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.

Songs In My Head

Waters Woes

Way down upon the Appalachicola, river that is, not seaside hamlet, there sits three species of endangered freshwater mussels. If you listen only to right wing outlets, you would believe the demon spawn Army Corps of Engineers are intent on making our current drought worse by continued release of water to save these cuddly molluscs. Well, they're are right. At least as Obi-wan Kenobi once said, from a certain perspective.

Here are the perspectives they are leaving out. Without a certain level of fresh water flow into the Gulf, the oysters of the Apalachee Bay also die. The difference between these molluscs and their freshwater cousins is the salt water branch of the family creates a $1 billion dollar industry for Florida's panhandle region.

But even if we stop the flow of water and let all the little Floridian slime balls die (for the moment, we'll ignore the interstate commerce lawsuit we will surely lose) where does that leave us? Solves the problem right? Not quite. Most estimates say that without some drastic action to address the water problem, the continued astronomical growth of the Atlanta region will exhaust the available supply within the next 50 years. Some say as low as 30 years.

But it will always be easier to pick on a few worthless shellfish than to pick on multi-million dollar development projects even if they pour endless streams of goop into our drinking water.

So in this case, the liberals must have it right! Not quite.

Georgia Senators Chambliss and Isakson are currently attempting to pass an exception to the Endangered Species Act in order to force the Army Corps of Engineers to stop saving above said shellfish.

There are some who would use our moment of crisis to advocate the destruction of the act. Here's the problem with that position. Yes, at first glance a freshwater mussel might appear to be useless but not so much if one considers how biospheres work. Maybe that mussel is the primary food of a certain heron. And maybe that heron is a food source of a certain species of fox. And maybe that fox is also responsible for keeping the squirrel population at a manageable level. And maybe those squirrels have the potential to carry bubonic-plague laced fleas.

It's a lot of maybes but that's the way things work in nature. Species do not operate in isolation. The elimination of one might provide short term relief but trip the domino effect which leads to devastation for our grandchildren. We should never view extinctions in such small slivers of perspective. With nature, one must always take the long view.

However the other side of the biological equation is things die. And many times there is nothing we can do about it. In fact, many times things should die. After all, how did we get here? Certain niches opened in the ecosystem and mammals rose to prominence. If not, dinosaur-men might be filling technorati with new blogs and we mice-men might be scurrying somewhere underground looking for worms.

It cannot be ignored that approiximately 10,000 years ago, our ancestors eliminated 99% of the mega-fauna in North America, probably causing temporary paroxyms in the biosphere, yet we not only survived, we flourished.

We spend an inordinate amount of time trying to save things. It is literally part of our nature. There is compelling evidence that our need to preserve caused our ancient mothers to stop cavalierly dropping babies on the plains of Africa to wander away towards the next shiny object while the next generation wailed in abandonment. This new instinct led to families, tribes and eventually civilization as we know it.

However, the cruel side of the evolutionary equation is an advantage can soon turn to a disadvantage. Self-sacrifice got us here and it could take us out. Most species eventually fail and probably should. Yet, we continue to try to save every last one. We just don't like to watch things die. One day, mother nature might turn the joke around on us and decide we've reached our own twilight.

This is not to say we should worry about a sudden attack of the sea turtles, but it is to say there are times where we should understand we are masters of our niche and that niche needs to be defended. A good time to bow up and get a little protective of our turf might be when our water sources are turning to mud. Even if it's our own fault.

It's enough to make the water deprived head spin. We cannot save the mussels without hurting ourselves. We also can't solve our problems by killing the poor, helpless, immobile blobs of goo. We certainly cannot return to eating nuts and berries in mud huts. But neither can we afford to believe throwing up a million more condos on the 'Hooch has no greater consequence.

These are complicated times and many are offering simple salves. And although mother's kiss certainly helps a boo-boo, it still needs bactine and band-aids. And the most severe water crisis of our generation needs solutions; comprehensive solutions which address every part of the hurt. Not just those that are politically convenient for our own political niche.

George Will On The Gore Win

George Will agrees with me. Sort of. Some of his explanations are simplistic and subject to debate, however, his general thesis that the scientist do the work and Gore draws the attention to that work is correct. It just seems to stick in some people's craw to give Gore credit for creating such a monstrous rise in awareness.

More evidence that the debate has moved beyond is it happening to what will be the effect?

H/T: The Moderate Voice

New Blog

It's no big secret I'm a history buff.

Over the weekend, I found a great new blog about The Wren's Nest, the home of Joel Chandler Harris. I've also added it to the Georgia feeds over to the right so you can check it out daily.

Atlanta neighborhoods are littered with historical treasures and it's always good to find a new source of information. If there are others out there, let me know.

Hillary In Atlanta

Sen. Clinton whirlwinded through Atlanta Friday taking a few moments to visit Paschals and receive a critical endorsement from 5th District Representative and living legend John Lewis.

Watch Grayson's video of the event above.

Also, you can listen to Democrat and Blog For Democracy contributor Melanie Goux's enthusiatic recap on the Democratic podcast of Kudzu Vine.

Overrated But Moderate

JimV thinks I'm overrated but moderate. Well, given some of the things I've been called, I'll take overrated as a midway compliment. However, I'm right proud of being called a moderate. I feel like half the time I'm trying to explain to one side I'm not a liberal egg head and to the other side I'm not a heartless free market absolutist.

But more importantly, Jim unravels the mystery behind the now infamous British case on Al Gore's little climate change movie. It seems the plaintiff is something called the New Party. They are the very definition of fringe and also, unlike me, are proudly free market absolutist. So take that little bit of context into your next climate change knife fight.

As far as my response to the meme floating around, let me provide a little of my own context. Hey, I may be overrated but at least I let my readers reply directly.

When I saw the British Court meme repeated at Jason's place, I knew it for what it was. I've seen it a million times before. Kent Hovind is a creationist and he is also, even in creationist's circles, a joke. His method is to throw as many talking points at a person in as short a time as possible creating a situation where it is impossible to respond. His crap against the wall lists are filled with items which are patently false or given so little context they might as well be false. Sound familiar?

This exact tactic is what I mean by the Kent Hovind effect.

The problem with Gore's little film and what can make it dangerous is what I call slide show science. As I've said before, in these crusades you must be pure as the driven snow. The lunatics, aka the Hovinds, will pick the slightest nit and attempt to throw out the baby with the bathwater. Gore puts on a great show and the science is there, but even the slightest misstep, like the Katrina argument, gives trolls like these New Party people a potential AHA! moment and allows them to use this "evidence" to influence those not so well versed in the arguments.

