AJC.com > Talk of the town > Archives > 2006 > March
March 2006
What should happen to McKinney?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rep. Cynthia McKinney of Georgia struck a Capitol Hill police officer Wednesday morning after the officer, not recognizing her as a member of Congress, tried to stop her from stepping around a security checkpoint, police confirmed. McKinney said she regretted the confrontation. An investigation is continuing. What should happen to McKinney?
Share your immigration story
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In today’s Atlanta and the World section, immigrants share their experiences of coming to America.
Do you have an immigration story to share — yours, a relatives or a friend?
Tell us about it, and how it affects your perspective on the illegal immigration issue being debated in Georgia and U.S. Capitol.
Best blonde joke?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
An anthropologist in Canada who studies blondes has come up with some interesting facts and ideas.
But as far as we know, no blonde jokes.
So that’s where you come in. What’s your favorite blonde joke? It can be an old one, a new one or something in between. Just keep it clean.
Tell us your ID theft story
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Identity theft is among the fastest-growing white-collar crimes in the country. Though the total number of victims is down, the dollar amount of fraud continues to increase. Do you have an ID theft horror story you’d like to share?
Preschool tutoring: Pressure or opportunity?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
More parents are enrolling their preschoolers in tutoring programs in the hope of getting them into private schools or into gifted public school programs. Are their efforts pressuring children to grow up too quickly or preparing children to receive an outstanding education?
Braves shuttle fees going up
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Braves shuttle has undergone a location change and now a fare increase in the past few seasons. Are you still riding the shuttle? Is it still cost effective or convenient for you? Has driving to Turner Field become a better option?
Fried pie ban
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
State agriculture officials have ordered Willie and Lionel Watts to stop selling their fried pies to neighbors and local restaurants. Is the state’s action appropriate or should they allow the home-based enterprise to continue as it has for years?
Teens and caffeine: Should they drink coffee?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As coffee shops attract more teens, do you see any problem with their taste for caffeine? Is it any different than swilling soft drinks?
Was race a factor in election results?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The lone white candidate in a five-person race won Tuesday’s special election to fill an open seat on the Fayette County Commission. Emory Wilkerson, who finished second and was endorsed by prominent county Republicans, said Robert Horgan won because he’s white. Do you think race played a role in the results?
(Comments may appear in print editions)
Permalink | Comments (20) | Categories: signs
Mellowed yet over the yellow sign flap?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The state is taking down the big yellow road signs that Peachtree City and Fayetteville complained were a visual assault. Residents complained they were too loud and obtrusive. The signs are part of a safety effort by the DOT to warn motorists about upcoming intersections.
What do you think of the flap? What can Peachtree City and Fayetteville do to keep their image of relaxed living on the Southside?
Permalink | Comments (19) | Categories: signs
Lost luggage horror stories
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Airlines temporarily lost 30 million bags last year. Did one of those contain the dress you’d packed for your daughter’s wedding? Or that brand new set of golf clubs? Share your worst lost luggage horror stories.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Lost luggage horror stories
Your child on MySpace?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Does your child use MySpace, Xanga, Facebook or other social Web sites?
Do you know what’s on it? Do you monitor it? Have you had problems with what your child posts? How have you dealt with it?
You write the limerick
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s St. Patrick’s Day. What better time to share a few limericks?
We’ll start a couple of them and leave it up to you to finish one. Just remember: Keep it clean.
(Click here for limerick tips)
Finish this limerick:
While driving the Perimeter to work …
or this one:
There once were two pandas at the zoo…
-
Companies fear spread of March Madness
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If you believe some business execs, productivity at the U.S. workplace will begin a 19-day decline today. Anyone with a computer and an Internet connection will be able to watch NCAA tournament games for free. Some companies are even blocking worker access, fearing their bottom lines will suffer.
So we called a timeout to pose some questions.
Employees: What are you doing to watch the games? Are you rearranging your schedule or surreptitiously watching? Canceling out-of-office appointments?
Employers: Are you restricting Web access to the games? Discouraging it in another way? Or just going along with March Madness?
