Fresh Loaf

One year after Congress passed President Obama’s stimulus package, critics are still bellyaching about the $787 billion initiative aimed at sparking job growth and buffering the nation from the next Great Depression. After lambasting the program, Georgia Republicans found the time to grovel for funds or pose at ribbon-cutting ceremonies for stimulus-funded projects.

“I don’t know how our children and grandchildren will ever pay for this … . And the chance of it being successful are slim and none in my opinion. I am opposed to it. I think we can do better.”
— U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey of Georgia, speaking from the floor of the House before he voted against the stimulus bill. In October 2009, Gingrey presented a $625,000 oversized check to Cedartown city officials to fund new sidewalks — paid for with stimulus dollars.

“The state-by-state unemployment numbers are in. As you will see, these numbers only reinforce the fact that the $787 billion ’stimulus’ signed into law eight months ago has done nothing for job growth in this country.”
— U.S. Rep. John Linder of Georgia, in an Oct. 21 blog post. Two weeks earlier, the Washington Times reported on Feb. 10, Linder had championed a local government’s stimulus application, telling the U.S. Agriculture Department, “the employment opportunities created by this program would be quickly utilized.”

“The majority in Congress has been in runaway mode when it comes to spending taxpayer dollars. This legislation is yet another sign that Washington is more concerned with pet projects than with the welfare of taxpayers.”
— U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, after the stimulus passed. In August 2009, Chambliss visited the Atlanta Food Bank to observe food donations paid for with stimulus funds. “I’m very pleased that the government continues to play a key role here, from the standpoint of providing food,” he said.

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State Sen. Chip Pearson: Leading the charge in the battle against cyborgs

Acting on a threat that appears only in conspiracy theorist blogs and the Book of Revelation, the state Senate on Feb. 4 overwhelmingly passed legislation that would prohibit the implantation of a microchip in a person without their consent.

“Advances in technology are moving fast, and while most of these are for the good, we must be careful that it doesn’t come at the harm of citizens. … I have no firsthand knowledge of [any cases of people being implanted with microchips]. I am simply trying to get ahead of this and protect the people. We don’t know what is going to happen.”

— State Sen. Chip Pearson, R-Dawsonville, the bill’s sponsor, defending the legislation to the AJC on Feb. 4

“It’s a solution in search of a problem. … It’s disappointing because we’ve got a lot of problems in Georgia: health care, unemployment. We ought to be dealing with those issues as opposed to worrying about a nonexistent problem.”

— State Sen. Vincent Fort, D-Atlanta, one of two lawmakers who voted against the bill, to WXIA-TV/Channel 11 on Feb. 4

“It would be funny if it weren’t so sad. I can’t buy beer on Sunday, but at least I won’t have to worry about the Mark of the Beast. Thank you, Georgia General Assembly!”

— Libertarian blogger Jason Pye, who says the state has other pressing needs to worry about, on Feb. 4

(File photo by Joeff Davis)

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State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine got some unwanted media attention last week when it was revealed that his 13-year-old son had shot a man in the leg during a hunting excursion the previous weekend. The Oxendine boys were on a private quail plantation at the invitation of the same Alabama insurance mogul whose companies funneled $120,000 in improper contributions to Oxendine’s campaign for governor. Oxendine returned the money after it was reported in the media and the case is under investigation. Oxendine has admitted that his sons have not had gun safety training.

“Hunting in North Georgia with my boys today and tomorrow. Hoping the weather improves, but a great time of being together.”

— An Oxendine Tweet at 6:04 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 17, less than two hours after his son shot a man in the leg

“This was not a Dick Cheney situation.”

— David Crim, spokesman for “Team Ox,” explaining to the AJC on Jan. 19 that Oxendine wasn’t the shooter

“I still believe in hunting and I still believe in guns.”

— Oxendine, as quoted in the AJC on Jan. 20, after a state report indicated his son was the triggerboy

“Accidents happen. Just because you have a car accident doesn’t mean you don’t drive anymore.”

