Fresh Loaf

A top campaign aide insisted that Republican U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss wants to include Libertarian Allen Buckley in debates. But Buckley complained last week that Chambliss doesn’t want to debate.

“We didn’t wait for the Democrat to say that the Libertarian should not be involved in the debate, because that’s generally what the Democrat does. They don’t want the Libertarian involved in the debate. We said the Libertarian would be involved in all the debates. If he doesn’t want to show up that’s his business.”

— Tom Perdue, Chambliss’ campaign consultant, in a Sept. 4 interview with CL

“Saxby is running from his record. His goal is clear: to minimize debates and blast the airwaves from now until the election with commercials stating that he ‘represents our conservative values.’ He doesn’t represent my values. Let’s debate as much as possible.”

— Buckley in a Sept. 10 press release

“We have no comment.”

— Kate Hansen, a campaign spokeswoman for Democratic candidate Jim Martin

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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Georgia’s two most prominent football teams head into the season with very different prospects. The rebuilding Atlanta Falcons are expected to scrape the NFL’s dregs; the Georgia Bulldogs enter today’s opener as No. 1 in the NCAA.

“[U]nless Richt is holding that crystal football in Miami at around 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 8, 2009, this season will be a failure.”
– Pete Fiutak, FOXSports.com

“Our goals won’t be measured in wins and losses this year. We need to move forward and grow as a team.”
– Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff

“I think everybody is expecting good things.”
– Georgia head coach Mark Richt

“He’ll be running behind a shaky offensive line that looks as if it’s held together by duct tape purchased from one of [Arthur] Blank’s old stores.”
– The Sports Network’s Scott Garbarini, on new Falcons running back Michael Turner

“It’s cool to say you were part of that team that was preseason No. 1, but it would be a lot nicer to say it at the end of the season. There’s a lot of time between now and then.”
– Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford

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Longtime Atlanta Braves announcer Skip Caray, who died this week at 68, once described himself as the “wise-ass cynic” of the Caray broadcasting dynasty. Eschewing his famous father’s effusiveness, he won over Braves fans with his dry, pithy humor and unabashed honesty. He was often at his best when the Braves were at their worst.

“The bases are loaded again and I wish I was, too.”
— Caray, during a disastrous outing by the Braves’ bullpen in 2007

“It’s another partial sellout.”
— A line Caray used often in the late ’80s when games were drawing just a few thousand fans

“Have you looked at the standings lately?”
— Caray’s response to then-owner Ted Turner after Turner asked him to stop being so negative in the booth during a losing season in the ’80s

“Good point. Say whatever you want.”
— Turner’s answer

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It was reported last week that outgoing Grady CEO Pamela Stephenson does not have all of the university degrees she apparently claims.

“Ms. Stephenson earned her PH.D at the University of Michigan … and a Law degree, also at the University of Michigan.”

-From a July 9 hospital press release titled “Pamela Stephenson is Good for Grady.”

“In a statement Friday, she apologized and blamed a “word processing error” for a hospital news release last week that claimed she had a doctor of philosophy and a law degree from the University of Michigan. She does not.”

-From a July 19 AJC story about Stephenson’s resumé.

“Memo To Grady Board: When Rep Stephenson shows up to claim her 2 year, $1.2 Million paycheck, laugh and tell her, “Oh yeah, that. Well, that was just a word processing error.”

-Blogger Icarus at Peach Pundit on July 18. Stephenson will exit Grady’s top spot on September 1 with a $325,000 severance deal.

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Political commentators are divided over whether former U.S. Senator from Georgia Sam Nunn would make a good running mate for presumptive Democratic nominee Sen. Barack Obama.

“Some might doubt whether Obama is ready for that 3 a.m. phone call, but Nunn – who is already an Obama policy adviser – certainly would be, especially in an era when that phone call is ever more likely to involve a loose nuke.”

