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DEL.ICIO.USOld buildings and old bureaucrats on the brink
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thinking Right’s Friday free-for-all. Pick a topic:
• Until a week ago, I never knew that a person called Star Jones Reynolds was alive on the face of the earth. And in all that I’ve read and heard in the week since, I still can’t figure out why it should have been otherwise.
• Character counts. Good deeds do, too. And since builder John Wieland is long on both, you’d have a hard time convincing me that his company had engaged in a pattern of discrimination against blacks in hiring, pay and other personnel practices — a claim filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by a white former employee. So many phony charges of harassment and discrimination are filed that I no longer assume it’s anything more than a disgruntled or passed-over employee with an attitude.
• Atlanta’s bulldozing the modernist buildings erected between the ’50s and the ’70s to feed a condo craze. Next to go is 615 Peachtree Street, the Fox Theatre neighbor. Some are definitely worth saving, and I’d welcome a panel of architectural experts declaring what’s truly significant and what’s not. I look on many of them the same as I look at mill village houses: Some certainly should be preserved, even in clusters, but on the whole there’s better stock to come.
• A Libertarian running for school superintendent, David Chastain, wants to make the office appointive. A Republican running for labor commissioner, Chuck Scheid, wants the office abolished. Both offices, along with those of the agriculture and insurance chiefs, should be converted into appointive positions. But that’ll never happen. Voters want control, and affected industries prefer their own independently elected voice.
• Georgia truckers now are required to take an hour of training in how to spot potential terrorist activity before getting or renewing a commercial driver’s license. I’d prefer to give that hour over to manners training. They’re more likely to cause terror than to spot terrorists. Georgia needs truck-only toll lanes — and trucks need to be restricted to one no-pay lane.
• Headline: “NEA to lobby for reform of ‘No Child.’ ” The NEA is the National Education Association, the parent of the Georgia Association of Educators. Reform is unionspeak for evisceration. Send money, junk accountability.
• The Georgia Supreme Court got the marriage amendment right. Unanimously. And in the process avoided a political bloodletting in November. Time to move on.
• Over the next decade, about 60 percent of the federal government’s 1.6 million employees will become eligible to retire. This is a recruiting opportunity for young conservatives. It’s not enough to win elections. Bureaucracies interpret law and block or execute it. Any reform — school choice, for example — can occur in half the time if the implementing bureaucrats want it.
• Qualifying for judicial races ended Friday. Only 7 of 64 Superior Court incumbents statewide drew opposition and only 1 of 8 appellate court judges. Another seven Superior Court races without incumbents are contested. Good or bad, the legal establishment protects incumbents — and does its dead-level best to make elections meaningless. They hate ‘em.
• North Korea has a missile, Taepodong 2, that allegedly could reach Alaska and possibly some Western states. Allegedly. A test over the Sea of Japan failed or was aborted after 42 seconds. One of these days we’ll have to shoot it down. But for now it’s not North Korea and its possible nukes that should worry us. It’s Iran.
• Iraq wants a role in the investigation of a former soldier charged in this country with raping and killing a woman in Iraq and also killing her mother, father and sister. I’m with Iraq. American soldiers in a war zone should never be subject to international courts, but when military officials conclude a non-military crime has occurred there, the host country should have a chance to apply its law.
• Headline: “Foreign leaders in Bush’s circle fall out of favor.” Yes. Some. But so, too, have foreign leaders outside his circle, including Gerhard Schroeder, who’s no longer German chancellor, and French President Jacques Chirac, who’s at an all-time low in the polls and is not expected to seek a third term. Never mind.
• If bright young college graduates can take a five-week training course before being unleashed into the classroom, as Teach for America volunteers are, why can’t we open instruction to any willing, subject-competent person? Measure outcomes. And if the kids are getting it, we shouldn’t concern ourselves all that much with the shape, size and location of the classroom or who’s teaching.
• Jim Wooten is the associate editorial page editor. His column appears Fridays, Sundays and Tuesdays.
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By Mid-South Philsosopher
July 7, 2006 08:03 AM | Link to this
Jim’s “Thinking Right” is filled with “educational reformists’ pontifications today. The “educational reformists”, among other beliefs, do not think that “teaching” is a profession. They view it as a “craft”…something in which a person can be trained…much like you would train Bowser to “sit-up.” All you need is the core knowledge of a subject, the vocabulary, and the wherewithal to act as a lovable old uncle or aunt to youngsters. You will not find many “educational reformists” in the classroom. They can’t take it. The vast majority have NEVER been in a classroom and a teacher and learn considerably little there as a student. Most of the time, they are hanging around administrative offices or serving on national commissions, all the while, thinking up illogical ploys to impose upon teachers and students.
Now, let’s apply the “educational reformist” philosophy to another profession…surgery. I am interested in knee surgery. I have the core knowledge. I understand the vocabulary. I have read a lot about it. I have even watched it being done on the Health channel. It occurs to me that it is much like woodworking…in which I am proficient. Anyone want to be my first patient? I don’t charge as much as a regular orthopedic surgeon. I can set-up a sterile field in the back of my shop. It will save on the hospital stay. OK, if you are really nervous, I will take a Red Cross course in first aid. That should make me proficient. No, I am not a medical doctor, but what does that matter so long as your knee gets fixed?
Makes about as much sense.
By Jeff
July 7, 2006 08:10 AM | Link to this
Two things about TFA teachers, and any of us alternative path teachers in general:
It is one thing to be a subject matter expert. In many cases, it it quite another to be able to TEACH said subject matter.
Classroom management is ROUGH for ANY new teacher. That’s why you have so many drop out after Year 1. TFA’s 5 week training doesn’t prepare you AT ALL for what you will see in August.
