the Duke lacrosse players. Also ignored is both cases suffered from overzealous prosecution. Yet, in the Wilson case, Georgia Republicans, despite changing the obscene law on which he was convicted, continue a campaign to paint him as a rapist and sexual predator. But in the Duke case, the allies of these same politicians paint the accused as victims and scream for the blood of Nifong. It's hard to ingnore the one obvious difference in the cases.

I want to say as sincerely as possible that I do not believe Jim Wooten is in any way racist. However, if it starts to walk like a duck and talk like a duck. Maybe this is one party where he shouldn't even walk through the door.

An editorial postscript: I often find myself siding with Republicans on certain issues. And I am certainly not comfortable with how Democrats seem to be up to their asses in being beholden to certain special interests. You know the difference? Almost never does the Democratic Party pull one of these. Actions that just make my skin crawl. I mean even when they are right their actions make my skin crawl! There may be nothing more insidious. For that reason, although I am no Democrat, unless they change their ways, I sure as hell will never be a Republican.

Geek Moment

I have an odd fascination with maps. Now Coturnix is enabling this not so normal obsession by leading me to this fascinating place: Strange Maps.

My Morning Wooten

A logical fallacy which makes my skin crawl and my limbic system fire adrenaline through my body spurring the urge to hit walls: apply an extreme outlier to a broad, complex issue in an attempt to portray the problem in the worst possible perspective.

DNA tests establish California photographer Larry Birkhead as the daddy of Anna Nicole Smith’s baby...It’s the baby/daddy DNA search, however, that prompts today’s commentary.

Anna Nicole Smith was at best a pathetic soul deserving sympathy. At worse, she was an irresponsible example of the species who unfortunately procreated, passing along potentially aberrant genes. What she was not was part of the pool Jim Wooten so casually throws into the mix.

As noted here before, a nation that suffers an epidemic of out-of-wedlock births, as this one does with 70 percent of black babies, almost half the Hispanic and a quarter of the whites born into homes without a mother and a father present, is in trouble.

Unlike Anna Nicole Smith, most of these women are not wealthy. They do not jet to the Bahamas in an attempt to solve custody issues. They may or may not be drug addled but if so chances are the substances are not prescribed by a doctor. They certainly do not have svengali-like attorneys but instead rely on the public defense system. A system some conservatives, notably Jim Wooten, wish to gut.

Government, along with Hollywood, the church, civil rights leaders and the middle class, all have a role in changing that.

This is conservative ideaology? Somehow government can repair social ills? Different political persuasions can certainly wrestle with the different shades of the concept but hearing it from such a staunch "conservative" causes pause. As we shall shortly see, government tinkering with the family unit and procreation inevitably leads to the bizarre.

When a pregnant woman presents herself for public assistance, she should be required to identify the male she suspects as having caused her pregancy. That accusation would be sufficient to obligate him, by law, to submit DNA samples. If he is, indeed, the responsible party, every dime the state spends on the baby should be on his tab, with the state willing to spend $5 to get $1 from him. The message to him is: You can’t cause children and walk away. If the first DNA test is negative, the woman carrying the baby would be obligated to name other candidates. The failure to establish the daddy’s identity would constitute child abuse.

And now into the breach we travel. Based on a single witness' testimony, the government will now wipe away the Fifth amendment and begin removing tissue from citizens who have committed no crime. What if the women has had multiple partners? Shall we have a parade? A genetic lineup of the usual suspects?

And if the woman is wrong? Charge her with child abuse. It's telling that Jim leaves out the consequences of immediately jumping to the nuclear option. Such a charge would remove the child from the mother's custody. So, at the end of the day, the likelihood is instead of forcefully creating a family, government inteference will lead to an even further splintering, a child deeper into the system and an burden greater than the original.

I used to cohost a radio show on Friday nights. But my partner and I did not wish to go on air every week. At the end of each show we finished with the tagline that we were here every Friday night except when we ain't. Conservatives like Jim remind me of that old tongue in cheek sign off. They are conservative, except when they ain't.

Collective Media Unconcious

On the same day Atlanta's Fresh Loaf reports on restructuring at the AJC, sister blog Blurbex reports on staff cuts at the Tampa Tribune.

Which leads one to the ultimate question.

Is there really peace in the Matrix or did Neo's absorption in the core just restart the entire system?

N.R.A. Wants Florida Too!

Just in case you thought Georgia was the only place the N.R.A. is poking a finger squarely in the eye of property rights, it's happening a little further south too.

A second Senate committee this morning endorsed the National Rifle Association's push to make it illegal for businesses that try to prevent employees from keeping guns in their cars when they park at work.

More evidence the N.R.A. is completely around the bend. Jackasses.

Welcome To Dekalb!

I really have to start attending commission meetings.

Today's DeKalb County Board of Commissioners meeting devolved into chaos, with the majority of the seven member commission walking out — and the CEO threatening to legally force their return. Four commissioners left the meeting, complaining about the way Chief Executive Office Vernon Jones was running it.

Please, please run for Senate Vernon! Things have been so dull since Cynthia and Katy left us!

