Home > Jay Bookman > Archives > 2008 > August > 14 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAtlanta’s future in hands of judge
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The sense of drought-stricken panic that gripped North Georgia a year ago and made headlines around the country has eased considerably. The drought itself has eased as well, with only the northeast corner of the state still experiencing a D4, or exceptional, drought, the highest level on the federal government’s drought scale.
But that doesn’t mean the drought has ended. Rainfall levels have improved a little but continue to be well below normal — most of the state is still experiencing moderate to severe drought. And as that prolonged drought drags on month after month, our predicament has gotten more dire in important ways.
A year ago, state officials were ringing the alarm bells to draw attention to the fact that Lake Lanier had fallen to eight feet below full pool. Today, more quietly, the lake is 17 feet below full pool, nine feet lower than the levels that caused such concern in 2007.
In fact, the inflow from rivers and streams into the lake is so low that water levels would be dropping even if the Corps of Engineers didn’t release a drop out of Buford Dam for Atlanta, Florida and other downstream users.
Things may be coming to a head legally as well. U.S. District Court Judge Paul A. Magnuson has been brought in from Minnesota to hear the collection of suits and countersuits filed by Georgia, Alabama, Florida and other parties over allocation of water in Lake Lanier. This week, Magnusion issued an order that should greatly accelerate a decision on the most critical issue regarding metro Atlanta’s reliance on Lake Lanier.
Metro Atlanta has the right to draw water from the Chattahoochee River. Nobody questions that. The courts are being asked to settle a different but related question: Is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authorized by Congress to store water for Atlanta’s future use behind Buford Dam?
In times of plenty, the answer to that question doesn’t matter, because there’s water enough for everybody. But in times of drought, such as these, it matters a great deal.
If metro Atlanta has the legal right to store water behind Buford Dam, it can use that storage space to hold water upstream to be tapped as necessary, giving it a much-needed cushion and allowing it to continue to grow if it uses water responsibly.
On the other hand, if metro Atlanta does not have that right and cannot acquire that right through Congress, it has arguably grown beyond its resource limits and faces some very difficult decisions and challenges. In other words, the core of the dispute is about the use of Buford Dam, a federal facility, and less about the use of the water itself.
As a matter of common sense — as a matter of practicality — metro Atlanta of course ought to be able to use Buford Dam to store water. But practicality and legality represent two different dimensions, and it is the legal dimension that matters most at the moment.
Georgia’s lawyers, including private attorneys from King & Spalding, insist the state has a strong case, that the record proves that Congress authorized the use of the dam to meet the region’s water needs. Florida and Alabama argue the opposite.
A U.S. circuit court has already ruled that under one important federal law, Georgia does not have authority to use Buford Dam for water storage. In his order this week, Magnuson noted that “the issues addressed in that decision will undoubtedly affect” the case in his own courtroom, which sounds ominous.
Georgia’s attorneys argue that the state’s authorization is found in other federal laws, and metro Atlanta has an awful lot riding on whether they’re right.
If Florida and Alabama lose this particular battle, they don’t lose much at all. But if Georgia loses — and we may have a decision on that question from Magnuson early next year — its situation becomes precarious.
The better solution for Georgia and everyone else is to reach a negotiated settlement outside the courts, where a full range of concerns can be addressed. Leaving it to judges, in a setting in which only narrow legal arguments are supposed to matter, is a dangerous course of action considering what’s at stake.
Comments
By AJC/DNC Management
August 14, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this
CIVIL SERVICE IN FULTON: ‘Quick to hire,’ rarely fire?-Urinal/PMS
Surprised the hell out of you, didn’t it?
You pinkos always thought that government workers were the cream of the crop, efficient little worker bees, toiling away late into the night, dutifully serving their masters, We The People, right?
Gina Conteh survived nearly 12 years handling emergency calls despite a personnel record that includes fights with co-workers, chronic tardiness, insubordination, repeated sleeping on the job and numerous mistakes routing emergency calls.-Urinal/DNC
And look at the libs at the Urinal Why! I never knew!
So which is it, Urinal, are you little John Edward’s wannabes or are you naïve?
~~~~~~
Five years after bombings forced the United Nations to pull out of Iraq, the world body is back. It announced plans Wednesday to help Iraq rebuild and create jobs following complaints the government has been unable or unwilling to spend its oil riches.-Urinal/Jihad
I knew we could get the United Nations and the Pinko Nation involved in our noble cause in Iraq, just float some tax money for them to scheme on and presto, here they are.
5 years late but whatever.
Now we got full service whining in Baghdad.
And, of course, they will try to take all the credit for the Iraq success story, now that it is safe to show their cowardly little faces again:
“We have to be able to move a lot of the investment to the private sector,” Shearer said at a joint press conference with Iraqi Planning and Development Minister Ali Baban. “Our biggest way of improving security is to make sure that young people are employed.”-Urinal/Jihad
When the pervs at the UN start talking about your “young people” you need to bring your kids inside the house and lock the doors.
~~~~~
This is the U.S. economy if the libs get a shot at running it:
Saving those coins helps buy new truck-Urinal/DNC
All you’ll have left out of your paycheck is “coins.”
~~~~~
In the time it took to cross Barbara M. Asher Square in downtown Atlanta, we saw: two vendors screaming crude expletives at each other as they competed for customers; an angry woman darting across the square, yelling threats and obscenities at a gaggle of teens who apparently annoyed her; a cheerful young girl happily announcing to passers-by that she’s drunk.-Urinal/PMS
Do the libs at the Urinal not know that the City of Atlanta is run by dimwitocrats?
And that dimwitocrats, despite what they say, couldn’t care less about the poor and needy?
~~~~~
Lord High Dimwit, Thee Most Splendid, proposes that we seize the profits of the oil companies and use them for $1,000 “energy rebate” checks to every working family in America. That is what he said in his speech in Lansing, Michigan on August 4, 2008, entitled “New Energy for America.” Economist Donald Boudreaux pointed out that seizing all oil profits would still not be enough to fund these $1,000 giveaway checks.
If the government can do that to the oil industry, then why can’t it do the same to any other industry, or group of people, that it successfully paints as unpopular? What then has happened to the whole notion of private property?
Just ask the auto makers what happens when you are forced to pay what other people think you should pay, instead of a fair, competitive wage.
Buh-bye business.
Is this not one of socialism’s goals?
Why do thee environmental terrorists not demonize the newspaper industry as they do with “big oil?”
Is there a more destructive form of capitalism than that, tearing down trees, grinding them into pulp with heavy machinery, belching “heat trapping” gases to distribute their product every single day?
What about the drive by media jetting it’s mindless reporters to all corners of the globe, several times a day?
You can make a case against many numbers of different capitalistic ventures, why is it always the ones the left doesn’t like?
Makes you wonder, don’t it?