– Michael Crowley, June 25, The New Republic. Nunn is CEO of the anti-proliferation non-profit Nuclear Threat Initiative.

“[Nunn] was not above channeling base, “yuck factor”-based objections to homosexuality in service of his retrograde policy views. Even today, he only says he’d “reconsider” Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and insists he was right in 1993.”

– An excerpt from “Having Nunn of It,” an online petition against selecting Nunn as Obama’s running mate.

“Putting a 70-year old, white, southern, corporate dude on the ticket would almost entirely wipe away any notion that Obama is a “change” candidate.”

– Chris Bowers, June 16, on the blog OpenLeft

“Few things are certain in presidential politics, but here are three: it will be expensive; it will get negative; and, at some point, former Senator Sam Nunn of Georgia will be mentioned as a possible Democratic running mate.”

– Mark Leibovich, June 22, New York Times

(more…)

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At a June 2 press conference, Gov. Sonny Perdue announced that he has halted a state gas tax increase because of high prices at the pump and tough economic times. And what did he say about commuter rail or using less gas? Nada.

“I’m persuaded we’ve got great reserves here that we can bring to the market very quickly rather than being held hostage from the international perspective.”

— The governor on why the U.S. should drill for oil.

“I’ve seen people do it. I see them ride a little car for a little while, and then they’re back in big vehicles after a while.”

— Perdue’s response when asked if he’d consider switching the state’s fleet of vehicles or his personal transport, a SUV, to hybrids.

“I travel pretty lightly as most of you know.”

— Perdue says his retinue is smaller than that of most governors. Perdue has visited at least 14 Georgia cities since April 24. After the press conference, he flew to Savannah.

(Photo illustration by John Yardley)

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On May 28, the Democratic Party of Georgia challenged Georgia’s voter ID in Fulton County Superior Court. State Republicans say a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling settled the voter ID issue in their favor. State Democrats say the opposite is true.

“We think there are close to half a million people who are registered voters but won’t be able to vote.”

-Emmet Bondurant, lawyer for the Democratic Party of Georgia, as quoted in the Fulton County Daily Report on May 28.

On Friday, May 23, millions of Georgians were busy planning their Memorial Day weekends, writing letters and making phone calls to loved ones serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, and remembering family members and friends who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. That same day, the Democratic Party of Georgia (DPG) was busy on a different matter: filing a fourth lawsuit against the State attacking the voter ID law.

-Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel, responding to the suit in a letter appearing on the Peach Pundit blog May 29.

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William Earl Lynd, 53, was executed at the state prison in Jackson on May 6, the first execution in the U.S. in seven months. As it does before all executions, the Georgia Department of Corrections issued a press release describing Lynd’s last meal.

“Lynd has requested as his last meal two pepper jack BBQ burgers with crisp onions, two baked potatoes with sour cream, bacon and cheese, one large strawberry milkshake, from a local restaurant.”

— An excerpt from a May 5 Georgia Department of Corrections press release about Lynd.

“Conklin has requested as his last meal filet mignon wrapped with bacon; de-veined shrimp sautéed in garlic butter with lemon; baked potato with butter, sour cream, chives and real bacon bits; corn on the cob; asparagus with hollandaise sauce; French bread with butter; goat cheese; cantaloupe; apple pie; vanilla bean ice cream and iced tea.”

— An excerpt from a July 8, 2005 state press release announcing the execution of Robert Dale Conklin.

“We do everything within reason to accommodate a prisoner’s request, but it’s a case-by-case basis. Requests have run the gamut, from a steak dinner to what was on the menu for that day at the prison.”

— Susan Phillips, Georgia Dept. of Corrections spokesperson, in a phone interview with Creative Loafing on May 6, 2008.

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According to an April 29 WSB-TV Action News story, “hundreds of young Atlanta women” are soliciting donations to pay for breast implants on the web site myfreeimplants.com.

“Just about everyone we showed it to called it shocking.”