Holy Jesus! We Lost A Satellite!

I seem to be in a screaming religious expletive mood.

Actually, we haven't lost a bird. Yet.

The QuikSCAT, which stands for Quick Scatterometer, is equipped with a sensor that provides tropical meteorologists with a storm's wind patterns. Without it, the accuracy of track forecasts could suffer 16 percent, when storms are three days out, and by 10 percent when storms are two days out, Bill Proenza, hurricane center director, said... The problem: When the satellite was launched in 1999, it was designed to last only five years.

Fortunately, Florida Rep. Ron Klein is going to root up some emergency funding. A friendly reminder. Hurricane season is less than two months away!

Jesus Gawd! Fine!

I'm twittering.

Crime Rampant In Roswell

But the po-lice have it under control.

A challenge. Without using the bible, someone explain to me why gambling should be illegal.

The next time you hear about the po-lice being strapped for resources, remember this story.

Headin' North

Everyone down here blames me for bringing the weather this far south. Normal ranting will resume tomorrow.

Further South

Dang! Who left the door open? It's cold in here! I need to head further south. See what's happening in the Sunshine State.

My Morning Wooten

Sadly, a feature that may soon go the way of the dodo.

But while we have him...

The problem now with a sensible middle-ground compromise, like the one U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) proposes on stem cell research using flawed embryos that can’t survive in the womb, is that we do live in a slippery-slope world and in one where ironclad guarantees are never that.

What about the unneeded embryos from fertility clinics that are discarded with the rest of the waste. Oh, better not to speak of those. It's a very southern thing to act as if something doesn't exist if you don't speak of the subject.

I thank the border guards who bravely protect our borders and also arrested the violators, and I grant them the bravery medal to their commander,” Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said of those who took 15 British sailors and marines hostage. The Brits lost big. They looked and sounded weak. They just bought themselves more terrorism on the home-front.

New rule (apologies Bill Maher), before demagogues can start spewing about how someone "lost" or appeared "weak, he or she must explicitly describe what action would be considered winning or strong. This should include details of collateral damage both human and political.

And now your moment of zen (apologies Jon Stewart)

Writing on an American flag is offensive because it’s cheap emotionalism and not art. Painting the Mona Lisa on the American flag would be offensive, too, but it would be art.

That type of thinking is going to be pretty tough on car dealers, Fox News chyrons and the bumper sticker industry

Henry Reaves Passes

1919-2007


A good friend of Georgia farmers and a good friend of mine.

Headin South

For a few days. Time to start cutting grass again.

Jay Bookman Gets It...Maybe

In the midst of his continuing campaign to expose how the Bush Administration is as D.L. Hughley put it on Bill Maher "mired in bullsh*t", Jay Bookman offers a revealing bit of self-examination:

To cite an example uncomfortably close to home, newspapers have long embraced the mythology — backed by some 500 years of history — that what we do is indispensable to an informed society. That mythology has now been exploded with the arrival of the Internet, pushing the industry into a desperate search for a narrative that better fits the world around us. We are coming to realize that if you ever let your mythology become too distant from how the world really works, you're in trouble.

I've always wondered why Jim Wooten, as ass backwards as you can get at times, at least cautiously embraces the new world with his blog "Thinking Right", while Jay Bookman, a talented writer with great grasp of the issues, sits on the sidelines. Local media insiders have told me Jay is not comfortable with the new medium. Well, maybe he's getting past the discomfort zone. I certainly hope so. He's a voice the community needs.

The Tease

I'm sniffing around a story but it's going to take some time to put together. To give you a hint, it's going to involve this.

Saturday Stupids

Out all night with some good ol' boys drinking til the break of dawn" ~Charlie Gearheart

Georgia Blog Carnival

Blog for Democracy is hosting this week. A great list of links to stories and commentary with a southern tinge. Go check it out.

My Morning Wooten

I'm feeling particularly dyspeptic this morning. There will be no sparing of the scourge.

Get a Post-it Note for the refrigerator. Buy booze on Saturday. The disproportionate anger of those who want Sunday sales is an example of the “me-centered” universe. We’re angry about any rule or law that won’t let us park four vehicles in the driveway or that doesn’t let us buy booze when we want. Me, me, me.

How about conservative restraint? How about less government interference in personal lives? How about the conservative principle of the free market? Methinks the only selfish focus on the me here are so-called conservatives who want to mold all of society in their narrow image.

I hate connecting laws that connect fees and fines to a specific program, when it’s not a genuine user fee, such as those golfers pay to maintain public courses. Adding $200 to the fines imposed for driving more than 85 mph anywhere, or 75 mph on two-lane roads, is an example. It’s created to help fund a statewide trauma network. Henceforth, a shooter in Atlanta or a knifer in Savannah should be fined an extra $500. Or do we tax guns, knives, ladders and automobiles?

Can I have a beer with your pretzel logic? So, since in your narrow mind (see above) sees the connection between high speed on the interstates and trauma as tenous, extra revenue generated by this bill should go to what? The general fund where the pork can be spread around? Once again this is fiscal conservative philosophy?