~~~~~~
Dear Mr. Chambliss and Isakson:
Who is going to invest the hundreds of billions necessary to find the oil, drill for it with such incredibly expensive technological wonders as offshore oil platforms, pay for the multibillion dollar oil tankers and pipelines, and finance the distribution to gas stations across America?
After Obama demonstrates that he and his merry band of thieves will then just steal the resulting profits to buy votes, investment in domestic oil and gas production will collapse.
By AJC/DNC Management
August 14, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
Oh yeah, the new column^^:
Located approximately 50 miles northeast of the City of Atlanta, Buford Dam is the farthest upstream impoundment of the Chattahoochee River. Buford Dam was completed in 1957 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) with the principal purposes of flood control, navigation, power generation, recreation, and drinking water (Jordan, Jones & Goulding, Inc. [JJ&G], 1991).
There’s the part everyone “forgets” about, the dam generates clean electricity:
Buford Dam serves as a source of hydroelectric power, producing 173,582 megawatts in 1998 (Atlanta Regional Commission, 1998). This electricity is equivalent to the needs of approximately 25,000 homes (ACOE website, 2000).
End of argument.
The only source of electricity available to replace what Buford Dam produces is smog belching coal fired plants.
Why the discussion?
By JAY BOOKMAN
August 14, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
So … let me see if I have this straight, Management.
In the previous thread, you whined — correctly — about a suggestive post by Trash involving urine.
Then you, in your cleverness, turn right around and refer to this newspaper as the Urinal, engaging in just the sort of sophmoric insult that you complained about.
Do I have that right? I think that I do.
By Bosch
August 14, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
Jay,
Why bother with Andy? But sometimes it is fun.
The water issue is troubling. Geography was always one of my favorite subjects in school - and when the natural resources can’t support the human activity, it’s time to rethink the human activity (i.e. slow down the development until we can catch up-but gasp, that would mean developers couldn’t make their millions and give kick backs to commissioners).
By hillbilly ragger
August 14, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
17 feet below full pool. Yeah, it’s pretty stark. I drive over the dam and have watched what had been a little warning post, sticking out of the water, get “taller” and reveal an island below that, currently, is big enough to site a house.
Jay, I imagine your fine bit of reporting in today’s dead-tree column, which you’ve just posted, will be met with the usual indifference, denial and distraction from the usual crew.
Of course the comments thread posters aren’t representative of your actual readership; before I happened upon your comments thread, I was just another reader and I wanted to thank you for all the work you’ve done so far, to expose those stories that some find unpleasant to contemplate.
As for that deluded Luckotrool posting as “AJC Mgt,” seriously, isn’t it time to start deleting his off-topic, fact-free nonsense?
By Taxpayer
August 14, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this
Thank you , Mr. Bookman, for calling out the one that poses as someone of importance.
By JAY BOOKMAN
August 14, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
Problem solved.
By ATL WATER
August 14, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
If only a negotiated settlement were possible. I’m afraid the Judge’s ominous tone has only served to embolden Alabama and Florida (as evidenced by Gov. Riley’s swaggering P.R.). The Judge is not softening the appropriate parties if he is trying to induce settlement talks among the three states.
By RealityKing
August 14, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
Sometimes…, a little judicial activism has been shown to be good. Such as removing blotted blogs. 2 or 3 sentences make a stmt, 4 or 5 make a point.
But I do like Jay’s constitutional approach to postings. It’s not what I see in most liberal arenas. And we need more that, not less.., in judges too.
By AJC/DNC Management
August 14, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
Allow me to explain further:
It grates on me in the most major way to hear and see people ragging on my country, the greatest, most giving, most caring nation in the world, bar none, we have freed millions upon millions of people from tyranny and oppression at a great cost in lives and treasure, we open our doors to the world, a huge statue on our shores beckoning the down trodden to come live free and be prosperous.
Nobody leaves this country to go seek opportunity elsewhere, save for the few demented socialist basket cases, no, people from all over the world want to come here, to live a life of human dignity and respect.
What more proof does anyone need of our greatness?
To hear certain groups of people constantly whine and moan about this place as though there is something better out there, especially for nefarious reasons such as promoting a political party, sickens me.
As such, I have no compunctions against sharing my disgust of these whiny institutions in a manner in which I know causes them great discomfort.
You guys tone it down about my country, I’ll tone it down about your “news” paper.
Deal?
By T
August 14, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
So, if we lose this case, where is the city supposed to get its water from?
By zeke
August 14, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
Atlanta’s future was cast by the previous 30 or 40 years of democrap mayors and councils. They assumed Lanier was an unending, low cost resource to drown the area in reckless uncontrolled growth! They negelected the sewer system, they neglected the water system, they neglected the solid waste problems! They were to fixated on a socialist agenda of public welfare, housing projects, wasted money on hundreds of “public” projects like libraries, social services, marta, and, renaming hundreds of roads, buildings and other things for some ficticiously important black activist, or, should I say anarchist!! They all should be tried as criminals for the criminal neglect of their fiduciary responsibilities!
There should be hundreds of wells and water storage tanks all over the area including downtown Atlanta!
By RealityKing
August 14, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
The judge should order the deeping of the lake. That’s where we’re headed and we might as well face it now, when the water is low. It’s cheaper!! Removing the islands in the middle of the lake would add a lot of volume when it refills, and it will refill. Problem solved, for about 30 years..
By Bosch
August 14, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
Andy,
I think you have something confused. Disagreeing with a politician or a particular administration does not equate in any shape form or fashion to a hate for a country.
I’m sorry you see things differently.
I happen to love this country too.
By Michael H. Smith
August 14, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
So Jay, you think this argument is all about the use of Buford Dam? If Georgia began withholding water from entering into Lake Lanier and diverting water from the streams and the river how long do you think it would be before your argument would fall flat on its’ meritless face?
Don’t kid yourself Jay. This is all about water rights or more aptly put: Rights to the water that falls within Georgia boundaries and on Georgia soil.
Unfortunately, near term little can be done but argue over water held in Georgia’s Federal reservoirs. Georgia will have to fight for itself on this issue and against her neighbor states; and we will lose more in the courts than we will gain most likely.
Mid-term and long-term steps should be taken now the reach a resolve to insure that an abundance water will be available to Georgians. That will take doing things like water reuse and turning to the Ocean for water. Of course the naysayers will have plenty of objections to voice in a battle of us against them. The travesty of it all is that far too few will ally with opportunity to provide solutions in this battle which should be waged on behalf of us, for us.
By Pierce Randall
August 14, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
Oh Jesus, shut up already, “AJC/DNC Management”. Nobody’s going to read stupid rants that long.
It’s unfortunate that this ends up in a court of law. If the original law itself could be re-written, Atlanta could be given storage rights in exchange for phasing-in conservation measures. Then everyone could win something.