-WSB-TV anchor Jovita Moore, introducing the story. Categorized as a “Health” story on the station’s web site, it includes dozens of photos of young women showing off their breasts.

“If you want to look at my boobs, put money in my account.”

-Meg Kelso, a 49-year-old registered nurse in metro Atlanta interviewed about her myfreeimplants.com account.

“The ladies never get to touch the money. We pay the doctors office directly once she reaches her goal. By doing it this way we can protect your investment!”

-The answer to the question “How can I be sure the money will be spent on implants?” on myfreeimplants.com’s Help page.

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Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and Georgia Restaurant Association Executive Director Ron Wolf are among those urging Gov. Sonny Perdue to veto legislation that will allow Georgians with concealed weapons permits to carry guns in restaurants serving alcohol.

“How do you enforce that? We’re not going to frisk them for a gun.”

-Wolf, speaking to the Gainesville Times on April 8, on the law’s stipulation forbidding customers with concealed weapons from consuming alcohol.

“This is not about the right to bear arms. This is about public safety.”

-Franklin, speaking at a April 24 press conference, as quoted in the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

“All this stuff we hear about people are going to start dropping their chicken wings and shooting is enough to make your head explode. We’re talking about law-abiding citizens who have gone through background checks.”

-The legislation’s author Rep. Tim Bearden, R – Villa Rica, as quoted by 11 Alive on April 24, dismissing claims the law will lead to restaurant gunplay.

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On April 8, a wounded zebra was found eating grass along I-75 in Butts County. Nine days later, a pig was found wandering the median on I-75 in Cobb County.

“The Department of Natural Resources called us Tuesday morning and said they had a zebra fall out of the back of a truck, and from there he was struck by a car and he was standing there on the side of the highway eating grass,”

-Charlie Hedgecloth, of the Locust Grove animal rescue group Noah’s Ark, as quoted by WTVM-TV in Columbus on April 11.

“hmm… you think someone would have noticed that their zebra was missing…”

-Digg.com user bluetide17, commenting on the story on April 10.

“The pig, reportedly wandering free in the median, was later tethered to a guardrail until two Marietta police officers arrived — one of whom ended up using his Taser gun to subdue it.”

-11Alive.com’s Chris Swiegart on April 17.

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During the legislative session, Rep. Bobby Franklin, R-Marietta, blogged for The American View, a conservative Christian web site whose organizers aim to create “Christian America, and a Christian world, a Christian galaxy and a Christian universe.”

But since there is no area of life outside of the Lordship of King Jesus, all votes cast are religious in nature and must be based on what the Bible says is the proper function of the civil government.

— Franklin, on Jan 31, explaining how he decides his legislative votes.

By a vote of 154-1 the House approved HB 1088, a bill to provide state central planning of “agricultural tourism.” The last time I checked, I could not find any Biblical role of the civil government in the function of tourism, agricultural or otherwise.

— Franklin, on Feb. 18.

HB 1043 amended an already bad law, the “Childhood Lead Exposure Control Act” by allowing the state to enter your property if some state agent thinks that your kid has been exposed to lead. Whatever happened to the Supreme Court’s “Roe” and “Casey” right to privacy?

— Franklin rails against a bill aimed at protecting children from lead-contaminated structures.

You are a person while in the test tube. But the state then can deny your personhood the moment you are implanted in a uterus. With so called right to life organizations promoting this type of abomination, no wonder roughly 40,000 babies are still being slaughtered in their mother’s womb’s each year in Georgia.

— Franklin criticizes a bill proposed by Georgia Right to Life that would designate embryos in test tubes as “people.”

While Georgia is throwing the book at people that use alcohol vaporizing devices, the butchering of the unborn continues[.]

— Franklin writes about a House bill that would ban alcohol-vaporizers.

This bill allows the commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources (why there is such a department is another story) to prohibit all commercial and recreational fishing for blue crabs.