— Oxendine, as quoted by the AP on Jan. 21

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State lawmakers have chimed in on Congress’ proposals to provide Americans greater access to affordable health insurance. In addition to Gov. Sonny Perdue’s request for the state attorney general to investigate the federal bill, state lawmakers are flipping President Barack Obama’s legislative priority the proverbial middle finger.

“We are poised on a slippery slope if we allow the government’s hand in our pockets and voice in our doctor’s office. By taking the necessary measures, we will prevent Georgians from being forced to spend their hard earned money on government ordered health care.”
— State Sen. Seth Harp, R-Midland, in a Jan. 13 press release

“The time has come for us, as citizens and Georgia as a sovereign state, to stand up to the federal government and stop these mandates that trample individual rights. We, as elected representatives must do what we can to ensure these basic rights for the citizens of Georgia.”
— State Sen. Judson Hill, R-Marietta, in a Dec. 1, 2009, press release

“Are you now willing to say enough is enough? Or are you content to sit aside and watch your rights being stripped from you, one by one, without saying a word? The choice is yours.”
— State Rep. Calvin Hill, R-Canton, in a Dec. 4, 2009, press release

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On Jan. 6, news broke that U.S. Congressman Nathan Deal of Georgia quietly delivered on a promise to ask President Obama for a copy of his birth certificate. A Deal staffer told CL that the congressman — who’s also a GOP gubernatorial candidate — merely informed Obama that constituents were concerned, but believers in the “birther” conspiracy theory went wild.

“We MUST be getting close as members of Congress are now asking Obama the same question we have been asking for 2 years. WE ARE VICTORIOUS!”
— “Candor7,” on Jan. 6 at the far-right FreeRepublic website

“Obama and [Chief of Staff] Rahm [Emanuel] or the powers that be could easily have the corrupt Hawaiian officials produce an official documents. The [New World Order] controls everything then why cant they do this?”
— Anonymous commenter, on Jan. 6 at conspiracy theory hotbed GodLikeProductions.com

“Congratulations, Rep. Deal. You have now boarded to crazy train. Next stop, Loony Town.”
— “katahdin,” on Jan. 6 at the more level-headed Washington Independent

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After weeks of power struggles and an audit that alleged mismanagement, the Clayton County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 28 voted to reassign police Chief Jeff Turner to the county’s police academy. Turner — a 22-year veteran and the first African-American cop to lead the force — plans to fight to regain his old job.

“We had to deal with some serious issues related to the management of the department … One-hundred-and-thirty-eight missing guns is incredibly significant. Two-thousand or 3,000 pounds of narcotics that have destruction orders is significant. There [are] a lot things that Chief Turner does incredibly well, but there were a number of things that were problematic for the county.”
— Clayton Commissioner Wole Ralph, quoted in a Dec. 29 Clayton Daily News article

“The genesis of every deficiency … was years, if not decades, in the making … It’s not that I was doing anything wrong, but I wasn’t doing things the way they wanted me to.”
— Turner, who rebutted the audit’s claims in a 27-page response, told the AJC on Dec. 28 that he inherited a department filled with problems

“All the mayors, we are behind Turner 100 percent … He has worked with each municipality and our chiefs. Jeff has worked tirelessly to better this county. [The board] are taking their own course because Jeff won’t bow down to them.”
— Lake City Mayor Willie Oswalt, who also chairs the Clayton County Municipal Association, expressed disappointment over Turner’s reassignment

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On the same day last week, two of Georgia’s best-known politicians gave what may have been their final public statements while in office — albeit under very different circumstances.

“I held out hope that I was going to put my family back together again. When the realization hit me a few weeks ago that it wasn’t [going to happen], I didn’t think there was a reason to live. I should have died, but for some reason yet unknown to me, almighty God didn’t let me. Through friends and family and support, I am getting better, although I’m very emotional right now. Because this is the end for me.”

— Outgoing Georgia House Speaker Glenn Richardson, in a tearful, extemporaneous speech after fellow Republicans nominated his successor during a Dec. 17 meeting at the state Capitol.

“Some women adopt male standards for their performance, but I don’t. I didn’t run for office to be popular. I showed up to work, I worked hard, I was honest, I made some tough decisions. I know when it’s over and it’s time to move on. I’m satisfied that I finished the race. I’m sorry this isn’t what you wanted. You get the real deal here.”