By ron
August 14, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
Good morning Jay,A very dicey problem,this water situation.It will probably go to the Supreme Court before it is over so Atlanta has a few more years to grow.After that,who knows?What do you do when a city runs out of water?I’m sure Atlanta wastes water and those wastes will have to be found and stopped.That will an interesting problem by itself.
By Dusty
August 14, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
Well, hey, let us sort out the facts. I’m trying to do that. Lake Lanier is low. Rivers running into it are low. We have Buford Dam because the Feds built it and Lake Lanier came behind that dam.
Alabama, Florida, Atlanta want the water from Lake Lanier. These three have other sources to tap. Atlanta has the Chattahoochie. A judge will decide which of these three has a right to “drain” Lake Lanier which is exactly the situation.
But AJC/DNC Management has thoughtfully reminded us that Buford Dam ALSO generates electricity. A dam without water generates NOTHING. One more energy source gone.
The obvious answer is to STOP USING SO MUCH WATER. Put water restrictions in place, not penny ante rules about watering your grass. Stop buliding huge apartment complexes now. Limit home building. No swimming pool water. INITIATE and ADVERTISE an “IT’S FOR YOU” WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM.
I live in DeKalb County and there is a huge 4 story apartment complex going up near me. On the other end of the street is a brand new huge 4 story apartment complex not half full. Older apartments have vacancy signs out. We are OVERBUILDING and drying our rivers and lakes. Golf courses, pretty fountains, drinking fountains everywhere, swimming pools, car washes, the list goes on. Let’s get serious.
We cannot stop the drought or fill our rivers. But we can STOP overbuilding, over usage and waste.
In wartime we learn to conserve and save. This is a WAR against drought. Therefore we do only what has to be done. STOP USING and WASTING WATER for non-essentials.
I think I will go call Sonny right now.
By getalife "whiners"
August 14, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
“Man fired from job kills Ark. Democratic chairman :
Police and neighbors are struggling to explain why a man described as a loner drove more than 30 miles to Arkansas’ Democratic Party headquarters and fatally shot its chairman hours after getting fired from his job.”
Another dangerous wingnut terrorist.
See a trend starting ?
Better send these wingnut terrorists to Gitmo.
By "The Corporal"
August 14, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
Again, we submit ourselves to Judicial Oligarchy never intended in the Constitution.
By daedalus
August 14, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
To the right-wingers here who posted that this mess is all the fault of democrats and govt workers faults. I gotta point out that this case is being lost by Georgia’s outside legal contractor:
the Law Firm of King & Spalding
They’ve made hundreds of thousands in attorney fees from the state in this case and have badly bungled it from the beginning. They’ve emboldened Perdue to not compromise and — since the K&S lawyers are too arrogant to read the constitution and discover that original jurisdiction for suits between states lies in the Supreme Court, we are stuck in this litigation.
We’ve wasted years litigating in various district courts when those courts don’t have jurisdiction. However unless you raise jurisdiction as defense — you waive it.
This is massive case of legal malpractice by K&S.
And who hired them? Our Republican Governor.
But its OK, blame the City of Atlanta and its more progressive citizens for the idiocy of Perdue and the GOP. After all, its the tax dollars from metro Atlanta that bail out the South Georgia and North Georgia counties who refuse to tax themselves for their own infrastructure. And its the conservatives (democratic and GOP) in the legislature that have avoided building infrastructure because they don’t want to have tax anyone.
Great Job.
By AJC/DNC Management
August 14, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this
By Bosch August 14, 2008 9:39 AM I happen to love this country too.
I respect that, Bosch, but tell me again, why is America the “evil” in the world?
By Mrs. Godzilla
August 14, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
Andy,
I love America like I love my children.
If I either one of them steps out of line it is my responsibility to speak up and attepmt to fix the problem.
We may disagree about where and when America steps out of line, but that in no way alters my love for the USA or yours.
By findog
August 14, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
Mr. Bookman, The lake is manmade by damming of several rivers, which Georgia apparently has the right to draw water from for its citizens.
It appears the question is storage. Alabama and Florida say the lake cannot be used for drinking water storage so maybe we should counter with a request to only release inflows to the reservoir less the permitted withdrawals of those rivers.
Let them then come to terms with the drought with conservation efforts in Alabama and retraining of the fishermen in Florida.
Riparian issues of this magnitude should have been decided by the Supremes along time ago; but they get to choose what they do and are not answerable to the public.
By Dusty
August 14, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
What do you mean?? Let’s shut up AJC/DNC Management.?? Andy doesn’t have free speech?? He certainly does.
I know exactly what he means. Much of the AJC is dedicated to liberal editors who have seldom seen anything good about the leaders of our country, our war on terrorism, our war in Iraq. They seemingly do it under the influence of the Democratic Political party with whom they find little fault.
That Party has sulked like a child over losing the last two elections. They declared “no holds barred” on Republicans. The AJC has followed through, Luckovich exemplifying their stand. Without Wooten, AJC would be just another projection of Far Left liberals.
But they have that right. But right or not, I do not like my children or my country blasted with slanted propaganda. If you want to present the truth, don’t spike it with lies. I expect patriotism to contain some loyalty. Hate propaganda does not contain that and we should be able to say so.
Carry on, Ancy. As long as this country is free, you can SPEAK.
By Taxpayer
August 14, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
Water for sale. Get your water here. Buy it by the truckload or by the bottle. I deliver for a nominal fee — 24/7. Call 1-800-URHOSED.
By SL3
August 14, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
I am trying to understand what Fla and Al. are pushing for? Let’s say by some legal mumbo jumbo the judges at the end decide totally against Ga. If we have another severe drought and Corp just keeps letting water downstream and the lake basically runs dry than the mussells die, and power plant stops and barges stop navigating. We are in an emergency situation with water being trucked in with Federal emergency assistance. When it starts raining again the lake takes 3 years to fill up the lake probably without letting water flow. The Chatt. River turns into an ecological disaster. I would think keeping the lake filled up has to be a priority regardless of all these other arguments of the original reasons it was built? That argument about power for 25000 homes is weak. They have tech. now to recycle the smoke from coal plants. That doesn’t seem like very many homes from such a big lake. And that should trump drinking water?
By Paul
August 14, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
This will be interesting to watch. Mr. Bookman nicely outlined the risks of the current suit and the advisability of a settlement - as it it possible the law is not on Georgia’s side.
Which segues into the “judicial activism” discussion. I believe this may illustrate what some describe as JA - ruling on an outcome, with a perceived good, even when the basis for that is not provided in statute. In this case, Mr. Bookman shows that negotiating a settlement may result in a better outcome than relying on a judge, precedent, and a reading of the law.
Gets back to the Plame case (and I do not wish to reopen all the charges, countercharges, etc ad infinitum ad nauseum). But early on some people referenced statutes applicable to the situation and noted the facts did not support the prosecution, conviction and sentence many advocated. Their only response was “but, but, what they did was wrong, immoral, vindictive…” - which does not necessarily mean it was illegal or prosecutable.
