Fresh Loaf

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 Sept. 3, Spelman College sophomore Jasmine Lynn was struck and killed by a stray bullet while walking with friends through Clark Atlanta University’s campus. The 3.8-GPA student was the first person in her family to attend college.

“She was very fun and bubbly, always making a lot jokes. … Anybody that you ask would say the same thing about her. She didn’t come here for this.”
— Sydney Robinson, a Spelman senior, in the Sept. 3 AJC

“Jasmine was a conqueror. A mover and a shaker, a jetsetter and a go-getter. This is heartbreaking … to find a lady who cared so much about life … to leave so early.”
— Sgt. Herman Brown, Lynn’s ROTC instructor at Lincoln Prep in Kansas City, Mo., to WDAF-TV/Channel 4

“Comical, loving, nurturing … I’m numb. … For me, as a low-income single mother, [Lynn going to college] was an honor. That was an honor.”
— Constance Franklin, Lynn’s mother, to KCTV-TV/Channel 5

“We love you Spelman Sister. I may have crossed your path and never even knew. I may have never seen your face. But, you are my little Spelman Sister and you will forever be in my heart.”
— Commenter “glj” on the Speak Up, Spelman! blog

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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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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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Last Tuesday, DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones presided over his final commission meeting. Love him or hate him, he’s steered the county through difficult times. He’s said some memorable things, too.

Vernon Jones

“I’ve been able to raise a lot of money without the endorsements from the losers in the Democratic party.”
— Jones describing his U.S. Senate campaign fundraising efforts to the AJC in April.

“There’s nothing illegal about a menage a trois.”
— Jones quoted in an April 2, 2008, CL column in reference to a 2005 rape allegation. He was not charged in the incident.

“[State lawmakers] don’t have any idea about local control. And they’re about as clueless as a pigeon with an iPod.”
— Jones speaking to CL on Nov. 4 about the Legislature’s unwillingness to recognize local government’s jurisdiction.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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On Oct. 14, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the final appeal of Georgia death row inmate Troy Davis. Two days later, the state set Davis’ execution for Oct. 27. The high court’s decision followed a refusal by the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles to commute Davis’ sentence, despite evidence someone else committed the crime.

“[T]he death penalty undermines human dignity. Any judicial error in its application is irreversible and irreparable. I therefore solemnly call on the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles to reconsider its position.”

— France’s Secretary of State for Human Rights Rama Yade, in an Oct. 15 statement

“not one, not two, but SEVEN witnesses went back on what they originally said……AND there is no physical evidence / dna???? just goes to show that cats are going to need more than just Obama to help us all.”

— “Professor X,” responding to a post on AllHipHop.com

“I’m not a great fan of the death penalty. I wish of course that none of this had happened, but it has. … The law is the law. It says you kill a police officer, you’re subject to the death penalty.”

— Chatham County District Attorney Spencer Lawton, speaking to the Associated Press

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U.S. Senate Libertarian candidate Allen Buckley released four ads last week blasting Saxby Chambliss, the Republican incumbent.

“Saxby Chambliss spends your money like a drunken sailor — $3 million for golf lessons, $110 million to help Gallo wines and Sunkist advertise… Maybe your money would be safer with a drunken sailor. No offense to drunken sailors.”

— The first of Buckley’s four radio ads

“Have you been to the emergency room lately? Did you bring an interpreter? Thank you. Do you know what a fiscal conservative is? Neither does Saxby.”

— The third Buckley ad, narrated by an angry male

“Who the hell is paying him?/It’s a long list so listen in./Big law lobbyists and big oil, too/He ain’t concerned what’s good for you/Illegal immigrants at my door./Saxby says make room for more.”