— Franklin questions the importance of an agency charged with protecting the environment.

Why is the Georgia House of Representatives concerning itself with any sport when tens of thousands of babies are slaughtered in the womb each year here in Georgia?

— Franklin expresses disgust with a bill that would urge the NCAA use a playoff system to determine a national college football champion.

First, individuals do not have any natural rights — which transitions to the second point: rights are given by God and are not privileges handed out by the state. It is very dangerous when those elected to office begin to believe and govern as if the State is God.

— Franklin states his views on basic rights.

Does it surprise you that the question never lets the voter know that if the Governor so chooses that not a dime of the tax could go toward transportation? Republicans – gotta love’um [--] NOT!

— Franklin channels Wayne’s World in his final post of the legislative session.

Rep. Franklin then said that the folks that wanted to end slavery were called “crazy” and “radical”, but they were doing “what was right”, so he didn’t mind being called crazy because he’s doing what’s right.

— Andre Walker in a Jan. 2007 GeorgiaPoliticsUnfiltered blog post after he asked Rep. Franklin about pro-choice groups labeling him as “crazy.”

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A report published April 1 by Editorial Projects In Education Research Center says Atlanta high school graduation rate is just 46 percent. Beverly Hall, superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools, faults the report for using old data.

“Atlanta public schools was the only urban system that since 2003 has shown progress in every grade and every subject tested.”

-Hall, speaking to Public Broadcasting Atlanta on April 1. She says the 2007 graduation rate was 68.3 percent.

“In the lower grades, our schools continue to place all students, from the genious to the borderline retard, in a single classroom and then commence to teach to the lowest commom denominator.

Bottom line, if you want to fix the high dropout percentage, you have to fix the elementary schools.”

-“Lee”, commenting April 2 on the AJC.com education blog, Get Schooled.

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U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., recently appeared on national television and showed off how he knows practically nothing about civility or Barack Obama.

“But Obama’s gonna go around meeting everybody so the world will be a better place. ‘Hi, I’m Barack Hussein Obama.’”

— Kingston trots out the oft-repeated scare tactic of equating Barack Obama with a deposed dictator on the Feb. 22 “Real Time with Bill Maher” on HBO.

“Your staff made me take it off. (Laughs) It was too controversial. Actually, I don’t know who that person is, but tell her I’m with her 100 percent. I usually do, it depends.”

— Kingston responds to a viewer e-mail on Maher’s show asking why Kingston wasn’t wearing a flag pin after he chided Obama for not wearing one.

“I will wear one and I have worn one. But I’m not making a statement about it.”

— Kingston speaking to MSNBC’s Dan Abrams about his lapel-decorating habits on Feb. 28.

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Barring major reforms, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools will revoke Clayton County Public Schools’ accreditation in September. Clayton’s students will lose scholarship eligibility and will be unable to transfer their credits. In the past 20 years, only two school systems in the country have lost accreditation.

“The Clayton County Board of Education is dysfunctional. Currently the Board does not operate with unity or a common sense of purpose. Individuals on the Board act in their own best interest or that of special interest groups. As a result the Board operates in a constant of confusion and conflict.”

— Southern Association of Colleges and School’s Feb. 15 report by the Special Review Team for Clayton County Public Schools

“ASSCLOWN!”

— The label given to Clayton County school board members Lois Baines-Hunter, Ericka Davis, the Rev. W. Rod Johnson and Sandra Scott on the website www.give-em-the-boot.com. The site accuses several top county officials of incompetence and corruption.

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Last fall, when Sen. Hillary Clinton had a huge lead in national and state polls, Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., endorsed her candidacy. Now he’s not so sure.

“I have looked at all the candidates, and I believe that Hillary Clinton is the best prepared to lead this country at a time when we are in desperate need of strong leadership.”

– Lewis, endorsing Clinton for president Oct. 12, 2007

“Something is happening in America, and people are prepared and ready to make that great leap.”