So these people wanted a legal outcome, regardless of the specifics of the law (activism). Here Mr. Bookman shows what can happen when activism is not likely and shows the least risky course is negotiation.
But that shortens the time frame compared to litigation and reduces billable hours….
By AJC/DNC Management
August 14, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
By Mrs. Godzilla August 14, 2008 10:13 AM We may disagree about where and when America steps out of line, but that in no way alters my love for the USA or yours.
SNEWZE: I respect that, but you have made America the source of all the evil in the world.
Read back through your own posts, if you don’t believe me.
This is your idea of love?
By Maniac is accurate
August 14, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
Atlanta has grown beyond its resources and I’d like to see about 2 million break camp and head to Idaho or somewhere.
By findog
August 14, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
Sonny did; he punted the issues of the day: water, transportation, and education to the next governor and generation. I have never seen so much benign neglect from our government [at all levels] because they all want to be loved. Sonny, our low flow governor but a good God fearing Christian who kept Sunday sales of alcohol off the ballot this November. Zeke, I believe that much of the water withdrawals actually from the lake are by counties that have been run by the GOP for 25 + years now; so careful with all that broken glass there you could get cut. As far as wells the Piedmont Region of Georgia is in an area without significant aquifer capacity, unlike South Georgia, so drilling will get you very little and long term will dry up rather quickly thus the need for reservoirs. Dusty, Actually the dense apartment complex uses less water than the big estates or even the starter home subdivisions. Urban SPRAWL. We used to conserve in wartime, but that’s the old Europe model. We are now the country of tax cut, spend, and start wars with a giant Chinese credit card.
By Paul
August 14, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
Oh, and regarding the AJC/DNC Management ongoing controversy:
I’ve often said if one overlooks the style of expression and focuses on the substance of the comment there are some very worthwhile issues to consider. (Such as his crack about here comes the UN – keep your kids inside. That may seem provocative, anti-UN, another rant against a “liberal” institution – until you consider the horrendous abuses against children committed by UN personnel serving as peacekeepers. Without an awareness of those situations, Management’s crack seems over the top. Knowing of those situations, it is understandable.
Not every ‘liberal’ who reads his criticisms need feel they are personally directed – not all ‘liberals’ have the same view on every issue. And if one objects to a mischaracterization of a position, there are some here who do make effective counterarguments.
Besides which, when debating issues, particularly political issues, absent slander or other personal attacks so prevalent on many blogs (such as the Tony Snow comments on DailyKos, the same type that were deleted on the Huffington Post), I’m not much for censorship. Which is different from enforcing civility.
By Mrs. Godzilla
August 14, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
Andy,
You are upset this morning….that’s ok…we understand.
I have never made America the source of all evil - THAT IS JUST PLAIN SILLY PARTISAN NONSENSE!
Do you believe America is perfect? Can do no wrong? Has never done wrong?
By Believer
August 14, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this
It certainly seems like we have heads of states that are not able to reach a settlement through compromise. So, the only other alternatives are to 1) take the matter to the courts and deal with rulings and appeals and legislation as they arise over and over again, 2) break existing “laws” (by one or more parties) and see what happens, 3) abide by existing “laws” and see what happens, or 4) go to war. We’ve got three Republican states and we know how much Republicans love war so the solution should be obvious. Initially, it’ll be two states against one but we can take ‘em. After all, Alabama cannot mobilize because everything they have is up on cinder blocks and those old folks in Florida won’t even remember what we’re fighting about come this time tomorrow. So, bring it on.
By AJC/DNC Management
August 14, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
SNEWZE: If I’m “upset” this morning then you must be upset every single solitary day, you of the mass hysteria, multiple names and “duh” stalker.
Do tell us, and be sure to include a list of victims, of all the horrors America has committed upon it’s citizens and the world.
Don’t go 17th century on me.
By Observer
August 14, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
There is no way any legal authority - even the US Supreme Court - will be allowed to render a major metropolitan area (and one that happens to be a major media market) devoid of drinking water.
Under the most drastic scenario an executive order would be issued, by whomever the sitting president is at the time, to grant the Corps of Engineers an exemption from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as it pertains to the operation of Buford Dam. The enforcement of the ESA is what is being litigated here. Atlanta and the issue of drinking water is merely being held hostage in the process.
Ultimately, there is a hierarchy of needs at work here. In my opinion, the need of 4 million people to drink out weighs the need of some endangered mussels on the Gulf coasts of Florida and Alabama.
By Paul
August 14, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
Believer,
I thought Georgia doesn’t have the resources to fight Alabama and Florida because it provoked an unnecessary war with Russia?
By hillbilly ragger
August 14, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
No, Paul @ 10.39, it’s not about the LuckoTrool’s “very worthwhile issues,” it’s about his utter inability to post on the topic at hand, and his insistence on constantly spamming these comments threads with his egotistical claptrap.
We have an important issue to discuss. LuckoTrool, per usual, posts a long, utterly unrelated stream of right wing drivel. You might find some of it compelling. But so what? Half the commenters are trying to get a discussion going about this resource issue; the rest are taking the bait and (yeah, I’m guilty too) talking about… LuckoTrool.
The LuckoTrool needs to get his own damn blog (hey, they’re free! blogger.com! and so easy to use even this bimbo could probably manage if he asks his mom or dad for help! Hell, even I figured it out!) and stop making THIS one about HIM.
Until that happens, I’d really like Jay to exercise his right to delete any and all off-topic posts. Hell, including this one. The less said about this clueless jerk, the better.
By Mrs. Godzilla
August 14, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
Andy,
You did not answer my question.
Do you think the United States of America is perfect?
By ron
August 14, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
My country,right or wrong.I have nothing against my country. I do disagree sometimes with the people who inhabit my country.
By DUBYA
August 14, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
It’s education time once again. A few (very) will know these facts, as they have been on public record for years. But the mass of Repunks know, as usual, nothing - and deny all truths and history. Subject: Our Hero McCain’s war record. Courtesy of official U.S. Naval Records and Archives. John McCain made a TOTAL of 23 flights into North Vietnam. Each flight averaged 30 MINUTES. Defined as that period from “lift off” carrier deck to “touch down” carrier deck. “Travel Time” to “Combat Zone” and/or “Target” averaged 15 to 20 MINUTES. McCain is OFFICIALLY credited with a GRAND TOTAL of between 2.3 HOURS and 3.5 HOURS of “IN-COMBAT ZONE TIME” during his “career.” For that he has been playing the “WAR HERO” card and the “EXPERIENCE” card for a lifetime.
How loosely we use the word “HERO” these days, eh?? It has become so inaccurate, meaningless, and cheapened by the Chickenhawk couch-cowards of the Far Right. (You little people are entitled to search the Archives for yourselves, if you dare.) Enjoy!
