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DEL.ICIO.USOh, dear. Real blood spilled over health care discussion?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Blogger Jason Pye and PeachPundit.com have reported, and we have confirmed, that a fight broke out at the Sine Die party that House members attended early Saturday morning after the midnight adjournment of the Legislature.
“Apparently one lobbyist’s ear was partially cut off by a beer bottle to the head,” said Pye. The alleged topic of the argument was health care policy. We haven’t been able to get confirmation on either of those two statements.
Here’s what we have been able to confirm, in an on-the-record conversation with Chris Cummiskey, chief of staff to House Speaker Glenn Richardson.
“There was a fight,” Cummiskey said. The party was at the Spotted Dog on North Avenue. Both House and Senate members attended. We know not who picked up the tab.
The speaker was there at the time — though he didn’t mention it at a Saturday appearance several hours later — but Richardson wasn’t in the vicinity of the combatants, Cummiskey said.
Cummiskey called the fight an episode between “two kids” who had too much liqour.
The only official details we have is that a Peter Aaron Stokes, 26, has been booked into the Fulton County Jail. He hasn’t yet had a first appearance before a judge. Here’s his entry on the State Ethics Commission database, detailing Stokes’ clients.
Cummiskey identified the alleged victim for us, but we’ll wait for police confirmation before we publish the name.
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By wilburthepig
April 22, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this
Ironically enuff, the party was sponsored by Raymon White, lobbyist for the NRA.
By wilburthepig
April 22, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this
If the fight was over “health care policy,” that would seem strange. Stokes represents (or did) the Medical Association of Georgia, and Clayton the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians. You’d think the two would be on the same side.
By Glenn is where the Action Is
April 22, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this
Glad to see out elected House members like Speaker Richardson drinking and partying with lobbyists minutes after the end of the session. You’d think they’d be in a rush to be back home with their families.
By wilburthepig
April 22, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this
More believable Sine Die brawls:
▪ Pete Robinson (CTCA) and Haydon Stanley v. Skin Edge and Earl Rogers (hospitals) over CON
▪ Raymon White (NRA) v. Joe Fleming (Georgia Chamber) — Texas death match (no guns)
▪ Raymon White v. Senate Rules Chairman Don Balfour
▪ Raymon White v. Sen. John Douglas
▪ Steve “Thunder” Tumlin v. common sense
▪ Sonny v. Glenn
▪ Glenn v. Casey
▪ Grocery and convenience stores v. Casey
▪ Taxpayers v. Sonny
▪ Robert Highsmith (chiropractors) v. MAG
▪ Kathy Kuzava and Jim Tudor (grocers/convenience stores) v. Casey and Chairman David Shafer — tag-team match
▪ Eric Johnson v. Robert Brown (over slavery apologies)
▪ Sen. David Shafer v. Linda Womack and Emory
By wilburthepig should get a column
April 22, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this
wilbur, you might know more what’s going on than Tom & Jim. Troubling to see that lobbyists are being talked about here and on other blogs as though they are athletes from the sports page. They are anti-heroes, and a big reason why the statehouse keeps spending, spending, spending, with the average guy and gal stuck paying the bill.
By Tony
April 23, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this
Legislators who will not allow a vote on Sunday alcohol sales are at bars on early Saturday morning celebrating the ned of the session with lobbyists after a failed budget? Then a fight breaks out with someone bloodied? Sounds Shakespearean to me. Drama, comedy, tragedy, fights, blood, irony, etc. Good to see Georgia’s best and brightest leadership at their finest.
By Sam Sludge
April 23, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this
I’m not surprised half the Capitol followed the Speaker to the Spotted Dog…..Glenn announced he was going toss back a few at the Spotted Dog on television in front of an open mike…..plus, ol’ Glenn’s not worried about being in or near a bar fight……the budget (HB 95) includes $1,392,354 for Executive Security Services for Glenn, Casey Cagle and the Governor and their families….I don’t imagine Gov. Sunshine or Lite Gov. Cagle being near bar fights….good Baptists that they are!
By Bubba
April 23, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this
Seems to me the good speaker has a difficult time keeping things together. It appears as if little has changed under his leadership. The same 20 somethings lobbyists have the run of the show and the hard charging liquored up legislators seem say one thing to the public but do another behind closed doors.
The hypocrisy is nauseating. Where’s Ms. Sadie Fields when you need her?
Mr. Speaker Richardson, for the good of the state, resign.
By O' Tim
April 23, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this
That’s quite a card you’ve envisioned there, wilburthepig! I’d love to see the line on each of those matches.
By Nancy
April 23, 2007 9:44 AM | Link to this
Speaker Richardson is good for the state. He’s the only one at the capital that truly is watching out for the people of Georgia and not some special interest group. I like the speaker also because he is not afraid to stand up to the Governor when the Governor worng.That is why our fore fathers set up government like this a check and balance. Any surplus money should come back to the people of Georgia. Why do we always have to spend. At least the Speaker’s not a COWARD like The Lt. GOvernor.
By Bubba
April 23, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
A hypocrite is a hypocrite. He needs to resign.
By Tony
April 23, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this
Nancy,
I think you missed the whole thing here. The Speaker and the members in question did not go drink with the people of Georgia. They went and holed up with the special interests at a bar early on Saturday morning. It doesn’t sound like he’s watching out of the people. It sounds like he’s associating with those who have favors exchanged with him. And then those same special interests have the same type of brawl, with more blood of course, that he’s had with various groups as well. He’s very proud of his little tax cut that only amounts to about $50 and only for those who own property. Sounds like only a select group of the people of Georgia benefit from his works.