— Outgoing Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, speaking to reporters during a tense Dec. 17 press conference in City Hall, after being asked to reflect on her time in office.

(Photos by Joeff Davis)

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CLARK HOWARD No match for Mickey Mouse

On Nov. 3, thousands of Fulton County residents cast their votes for candidates who weren’t even on the ballot. Courtesy of the county’s election gurus, we present the more interesting write-in results:

• Clark Howard: The city’s penny-pinching guru earned 33 votes in nearly every Atlanta race, including mayor, City Council president and Atlanta school board.

• Musicians: Voters placed their trust in Frank Zappa, Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine, Jello Biafra, Jerry Garcia, Henry Rollins, Ted Nugent, David Lee Roth and Mick Jagger.

• Conservative icons: Glenn Beck led the crowded pack of right-minded write-in candidates. Others: George W. Bush, Sarah Palin, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Neal Boortz, Karl Rove, Ronald Reagan, Joe the Plumber, Cain, Chuck Norris and Joe “You Lie!” Wilson.

• Karl Marx: The long-dead father of communism was a write-in for the Atlanta school board and Atlanta City Council District 7.

• Sid Mashburn: The Howell Mill Road haberdasher who can magically turn Atlanta’s slobs into dapper dons garnered one vote for the Post 1 At-Large seat won by Michael Julian Bond.

• Cartoons: Jesus, what is with people and Mickey Mouse? The squeaky-voiced rodent garnered 34 votes. Other pen-and-ink candidates: Donald Duck, Bugs Bunny, Goofy, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, Scooby Doo, Mr. Magoo, Porky Pig, Homer Simpson and Garfield.

• Hilariously generic “people”: “A Christian name person,” “Reasonable person,” “No lawyers,” “Indie rock elitist,” “Dirt road repairman” and “Cracker fuck.”

• Reptilians: When Norm Coleman and Al Franken quibbled over votes in their 2008 congressional race, much ado was made about write-in votes for “Lizard King.” “Hail the Lizard King” and “Lizard King 4 USA,” you had a friend on Nov. 3.

Click here to download an Excel document listing the full write-in results for all municipal and Gold Dome races in Fulton County.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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Last week on Fresh Loaf, we delved into a mysterious topic that has puzzled Atlantans for at least a decade: the etymology of “Murder Kroger.” What is the backstory on the nickname for the depressingly downscale grocery on Ponce de Leon Avenue? After some pontificating , our commenters appear to have figured it out.

“I’ve always preferred the alliteration of ‘Killer Kroger’ over the somewhat sloppy sounding ‘Murder Kroger.’”
— “O”

“’Crack Kroger’ is the preferred nomenclature of those in the neighborhood.”
— “DOC”

“I go to this Kroger all the time. I always called it the ‘Ghetto Kroger.’”
— “Chris”

“there’s already a ‘ghetto kroger,’ it’s the one further down moreland.”
— “sassyassy”

“i’ve always called the ponce location ‘murder kroger’ because someone was stabbed to death in the parking lot. sadly, i can’t find any verifiable source to confirm this.”
— “thedionysian”

“Cynthia Prioleau, 25, left the crime and the cold weather of her native Jersey City, N.J., nearly four years ago for the gentler climate and the slower, seemingly friendlier pace of Atlanta. But she died in the parking lot of a Ponce de Leon Avenue supermarket Monday evening, shot to death by an irate motorist she had sprayed with a can of Mace.”
— From a 1991 AJC story posted by commenter “The Answer”

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John Oxendine

On Oct. 15, GOP gubernatorial candidate John Oxendine e-mailed supporters to alert them to a “vicious attack” by “homosexual activists” at local gay weekly Southern Voice regarding his defense of marriage between a man and a woman. He asked supporters to help him fight the “gay lobby” — by donating money, of course.