By Dusty
August 14, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
Now now Paul @11:04
I shall have to go back and dig up all the old Obama jokes such as:
Obama was so confused he didn’t know whether Russia invaded Georgia from North Carolina or South Carolina. His advisors didn’t know either. They thought it was Florida.
Then there’s the Jimmy Carter peanuts (in Georgia) jokes. But I won’t burden you with those.
Now we have water. Let’s see. When Obama heard about the drought in Georgia he said “Let them have Coke!”
By findog
August 14, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
Mrs. Godzilla,
Why would someone answer a challenge from you?
Your posts are not original.
You’re sort of like any spokesperson, you have a list of items to disburse but since they are not your own you cannot get into a logical debate on merit.
Free speech is great and your posts are worth every penny…
By Bosch
August 14, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
Observer,
Yeah, and while we’re at it, who needs honeybees too?
Worthless, stinging, pests!
Musssels? Yeah, they are just shells full of snot. Who needs ‘em?
Seriously, the attitude of humans over everything else and everthing else be damned is very troubling to me.
By AJC/DNC Management
August 14, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
SNEWZE: I said it was the “greatest country in the world,” did I not?
No country is “perfect” including this one.
Example: When Lord High Dimwit, Thee Most Magnificent, was over in Germany telling them how bad we are, do you think he would have been able to rag the Germans about all of their past issues, had he the gonads, that is?
He made them out to be better than us.
50,000,000 people dead because of them.
No problem, eh?
By Dusty
August 14, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
Dear DUBYA, 11:15
Why didn’t you give us such military reviews when Kerry was running? Why don’t you give us OBAMA’s military record?
OBAMA’s MILITARY RECORD!! Oh, I forgot. He was a long time COMMUNITY ORGANIZER.
I see. Any Democrat running for office who has served in the nmilitary is a HERO. Any Republican who has served in the military had it easy and really did nothing, certainly nothing worth mentioning.
Another one of those open minded liberal attacks on the people who have served this country in the most dangerous of times.
By Mrs. Godzilla
August 14, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
Findog,
Thanks for your input. As always it is invaluable!
By Believer
August 14, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
“By Paul August 14, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this Believer, I thought Georgia doesn’t have the resources to fight Alabama and Florida because it provoked an unnecessary war with Russia?”
Not so, Paul. You see, while no one was paying attention, we sent Perdue to China to secure fireworks for Phase I of our war. We plan to shock and awe Alabama and Florida with pretty colors and noises in the night sky while we simultaneously sneak in to their capitols and stage hostile takeovers. Once we are in control of their state capitols, we will force the governors of these states to issue laws prohibiting them from ever trying to lay claim to another drop of our God-given water. And, that’s the way it’s going down because we worked directly with Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld just to make sure.
By ron
August 14, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this
DUBYA,You of the misguided.I served in the Army during the same war as McCain.I did nothing of distinction to mark my passing other than be there.
After that I went to work each day until the end of my working career.
I served honorably in both roles,so I am awarding myself two hero badges.I would award McCain more tha two,less than ten.
By Paul
August 14, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this
Observer 11:08
An exemption from the Endangered Species Act?!!? Wasn’t that was lead off yesterday - the lawless Bush Administration ignoring the law and subverting the Endangered Species Act?
Oh, sorry, this has to do with a possible negative outcome for Atlanta… nevermind…
hillbilly ragger 11:07
No?
So it wasn’t about how I saw part of the situation but about how you saw the entire situation that is correct?
If it’s about posting off-topic subjects, well, there’s more than one person of liberal persuasion who does so at least as frequently as Management. Usually absent the provocative commentary, but still not on the topic of the column.
You can ignore his postings quite easily. See his name, scroll past. Notice I “found some issues compelling” but commented only in rebuttal to those who called for banning him.
Don’t mean this as an insult, but your last two paragraphs strengthen the stereotype people have of those who don’t address a superconservative’s positions but resort to namecalling or trying to embarrass them.
Off-topic like the second post to follow yours by DUBYA?
BTW - the Hanoi-Haiphong area was, at the time, the most heavily saturated with antiaircraft systems of any area in history. Haiphong is a harbor. Which means it’s near water. Hanoi isn’t all that far. There were many targets between them. McCain served on a carrier. Which mean he was on the water. Do you really think it would take all that long to fly from a carrier to a harbor?
And you would equate bravery or good sense with flying around a heavily fortified air defense zone any longer than absolutely necessary with a smart thing to do?
I believe the “experience” falls more to his service as a senator. And I generally find it is those opposed to him who say he calls himself a HERO - not McCain himself. Or is this more of the “let me tell you what my opponent WILL say’ school of politics?
By Paul
August 14, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
Dusty 11:18
Please, don’t!
But you did…
Believer 11:31
[[we will force the governors of these states to issue laws prohibiting them from ever trying to lay claim to another drop of our God-given water.]]
Just had to make this a religious issue…
Forget the water. Switch to vodka. Problem solved.
out for a while, awaiting the next column -
By Taxpayer
August 14, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
Well, I am glad to see the drought actually last long enough to at least force people to deal with one of the practical limitations of growth. At least it’s a start. I’m also glad to see gas prices stay high enough to force auto makers to get off their large gas guzzler kick. We’ve got a long way to go but at least we are finally starting to think a little instead of going off blindly in the direction of “growth is good so more growth is better” and similar dead-ends. It’s comparable to that mentality about taxes: reduced taxes increase tax “revenues” therefore continually reducing taxes will continually increase tax “revenues”. It would also be nice if money trees really existed. Actually they do but the money is in the form of lumber, fruit, nuts, etc.
By Josh
August 14, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
All you commie regressives keep running to the courts to seek redressal, right?!! Now, I hope you idiots realize what happens when you abandon common sense and go sniff the jocks of attorneys and judges. You people love to sue to seek “justice”, right?!! Guess what?! That very justice is going to deprive you and your family (and the rest if us too) of an important necessity to survive! Go ahead you commies and surrender our rights and common sense to your political leadership in Wahington and to all looney judges in this nation. Whom are your lawyer activists gonna sue now, folks?!!
By Bud Wiser
August 14, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
Well, it looks like it’s time for the Bud man to step in again.
First of all to Dusty: don’t waste your air calling Sonny Perdue for anything except what special is being served at Golden Corral tonight.
Remember what he said about “going after the gas gougers” the first time gas shot up over $5/gal in Atlanta a while back? We in Georgia currently pay an average of $3.769/gal for gas. I checked with my brother-in-law in Ohio this morning to see what they are paying up there, and it was $3.479, a difference of 29 cents per gallon (for those of you educated in Georgia public schools). Currently Ohioans pay a state fuel tax of 26 cpg, Georgians 7.5 cpg (plus sales taxes which vary by location), so lets call it in reality @ a 15cpg difference. Now, add the 15cpg to the 29cpg and what do you have??? Lets call it 44cpg more that Georgians are paying for their fuel. If that does not fall under the definition, even loosely, of price gouging, then what does?
