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February 2008
Should Prince Harry have served in Afghanistan?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The news of Prince Harry’s deployment in Afghanistan brings up several issues:
Is it a good idea for a member of the royal family to serve in a war zone, even if it puts him or his fellow soldiers at risk?
Should some media have leaked the story of his presence in Afghanistan? Should media have agreed to not publish the news (it remained secret for about 10 weeks)?
What do you think about the deployment of Harry to Afghanistan and the British decision to fly him to safety once the news was leaked?
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Humor in the Ga., Tenn. water brawl?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Already brawling with Florida and Alabama, its neighbors to the south and west, Georgia’s gone and picked a third fight with Tennessee, its neighbor to the north. And all of it over water.
After the Georgia Legislature passed a resolution claiming that a misdrawn border had stripped the Peach State of its legal right to water from the Tennessee River, the Tennessee Legislature fired back. It accused its Georgia colleagues of “an election-year ploy (that) is nothing but a veiled attempt to to commandeer the resources of the Tennessee River for the benefit of water-starved Atlanta, which is either unable or unwilling to control its reckless urban sprawl.”
The mayor of Chattanooga, however, saw humor in the situation. In a proclamation, he noted that “the leaders of Georgia have assembled like the Children of Israel in the desert, grumbled among themselves and have begun to cast longing eyes toward the north, coveting their neighbor’s assets,” and worried that “if today they come for our river, tomorrow they might come for our Jack Daniels or George Dickel.” (Read the proclamation.)
So, “in the interest of brotherly love, peace, friendship, mutual prosperity, citywide self promotion, political grandstanding and all that,” Mayor Ron Littlefield is sending a truckload of fresh water to the Georgia General Assembly. But will that gesture be enough to cool the rising political heat? And while we’re at it, should we go ahead and claim that George Dickel distillery?
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Proclamation from Chattanooga mayor
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, it has come to pass that the heavens are shut up and a drought of Biblical proportions has been visited upon the Southern United States, and
WHEREAS, the parched and dry conditions have weighed heavily upon the State of Georgia and sorely afflicted those who inhabit the Great City of Atlanta, and
WHEREAS, the leaders of Georgia have assembled like the Children of Israel in the desert, grumbled among themselves and have begun to cast longing eyes toward the north, coveting their neighbor’s assets, and
WHEREAS, the lack of water has led some misguided souls to seek more potent refreshment or for other reasons has resulted in irrational and outrageous actions seeking to move a long established and peaceful boundary, and
WHEREAS, it is deemed better to light a candle than curse the darkness, and better to offer a cool, wet kiss of friendship rather than face a hot and angry legislator gone mad from thirst, and
Whereas, it is feared that if today they come for our river, tomorrow they might come for our Jack Daniels or George Dickel,
NOW THEREFORE, In the interest of brotherly love, peace, friendship, mutual prosperity, citywide self promotion, political grandstanding and all that
I Ron Littlefield, Mayor of the City of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Do hereby Proclaim that Wednesday, February 27, 2008 shall be known as “Give Our Georgia Friends a Drink Day”
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You be the political analyst
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While the political pundits are still predicting a fight to the finish over “super delegates” for the Democratic presidential nomination, John McCain seems fairly certain Barrack Obama’s got it.
McCain further cemented his claim on the GOP presidential nomination with a win in Wisconsin’s primary Tuesday, and immediately targeted the freshman Senator from Illinois who was projected to prevail in the state’s Democratic primary. Taking a page from Hillary Clinton’s critiques on Obama, McCain promised to deliver far more than just an “eloquent but empty call for change” and the “confused leadership of an inexperienced candidate.”
So, has McCain got it right, or is this a political ploy to make Democrats think again and tilt toward Clinton? Could it be McCain would rather face the New York senator?
You be the political analyst. What’s going on here?
How would you advise Hillary Clinton?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you were Hillary Clinton’s campaign chief how would you advise her after Barrack Obama’s string of primary and caucus wins? With major news organizations calling the Virginia contest for Obama — pre-election polling in Maryland and Washington D.C. which also held primaries Tuesday showed them headed for Obama’s column, as well— the Illinois senator apparently will now hold the lead in pledged delegates. Clearly Obama has what political ‘experts’ consider to be that very important momentum.
So what can the senator from New York do to keep her campaign alive? Can Clinton hold on to her support, including those now much sought after Democratic convention super delegates, until March when Ohio and Texas, which are expected to be friendlier territory for her, go to the polls?
Should the Democrats stop allocating delegates proportionately?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Democrats are dedicated to egalitarianism —an instinct that is both the party’s strength and its weakness. Egalitarianism — a deeply held belief in the fundamental equality of all people, especially in political, economic and social life — was the party’s weakness in the 1970s, when it became a collection of warring factions, each dedicated to its own identity politics.
That same belief, however, has allowed the party to produce the first viable female and black candidates for president. Somewhere along the way, egalitarianism also led the Democrats to start dividing their nominating delegates proportionately. Unlike the Electoral College, which is a winner-take-all system, Democrats give each nominee a portion of a state’s delegates, roughly divided according to what percentage of the vote (or what geographic areas) he or she received. Is that a strength or a weakness?
If the Democrats did not award delegates proportionately, Sen. Clinton would have all-but secured the nomination by now, allowing her more time to consolidate the party in order to confront the Republican in November. In the Republican Party, which leans toward a winner-take-all system, McCain is much closer to securing the nomination.
Should the Democrats stop allocating delegates proportionately?
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Oh, no! More debates?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Clinton has already challenged Obama to more debates. Oh, no! I’ve got severe debate fatigue.
Can’t take it! One more bone-numbing discussion of the intricate details of their health care plans, and I might vote for Ron Paul!
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Can Obama take California?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Despite Ted Kennedy’s endorsement, Barack Obama apparently lost Massachusetts.
That is a blow to his momentum, suggesting he’ll have a hard time catching up with Clinton.
Can he still take California?
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Will Obama win affect Georgia’s black leadership?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Barack Obama’s victory in Georgia was built, as in South Carolina, on a wave of black votes. Early projections also show him halving white male voters Hillary Clinton.
Do you think the primary results will have any impact on black leadership in Georgia? Remember there were some angry words exchanged over Andy Young’s and John Lewis’ backing of Clinton.
What’s Huckabee’s end game?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What is Mike Huckabee’s end game?
He clearly can’t win the nomination. Does he want to be on John McCain’s ticket as VP?
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A season of turnarounds
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In a political season of stunning turnarounds, this may be the most surprising:
The Republican field seems settled around John McCain, while the Democratic field is still in upheaval, with Obama and Clinton still in contention.
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