“The radical homosexual activists over at Southern Voice have launched a vicious attack on me — by name — for my defense of traditional marriage in America. These homosexual activists join a long and growing list of those on the radical Left who are, by their very attack, acknowledging who the true conservative is in this campaign and who they are afraid of.”
— Oxendine, in an Oct. 15 e-mail to campaign supporters

“Those who are engaged in homosexual behavior are people—who need love and forgiveness, and who need to understand the love of God.”
— Oxendine, in an Oct. 9 e-mail to supporters

“So sacred is your marriage that when your baby Jake is born, you immediately put him in a starring role in one of your campaign ad commercials? No way is that exploiting the family, right?”
— Southern Voice news editor Dyana Bagby, in the Oct. 12 blog post that raised Oxendine’s ire

“Marriage has not, in fact, ‘always been’ between ‘a man and a woman’ — for most of the period of the Old Testament, from which Oxendine and his brethren like to quote a certain passage from Leviticus to condemn us, marriage was between a man and several women.”
— Southern Voice Editor Laura Douglas-Brown, in an Oct. 15 response to Oxendine’s plea for funds

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Last week, it was reported that a wooded area behind a Marietta office park had become a squatters compound for nine of Georgia’s registered sex offenders. A state law that bans sex offenders from living, working or loitering within 1,000 feet of areas where children might gather has forced numerous offenders into homelessness, including the nine squatters. Those squatters now have to find another place to set up camp; the Georgia Department of Transportation ordered them off its land Sept. 29.

“It’s really very common that we find people living on our land, often in tents or under bridges. We don’t want to allow anyone to live on our property, for liability issues.”
— Mark McKinnon, a spokesman for the Georgia Department of Transportation, quoted in the Marietta Daily Journal

“I walked to Wal-Mart, bought a tent and made a little place to live. That’s how much I don’t want to violate probation.”
— William Hawkins, a resident of the camp, quoted in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

“I don’t think it was the Georgia Legislature’s intention to render people homeless as a result of this law. This result does nothing to make women and children more safe, and only makes law enforcement’s role more complicated.”
— Sara Totonchi, public policy director for the Atlanta-based Southern Center for Human Rights, quoted in the AJC

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Last week, it was announced that Grady Memorial Hospital will officially move forward with plans to close its dialysis unit. To the dismay of patients and advocates, a judge lifted a previous restraining order on Sept. 25 that prevented the clinic from closing its doors. The decision sparked intense scrutiny from patients and advocates.

“The only option is to count the days until he dies.”
— Abebech Tadesse, speaking about her 69-year-old father and Grady dialysis clinic patient, quoted in the AJC

“They’re treating the closing of this clinic like it’s the closing of a dental clinic, as if people’s lives don’t depend on it.”
— Samuel Tabares, whose father is paralyzed by a stroke, quoted in the same AJC article

“Those who are less fortunate or who have less access to care will always have a home at Grady. But even in that context, Grady has some tough decisions to make. Otherwise, we won’t be in business.”
— Matt Gove, a senior vice president at the hospital, quoted in the Wall Street Journal

“Atlanta can’t live without Grady.”
— From Grady Memorial Hospital’s website

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On Aug. 17, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that condemned death row inmate Troy Davis deserves a chance to present new evidence in his case. Attorneys have long argued that Davis didn’t kill Savannah police officer Mark MacPhail in 1989 and that key witnesses have recanted testimony.

“The substantial risk of putting an innocent man to death, clearly provides an adequate justification for holding an evidentiary hearing.”
— U.S. Justice John Paul Stevens, writing for the majority Aug. 17

“We should be prepared to go to the moon and back in order to avoid executing an innocent man. Every stone must be turned, every possibility fully explored, every alternative narrative put to rest to the extent possible. Justice demands no less of us.”
— From an Aug. 19 Augusta Chronicle editorial

“He should have been dead two years ago … Every delay is awful for us every time. I’m not saying Davis’ family isn’t suffering either. But Davis had a choice. Mark didn’t … I want it to be over.”
— Anneliese MacPhail, mother of the murdered police officer, in the Aug. 19 New York Times

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Seven months after President Barack Obama was sworn in, a fringe contingent still suspects he’s ineligible for the post because, they claim, instead of being born in Hawaii — as the evidence makes clear — he actually was born in Kenya.