The changing world, Part 1: President Bush quotes two Iraqi bloggers who wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal on reasons for optimism

And ignores bloggers who have for months been writing about the hell on earth known as Bagdhad. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

I could go on but I just thew up in my coffee. A man has to know his limits.

A Man Without A Party?

My original thought this morning was to rant about Peachcare, payday lending and private cities. Just for the record, I agree with cutting the Peachcare threshold (although Jon, Amy and others are changing my mind), agree with repealing the outlaw of payday lenders and agree with the creation of "private cities".

But instead I am sidetracked by a man named Mike Jacobs. Mr. Jacobs represents the 80th district of the Georgia House of Representatives. A district that stretches from the northern arc of I-285 to near Little Five Points (correction: Decaturguy's link to a map in the comments shows the district only extends as far south as Lavista Rd).

He first entered my radar at the beginning of this year's session by voting the walking foot in mouth Republican known as Glenn Richardson for Speaker of the House. It was a move that raised a few eyebrows in Democratic circles. As a non-partisan I shrugged it off as a not-unusual political maneuver to curry favor with the powers that be.

Then came the odd rumor that Jacobs planned to switch parties in '08. True, Jacobs bucked the party line on the vote for Richardson and he had called out people who praised the heinous John Eaves ad in the Fulton County Commission Chair race, but these two relatively minor blips lead to indications of party switch? We're not talking about a rural Democrat trying to survive in a district changed to predominantly Republican. Jacobs represents an inside the perimeter district that although not a Democratic stronghold certainly is not Cobb or Gwinnett County. A party switch would arguably hurt his re-election chances. Also, given his stance on social issues such as abortion and gay rights under what scenario would the Republicans welcome him into their loving arms. Talk about things that don't add up.

Now, Jacobs had apparently sinned in ways most vile as one of few Democrats who crossed lines to support both the Peachcare cut and the Payday lending bill. It should be somewhat understandable how this would cause pain among local activists as Jacobs has been active in the Young Democrats of Georgia and the group made its views on these issues quite clear.

Since, I agree with Rep. Jacobs on these issues, it's quite easy for me to be his defender. But if as Decaturguy says that the 80th is "generally fiscally conservative with a libertarian bent on social issues", can someone please explain to me how he is not representing his district? Instead, his votes are seen as opprotunistic to satisfy the crossover and moderate voters. And in an insidious corrollary, his votes on choice and LGBT issues are now viewed as craven tactics to gather cash.

Quite simply Jacobs is damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. The left's blood lust is so high he is viewed as a treasonous line jumper. The right is quiet but anyone with sense would see his social views would leave him shunned. And now, not unlike Joe Lieberman and the Iraq War, he has planted his flag on issues which will echo all the way into next year's Democractic primary.

Hell, the whole thing causes me to consider moving to the 80th just so I can vote for him. If he does jump to the Republicans? He will find no blame here, but there will be sympathy. For if it does occur, from my point of view he will be a man without a party.

P.S. I will be at my usual spot tonight around 7:00 if any Democrats would like to stop by and thump me in the head.

New News Service Link

After being scolded by Grayson, I'm adding BlogNetNews Georgia to the links.

I blame the internets. My inbox fills daily with crap promising me all kinds of new shiney toys. Now I look at everything askance. So I apologize Dave for not giving you the love earlier. The new site looks great and will become one of my daily reads.

Now back to working on the rant that's going to get me in a lot of trouble with my Democrat friends...

When New Media Goes Too Far

Justin TV.

There are limits. Right?

The PeachCare Debate

As I drifted off to sleep I pondered a lengthy piece about my feelings on PeachCare. Instead I direct you Peach Pulpit where Jon, Amy and I are already engaged in this discussion.

Crossover Day

It's crossover day! This is the last day for a bill to be passed by one of the houses of the Georgia General Assembly. If a bill does not pass today it is dead, dead, dead. And despite the fact that some think debate should be limited to save time, there is currently a guy singing a song from the speakers chair.

I'm not going to live blog the whole day but if something weird or funny happens, I'll update.

UPDATE: Peachcare being debated in the house at the moment. This is one of the big 'uns. It's also one of the things that gets me in trouble with Democrats. I have to give it to DuBose Porter though. He made a very passionate speech.

UPDATE II: I honestly missed who rose to speak against the Peachcare threshold but he stated that removing dental and vision could result in the death of children. Okay, I know about the case in Maryland where a child died of infection, a fairly aberrant case, but vision? Will we now get examples of children with blurry vision running aimlessly onto I-75? Just when you think the passions of this argument cannot be ratcheted up any further.

UPDATE III: "I don't have any cutesy jokes or stories to tell". God, Glenn Richardson is an ass. Now he is tying it to the Nancy Pelosi. Does this man have any political tact? And people seriously think he has a chance at the Governor's office? What a joke.

UPDATE IV: House Bill 340 passed. This lowers the threshold for Peachcare qualification to 200% of the federal poverty bill. It now goes to the Senate. I need lunch!

