Fresh Loaf

Former president Jimmy Carter visited Emory last night for his 28th annual Carter Town Hall meeting for Emory University’s 1,300 freshmen. The freshman are required to attend the yearly ritual, in which Carter responds to seemingly random questions written by the students. This year’s meeting took place against a backdrop of Carter’s comment the previous day, quoted by Fox News, that Congressman Joe Wilson’s outburst during President Obama’s recent speech to Congress was “based on racism.”

The questions at the Emory event said as much about Carter as it did about the students themselves, many of whom spent the Q&A period texting on their cell phones. The opening question of the evening was not about Carter, or his monitoring of 76 international elections, or his thoughts on racism, or Iran but, rather, what he thought of Kanye West’s outburst at the VMA Music awards. Carter responded that he thought it was uncalled for and that West’s punishment was having to appear on the new Jay Leno show.

The following questions inquired about Carter’s favorite perk about living in the White House (going to Camp David), his thoughts on president Obama (most of the family voted for him), whether he always wanted to be president (no), what he thought about a photo of him standing with other former presidents in which he appeared to be the outsider (“When I am standing with a group of men I don’t usually stand touching them”), and how Carter would rate Bush’s time out of office (”Better then his time in office”).

(more…)

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Jimmy Carter, that is. Last night, he was on the “Daily Show,” where he and John Stewart talked about crime in Atlanta. Actually, Stewart asked the former president about the theft of his and wife Rosalyn’s bikes from a storeroom at the Carter Center. If I weren’t so busy lately trying to home invasion-proof my house, I’d be embarrassed that our city got this kind of shout-out.

Then I flipped channels to find Jimmy live on CNN discussing President Obama with Larry King, or, as I prefer to call him, the Crypt Keeper.

Finally, I woke up this morning to NPR … and there was Jimmy’s dulcent twang once more, explaining how we can have peace in the Middle East for only $27, or about the cost of a new hardcover book — which just happens to be titled We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land: A Plan That Will Work.

I haven’t been able to check today, but I’m guessing I missed Jimmy on “The View.”

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Count me as the last to know — having just seen his obit in the AJC — that longtime Atlanta journalist and one-time CL news editor Tim Bentley died two weekends ago at age 55. I don’t believe anyone left in editorial here but myself worked with Tim when he joined the paper nearly 10 years ago. That’s a shame because he was one of the nicer people I’ve met in this industry — laid-back, upbeat, funny and very competent.

Tim didn’t stay long, no more than a year or so, as I recall. But I got the impression that Tim, who had near-white hair even then, never stayed anywhere very long. He seemed eternally restless to do something different, bouncing between journalism and politics.

By the time I met him, Tim had already written for array of magazines, political newsletters and local newspapers. Between those gigs, he worked on political campaigns for Jimmy Carter, Maynard Jackson, Max Cleland and others. Did I mention he was a Yellow Dog Democrat?

Not long after leaving CL, he was editing Business to Business magazine. I stayed in touch for a few years, partly because Tim was a great sounding board for potential stories, partly because he seemed to know everybody who was anybody in the realm of Georgia politics. But I’m sad to learn we won’t be crossing paths again. Ed Bean, editor of the Daily Report, has a fine remembrance of Tim on the Atlanta Press Club website.

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1) Former President Jimmy Carter signs his new book at the Carter Library.

2) The Stickfigure Records showcase kicks off at Drunken Unicorn.

3) Bloodline: AIDS and Family continues at Atlanta Photography Group Gallery.

4) The Packway Handle Band and Uncle Daddy and the Kissin’ Cousins play the Earl.

5) Secrets of a Soccer Mom continues at Theatre in the Square.

(Photo courtesy Simon & Schuster)

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From the state Democratic Party:

ATLANTA – Democratic Party of Georgia Chair Jane Kidd released the following statement on the passing of former Attorney General Griffin Bell. Bell, who served as Attorney General under President Jimmy Carter, was a native of Americus and passed away today in Atlanta.

“Today, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Griffin Bell, and although we are saddened by the loss of a great statesman, we honor his memory and the contributions he made throughout a career of public service. I feel a deep personal loss today, because of Judge Bell’s close relationship with my family, but his true legacy transcends personal relationships. As Chief of Staff to former Governor Ernest Vandiver, he was a principal architect of the plan to desegregate schools in Georgia. As a federal judge, he worked to implement the Civil Rights Act, and as Attorney General in the Carter Administration, he fought to improve the credibility and professionalism of the US Department of Justice. These are just a few of the extraordinary accomplishments of an extraordinary Georgian.

“He leaves us with a legacy of devotion to a greater good and commitment to the citizens not only of his country but of the world.”

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From the Atlanta Business Chronicle:

Former U.S. Attorney Griffin Bell, 90, died Monday morning in Atlanta after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Bell, former attorney general of the United States during the Jimmy Carter administration, was a towering figure in the nation’s legal field for decades. As a senior partner with King & Spalding LLP, Bell represented controversial clients such as tobacco firms. The American College of Trial Lawyers even renamed its Committee on Unpopular Causes after Bell.