That said: luvs2teach over at Get Schooled had an EXCELLENT idea a couple of days ago on their TFA blog. The basics of it: Set up two levels of certification: “Apprentice” and “Full Teacher”. Abolish student teaching as it currently exists. Instead, use the “Apprentice” certification and make senior college students get an actual teaching job that is supported by month mentor teachers at the school itself and the University the student attends. At the end of that year, the “Apprentice” can graduate with the Education degree and become a “Full” certified teacher.
By Mid-South Philosopher
July 7, 2006 08:10 AM | Link to this
The seventh sentence of my previous post should read…”The vast majority have never been in a classroom as a teacher and learned considerably little there as a student”
Don’t worry. My fingers work better when I am doing knee surgery!
By seeing through the smoke
July 7, 2006 08:16 AM | Link to this
Jim — I’m totally with you on the Star Jones Reynolds thing… why would anyone care? Perhaps we can let it go now, she’s had more than her 15 minutes in the spotlight.
By jbmlaw
July 7, 2006 08:29 AM | Link to this
“Mid South Philosopher” has a “point” but I “think” I “disagree” with “it.”
I learned most and best from practitioners, not from lecturers, and that was true from high school through law school. I am unpersuaded that education majors are better equipped to teach than those who major in the substantial course.
My larger complaints are with curriculum, both high school and college. High school places entirely too much emphasis on courses with no useful life application. Along with mathematics, applied composition, and a foreign language, I would love to see substantial theoretical and personal economics, Spanish (it’s truly necessary today).
Most colleges design curriculum to ensure full employment professors in jobless and otherwise meaningless fields. They compel use of a Chinese restaurant menu format, select one from column A and two from column B. I am not an accountant, but it seems to me criminally negligent to require students to take a human-diversity course as a graduation requirement, but not to require six hours of basic accounting. Everybody needs accounting in daily life, but nobody needs women’s studies (to pick an easy target among many.)
By Jeff
July 7, 2006 08:40 AM | Link to this
jbm:
At the school that I graduated from, going from Math Ed to Math meant only that you had to take two extra math classes. (Differential Equations and Discreete Modeling II). I THINK that was true for ALL math ed majors, I KNOW it was the case with me, having already completed the requirements of a Computer Science degree when I started the Math Ed program….
By Suzanne
July 7, 2006 09:03 AM | Link to this
Regarding the truckers comment, I think there should be at least an hour of training for drivers who don’t understand trucks are not cars. It is a lot different driving and handling an 18-wheel truck than a four-wheel car?
Have you ever driven a truck?
Not all truck drivers are rude, but before making a general comment, step in the truck drivers shoes once during rush hour. I like to see you write about that experience.
By Gil Gibson
July 7, 2006 09:12 AM | Link to this
As long as the government of Iraq contains elements opposed to America’s role in that country, no American soldier should be subject to Iraqi law. The anti-Americans would have a field day trumping up charges, paralying our forces with investigations, and driving morale to rock bottom.
By Jim's a Dummy
July 7, 2006 09:15 AM | Link to this
Re bulldozing older buildings to put up condos: Are you suggesting restrictions on the market?
This panel that you suggest…isn’t that just more bureaucracy making arbitrary decisions about what is and is not worthy? Would they be corrupt before being appointed, or just become corrupt afterwards?
How would your do-gooder neighbor John Wieland feel about some panel of liberal cultural elites telling him what he could and couldn’t do with property he owns? Would he be the one making the appointments to your board?
Hypocrite.
By Jim Wooten
July 7, 2006 09:16 AM | Link to this
I’m a truck driver’s son, Suzanne, but have never driven one myself. Some aren’t rude. Some are highly skilled. But with lots, that’s not evident in their driving. I take that back. Partially anyway. It does take driving skill to ride six inches off a motorist’s bumper at 60 mph.
By Jim Wooten
July 7, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this
To Jim’s a Dummy re threatened buildings: Not a bureaucracy. Architects. Private sector. If the public then wishes it saved, we buy it or grant financial incentives in the form of tax credits to save it from the wrecker’s ball. Thanks for joining the conversation. Check out the posts of some of the conservatives here and the mindset that immediately assumes a bigger, more meddlesome goverment role in every life situation may moderate, if ever so slightly. In which case, your time spent here will be a sound educational investment, for which you should be entitled to claim life credit at some on-online degree-granting university.
By Th
July 7, 2006 09:32 AM | Link to this
I can’t think of much that will get Democrats back in power faster than young Republicans taking jobs in the government. When you don’t believe the government should be doing anything, how well are you going to do your job? We sent hoards of fresh-faced Republicans to Iraq right after the invasion to run the government agencies, and Iraqis still have less electricity and clean water than under Saddam. Every book written about the early days of the occupation says these kids were a disaster because they brought their libertarian, anti-government ideas with them and spent more time polishing their resume’s than making sure the government was serving the Iraqi people. These Republican government workers have turned our federal government into an ATM machine for the connected without providing the services we were promised. The Duke Cunningham scandal will be bigger and sleazier than even Jack Abramoff. Sweetheart deals that waste tax dollars for personal profit have been SOP for this Congress and Presidency. People who don’t believe in government oversight are in charge of inspecting mines, and we see how well that is working.
I would like nothing better than committed people to make government more efficient and accountable, but you are looking to the wrong people to accomplish that.
By Mid-South Philosopher
July 7, 2006 09:38 AM | Link to this
To: “Jim’s a Dummy”
Jim and I have done verbal battle for a couple of years now, principally over No Child Left Behind (or as I prefer to entitle it) No Teacher Left with a Behind. He is not a “hypocrite” or a “dummy”…often in error on that subject…but never a “dummy!”