Bottom line, I like Gore's film and I recognize its great service in broadening awareness of climate change. However, it ain't science. The science in it is pretty good but it still ain't science. Watch An Inconvenient Truth at home with your family and follow it up with a good discussion. In the classroom, we would be better served by leaving out the slick presentations and sticking with the real meat and potatoes of climate study.

Like maybe the work of the people with whom Gore shared the prize. You know, the actual scientists at the IPCC. Strangely, they are hardly ever mentioned in these little hit pieces.

UPDATE: Jason has his own response to Mr. V's little rant.

Georgia Gang Howler Of The Week

A new feature.

Dick Williams: One of the Democrats problem nationally is their hard core left wing...[discussion of the primary challenges of Jim Marshall]...It's a problem in the Democratic party.

Phil Kent: It shows how crazy and extreme that left wing is.

This in the same week the biggest story in national politics is James Dobson and his band of crazies threatening to go all Ralph Nader and cost the Republican Party a presidency.

But only the crazy, communist, hippie Democrats are beholden to extremists.

Saturday Stupids

Could get ugly

The Crippler

No DSL. So I'm going to take the day off and wander around. Tonight, I will be attending Barcamp. Like Rusty, I didn't really know what I was getting into when I signed up. But by the looks of it a geekfest is in store. I left the software industry 18 months ago and I'm not too excited about dipping my toe in that pool. I hope I haven't wasted one of Jeff's spots.

But before I leave you for the day, an abbreviated My Morning Wooten.

Jim? About your opinion that anyone who doesn't toe your John Wayne fantasyland version of patriotism is a worthless "leftist"?

Just two words.

Screw you.

Selah.

My Morning Wooten

Somedays, they almost write themself.

A Bill Clinton appointee to the federal court bench in San Franscisco, Charles Breyer, who happens to be the brother of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, has blocked the Bush Administration from requiring employers to clear up or discharge employees with questionable Social Security numbers.

Money is not the root of all evil. Bill Clinton is. It is always Bill Clinton's fault. Always.

The injunction by Breyer prevents an administration program from giving U.S. employers 90 days to clear up the legal status of employees with questionable social security numbers. According to the suit, the plan would have involved 140,000 U.S. workers.

The low end estimate of illegal workers in this country is 12 million. For you math whizzes out there, if every single one of those notices nets an unauthorized employee, we would nab 11% of the problem. That's quite a success rate.

But Jim may argue the numbers don't matter. It's the symbolism which is important. But even if you can accept this point of view, you are still missing the bottom line.

"Conservatives" who on the one hand argue government is so incompetent it cannot handle education, health care and any number of other services, completely and utterly trust the same government to tap our phones, detain the correct people without habeas access and use what amounts as a national identity database to force private industry to fire U.S. workers.

Consistency is not a strong suit. Then again. It is politics.

They're Baaaaaaaack!

The NRA is coming back to town.

In case, you forgot their last visit. A reminder.

Strange True Tales

Joeff Davis' impression of a local blogger. Creepilicious!

Creative Loafing photographer Joeff Davis will shortly exhibit his work at Composition Gallery in Candler Park. The opening reception is this Saturday at 7:00pm.

Joeff is a talented artist and a hoot to talk to once you get him going. Stop by and check it out.

Maybe He Was In Vegas?

If you aren't subscribed, you are missing the height of weird. The Lakeland Ledger, a Florida paper, for reasons unknown to yours truly, publish some of the weirdest stories off the AP wire. Many have absolutely nothing to do with Florida. Like this one.

The mayor of [Atlantic City] has resigned after being missing from office for two weeks, his lawyer said today.

Maybe he was in Vegas? But really, I want to know. Why the hell was this in a central Florida newspaper?

Dear Abby?

American Icon "Dear Abby" has come out in support of gay marriage.

I believe if two people want to commit to each other, God bless 'em

Via Political Insider

An Inconvenient Blah

As I have feared for a long time, Al Gore's little movie may cause more harm than help.

Call it the Kent Hovind effect.

Grady Update

Friday, I reported on a group of legislators including Sen. David Shafer who had filed a motion to unseal the records in the case of Murtagh vs. Fulton Dekalb Hospital Authority.

That afternoon, much to my surprise, I received an email that State Court Judge Wendy Shoob had moved very quickly and granted the motion.

Today, as the dust begins to settle from this lastest round of sparring, at least one side's view of the shenanigans involving the Murtagh case and the seal have emerged. Senator Shafer explains:

Everyone knows that Grady has problems. How can the trustees be expected to solve them if doctors or former doctors of the hospital can be jailed for talking with them? Who exactly is ”Grady” if not the trustees appointed to run it? Why on earth would “Grady” enter into a settlement that makes it a jailable offense for a doctor or former doctor to communicate with its trustees — without the trustees apparently even knowing about it? And why, with all of its problems, would
“Grady” be spending legal fees trying to jail a former doctor for allegedly talking to one of its own trustees?

I've always maintained the solution to the Grady crisis involves both money and restructuring. It's just a question of in what order. I still believe this is the case. However, with each new discovery, it becomes more apparent, the onion of mismanagement has to be peeled first. This is not the state being paternalistic, overbearing or unreasonable. It is simply good stewardship. The ball is now in Grady's court to show otherwise.

My Morning Wooten: Pigs Fly Edition

I actually agree with practically everything Jim writes this morning. Well, I would like to discuss the school choice section a little but I'm at least willing to listen to the arguments.

I feel faint. Someone please tell me why I'm wrong.

Vanishing Georgia

While conducting some research, I ran across this most excellent website.

Vanishing Georgia

It's a digital collection of over 18,000 images from the State Archives.

Enjoy.

Saturday Stupids

Deliverance style

Grady Advisory Panel Named

From the ABC:

Pete Correll, chairman emeritus of Georgia-Pacific Corp.

Michael B. Russell, CEO of H.J. Russell & Co
Tom Bell, chairman, president and CEO of Cousins Properties Inc.
The Rev. Dr. William E. Flippin, senior pastor of Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church.
Carolyn Jernigan Glenn, publisher of The Champion newspaper.
Josh Belinfante, deputy executive counsel for Gov. Sonny Perdue.
Lisa M. Hamilton, president of the United Parcel Service Foundation.
The Rev. Dr. Joseph L. Roberts, pastor emeritus of Ebenezer Baptist Church.
The Rev. Darrell D. Elligan, with the Concerned Black Clergy.
The Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery.
The Rev. Dr. Gerald L. Durley, pastor at Providence Missionary Baptist Church.
Unnamed designees from Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Georgia Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson, the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, and The Coca-Cola Foundation

Make of it what you will.