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Polling organization Rasmussen Reports says:

The majority of voters in Georgia (53%) say Republican Governor Sonny Perdue is not doing enough to help them through the economic recession, though he still earns fairly positive reviews.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state found that one in four voters (25%) say the governor is doing enough for Georgians, while another 22% remain undecided.

…

Still, more than half of voters (57%) approve of the way Perdue is handling his job as governor, while 39% disapprove.

The menz like duh govnuh. The ladies say “meh.” Also:

The early frontrunners among Republicans for the 2010 governor race in Georgia are Casey Cagle and John Oxendine. Cagle is currently serving as lieutenant governor, and Oxendine is the state insurance commissioner. Both men are favored by 14% of Republicans.

Among Democrats, former Governor Roy Barnes leads the pack of 2010 contenders with 28% support. Twenty-two percent (22%) of Democrats would consider voting for Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin for governor.

Check out the full rundown of responses. Among them: Barack Obama will do a better job as president than George W. Bush and native son Jimmy Carter.

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Former President Jimmy Carter yesterday endorsed Democrat Jim Powell in his Georgia Public Service Commission runoff against Republican candidate Lauren “Bubba” McDonald.

“I am impressed with Jim Powell’s knowledge of the issues that will be addressed by the Georgia Public Service Commission in the coming years,” President Carter said. “His vision of energy policy for our state reflects the forward-thinking approach we need, both in the near future and in the long term.

“With Jim Powell, the people of Georgia have a unique opportunity to elect a Public Service Commissioner with solid professional experience for this important position. I support Jim Powell in the December 2 runoff election.”

President Carter made the endorsement following a meeting with the candidate Thursday afternoon at the Carter Center.

“I am most honored to have the support of this great Georgian and American, President Jimmy Carter,” Powell said. “During his term in the White House, President Carter foresaw the importance of managing our energy resources and established the U.S. Department of Energy. He understands what is at stake in this election, and I am humbled that he would endorse my candidacy.”

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Troy Anthony Davis, who is scheduled for execution tomorrow despite a heap of evidence that suggests he might be innocent, has gathered the support of former President Jimmy Carter, Nobel Peace Prize-winner Desmond Tutu, Pope Benedict XVI, the Rev. Al Sharpton, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, Libertarian presidential hopeful Bob Barr, and New York Times columnist Bob Herbert.

But his only really hope lies with the Supreme Court of Georgia, the U.S. Supreme Court, and — yeah, right — George Bush.

Yesterday’s AJC described a visit the Rev. Sharpton paid to Davis on Georgia’s death row:

“He was not overly optimistic or pessimistic,” said the Rev. Sharpton, who visited Davis … at the request of Davis’ family. “He was suprisingly upbeat. He seemed like he was depending on his faith to see him through.”

Herbert, in his Friday Times column, opined:

Putting someone to death whose guilt is uncertain is always perverted, but there’s an extra dose of perversion in this case.

The United States Supreme Court is scheduled to make a decision on whether to hear a last-ditch appeal by Mr. Davis on Sept. 29. That’s six days after the state of Georgia plans to kill him.

And this morning, NPR chimed in, quoting the Southern regional director of Amnesty International, Jared Feuer:

“Troy Anthony Davis’ case symbolizes all that is wrong with the death penalty. You have questions of improper witness handling. You have procedural obstacles that get in the way of the truth. You have issues of race and, ultimately, you have a system that can’t go back and correct its mistakes.”

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Since 1972, no Democratic candidate for president has won more than a third of the Southern white vote with two exceptions: Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. And in the last two presidential elections, the Republicans made a clean sweep of the South.

Barack Obama plans to put the South into play, according to this story in today’s New York Times. Obama’s campaign notes there are 600,000 blacks in Georgia alone who aren’t registered to vote, and a pool of progressive, younger white voters.

Obama is already running television spots here, and will come to Atlanta on July 7 for a fund-raiser at 103 West in Buckhead.

Smart move: One recent poll shows Obama and John McCain are in a statistical dead heat in Georgia. One released this week, however, shows McCain with a 10 point lead.

Emory University’s Merle Black explained to the Times why Obama’s strategy is smart: When the Democrats give up the South, they need to win 70 percent of the rest of the electoral votes.

It’s no coincidence that Carter and Clinton also happen to be the only two Democrats elected president since the Johnson administration.

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HAWKS POPULI: Philips Arena pulsates as the suddenly unstoppable Joe Johnson leads the surging Hawks over the heavily favored Celtics to tie the series at 2-2. They’re in Boston Wednesday and back here Friday.

TAYLOR BENNETT: Ga. Tech QB transfers to La. Tech. He’ll be playing for Vince Dooley’s son and La. Tech’s mascot is also the Bulldogs, so page-view-hungry websites come up with misleading-but-not-untrue headlines like this:

JEREMIAH WRIGHT: Doing his best to keep Obama out of the White House. CNN has this bio of the ravin’ reverend. ATLMalcontent is justifiably worried that Obama is showing a Kerryesque lack of anger over this.