UPDATE V: The Ambassador from Germany is on the floor of the Senate. Weird.

UPDATE VI: Casey Cagle, "It's gonna be a late night so call your wives". Why do Republicans have such a hard time remembering there are also women senators?

UPDATE VII: Freshman Senator Bill Cowsert is being filleted over his SB 234. Suddenly, the Senate has a hazing feel. Will they bring out the paddles and will Senator Cowsert inquire, "Thank you sir may I have another?" Actually Cowsert is being a pretty good sport but the whole thing is a pretty bizarre.

UPDATE VIII: Some parlimentary weirdness is happening in the Senate and a Democrat is speaking harsh words given the Senate's usual decorum. I admit I honestly don't know what the hell is going on. And now another Democrat seems to be calling out the previous Democrat. This is getting fun! And I still don't know what the hell is going on...Oh, I see. It's an arcane move to bring Senate Bill 200 back off the table for a vote. Things are getting rather heated as some Democrats are seeing this as an underhanded move undercutting a deal to further study the bill...A Senator that I didn't catch his district, 'There's a red button and there's a green button but some are voting yellow".

UPDATE IX: Now David Adelman (D-42) is trying to revive his township bill from off the table. Methinks they should all get to the dinner table as it appears their brains have hit idle from hypoglycemia.

UPDATE X: Poker calls. Which is unfortunate because I really wanted to be around for the debates on SB43 and SB66. Then again, given the pace of the day, I might be back before they get to them. In the meantime, follow the action at Georgia Legislative Watch.

Happy Birthday To Me!

Follow link

3-27-06

Watering The Grassroots

Compensation for bloggers and other new media producers. Simply reading that statement will give some a severe case of the shudders. It's dangerous territory as evidenced by the Amanda Marcotte/Melissa McEwan/John Edwards affair and Wal-Mart committing the most egregious example of astroturfing to date.

Where is the line? It's out there but do we really know when we cross it? Sometimes it's fuzzy as in the case of Amanda Marcotte. Sometimes it's quite clear as in the case of Wal-Mart. And sometimes, we haven't even seen it yet as in the case of dealing with the traditional media.

Murray Grevious, MIS Manager for Creative Loafing, recently stopped by to discuss some of the issues facing the cautious courtship between new and old media. This exchange led to further discussion via email resulting in Murray asking me if I would pose a few questions to the new media community of Atlanta.

Ironically, in the simple act of asking, Murray forced me to search for the line myself. By doing free research for a traditional media outlet, would I become their tool? Am I really exploring issues in the new media world or acting as a front for an admittedly quirky but still corporate entity?

In the end, it is a judgment call and I believe the request is honest and forthwright. Part of the evidence being Murray allowing me to attribute the idea for this experiment directly to him. Also, I believe the issues are vital to continuing the conversation begun at Podcamp Atlanta and continued elsewhere. This is a Rubicon we must eventually cross, so let's all start wading together.

Let's not waste time and start with the big ones.

Should a blogger be paid for providing content to a traditional media outlet?

What about managing a traditional media outlet's blog or blogs?

What about commentors? Would it be acceptable for traditional media to provide occasional token of appreciation (movie tickets, gift certificates) to those that regularly keep the conversation going?

At what point is the line crossed and the new media persona is inexorably tangled by the corporate web?

Most importanly, what other dangers lurk? What other concerns should we as the new media have and what dangers do the old media not even see?

Get the conversation going, people! This is one time I guarantee they are listening.

Squat Toilet

I know Americans are at times viewed as provinicial and puritanical. But that thing there is a squat toilet. Ummmmmmmmm, no.

h/t: Coturnix

The Bullring

A Nextel Cup driver commenting on races at Bristol Motor Speedway: It's like flying a fighter jet inside a washing machine.

Batting A Thousand

Brit Hume on Fox News Sunday regarding the consensus on global warming.

Scientific consensus is what you talk about when you don't have scientific fact. The object of science is to establish fact. That is what the scientific method is all about.

NO. NO. A MILLION TIMES NO. Once again an old tactic rears its head. As with the evolution battles, those who oppose overwhelming scientific opinion attempt to obfuscate how science works in an effort to paint a picture of controversy and disagreement. Sort of like the need to be"fair and balanced" when it's obvious only one side contains the truth.

Brit, stick to journalism. Science is not about establishing facts. Science is about trying to understand the facts that exist. And no, hardly ever is there absolute agreement on what those facts mean. However, when a consensus of the scientific community agrees, it should carry a heavy weight.

It continues to amaze me that we as a society blithely watch as millions of dollars are paid to a ball player who fails 70% of the time yet if only 5% of the scientific community disagrees with a position, the veracity of the 95% is put to question.

Saturday Stupids

Note the wearing of jackets and long sleeves. This week? Shorts. Welcome to Atlanta in the springtime!

Forget Becks, Here's Bents!

Blackburn Rovers young midfielder David Bentley played a key role in all three goals, including scoring the first ever goal by an Englishman in the new Wembley, for England in an U-21 friendly with Italy. It's just a matter of time before the rising star is called up to the senior squad.

