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Monday, June 18, 2007
Oaky Woods lease jumps up 24 percent after owner cited for dove hunt
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just what Gov. Sonny Perdue needs. Here’s an excellent story with implications, published Sunday in the Macon Telegraph.:
Developers who own the Oaky Woods Wildlife Management Area in Houston County are requiring that the state pay 24 percent more this year for the privilege of managing wildlife and public hunting on the land.
And why would this be?
Charles Ayer, one of the owners of Oaky Woods and spokesman for the group, was cited for unlawful enticement of game after a large group of hunters was caught hunting doves in September over a field baited with wheat….
According to a DNR incident report, Ayer, who also owns The Sports Center in Perry, told Fox that federal regulations allow this type of dove hunting.
The report said that when [DNR law enforcement agent Sgt. Tony Fox] offered to consult a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services special agent, Ayer “responded by telling [Fox] that … the Department’s ability to lease theWMA in the future was dependent upon how officers elected to pursue prosecution - he plainly stated that federal involvement would adversely impact the lease.”
Barr on gays in the military: ‘Maybe it’s time to rethink the conservative position’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We missed it, so maybe you did, too. But last week, former Georgia congressman Bob Barr , in a piece for the Wall Street Journal, suggested that it might be time for Republicans to rethink the issue of gays in the military — and that “don’t ask, don’t tell” has the look of a tired chestnut.
Says Barr:
The bottom line here is that, with nearly a decade and a half of the hybrid “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy to guide us, I have become deeply impressed with the growing weight of credible military opinion which concludes that allowing gays to serve openly in the military does not pose insurmountable problems for the good order and discipline of the services.
The ban has put a strain on the military, says the man who helped lead the impeachment of President Bill Clinton:
The U.S. has fired over 11,000 people under the current policy, and in the process has lost over 1,000 service members with “mission-critical skills,” including 58 Arabic linguists. Researchers at the UCLA School of Law have found that lifting the ban could increase the number of active-duty personnel by over 40,000.
And the military itself is getting more comfortable with the issue, Barr maintains:
Three-quarters of returning Iraq and Afghanistan vets said in a December 2006 Zogby poll that they are “personally comfortable” interacting with gay people. A majority of those who knew someone gay in their unit said the person’s presence had no negative impact on unit morale.
Evidence that state Rep. Mike Jacobs (D-Atlanta) might finally be ready to switch?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For months and months and months, we’ve been hearing that state Rep. Mike Jacobs, the Atlanta Democrat, has been fixin’ to get ready to switch parties.
He may be getting close. He sent the following confidential e-mail out this morning:
Subject: Invitation to Press Conference
Dear Friends:
I would like to invite you to a press conference that I am holding on Wednesday, June 27, at 9:00 a.m. in the Hearst Building at Oglethorpe University.
This press conference is about a decision I have reached regarding my future service to constituents in House District 80.
Without being too mysterious, let me assure you that each of you will approve of this decision.
I ask that you keep this e-mail message and the press conference strictly confidential. Please let me know via reply e-mail whether you will be able to attend. I hope to see you on June 27!
Thanks,
Mike
The view from Augusta: Whitehead and Marlow in a run-off
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Augusta Chronicle political columnist Walter Jones has made his call on tomorrow’s vote in the 10th District congressional race. He sees a run-off between the hometown boy, Republican Jim Whitehead of Columbia County, and Democrat James Marlow of Athens.
As for us, we’re too timid. Secretary of State Karen Handel is predicting a turnout of only 10 percent, which makes for a volatile pool of voters. But it does look like somebody from the Athens end of the district is holding Whitehead’s attention.
In the run-up to last week’s debate on GPTV, the Whitehead campaign was slamming Paul Broun, a fellow Republican, for allegedly soliciting campaign funds while the late U.S. Rep. Charlie Norwood was still alive. Broun, son of a well-known Athens state senator, denies any ill-considered behavior.
The only thing we’re predicting is that — if there’s a run-off — it’ll be July 17.
Looks like Sonny’s traveling in Jimmy Carter’s wake
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jimmy Carter speaks today with the Irish prime minister — known in native parlance as the taoiseach. Eight paragraphs down, the local newspaper makes mention of the happenstance:
Coincidentally, senior politicians from Georgia are paying a two-day economic and diplomatic visit to Ireland and Northern Ireland this week.
Current Governor Sonny Perdue will also meet the Taoiseach tomorrow, along with the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia and the Commissioner of Economic Development.
The governor is due to attend a reception hosted by the Georgia Tech Ireland research facility in Athlone. Companies based in Georgia such as Coca-Cola, UPS and Georgia-Pacific have significant investments in Ireland.
Georgia’s exports here reached [121 million pounds] in 2006, making Ireland the state’s 12th biggest export market.
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