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DEL.ICIO.US‘Family Day’ update: Richardson said he’s not making the calls on security
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s enough to give a blogger a swelled head.
Just before 8:30 a.m., we posted the item below in which Tasso Knight, the labor lobbyist, said his efforts to reserve space at the state Capitol on “Family Day” had been thwarted.
By 11:30 a.m., House Speaker Glenn Richardson had taken the issue to his chamber.
Family Day is Saturday, Feb. 10. It’s a Republican effort to open up the Capitol to real people. But then you get into problem of defining who those people really are.
Said Knight: “Arriving at the Capitol today, I was very disappointed to learn that the Speaker of the Georgia House had taken away our reserved time for our Working Family Day gathering and press conference. The state representative that had secured the steps for us was contacted through his office by the Georgia Building Authority and told they were revoking the reserved time at the request of the Speakers office.”
Richardson says it ain’t so. “There’s apparently some question as to whether I got involved in that — I didn’t know anything about that ‘til this morning. I’m not involved in the decisions about how many people get in the building, how many people get to stand outside — where they get to stand. We have experts, professionals in charge of that,” the speaker said from his lectern.
With that, in an unusual break in decorum, the Speaker then introduced Georgia Patrol Capt. Al Wilson, who’s in charge of Capitol security. Speaking to the chamber, Wilson took responsibility for ordering that the Capitol and its grounds are to be cleared of protestors — or those with separate agendas.
“The campus itself we’re going to reserve for the family members and the families who come to enjoy the Capitol,” Wilson said.
But the captain wasn’t specific about who’s family, and who’s not.
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By uncle jessie
February 1, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this
Ya’ll needs to give them boys under the dome a break. Jest cause some body brings up a rumour don’t make it true. We all know Monica was jest fetchin bill a cigar or two.
By Memory of an Elephant
February 1, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this
The Republican Majority in the GA General Assembly has tried to give the Capitol back to the people by inviting families to a “Family Day…” Leave it to the Liberal Dems to try to provoke a racial issue rather than appreciate a day of brotherhood. Their raucous efforts to create some racial issue is a slap in the face of what MLK was tryilng to accomplish.
Last year a legislator tried to lead a mass tirade which was all about making it “HER SHOW.” They can always get news coverage, but they cannot solve problems or make positive achievements for their districts by orchestrating a loud protest that will scare little children and cause their mommas to keep them safe at home.
This behavior might be called legislative terrorism, as childish as the “terrible twos.”
By RJ
February 1, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this
Memory of an Elephant, Where in this “Family Day” Update post is there any mention of race? It has to be a fixation in your mind for you to present the comments you did. Go back and read the post again and if you don’t understand it ask someone to explain for you.
Now, with respect to the “Family Day” update it sounds like someone took an action in the Speaker’s name without authorization to do so. My advice to you Mr. Speaker is find out who and either dismiss or re-assign because whoever it was did not do you a favor.
By TK
February 1, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this
The working families in Georgia will meet at the steps of the Atlanta City Hall on the Mitchell Street side at 9:00a.m on Saturday, February 10. We will have a press conference talking about minimum wage and other working family issues at 9:30a.m and then we will all march up the half block to the Capitol and those at that point that would like to go in and see their Representatives and Senators can.
And as I said in an earlier post this morning “This is not a Labor Day event. It is a Family Day event and Working Families from around this state should not be excluded from the Family Day session. It may well be the only time they can see their Representative or Senator in session since it is not on a normal Monday thru Friday work day.”
By CobbGOPer
February 1, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this
Family Day isn’t meant to be a political event, even though politicians are participating. It’s meant as a day for legislator’s families to come to the Capitol and get a sense of what life is like there for their legislator family member.
If labor unions want to protest about working families and their plight, take it up on a regular legislative day like other lobbyists and special interests. Don’t try to ruin a family-oriented (not politically-oriented) event held on a non-working day just because the people hosting it are Republicans.
By Sarah
February 1, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this
Oh, so it’s ok for GOP families to show up but not others. How very inclusive of you CobbGOPer! I guess you’re just living up to your name (which translates to I got mine - screw the rest of you).