The Response

It's one of those of driving off a cliff moments. It's a statement you never expect so you never plan. Birth, marriage and even death carry stock responses stored in the brain for years in expectation they will one day be used. But even the most careful planner spends no time pondering what to say when a loved one tells you they have cancer.

It can come in the morning. It can come in the middle of the day. It can come at night. With no doubt, it will come when you are performing some mundane task which will suddenly have no significance. It can even come as you search for a particular restaurant that will satisfy a sudden craving for a particular type of pizza. Suddenly, the phone rings and you are hit with the most unexpected of utterances. Do you say good luck? Do you ask what you can do? Do you tamp down the sudden dread in order to say everything will be okay? If you are driving, do you pull to the side of the road? Do you stay strong because the person needs the support or do you simply begin to sob? As the surface areas of the brain struggle for the appropriate reaction, deep within, the internal voice whispers that no matter what you say, life has changed irrevocably.

Thoughts of a certain need for a specific type of pizza are immediately deleted from the queue and the most basic portions of the lizard brain sieze control of the body forcing it to attend to the need for sustenanace and nothing more. You find yourself robotically pulling into a drive through to order a pre-packaged meal of questionable value but infinite ease. The body knows food is a necessity but at this particular moment no longer a luxury to enjoy. It may have the taste of the cardboard of its packaging but it moves the body forward while the brain catches up.

Eventually, most people come around to one universal response. I'll be there as soon as I can.

Despite the cameras, the press gaggle, the harsh lights, the sputteringly inconsistent microphones, despite the differences in station of life, I was there with John and Elizabeth Edwards yesterday as they announced her cancer has returned. It is not hard for me to imagine the previous 24 hours. People often morbidly joke about the stages of grief but few understand cancer is the grief that arrives too early. There is despair. There is hope. There is the clinical analysis. There is the need to know exactly what is happening. There is the need to know exactly what is going to happen. Each on their own find the small corner of mind containing the mechanism of self-defense that allows the life to go on even when life seems impossible.

In the end all find hope. Even if it is the smallest whisper, we all put on the "brave face" and move forward. We face our family. We face our friends. In the case of public figures, we face the unwavering stare of the press.

I do not pray, but I do believe all souls are connected in ways we may never understand. Time and space hold no bounds to the power of human need.

I was not in Chapel Hill yesterday, but I was with John and Elizabeth Edwards.

My Morning Wooten

Jim is a little upset that congressional democrats have grown some fangs.

Bush has not [sic] choice now but to fight. He faces two years of politics by subpoena. Feed the sharks now and they’ll be back tomorrow and the day after. Bush’s poll numbers are low — but when it comes to fighting Democrats in Congress, he’s on equal footing. This is a Congress and a party without an agenda — except to trash Bush and the war in Iraq. Ultimately, the country will reject that strategy and the party that pursues it.

I guess that whole Rovian theory of when you win, no matter the margin, you rule absolutely only goes one way, eh Jim?

Bum Rush The Castle!

Perhaps it was PodCamp. Perhaps it's the imminent doom of my radio station. Whatever the source of my animus, I feel the need to give a big eff you to the powers that be. To make one small primal scream in the cacophony of idiocy.

Want to join me? Using iTunes download "Mine Again" by Black Lab. Bloggers across the 'verse are using the song to demonstrate the collective power of the people still matters.

It's 99 cents and a few seconds for some decent music and the satisfied feeling of giving the finger to the man.

h/t: Everybody

The Future Of New Media?

Caution, discussion of vomit and a little profanity in the video. A new beginning? Perhaps.

Hey! I'm A Liberal!

Good round up on recent Georgia events by Dana Blankenhorn.


The jury may still be out on the liberal thing.

Media Counterpoint

Mel at Blog For Democracy provides somewhat of a counterpoint to my Media Euthanasia piece.

The conventional wisdom in the local blogoshere seems to be that the MSM, or at least the local MSM, just doesn't get it when it comes to new media or, if you prefer, web 2.0. While I can't completely disagree, I'm pretty sure this condition is temporary. Big media has never lacked the resources to make major leaps in technology (when needed or mandated), they've only occasionally lacked the will. I think this is about to change.

I do not necessarily disagree with some of her arguments. In the video and audio arenas, big media certainly have the technology and money to swoop in and produce "higher quality" product. Not so with writing. Although I think there is a place for the professional journalist class and you cannot ignore their training, you can't simply pour money in and create a well written piece. Then again, some in the new media believe "print" in all forms may be a dying form. I certainly hope not.

My Morning Wooten

Who loves some Jim Wooten? Me loves me some Jim Wooten. He's pure blogger gold.

Did I miss something? Don’t U.S. attorneys serve at the pleasure of the President? They do. Democrats and their media allies are determined to find great scandal in the removal of 8 U.S. attorneys by the administration. The administration was dissatisfied with their performance and they were removed.