JIMMY CARTER: On “The Daily Show” last night.

NEED FOR SEED: UGA anthropologists’ Southern Seed Legacy protects heirloom varieties of old and disappearing Southern crops such as the plum granny and the turkey craw bean.

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OBAMA: Getting snarkier, outspending Clinton 2-to-1 on TV ads in Pa. on Primary Eve.

GRACE UNDER FIRES: Okefenokee Swamp open, still recovering from last year’s forest fires; boat tours survey remaining damage.

A NICE METH YOU’VE GOTTEN ME INTO: CNN reporter arrested in Central Park with meth in his pocket while returning to his hotel room with friends.

THE TRIALS OF ABRAHAM: Smitten DOT commish to announce today whether she plans to stay in her post, will then be voted in or out by the board.

KATHRYN JOHNSTON SHOOTING: Jury selection for Arthur Tesler’s trial begins today.

THE NEGOTIATOR: Jimmy Carter gets Hamas to agree to hypothetical peace deal, gets snubbed by Israelis.

HAWKS: Lose Game 1 handily.

JUNK FEUD: NBA players LeBron James and DeShawn Stevenson hold proxy feud via rappers Jay-Z and Soulja Boy.

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LOVE IS IN THE AIR: Delta and Northwest finally shack up. The AP offers this timeline of the two airlines’ histories. And while local congressmen seem keen on the idea, the merger still has more skeptical politicians, as well as unions and antitrust regulators, to clear before becoming final.

HERSCHEL WALKER: Appeared on “Nightline” last night to discuss his dissociative identity disorder.

IDLE HAYNES: Norreese wants back on board, but the school system’s attorney suggests the board wait until the courts rule on his residency. Meanwhile, the actual accreditation crisis continues.

JIMMY CARTER: Meets with Hamas, pisses off Israel.

HAWKS: Make the playoffs for the first time this century, earning the right to lose to the Celtics in the first round. I think this is a good time to revisit the video below (there’s an 18-second delay at the beginning of the clip). Look out for current Celtics coach and then-Hawk Doc Rivers near the end:

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The Soviet gulag prison system will be the subject of a panel discussion hosted next week by the Carter Center – or will it?

Actually, here’s how the CC describes the event: “A panel of human rights leaders will discuss its impact on Russia and the world today, as well as offer comparisons to the American Civil Rights Movement.”

Fair enough, but does anyone imagine that the topic of America’s own gulag at Guantanamo Bay won’t come up among a panel that includes Larry Cox, executive director of Amnesty International USA; former Gulag prisoner Sergey Kovalev; and Pres. Jimmy himself?

Just yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on the question of just how much access to the judicial process the more than 300 in Cuba should have. Said the Bush administration: not much. Said a lawyer for 37 detainees who’ve been locked away for more than six years without a proper hearing: more than they’ve gotten so far.

According to the NYT, the 83-minute hearing didn’t seem to go so well for the government, which tried to convince the court that being represented by an assigned officer before a military tribunal is all the justice the detainees deserve.

So the Carter Center event should be interesting. Shame you can’t go. Apparently, the program – scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 – is already sold out. However, you can listen to a live webcast of the discussion on the CC’s website.

You can also check out an exhibition on the gulags at the Martin Luther King Jr., National Historic Site. It’s billed as the first U.S. retrospective of the Soviet gulag system. Be sure to bring the kids.

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When it comes to just about everything, author, commentator, essayist and general curmudgeon Christopher Hitchens is about as subtle as an enema. Hitchens was in Atlanta recently pushing his new (and typically unsubtly titled) book, God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything. (Previous titles include The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice, and No One Left to Lie To: The Values of the Worst Family.) So it should come as no surprise to anyone who follows Hitchens to read his hyperbolic screed in Slate against former President Jimmy Carter after Carter’s recent criticism of President George W. Bush’s so-called foreign-policy decisions.
Here’s but a taste:

“[Carter’s] combination of naivete and cynicism — from open-mouthed shock at Leonid Brezhnev’s occupation of Afghanistan to underhanded support for Saddam in his unsleeping campaign of megalomania — had terrible consequences that are with us still. It’s hardly an exaggeration to say that every administration since has had to deal with the chaotic legacy of Carter’s mind-boggling cowardice and incompetence.

I come and go on Carter, who seems to hold the alternate (and rather dubious) titles of bad president and best ex-president ever depending on who you talk to — although many agree that both titles probably apply. His Nobel Peace Prize is certainly well-earned. But Hitchens, through all his bluster, does make a cogent point about Carter as historical revisionist. At his worst, Carter often seems to right his dubious record as president, with some of his interviews carrying a subtle “I told you so” quality about them. At his best, he’s a hell of an ambassador of goodwill, an elections observer and home-builder. I’ll leave it to others to decide what his ultimate record of achievement will be, and continue to be entertained by Christopher Hitchens’ general anger at the world.
What do you think?

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