Weird Florida News

A little jaunt south of the border.

THE VILLAGES — GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's campaign event set for Sunday on Lake Sumter Landing Market Square in The Villages has been canceled by her campaign officials due to weather concerns.

As St. Pete Times writer Adam Smith points out the only weather concerns in central Florida right now is severe thunderstorms - a phenomena so regular in those parts this time of year you can your watch to them.

The Villages is a massive planned community between Ocala and Wildwood. Populated with older workers, retirees and former miliary, it is conservative to the core and a visit from a rising Republican politician is practically a rite of passage.

One could go insane following the more tedious bits of strangeness in the campaign season, but given the calculated gamble of Palin avoiding traditional media rollouts, the motes of weird suddenly seem more relevant.

My Morning Wooten

The Left and their allies in the press hate Sarah Palin and will do anything to destroy her. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Ad Nauseam. Sorry Freeman but I think the well is about tapped.

Wait a second. There is one new morsel here.

Former Reagan speechwriter Peggy Noonan, now a commentator, offers free but sound advice to the Obama campaign: Aim for the old guy. Palin’s trouble...They can do the gotchas. They can make sport of her observation about the proximity of Alaska and Russia, as Saturday Night Live amusingly did. They can dig for dirt. But they’d be smarter to take Noonan’s advice and ignore her.

Peggy Noonan, in a moment of unguarded honesty when she didn't know her mike was still on, recently gave some other free advice regarding Palin.

The most qualified? No! I think they went for this -- excuse me-- political bullshit about narratives --

So Wise Wooten - which utterance from the Oracle Of Noonan should be followed?

Jedi Mind Tricks

Apparently the press in the Athens area have abilities from a galaxy far, far away. So sayeth Paul Broun's campaign treasurer Tim Echols.

Instead of trying to manipulate debate in this election, maybe the media should sit back and cover the events as they happen.

These are not the debates you are looking for.

Songs In My Head

Rick Wright
1943-2008

Oh For The Love Of Cats

Don't get me started on license plates.

The good ladies at Pecanne Log expose the latest abomination to be displayed on our the backs of our cars - neutering kitties. What's next? Vasectomy plates?

It's very simple. License plates have one purpose, one purpose only - identification. They should not be moving billboards for the flavor of the month. Until someone can prove to me these things are somehow revenue positive, my hatred will remain.

Even then, I'll still probably boil a little when I see them.

Saturday Stupids

Quote Of The Night

From Janeane Garofalo, who I rarely agree with (that gets the independent cred out of the way)

She's running for Vice President, why does she need a reminder of the linchpin of a foreign policy of why we're in Iraq.

Yep.

Truth At The Convenience Store

Over heard at a Quik Trip.

Clerk 1: What is the tax on that?

Clerk 2: Too damned much.

My Morning Wooten

It might be a strange day, friends and neighbors - Jim and I agree on some things.

But not right off the bat.

Billionaire Henry Samueli apologized for lying to the Securities and Exchange Commission investigators in advance of sentencing, which has been postponed. Ever hear anybody who’s not been caught apologize for lying or some other offense?

No, but at least he didn't resort to some lame passive voice mealy mouthism like "mistakes were made".

Secretary of State Karen Handel strikes a blow for transparency, too, launching her “Transparency in Government” initiative. A Web site will include her budget, monthly spending reports, her personal and campaign financial disclosure and ethics policy. “Responsible fiscal management begins with a commitment to transparency and accountability.” Republicans who run Georgia should own this issue. It’s what Georgians want. Transparency, performance standards and accountability.

In other news Georgians want ice cream on Sunday. For reasons known only in the deep recesses of the Wooten brain, Republicans exclusively know how to combine milk, ice and rock salt. Democrats would rather people just eat dirt.

The state should not take over any local school system, nor any airport, nor any city’s sewer system or anything else that fails at the local level. It has no particular expertise running schools or other local services.

I'm intentionally cutting off the portion about vouchers because it just clouds the issue. Jim is correct here. As noted here last year, the city of Johns Creek had to have legislative approval to open a parks department. In our supposed laissez-faire state, we have far too much top down governance and that needs fixin'. Unfortunately the fixin' would require reworking the Constitution and if we let the scoundrels loose in there who knows what additional stink bombs we will find years later.

No unkindness today for Barack Obama or Joe Biden. They’re still reeling from the old guy’s boldness in picking Gov. Sarah Palin and, in the process, seizing the “change” momentum. It’s hard to think of a guy who’s never bucked the Democratic establishment (Obama) and a 36-year Washington insider (Biden) as agents of change. Easier to imagine that from two party mavericks.

No unkindness until the next sentence.

Oh, my. It can’t be long before those who believe high gas prices are good (take the bus; don’t build more road capacity) jump on a report from the Transportation Research Institute at the University of Michigan...

Seriously, Jim. Is there someone at the DOT who has a picture of you playing golf with the devil?

Universities can be very selective in determining which values they seek to impose on students. At the University of Miami, it’s use of public transportation, ride-sharing and biking —- their intent in banning cars for freshmen. Wonder if they’d require, say, the pledge of allegiance at the first-of-day classes. Nah. Too jingoistic

Speaking of pictures with the devil. So a private institution makes a decision to improve its environment and a "conservative" not only wants to interfere but somehow implies it is not patriotic? For those playing Wooten bingo, N-32!

Landing Ron Paul as a running mate would be a coup for Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr. That alignment could be trouble in some close states, since both pull from John McCain. Their pull could, of course, be offset by Cynthia McKinney’s pull with the left. She’s the Green Party nominee.

Jim, do you end Fridays with items like this just to give me an early weekend giggle? Seriously, I don't know who should be more offended - Democrats or Libertarians. Actually I do know, libertarians have their highest profile candidate in forever and a certain person thinks they'll be offset by a kook who was essentially run out of office on a rail. Too funny.

Selah.

UPDATE: This is just too good not to promote from the comments. Joe reminds of us a time when Jim was all for state control of, what else, transportation. It's like a Wooten koan! Road building worship, Republican worship and hypocrisy all rolled up into one slightly bitter treat!

Pause

No more politics today. I'm even taking it light on the Wooten.

Just this.

Powell Continues

The Powell case is starting to feel like trench warfare.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the strange little case of Powell vs Handel. In November. We also have a little thing called an election in November. This all might seem weird and disturbing but then again, we are the state that once had three governors.

One quick note. After discussions with some level headed attorneys, I can see how Powell could justifiably win. Thusly, I've lowered the odds to 5-4.

My Morning Wooten

Nah. Not today.

Some days there's no meat and only bone. Some days, you crack the bone and there ain't no marrow. Today there isn't even enough for a good stew.

Maybe tomorrow.

Sauce

Harold's loses one if its own.

When he wasn’t running the barbecue business, Mr. Hembree loved to go deer hunting, play golf and watch the Atlanta Falcons, his stepson said.

That's about right.

Uppity

First, Lynn Westmoreland did it. Now, Republican candidate for the 8th district Rick Goddard has done it. Both called an African American "uppity".

Let us speak plainly.

Anyone who doesn't understand the long history of racism associated with the term "uppity" is either ignorant or a fool - two traits we should desperately try to exorcise from our legislative bodies.

For those who continue to be in denial and are desperately trying to pirouette this into some weird partisan slam, just shut up for a minute and press play.

My Morning Wooten

Jim's wearing me out recently. Just a quick morsel today - a small riff on the law of unintended consequences.

“When freedom is taken away from some people I believe they are in a little better position to preserve it for the next generation,” said Huntsman.

Very true. We can only hope the American children in today's high schools and colleges learn from such practices as wiretapping and suspension of habeas corpus.