– Lewis, as quoted in the New York Times Feb. 15, explaining his decision to vote for Obama at the 2008 Democratic Party Convention. A spokesman for Lewis said the Times’ report is “not accurate.”

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(Photo by Joeff Davis)

CL liveblogged the Super Tuesday primaries at Manuel’s Tavern and queried the bold-faced names in attendance. To view the night’s commentary, click here.

“I think it’d be pretty amazing to see McCain running against Obama. I think they both want to move the country forward.”

– Emory Morsberger, a former Republican state representative and leading advocate of the Brain Train

“It’s an exciting night for the Democrats. I’m a strong Hillary person. I’m excited to see such a strong turnout for Obama. I just hope the enthusiasm carries … over until November. I think [Obama’s] a fresh face and an inspirational voice that people have chosen at this time. …”

– State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, D-Decatur

“I’m looking for a job. I offered my services to the Hillary people and they didn’t want me, so I voted for Obama.”

– Former state Rep. Doug Teper

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(photo by Joeff Davis)

Last week former President Jimmy Carter spoke at “Celebration of a New Baptist Covenant,” a conference at the Georgia World Congress Center of Baptists who are upset with the right-wing politics of the Southern Baptist Convention.

“We Americans need to realize there is no special correlation between freedom and liberty and our own faith. Because the three largest democracies on earth are India, Hindu, the United States of America, Christians, and Indonesia, Islamic.”

— Carter, Jan 30.

“I continue to be concerned as to at least some participants’ motives for this event.”

— Southern Baptist Convention president Frank Page, as quoted by the Associated Press Jan. 29. He refused to participate in the event, calling it a “left-wing liberal smokescreen.”

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Editorial boards of Georgia newspapers outside metro Atlanta have harshly criticized the recently passed statewide water plan.

“Georgia lawmakers have wasted an opportunity to craft an elegant statewide water plan that would have required fewer fixes in the future.”

— Savannah Morning News, Jan. 22.

“In this instance [Gov. Sonny Perdue, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and state House Speaker Glenn Richardson], were peddling the statewide water plan, which is going up for legislative endorsement on a very, very fast track despite almost every written opinion about declaring it to be an insult to both common sense and Mother Nature.”

— Rome News-Tribune, Jan. 18

“What actually has been sliced, however, is the influence of the 143 counties outside the 16-county metro Atlanta region when it comes to how water will be allocated within Georgia.”

— Albany Herald, Jan. 20

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Atlanta City Councilwoman Felicia Moore introduced legislation calling for council oversight of the city’s involvement in the Atlanta Housing Authority’s plans to demolish public housing.

“[This] ordinance is to make sure in the future it’s clear by code there’s an understanding the Council is the governing authority of the City . . . ”
— Moore, as quoted in Atlanta Progressive News Jan. 7

“We respectfully submit that, because of the legally mandated autonomous operation of the AHA, these items of legislation are beyond the City’s authority and purview.”
— Attorney Sharon Gay, of McKenna Long & Aldridge, in a Jan. 14 letter to Atlanta City Council

“This is a blatant, purposeful media campaign to discredit me because they don’t like this legislation.”
— Moore, as quoted in the AJC, in response to a comment by AHA spokesman Rick White alleging that Moore worries demolishing public housing in her council district would move her supporters out of her district

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Atlanta’s African-American leaders are impressed by Sen. Barack Obama’s ability to energize and inspire presidential primary voters.

“What I like about Barack Obama is that he’s energizing a population that is not typically energized. And that he is providing inspiration.”

— Mayor Shirley Franklin, endorsing Obama on V-103’s (WVEE-FM) “Frank and Wanda in the Morning” on Jan. 9.

“. . . I believe he gives Georgia Democrats our best chance of retaking the White House in 2008 and building the coalition necessary to bring change as President.”