Burma Vigil In Decatur

From the tipline, there will be a vigil for the oppressed in Burma tomorrow morning on the Decatur Square. Details to follow shortly.

Update: Details via CL.

On Saturday, Oct. 6, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., there will be a vigil in downtown Decatur to express public support for the brave Burmese men and women risking their lives to bring democracy to their country.

The vigil takes place at the intersection of Clairemont and East Ponce de Leon avenues. Members of Atlanta’s Burmese refugee community will be among the participants

Democratic Playbook: Healthcare

An occasional series by one guy who thinks he might know how the Democrats can win back Georgia.

Much hoo-hah lately over the President's veto of S-CHIP funding. Especially here in Georgia where conservative Democrat Jim Marshall voted against funding and looks like he will not switch to override the veto.

Short and sweet entry in the playbook.

If you want to convince a fiscal conservative the government should be involved in providing healthcare, do not talk to me about it being any sort of right. Talk to me about how we already have government healthcare, but do it badly, i.e. using emergency rooms as primary providers, but there is a way to make it work. I might put ideology aside and begin listening.

The Face Of Non-Violence

I ruffled the feathers of a few friends with my defense of University of Florida security in their dealings with one young Andrew Meyer.

Events in the world now allow me to explain what may have seemed like an overly passionate response.

It all started with a comment by a single person about how horribly this "non-violent" protestor was treated. At that point, the die was cast. Anger replaced reason.

When I think of non-violent protests, I think of the horror of endless lines of Indians marching forward into a line of British soldiers, fully aware the only result would be the end of a rifle butt. I also think of John Lewis, long ago on that bridge in Alabama, with a baton smashed into is forehead. I now also will think of calm, shorn, holy women marching out of their refuges of peace towards certain death.

In the last week, Buddhist nuns, who in Burma are called Keepers of Virtue, amongst other honored titles, shyly left their shelters and joined with Buddhist monks to protest Senior General Than Schwe’s policies that have purposely bankrupted Burma so he could float in diamonds and rubies while the people drowned in poverty...My correspondent relays that there is nary a nun to be seen anywhere. The fears are high that something very bad has taken place and is being hidden by Than Schwe.

To walk towards death. Surely it requires a reserve of will which few ever tap.

To in any way, in any manner, compare these actions to the antics of an attention seeking jackass who was able to sleep in his own bed less than 24 hours later is an insult so great, it simply will not abide.

Will not abide.

There are still some things that matter in this world.

Legal Question Of The Day

Erick at Peach Pundit passed along a report from the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer that six Georgia legislators have filed a motion to remove the seal in the case of James J. Murtagh vs. The Fulton-Dekalb Hospital Authority etal.

I can confirm the pols involved because I was fortunate enough to see the motion about the same time it was filed yesterday.

I know there are several lawyers who peruse these parts so let's get some opinions flowing. Unofficial of course. Those with conflicts of interest feel free to step out of the room for a moment.

A quick summary.

Murtagh was a physician / professor employed by Emory University who worked at Grady Hospital.

He sued after receiving a poor peer review claiming retribution for pointing out potential malfeasance in the Emory / Grady agreement. In the end, the parties settled and agreed to have the case sealed.

Enter, the current Grady fiscal crisis brouhaha.

The position of the legislators is since public funds were possibly involved, such a case by statute cannot be sealed and even if it could be sealed, there is a compelling interest to get to the bottom of the allegations of corruption.

Although I haven't seen the response yet, I imagine the hospital and an army of attorney's response will be a seal is a seal and if we start piercing them willy nilly Lord know what will be next. Like, maybe some salacious previously sealed settlements involving high-profile politicians.

Whew boy, do we have the possibility of a particularly vile witches brew.

Thoughts?

What Is Goin' On: Casey Cagle Interview

Listen to a fascinating interview with Lt. Governor Casey Cagle on What Is Goin' On.

Lt. Governor Cagle addresses the state water plan (possibly the most important issue you've never heard about) and the Glenn Tax (you know that little thing everyone is talking about).

I'm going to spend some time researching Cagle's numbers on the amount of water the state receives. Never heard these before and I'm curious. You know the old saying about statistics.

My Morning Wooten

It's a full day today, children. So I hope you've had your Cheerios.

Libertarians and some conservatives worry about the potential for Big Brother snooping with national photo IDs and with allowing intelligence agencies to intercept calls into this country from suspected terrorists abroad. My Big Brother fear is the Neighborhood Water-Watch Gestapo mobilized during droughts to track down and punish offenders for some minor perceived rule-breaking offense. Get a life.

Okay. Let's see here. A ticket for being a jackass and not following reasonable restrictions in the middle of a drought vs. ripping up the U.S. Constitution like its just so many sheaves of toilet paper. I know which side I'm on. You pick which is the "conservative" position.

Sandy Springs City Councilwoman Ashley Jenkins offers just the right touch on the drought hysteria sweeping metro Atlanta. “Many of you have called or e-mailed about the new water restrictions,” she wrote constituents. So they don’t try to rat out neighbors for something that’s not a violation, she presented the rules. And added: “If you still feel the need to tattletale on your neighbor, you may call the City of Atlanta Water Department [which provides Sandy Springs water] and wait on hold for 10 minutes to report a violation. You can expect the City of Atlanta Water to promptly do nothing about your complaint. If you do actually get someone on the line, could you please have them fix the water gusher that has been coming out of the ground at Wycombe and Drummen for 2 weeks.” Later she told me: “We would have water in Lake Lanier if they just fixed the gushers in Sandy Springs.”

I really want to write something deep about the complexity of water rights and the effect of overdevelopment on the entire watershed, but really I just want to point out once again that the independent city of Sandy Springs still relies on the City of Atlanta Water Department. You give some people exactly what they want and still...

You know the service is bad when the real home-run king, Hank Aaron, calls the newspaper in desperation, hoping to shame the city of Atlanta into fixing a neighborhood bridge he considers dangerous and an eyesore. It’s on the list. …

Maybe the Hammer should have called the City Of Sandy Springs Street Repair Division. Oh wait a minute...

Twiggs County school officials failed to notify parents that their elementary school had failed academically — thus triggering school choice and tutoring options. An oversight, said school officials. Parents everywhere should be vigilant. School officials hate these provisions of the No Child Left Behind law. They’ll notify parents of the options just as soon as the lawyer who writes the fine print on credit card agreements becomes available — and send it out on election day, or some other where the attention of parents is directed elsewhere. Parents should always protest to the state — and to the feds.