Songs In My Head

My Morning Wooten

There you go again.

Obama continues to be bedeviled by questions about his religion, something I picked up repeatedly from people who aren’t political junkies. It’s not surprising that Obama lashed out on that issue Sunday. He can’t shake the believe that he is a Muslim, the religion of his father and religion of at least part of his childhood...Obama badly needs to do something to shake that perception. A major speech, addressing it head-on, is warranted.

Does anyone have a count of the number of times Obama has clearly stated he has no relationship with the Muslim faith?

You know why this story doesn't go away? Because certain people use the rapidly thinning veil of "journalism" to keep raising questions already answered. Since the non-political see these members of the journalist class as somehow being "in the know", the mere whisper of rumor grows wings of truth.

A writer tells a good story. A journalist is a writer who tells a good story based on facts. At times, I wonder if Jim remembers the difference.

Georgia Gang Howler Of The Week

For reasons too strange to explain, I have not watched cable television in over a week. So, watching the Georgia Gang from last sunday is a bit like opening a time capsule. In this post-Obama / pre-Palin sliver of time the guys and gals focus on Barack Obama and the just concluded Democratic convention.

Of all the inanities spewed forth by the wonder twins of Dick Williams and Phil Kent, accusing Obama of using the race card in his speech (he didn't), accusing Obama of not noting the 45th anniversary of Dr. King's famous speech (he did), nothing could top Williams making fun of the way President Jimmy Carter pronounces nuclear.

Seriously?

This from a man who worships at the golden visage of a President who is absolutely Homerian (as in Simpson, not the Greek poet) in his mangling of the English language?

Time to move the time machine forward to the present. It's all too strange, bubba.

What's Going On: The Palin Edition

I can't listen to this yet so I don't know if I sound like a complete boob. You'll have to tell me.

Wilson and I discuss the Republican convention and the unusual pick which is Sarah Palin.

Listen here.

Sad

The only emotion I felt last night as John McCain finally accepted the Republican's nomination was incredible sadness. Sadness since I think even he realized this was his one shining moment - a political apex. Sadness for what could have been in 2000. Sadness that there are those within his own party who it seems are still uncertain of what to make of this genuinely good man.

What a terrible beast is this thing called politics.

Second Thought Of The Day

The librarian just told me I have time for one more.

People stretch the truth at political conventions? Really?

Next you'll tell me if it rains my grass will grow. The lawnmower waits.

Only Thought

My only thought from last night: The game is on - but a game is made of two halves and the second starts now.

I expanded my thoughts a little further this morning on Wilson's show (and unintentionally called out the mayor of Vidalia) and will post the audio as soon as it's up.

I'm pretty sure I said enough to piss off both Republicans and Democrats so the streak continues!

Percentages

4 sitting Vice Presidents have on their own been elected to office. That's less than 10 percent.

9 sitting Vice Presidents have been thrust into office because of death or resignation of the current President. That's over 20 percent.

Yet, for some reason, we obsess about potential running mates as inheritors of the office 8 years later instead of more immediately.

This is what we should be talking about instead of all this other mess. We are told that McCain would make a better executive yet we are told to not consider his first swipe at the decision making process every executive of every business in the world has to consider - the ability of a potential successor. Really.

I'll be on Wilson's show in the morning. Wonder what we are going to talk about.

Blowin With The Wind

So much wind. Hanna is headed our way and I need to go check on the southern outpost. Besides, the convention has given Wooten an excuse to write every day and I just can't take it. Time to flee the madness once again.

My Morning Wooten

O sages standing in God's holy fire
As in the gold mosaic of a wall,
Come from the holy fire, perne in a gyre

An aide walked into the room and quietly relayed the news of the morning: The 17-year-old daughter of Gov. Sarah Palin and her husband, Todd, is five months’ pregnant. She is not married but, as Governor Palin announced later, is planning to wed the baby’s father.

I may have missed this but once upon a time being a husband meant you were actually married.

Once upon a time there were people who lived on the fine point of distinctions. They claimed to be the arbiters of truth. They judged without mercy. They spared no swath of the sword for those who birthed babies out of wedlock. They railed against a society which allowed such sin.

They claimed there is no in between.

They also claimed a ticket to the middle of Minnesota. They travelled to that exotic place to preach against the wicked - those on the other side of the fall. But when one of their own drew just a bit short - they prayed we should ignore the frailties. We're all human - after all.

Foldy Foldy Foldy

Biloxi - Day 1

Buy-in: $500
Entrants: 429
Finish: Somewhere around 120

A frustrating day and Gustav is sweating me so I'll be brief.

Typical of my early tournaments, I didn't have much success but not much failure either. I grinded for six hours always keeping my head just above water. But I didn't have my A-game and the cards didn't go my way.

At the end, I was short stacked enough where I had to play any decent hand. With 44 all my soldiers went into battle. I was called by two players. One had JJ and one had KK. Oh well.

An interesting sidenote is I experienced a new form of play - storm play. With the big G sitting somewhere around Cuba many players were walking the swords edge of a desire to do well but the need to get home and prepare. This weird combination led to unusual strategies as many couldn't figure out just the hell what to do.

Now, there are mandatory evacuations and I'll be either leaving today or in the morning - probably with no more poker played. It's too bad because I love the facility at the Beau Rivage, love the poker and am feeling it today. But when the governor says you got to go - you got to go.

See you in the flipside.

My Morning Wooten

Welcome to delusionland.

The only question now is the spread, the over/under...Vice presidential candidates rarely affect election outcomes. The selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will...On the Friday it is announced, the sun is gloriously bright in Atlanta, appropriate to the mood of the Republican Party. In one morning, it becomes entirely clear: John McCain can be elected president of the United States. He can win and in the process make history.

Back in the real world the Palin pick is falling apart faster than cheap socks in a tumble dryer.

Let's sample some other, less 14-year-old boy in love, opinions.

Not so liberal Andrew Sullivan.

Yes, we knew McCain had an ego. We never quite appreciated how vast it was. Yes, Obama is inexperienced in foreign policy. But at least he has thought seriously about it. Do you really believe that Sarah Palin understands the distinctions between Shia and Sunni, has an opinion about the future of Pakistan, has a view of how to exploit rifts within Tehran's leadership, knows about the tricky task of securing loose nuclear weapons?

Marc Ambinder

A few are cautiously optimistic that it'll turn out OK, but most of the strategists and consultants I've spoken to, e-mailed with, or read/watched are struggling with it. They expect her to have a good week... and then to crash and burn when she hits the campaign trail as scrutiny catches up with her.

Safely not a liberal Pat Buchanan

I think this is the biggest political gamble, just about, in all of American history

And finally David freaking Frum

The longer I think about it, the less well this selection sits with me. And I increasingly doubt that it will prove good politics. The Palin choice looks cynical. The wires are showing.

But it is a sun shiney day in Wootenland. Maybe he thinks that warm wetness on his leg is just a brief shower.

Dodging Storms

Enough of the dark and seedy. It is time for something a step up the sleaze scale from politics. Gambling.

I'm headed south for the Gulf Coast Poker Championship. So, go ahead Democrats and take a few more days to thump your chests. The touchy one won't be here to hear.

My Morning Wooten

Just when my heart filled to the brim with hate for Democrats, here comes Wooten.

Is Hillary married? Just asking.

Are you kidding me? Are you effing kidding me? Why not just roll out the old lesbian canard.

This, friends and neighbors, is the high level of political discourse distributed by the largest selling newspaper in the southeast.

You know what? I'm no longer going to defend the south against inane criticism from the rest of the country. We get what we deserve.

Done

Words thrown either in my general direction or the direction of this Powell mess.