By Tom the Modern
July 7, 2006 09:47 AM | Link to this
Regarding the ‘panel of experts’: Give us a forum and I’ll bring along a panel of architects, (the dreaded) bureaucrats, AND developers to discuss the why and which Modern sites are worthy of preservation.
Tom
By Earl
July 7, 2006 09:50 AM | Link to this
Great points, TH! I’ve quite often said the same thing. If you elect people who oppose government, to run the government, you get people who don’t care about doing a good job. Hire (elect) people who ARE interested in making things work more efficiently, in doing more with less, in keeping track of where the pennies go, solving problems, and ensuring the best possible ROI for every effort.
The alternative (listen up Libertarians!) is NO government, and if that’s what you want, then um…. GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!
By Rod
July 7, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this
Jim, your comments about truckers are a bit harsh. You made the remark: “It does take driving skill to ride six inches off a motorist’s bumper at 60 mph.” The problem is, more likely than not that car cut in front of the truck to get there!
You ever notice how at a red light, everyone knows the truck will start off slow so people keep cutting in front of him when the light turns? Same thing on the highway during rush hour. People see the truck and know he starts slow so they all jerk over right in front of him.
Trucks start off slower and they also take longer to stop. People ignore this fact and instigate most problems with truckers. Mutual respect would go a long way in making this situation better. (I do agree the terrorist thing is crap.)
Keep in mind, you apparently don’t like truckers (wanting to teach them manners, making them stay in one lane, probably castrating them too), but think how bad life would be if we couldn’t use the products they transport.
By Patriotic Foreskin
July 7, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this
I agree with “The View” (sic) is that it makes cents (sic) for truckers to take over the hunt for terrorists because most of the information we tortured (sick) out of OBL’s driver must have been complaints about truck drivers, who do drive like they’re drunk (hic). This is your chance, truck drivers: It’s payback time!!
Great, now we all have to learn a new set of hand gestures to cover terrorists on the highway.
BTW: wouldn’t truck drivers looking for driving terrorists be an irony, a pot to kettle situation?
By Patriotic Foreskin
July 7, 2006 09:59 AM | Link to this
When it comes to demolishing old eyesore buildings I’ve got one thing to say: Let no building be left behind.
By Play that funky music white boy
July 7, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this
Jim, I think you and many other well intentioned folks are not thinking clearly on Iran vs. North Korea. I was also concerned about the Iran situation, so I did something it seems most journalists and talking heads on Fox/CNN don’t do - I went to the library. I read a book called “The Lion and the Eagle” - the tragedy of American Iran relations. It was written by James A. Bill a professor (at the time) at William and Mary. It takes the reader from 1900 through 1988, and trust me - that’s far enough to let someone know what the mood is over there and why the populous feels the way they do. Looking at the economic impact that any conflict with the Western World would mean to Iran - their PM is not a fool. He panders, just like our politicians, to what his flock want to hear, but there is a legacy in that country of economic development, technological advances and administration - all taking place while being a majority Islamic state. If handled properly, I think you will see Iran fade into the background like Libya and Khaddafi. Go read Ahminejad’s (sp)letter to the President. Sure, some of the things he says are crazy - but you can sense he is not a careless or thoughtless man. He is a well-educated, well spoken populist leader who enjoys his position. North Korea however, has nothing to lose. Like my dad used to say to me, don’t fight with an ugly guy, he’s got nothing to lose. The people are starving, they have no economic base, no hope, and most important in many Asian cultures no “face”/respect. Kim Jong Il is a maniac and could care less if he started a nuclear war. This has been the threat all along, but our economic interests (and unlike many of my liberal counterparts - I do think our economic interests are important to protect) were not at stake in N. Korea like they were in the Persian Gulf. So, everyone, please go read a book and think for yourself - it takes work but being better informed and having a better understanding of your advesaries can only affect things for the positive. Remember, our President said, “I don’t read books, I read people”. Maybe he should do more of both as we all should.
By Patriotic Foreskin
July 7, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this
If we were serious about the laws the dittoheadwounds voted on and passed and confirmed and upheld by the Supreme Court of the State of Georgia then shouldn’t we be training truck drivers to spot gays acting like they’re married at the rest stops?
One hour’s training should be sufficient.
By Rick
July 7, 2006 10:08 AM | Link to this
Patriotic Foreskin, why do you think the truckers pull out (scuse me, over) at so many truck stops?!?!
By Patriotic Foreskin
July 7, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this
It occurs to me that if we wait long enough, N. Korea might demolish those eyesores for us for free! BTW: once again the administration belittles the intel on N. Korean Missile launches. 42 seconds is a long time to keep a missile aloft. In fact, “W & Tony Blair” tricked Britain into going to war over a 45 seconds flight time for Iraqi nukes to hit us. The dittoheadwounded sheep are so easily manipulated.
Look, I know it’s to prevent panic. People are afraid. The sheep can be stampeded over a cliff. Maybe it’s cruel to be kind enough to tell sheep the truth.
But remember that the first generation of V2’s all exploded on the launch pad, and so did our own first attempts to launch the space program. (that’s because the same nazis who built the V2’s ended up working for the USA after the war, making the same misconceptions about what a liquid fueled rocket in flight is (torqued plumbing) )
Russia captured some of the nazis to build their space program. I guess they got all the good ones….seems a shame.