— Rumored Atlanta mayoral candidate and state Sen. Kasim Reed, endorsing Obama on Jan. 7.

“Thank goodness for what Obama has been doing in Iowa and New Hampshire. It’s historic. He’s tapped into a part of the electorate looking for something different, something new.”

— Rep. John Lewis, speaking to the AJC on Jan. 8. Lewis has endorsed Sen. Hillary Clinton.

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Bloggers and community bulletin-board contributors are increasingly voicing frustration with Mayor Shirley Franklin’s leadership.

“And to think that our mayor has the time to write a letter on behalf of Michael Vick, but can’t be bothered to address the problems with Chief Pennington and his department.”

— PETERK30310, commenting on the Yahoo! group Capitol View Homeowner’s Forum Dec. 22. Mayor Franklin wrote a letter asking the judge in the Michael Vick case to grant the former Falcons star leniency.

“No, I’m talking about her failure to run basic functions of a major city government. Things like roads, traffic lights, issuing permits, crime, and cleanliness . . . Shirley doesn’t have time to bother with such trivialities. She’s on vacation. It’s someone else’s job. She has checked out and is waiting for the next mayor to take over.”

— Blogger decaturguy at the Atlanta Publics Affairs blog Dec. 28

“Maybe instead of supporting common criminals, she can write letters and speak out on more important issues such as police corruption, the Atlanta Housing Authority Fiasco, the Beltline’s effect on low income residents, or Grady.”

— Blogger A Mad Democrat Dec. 14

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As we look forward to more awkward utterances in the coming year, we reflect on some of the more memorable moments of the most eloquent orator of them all, Gov. Sonny Perdue.

“Think of it this way … It really helps you plan ahead for the rest of your life — buying on Saturday, rather than Sunday. Time management.”

— Perdue, referring to Sunday alcohol sales, on Q100’s “The Bert Show,” on Jan. 17, 2007

“My goal is to turn Georgia into a fisherman’s paradise.”

— The governor during his State of the State address on Jan. 10, 2007

“I’m here today to appeal to you and to all Georgians and all people who believe in the power of prayer to ask God to shower our state, our region, our nation with the blessings of water.”

— Perdue’s call to prayer for rain on the Capitol steps on Nov. 13

Sources: the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Union Recorder, CNN.com

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Duluth, Ga., created a MySpace account this month to entice young people to comment on the suburb’s plan for development through 2030. As of press time, Duluth has 10 friends.

“I’m a tattoo freak! And a MetalHead. I live in Duluth with my 2 cats & my partner of 5 years, Lee. He hates MySpace so don’t expect to find him in my Friends List. Just look in my pics for the one that Looks like Opie Taylor.”
– Demon Dawg, one of Duluth’s MySpace friends

“I HAVE 3 401 k ACCOUNTS AND A BUNCH OF Roth IRA..s. I. M not bragging i..m just being humble.”
– John, one of Duluth’s MySpace friends

“I have no addictions to any substance that I know of. I don’t abuse alcohol, I have never used illegal drugs of any kind, and to be frank for a moment I didn’t face many of the adolescence challenges that face our high school students today regarding hormonal urges.”
– AliAkbar.net, one of Duluth’s MySpace friends

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Has metro Atlanta’s growth and development had any effect on the metro region’s water shortage? It depends who you ask.

“Absolutely not!”

— State House Speaker Glenn Richardson’s response when CL Senior Editor John Sugg asked him on Nov. 18, “Do you think development has contributed to the water problems?”

“In Atlanta, for example, the model shows that between 59.9 and 132.8 billion gallons of groundwater infiltration may have been lost in 1997 compared to 15 years earlier. That is enough water to supply the average daily household needs of between 1.5 and 3.6 million people per year.

— Page 8 from “Paving Our Way to Water Shortages,” a 2002 study by Smart Growth America, the Natural Resources Defense Council and American Rivers on the amount of groundwater lost because of development

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