Fresh Loaf

Today marks the sixth anniversary of the Iraq war. Since it began on March 19, 2003 the war has cost the United States more than $600 billion dollars, with an estimated $440 to $865 billion expected to be spent in the next 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

President Barack Obama calls for 127,000 troops to remain in Iraq until the end of this year, and for 50,000 troops to remain at least until the end of 2011.

More than 4,250 American troops have died since the start of the war, and another 36,000 were wounded. For Iraqis, the toll has been much higher, with an estimate of more than 91,000 Iraqi civilians killed. What’s more, water in Baghdad is still mostly undrinkable.

Today in Atlanta there are several events to mark the anniversary. At 3 p.m., there will be a forum at Georgia State University in room 24 of GSU’s Aderhold Learning Center at 60 Luckie Street. Speakers include Iraqi native Raed Jarrar, a war expert, and Jason Hurd, the southeast regional director of Iraq Veterans Against the War.  At 5 p.m., there will be a march led by veterans. The march will leave Woodruff Park at 5 p.m. and end at the CNN Center.  The day will end with a free concert at 8 p.m. at Metropolitan Warehouses, 675 Metropolitan Parkway (fishmarket D-125) with music by Futureshock, the Black Pockets, Contraverse and the Wild.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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March 7, 2009, 2:06 p.m., at Piedmont Road N.E. and Miami Circle N.E.

This week’s Time and Place photo was taken at Piedmont and Miami Circle on the edge of Buckhead. I was on my way to a photo shoot at a gallery that was closing after more than 30 years of being in business, and I saw this man on the corner holding a gigantic sign that said, “Going Out of Business.”

I pulled over and jumped out of my car and started snapping photos. The words “Final Days” attracted me; the red in the words would make the photo jump out. I shot a few different images but ultimately chose this one because it felt direct and, for me, poignant.

I have always been deeply inspired by the photography of Garry Winogrand and his ability to make pictures deeper and more profound then the moments in which they occurred. Winogrand said in a 1982 interview with Bill Moyers:

“When I’m photographing, I see life. That’s what I deal with. I don’t have pictures in my head. I frame in terms of what I want to include, and naturally, when I want to snap the shutter. And I don’t worry about how the picture’s gonna look — I let that take care of itself. We know too much about how pictures look and should look, and how do you get around making those pictures again and again. It’s one modus operandi. To frame in terms of what you want to have in the picture, not about how — making a nice picture. That, anybody can do.”

See a couple more photos from this series after the jump.

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More photos from Yoga in the Park here.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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Evolution theory is proven!!!

Finally, an American growth industry!

Americans are seeing the (absence of) light?

Nonviolence is the only answer…

Pillow fight crack down#$!

An answer to the fear of losing your job (thank God)…

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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A vision from the Cyclorama…

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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Hundreds of people stood in the pouring rain outside the Capitol this afternoon to protest the Obama administration’s stimulus package. The “Atlanta Tea Party” was one of many Tea Party events that took place across the nation today. The idea originated from CNBC analyst Rick Santelli’s on-air rants last week for a new “tea party” to protest the stimulus plan from the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange while backed by howls and whistles from traders on the floor.  A You Tube clip of the rave has received more then 800,000 views. At the Atlanta event this afternoon people clumped together under an array of umbrellas, many getting soaked to the bone during the rainstorm. The 40-minute demonstration included speeches by a few members of the Georgia Legislature. The crowd whooped and roared as people from the microphone railed about the “socialists running the country,” called for extensive tax cuts, read the Declaration of Independence and defended the sanctity of the Constitution. The event ended with demonstrators dumping tea bags into a bucket. I guess the revolution starts now?

More photos of the “Atlanta Tea Party” here

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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The Monster Energy AMA Supercross FIM World Championship came to the Georgia Dome Saturday, Feb. 21. The evening started with “Sweet Home Alabama” blaring over the loud speakers at the almost-filled-to-capacity arena. Then in the most surreal moment of the night amongst cheers and shouts and following the blaring of “Born In The USA” at tremendous volume (“I had a buddy at Khe Sahn, Fighting off the Viet Cong, They’re still there, He’s all gone”), a group of youngsters were marched to the center of the arena and stood behind American flags as they were sworn into the United States Air Force. “I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States,” boomed a voice over the loudspeakers “against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States.” Thundering fireworks then shook the stadium like bombs with smoke and fire and the individual riders were dramatically introduced by an excited announcer, and then finally, the race was on.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

See more photos of the Supercross here

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(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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Since 2002, 78-year-old Schmitt — the former president of Agnes Scott College — has been part of a group of war protesters that congregated weekly at the Colony Square office building in Midtown (formerly the headquarters of then-Sen. Zell Miller). On Feb. 13, the group, held its last protest.

How long have you been coming to the protest here at Colony Square?

Well, I was at the first one, which was six and a half years ago. We came because Zell Miller’s offices were up in the Colony Square [building], so that’s where it started. And I remember one member standing next to me, she said, “We need to do this every week.”