School officials. Liars all. It's a wonder we ever got out of the frontier days with the vast public education conspiracy holding us down.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama grandly refused to vote on a Senate resolution condemning Moveon.org for its “General Betray Us” ad in the New York Times. Too frivolous, he claimed from the high road. But not too frivolous was a resolution condemning talk show host Rush Limbaugh for an opinion. In that case, he’s for taking up the Senate’s business with a resolution condemning Limbaugh.

I'll make a deal with you, Jim. Let's both call for the end to all useless resolutions. Then you and I can never write about this kind of idiocy again.

Professors lament that they age and their students don’t — with the consequence that a huge gap develops in their common knowledge. “You have to remind yourself” said one, “that they won’t know who George H.W. Bush was, or they’ll have vaguely heard of Reagan. Vietnam is a passing reference that people make.” All of which is offered here to explain why Wayne Willams continues to get hearings on his search for the real killer of Atlanta’s missing and murdered. Williams was convicted 25 years ago, after which the killings stopped.

For those of you playing Jim Wooten Non-Sequitur Bingo. I-24!

Headline: “Should smokers pick up tab for children’s health care?” No. The 39-cent per pack tax would go to $1 to partially finance a huge expansion of the federal program that largely funds PeachCare, which the president properly vetoed. The cigarette tax is an effort to drive a legitimate business out of existence — though, in the meantime, the tax burden will fall most heavily on the poor, since they’re the smokers. As with the Georgia Lottery, the poor will be asked to support something that will heavily benefit the middle class.

Jim, can you explain to me in the middle of all this fairness and graciousness to the poor (you know, those people who smoke and probably also drink the whiskey and do whatever things the poor people do), how this philosophy applies to a tax plan which removes the tax burden from a $10 million piece of property and replaces it buy jacking up the price on a pack of smokes. Not to mention food, diapers, laundry detergent, etc. etc. etc.

My goodness. That rollercoaster was so much fun, it ought to be at Six Flags!

My Morning Wooten

Just a quick hit.

Jim thinks 59% of Americans are Democrats.

One is that questions like whether Republican voters prefer a candidate similar or dissimilar to Bush, while entertaining, mean nothing to me. Most of the Republicans I know find fault with Bush — but it’s mostly because they think he’s failed to check spending or has failed in some meaningful way to confront Democrats. They grumble but, as with the Democrats’ Iraq withdrawal agenda, will stand with him if it matters.

One of the latest polls on American's opinion on withdrawal from Iraq.

A New Name In The Georgia Senate Race

He's not a career politician but he knows politics.

Josh Lanier, 55, is a native of Statesboro although his career took him to Virginia over 30 years ago. A Vietnam Veteran, Lanier worked on the personal staff of Georgia Senator Herman Talmadge assisting the front line aides on the hottest issues of the day including Watergate and Vietnam. He returned to his native state one year ago and his name keeps popping up in interesting places.

Recently, it began surfacing in the already muddled race for the seat currently held by Senator Saxby Chambliss. Democratic Party of Georgia officials confirm that Lanier contacted the Atlanta headquarters expressing an interest in the contest but would comment no further, stating it was one of many calls speculating on candidates.

Lanier says he's not a person looking for a career in politics but is willing to step up if there is a need.

" I talked to [a party official] because I heard he had been asking questions", Lanier stated via telephone, "All my conversations have been what is the status of the race and what is the real need here".

Lanier is not rushing anything but admits to the possibility of a campaign,

"I have not made a decision to run yet, but I am kicking it around."

Lanier's name recognition may be low at this time, but just two years ago few people knew Jim Webb in Virginia. The potential of a knowledgeable neophyte running may make a Senate race considered by many to be a foregone conclusion, at the very least, a lot more fascinating.

My Morning Wooten

I swear the fishwrapper is going to make me lose my mind.

While we’re in the business or renaming roads, schools, airports and other real estate, my recommendation to the Georgia General Assembly is that Thomas County in Southwest Georgia be renamed for the reknown pioneer Georgian, Clarence Thomas. It’s far too complicated to rename his birthplace, Chatham County. Deeds, contracts, records, etc.

Let's forget for a moment that Thomas County is already named for someone. For God's sake! It's not like they just pulled a name out of the air. No, let's instead let's try to wrap our brains around this pretzel logic.

A supposed small government conservative wants the General Assembly to waste the people's time for symbolism's sake by renaming something has had a name for over 175 years!

Maybe there's something in the water. Oh hell, I'm going to blame those idiots building snow on Stone Mountain. We're all going drought crazy.

Hello? Is There Anybody In There?

You have got to be kidding me.

We have two vacancies for Henry County community bloggers. We'd like our bloggers to be residents of the area and to provide us with a new blog entry at least once a week. The blog would focus on topics of interest to the community — but you would decide what those interesting. subjects are.

Hmmmmm. Henry County bloggers who report on local events like community meetings and such? In a word, DUH.

Next the AJC will be searching for the ever elusive Doraville blog.

Corrections

I met a very nice gentleman from Bloglanta tonight, I didn't recognize him, but I'm pretty sure I've had them here the whole time so my guilt is minimal.

But I have been bad. And there's something later which might can help me with that.

There are a few blogs who I have added to my little thing (the thing is that little list over to your right which actually is not just my thing but a thing me and a friend thought of and you can have if you want just email us and by us I mean me) but I forgot to add them to the main blogroll. And we are so drunk slack in the QA department, I'm not sure if my links have been picked up by all the powers that be technorati.

I Saw It On Ponce. I also love Egg McMuffins.

Rowland's Office. If you love the Braves and you don't read it, see Cable and Tweed.

Cable and Tweed. If love music and you don't read it, you're an idiot.

Gloria's Oversexed Mind. She's about to help me.

So that's it. I think I have everything covered. But if not, I'll get to it as soon as Gloria lets me up.

That Poythress Thing

Full disclosure: I worked for the Georgia Dept. Of Labor during Commissioner Poythress tenure.

So, cat's out of the bag. Insider Advantage is reporting the rumors about people attempting to recruit Georgia's current Adjutant General David Poythress were true. It's also reporting the other rumors that Poythress was instead considering an offer in the private industry were also true.

I heard the first one about two months ago. I heard the second one three weeks ago. Both were from reliable sources (the second one a very reliable source), but both were given off the record. Being unable to confirm either on the record, I chose to not publish. That's not an indictment on other blogs methodology (as Rusty says over and over again, its a blog not a democracy), just a little clarification on the goings on around these parts.