“I have seen the original vital records maintained on file by the Hawaii State Department of Health verifying Barack Hussein Obama was born in Hawaii and is a natural-born American citizen.”

— Hawaii Health Director Chiyome Fukino, in a statement issued July 27

“It’s just a few cranks out there. It’s like when the networks bring on the three remaining Klanners in America.”

— Ann Coulter, during a July 27 appearance on Fox News

“I have no idea where he was born.”

— U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, R-Ga., responding to an interviewer who asked if he thought Obama was born in America and if he considered “birthers” to be crazy

“What I don’t know is why the president can’t produce a birth certificate. I think that’s a legitimate question.”

— Former House Majority Leader and current Senate candidate Roy Blunt, responding on July 29 to a question about Obama’s eligibility

Sources: TPM, AP, MSNBC

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While the debates in Congress over health care reform have intensified this week, members of Georgia’s congressional delegation are all over the map in their reasons for supporting, but in most cases opposing, significant government reform — some more vehemently and bluntly than others.

“The poor have no chance, under the current system, to get the kind of care and follow-up they need. This House bill … is a historic step toward a new approach to health care in America that can quiet the fear associated with health care costs. It can relieve the significant financial stress on families, especially during this period where money is very tight, and provide coverage for millions of Americans who are currently uninsured or may have lost their jobs.”

— Congressman John Lewis, in a press release issued July 17, after the Ways and Means Committee passed America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009

“What we’re talking about is a move toward socialism. … You’re going to have a socialist bureaucrat in the exam room between the doctor and the patient.”

— Congressman Phil Gingrey, at a July 7 forum on health care reform at George Washington University Hospital

“[Canada and Great Britain] don’t have the appreciation of life, as we do in our society, evidently. A lot of people are gonna die. This ‘government option’ that’s being touted as this panacea — the savior of allowing people to have quality health care at an affordable price — is gonna kill people.”

— Congressman Paul Broun, in a July 10 statement on the floor of the House

Sources: AJC.com, Office of Congressman John Lewis, Media Matters

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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The Georgia GOP gubernatorial primary is still a year away, but gubernatorial candidate and Georgia Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine is ahead of the pack when it comes to kissing up to conservatives.

“I am running to protect the business community in Georgia from Roy Barnes and his anti-business friends. I am running to protect Georgia farmers from Roy Barnes and his environmentalist wacko regulators. I am running to protect the traditional values Georgia holds dear from Roy Barnes and the liberals in Atlanta. … I am going to run a positive campaign. “

— Oxendine plays defense against current candidate and former Gov. Roy Barnes in a June 24 fundraising pitch to supporters. The Democratic nomination is still more than a year away.

“[If elected governor, I'll] make it so uncomfortable that Planned Parenthood is not going to be able to operate in this state. They’re going to start losing money, and we’re going to make it economically difficult for them. … Yes, they will be out of business in Georgia. They will leave the state of Georgia.”

— Oxendine in a YouTube video uploaded May 12

“When I see this and my other three kids, it reminds me of why it’s important that I run for governor, and why it’s important that we transform government.”

— A campaign video posted hours after the July 8 birth of Oxendine’s son, showing the candidate with his wife, who’s cradling their newborn in a hospital recovery room

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On June 23, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford admitted to an affair with an Argentinian woman, following in a long line of less-than-faithful Southern politicos.

“It’s gonna hurt, and we’ll let the chips fall where they may. … The bottom line is this: I’ve been unfaithful to my wife. … I spent the last five days of my life crying in Argentina.”

— Sanford during a June 23 press conference

“There were times when I was praying and when I felt I was doing things that were wrong. But I was still doing them. … I look back on those as periods of weakness and periods that I’m … not proud of.”"

— Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich admits his infidelity in a 2007 radio interview with “Focus on the Family“

“I told my wife that I had a liaison with another woman, and I asked for her forgiveness. … You cannot beat me up more than I have already beaten up myself.”

— Former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, in a 2008 statement about his affair

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Michael Vick, the former Atlanta Falcons star quarterback, was released May 20 from a federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan. He will be completing the final two months of his 23-month dog-fighting sentence in his Hampton, Va., home.