Shill

Witchhunt

Staggering

Cute

You know it's that last one that probably sent me over the cliff.

Katherine Harris. Election rigging. Ken Blackwell.

Just a few more things cavalierly tossed at the wall in the monkey cage.

Is it the fact that Democrats won't admit that the real reason they are happy is they get to keep a strong candidate on the ballot? Is it the fact that Democrats won't even admit the fact they pulled a judge right in their wheelhouse? Is it the incessant preening that somehow they have won a great noble victory? Is it the continued refusal to acknowledge those who disagree also concede portions of their argument? Is it all of these things and more?

No.

What it is, is the not the first time attitude by the party of tolerance and ideas that if you are not willing to run through the brick wall with the rest of the herd then you are the enemy.

Fine. You win. I have little doubt Powell will be on the ballot. And you guys can use whatever justification you want to claim your victory.

But trust me. The next time the screen pops up the Rs and the Ds, it will be remembered.

One More Time

Maybe if I put it in big letters it'll make a difference.

The specific address in the county or municipality in which a person has declared a homestead exemption, if a homestead exemption has been claimed, shall be deemed the person's residence address.

Gustav

First the bad news. Practically every model has Hurricane Gustav getting out into open water in the Gulf. If this follows it practically guarantees as U.S. coastal hit.

Now the really bad news. The Gulf is very warm right now which makes Gustav a potential "bomb".

The slightly hopeful news is the water near the Florida coast is slightly cooler meaning Gustav could weaken before landfall. Also there is a new disturbance just to the north which may cause this bad boy to weaken.

No matter what. This is a scary looking storm and bears watching.

In Which I Hate On Everyone

Georgia is quiet. The Dems are partying in Denver and you can follow their exploits at Tondee's and BfD.

You can even check out the antics of those who breathlessly grab their precious credentials and race to the convention floor to hear a speech that doesn't happen. The over/under on his retractions/non-disclosures is set at 2.

Back here in Georgia, far from the glitter, Fay sputters and spews, running rivers down into the sewers. Something compels me to follow the flow down into the darkness. Today, I'll be your janitor. Welcome to the sludge.

Atlantans And The Weather

What can keep a veteran political journalist from scooting off to Denver to rub elbows with the current powers that be? Well, probably budget cuts in the travel office. But what better to salve that wound than to send him out in the rain to stand in front of a blowed over tree to talk about Atlanta's never ending obsession with bad weather.

Two weeks ago, I sat in my little cabin in south Georgia as a squall line walked in. It was serious enough to make me consider crawling under a desk. But I never did. I continued watching my television with its spare, tiny crawl unobtrusively listing the counties under the ubiqutous tornado watch and ate a sandwich.

If I had been in Atlanta, there is little doubt I would have been inundated with bobbleheads screaming about STORM WATCH '08!

It's a good thing to have a place of perspective to flee the madness.

SpaceyG and The PP Boys

Yeah, I haven't commented on it. So what? Okay, fine I will.

As I told a friend, "Peach Pundit is the idiot pool but Spacey knew the rules before she jumped in". Spacey knew the site is primarily dedicated to Georgia politics, she continued to flaunt her violations of this parameter even after being warned and ultimately got booted. During her tenure and even after, she was heaped on with abuse - much over the line and uncalled for. Having said that, part of my own personal ethic is if you are an online persona you have to be able to defend yourself. Knowing SpaceyG as I do, I'm pretty sure she's got that covered.

So why comment now? Because of this stupid and classless comment. Some of the PP boys obviously miss their old whipping post. Even after successfully vanquishing the uppity woman they just can't resist the desire to take one more smack.

Classless. Erick, you're editor-in-chief. Does class not count for the "premier political blog in Georgia"?

Republicans And The Chi-Coms And The Nazis Blah Blah Blah

Williams Ayers, Reverend Wright, Tony Rezko, Chi-Coms, The Red Scare, wash, rinse, repeat.

Of course some take it a step further. Some choose to wade up to their chests in Godwin's law.

Comparison to Nazi Propogandist Leni Riefenstahl? Check. Actually comparing the Democratic Convention to a Nuremburg Rally? Check. (To be fair that last one was an idiotic commentor and as far as I know has no relationship to Jason who even when we disagree doesn't resort to this crap)

Yeah. You guys are the ones that relate to mainstream America. Keep on ascribing such self-importance while spewing statements so assinine a mule would disown you and we will continue to watch your party slip further and further into the wilderness.

Powell And The Democrats

As good as the copy is, I am rightly sick of Handel vs. Powell. What was once an interesting conversation about the law and separation of powers has become an opportunity for every tin-foil hat, voting conspiracy nut to crawl out of Democratic Party woodwork.

As I told an insider the whole thing can best be summed up as "Wendy Shoob is a nut and you guys got lucky."

But go ahead and continue to overplay your hand. Jump at every imagined booger in the Diebold bush instead of coming up with a coherent message to actually beat Handel in the court of public opinion instead of the court of crazy.

It's worked so well for you over the past six years.

Sincerely,
The Shill For Karen Handel

And now back up out of the sewers to the greasy skies of Fay panicked Atlanta. I'm not sure which is better.

Betting Window Back Open

Handel files an appeal in the Powell case.

I've been wrong on practically every prediction in this bizarre little story. Still, no one will take my wagers. 3-2 Court of Appeals overturns Shoob's wacky decision. Any takers?

Saturday Stupids

We need some new pictures

FAIL!

Shoobtastic

Given the political capital Secretary of State Karen Handel would expend in another appeal, the strange little case of Powell vs. Handel may soon fade into the political ether.

But still I have this irritation and it's an itch I'm just going to have to scratch one more time. Whether Judge Wendy Shoob followed the law or not is a question for the Court of Appeals. Whether Democrats, positively glowing in the wake of victory, continue to ignore the law is a question for political arena. So, here we go.

There are two relevant points of law.

First, the crux of the matter - residency requirement.

O.C.G.A. 21-2-27 section 14 states "The specific address in the county or municipality in which a person has declared a homestead exemption, if a homestead exemption has been claimed, shall be deemed the person's residence address".

That is crystal clear. If you claim homestead that is your residence. There's a reason it is called homestead. But it wouldn't be the law if there wasn't a twist.

O.C.G.A 21-2-27 section 15 states "For voter registration purposes, the board of registrars and, for candidacy residency purposes, the Secretary of State, election superintendent, or hearing officer may consider evidence of where the person receives significant mail such as personal bills and any other evidence that indicates where the person resides".

As is usual in the craft of law, the legislature provided a little wiggle room to allow for common sense to rule over absolutes. But the two little words Democrats continue to ignore are "may consider". May - not have to, not required to - may. It is absolutely within the Secretary's rights to ignore all other evidence no matter how compelling.

Certainly Handel's motivations for ignoring other evidence can be questioned. But what also has to be questioned is Powell's motivation for continuing homestead in Cobb County. The obvious answer is the tax savings. When confronted with this reasoning, most Democrats respond with some version of "So what? Wouldn't you?". Weak.

But back to the law. Those two little words are about to become very important.

Second, what powers does a judge have on appeal?

Very limited ones.

O.C.G.A 21-2-5 states "The court shall not substitute its judgment for that of the Secretary of State as to the weight of the evidence on questions of fact". In other words, the judge absolutely cannot factor whether the Secretary chose to exercise the option give in 21-2-7(15) of considering other evidence.

Given Judge Shoob's comments regarding the relevance of homestead to residency, it is difficult to believe she followed the letter of the law here.

So what can the judge do? Affirm, Remand or Overturn. And there are very specific requirements for all three.