Having said that, I believe Lt. General Poythress will not run. He's a good guy and has been a good public servant. Time for him to do what I did. Get out of government and make some real money.

I would tell you more, but off the record is off the record. Anyone wants to change that status knows how to contact me. In the meantime, I will give you one tease. This won't be the last surprise in the upcoming Senate race.

Connections

The new South is enamored of her new work. Her soul is stirred with the breath of a new life. The light of a grander day is falling fair on her face. She is thrilling, sir, with the consciousness of growing power, and prosperity. ~Henry Grady

With 159 scattered here and yon, it can be hard to keep them all straight, much less remember the origins of such odd names as Tattnall and Treutlan. But one has a name which resonates through time. A name which seems to know no boundaries, even as the corporeal bearer moved on a century prior.

Most travelers miss it, travelling the larger routes in Thomas County to the east. A few pass through a small sliver near the unincorporated crossroads of Beachton; a flicker on the way to Tallahassee. Only those travelling US-84 to such exotic places as Dothan, Alabama actually pass through the county seat of Cairo. One of two incorporated areas in the rural county named Grady.

A border county, as far south as possible from his beloved Atlanta, an agrarian backwater more beholden to the vision of his opponent Thomas Watson, Grady County seems a world away from its namesake, legendary Atlanta Constitution editor and "New South" advocate Henry W. Grady.

However, odd connections pepper the life of one of Georgia's proudest sons. Although, he is best remembered for his passionate speeches of advocacy for his home, in locations only a generation removed from being considered enemy territory, a deeper look into Georgia history reveals a man of complexity and vision.

Grady will be forever joined with the so-called Atlanta Ring. A coalition of journalists, politicians and businessmen formed with the singular goal of growing Atlanta beyond a tainted history as a nexus of the Confederate States of America. Included in the group were Governor Jospeh E. Brown, the firebrand leader of Georgia who so ardently believed in the right of secession he once threatened to lead his state out of the C.S.A., and future Governor John B. Gordon, a former Confederate General who though beloved was also alledgedly the head of the Georgia Ku Klux Klan. Strange bedfellows for a newspaper man who once spoke regarding the fate of recently freed slaves was to be held by "conscience and common sense".

Cynics would note most of these men stood to garner tremendous personal gain from the ideas being promoted. Brown and Gordon certainly prospered from the massive growth of railroads and industry which swirled into the Atlanta area. Yet, the soul of the group, Grady remained. His continued advocacy for his home, some would say naive in its ignorance of continuing racial fractures, resulted in the establishment of Georgia Tech and the hosting of the Cotton States Exposition. And in 1892, two years following his death, the hospital which would bear his name opened.

For over 100 years, Grady Memorial Hospital served the needs of Atlanta. From the "Grady babies" to numerous trauma cases to the ongoing care of the poor, the doors of the hospital never closed. Now, in its most troubled time, a new coalition of business leaders, politicians and journalists strive to keep it alive. Hampered by accusations of corruption, political maneuvering and of course, racial motivations, the question remains will the center hold? Will the Atlanta of today discover its own Henry W. Grady, a leader capable of binding with the force of a soul seemingly not of this earth those with more prurient interests in order to grant a better future to all?

In much smaller news, last April, Grady County announced an expansion of its industrial park including groundbreaking of a new plant which would employ 50 of its residents. It was a small victory but one with great meaning to a county where poverty weighs on a 1/5 of its citizens. Instead of millions of dollars for a major hospital, the Cairo City Council recently dealt with the ability to purchase a new firetruck.

Vastly different in location with vastly different priorities, the two namesakes of Henry Grady seem to travel paths far apart. Yet, both struggle for survival and both hold the vision of the man who melded the past and the present to help create a future where all are served by the brightness of a new day.

The New Georgia Encylopedia contibuted to this piece.

Tired

After an entire day in the sun, battling an infernal little white ball, the last thing I want to do is wade into a story about how abortion politics is threatening to pollute the save Grady movement.

So regular rants return tomorrow.

Songs In My Head

Saturday Stupids

Oh Lord, grant me vision, Oh Lord, grant me speed

Georgia Blog Carnival

The carnival is in town. Make sure you check it out.

Break

I'm tired of fighting with people about global warming, supposed bi-partisanship, Iraq, tasers, health care and whatever issue has everyone's panties in a wad at the particular moment. I'm tired of explaining to people, both well-intentioned and not, that just because I write in a different venue does not mean I am not just looking for the story. Just like they are. Mostly, I'm tired of a bunch of minor irritants rolling up into one big ball of ugly.

So everybody have a good weekend. We'll start again Monday. Or Sunday, if Phil Kent says something stupid. Okay, see you Sunday.

Welcome to Newt Country!

University of West Georgia College Republicans Chairman David Bachman

Perhaps it was the presence of right wing radio host Sean Hannity, but the "non-partisan" event hosted at the Cobb Galleria by American Solutions definitely had a one sided feel. To search for the "non" in the partisan, attendees walked past a gauntlet of campaign tables inlcuding Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Mike Huckabee and Georgia Senator Saxby Chambliss. Nary a Democratic campaingn in sight.

With the official kick-off of the event hours away, the only attraction in the hall was Sean Hannity's live radio show. Hannity's boisterous manner had already caused one member of the local press to flee to a quiet corner in order to file a report. Speaker Gingrich spoke at length with Hannity, promising to begin a grassroots pledge drive on Monday with a guarantee that if $30 million could be raised by October 21, he would throw his hat into the Presidential campaign follies.

The American Solutions event continues on Saturday with a series of workshops at West Georgia College. Univerisity of West College Republicans Chairman David Bachman said he hopes for a high turnout. When asked about the non-partisan nature of the event, Bachman, perhaps betraying the true undercurrent, rolled his eyes.

Things could be different this evening as Democratic National Chair Roy Romer is scheduled to speak at the event. Time will tell if he is met with applause, more eyerolling or catcalls.

Ms. Loafee

If you are regular reader, you know I keep up with the goings on in Florida as well as Georgia. This means I read Blurbex, the Tampa Bay equivalent to our Fresh Loaf. It was with glee that I noticed they recently celebrated their Best of The Bay awards and assisting in the presentation of the honors was Ms. Loafee. Ms. Loafee! Which of course makes one wonder. Does Atlanta have a Ms. Loafee?

Tampa Bay's Ms. Loafee

Atlanta's Ms. Loafie

Know the difference

Photos by Tampa Bays' Joe Bairdi and Atlanta's Joeff Davis

American Solutions

Unless it's a rafting trip, I rarely travel to Cobb County. But the debut of American Solutions intrigues me enough to risk a brief border incursion.