“Without one single doubt, Vick’s skill level will return. Will a team be interested in bringing him in to play? That’s difficult to determine right now on two levels: public relations and football. … He must be willing to do whatever it takes to help a team win as he rebuilds his life and career.”

— NFL exec Mike Lombardi, from his May 18 entry on National Football Post

“He’s erratic throwing the ball because of his mechanics. … It’s not his feet or his arms, it’s his release. … But now that they’ve got all these spread offenses, the Wildcat they’re running, a guy like Michael could be tremendous.”

— Roger Theder, San Diego Chargers assistant coach, quoted May 17 in the AJC

“I think Michael is just like so many other guys that I have seen. … It’s a young man that made a mistake and is looking for a chance to recover and move forward.”

— Tony Dungy, former Super Bowl-winning Indianapolis Colts head coach, to the AJC after meeting with Vick in Leavenworth

“We’re not interested in being part of a cynical ploy that’s nothing but public relations. … We believe that the behavior he has shown might very well be an indication of psychopathy and we’re asking for a brain scan and a thorough psychiatric evaluation.”

— PETA spokesperson Daphna Nachminovitch, on PETA’s rejection of Vick’s offer to participate in an advertisement for the group

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Gov. Sonny Perdue last week irked many fellow Republicans when he vetoed a bill that would have slashed the state capital gains tax. Critics warned the bill would have cost the cash-strapped state between $340 million and $1 billion in lost revenues.

“I’m scratching my head…If I were the governor, I would have said, ‘Where is that? Let me get my pen.’”

— House Rules Chairman Earl Ehrhart, R-Powder Springs, in the May 11 AJC

“Cutting capital gains taxes would have encouraged more investment into the state. It is a sad day when this type of legislation gets vetoed by a Republican governor.”

— State Insurance Commissioner and GOP gubernatorial candidate John Oxendine in a May 11 press release

“If Governor Perdue vetoes it, I hope legislators will consider overturning his veto. The JOBS Act could do a lot of good for Georgia.”

— David Raynor of the Georgia chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business

“Republicans I talked to in the legislature are angry and demoralized.”

— Pro-growth, anti-tax Wall Street Journal columnist Stephen Moore, writing about Perdue’s veto

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On April 28, longtime Atlanta community advocate Phillip Rush died suddenly from a blood clot. His nonprofit work included fundraising for gay youth support programs and smart growth efforts. Rush was 55.

“He was about community empowerment — he lived for bringing diversity to the table. … That was his life.”

— Doug Carl, Rush’s close friend, in a May 1 AJC obituary

“What I loved about Phillip was that my impression is that he had come from privilege [and] for Phillip that was never an excuse not to do for other people and never, ever an excuse to stop learning. He was so interested to find out more about people, about how we relate to each other, about what might help and what won’t help.”

— Longtime activist Duncan Teague in an April 28 Southern Voice obituary

“The power of the individual voice is much more amazing than you might think.”

— Rush in a Nov. 2, 2007, SoVo article about providing services for gay seniors

(Courtesy the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta)

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Last Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss expressed concern over USDA deputy secretary nominee Kathleen Merrigan’s controversial past — as a proponent of organic farming. Since 1998, Chambliss’ campaigns have received more than $2.1 million from agriculture-related industries whose practices are not as environmentally friendly.

“I do have some concerns that in promoting your passion for organic and sustainable agriculture that you tear down other types of agriculture and those with another point of view. … [F]armers and ranchers are the biggest environmentalists we have in America because they make their living off the land.”

— Chambliss, speaking to Merrigan during her confirmation hearing

“These farmers and ranchers who represent the vast majority of agricultural production deserve a USDA that will fairly represent them and not put forward false choices.”

— A March 19 letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, signed by Chambliss

“Senator Chambliss has a stellar record when it comes to supporting American agriculture.”

— From a May 10, 2007, press release by the American Farm Bureau Federation, a national trade organization that awarded Chambliss its Golden Plow award

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Every year, Georgia lawmakers drop some rather eccentric bills in the hopper. Surprisingly, not all of them become law.