Permalink | Comments (13) | Categories: marchmadness
Do you go to NASCAR races at AMS?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Are you a big fan? Do you brave the traffic to get to AMS? What’s it like? What are your favorite or oddest memories of going to the races?
What issue(s) would you ask of candidates?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There will be a special election in Fayette County to fill a vacant seat on the county commission. (• Related story)
There are five candidates vying for the position — Wendy Felton, Robert Horgan, Malcolm Hughes, Charles Rousseau and Emory Wilkerson.
If you could ask the candidates one question, what would it be?
Split decision on Campbell charges
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Do you agree with the verdict in the Bill Campbell trial — guilty of tax fraud; not guilty of racketeering? If you’d been on the jury, what would you have said?
Newer school buses just plain ‘cool’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
She’s a real head turner.
Sleek. Tinted windows. Minimum 190 horsepower, in-line six cylinder configuration. Heavy duty 4-wheel air brakes.
She’s a school bus.
OK, it’s tough to get excited about school buses. But a couple of Clarke County buses parked near a track meet Thursday afternoon at South Gwinnett High School drew some oohs, ahs and the “cool” label from other drivers.
Metro Atlantans are accustomed to the thousands of traditional “long nosed” models that make their way through miles of highway.
Now, manufacturers such as Thomas Built Buses, Bluebird and International are rolling out models that feature — get this — air conditioning.
The newer cheeseboxes have tinted windows and wider front windows that give drivers better visibility. Onboard video cameras ensure kids behave. Drivers like their handling. And they have 2 inches more of headroom than most models.
Clarke drivers Sandra Calhoun and William Wingfield sang the praises of the Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2. The buses are a quieter ride and the children appreciate the comfort, the pair said.
Two Gwinnett drivers came up and marveled at the sleek machines. “They make a lot of people look,” said Sabrina Hembree. The AC is a big feature. In Gwinnett, only a few buses have them.
Bob Millians, director of transportation for Clarke County Schools, said the system has 10 of the Safe-T-Liners and is adding more. They will be particularly helpful on field trips when the weather turns warmer.
The newer models cost about $70,000, Millians said. Most of the big buses on Georgia’s roadways go for about $50,000 to $55,000 he said.
One more thing. Saf-T-Liner C2 has cruise control. You know, for when you just want to open things up.
Just kidding.
What do you think of the newer buses? Do you think kids will be more likely to want to ride in them? What are your memories of riding a school bus?
Is I-75 expansion good idea?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Plans call for I-75 in Cobb to be expanded to 20-something lanes. Is this a good idea? If not, what would you do to alleviate congestion on the interstate?
What’s the solution for Underground?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Underground Atlanta has struggled to gain traction with the party crowd, despite its new 4 a.m. closing time. What will it take to make Underground THE nightspot for locals?
This blog is now closed to commenting. Thank you for participating.
Are you watching “Black. White”?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Will you watch the new FX series “Black. White?” Why or why not.
Does your car match your personality?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Is your car reliable, audacious, fun — or just plain bland? We want to know why you choose your ride. What does it say about your personality? What car do you most covet (assuming cost wasn’t a factor)?
Is Atlanta dangerous after dark?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta officials were stung by criticism that Atlanta was more dangerous than Charlotte. Do you think Atlanta is less safe than other big cities? If so, what should be done to make it safer. Are you disappointed that Atlanta did not get the NASCAR hall of fame?
What’s your reaction to BellSouth news?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What will happen if BellSouth becomes part of AT&T? What will be the effect on employees? On customers? On Atlanta?
Commenting is now closed for this entry. Thanks for your comments.
Outsourcing, opportunities
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
President Bush said Friday during his visit to India that Americans should not be worried about job outsourcing. (• Related story) He said America’s best response to globalization is not to erect economic barriers to protect workers, but educate them to make sure they can compete on any stage.
Do you agree with the president? Do the benefits of globalization outweigh job losses in the U.S.?
How will you observe Lent?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Lent, the period of penance before Easter, officially starts today. How will you mark it? Will you give up a favorite food or an activity you enjoy? Or do you give time or money to a charitable endeavor? Tell us about your plans?
