AJC.com > Talk of the town > Archives > 2008 > July
July 2008
Wish Nelson Mandela a happy 90th birthday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The tall, majestic figure the world saw walking out of prison to freedom 18 years ago is now gray-haired, frail and for the most part silent as he reaches his 90th birthday Friday. His fight against apartheid and other injustices gave him legendary status. Send your salutations to the former South African president.
Robben Island, where Mandela was imprisoned, is plagued by problems but remains a major tourist site.
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AJC announces product, organizational changes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The AJC just announced changes designed to better position the company for long-term growth. (This AJC article provides more details.)
In an open letter to readers, AJC Publisher John Mellott wrote,
“Significant change - transformational change - is required to meet the evolving needs of our readers and our advertisers to ensure a strong, sustainable business.”
In addition, a letter was published today from AJC Editor Julia Wallace to Gwinnett readers.
“The decision to discontinue any section is never easy. It is particularly difficult when one has as much history as the Gwinnett section. However, this move reflects the evolving media habits of our readers — Gwinnett is a particularly wired, online-savvy community — and the challenging business climate we are in.”
Is Obama magazine cover offensive?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A New Yorker magazine cover showing Sen. Barack Obama dressed in a turban, robe and sandals and his wife, Michelle, in camouflage, combat boots and an assault rife strapped over her shoulder, is drawing controversy.
The Obama campaign calls the cover “tasteless and offensive.”
The llustration, drawn by Barry Blitt, show the Obamas standing in the Oval Office and give each other fist bumps. It also shows the American flag burning in the fireplace above which hangs a photo of Osama bin Laden. The magazine said in a statement that the cover “combines a number of fantastical images about the Obamas and shows them for the obvious distortions they are.”
Do you find the magazine cover offensive? Or do you view it as simply satire?
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King’s children square off over estate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The children of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King are squaring off in court.
Bernice King, administrator of the estate of Coretta Scott King, and Martin Luther King III, filed a lawsuit in Fulton County Superior Court against their brother, Dexter King, according to an AJC article.
The plaintiffs in the case want an accounting of finances and the well-being of the estate, said attorney Jock Smith. In court papers, Dexter King is accused of converting “substantial funds from the estate’s financial account.” Dexter King denies the charges.
Should this play out in a courtroom? What are your thoughts about the lawsuit?
DNA clears relatives of JonBenet Ramsey
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
New DNA evidence has cleared relatives in the 1996 murder of young beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey.
Ramsey, 6, was found murdered in her family’s home in Colorado. Her parents, Patsy and John Ramsey, were hounded by suspicions - later widely dismissed - that they were involved in her death.
Boulder County District Attorney Mary Lacy said the tests point to an “unexplained third party.”
Lacy, who apologized to the family, says prosecutors don’t consider any member of the Ramsey family to be a suspect, according to the Associated Press.
Do you think investigators botched the case? Do you hold any hope this case can be solved?
Should taxpayers foot the bill for sexual harassment case?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The state Department of Transportation has agreed to pay about $150,000 to two female employees who complained that former vice chairman Garland Pinholster repeatedly made in appropriate comments to them.
A report released details comments to DOT assistant board secretary Mary Harris by Pinholster and two other board members, according to an AJC article..
Harris is settling with the department for $100,000 for incidents that go back years, the report says. Another woman will receive more than $44,000.
Since the DOT is a public agency, taxpayers will ultimately foot the bill. Who should pay?