“…and upon successful [implantation] on the uterine wall, each blastocyst shall be allotted two (2) troy ounces of 18-karat gold bullion, to be held in trust by the mother or court-appointed agent…”

— Rep. Bobby Franklin, R-East Cobb, from the “Embryos and Ingots Act of 2009”

“…the Ascended, having no further claims upon [said automobile], may be deemed to have effectively transferred title to nearest remaining family member or other designee Left Behind …”

— Rep. James Mills, R-Gainesville, from the “Post-Tribulation Property Settlement Act”

“Whereas, saw palmetto has worked wonders for the prostate glands of many in this [elected body] … the General Assembly hereby orders the second week of April be declared ‘Saw Palmetto Week’ within the borders of this state.”

— Sen. George Hooks, D-Americus, from a self-explanatory resolution

“…this paragraph shall not apply to any person…who traps beaver upon the [public rights-of-way] … for the purpose of preventing, reducing, or stopping damage…resulting from beaver activity …”

— Sen. John Bulloch, R-Ochlocknee, from an actual bill to allow registered persons to trap beavers.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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Rep. Austin Scott, R-Tifton

Several Republican state representatives on Thursday opposed a privileged resolution to make President Barack Obama an honorary member of Georgia’s Legislative Black Caucus. Members of the caucus called the move political, offensive and bizarre — the state House has passed “thousands” of honorary resolutions without objection, one lawmaker said.

“It doesn’t have anything to do with the color of his skin. It has to do with his policies being inconsistent with our core beliefs as Republicans.”

— State Rep. Austin Scott, R-Tifton, and 2010 governor candidate, after stating that the legislation read as if the entire Legislature endorsed the president.

“We pass [other] resolutions about people we know nothing about. It’s a matter of respecting the office.”

— State Sen. Vincent Fort, D-Atlanta

“In my 35 years I’ve seen many resolutions. And I’ve never seen this type of action taken on the floor of the House. Now there’s a dark cloud over Georgia. And somebody has to remove it. This is a political act.”

— State Rep. Calvin Smyre, D-Macon, the Black Caucus’ national chairman, who had planned to deliver the resolution to Obama at the White House on March 20.

(Courtesy House Communications)

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Sen. Preston Smith

The Ethical Treatment of Human Embryos Act, which passed the state Senate last week, would outlaw the creation of human embryos for the purposes of stem cell research linked to treating Alzheimer’s disease and other degenerative neurological disorders.

“I am absolutely opposed to creating embryos to cure a disease.”

— Gov. Sonny Perdue, quoted March 10 by the Associated Press

“Human cloning efforts could possibly lead to embryo farms, shades of movies such as The Island, where humans are cloned for their body parts.”

— Daniel Becker, president of Georgia Right to Life, in a March 10 AJC op-ed

“I don’t believe in the destruction of human life in the interests of science. … I don’t think it was right when Dr. [Josef] Mengele did it.”

— State Sen. Preston Smith, R-Rome, during the Senate debate

“At exactly the time the president of the United States has said he’s putting science above politics, we’re sending the unmistakable message that Georgia is anti-science.”

— State Sen. David Adelman, D-Decatur, during the Senate debate

(Photo courtesy Sen. Preston Smith)

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Hudgens

State lawmakers are fearing another Nadya “Octomom” Suleman, the California single mom who recently birthed octuplets — as well as six other children — through in-vitro fertilization. As a result, legislators have introduced a controversial bill regulating fertility treatments. It reportedly won’t go anywhere this session.

“The taxpayers are going to have to fund the 14 children [Nadya Suleman] has. I don’t want that to happen in Georgia.”

— Sen. Ralph Hudgens, R-Hull, in the March 3 Wall Street Journal.

“It’s the right of the person who has gone through this procedure to decide what they can do with those embryos, not their doctor, and certainly not the government.”

— Barbara Collura of Resolve, a national infertility association, in the March 3 WSJ.

“One crazy woman out of a population of 300 million. Can we say overkill?”

— A comment by “grouse” in response to a March 4 Augusta Chronicle article.

(Courtesy Senate Press Office)

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