By Darrell
April 23, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this
How about the hypocrisy of a Lt Governor taking an oath of office to uphold the Constitution of the State of Georgia and then violating it by not allowing a vote on the veto as the Constitution calls for? http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2007/04/16/daily45.html?f=et50&hbx=e_du
Is it grounds for impeachment when a Constitutional Officer violates the State Constitution?
By Jack,
April 23, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
If anybody thinks they are not represented by “special interest” at the capitol they are very,VERY stupid.
Tell me what you do for a living (or which Government agency GIVES you a check) and I’ll tell you who represents you at the capitol…
By Sam Sludge
April 23, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this
Saying “special interests” represent me under the Gold Dome is like saying a Peachtree Steet hooker is only interested in my happiness…..B*lsht son!!!….like any hooker worth her street corner, “special interests” are only interested in your money and then how much of it comes back to their pocket!
Let me guess, you were probably chugging a few cold ones at the Spotted Dog Saturday morning and ol’ Glenn started to tell a joke about “special interests” representing the people and you believed him!
By Jack
April 23, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this
Peachtree street and hooking are two way streets, they serve multiple purposes..the john needs, the hooker needs, the cop, the jailer, the bondsman, the guy who makes condoms in china, the shipper, the wholesaler, Apu who marks up single cherry flavored pecker rolls 100%/ or 2 for a dollar. Then there is the lobbyist who gets a $25,000. grant to come to Atlanta and support “Women’s Issues”. So while the hooker may not be giving her cut directly off the top, she as well as you are represented.
By the way THE Peachtree street hooker has been replaced by craigslist and “spas” all across Georgia. Try imposing some legislation against those folks and see who comes out swinging.
By rnm
April 23, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
Ahh, the same Speaker Richardson who engaged in a lively email exchange with me some time back that was notable mostly for his reference to me as “obviously, a typical Democrat” just because I disagreed with his viewpoint. I don’t know much about the man, but that incident told me he doesn’t view himself as Speaker of the GEORGIA HOUSE, but Speaker for the REPUBLICAN PARTY. Anyway, I hope they get that guy’s ear sewn back on.
By Glenn
April 23, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this
Dear mm - you are still obviously a typical Democrat! Do you think Tom Murphy was Speaker of the House or Speaker of the Democrat Party. Get real sweetheart! As for the lobbyist’s ear; he’s lucky he didn’t lose his a*!
By zombieboy
April 23, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this
We know the combatants were Republicans.
If they were the typical GA Democrat they would have “assailed” each other with their purses!!
LOL!!
By rnm
April 23, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
Oh c’mon Glenn. First of all, I never actually stated whether I am a Democrat or a Republican or a member of any political party for that matter. Nor did I comment on whether Tom Murphy used his role as Speaker to further the Democratic Party’s goals. Of course he did. Two wrongs do not make a right. Also, please don’t call me “sweetheart” — we haven’t even had our first date!
By Nick Saban
April 23, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
Well looks like ole Wilbur the pig is angry after his late night rendezvous with Bubba again. Wilbur, just because you can’t get anything accomplished in the House doesn’t mean you have to take out your shortcomings on the good republicans. You are a waste of good oxygen.
By Philly
April 23, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this
I think it is disgusting to see a supposedly Republican Lt. Governor refuse to over ride ping pong Perdue’s veto of the budget containing the spending bill. Cagle thumbed his nose at a tax cut.
Richardson had balls and it is clear Cagle lacks them. Cagle has become a puppet of the Governor.
The funny thing in all this is that Richardson beat Cagle at his own game.
By Philly
April 23, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this
http://www.peachpundit.com/2007/04/20/hahahahahaha/
By Dick
April 23, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this
Sure hope the two guys weren’t smoking as if they were they should do hard time. Wonder how many cops allowed those guys to leave the bar driving? And this party helped Georgia in what way?
By Anon
April 23, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this
The two lobbyists were idiots. Things should not have gotten that far.
The party happens EVERY year on Sine Die and was happening when Democrats were in power (who were also there). But those involved in the legislature would still be out that night even if the tab wasn’t picked up. Quite frankly, after this session a few drinks were needed. And the taxis were lining up with a number of people hopping in instead of driving away. Please don’t act as if others haven’t gone and had a drink after a long day of work.
By Tony
April 23, 2007 6:42 PM | Link to this
“Others” don’t have the power to restrict the people on being able to carry bottles of wine home from restaurants or buying on Sunday. “Others” don’t have the ability to coddle up to the biggest businesses in the state for little handouts and perks as well. You’d figure after a long day of work, the “family first” crowd would be taking their tired selves to their homes and see their families rather than running straight for the lobbyist sponsored booze and brawl. Maybe I’m wrong and should accept this happens every year. Maybe I expect more from the people regulating my life.
By Debbie
April 24, 2007 8:10 AM | Link to this
I believe if you allow one type of business to sell alcohol on Sunday, then all should be able to.
The rationale escapes me on saying it is ok for restaurants to sell alcohol but no other type of business.
By Families of State Rep & Senators
April 26, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this
Daddy, after being away from home for so long during the legislative session, why didn’t you come home to us a soon as it was over, instead of partying with those lobbyists who always try to give you money??? And Mommy wasn’t happy either!
By PS.
April 27, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
Oh yeah, I forgot….momma wasn’t all that happy either when you came home late every night after fooling around with that AGL lobbyist. Leave the beer bottles, the floosies and the lobbyists alone…..come home!