By Joe
July 7, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this
“There’s better stock to come” yeah…right. Try convincing myself as well as my neighbors in our mid-century contemporary neighborhood, green with a canopy of old trees, that the new money type of people tearing down our houses to build monolithic eyesores that stick out like a floater left in the toilet, which by the way is a pretty good analogy of the new types we’re getting,that this is better stock. With the houses come the tacky new money occupants and their ‘attitude up to the ears’ kids they produce. And another thing, if that young soldier in Iraq did indeed do what he is charged of, raping the young girl and killing her and her family, he needs to be turned over to her remaining family and whatever happens to him, happens to him. His actions put the saftey of all our decent and honest troops at risk.
By Play that funky music white boy
July 7, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this
I’ve heard that No Child Left Behind is the greatest unfunded mandate of all time - seeing the money that SASI and the like have made off of school systems, I would say it probably has to be true.
By Patriotic Foreskin
July 7, 2006 10:31 AM | Link to this
Jim Wooten’s column today reads like a hand wrung, dripped dried, sun bleached laundry list of hampered bromides that twist in the wind like so many clothespins holding the seven sheets made ragged by the sandstorm of criticism……and I loved it!!
You have to admit that Mr. Wooten delivers consistently informative, yet highly entertaining reads. I think he should get a whole page, because I find myself skipping paragraphs, and reading out of synch, so that when I think I’m done, I might discover one I missed, which, when it happens, delights me as much as those two extra fries you always find in the bottom of a McDonald’s bag.
By Regina
July 7, 2006 10:33 AM | Link to this
Mr. Wooten, I am disappointed. There was not one iota mentioned about Dallas Austin using his celebrity to get out of prison time in Dubai. You are saving that for next week, correct?
By deegee
July 7, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this
I agree that the actions of N Korea over the past week are very disturbing. I believe that these tests firings were for the purpose of gaining information in order to improve their processes. I was a bit amazed when I heard the commentary the day after that suggested that the only thing that N Korea showed the world is how inept they are and that this is nothing to get overly excited about. Japan is plenty excited and so is S Korea. The threat of more missile tests has been disruptive to air and sea travel and to the fishing industry in the immediate area. The Pacific trade routes are very important to the US. Many of our computers and electronic components are manufactured in S Korea, Taiwan and Indochina. Any threat from China or N Korea must be taken very seriously. While Iran’s threats are also very serious I agree with Funky Music in that Iran’s actions may be more predictable and rational than those of N Korea.
By Alex
July 7, 2006 10:39 AM | Link to this
Being an ex-John Weiland Homes employee and having absolutely no ax to grind, I can tell you that everything they are accused of is possible there. The HR and personnel practices are a nightmare and that’s why I left. I could not live with myself and be a party to the way they treat people. What Mr. Weiland shows to the world and what he says behind closed doors (and yes, I was there) are very different things. It’s a shame it took so long for any of it to come to light.
By TinaTeach
July 7, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this
Jim, just a quick point out, as far as I know Chirac is not allowed to run for a third term. They have been limited to only two terms like our own president. In addition to this the french presidential term has shrunk from 7 to 5 years. Have a good day!
By Jim's a Dummy
July 7, 2006 10:47 AM | Link to this
To: Mid-South & Jim,
Ya’ll both missed the point. Bureaucracy doesn’t necessarily mean government. To me it means administrative overhead staffed by people who have a budget, their own personal interests and make subjective decisions based on external influences. Conservatives hate bureaucracies, yet here’s Jim calling for one - doesn’t matter if it’s private or not.
Who would server on this panel? How long would they serve? Would they be compensated? What if they have professional interests that conflict? Could they be lobbied by developers? Would there be public hearings? Would their findings be binding? Where do the attorneys come in? Could their decisions be appealed? On and on….That’s bureaucracy.
And I don’t think that Jim is a real dummy. But I do think that conservatives are hypocritical on almost every front…just look at Prez. Dummy calling for international/UN cooperation in dealing with Korea. Why don’t we just invade them like we did Iraq? Why was the UN not worthy of helping with Saddam, but evidently they’re the go-to guy here?
It’s easy to be a conservative and just moan about government all the time. Putting the connections together between the various political systems and understanding how they work is a lot harder.
By AtlantaNative62
July 7, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this
Mid-South Philsosopher - your knee surgery analogy is typical liberal obfuscation of an issue. Teaching and Surgery are not in the same leagues. However, I will say that a bad teacher can do just as much damage to someone as a bad surgeon can. The difference is that the scars the teacher inflicts are not as readily visible. However, the biggest difference, is that bad doctors are dealt with and are removed from doing more harm. Bad teachers on the other hand, are protected as if they were on the endangered species list. When teachers start holding their profession accountable, people will start listening to them again. Unfortunately, I don’t see that happening because you would be too worried about the bad teacher’s self-esteem.
By Regina
July 7, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this
Jeff,
The university where I matriculated, one had to take many more courses when going from a Math Education major to a degree in Mathematics. The Math education majors definitely had it easier.
By JB
July 7, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this
Sure everyone is sick of hearing about Star Jones but it is the way BarBoo! and the View handled the entire situation is what counts. Let face it if anyone of you were in her place your would be mad as HELL to. Star is a shining Star and she will go on to other great things. The View was just a stepping stone!!!! JB
By Earl
July 7, 2006 11:08 AM | Link to this
bad doctors are dealt with and are removed from doing more harm
Really? By whom? I see no evidence that this happens on more than an extremely rare occasion. And when it does, they just practice elsewhere.
We once had a method by which bad doctors were held accountable. It was an ancient institution called the Court System. Individuals could sue bad doctors, thereby bringing their shortcomings to light and sanctioning them through money and reputation, while recovering what they need to live in their damaged conditions. The Georgia legislature, and many others, have essentially removed that system from the patients, at the urging of insurance companies, on the promise of bringing down rates, which of course has not happened.