21-2-5 goes on to state "The court may affirm the decision or remand the case for further proceedings. The court may reverse or modify the decision if substantial rights of the appellant have been prejudiced because the findings, inferences, conclusions, or decisions of the Secretary of State are..."

It then goes on to list the conditions which must be met to show prejudice. Let's look at them one at a time:

1. In violation of the Constitution or laws of this state. (Nope)

2. In excess of the statutory authority of the Secretary of State. (Handel clearly followed statute)

3. Made upon unlawful procedures. (Handel clearly followed all procedure)

4. Affected by other error of law (Nope)

5. Clearly erroneous in view of the reliable, probative, and substantial evidence on the whole record (Maybe)

6. Clearly erroneous in view of the reliable, probative, and substantial evidence on the whole record (The Dems would love to say this one but it does require actual evidence and not just speculation)

The Democrat's case and Judge Shoob's ruling appear to rely solely on test 5. In my mind "clearly erroneous" would be someone having homestead in one county but the Secretary ruling they must run in a different county, but others take a more expansive view of the clause.

One would think if the justification for a ruling relies on the vague terms of test 5, the error would be clearly delineated and explained in detail. Instead, we get a Judge questioning the relevance of a clearly stated statute and a hastily hand written ruling containing the briefest of explanations - not the brightest moment in the history of the judiciary.

But it is the Democrats. And they rarely win. So maybe they get a pass this time. But if the preening gloating continues - maybe not.

My Morning Wooten

Less perturbation. More eyerolling.

Environmental extremists oppose all efforts to add capacity —- oil, water or highway. Why? Managing shortages gives them the power to tell you where and how to live. It’s a life-control tool. When you see the word “alternatives” to more drilling, reservoirs or road capacity, it’s code for dig-in-the-heels opposition to solutions

Call me an environmentalist whackjob but my main objection to expanding I-85 at Pleasant Hill to 50 lanes is it is typical lack of government effeciency and typical income redistribution vis-a-vis using my tax dollars for the convenience of others - concepts surely a "conservative" understands.

The inexperienced Obama may not know what he believes, but he’s certain about this: He wouldn’t have nominated Clarence Thomas for the Supreme Court because he doesn’t think he was “a strong enough jurist or legal thinker at the time.” What arrogance.

Despite the caterwauling about hairs on coke cans, there were plenty of level-headed people, including the American Bar Association, who pointed out Thomas' portfolio was awfully thin. But we can't point out any flaw in St. Clarence. Pointing out that liberal justice John Paul Stevens with more than 30 years experience on the bench a dangerous kook? Well, that's obviously a different story.

Good or bad, we get the behaviors we pay for. Mortgage brokers who signed up borrowers for high-interest/high-fee “liar loan” mortgages —- those requiring no verification of job, income or assets —- could make $15,000 on a $300,000 loan. A traditional loan would net $2,000 to $4,000. No surprise. Half of the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac losses of $3.1 billion between April and June were due to liar loans. Invite people to rip off any business or government program, or to immigrate illegally, and they will.

From the mortgage scandal to illegal immigration in three sentences? For those playing Wooten non-sequitor bingo, I-42!

An Orlando newspaper reporter notes that McCain got a better reception among veterans attending a VFW convention than Obama. That information was conveyed thusly: “But McCain was the clear favorite among the predominantly older, white male crowd. …” Perhaps the louder applause was because McCain is a fellow veteran, was deemed to be the better leader on national security issues, or because he’s an older white male?

More of the old cutting off the nose to spite the face strategy. Jim loves to play editor with the straight news stories. Wouldn't it be fun to let some of the straight newsies do the same with some of his nonsense? Start with yesterday's My Morning Wooten.

Liberals and conservatives are alarmed about the growing national deficit —- but with liberals it’s never when proposing new entitlements.

And with "conservatives" its never when we charge the national credit card to the point where settling accounts means selling Oregon to the Chinese.

Take a deep breath. Count to 10 —- and then don’t say dumb things, like the response to a report that State School Superintendent Kathy Cox will appear on the game show “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?” The quote is from Tim Callahan of the Professional Association of Georgia Educators, which at one time did not act and sound like a union. Said Callahan: “The budget is in meltdown, the CRCT is a mess and you have a superintendent in Hollywood taping a game show. It gives new definition to the word ‘frivolous.’ ” Lighten up, bud

Lighten up dude! Republicans are just fun-loving people who like game shows hosted by funny guys with accents! I'm sure Jim will also take a deep breath, count to ten and remember his own advice the next time he sees a Democrat fiddling while Georgia burns.

Selah.

Judge Shoob's Order

Judge Shoob's Order in the Powell Case. (Warning. PDF.)

Hand written. From the bench. Not kidding.

Powell Wins?

Creative Loafing is reporting Jim Powell, the disqualified Democratic PSC candidate, won his appeal at Fulton Superior Court.

A few things to note if this is true.

A. These things happen. These hearings are not like normal proceedings and can happen at the drop of a hat.

B. Given the narrow scope of the court's powers under the statute, I can't wait to read this ruling.

C. It appears the change of judges benefited Powell.

D. Next is the Court of Appeals which has been known to smack around wayward judges.

UPDATE: The Fort Mill Times has the story. There was an oral hearing and the judge was Wendy Shoob. By my count she's the third different judge assigned to the case.

UPDATE II: The Fort Mill Times is in Fort Mill, SC. Either they cribbed an AP report or they somehow scooped everyone in Atlanta. What makes this more bizarre is I can find no connection between Fort Mill, Georgia or the PSC. What gives? This is very strange.

UPDATE III: AJC has more including a quote from Judge Shoob. "That is the worst argument to me because you are telling me I can just move, but if I didn’t withdraw that homestead exemption, I didn’t move". That's a rather strange statement since this isn't about whether someone moves or not but whether they legally change their residence. Since, O.C.G.A. 21-2-5 clearly states "The specific address in the county or municipality in which a person has declared a homestead exemption, if a homestead exemption has been claimed, shall be deemed the person's residence address", it's bizarre to say homestead is irrelevant.

MUR In Port St. Lucie

If you haven't heard, the coastal city of Port St. Lucie is basically under water.

Check out Amani's video where he's riding an airboat through the flooded streets.

This is why you should always have at least a three day supply of everything.

Obama Kills Babies

Not kidding.

My Morning Wooten

I'm a little perturbed this morning.

Democrats privately are questioning whether Barack Obama has a second-phase act, a follow-up once “change” wears thin, the Associated Press reports.

Faceless Democrats get a pass. Anonymous bloggers not so much. The sad fact is there are those who do not even comprehend the astounding level of hypocrisy in their accusations of agenda driven writing in blogs while simultaneously supporting an ever shrinking niche in the ecosystem which constantly wallows in the same mud.

I would comment on the rest of the article but instead I'll just refer you to this afternoon's Sean Hannity show or the GOP's website or whatever you prefer for your daily dispensation of Republican talking points.

Over 70 people were cut from the AJC with loss of institutional knowledge which may never be regained. Yet, some are allowed to retain the keyboard even though the core of their writing is simply parroting the tall tales of others.

And inevitably, sometime in the next six months, I will be the one who is questioned mercilessly because I do not attach my proper name to my writing.

College Students Worry About Beer and Condoms

About professors oppressing their political views? Not so much.

Then again it is a liberal paper just continuing the liberal conspiracy to keep the good hearted conservatives oppressed.

But it does remind me of a story. Story time, chickens! Gather round!

Back in the paleolithic when I could only afford the letters grif, I participated in that annual tribal torture ritual called freshman philosophy. The prof was a gregarious old fellow who had been tenured since Charles Darwin found his finches and apropo just didn't give a damn what might come out of his mouth. Mostly what came out of his mouth were vast clouds of acrid cigar smoke despite the school's no smoking policy.