Yes, Jim, you missed something. Although past Presidents have certainly removed U.S. Attorneys, it usually occurs at the beginning of an administration with wholesale house cleaning to allow payback and patronage. Not exactly the most noble act but at least the politics is fairly transparent. What you are missing in this story is the attorneys were dismissed late in an administration, a very rare occurrence, and evidence indicates that all were not fired for performance. What you are also missing or should I say ignoring is Alberto Gonzales misled congress regarding the reasons for the dismissals. Once again in previous administrations, this typical act of political obfuscation would have been hardly noticed. But an administration shown to be filled with serial liars who arrogantly hide the truth and then bristle at any question of integrity, it is certainly going to perk some ears.

You know, Jim. Most journalists ask "did I miss something". Fortunately, most answer the question themselves prior to publication instead of using it as a set up to vomit forth yet another talking point.

Georgia Politics Podcast Episode 11

Go download the latest Georgia Politics Podcast to hear discussion on the hot Georgia issues of the day!

And I swear I wasn't sitting in the bathroom during the recording.

Something New

You may notice a new feature over to the left titled "Georgia Voices". This is a blog widget a friend and I are developing. I am conducting the initial beta test myself so you may experience some funky things over the next few days. Right now occasionally you will get an IE cannot load error. Simply hit refresh and the blog should load.

Eventually once we are satisfied the widget and it's accompanying user interface are stable both will be available for all. Look for that announcement in the near future!

Media Euthanasia

Reporting from PodCamp Atlanta.

A difficult question. If an animal is wounded do you attempt to assist it or do you shoot it? Depending on region, background and culture, you may receive two equally passionate and two equally valid answers. Me? I would certainly attend a wounded animal yet the decision to put it out its misery would be quick and with no regret.

In my city of Atlanta and in many other cities across the land, we are witnessing the pained throes of animals on the edge of extinction. Television stations pay huge sums of money to talking hair-dos and nobody tunes in. Print media continues to huddle in the smallest corner of the online world, wringing ink stained hands over staggering drops in circulation. Money pours forth from the wounds of a thousand cuts. Some self-inflicted. Some not.

The situation presents a tortured dichotomy for "new media" warriors. The easy response is to engage in a form of schadenfreude reveling in glee at the misery of the dinosaurs. Yet, though many will vehemently deny the alternate emotion, the vanguard of this new culture desires acceptance by the brick and mortar establishment. The one chit old media clings to viciously is legitimacy. Like children free in the world for the first time, bloggers, vloggers and podcasters simultaneously take a rebellious stance while craving the parent's acceptance of their position as an equal.

At Podcamp Atlanta, Creative Loafing MIS Manager Murray Grevious may have revealed how wide the rift has grown and how little hope there is to save the dying beasts. He states matter of factly that collaboration between traditional print and new media can never happen due to the constraints of the editorial process. In his opinion, the newsroom simply will not give up control of the filtration and vetting system to become more immediate, reactive and interactive.

It's a fair point and knotty problem. Legitimacy is garnered from the seeds of trust. Editorial control remains the greatest advantage and most onerous burden of the traditional media. Too many in the new media, bloggers in particular, practice shotgun methods of reporting where every bit of a story is thrown against the wall to see what sticks. They peddle in rumor, innuendo and would not admit the concept of retraction or correction exists. Traditional editorial process prevents most of these sins although a few do get through. When the process breaks down, most notably in the Jayson Blair saga, the reaction is instant and harsh.

The trade off for this comfort of accuracy is an insular world with little or no connection to the audience. A world where both a reporter and a blogger can spend three hours in a federal appeals court yet the reporter is limited to a few paragraphs on page three of the metro section while the blogger is free to write a feature length piece. A world where a story garnering national attention is ignored to discuss water buffalo. A world where a sunday feature deals with such "cutting edge" technology as text messaging.

The question has to be asked, if a company as agile and forward thinking as Creative Loafing (please note none of the above linked stories were published by the Loaf) believes it cannot adjust to the new world, is there any hope at all for the true behemoths? I believe the answer is probably not. The only conclusion that can be reached is it is time to stop assisting the wounded animals and instead fetch the shotgun.

Photo courtesy of Mike Schinkel

Songs In My Head

Peckerwoods

Capt. Elijah Tillman. Army of Northern Virginia, 1862-1863. Wounded at Antietam. Georgia Militia Cavalry, 1863-1865. He was also my great-great-great-great-grandfather.

There. Now that the need to justify my credentials is out of the way, let the hate begin.

How should an ignorant stumpjumper respond to African American leaders calling for the state to apologize for slavery? Propose naming an entire month "Confederate Heritage Month". For those of you who don't dabble in good ol' fashioned southern racial politics, it's also a subtle swipe at February's "Black History Month". Don't believe me? Ask any of these "heritage" pukes what they think about Black History Month and you will get a response along the lines of "why do they get a special month and we git nuthin!"

Here's the bottom line. You lost. Not once but twice.

The first loss should be familiar. In a whirlwind of blood, over 500,000 Americans lost their lives. Entire regions were scourged for generations. The country penanced its sin of human bondage in a crucible of lead and fire.