By Stinky
July 7, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this
AtantaNative should not be a pot to kettle boy. True, Mid-south Philosopher’s comment was typically hacked. How many times have you heard the untrained doctor analogy to any proposed compromise of professional standards?
But your comment was equally hacked. Truth, as opposed to your wive’s tale, is that bad docs get a pass. Y? Cause insurance would have to pay pay pay if they ever admitted that there were bad docs. Look to the good hands, sir, and try to keep yours off the keyboard…. SIR!
Your knowledge is like fluffed feathers plucked from a goosed duck who’s liver has been compromised by too much wine. (It’s red wine with goosed duck livers BTW).
By itsokay
July 7, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this
You are so right about Star Jones-Reynolds who? Yada, yada, yada!!!
On truck drivers - yes - some of them are real rude - most of them that I have met are that way. I think that they have attitude problems. I work with them everyday.
By Dusty
July 7, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this
Atlanta has few historic buildings remaining. May I suggest that most of you join the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation or the National Trust? These two organizations try to save those buildings that portray the best of an era or the most notable in history. Some beautiful buildings are ready to be demolished to make way for multi-stacked condos and apartments. There already seems to be a glut of this type of housing but I do not have the statics to prove that. Just the signs and advertisements that I see so often.
By Stinky
July 7, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this
Hey Earl. We had the same comment exactly worded but because I live in the bizarro world, well….nuff said.
By Joe
July 7, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this
To Alex: Don’t confuse Jim with facts on the Weiland situation. He doesn’t want to know the facts. He has already decided the claims are baseless. A closed mind will do that to you. On the trucker issue, I am stunned that Jim would make any suggestions that takes away from our ability to fight the global war on terrorism. I thought that was the mantra that ran the world, and our government, and the GOP today and always. I’m surprised he didn’t suggest that we start training school children to identify terrorists. Everything and anything are justified when it comes to fighting the evil bogeyman.
By Joe
July 7, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this
Oops, the last sentence should read “is justified”. Sorry.
By B.S.
July 7, 2006 11:47 AM | Link to this
I LOVE Star Jones! She is such an inspiration to millions of people! I think Jim is just jealous that she really does impact people (alot more than he does)! It’s typical of people to bash those who are more successful than they are -though I always thought repubs gave Kudos to those who pulled themselves up by their bootstraps? I guess it doesn’t count if you’re a black woman. Now, I’m sure Bill can’t get enough of that Sean Hannity…
By Amelia
July 7, 2006 11:58 AM | Link to this
You are probably right B.S. Republicans don’t particularly care for Oprah Winfrey either. But they admire the likes of Hannity and former ner-do well and infamous doctor shopping pill popping, Rush Limbaugh. Go figure.
By Sara
July 7, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this
Star Jones committed career suicide with that big tacky low rent wedding she produced. Star took her name too literal. People with an ounce of class DO NOT create a website and if you sent her a big enough gift, you were placed on her website. She takes ghetto to new heights, but those who like her, don’t realize this.
By Weiland Advocate
July 7, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this
I have actually worked with Mr. Weiland in the past. And by worked, I mean by his side and the side of some of his most trusted emlployees. Let me say this…Mr. Weiland is a business man, a very caring and observant business man at that. And while it has been a couple of years since my departure from the company to have my son, I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that his HR department hires based on your varifiable qualifications. Period. If you are a black person or other person of color, but are less qualified than the white applicant…you will not be hired. The company has had very harsh experiences in the past with lazy, slacking workers ( of all colors ) and they were dealt with. I have also been “behind closed doors” with the higher ups of of this stellar company. None of them have shown themselves to be anything but dedicated, loyal eomployees. Not haters of a specific race who are out to create an all white home building empire. The fact of the matter is that in this very litigious society, you can scream any number of legal ills and get some form of restitution for them. That does not mena they are true. That is what is happening here. Some loser who would rather milk the system instead of make an honest living saw an opportunity and ran with it. Much like the goobers mired in the Coca-Cola scam. John Weiland is an honorable man. Period.
By Reece
July 7, 2006 12:25 PM | Link to this
Some thoughts:
Trucks - ALL trucks over X weight should be banned from Metro Atlanta roadways(or at least freeways) from 6-9AM and again from 3-7PM.
Bush and friends - Anyone that is his friend is no friend of average Americans.
Starr Who?
Bulldozing buildings - Until Atlanta learns that saving something of the past other than bigoted attitudes we will be viewed by most of America as backward hicks. Even Chicago post-cow kicking over the lantern has more older, architecturally significant building.
Gay marriage amendment - See above
By Joe III
July 7, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this
I wait with baited breath for the race card to be handed off from Cynthia McKinney to the three idiots who thought they could scam the Coke company out of 1.5 million dollars. I hope Wieland stands his ground and fights the bogus race baited claims. Where was all the outcry when all the racial slurs and recordings against white people happened in DeKalb County in May with the chief of police and the CEO. All Vernon Jones could come back with was the calls were recorded illegally. It’s about time we woke up and stood our ground on all the bogus Bill Campbell-Cynthia McKinneys and tell them we won’t be held hostage to their bogus claims any longer. This is 2006, not 1960.
By Rod
July 7, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this
Hey B.S. (what an appropriate name for you) - you say Star Jones is an inspiration for millions of Americans? How? By being fat and having her stomach stapled and then telling everyone she dieted and worked very hard? Most people call that a scam and fraud - not “inspiring”. She also sold out her wedding to the highest bidder (yeah, really inspirational for the average American). You’re right that she does affect people - makes them sick.
A self-promoting and self-grandizing person who only cares about herself. Her 15 minutes of fame are thankfully over.
