Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2007 > February
February 2007
Predicting Potter
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” won’t be published until July 21, but fans are abuzz with speculation about the fate of the series’ characters.
Five authors who run the fan Web site Mugglenet.com have even written a book about what they think will happen. (Read our Living story about the book by clicking here.)
What do you think will happen? What is your ideal ending?
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Penny sales tax to build toll roads
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If a plan by state leaders becomes law, Georgia roads and the state’s transportation network would be transformed.
Within 10 years, according to the plan, metro Atlanta would bear a web of optional toll lanes.
Voters would be asked to pass a dedicated one-cent statewide sales tax for 10 years in order to fund the ambitious array of projects across the state. The tax is expected to yield about $22.2 billion over 10 years.
A toll tunnel could extend Ga. 400 southward into Atlanta. The Peachtree Streetcar could be rolling. MARTA and other transit systems would money to expand.
An “east-west connector” — not the Northern Arc, but an all-toll road somewhere north of Ga. 20 in Forsyth and Cherokee counties — would crown the lot.
And that’s just the goodies for the metro area.
Do you favor building toll roads? Do you favor a penny tax to fund these roads? Why or why not?
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New names for MARTA stations
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
MARTA is considering new names for four existing rail stations: Ashby, Bankhead, West End and Civic Center.
Custom-made signs would need to be built and installed throughout, at a cost approaching $1 million, according to a MARTA study.
Is the expense worth it?
Got some ideas for alternative names for various MARTA stations?
Bill would require cervical cancer shots for 6th-graders
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia is one of at least 18 states considering a law that would require every girl entering the sixth grade to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus, commonly known as HPV, which causes cervical cancer.
Jim Beck, president of the Georgia Christian Coalition, said that while he agrees with the goal of SB 155 to reduce cervical cancer in women, he knows many parents who object to the vaccine on religious and moral grounds.
What do you think? Do you support the proposed legislation?
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Bill would require cervical cancer shots for 6th-graders
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia is one of at least 18 states considering a law that would require every girl entering the sixth grade to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus, commonly known as HPV, which causes cervical cancer.
Some religious groups oppose mandating a vaccine for a sexually transmitted disease. Others worry about how poor or uninsured families would pay for it.
What do you think? Do you support the proposed legislation?
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Are college kids more narcissistic?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
College students are more narcissistic and self-centered than their predecessors, according to a comprehensive new study by five psychologists who worry that the trend could be harmful to personal relationships and American society.
Is the new generation self-centered? Is there more narcissism now than among the so-called “me generation” of the 1960s and 70s?
If so, why?
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Giving up something for Lent?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent for Christians.
Many people give up something they enjoy during this time, in preparation for Easter. Some perform works of charity or other Lenten activities.
What are you doing? Giving up something? Doing anything different?
Old gun law in Kennesaw
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Next month, Kennesaw marks the 25th anniversary of what a local historian called the ordinance “that rocked the world.” Every head of household, the 1982 law states, must own a firearm and appropriate ammunition.
Does a city have the right to require a gun? Should there be some exception to this law? Do you think that every household should have a gun?
Do you have clown issues?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With so many circuses in town, it seemed like a good time to ask …. Do you find them creepy? Comforting? Something in between?
Check out Phil Kloer’s exploration of clown fears here.
The unloveliest day
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It looks so nice in the TV diamond commercials or on the Hallmark cards — two people deeply in love, exchanging loving words, sighs and chocolate truffles on this holiday for romance. But as too many of us know, it doesn’t always work out that way. The candy and the moment can both be spoiled when you least expect it. How about you? Have you had one of those days to remember that’s better forgotten? What’s the worst Valentine’s Day you ever experienced?
Love songs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Love is in the air… or on the air, if you listen to the radio. Love songs are a staple of popular music, with enough titles to fit just about any romantic occasion. What’s the song that comes to your mind when you’re in the mood to spoon beneath the moon in June? What are you likely to sing to your sweetie when you give him or her a Valentine’s card today? Tell us your favorites, and why you think they’re the best.
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White House vs. Iran: What do you think?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
U.S. officials are preparing to detail evidence supporting administration’s claims of Iran’s meddlesome and deadly activities. A briefing was scheduled Sunday in Baghdad.
Does this seem like buildup towards a new war?
Are you skeptical? Or do you think the Bush administration is on track in its effort to amass evidence?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Your mixtape
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Do you have a ‘mixtape’ of sorts for your sweetie? Our critics took a stab at a more modern approach to romance music. (If you haven’t read it, click HERE.
What’s your favorite lovesong? What’s the worst?
Are you on the bus?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Four years ago, the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority offered 13 metro counties the opportunity to run express routes to Atlanta.
Within six months, 11 counties had signed on, but Cherokee and Fayette counties declined. In November, the Cherokee County commissioners voted 3-2 to help pay for buses that run from parts of Cherokee to downtown Atlanta and back. And the Cherokee bus line launched last week.
Now more than ever, drivers want alternatives to hours behind the wheel — often stopped in interstate gridlock — and gasoline prices that continue to hover around $2 a gallon.
What do you think of the express bus idea? Do you use them? Do you think more buses will help with congestion?
About those Super Bowl ads …
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Another Super Bowl, another spate of super commercials.
Or were they?
The usual suspects were there — Budweiser, GoDaddy.com, the car companies. Even Atlanta-based Coca-Cola, a no-show for almost a decade, showed up with three spots
But like every year, there were winners and losers.
The winner for Atlanta advertising expert Carl Warner, co-president and executive creative director for JWT advertising: CareerBuilder.com.
The loser: salesgenie.com.
“It contained every cliche of success (expensive sports car, woman in the office giving him attention, boss inviting him over for dinner), it was such a collection of cliches but the punchline never came,” Warner said.
Eddie Snyder, executive vice president and chief creative officer of Atlanta’s Fitzgerald & Co., and Christine Sigety, senior vice president and chief broadcast officer of Fitzgerald, gave thumbs up to Bud Light, Fed Ex, and Nationwide: “The best pod of spots so far. Made me feel like I was finally watching the Super Bowl,” Snyder said.
But both were unconvinced by clothier Van Huesen’s “man reverse” ad.
Said Snyder: pass.
Sigety: So bad no comment.
What thinks you, oh sage public? If you need a refresher, go to cbssportsline.com/superads or check these ad clips
Storms devastate parts of central Florida
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Storms blew through central Florida early Friday, killing at least 14 people, damaging hundreds of homes and other structures. Do you have any relatives or friends affected by the destruction? How are they coping? How are you helping?
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Which ‘Potter’ character will not survive?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The seventh and final Harry Potter book, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” will be published July 21. Author J.K. Rowling has said that two characters will die.
Who would you like to see die, and why?
The ad stunt that shook Boston
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Boston officials are furious and Homeland Security isn’t happy about devices that were mistaken for bombs in the city yesterday.
They turned out to be part of a marketing campaign for a cartoon “Aqua Teen Hunger Force” by Turner Broadcasting’s Cartoon Network. Turner has issued a statement of apology.
Two men have been arrested for placing one of the devices at a subway station.
Is Boston’s outrage understandable? Should the men be arrested? What’s Turner’s responsibility?
Wintry mix hits metro
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s raining, it’s snowing, are Atlantans’ driving habits showing? As the metro area struggles with a wet and potentially icy rush hour, what are you seeing where you are? Is snow or ice accumulating on the ground? Are the streets icing up? Give us a report from your neighborhood or from the roads and streets along your commute.
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