As we meandered through Plato and Descartes and Kant, unlike the rest of us who dreamed of fake ids and ties on the doorknob, one student became more and more frustrated. At times she would challenge the aged dragon but mostly she just huffed and growled. From her arguments it was apparent she was deeply religious.

Then one day, the old codger finally broke the young co-ed. He said, "I believe at least once in their college career everone should try atheism". With a gutteral moan the religious girl grabbed her belongings and stormed out of the classroom. A few minutes later, she returned to the door and began screaming "I don't understand how we can come here everyday and question the existence of God!"

The professor calmly replied, "My dear, when you signed up, you did realize this was a philosophy class and not a math class?"

Now some would call him a godless liberal. And they'd be right. Doesn't make it any less funny.

Obama Party

Courtesy of grabbingsand.

Huh?

Eh?

It may be typical of the pro-Obama Dungeons & Dragons crowd to disparage a fellow countryman's memory of war from the comfort of mom's basement, but most Americans have the humility and gratitude to respect and learn from the memories of men who suffered on behalf of others.

Thank god I have a +4 Shield of Stupidity.

h/t: BfD

Not Fayed Away

Dude, how can a storm junkie like you not talk about Fay? Damn good question.

Fay is currently a tropical storm and seems intent on wandering all over Florida. When I left the sunshine state a few days ago, preparations were already under way. One of the last things I heard my brother say was "we can run an extension cord from the generator to run the fridge". Strange weather makes strange conversations seem normal.

Like most things that troll around the back roads of the south, tropical weather is usually chaotic, at times weirdly beneficial or psychotically evil - sometimes all three at once. You just never know whether your going to get the psychotic, gap toothed serial killer or the clumsy handy man who fixes your well after backing over your chickens.

The same stew that boils up the horror of Katrina, Hugo, Andrew and Alberto also produces three-day drought killing rain storms we so desperately need.

So let's hope our new friend Fay is the the hapless helper and not the creeping killer. Still better hide the chickens though.

Express Lane To Denver

The thought of a road trip, even in these days of gas costing more than cigarettes (oh the price of sin), gets the blood boiling. It makes even the most road weary, drug addled blogger wish he could stow away on a bus full of Clinton democrats and later emerge from hiding somewhere around Tulsa.

Unfortunately, I missed my chance to secretly record the meanderings of the Unity Express.

But that doesn't mean we can't all virtually follow along.

They'se blogging.

They'se twittering.

They'se picture taking.

They'se flicker filming.

They'se generally having a good time. Drive safe guys and gals. And watch out for the bats.

For The Tweets

Proper twitter etiquette.

If it could get you fired, be used against you in court, or impede your ability to get laid, be-still your typing thumbs.

Truer words...

Georgia Politics Podcast Episode 18

Jen, Decaturguy, Catherine and Joseph discuss three-ways and other political numerology in the latest Georgia Politics Podcast.

Listen here.

Dear Bossman

In the olden days, the fading of summer was seen as coincidental with the fading of life. The ultimate passage seems to be a common theme lately.

I always enjoyed the glares, the incredulous stares of the neighbors, of the cops, the whispers of “I can’t believe you’re doing this,” or “scavengers,” as the reporting pack circled a family of five charred bodies on a smoky deck, a little boy’s tarp covered body by his crumpled bike, the corpse of a wrong-way driver still dangling from his safety belt. I almost enjoyed those glares and stares as much, the vacant eyes of the lifeless asking, “why?” as we smoked and joked about somebody giving somebody a blow job at a party.

As we watch the "bleeds it leads" grim faces of our 6:00 bobble heads, we rarely think of their graveyard humor - a reflex mechanization, evolutionarily specialized to such occupations as doctors, firemen, the po-lice and ambulance drivers. For those who wade into the grim on a daily basis, it serves to detach the humanity. Most of the times it works. Sometimes it doesn't.

Days

Read, learn, sing, dance, laugh, love, live.

And....

We're back

Fishin'

Time to stop wishin'

Time to go fishin'

My Morning Wooten - Monday Addition

A few days late and just a few plums to pick.

A high school in Gonzales, Texas, requires inappropriately dressed students to don navy blue coveralls — prison jumpsuits of a sort. Some parents object. What’s wrong with public education? These three things, among others: 1) parents who object to efforts to maintain discipline; 2) students who disregard simple instructions; 3) parents who don’t parent before the child hits school.

No swipe at unions? Shocking.

When Gwinnett’s minorities become the majority — minorities had reached 48.3 percent a year ago — can the world stop ascribing all the convenient “suburban” stereotypes to the place, specifically related to MARTA blah blah blah surburban whine blah blah blah.

No, not everyone is the same. But apparently Jim missed the comments on his own website where alledged citizens of Gwinnett moaned about MARTA bringing crime to their fair county (by the way, it's already there) and not wanting to pay taxes for other people's transportation (how many lanes does I-85 have at Pleasant Hill Rd?) - the same arguments I heard ten years ago when I was employed in Lawrenceville. Maybe if you surbanites would expend some energy changing troglodyte attitudes instead of wasting away with the whines, we intown folks might ease up on the judging.

Sure as shootin’ when state revenues dip, the casino-gambling/ horse-racing crowd emerges to push their agenda. The president of the Georgia-South Carolina Horse Racing Committee wants you to know he is very distressed about education funding in Georgia and the tax burden on old folks. Just guessing, but might he have a solution to propose? Coincidentally, yes. But no thanks. We’ll get by without giving poor people even more ways to lose the butter and egg money

Conservatives: We're against the nanny state - except when we're not.

See, these folks being held at Guantanamo are enemy combatants captured on the battlefield. They didn’t shop-lift at Wal-Mart.

Except we don't really know that do we? Since the government stubbornly refuses to reveal any evidence in these matters (only recently being dragged kicking and screaming to even present evidence to the accused), the only reason we have to believe these people were actually captured on a battlefield is because the government says so.

Conservatives: We don't trust the government - except when we do.

Selah.

New Blogs

New blogs added.

One on the left.

One on the right.

They'll be added to the headline thingie when I get back to civilization.

Goin' South

Don't break anything.

My Morning Wooten

Keeping it simple today.

Are you suffering Obama Fatigue?

I've heard this subject raised twice in the past 24 hours. The first time was on the Sean Hannity radio program. Enough said.

Songs In My Head

AJC Twitters

A typically bitchy"tweet" from Rusty Tanton about the AJC leads to an interview with Director of Online Development Chris Heisel and External Communications Manager Jennifer Morrow.

Bottom line: AJC is in your twitter scanning your complaints.

Pretty forward thinking from the dead tree folks. Even though I spend a lot of time slagging the local fish wrapper, I have met some of the online folks and despite the lofty pronouncements of some of the higher-ups, they understand the need for positive relationships with the online communities.

Martin And Jones On What Is Goin' On?

Primary day tomorrow.

Still haven't made up your mind? Maybe Wilson can help.

Listen to his interview with Vernon Jones here.

Money quotes: "Jim Martin is too liberal for Georgia. Even Saxby Chambliss is too liberal for Georgia".

"Fish don't go to work. People do".

And then check out Jim Martin here.

Powell Hearing Postponed

The Powell residency hearing has been postponed due to the judge recusing himself. Now what the hell am I going to do with myself today? Any porn kings being arrested?

A Legend Passes

Skip Caray, 1939-2008

"A woman walks into a bar, sidles up to a sportscaster and says "For $100, I'll do anything you want". The sportscaster slaps a hundred dollar bill on the bartop and says "Do the pre-game show tomorrow". ~joke told by Caray just a few weeks before his death

Saturday Stupids

Moving day!