By Larry
July 7, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this
Hey Jim - enjoying your website as usual - whatcha think of these clowns today?
By CORRECTION
July 7, 2006 12:51 PM | Link to this
Please be advised of the misprint in the first comment. Instead of “Star Jones” it should have read “Jim Wooten.” Now, Have A Good Day!
By deegee
July 7, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this
Can’t wait for Star Jones Reynolds’ new show, “The Spew”.
By JB
July 7, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this
This for ROD You have never in this life had fifteen minutes of fame. You probably are in a soup line cyring for help from America to help you!!!! You better wished that you had Star’s money and her talent and expecially her LAW DEGREE!!! GET A LIFE YOU CREEP!!!
By BOZO
July 7, 2006 01:05 PM | Link to this
Hope ya include yourself on that list of clowns Larry, cause you are the funniest of all.
By B.S.
July 7, 2006 01:14 PM | Link to this
Rod,
You sound very, very jealous. Like some sore loser who can’t get ahead and you’re p** that someone else has.
You also sound like some sort of communist by downing Star’s for selling something to the highest bidder. This is America, you’re allowed to make a buck, comrade!
By what a bunch of losers
July 7, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this
make one item about a loser like Star Jones, Jim, and see how many illiterate posts you can get… a sorry bunch of day-time-tv addicted, can’t-form-a-sentence-or-hold-a-job, mindless, dribble-spewing creatures crawl out of the woodwork. I hope you leave that kind of sh*t for the gossip columns next week.
I like your blog better when you don’t attract the Star Jones crowd.
By R@
July 7, 2006 01:22 PM | Link to this
On incumbent judges and very few challengers … just another reason why we should set term limits on these elected positions. New faces with fresh opinions and no favors owed would make a world of difference. Not only in judgeships but state and federal representatives, too. Will never happen - career politicians and judges have a sugar t** and will never change the game. To them, it’s really not about making things better for the general public - it’s all about keeping their inner world and circle intact.
By Stinky
July 7, 2006 01:28 PM | Link to this
Best comeback to What a Bunch…. Which one are you?
Better Comeback to What a Bunch…. We are NOT sorry.
Good Comeback to What a Bunch…. Well!
By Play that funky music white boy
July 7, 2006 01:29 PM | Link to this
Is it just me, or do all the people on here claiming to work for Mr. Wieland keep spelling his name wrong??? How could you have been a close employee and not know how to spell the guys name? Wasn’t his name on your paycheck? Unreal. Good grief frauds - Wooten even spelled it correct in his column for you.
By jim
July 7, 2006 01:31 PM | Link to this
Jim, May I suggest you read a few of the federalist papers? Your majoritarian leanings for the courts run up against the logic that should underly our court system: counter majoritarian.
I’ve worked in the federal bureaucracy before. I hated it. Its the worst place ever. I would never wish working there on a thinking individual. Which is why the place is full of feeling liberals. But replacing one bureaucrat with another is not the solution. Eliminating the agencies is.
By Amelia
July 7, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this
How is that the party of “smaller government” keeps making it bigger?
By Richard
July 7, 2006 01:40 PM | Link to this
Pathetic. All those trailer-trash welfare folks spending their money gettin a “puter” so they can come on here and talk high and mighty about Star Jones.
People get over it - she sucked as a prosecuter (why they fired her) and she sucked as a host (more interested in herself than the topic or guest). She’s finally OUTTA HERE!
By Weiland Advocate
July 7, 2006 01:40 PM | Link to this
You’ll have to forgive me. I have never been an acomplished speller. I still have trouble with the whole “i before e” rule. Adverbs also give me trouble. Luckliy, my assistant would catch all my goofs. Alas, now that I am a stay at home mom, my assistant resembles a box of wipies:)
By JB
July 7, 2006 01:40 PM | Link to this
To What A Bunch of Losers!!!! You are the loser stupid!!! Larry opened up Pandora’s box!!! We just opened it for him. Oh by the way!! I never watch The View because I am on my 100,000 plus job, working at home with an MA (stupid)
By Rebecca
July 7, 2006 01:41 PM | Link to this
Hey, Star Jones got her job on The View for one reason only - they needed a black co-host. Now they’re replacing her with another one (but one surely more intelligent and interesting).
She got where she is because of race - period.
By Amelia
July 7, 2006 01:41 PM | Link to this
How is it that the party of “fiscal restraint” creates record breaking deficits?
By JB
July 7, 2006 01:42 PM | Link to this
OOP!!! I am sorry I mean Jim opened up Pandro’s box or it could have been Larry King!!!!
By Amelia
July 7, 2006 01:45 PM | Link to this
Is the present administration really “conservative”? If so, can someone please define what “conservative” now means. I’m getting a little confused.
By Rod
July 7, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this
I love it Play that funky music white boy, both Alex (who spoke against Wieland) and Weiland Advocate (who spoke for Wieland) don’t know how to spell John Wieland’s name and they claim they worked for him! That’s riotous!!! I’m sure by Day 2 with the company they make sure you know how to spell his name. Course, these two could go to work for ABC and not know how to spell it! They call the operator and ask for the number for 911!
By JB
July 7, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this
Hello hear me please Rebecca! You are not in this conversation you are back in the 70’s. People are not hired by race, color or creed anymore dear!!!!!
By Vera Mac
July 7, 2006 01:51 PM | Link to this
Sorry, but I’m way behind on the News? and don’t have any idea what Starr Jones Reynolds did or didn’t do. Please bring me up to day on the “Great Celebrity”. It takes all my spare time trying to find the facts behind the “News” and I have to depend on someone else to keep me informed on the “Star” Starr Jones.