The second loss is hardly reported. Despite the lingering taint of the conflict spawning lynchings and Jim Crow, both sides generally recognized the bravery of the individual combatants. Then, in the tumultous back rooms of the 50s, not discussed in the Leave It To Beaver fantasyland of some, things changed.

Legislatures began adding the Confederate battle flag to state banners. "Heritage" groups began concerning themselves less with preserving cemetaries and battlefields and began meddling in racial politics. Organizations like the Sons of Confederate Veterans became hideouts for thinly veiled night riders who believed white sheets served purposes other than covering beds.

As the noted southern historian Shelby Foote once commented regarding his resigning from the Sons, "we had an opportunity to fight for the symbols of our past. The symbols we honor. But instead we stood by and did nothing as people filled with hate stole our most precious items. They no longer belong to us."

I do honor my ancestor. Although the prism of modern thinking allows me to embrace the guilt that he was definitely wrong, there is a part of me which understands his need to sacrifice for what he believed was right. A thousand miles from his south Georgia home, in the rolling hills of Maryland, he shed blood for that belief. Despite the sin of this cause, the giving should still be honored.

However, due to the tacit compliance of a prior generation of the "good people of the south" in allowing the race peddlers to overwhelm all else, a complicity continued by peckerwoods like Sen. Jeff Mullis, the honor seems distant and all I am left with is the taint.

The Hate

I find I have much hate in my heart this morning. Shortly, I will attempt to purge the blackness and I think I have found a prime target.

I'm Sleeping In

Two weeks with too much stuff.


Tomorrow. Podcamp.

On The Road Again

Yeah, yeah, I know. I've been on the road more than anything lately. I blame the legislature for not keeping me distracted.

Alcohol Bill Out Of Committee

The bill to allow Sunday alcohol sales has passed out of the Senate committee.

There's still hope for my prediction to be right and Decaturguy's to be wrong. Heh.

Songs In My Head

Top Ten Funny Florida Bills

With the Georgia Legislature on break, let's look to Florida.

The State of Sunshine has a top ten list of this year's funniest bills.

My favorite? The Pants Bill.

This bill provides penalties for students who expose their underwear “in a manner that exposes or exhibits one’s covered or uncovered sexual organs in a vulgar and indecent manner” on school grounds.

Son, you better pull up those pants or the law'll gitcha!

Got A Problem? Use Roach Killer!

Garbage. Boric acid. A woman with no teeth. Curiousity piqued? Follow link.

Savannah woman accused of throwing boric acid on neighbor.

That fancy reporter man should really get out more. Don't he know that 'necks have special digestive tracts capable of processing everything from dirt to motor oil? Heck, I think I'm gonna go graze in the back yard right now.

h/t: Dizzy girl.

Saturday Stupids

"Still dumb after all these years"

Home

Departure Durham, NC

Time to head home. Hollywood git the front yard bar ready.

Politics will resume next week.

Departure Alexandria, Va.

Destination Durham, NC.

See you tonight.

My Morning Wooten

As usual only the nasty liberals are to blame.

it’s been from the start a tale of insider politics in Washington, with, one band of power players (the anti-war, anti-Bush/Cheney wing) out to get another.

Nevermind the initial leak was an effort to discredit Joe Wilson's African trip as a junket arranged by his wife. Nevermind the ongoing campaign by the right to paint independent counsel Fitzgerald as a modern day Torquemada. It's obviously all about irrational, wild eyed Bush hatred. Obviously.

Arrival Alexandria, Va.

I've had all I can take of this God forsaken white wildenerness! I need sunshine again!

Departure Atlantic City, NJ.

Snow. I fear snow. Before I was 18 years old I had only seen snow twice. As I look at my window now I see large wet flakes. Accumulation is supposed to be 2 inches and the roads are apparently okay so I am heading out. Today may be more stressful than yesterday.

One Funny Poker Story

Now that I've had a few beers and can think a little clearly, here's one quick anecdote.

griftdrift's turn to bet.

griftdrift: $2,000 (tosses two $1000 chips in)

New Jersey guy: Dealer, he only said a thousand.

griftdrift: No, I said two thousand.

New Jersey guy: I swear I heard you say a thousand.

griftdrift: No problem but I really did say two. You might have guessed from the way I talk I'm not from around here.

New Jersey guy: No kidding.

Poker Report

Buyin: $500. Entrants: 535. griftdrift finish: Somewhere around 175.

After six hours of pretty intense poker I am too tired to write much more. I will say I don't think I had my A game today. Towards the end I built up a big enough chip stack to probably go much deeper but I got sloppy on a couple of hands and it cost me.

Final hand. I got into a confrontation with the big stack. After a couple of pre-flop bets, we both go all in. I flip over my Q-Q. He flips over A-A. I didn't improve and was out.

It was worth it but I wish I had played better. No more poker. I'm burned out for the moment. I'm hauling ass back to D.C. in the morning. They are expecting snowfall up here in the evening and my south Georgia butt is getting the hell out of dodge.

What The Hell Am I Doing Here?