Sonny Perdue’s words are hollow and meaningless. He will do nothing. In my book, a man that says he is going to do something and does not is a liar, and you can’t trust liars, especially when they are blowhard politicians like Perdue. Don’t waste your time on him.
To Observer: When in recent history have environmental considerations ever not overridden human considerations? Look no further than the subject of offshore drilling, drilling in ANWR, for your answer. You might be sadly mistaken to believe that any judge or collection of judges (The Supremes) will put need ahead of mussels or snail darters or spotted owls or whatever.
If you check the river basins for the Chattahoochee versus the Flint, you will see that the Flint River basin is actually larger, and that they actually overlap till their confluence into Lake Seminole, becoming the Appalachicola River in Florida, flowing into the Gulf. I see no arguments from Alabama and Florida stipulating flows from the Flint, therefore I deduce that their arguments hold no water (pun intended).
It will be interesting indeed to see how this all flows out.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chattahoochee_River http://www.flintriversurvey.org/
By hillbilly ragger
August 14, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
Paul, sure. I go after those with whom I take issue, on the issues, and do my best to not make it about personality, whenever I can manage it.
And if Jay wants the comments threads to meander, that’s fine—it’s his place. I’m just saying, I’d like them to be about his actual posts, and I’d like to see him chopping down the worst offenders, whether they’re lefties or righties.
Gotta run…
By Copyleft
August 14, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
Wow… Josh is raving more incoherently than usual today.
By Believer
August 14, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
“By Paul August 14, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this Dusty 11:18 Please, don’t! But you did… Believer 11:31 [[we will force the governors of these states to issue laws prohibiting them from ever trying to lay claim to another drop of our God-given water.]] Just had to make this a religious issue… Forget the water. Switch to vodka. Problem solved. out for a while, awaiting the next column -“
Paul, If you think vodka will solve your problems, then by all means, proceed. Regarding bringing religion into the topic, I believe that honor goes to Perdue. Now, let us prey.
By ButtHead
August 14, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
It is a no win situation, we have conserved water and the raised the price, go figure. How do you stop the uncontrolled population growth in Atlanta?
By Bosch
August 14, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
Julia Child was a spy, and Roger Federer has lost at the Olympics.
What a news day.
I’m going out to think about all this.
Later.
By RW-(the original)
August 14, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
As for that deluded Luckotrool posting as “AJC Mgt,” seriously, isn’t it time to start deleting his off-topic, fact-free nonsense?
Isn’t it time to start deleting long winded sycophantic suck up posts that offer nothing else?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I read at the home page that somebody got mooned at a debate yesterday. Boortz didn’t resort to that yesterday, did he Jay?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As for the column today, if we’re going to drain Lake Lanier because of a court decision isn’t it time to more seriously pursue Georgia’s rights to part of the Tennessee River through the courts? Unlike the libs around here I’ll readily admit in advance that I have no idea whether that case has any merit.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Speaking of water and corrupt Dhimmicrats.
Move over, Harry Reid — Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC) has become the new king of Capitol Hill real-estate riches. The Tennessee Valley Authority just announced a new water-access deal for members of an investment group, which includes Shuler, the former Volunteer quarterback. Just coincidentally, Shuler happens to sit on the House subcommittee that oversees the TVA
Wow. I guess a middling career in the NFL still pays pretty well, huh? He has at least $5 million tied up in The Cove, and perhaps as much as $25 million. With that kind of investment, I’d say that Shuler needs to make sure it pays off for him, right?
How fortunate he just happens to sit on the committee that can make TVA’s life very, very uncomfortable. I’m sure that all of this is just coincidental, though. Shuler probably cares more about good water access policy than he does about millions of his own money going down the drain … right?
By Tom
August 14, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
Absolutely correct, Dubya. How our standards have been lowered by these “worst generations.” The Repub sheeple will believe and swear to anything they find convenient, no matter how gross the lie.
By Mrs. Godzilla
August 14, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
Thanks Andy for admitting that America is not perfect.
It is not often that we agree.
I think I’ll crack open an icy cold Dr. Pepper to celebrate.
By Mrs. Godzilla
August 14, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
FROM THE LA TIMES
Who got Georgia into this? Actions by Bush and McCain misled the country into thinking the U.S. would come to its aid……..So where did the Georgians get the silly idea that the U.S. would bail them out? Maybe from John McCain, Republican heir apparent, whose top foreign policy advisor, Randy Scheunemann, also just happens to be a highly paid lobbyist for the Georgian government. Whoops — correction! Scheunemann usedto be a highly paid lobbyist for Georgia. The McCain campaign says Scheunemann hasn’t taken a dime from the Georgians since May 15. (Which is lucky for the Georgians, who are going to need all the spare cash they can get to rebuild all the stuff the Russians just bombed.)
Sorry dudes, Americans aren’t stupid enough to fall for this crap again.
Lie and forge us into Iraq, then trump up a new cold war.
We have become wise enough to start asking the questions up front.
Good for us!
By Believer
August 14, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this
Julia Child is a greater war hero than John McCain. She tried to fatten up Hitler with some down home southern cooking in order to finish him off with clogged arteries and an inability to run fast enough to escape exploding suitcases and what-not. Unfortunately, Hitler caught on when she tried to serve him a hot dog without sauerkraut for lunch one day. She had to make a hasty retreat, by boat over large expanses of water (there was no drought that year), to France via the underground where she met young Indiana Jones and shared a bottle of mountain spring water with him but that’s another story.
By GOPs got to go
August 14, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
Well I am a little creeped out right now because I actually agree with Dusty on something. Greed, and more greed, has led to massive over building in metro Atlanta. I had lived in Dekalb County for many years and I can tell you that they can not hold even a match to Gwinnett when it comes to over building. Office buildings are offer 6 month free rent and more keep coming. Honestly, I do not know how they are not losing theirs shirts. My community even has an interactive fountain going all summer for the kids to play in. Nice for the kids but really wasteful.
I ride my bike by Lake Lanier every week and it keeps appearing lower and lower. I fear Gwinnett and Forsyth will be the biggest losers in this fight. Clayton might have a terrible school board but at least they had the foresight to build reservoirs years ago.
I blame the County Commissioners more than any one else here when it comes to over developing. There has to be some pocket lining going on.
So are you telling me that any of you actually take the time to read that cut and paste garbage from Urinal boy? Or from my own side of the fence either? If I wanted totally biased media I can listen to conventional TV. No thank you, give me the BBC or PBS with their bland non-emoting style any day of the week. If anyone screams at me I turn the channel. And who keeps poking poor Lou Dobbs with a stick anyway?
By GOPs got to go
August 14, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
Believer,
Was that a clever pun insinuating that the prayers are prey to Perdue or just a typo?
By AJC/DNC Management
August 14, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
By Mrs. Godzilla August 14, 2008 12:38 PM Thanks Andy for admitting that America is not perfect.