So I’ve been coming except when I was out of town, or I guess maybe I missed once because it really was too cold. But mostly we’re out here —whether it’s, whether it’s cold.

How many times in the last six and a half years have you been here?

Well, I’m sure it’s over 200 times.

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See more photos from Foxy Shazam’s show at the Masquerade.

(Photo by Perry Julien)

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Every Friday since August 2002, through cold, rain, wind and heat antiwar demonstrators have been gathering at the corner of 14th and Peachtree between noon and 1 p.m. to protest the Iraq war. At this afternoon’s gathering protesters ranged in age from 6 months to 90 years. They waved placards, flashed peace signs at passing cars and cheered when cars honked in support of their message. Organizers cited the new administration as being one of the reasons they were ending the weekly protest. Bobbie Paul, who has attended well over 200 of the Friday protests, said “we didn’t stop the war, but we helped change the discourse and helped this country move towards change.”

See more photos here

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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Flouber Sanchez from Armenia, Colombia practices this afternoon for this evening’s Cirque du Soleil performance at Atlantic Station.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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Feb. 8, 2009, 6:03 p.m. at Peachtree and Wall Streets

Just looking at this photo makes me quiver. Snakes freak me out. I am not sure why, I think it’s because I always think when I see a snake, “How do I escape?” Can’t run from one (can you?). Can’t climb a tree (can snakes climb trees?). What about the snakes that come up through the toilet? They have no arms or legs so how do we relate? This week’s Time and Place photo was taken last Sunday evening. I was driving past Underground and I saw this guy with this huge snake (no not that) around his neck. I immediately parked (illegally) and got out of my car hoping he would still be there. He was, and I took out my camera and started taking pictures. He got all in my face and said, “$2 per photo!” Well, I had already taken 10 so I got righteous, “Yo man, I work for the newspaper and we don’t pay for photos.” We came to an agreement and I was able to take a few more photos. I like this one because for me it captures my own fear of snakes — this is practically right out my own nightmare three nights ago.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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Thousands of people lined up for an Atlanta Federal Center Career Fair at 100 Alabama Street in downtown Atlanta this morning to get information about federal jobs being offered by over two dozen federal agencies. According to police, people started forming lines at 6 a.m. even though the job fair did not start until 10 a.m.

An unemployed man who asked not to be identified said he had been waiting for more than three hours to go inside. When asked what type of job he was looking for, he replied, “Right now, whatever is available.”

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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If you’ve attended or watched an Atlanta City Council committee meeting, you’ve witnessed the blunt opinions and insight of Dave Walker, a 63-year-old Vietnam veteran and street vendor who says he’s attended nearly every meeting since 1984.

How did you end up in Atlanta?

I was hitchhiking around the country back in the ’70s and I went to Los Angeles. And then I went from LA to New York. And I was standing in my sister’s front yard in New York, and I asked the almighty God “Where do I go now?” And clearly he said to me, “Atlanta.” And that’s how I got here. I came hitchhiking with two pennies.

How does God manifest himself to you?

He can talk. God talks to man’s conscience.

Do you still hitchhike?

No, I am afraid now. And a little too old. (laughs).

Do you like Atlanta?

The thing that I used to like about Atlanta is that Atlanta was a wholesome town. But it’s no longer wholesome. If I left Atlanta, I would starve to death. So I stay here. No other city could I have gone to and become famous. I am famous now, so I like it.

When you say that you are famous, what do you think you are famous for?

I am famous for my quick wit. I am famous for my knowledge of world events, etc. I don’t think there is no council member, no government official, in this state or in this country, who is as qualified to talk about government as I am.

Why do you wear hospital scrubs? [Ed. Walker often wears scrubs to meetings.]

Every great man has to have their notch in history, their notch in the community; the scrubs are part of my notch, part of my identity. Most doctors, nurses, they have on scrubs and I view myself as somewhat of a doctor. And scrubs secondarily are very comfortable. They are versatile and you can wear them anywhere, anytime. And the reason I don’t have them on now is it’s too damn cold. But I tell you, I miss them. (laughs)

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(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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Nyemb, 45, was born in Cameroon, on the west coast of central Africa. He’s been driving a cab in Atlanta since the mid-’90s — and has had his fair share of experiences both in his native land and behind the wheel.

When did you come to Atlanta?

I came here in 1991. I came to go to school.

Did you finish your degree?

No. I had to call it off. Because of some family obligations and financial constraints, I had to look for a job.

What kinds of jobs were available to you?

At that time, the only job I could get was driving. I was delivering newspapers for a while and then I started driving a taxi.

Job opportunities are better here. Unemployment is up to 40 percent in Cameroon. An education will not guarantee you a job. And here, although I could not do exactly what I wanted, I got a job to pay the bills. That is the big difference.

What are some of the cultural differences?

In Cameroon, people live in a family-oriented society. People help each other and you can stay at home until you decide to leave, even if you have a wife and children. People try to help one another.  Here, you are on your own. If you don’t make it, you get evicted. And the food was also a new experience for me.

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