It's cold. I check the weather in Atlanta and see the high today will be 65 degrees. I sit in southern New Jersey where it is currently about 20 degrees and snow is expected tomorrow.

Even the most hardened traveller eventually gets homesick. It is a distinct possibility that when the first white flake falls this southern boy will scamper home like a panicked rabbit.

So why would I sit in a cheap hotel with spotty internet coverage suffering the last gasps of winter? Poker, of course. It's the need to make one more run at the big pay day. Test the skills against the sharks and the donkeys. Based on what I saw yesterday, I doubt I will be disappointed.

Due to the skills of my navigator, Sancho Panza, I arrived at the boardwalk city well before the start of the first tournament. Even though I did not feel mentally prepared after a three hour drive, I planned on playing the first day. To my dismay, the registration area contained a line looping back on itself like an mobius strip. We patiently stood in line until a gentlemen with a distinct accent my ancestors may have never known announced tournament officials had cut off at 940 and everyone else in line were alternates.

Given my mental state, I had no desire to wait several hours just to get a seat. The decision was made to hit the casino for a few hours and then come back for some single table tournaments. Four hours and a few dollars later, we wandered back into the registration area. I knew the situation was grim when I spotted a loud man berating a tournament official.

"Still no single tables", I asked.

"No, we still have people in [the main event room] and downstairs. We had trouble starting the 4:00 event", she replied.

I asked how many they had in the main event and she responded "over 1100". To give some perspective, the main event of the World Series of Poker only crossed the 1000 barrier a few years ago. I told the haggard lady it was okay and we would be back tomorrow.

So today I will play in my first event. It's the $500 day two main event. I'm not sure what to expect after yesterday. Certainly not 1000 entrants but probably several hundred. To go deep I will potentially have to play 10+ hours.

When I'm done, I will amble back here to my spotty internet site and report. Hopefully, much later in the day.

Welcome To Atlantic City, NJ!

Wi-fi is very spotty. Will update when possible.

Departure Alexandria, Va.

Off to Atlantic City. If I survive the DC rush hour. Be back tonight with a first day report.

Welcome To Alexandria, Va!

Nice drive. Until I got to D.C. of course. But these people don't scare me. You know why? I drive in Atlanta every day.

Departure Martinsville, Va.

Goodbye Martinsville. I doubt we will see each other in the future.

Today a leisurely drive up the Shenandoah Valley and then into the chaos of the D.C. area. See you this afternoon.

Sen. Johnson Answers Questions On Wilson Case

Senator Eric Johnson is graciously answering a few of my questions on the Genarlow Wilson case at Peach Pundit.

I still have hope for a full interview and will be making a second request.

Welcome To Martinsville, Va.!

Yikes!

I think I should have driven on to Roanoke! Thank god I brought beer with me cause I didn't see a single bar in town! But I did see some rusted out cars up the nearest hill so I feel sort of home.

A New Adventure Begins

I'm off on the road again! Heading north this time for a little gambling in Atlantic City. First stop, somewhere in NC / VA. Maybe Martinsville. I haven't completely made up my mind yet. See you this evening.

Great Moments In Presidential Speeches

At my little cabin in South Georgia, I do not have cable or satellite. One of my nightly highlights is David Letterman's "Great Moments In Presidential Speeches".

Liberals Are Naughty!

You always knew it was true.

Liberals are dirty, filthy and vulgar.

Much navel gazing to follow.

Be Very Careful, Sen. Johnson

Apparently on the Boortz show this morning Sen. Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) promised to send the talk show host a copy of the Genarlow Wilson "sex tape". Only one problem with that plan. It may violate federal child porn statutes.

Here is how Title 18.1.110.2252 reads:

Any person who—
(1) knowingly transports or ships in interstate or foreign commerce by any means including by computer or mails, any visual depiction, if—
(A) the producing of such visual depiction involves the use of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct; and
(B) such visual depiction is of such conduct

Perhaps some of our legal eagles can clarify, just hypothetically of course, if Senator Johnson did indeed send such a tape through the mail whether this statute is applicable.

In the meantime, I have another question. How the heck does a politician get his hands on a piece of evidence from a criminal matter?

Help A Blogger Out

Did anyone listen to Boortz this morning? I'm trying to confirm something. Email me at griftdrift@gmail.com.

More Boston Battiness

Ummm seriously. Can someone find the Boston PD something better to do?

The bomb squad shut down busy Devonshire Street after someone spotted a green box chained to a no parking sign....The box turned out to be some kind of traffic counting device and was completely harmless.

I understand caution, but...

A Curious Silence

The HPV bill continues to roil the state house. It also caused anger and recriminations at leading conservative blog Peach Pundit. Amid the most boring session in recent history, it is one of few items to create a stir. Yet, leading progressive blogs have been curiously silent. Why?

Something I rarely do. Total speculation. My instincts are telling me an old military maxim is coming into play. Never interfere with your enemy while they cut their own throat. My feeling is most progressives actually agree with the substance but would rather let the conservatives do the heavy lifting and suffer the internecine strife.

Speculation is fun.