By Interested Observer
July 7, 2006 01:51 PM | Link to this
Those old buildings needed to exercise Personal Responsibility. They should have saved money in anticipation of their own obsolescence. They shouldn’t be allowed to use my extorted tax money to save themselves. That would be a government transfer of wealth. Where is your conservatism on this issue, Wooten? Personal Responsibility—that’s the ticket!
By Weiland Advocate
July 7, 2006 01:52 PM | Link to this
So, because I misspell a name…albeit my former boss…that makes me a liar? Interesting formula you have for truthfullness. I wonder, what formula is being used to suss out the truth according the these WIeland accusers? For his sake, I hope it is one with more hair on it than your’s.
By Rod
July 7, 2006 01:55 PM | Link to this
JB, if you don’t think they hired Star because she’s black - you’re an idiot. People ARE hired because of race. If The View was five white women, Jesse and his minions would be crying racism and ordering boycotts of ABC and Disneyworld. You mentioned “Star’s talent.” Please - explain exactly what that is? She got fired as a Prosecutor and as a TV show host. What exactly is her talent?
By the way, your comment about having an MA and making “100,000 plus” on your job is hilarious!! First, your grammar skills are atrocious (spelling and sentence structure). Secondly, you stated Larry (changed to Jim) opened Pandora’s Box - then the very next line you state that you (“we”) just opened it. Not to bright there (Jim already opened it, remember). Third, an MA doesn’t get you a six figure salary working from home.
Isn’t it time for you to take your food stamps to the liquor store and get some more ripple?
By what a bunch of losers
July 7, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this
@ JB — you open your mouth, dripping with a diatribe supporting a celebrity (whose work outside of TV is clearly less than stellar — why else would she join a DAYTIME talk show in any role other than legal counsel, but I digress) and calling people stupid, and expect someone to take you or your hero star seriously?
Please continue to think those of us not blinded by Star’s celebrity stupid, we prefer it to being a “genius” like yourself…. but thanks for showing up and demonstrating the point… perhaps next week, Jim will be “thinking right” again and leave the celebrity gossip to others.
BTW, if you feel compelled to brag about your job, be aware that many will see you for the under-educated, unemployed “genius” you clearly are. Thanks for sharing.
By doublestandard
July 7, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this
A self-promoting and self-grandizing person who only cares about herself. Her 15 minutes of fame are thankfully over. (Rod 12:36pm)
Sounds like Rush Limbaugh to me.
By Jim's a Dummy
July 7, 2006 01:58 PM | Link to this
Amelia,
Fantastic points, all. But the “believers” don’t care about any of that. They’re selective in their self-righeous indignation. That’s why Herr Karl is so focused on having a right-wing Christian base: they follow obiedently and don’t question….until someone they don’t like pipes up. Then it’s all about “black helicopters loaded with cocaine landing in airstrips in Mena, Ark.”
People laugh, but it’s just how Nazi Germany started…fire up a base of belivers with a bunch of populist, nationalist rhetoric, exclude your opponents from the debate, reign in the media, take over the judiciary, etc…it’s all happening right here, right now.
Heil Bush!
By Cooked
July 7, 2006 02:11 PM | Link to this
Okay new rule: …..and No more Hitler references to the W administration……we get it: W was reading “Mein Pet Kampf” to school kids on 911 AND Laura Bush is a “Goosestep-ford” Wife.
Give it a rest.
By JB
July 7, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this
To Mr. Rod and Mr. Losers, This e-mail is especially for the two of you.
You probably are two lonely old, (I mean really)old white men who have lost your job to a beautiful Black sister who has everything going for herself
Give it a break!!!! There is nothing wrong with my writing. I write for a living you creeps!!!
By Richard
July 7, 2006 02:18 PM | Link to this
JB, if you write for a living, then you really are on welfare!!! Your writing sucks!
By what a bunch of losers
July 7, 2006 02:19 PM | Link to this
Just FYI JB — you shouldn’t sterotype… I’m neither white nor male (nor particularly old — under 40). but again, thanks for sharing and showing us how brillant you “sisters” are.
final thought — if you write for a living you are way over paid, no matter how little you make. You have terrible logic, sentence structure and spelling.
By Rod
July 7, 2006 02:19 PM | Link to this
JB, still waiting - Star’s talent is…..?
By Amelia
July 7, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this
Thanks Jim’s a Dummy. So how can an administration that displays none of the cornerstones of conservatism, i.e. fiscal restraint, small government, non-involvement in foreign adventures, balanced trade, etc., have so many true conservatives fooled? Or are the people that you described in your above post what has now become the “true conservative”? Are these the same people that are now raising mortal hell against the vacine that could spare millions of women cervical cancer? I once thought that I was a conservative. I guess I was wrong.
By Ralph
July 7, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this
JB, if you are a writer, you could write for Playboy - no one reads those articles anyway.
By JB
July 7, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this
Hi Ralph, So nice of you to join us today. Where were so sleeping at you mama’s house!!!
By Rod
July 7, 2006 02:33 PM | Link to this
Hey JB, you call that writing? “Where were so sleeping at you mama’s house!!!”
Is that supposed to be eubonics?
By MorrisDees
July 7, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this
Rod is your best suit a white sheet? Or are you really D.A. King?
By seeing through the smoke
July 7, 2006 02:42 PM | Link to this
Jim — please, I beg you, no more celebrity gossip in “Thinking Right”. The blog has been highjacked by “Star”-gazers.
By Alicia
July 7, 2006 02:43 PM | Link to this
There’s a reason why Gay marriage is illegal. It is wrong!!!!! Forget “In the sight of man” How about in the sight of God. Stop trying to legalize same sex marriages and live in your own fantasy world of denial. If it was right in the first place you would not have to fight to legalize it.