— Buckley ad with a military-style cadence

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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“The United States of America stands with the democratically elected government of Georgia. We insist that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia be respected.”
President Bush

“It’s unfortunate that Georgia didn’t plan accordingly for growth over the past couple of decades, and now is trying to rewrite 200 years of history to address their mistakes.”
Will Pinkston, Tennessee gubernatorial aide, on last winter’s Georgia proposal to move the state line with Tennessee a mile north

“They of course had to hang Saddam Hussein for destroying several Shiite villages. But the current Georgian rulers who in one hour simply wiped 10 Ossetian villages from the face of the Earth … are players that have to be protected.”
Russian overlord Vladimir Putin

“We’re not talking about sucking it dry. We’re talking about augmenting some water needs, and as you know, the Tennessee has got plenty of water in it.”
Georgia State Rep. Harry Geisinger, after sponsoring a resolution to study the Tennessee boundary change (more…)

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During the current state legislative session, Rep. James Mills, R-Gainesville, introduced legislation to confiscate the cars of illegal immigrants and protect Georgians from what he calls dangerous animals.

“If you’re going to [live in Georgia as an illegal immigrant], I’d like to send the message, ‘We’re going to take your car.’ If you want to risk that, we’ll take your car.”

– Mills, as quoted in the Gainesville Times on Jan. 15, explaining his car
confiscation bill.

“Iraq, Iran, Irania, Jordan. We don’t know where they’re from.”

– Mills, as quoted in the AJC Feb. 28, on the sources of what he calls Georgia’s “epidemic” of illegal immigration. The bill passed the House that day.

“The following animals are considered to be inherently dangerous to human beings — Kangaroos, wallabies, wallaroos.”

– From House Bill 1376, Mills’ legislation to require owners of certain
marsupials to obtain permits and insurance to keep certain marsupials.

(Photo courtesy of the Georgia House of Representatives)

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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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(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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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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After CL Senior Writer Mara Shalhoup reported Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory was to plead guilty to federal charges resulting from his co-leadership of the Black Mafia Family cocaine ring, comments began to pour in to Fresh Loaf.

“What happened to ‘DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR’ so now Big Meech is now ‘LIL MEECH’…”
– ‘Muhammed’

“Fuck coward ass niggas like Muhammed. I bet you wouldn’t say that shit to Meech’s face.”
– ‘Ziploc Moe’

“u cant be mad at meech unless he snitch.”
– ‘abdul-aziz’

“. . . for u ignant coccsuccas, pleading guilty DOES NOT mean u working with dem faggitz. . .”
– ‘Crystle Boeckman’

“How did I know this thread would be full of illiterate morons spouting about the ‘code’.

“Meech is a criminal who made millions from the misery of others and led an organization responsible for murder of innocent people.”
– ‘Dale’

“I’d rather live in a neighborhood with a bunch of Meechs then most people- who lack character and integrity.”
– ‘Sayword’

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Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle sure knows how to speak out both sides of his mouth. He’s parroted the state line in local interviews that Atlanta’s rampant growth over the years doesn’t factor into the current water shortage. But when Cagle makes a trip south of Macon, where editorial boards have chastised the metro region’s builder-friendly mind-set, the lieutenant governor sings a different tune.

“If we simply manage to catch more of the water that falls from the sky we’ll manage the growth for years to come.”
— Cagle to the Associated Press on Oct. 16

“I think there is a concerted effort to try to create fear among Georgians by stopping growth with the threat of no longer having the water resources.”
— Cagle in an Oct. 17 Capitol Impact article

“We are not in the permitting process in terms of buildings, and we do not intend to be.”
— Cagle tells the AJC on Oct. 25 that the General Assembly will not consider legislation putting the brakes on growth

“Communities have got to begin developing in that concept [not allowing new growth unless there is an adequate water supply]. You have to have conservation, you have to have a reasonable managed growth plan, you have to manage that resource in a responsible way. Nobody wants unbridled growth …”
— Cagle caters to rural beliefs in a Nov. 6 Moultrie Observer article about the drought

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Rapper Clifford “T.I.” Harris faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted on federal weapons charges. Before he was released on $3 million bond Oct. 26, U.S. Magistrate Judge Alan Baverman had some stern words for Harris, as well as comments on Atlanta’s real estate market.

“I don’t want to sound crass about it, but in addition to being in the music and entertainment business you’re essentially in the insurance business now. If any harm is [befallen upon] the informant, the court will be looking to you. Do you understand that?”
— Baverman warning Harris not to attempt to hurt or intimidate witnesses for the prosecution

“Yes, your honor.”
— Harris’ response to Baverman’s question

“The nature of the real estate market in Atlanta right now is such that legitimate appraisals are affected.”
— Baverman explaining why he valued Harris’ College Park home at $1 million, less than what Harris and his lawyers contend is its appraised value. Harris is using his home as part of his bond.