My Morning.....Er Nevermind

Wooten gets a pass today. Frankly, after the fire and lightning of the past two days, it seems a little dull. And its mostly economic which always boring and Jim and I even tend to agree on those sorts of things. And that just isn't any fun.

Have a good weekend, Jim.

The Rhetorical Bermuda Triangle

This is some damned good advice.

h/t: Thomas

Thin Skin

So in my discussions on internet ethics eventually someone will ask, "why so thin skinned?"

Well, by God, here's why.

Feb. 19, 2007: AJC Editor tells us all her paper is going to show us how it should be done in the online world.

March 18, 2007: Creative Loafing's Murray Grievous states collaboration between new and traditional media may never be possible.

June 7, 2007: GPB's Susanne Capaluto at an APC event calls bloggers "entertainers".

June 17, 2007: Athens Banner Herald editor Jim Thompson uses a commentor as an example of why the mainstream media's use of real names gives it credibility.

Dec. 17, 2007: UGA journalism professor David Hazinski says "citizen journalisism" has the strong probability of fraud and abuse.

Dec. 21, 2007: Athens Banner-Herald writer Blake Aued tells bloggers "When y’all start doing your own reporting, rather than rely on rumors, press releases and the dreaded MSM, then you can call yourselves journalists".

July 29, 2008: Macon Telegraph's Travis Fain snidely referring to BloggerGuy09.

July 30, 2008: Creative Loafing Editor Ken Edelstein wondering how we can trust any anonymous blogger.

So the next time you think something written about bloggers is clever or original, it probably isn't. And the next time you ask us why our skin is so thin, we may respond, "why because of all the gentle pats on the back you've given us!"

Spitting Tacks

I'm not sure which pisses me off more.

Andre's not-so-contrite disclosure.

Or Creative Loafing Ken Edelstein's clinging to the "anonymous=less credibility" canard - with an anonymous commenter defending Ken just to complete the irony.

Actually I do know what causes my spleen to lurch with the most violence. Exactly as I feared Andre's shenanigans have given opportunity for those in the traditional media to shout "told you so!" His half ass explanations and not so apologetic apologies are only making matters worse.

And it would have been so simple. Come out with some mea culpa. For God's sake, most of us gave him a pass on his half-ass retraction of the false GAE-DPG story. But not this time. This time, we receive nothing but unrepenant sneering, So at least on this blog, it will be met with no mercy. None at all.

UPDATE: JESUS GOD! How many times do I have to explain my view of anonymity and the internet? For those who still don't get it please read HERE.

My Morning Wooten

It's gonna be short today because my spleen is venting in a different direction.

Jim trying to argue that an increase in enforcement is the cause for the drop in illegal immigration:

The population of illegals has declined 11 percent in the past year, from 12.5 million to 11.2 million...The economy certainly has something to do with it.

No kidding.

Into The Ethical Woods

I'm not going to pile on. Really I'm not. Although given the past arrogance of Georgia Politics Unfiltered owner Andre Walker (eagerly chastising his fellow bloggers, not crediting those who get a story first, not so humbly bragging about his traffic in comparison to others and perhaps tellingly not supporting his fellow bloggers unless they are associates), it would be easy to do. Wait, maybe I just parenthetically did.

But there is a bigger issue at play here.

Atlanta Progressive News outing of Andre as a stooge for the David Scott campaign exposes every person who writes about politics through the veil of a blog to criticisms we've all heard too often. Only this time, the nabobs can roll out an actual incident as proof. The already steep hill which we travel just had a Sisyphus stone added.

Ken Edelstein, Editor of Creative Loafing:

For that matter, how can the average reader even tell who bloggers actually are when they use pen names like Rogue109 (another Peach Pundit poster) and decaturguy? It’s a principle of the blogosphere that people get to be anonymous. That may be an unavoidable part of the nature of the medium. But if influential bloggers are anonymous, how can you where there bread is buttered?

I've already covered anonymity. It is a fact of life of online existence and it would behoove us all to understand it. To not and continue using it as a rhetorical baseball bat instead of scalpel would be as fair as me using the term journalists so generally as to cover both Seymour Hersh and Jayson Blair. It is neither fair nor accurate. Terms I'm sure Edelstein and his fellow print jockeys treasure.

But it is fair game. And due to Andre's sin, all the careful work of the past years trying to bridge this gap of understanding may unravel. Andre credits few but now his actions have tarred many.

And of course the act of one stray in the herd leads others to the trough of self-loathing.

Juliana Illiari of Blog For Democracy:

"I don't think anyone who blogs believes there are standards and practices right now. You'd have a hard time finding anyone who could agree. It's basically, use at your own risk this information, by virtue of its very nature. Anyone can get them, they're free. You read it and you have to consider what the opinion is"

Love ya, Jules, but that isn't quite right. True, the blogosphere is the free market of ideas gone wild and you will never see me shy away from telling people to obey caveat emptor. However, there are some rules that anyone who dares use the word "publish" with their work should follow. They are plain common sense and we all know them.

Two words for all bloggers: Source and disclose.

Sourcing is the murkiest of waters for bloggers. By the very open nature of the online world, bloggers receive information as clear as press releases and as opaque as anonymous tips. It is up to each blog to determine its standards for publication. However, the further one goes down the dark hall of anonymity, the greater the risk becomes. Andre experienced this less than deadly sin earlier this year by publishing a story based purely on anonymous sources. The poorly sourced house of cards quickly fell apart and Andre issued to my knowledge the first open retraction in the history of the Georgia blogosphere.

Disclosure is much easier. If you wear a sock puppet don't pretend your arm magically turned into a talking creature. If you take money tell your readers. Sock puppetry is one of the deadly sins of the online world. Few recover crossing this hard line.

Given his rather public penance, Andre may have survived the first sin, but given the severity of the second, his credibility may never recover.

And thanks to his latest "contribution" to the our little world, we will all be required to work a little harder.

My own disclosure: I've never taken one penny of money from a campaign or anyone else. The closest money has ever come to my little world was a brief period where I consulted for Insider Advantage on strategies to approach bloggers. Something which I fully disclosed at the time.

Beer

Wait a second? They have a beer podcast!

Tony, Thomas, Garrett, Seth, Rusty and I dive into the difference between Bud Light and Miller Light.

Yes, children. There is a difference.

Listen to the Sub-Optimal Beer Episode Here.

There has to be an absolute Zima.

Taped at the recent star of Diner, Drive-Ins and Dives. The Highlander.

Senate Debate Live Blogging

In case you haven't heard (and you probably haven't) there's a debate tonight between Democratic Senate candidates Vernon Jones and Jim Martin.

Fellow traveler in the weird underbelly of Atlanta, Thomas Wheatley will live blog it for the Loaf.

Scribe from the hinterlands and occasional foil, Blake Aued will live blog it for the Athens Banner Herald.

As for me? I can no longer stand the grunts of those seeking access to the trough. I'll be drinking cheap beer and listening to Toby Keith.

More Hate

Reason number 10,256 why liberals lose.

Huffington Post's Max Blumenthal's screed on Toby Keith's song "Beer For My Horses":

While Keith belted out "Beer For My Horses," Colbert's studio audience clapped to the beat, blithely unaware that they were swaying to a racially tinged, explicitly pro-lynching anthem that calls for the vigilante-style hanging...

Anyone who has listened to the song in THE PAST SIX YEARS understands that Keith's rather campy ode owes more to Clint Eastwood than Leo Frank.

But for liberal's just now discovering this literary treatise, it is confirmation of the long held suspicion that country music is filled with subtexts of hate and violence.

And they wonder why the NASCAR crowd generally hates them.