Today at the Galleria, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich rolls out his new policy forum with the goal of moving past politics and finding real solutions.

Move past politics? Rhetorical firebomber Newt Gingrich? An interesting witches brew or cover for exploring larger political game?

Although, the event has a couple of Democratic heavy hitters (Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and DNC Chair Roy Romer), the event proudly promotes an appearance by Sean Hannity. Anything touting itself as non-partisan but invites the most partisan gas-bag on the airwaves certainly deserves some skepticism. However, American Solutions R.J. Briscone insists the goal is to move beyond partisan spew.

I guess I better just go find out for myself.

And I Do One Armed Push Ups Too

First of all, if you love music and you don't read Cable and Tweed, you're an idiot (so much for that easy-going label).

Having said that, we may have some new readers around these parts and I thought it might be helpful to have some background information on yours truly.

So instead of me preening like some farm raised high altitude peacock, here are a few of my favorite moments. Please feel have a look around. But break it and you buy it. A cliche we all know as sure as life itself yet our leaders conveniently forget.


A Life Shattered
Choices
Innocence Lost (The Baseball Series)
The Lifeline of Hope
Thugs
The Response
Peckerwoods
My Morning Wooten (The first ever)
20 Years Ago
The Porn Wars: Love Shack Gets Little Love
Welfare To Work: Ten Years Later

But that's not all! In case you haven't noticed, over to your right is a little thing called Georgia Voices. It is the absolute latest in the Georgia blogosphere. It's a vibrant community and I am proud to call them my friends.

Especially Sara (who had the final word on whether this thing should even be created), the Blog For Democracy Coven (who put up with my crap even when they want to smack me in the head), Rusty and Amber (who remind me that its okay to keep asking questions), Wilson (who keeps having me on his radio show), Cracker Squire (who reminds me that I am still a south Georgia boy), Aging Hipster (who is a kindred heart), Jason (who even when we disagree reminds me what respect is about), Amani (who shows me I have so much to learn), Peach Pundit (who gives me a sandbox to play in), Audacity (who keeps inviting me to things even though I never show up), JMac (who reminds me of something Manuel once said), Shelby (who proves re-incarnation can happen in your lifetime), Jon (who still thinks I should be a Democrat), The Loafers (who listen to the rantings of a madman and offer more than a pat on the head), Grayson (who God knows, to my trepidation, understands the south and particularly the southern man better than most) and of course, Doug, who convinced me I could write just a little.

God help us. Another year almost in the books. Another one about to start. Lord, what a party it's been. What a party it will be.

Boyd Lewis on Mostly ITP

Former Atlantan Boyd Lewis, writer for the Great Speckled Bird back in the 70s, comes home to exhibit his photos at Mason Murer Fine Arts and talk to Georgia Podcast Network's Rusty Tanton about the shangra-la that was Atlanta prior to the child murders and the lack of a true counter-culture in today's politics.

Listen at Georgia Podcast Network's Mostly ITP.

Agree or disagree with his views, but you have to admit he gives one helluva rant.

My Morning Woote...Eh Whatever

There are those days when the tank is a little empty. Today would be one of those days. Of course the last time I said that suddenly I was overwhelmed by items. But today I didn't even take Jim to task for conducting his "internet sample" on Grady.

Well, I can't completely let him get away. Jim, here's a little advice. Instead of opening your door to every troll with a connection, maybe you should check out a few places around the local blogosphere who have been covering this issue. Some of them might actually agree with your position!

Jim, it's rare I give you credit, but I have always been consistent in complimenting you for being one of the first newsmen in the Atlanta area to step through the looking glass of the blogworld. So, perhaps you can return the courtesy by exploring the bright shining lands that are just a few steps beyond your virtual doorstep.

Just some friendly advice from good ol' boy to another. Tomorrow we can go back to feudin'.

P.S. The Insiders already do. Now, you don't want them boys passing you by, do you?

Answering Senator Johnson's Question

We had so much fun with Senator Eric Johnson last year. Surely this session can't get any better, can it?

Senator Johnson asks a pretty simple question.

Just thinking out loud, we ought to look at — what if Grady ceased to exist?

I'll take a stab, Sen. Johnson!

Level 1 trauma patients would have to be flown over 170 miles to UAB in Birmingham? Thus possibly missing what health professionals call the "golden hour"?

Okay, how about this! Convention business would die up since the city would have no facility which could support a mass casualty event?

Still not good enough? Then, let me get right down to the meat of the sitchiation.

We'd be Mississippi. Actually after a bit of research, not only did I find out Mississippi has a Level One Trauma center but the state actually funds it. So scratch that. We wouldn't even be Mississippi.

Grady Resolution

I was just sent a copy of the resolution passed yesterday by the Fulton Dekalb Hospital authority. It does not mandate state participation in exploring Grady's transition to a non-profit entity.

...the Authority does hereby request and authorize the Chairperson to appoint a special committee of Trustees (the "Exploratory Committee"), consisting of such number of the Board of Trustees as the Chairperson shall determine...

It goes on to recommend this "exploratory committee" consult with what it calls an "Advisory Group" which should consist of civic, government, etc. entities. But this is not mandated.

It also ask the new group to immediately explore securing funds to keep the hospital open.

So, we are still at the point of the same people in charge but still asking for money. This is progress?

You can download a full copy of the resolution HERE. Document is in PDF format.

My Morning Wooten

Jim Wooten on the death penalty.

We can either accept that juries reflect the will of the people and, therefore, disparities that superficially appear “arbitrary” will result. Or we can change the system.