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Gawker.com yesterday declared Buckhead resident John Fitzgerald Page the “Worst Person in the World” and “a colossal, mindbogglingly douchey douchebag.”

The 36-year-old actor/model/Ivy League grad/financial consultant earned the monikers after Gawker saw an angry, self-aggrandizing missive he sent to a woman who rejected him after a brief online flirtation on Match.com. Gawker also ridiculed Page’s personal website, JohnFitzgeraldPage.com.

“I think you forgot how this works. You hit on me, and therefore have to impress ME and pass MY criteria and standards – not vice versa . . . don’t blow it with the next 8.9 on Hot or Not, Ivy League grad, Mensa member, can bench/squat/leg press over 1200 lbs., has had lunch with the secretary of defense, has an MBA from the top school in the country, lives in a Buckhead high rise, drives a Beemer convertible, has been in 14 major motion pictures, was in Jezebel’s Best dressed, etc.”

— Page’s response to a woman who rejected him on Match.com, as reproduced at Gawker.com on Oct. 11

Stalin. Hitler. Bin Laden. John Fitzgerald Page. Somehow, I am ranked at #1. My crime – murder? treason? pedophilia? rape? No, worse. A woman winked at me on the internet. I sent her an introdutory email. She tried to rescind her initial wink by saying we weren’t a “personality” match . She ascertained that from my first email without ever speaking to me. Here is my crime. Instead of just letting her float away, I let her know that I feel that if you approach me, you should meet my standards and listed facts about myself.

— Page declined CL’s request for an interview, but after we spoke he posted a long response to the hubbub on his personal website, JohnFitzgeraldPage.com.

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After liberal advocacy group MoveOn.org ran a newspaper ad questioning the loyalty and patriotism of U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus, Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., voted for a House resolution condemning the group.

After conservative talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh referred to soldiers who oppose the Iraq war as “phony soldiers,” Kingston reacted quite differently.

“The left has long targeted conservative talk radio and in particular, Rush Limbaugh.”

— From “Jack’s Blog” on Kingston’s House of Representatives website

“Commending Rush Hudson Limbaugh III for his ongoing public support of American troops serving both here and abroad. Recognizing Mr. Limbaugh for his relentless efforts to build and maintain troop morale through worldwide radio broadcasts and personal visits to conflict regions.”

— From a House resolution supporting Limbaugh submitted by Kingston on Oct. 1

“He has a right to speak out and say what he thinks.”

— Kingston, defending Limbaugh in the New York Times

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This month, Macon residents reacted angrily after Mayor Jack Ellis of Macon sent a letter to President Hugo Chavez declaring solidarity with the outspoken Venezuelan. A vocal critic of American foreign policy, Chavez called President Bush “the devil” at a United Nations meeting last September.

“I think the Mayor has absolutely every right to express his personal opinion, as we all do, but I want to make sure that the rest of the world doesn’t think that the entire city of Macon supports what he’s doing.”

— Democrat Rick Hutto, Macon city councilman, speaking on FOX News

“Telegraph readers filled 20 pages of comments on the macon.com message board before the content became so inappropriate that it had to be taken down.”

— Macon.com, the website of Macon’s the Telegraph newspaper

“C. Jack Ellis should take his muslim arse to Venezuela and get on his knees before Chavez! Hey Jack, you are as bad as Jane Fonda! You’re a traitor!”

— Macon.com commenter “J. Hooker.” Ellis announced his conversion to Islam in February.

“I NEVER tell anyone I am from Macon. I am so ashamed our our so called Mayor. He is such a moron. He tries to act and talk so sophicated, but the true ignorant being shows thru. GO TO THE MUSLIM TERRITORY……….YOU AIN’T WANTED HERE!!!!!”

— Macon.com anonymous commenter

“All is not lost.”

— President Chavez, thanking Ellis for his letter during a televised speech lasting eight hours

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