P.S. Note to HuffPo people. You might want to soliticit the opinion of that famous dope smoking right winger Willie Nelson who appeared in the video. Of course its understandable why you didn't know old cousin Willie was hanging out with the horrible Toby. I mean who would want to soil their precious hands by ever changing the channel to CMT?

My Morning Wooten

Lord help me, Jim is actually making sense this morning. His description of the Atlanta pension mess and how similar missteps is the bane of local government is spot on. He even deflects some of the usual Atlanta hate by noting other systems including the infamous state of Georgia "golden parachute" system cause all politicians headaches. So instead, I'm going to focus on one sentence to focus on a very different point.

AJC reporter Cameron McWhirter captured the essence of it in noting that Mayor Shirley Franklin and City Council “made key decisions to sweeten pensions for city workers that have put Atlanta in a budgetary bind that will take years to escape.”

From on, Jim, before you roll out your favorite canard about the liberal media (including your own employer) always providing cover for liberal politicians, you are required to repeat the above sentence five times. Truth hurts. Both for politicians and pundits.

Selah.

More Media Navel Gazing

It's becoming a tradition for those in the traditional media to confess, self-analyze and sometimes self-immolate.

Travis Fain of the Macon Telegraph and the blog Lucid Idiocy is the latest to dip into the murky waters of the apparent downward spiral of print journalism.

I will grant Travis one thing. Even though he can't resist a poke (Bloggerguy09?Really?), he also asks some hard questions of his own industry and their disappearing readers.

Check it out and give him thoughts.

Powell Hearing Scheduled

Creative Loafing has the details.

Jim Powell’s appeal has been scheduled for Monday, Aug. 4 at 3 p.m. in Fulton County Superior Court.

No word if the hearing will be open. If memory serves they are but usually no one shows up because no one cares. This time might be a little different.

For background on the PSC story check here, here and here.

My Morning Wooten

The isn't-ironic-I-work-in-the-very-medium-in-which-I-scourge edition.

For the next month or so, try this experiment with television or radio newscasts: Tune in at random at any time of the day for a minute or an hour. What public figure is being discussed? And is the coverage favorable? On what scale: Fawning, adoring, determined to convince you that he’s best qualified to be president, or simply reflecting what the reporter or commentator believes to be the common view?

I encourage you to try my experiment as well. Read media reports on a certain shift in foreign policy that occured in the beginning of 2002 and apply Jim's standards. I wonder what you will find.

Senate Debate On Kudzu

Sparks fly when Democratic Senate candidates Vernon Jones and Jim Martin appear on the Democratic talk show Kudzu Vine.

Listen here.

You Put Your Weed In It

Just watch

My Morning Wooten

We're gonna have some fun this morning!

Nobody will let me have my first choice as vice president on the John McCain ticket. That’d be former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

The Bush obsession continues. Keep typing, Jim. Maybe one day you will succeed in convincing history to view the last eight years as ponies and rainbows.

Little-noticed changes that matter a great deal build the Sonny Perdue legacy. A prime example is the Georgia Technology Authority’s plan to contract with private-sector vendors to operate computer systems for 11 agencies. About 500 state workers will move to the private sector and about 200 jobs will be eliminated. Technology changes too quickly for government procurement. And, too, why hire the excess help needed for emergencies when the private sector can provide three or 300 when needed? Great move.

It's a fantastic move! A legacy builder for any Governor! In fact it's such a fantabulous policy move, the transition towards privatization including the creation of the GTA out of the Department of Administrative Services and its first major act of privatizing the massive state telecom infrastructure began under Governor Roy Barnes.

Don’t retire the odd-even watering police just yet. China deals with its Olympics-related traffic problems by ordering odd-even driving days. Why add road capacity when you can simply order drivers off the road?

We don't have the Russkies anymore so I guess we'll have to settle with the Chi-Coms. Anyone else notice how we seem to hear that old 50's term more and more these days? And everyone knows the alternate transportation hippies are only a thin sliver from full bore, Little Red Book Maoists. Unlike our good God fearing, "free market", pavement-solves-all-woes road builders.

When a public official, tasked with responsibility to reduce payroll by 2.5 percent, announces that 53 police and 27 fire vacancies won’t be filled, as Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin did, you gotta believe it’s a game.

On the other hand, when a Republican tasked with difficult budget choices makes difficult cuts, it is fiscal restraint in hard times.

A nation cannot be safe from terrorism if its people think asking them a security-related question is an outrage, or worse, a reason to sue. This is what passes for a major revelation in today’s politically correct, touchy-feely world: From The Associated Press, this first paragraph: “The Justice Department’s former top criminal prosecutor says the government’s terror watch list has caused thousands of innocent Americans to be questioned, searched or otherwise hassled.” Goodness gracious. Can this nation survive in a world where people really are trying to kill us?

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."

It's a wonder we ever survived the first 200 years following that politically correct, touchy-feely thing called the Constitution.

We really are becoming a nation where the elite in academia and the media are guerrillas determined to destroy corporations they don’t like —- tobacco, insurance, “predatory” lenders and oil, for example. An example is a report from Harvard researchers purporting to show that tobacco companies have “manipulated” menthol levels in cigarettes to keep customers. Imagine the crime of that.

Given that the CEO's of every major cigarette manufacturer testified there is no manipulation in their product we don't have to imagine far. It's called fraud.

Blaming Southern foods and “metro Atlanta’s car-crazy culture” for obesity is the same as blaming guns for crime. The CDC finds the South to be the nation’s fattest region. People make choices. They are responsible. Not the fried chicken, gravy, fried pies or biscuits. How long will it be before some do-gooder suggests shutting down all-you-can-eat buffets?

I'm betting the day some "do-gooder" actually succeeds in a loony idea like shutting down the feed troughs will be the same day certain dailies start requiring certain editorial writers fact check their pieces before publication.

Selah.

What Is Goin' On: Griftdrift On The Primary

Wilson and I have some fun talking about the primaries and the presidential election. Wilson's been cynical lately so I try to give him some hope. Note this took place before I found my hate home again. Good thing for certain "so-called conservatives" the interview was yesterday and not today.

Listen here.

More Hate

Habitat for Humanity is trying something new.

The Atlanta-based nonprofit, which builds homes for people in need, is expected to announce Thursday the launch of a microloan program in partnership with the Maryland-based Calvert Foundation. It will allowindividuals to invest in — rather than simply donate to — Habitat's philanthropic mission.

We have a private foundation which aids the working poor without government assistance and it is now trying an innovation which has been so successful in other countries it won a guy the Nobel Peace Prize.

It is so dead in the black of libertarian philosophy it makes one weep.

You would think "so called conservatives" would also praise such success with private rather than government intervention. And surely some do.

But not all.

Wonderful. Here’s more on the plan. This program really does a good job keeping people living in economically un-viable areas. Just the ticket for feel good liberals.

Remember the rules chickens: Government trying to help anyone is doomed to failure because it is incompetent and evil. Non-governmental agencies trying help someone is still doomed because it will be run by lie-bur-als and they are inherently idiots.

Fear and Loathing In Griftdriftville

People keep wanting to call me a Democrat. It's true I mostly hang with the Ds because unlike the Rs, they actually invite me to their reindeer games - where I start talking about guns, the NEA or dissolving the Department of Education to see the look on their faces.

Fine.

I'm a democrat. A South Park democrat. I hate liberals but I really f*cking hate conservatives.

To be the hate one most know the hate. To know the hate one must examine the hate.

Let's take a look at what I consider the two of the harshest comments on the Georgia blogs in the last few days.

First from the left - a commenter at Blog For Democracy speaking of Senate candidate Vernon Jones:

you can get far, even if you are an ultraright douchebag running in a supposedly Democratic primary like vernon jones.