David Keaton
Samuel Poole
Wilbert Lee
Freddie Pitts
James Creamer
Christopher Spicer
Thomas Gladish
Richard Greer
Ronald Kleine
Clarence Smith
Delbert Tibbs
Earl Charles
Jonathan Treadway
Gary Beeman
Jerry Banks
Larry Hicks
Charles Ray Giddens
Michael Linder
Johnny Ross
Ernest Graham
Annibal Jaramillo
Lawyer Johnson
Larry Fisher
Anthony Brown
Neil Ferber
Clifford Henry Bowen
Joseph Green Brown
Perry Cobb
Darby Tillis
Vernon McManus
Anthony Ray Peek
Juan Ramos
Robert Wallace
Richard Neal Jones
Willie Brown
Larry Troy
Randall Dale Adams
Robert Cox
Timothy Hennis
James Richardson
Clarence Brandley
John C. Skelton
Dale Johnston
Jimmy Lee Mathers
Gary Nelson
Bradley P. Scott
Charles Smith
Jay C. Smith
Kirk Bloodsworth
Fredrico M. Macias
Walter McMillian
Gregory R. Wilhoit
Muneer Deeb
Andrew Golden
Abolph Munson
Robert Charles Cruz
Rolando Cruz
Alejandro Hernandez
Sabrina Butler
Joseph Barrows
Verneal Jimerson
Dennis Williams
Roberto Miranda
Gary Gaugher
Troy Lee Jones
Carl Lawson
David Wayne Grannis
Ricardo Aldape Guerra
Benjamin Harris
Robert Hayes
Christopher McCrimmon
Randall Padgett
James Bo Cochran
Robert Lee Miller, Jr.
Curtis Kyles
Shareef Cousin
Anthony Porter
Steven Smith
Ronald Willamson
Ronald Jones
Clarence Dexter, Jr.
Warren Douglas Manning
Alfred Rivera
Steve Manning
Eric Clemmons
Joseph Nahume Green
Earl Washington
Willam Nieves
Frank Lee Smith
Michael Graham
Albert Burrell
Oscar Lee Morris
Peter Limone
Gary Drinkard
Joaquin Jose Martinez
Jeremy Sheets
Charles Fain
Juan Roberto Melendez
Ray Krone
Thomas Kimball, Jr.
Larry Osborne
Aaron Patterson
Madison Hobley
Leroy Orange
Stanley Howard
Rudolph Holton
Lemuel Prion
Wesley Quick
John Thompson
Timothy Howard
Gary Lamar James
Joseph Amrine
Nicholas Yarris
Alan Gell
Gordon Steidl
Laurence Adams
Dan L. Bright
Ryan Matthews
Ernest Ray Willis
Derrick Jamison
Harold Wilson
John Ballard
Curtis McCarty

Damn right we need a new system.

The Innocence Project

Grady Deal Under Fire

From an astute reader, prior to today's Grady meeting, folks on both sides were not happy with the way it's being played out. From Insider Advantage.

Dekalb Commissioner Elayne Boyer:

“DeKalb taxpayers pay 30 percent of the local funding of that hospital, yet we haven’t had a say in this plan,” she said. “The audacity of the Grady board absolutely floors me.”

From the New Grady Coalition:

“The plan ignores the issues of Emory University's one-sided contract to manage Grady, Emory's billings and the fact that Emory is Grady's chief competitor through Crawford Long Hospital,” he said. “Tens of millions of dollars are being lost every year because of inadequate documentation and poor oversight'

And did anyone wonder why this past week's Georgia Gang made no mention of Grady? Could it be because regular Georgia Gang panelist Jeff Dickerson was hired by Grady and is brokering the behind the scenes meetings? Guess Jeff is earning those fees this week.

Something must have been done to appease Dekalb since as of 3:00pm the meeting was back on. But from what I am being told, still no vote yet.

Grady Deal Imminent

Political Insider is reporting a deal may be struck within the hour. The Fulton-Dekalb Hospital Authority is meeting right now. Galloway and Baxter Kemper are reporting the result will be the naming of a transition team which will have 60 days to restructure the management to a non-profit entity. It will be composed as follows.

Fulton County will assign two members, DeKalb County will appoint another two. The business community gets two. And the Grady community gets a pair as well. House Speaker Glenn Richardson, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, and Gov. Sonny Perdue name one representative each.

Note the state involvment. If this is true, it will be a huge step. And surely the Insiders will have the scoop.

Phil Kent Loves CREW

Ready for your Georgia Gang howler of the week?

This morning Phil Kent used a report by CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington) to criticize Democratic Congressman David Scott.

Why is this funny? Because Kent penned a fire and brimstone tome "exposing" how rich liberals are ruining America and as any good Republican will tell you, CREW is the demon-spawn of leftist boogeyman George Soros.

But what's a little footsie with the devil when there are Democrats to slam?

Saturday Stupids

We need some new pictures

Songs In My Head

My Morning Wooten

Lots of legal talk today. Since neither Jim nor I are actual experts, you can count on accuracy. Right? Right? Bueller?

Headline correction: “Billable hours aren’t everything.” The headline writer neglected to observe that the story was about lawyers. (Of course, billable hours aren’t everything if one earns as much working 15 hours as when working 40, as asserted.)

That's going to cause a few lawyer heads to explode.

The Thinking Right translation service offers as a public service this translation of Jane Kidd, head of the state Democratic Party, referring to the three weak challengers lined up to take on U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss: “We’re still kind of eyeing that one.” Translation: “Surely there’s a rich trial lawyer or a wealthy businessman out there who can self-finance a statewide political campaign.” No charge. Public gratitude is sufficient.

Yes, yes. Better if she had said, "Yep, they all suck." Surely, a straight talking Republican would have done just that.

Headline: “Saudi women want to drive.” Some days I’m for that, and some days I’m not.

Because they are women? Because they might be Muslim? Given the smallness of Jim's worldview, I'm sure it must be one or the other.

Jena, La. Whites hang nooses in a tree on a school campus in September, for which they’re punished with in-school suspensions. Three months later, a white student who had nothing to do with the first episode is beaten severely in the school cafeteria by black football teammates, who are criminally charged. Supporters think the first explains the second. It doesn’t. The beaters may well have been overcharged initially with second-degree attempted murder, but it’s often difficult to get a full and impartial read on stories involving race, as was the case at Duke University.

Instead of wasting precious space explaining all the relevant facts Jim left out here (surprising such a seasoned journalist would omit relevant facts. It would never be intentional, right?), I'll ask the question again. Why were the law and order crowd so quick to jump to the defense of the Duke lacrosse players but eagerly defend the prosecutor in practically every other case of overreach?

There's one common factor in the cases where those of a certain political stripe strongly the defend a prosecutor. Gernarlow Wilson. The Jena 6. But you're smart enough to connect the dots.

Selah.

What Happened Before The Tape?

Maybe this will be the last time I write about this idiocy, but probably not.

One question about the Andrew Meyer incident is why were police already near him at the beginning of the videos?

The police report may provide the answer. From the officer's point of view, jackass had already disrupted the forum once and despite their attempt to remove him, pleas from Senator Kerry swayed them to let him return to the mic. And that's where all the videos begin. With Meyer ranting once again and the officers standing nearby.

From Officer Wise's report.