Pretty weak SNEWZE.
O.K. so now you answer the question, is America the root of all the evil in the world?
By Believer
August 14, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
GOPs got to believe. After all, the truth is out there.
By Mrs. Godzilla
August 14, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
ANDY
NOPE
Just imperfect.
Like you and me, eh?
By Hillbilly Deluxe
August 14, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
Overbuilding has been going on in the Atlanta area for the vast majority of my 50+ years. The powers that be have always been basically an anything for a dollar crowd and we’ll worry about the future when the future gets here. Well maybe the future is here.
I’ve read that the City of Atlanta water system loses 10% of it’s water through leaks. If this is true that is quite a lot of water.
I live up here in the hills and live off my own well. (And as to a previous comment in another blog it’s not a septic tank. By code all wells must be at least 100 feet from any septic system.) I am, however, smart enough to know that I’m not the only one sucking out of this aquifier. People who still have hand dug or bored wells have been aware that the water table has been dropping for years. Most people who had those types of wells have had to go to deeper, drilled wells in recent years. I also remember streams from my boyhood which have long since gone dry. Streams which flowed freely during the summer of 1925 which all the old folks said was the hottest, driest time they ever saw.
It may be time for us to rethink the way we live. I never water my yard. My flowers are all native species that survive on their own.
I remember back in the late 70s when gas was getting tight and people were talking about it. I always told them there would come a day when water was more precious than oil. They used to laugh at that quite a bit but I still think that day may come.
By Jock Ewing
August 14, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Where’s ol’ Wutty Woot? Anybody heard anything?
By Paul
August 14, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
Mrs. Godzilla 1:02
That link asked “who got Georgia into this?” Obviously, they’re a pretty dumb and unsophisticated country who can’t manage their own affairs. Someone else is to blame for their situation. Who? Aha: “Actions by Bush and McCain.” What actions? Well, seems McCain knows this lobbyist…. Wow. A lobbyist got the Georgians into this. Double wow. Interestingly, I was listening to what some would call a “liberal” station (NPR), topic was Georgia, and I was astounded at the number of callers who said “Bush lied us into a war in Iran and we don’t even have enough military to fight the real enemy in Afghanistan. And because of Bush we don’t have the forces to help the Georgians…” You get the drift. I didn’t take it the callers were Reps or Bush supporters. But they blamed him because we don’t have the military might to take on the Russians in Georgia. Afghanistan! Pakistan! On to Georgia and then the Ukraine! If this is change, we’re back in Wonderland.
BTW- Pres Bush has dispatched US military to Georgia – but they’re on an aid mission. Oh, boy –
By Mrs. Godzilla
August 14, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
Paul
Thanks for your response.
By Bud Wiser
August 14, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
Paul, when you said…pretty dumb and unsophisticated…” I could have sworn that was going to be your lead in on a description of Mrs G. Her continual anile strings to the hate-filled words she cannot formulate herself, but are fed straight from the teat of the Huffington Pus, Daily Kos, etc., are tiresome and generally scrolled past, except by those who are similarly brain damaged.
By Mrs. Godzilla
August 14, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
Bud Wiser,
You are such a peach! Your posts are always so …..warm!
But let me help you out. I don’t do hate. Never have. Perhaps you have self esteem issues or are insecure and that is why you feel all that hate. I feel sad for you.
I am perfectly comfortable with the knowledge that others are “wiser” than I and are better wordsmiths.
So, if someone has said it better than I could, why use my own poor words?
For a guy who scrolls past all my posts you seem awfully familiar with my favorite sources. I think you must actually be reading them you fibber.
Oh, anile…great word. I also don’t dodder. Not yet anyway.
Do you have a problem with age? Have you noticed McCain’s?
By hillbilly ragger
August 14, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
Deluxe @ 1.49, thanks again for some old-timer’s (relatively speaking) perspective. I figured that those who’ve dug wells are having to dig deeper these days.
Like you, I never water my lawn; we also have planted a lot of dought-tolerant stuff, and as many native species as we can. We’ve also expanded our garden beds significantly to reduce the size of our lawn in front and back.
(If I had my way I’d probably let it all go native, never edge anything, and just mow it when it got too tall for my kid to I play there…but my homeowner’s association has other ideas.)
Most of the watering that we do for suffering shrubs is from water collected in a 5-gallon can in the shower, when I’m waiting for the water to warm up. It’s a pain to haul it out there, but I figure I’d better get used to it.
Paul @ 2.30, what NPR station were you listening to that included a show with callers?
I’m not challenging that you heard what you heard; I’m just not aware of any Georgia public radio stations that have call-in shows covering politics.
Which program was this? Which station?
By Mrs. Godzilla
August 14, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
OH AND BUD
Speaking of better words than mine….
Here’s a little something from conservative Andrew Sullivan:
It’s very bizarre to read the neocons’ speaking about Russia as if the Soviet Union were still in existence. Here’s a classic slice of the mindset from Max Boot, who wants a third little war in the Caucasus:
It should be no surprise that Russian spokesmen are masters of the Big Lie–their Soviet predecessors practically invented the technique.
Condi Rice, who really should know better, said:
“This is not 1968 and the invasion of Czechoslovakia, where Russia can threaten a neighbor, occupy a capital, overthrow a government and get away with it. Things have changed.”
Yes, things have changed: the Soviet Union no longer exists. Wasn’t the entire point of the Cold War that totalitarian expansionist states are different than authoritarian ones? Are we now going to elide this Kirkpatrick distinction when it comes to Russia? Putin is not a saint; and his attitude is Cheney-esque in his fondness for secrecy, brute force and contempt for international law. But he is not a communist and he is not attempting to take over the world. The West fought the Cold War based on this distinction. Why should we forget it now it’s over?
By Paul
August 14, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
Bud Wiser,
Well, I’ve never made any assertions regarding the status of my brain.
I find Mrs. G’s posts generally challenging. Many of the sites view the world through ideology - it’s interesting to hear that view, then consider what wasn’t said, what was left out, what occurs if other players are substituted. I’d do the same with the farfarright site quotes - but they’re aren’t any.
So just try reading them and asking yourself “what’s fact? Opinion? What is entirely true? Partially? Is this congruent with other situations? Is it true in the specifics but not in the general principles?
‘Tis generally a good thing to have one’s ideas challenged, and challenged, and challenged again. It’s kinda fun, too -
By Mrs. Godzilla
August 14, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
BUD…
Here’s a great piece with a timeline….note it starts in 2007 and it is not from what you’d call a hate site.
Just trying to please!
By AJC/DNC Management
August 14, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
82 degrees.
In August.
In Hotlanta.
“Global warming?”
Puh-leeze.
By Paul
August 14, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
hillbilly ragger
Thanks for the earlier response and clarification. I understand Mr. Bookman’s is a more “on topic” blog that does meander off elsewhere and that posters like Mgt tend to speed up the meandering, but I do find it all immensely entertaining.