I love labor unions. This country owes quite a debt to those who have looked out for everyone, not just those who are able to give fat cat contributions to the GOP coffers. Why can’t the labor unions families come to capital to see the proceedings just like everyone else? And while they are there, why can’t they ask their “representative” why they don’t support raising the minimum wage in Georgia?
Who said anyone was out to ruin a family-oriented event? I guess someone showing up that doesn’t live by your creed means that your whole day is ruined. Pretty pathetic if you ask me. If you’re going to be that childish about it, why don’t you just stay home.
By Sarah
February 1, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this
By the way, CobbGOPer, those working families you detest so much actually work during the week so lobbying then really isn’t such a viable option. But thanks for playing.
By CatherineAtlanta
February 1, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
Where was it said that Family Day was for the families of legislators? I thought it was an opportunity for families to observe our state government in action and meet with their elected representatives? How did I miss that it was just for legislators families? Do tell.
By Memory of an Elephant
February 2, 2007 9:14 AM | Link to this
OH, how naive, Mr. RJ! Do you not understand KEY WORDS? “Democrat==raacial,” “working families==racial,==”poor people==racial.” It is not that it is what IS, but no one SAYS what really IS. These words are the politically correct terms to say “this is a racial issue.” I didn’t make the rules…I just recognize the reality of what racial implications have become.
The Republican majority will not be allowed to “get away with doing something good.” It has to be turned into a racial demonstration against those who are in power. Because IT SERVES THEIR (RACIST) CAUSE to malign the present administration.
By TK
February 2, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this
Memory of an Elephant, I guess from your blogging we see why the Democrats are now the Majority Party in Washington. To many of you always tried to read to much into simple things as you are now.
And as I said in an earlier post “This is not a Labor Day event. It is a Family Day event and Working Families from around this state should not be excluded from the Family Day session. It may well be the only time they can see their Representative or Senator in session since it is not on a normal Monday thru Friday work day.”
Working men and women in Georgia are the backbone of this State.
By Memory of an Elephant
February 4, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this
Mr. TK: I AM a member of the “working families” of Georgia! I can write, telephone, and personally meet my representative in my own district all 365 days of the year! (Can you say the same? If NOT is the problem with YOU or with your REP?)
I DO NOT SEE HOW JOINING A CHANTING, SIGN CARRYING, RAUCOUS PARADE WILL PROVE that I am MORE DESERVING of a government freebie. I just believe that government was not MEANT to solve everybodys problems. I just want them to collect LESS of my hard earned dollars, and spend LESS of it on everybody else.
Yes, I understand that is WHY THE DEMS are the majority in Washington…their voters WANT MORE OF WHAT I EARN.
By TK
February 4, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this
Memory of an Elephant,You don’t sound like a very happy person. Maybe as you say “I AM a member of the “working families” of Georgia!” just does not set well with you. Maybe you are hanging with the wrong group of people. Come on down Saturday and join a group of the real working men and women in GA. We would love to have you. And by the way, you say “I DO NOT SEE HOW JOINING A CHANTING, SIGN CARRYING, RAUCOUS PARADE WILL PROVE that I am MORE DESERVING of a government freebie. I just believe that government was not MEANT to solve everybodys problems. I just want them to collect LESS of my hard earned dollars, and spend LESS of it on everybody else.” Freebies and taxes. Republican Majority since the 90’s until this past Nov. The working group didn’t raise your taxes. They pay them like you.
By Memory of an Elephant
February 5, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this
Mr.TK, I AM HAPPY to have a job…I don’t think the government is supposed to MAKE me happy, that is up to ME…get it? There is no DEPT. OF HAPPINESS at the state or national level. (You didn’t say if you ever contact your own legislator in the district where you live.)
If I come down and join you, what should my sign say? “I DESERVE A FREE LUNCH?” or “PLEASE PAY MY RENT?” What will your sign say? I would like to know so I can find you in the follow-the-leader mob of parading, chanting people.
By TK
February 5, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this
Not sure of the connection between you being happy and your job and the Gov’t but whatever. Yes, I talk to my State Senator and Representative alot. Bring a sign to the Family Day event if you like and put what you like on it. I won’t have a sign. I am just there to celebrate Family Day as the rest of the Working Families that show up will do. You going to be there??