I noticed the ACCENT supervisor talking to the individuals left in line on the opposite side of the auditorium where I was positioned. I noticed him talking to an individual in line (later identified as Andrew Meyer). This conversation caught my eye due to the student's some what aggressive posturing towards the ACCENT supervisor. At this point I noticed the ACCENT supervisor walking halfway up the aisle on the side of the auditorium and I was signaled by the ACCENT supervisor (sponsors of the event) in reference to the individual. I was stationed at the rear corner of the auditorium during the event. When I approached the area where the microphone was placed for questions for the Senator, a young man was causing a disturbance by shouting loudly at the Senator. The individual began to shout that the Senator needed to answer his question and stated he was going to jail. These statements were made before I reached the individual in question. The individual was later identified by his Florida driver license as Andrew William Meyer. I proceeded to Meyer's location and advised him that he needed to stop yelling and causing a disturbance or he would be escorted off the property. Meyer was stating he had sat in the auditorium for two hours and demanded that he ask his question to the Senator and everyone else in the auditorium that still had questions be allowed
to speak. The sponsors of the event had advised the individuals in the question line that the Senator would not be able to answer any more questions from the audience. Because of this, the question and answer session would be over before Meyer could ask his question. Meyer would not comply with my directions or the staff from ACCENT to leave because the session was over. I grabbed Meyer's arm in the transporter position and began to escort him up the aisle. Meyer was still shouting at the Senator to answer his questions as he was being escorted. Senator Kerry asked me to let Meyer ask his question. At this point he was brought back to the microphone and I stood beside him on the left side and Ofc. Mallo on his right side. Meyer handed a camera to a girl who was also in line to ask a question (this student was actually in front of Meyer's)

And from the point of view of Sgt King who entered from the rear of the auditorium:

When I arrived upstairs, I observed Meyer being very loud and yelling while Officers Mallo and Wise were attempting to walk him out. While they were walking him out Senator Kerry asked them to allow him to ask his question. The officers allowed him to go back to the microphone.

So much for Senator Kerry not attempting to intervene. So much for the "facist", "militaristic" or whatever perjorative you prefer police attempting to prevent an innocent young man's attempt to ask a Senator tough questions.

Grady, Morehouse and Sen. Shafer

Much has been made of the seemingly twisted relationship between Emory University and Grady Hospital. Rightly so. All should be done to ensure it is fair to both participants. But this isn't just about those two players.

What is in danger of being lost in the political brouhaha is the role of Morehouse in staffing Grady and possibly more importantly, the role of Grady in providing Morehouse training ground for future physicians.

In today's Insider Advantage, Sen. David Shafer reminds us all there is more in peril than just the institution itself.

"Emory and Morehouse are both outstanding institutions, and they both provide Grady with excellent doctors," Shafer said. "But Morehouse does not own hospitals that compete with Grady. Morehouse's future is tied to Grady in a way that Emory's s not."

Read the full article here.

Passing Gas

In this week's Creative Loafing, Joe ponders the question of what will do the emissions from all these tunnels certain "transportation consultants" are suggesting as solutions to Atlanta's traffic woes.

Robert Poole, director of transportation studies for the Reason Foundation, told the Legislature's House Transportation Committee that the tunnels would "avoid any interference with the neighborhoods and land uses" and have "no impact on traffic in any of those neighborhoods." At that meeting, he failed to mention there would be structures to ventilate emissions from the tunnel, but acknowledged in an interview with CL that "there would definitely have to be a ventilation system."

And lest you think these tunnel ideas are limited to the interstates, don't forget what one "consultant recommended for the Sembler project at the intersection of North Druid Hills and Briarcliff.

Meanwhile, Back In The Real World

Let's leave the cause junkies and agenda pimps for a moment and step back into the world of real injustice.

Today, in Jena, La., people from across the country have gathered to protest the continued prosecution and incarceration of the Jena 6.

Don't know much about the Jena 6? Here's a good place to start your education.

Taser Use Appropriate

This is the damnedest story I've ever seen. It just will not die. Three days after University of Florida student Andrew Meyer's impromptu episode of jackass, some continue to decry the "brutality" and the "torture".

Well, since we have all now moved onto the "let's roll out our experts" phase, here's mine.

Geoffrey Alpert, University of South Carolina professor of criminal justice currently conducting a study on the use of tasers for the U.S. Justice Department.

Under those facts, the use of a Taser is totally reasonable...It's technically justifiable, but I don't think it was necessary. They could have subdued him with the group of officers they had...The question is whether he posed a reasonable threat to the officers that had no other way to get him under control.

So we have a national opinion, how about the view of some local law enforcement? Orange County (that's Orlando for you non-Florida folk) Sheriff Capt. David Ogden, an expert in the use of force.

...the Gainesville incident appeared to be a "textbook," justified use. Tasers prevent further injury to officers and suspects. Use of force isn't pretty. Nobody doesn't say the Taser doesn't hurt. But the second it's done, it's done.

So, now do we continue to play the tit-for-tat game until the cows come home or shall we all move on to something a little more important than an at worst questionable use of force to get a single jackass under control?

Quote Of The Day

I just saw the weirdest commercial ever. It was on ESPN but was a local spot for some sushi place in Buckhead. Oh, the things they run during Champions League soccer matches. In the middle of all the hibachi madness suddenly the beaming face of a Buckhead Barbie appears and utters:

"Sushi fresher than the boys in Buckhead!"

Later, the commercial ends with another barbie sitting in her car burbling "and they deliver too!" Following her line an asian chef in full regalia pops his head up from the general vicinity of her lap.

I kid you not. Strange times, bubba. Strange times indeed.

The Left's New Meme

In case you thought modern mythological creations were only spawned by the right.

Today's news shows a recognizable shock moment in the annals of a closing society. A very ordinary-looking American student -- Andrew Meyer, 21, at the University of Florida - was tasered by police when he asked a question of Senator John Kerry about the impeachment of President George Bush.

Ummmmmmm, no he wasn't. He was tasered after repeatedly acting in an erratic manner and continuously lashing out out at security officers.

Lies. You can find them at every point on the spectrum.

To Taser or Not To Taser

Video via comments at Blog for Democracy

Yesterday, a University of Florida student was forcibly removed from a John Kerry event. He was forced to the ground and tasered.

View the video and answer this question for me gentle readers. Should he have been tasered?

UPDATED AT 2:06:

Another view of the incident. One which shows just how wildly he was flailing around. For any boneheads who continue to insist this guy is a "non-violent protestor", I suggest you go talk to your elders.



Updated at 3:08: More video including the aftermath. Meyer: "They're giving me to the government...They're going to kill me." This guy isn't an argument for peaceful protests. He's an argument for Haldol.