The show is one of my favorites, The Diane Rehm show, produced out of American University, I believe, and distributed by National Public Radio. It’s a two-hour show, two one-hour segments on a national or international topic with a panel of people with generally fine backgrounds. The link is:
Link: The Diane Rehm Show
You can listen live thru your browser. The top right on the web site has an ‘[archives’ section where you can play back programs going back years. Do the panel members have bias or points of view? Of course! But she usually brings in a diverse crowd and will challenge them - then they challenge back. They take callers from all over - and boy, they can get pretty emotional - and the panel members exercise remarkable tact.
By hillbilly ragger
August 14, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
Paul @ 3.30, thanks for the link.
I’m a big podcast fan, and if you’re interested, the master NPR list has got archives for Ms. Rehm’s show (which I’ll plan to hear when I get a chance) and a gazillion others.
By Dusty
August 14, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
Dear Paul,@3:06
For goodness sake, stop being nice! Soon you will be like Mrs. Godzie with her sugar coated cupcake condescension. No no erp! Make a stand!! Knock ‘em cold!!
For instance, Mrs. Godzie has just labeled Cheney with fondness for secrecy, brute force and contempt for international law which has not even one word of truth in it.
What should I say? Mrs. Godzie, your challenging inspirational ideas are fit for the highest court in the land and you are the finest frijole forever as you reprint various lies and propaganda!!!
I know I will not get invited to the diplomatic corps but please, let us not melt into a lump of sugar or maybe a pillar of salt for artful prevarication.
I can’t do it. NO NO… Stand up and fight!!
By AJC/DNC Management
August 14, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
Well, that’s it for Ivan:
Video: Georgian TV reporter shot by Russian sniper during live broadcast carries on with her report with bleeding arm
Soon as the Pinko Media finds out that the Rooskies are shooting at the TV Babes, they’ll be calling for all out war against them.
Shall we start the bombing now?
(By the way, that girl is just what I’m looking for, hahaha, shrugging off a gunshot wound and dissing the shooter’s little “weapon.” Dude!)
By AJC/DNC Management
August 14, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
Oh, and as a minor aside to that last post, John Bandaid Kerry would be on his way stateside with his wittle Purple Heart.
~~~~~
No wonder Jay is in such a foul mood:
SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Gannett Co Inc plans to eliminate 1,000 positions from its local newspapers around the U.S. because of declining advertising and circulation revenue, and may cut more if those conditions persist.
They just keep whittling away, don’t they?
Better start being nice to your paid subscribers, you reckon?
By Do the Math
August 14, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
The City of Atlanta gets it water from the Chattahoochee River and returns more (treated) than it removes. The northern suburbs are more dempendant on Lake Lanier…but don’t let any facts get in the way or your ignorance!
By AJC/DNC Management
August 14, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
Another act of environmental terrorism comes to realization:
“The medical thing” is new research suggesting that living close to wind turbines, as Eaton and her 60-year old husband, Mike, soon will be doing, can cause sleep disorders, difficulty with equilibrium, headaches, childhood “night terrors” and other health problems.
Wonderful, now if they only had money left over from their energy bill to buy medication.
By AJC/DNC Management
August 14, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
Aahhh, yes, “Thee Most Open And Honest Congress” in history, or whatever Blinky promised y’all:
TVA has approved a water-access deal for a development group whose investors include U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., who sits on a committee that exercises oversight of the federal utility.
Charming, isn’t it?
By Mrs. Godzilla
August 14, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
A little from Juam Cole
The Cheney line that Russia needs to be punished, and Rice’s warning that Russia will be isolated, may make them feel good. But the US is much weaker after the increase in power of the oil and gas states like Russia and Iran this year, and isn’t in a position to “isolate” Russia without at the same time giving a lot of indirect aid to Iran.
Oh, and Dusty, I am truly sorry if my courtesy offends you.
By Paul
August 14, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
Dusty 4:17
What should you have said? Well, how about ask that she be a bit more careful about putting quotations in quotes, or offsetting a quotation with another mark [[quote]]. When the quote marks ended in her post it was still a cut and paste from the Sullivan guy.
Actually, I would characterizing mocking uberlib ideologue assertions (or farfarright), pointing out fallacies and the general illogic that accompanies the hyperbole to be “stand(ing) up and fight(ing)!!”
AJC/DNC 4:28
Okay, time to play a little “media reaction and uberlib blog reaction if an American shoots a reporter on live tv.”
I’ve wondered if the differing standard or reaction is because the farfarleft generally looks down on the rest of the world (the mindset of the “who got Georgia into this?” group) in that they are viewed as not quite up to our capabilities or standards, so we really aren’t all that shocked by the atrocious things they do. We rather expect it. Like shooting reporters or Moslem suicide bombers. But they do hold America to a higher standard – they view America as morally superior and all that - so when something deviates from that they go a bit batty.
By Dusty
August 14, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
Mrs. Godzie, what courtesy??
By Paul
August 14, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
Mrs Godilla 4:48
I must admit I didn’t make it past the guy’s headline: ” Russian Cooperation seen Key to Dissuading Tehran’s Nuclear Program”
The Russians don’t see the Iranian nuke program as a threat to Russia (a view I find quizzical) so they pretty much don’t care.
They’re making way, way, way too much money off the Iranian nuke program. We’ve discussed before the brilliance of those dirty capitalists in making money off construction and equipment, then off an air defense network.
So anyone who either counts on Russia’s cooperation, or viewing it as ‘key’ has quite a view of the situation.
BTW - the statement “the US is much weaker after the increase in power of the oil and gas states” is one of those phrases that sounds like it ought to be pretty weighty - but is really quite vacuous.
By Scott
August 14, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this
Why was King and Spalding hired? Don’t we have an Attorney General’s Office to do this stuff?
By Mike Jones
August 14, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this
Atlanta steals everything else it wants without regards to the rest of Georgia. I guess it has a right to steal water from other states as well.
By ron
August 14, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
Another day gone by and the water wasn’t shut off.Onward to tomorrow.
Octopi apparently have 6 arms and 2 legs.
Nice guy up there in Lavonia.Real family man.
The cold war with Russia has started again.Many mutches money to be spent on defense in the future.Can’t get it from Vick,he has none.Dog fighting is a very expensive sport.
See you tomorrow,Jay.It should me my 23,600th sunrise.
By Copyleft
August 15, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
Paul: You’re entirely correct. The extreme right-wingers get all upset when we demand that our soldiers act more honorably than terrorists… or that our politicians respect the law more than tyrants and dictators do. Yes, we hold America to a higher standard.
The question is, why don’t they?
By ERVIN
August 17, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this
last night i dint see john say anything other than the usual everything he was asked he side steped with some little story about his past what everyone should want to know is are you better off since bush and MCsame has been in office that will tell you how to vote???? look at where you stand good or bad forget about party lines????