A touch juvenile with just a hint of screaming mimi. But it is the internet. What exactly do you expect?

Now let's look to the right and the state's paragon of righteous rightness Erick Erickson.

Why? Because the media has become the self-appointed propaganda master for Barack Obama’s campaign. The media has become Leni Riefenstahl.

If Mr. Godwin isn't in the house, he's peeking through the door.

This is the latest metastization of the Republican equation which states if the media doesn't report things the way I like them (in other words in a way that fits my agenda alone) it must be biased. Erickson simply adds an additional factor to the math. But comparing the network news to a nazi propagandist partially responsible for the rise of Hitler is a leap of herculean proportions.

And yet, many on the right will stare straight into your face with cherubic eyes and claim they don't understand why people hate them.

So for now, mark me down with a small d. For today at least, I don't want to be anywhere near the big R scum scrapers.

Mistaken Headlines

Martin impresses as United see off Orlando Pirates

For a second I thought a Georgia candidate had declared war on Florida. Given the water situation...

Dinosaur Hunting

Local gonzologer John Sugg writes of the demise of print journalism in the Columbia Journalism Review. His analysis of the local bird cage liner is scathing.

I live in Atlanta, where the Journal-Constitution has turned itself into a joke. As with most major dailies, it has become timid—afraid even to hire a metro columnist over anxiety that that person would have an independent base. Its coverage of the Bush administration and the Iraq war has been pathetic. It has withheld news that might offend Georgia’s white racists (as chronicled in the recent book Buried in Bitter Waters, by, incredibly, a Cox Washington reporter, Elliott Jaspin), and it gives many incompetent and corrupt black politicians a free pass because it’s afraid it will be called racist.

I tend to vacillate between hope and despair for print journalism . A deep dark secret is I like newspapers and I mean real, honest-to-god, slabs of dead tree dailies. I'm one of those guys who picks up the paper every day - actually refuses to get a subscription because I like the feel of plopping down a couple of quarters on the newstand and talking to the clerk about the headline.

But after reading John's piece, pondering the recent AJC layoffs and remembering how a CNN Online editor once explained how he could run his entire operation (news only, not IT) with five staff, the downhill slide into the fossilizing tar pits seems inevitable.

The Third Way

Sometimes, I think Jmac and I might have been separated at birth.

Now, listen to me carefully here, I'm not the kind of guy who's going to sit here and tell you that we shouldn't be drilling up in Alaska so we can save ar[c]tic animals or off our coasts because we'll pollute our oceans. While those issues do factor in my mind, it's also quite clear we have technology that can enable us to explore for oil in targeted areas in an environmentally responsible way...The problem, though, isn't totally over environmental or aesthetic concerns, but feasibility ones. There is sparse evidence to suggest there is ample supplies buried beneath the continental shelf to make an impact, and what is there would provide minimal, if any, immediate impact on $4-plus gallon gas ...

I'm a little more open to off-shore drilling if it would affect the speculator market but otherwise this is exactly my point of view.

My Morning.....Er Late Monday Wooten

Guess I'm a little late.

Let's see what Jim's up to. Maybe some talking points?

Democrats, divided for months over whether to offer the first black or the first woman for president, have a solution to their dilemma. The Green Party has chosen Cynthia McKinney.

Yes, yes. The Democratic Party has as much to do with the Greens as the Republican Party has to do with the Birchers. (I could have been far more tasteless here but the hate wasn't in my heart today)

Dang. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki turns out to be a Nancy Pelosi Democrat. The clue is in the headline: “Iraq handing out cash to citizens on the streets.” She’s proposing another round of “stimulus” rebates to add to the deficit since the first one worked so well.

Ahhhhhh, remember those halcyon days of yore, filled with purple fingers, when Maliki was "our guy"? Then he had to go start agreeing with Obama. Tut-tut.

The ball’s in your court, Congress. Both the president and Congress have to act to lift the ban on expanded offshore exploration. Bush did. Thanks. And it may or may not be a coincidence that the price of oil dropped $6.44 a barrel the next day. When buyers —- or speculators, as Democrats prefer to call them —- think we’re serious about doing something, they’ll react in anticipation. It’s now up to Congress to follow suit.

Might be a coincidence because it is. Shall we apply the razor? Could it be the oil speculation bubble finally hit its peak and bursts or because the least liked President since, well, forever, says he wants to drill in a place where we don't know exactly how much oil exists, we don't currently have the rigs to find it and even if that falls into place, it would not affect supply for at least ten years. I'll let you make the call.

Comparing the Gwinnett straw poll today on MARTA to the referendum nearly 40 years ago is meaningless. Different county, different people. Once again in unison: Dirt’s permanent, people aren’t. Which is why it’s foolish to assign personality traits or values to place. I hate it when those in neighboring counties to the south speak of my county, Cobb, based on the stereotypes of yesteryear. Same with Gwinnett.

Well, if you stop doing silly things like putting ridiculous creationist's stickers in Biology books ( which happened only three years ago, not forty), we promise to stop pointing them out!

Good thing for Jim I took the weekend off. With no hate in my heart, I may have let him up easy.

Selah.

My Morning Wooten

Really.

Barack Obama is a guy who picks up words and phrases from Category A and Category B briefing papers so that he sounds knowledgeable but says nothing.

Kind of like editorial columnists who lazily repeat right wing radio talking points instead of cogitating an original thought?

Gonzo Primary

Reporting plausibly live from Manuel's Tavern. No notebook. It would be a dead giveaway, the room is full of Democrats and they are feeling bloody. Random notes on the fly. Anonymity is the only protection for the faded and jaded. But onward we must go.

*"I don't know anyone in that room" "You have to wait until the polls close, all the young uns are still out working the field"

*"I think we were talking about smacking Matt around when his business partner Chuck walked by"

*"Steve Davis will trounce his opponent" "It's 51-49" Silence

*"After watching many elections I've learned there are few surprises" "What about Paul Broun and Roy Barnes?" "I'll give you Paul Broun"

*Sen. Nan Orrock seen chatting with former 10th District Candidate James Marlow asking what his next move is and upon seeing a shady blogger nearby hurrying off to a dark corner.

*" Don't worry, it's only Satan. The son of Satan isn't with him."

*"You tipped her too much. You think she's cute!"

*Allen Buckley supporters bumrush the 11Alive live set and get on the 11:00pm newscast. Unfamiliarity with the seven second delay causes much shuffling and frustration. Democrats strangely amused.

*Rev. Lowery is still a sweetheart but its difficult watching legends grow old.

*No fights. No orgies. No dice.

Selah.

Signs? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Signs!

There are various reports of poll signs still saying PSC candidate Jim Powell is still disqualified despite a judges stay.

Public Service Commission candidate Jim Powell says voters from all over the state are telling him signs noting he was disqualified and votes for him would not be counted were still hanging at the polls as late as 1 p.m. today — almost a full day after a judge told Secretary of State Karen Handel she could not boot him off the ballot.

Just to make the already perverse step a little further on the wild side there are also reports of polling places with absolutely disqualified state Sen. District 36 candidate Eric Underwood on the ballot but with no clarifying signs.

When I endorsed Sec. Handel in 2006, the prime reason was my belief in her administrative abilities. Despite my "defense" of Handel in the Powell affair, I believe this chaos caused by the Secretary's last minute decision to disqualify several candidates requires explanation. Otherwise, all those recent whispers of higher office may wisp away on lost zephyrs.

About As Low As You Can Get

St. Cloud, Fl. businessman Mike Meehan just wants to help Republicans.

To be fair local Republicans have repudiated the billboard and it is the work of one lone douchebag. But still...