By Play that funky music white boy
July 7, 2006 02:45 PM | Link to this
I think “Weiland Advocate” is a stay at home mom now because she couldn’t spell Johnny’s name right. Hey, I have met Mr. Wieland myself - never done business with him, but have heard very good things about the man. I can tell you honestly though, if I had a “long time very important/inner circle” employee like you claim you are that couldn’t spell my last name correctly (and my last name is Wielandesque in it’s spelling) I would be very disappointed and frankly a little offended. I’ll make it easier, from now on we can just use a W for his name and call him the “builder formerly known as John Wieland”
By Jim's a Dummy
July 7, 2006 02:47 PM | Link to this
Amelia,
Well, there are two kinds of conservatives: Wealthy and Religious.
The Wealthy conservatives are ok so long as they’re making a return on their investment. They all invested in Bush’s campaign, he won, and now they’re making money. Lots of it. What’s a little hypocrisy among a few playa’s when your paycheck has 6 digits in it?
The Religious conservatives are ok so long as Bush & co. continue to hold a bible in one hand and a gun in the other while stumping for their favorite ideological non-issues like abortion and prayer in school. They don’t care about the American middle class being exported to India & Mexico so long as they can 1. afford that new Gorin’s franchise at the new strip mall up the street and 2. public transportation doesn’t come anywhere near them. And they certainly won’t question any questionable activities per them being people of Faith. I mean, c’mon…once you start asking questions about things like democracy being for sale, then you’re an unpatriotic, godless, communist heathen like that dreadful Sheehan lady. What a windbag!
Count me as a fiscal & cultural conservative. I’m not buying any of that cultural warfare junk the GOP is selling until they get focused on the corporations relentlessly marketing bling & junk food to our pre-teens.
By JB
July 7, 2006 02:47 PM | Link to this
Hello Rod, I thought that last blog would get your attention!!! I speak very well thank you. Now be a good BOY and just go back up in hills and start your daily routine of killing an opossum or a possum to eat with your family tonight.
By Play that funky music white boy
July 7, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this
Alicia - in 1959 it was illegal for a black man to use a white persons rest room.
In 1840 it was legal to own slaves in the south.
In the early 70’s cocaine was legal.
In the early 1900’s it was illegal for a woman to drive a car
In the 1950’s it was illegal for black children to go to school with white children.
In China it’s illegal to have more than one child in some areas. I agree with you about “in the sight of God”. Let’s leave this whole thing at the church level. If you are in a church that doesn’t want to marry gays or admit gays, no problem. Isn’t your Georgia big enough for everyone to live their life the way they want to live it?
By Rod
July 7, 2006 02:50 PM | Link to this
JB, okay, so that was a test (and not your true literal self)? Hah, you got me!
Still waiting on Star’s talent. Still thinking?!?!
By Jim Wooten
July 7, 2006 02:51 PM | Link to this
I rejoin for a few minutes before the next political candidate arrives for interview.
STTS: I am sort of blown away by the Star followers. They actually care. Patriotic Fore: I am humbled by the kindness of your 10:31 post. It is, however, impolite to write more creatively than the host.
By B.S.
July 7, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this
I often wonder what Rush’s talent is… getting divorced or popping pills? I know, he’s got talent because he screams over people and puts people down who can’t defend themselves.
Rod, what a bunch it’s friday shouldn’t you be cashing your warehouse checks and buying a case of coors for tonight?
By Ron
July 7, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this
Alicia, if you’re as concerned about “in the sight of God” as you claim, then you should know that’s none of your business.
God knows what he believes to be right and wrong - your opinion doesn’t matter. Are you judging others? Guess you don’t read the Bible much lately. “Judge not, lest ye be judged.” In other words, mind your own damn business.
By Van
July 7, 2006 03:02 PM | Link to this
Play that funky music white boy,
You must have gone to a Georgia school.
—>in 1959 it was illegal for a black man to use a white persons rest room.
Only in some parts of the US, not everywhere - boy I hate generalizations.
—>In 1840 it was legal to own slaves in the south.
It still is, re-read the 13th Amendment.
—>In the early 70’s cocaine was legal.
Don’t know where you got this piece of garbage. The Harrison Narcotics Tax Act made cocaine illegal in 1914.
—>In the early 1900’s it was illegal for a woman to drive a car.
In some parts of the country only.
—>In the 1950’s it was illegal for black children to go to school with white children.
These mass geralizations have got to stop. Either you have your head shaved clean or you are ignorant, I don’t know. Again, only in some parts of the country - Oh and by the way, the Army started integration during WWII, look into the repo-depot and how soldiers were reassigned. Just thought I would cover that since it is one of the few you left out.
By seeing through the smoke
July 7, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this
Jim —
you know I love this blog, mostly because your perspective is unusual, I disagree with you a little more than I agree with you, so it’s always interesting. I also had no idea there would so much …. ummm…. passion about Star.
By Amelia
July 7, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this
I think I get it now. The ideological conservatives tend to be the xenophobe/homophobe/religious zealots that will kill you in the name of God all day long and claim to have a seat reserved at the right hand of the man himself. And the others are the ones that will abandon their conservative “principles” at warp speed if there is a buck in it for them. They are the ones that think billion dollar cost overruns on government contracts are OK as long as the overrun is for the good of Halliburton. And are the same ones that don’t lose a wink of sleep over 9 billion unaccounted for dollars in Iraq. And the ones that begrudge a fistful of dollars spent on anything remotely resembling domestic or people issues. Anyway I just wanted to be sure that I am not a conservative before the 06 elections. I guess that I will have to stick to my TRUE conservative values and vote against the republican facsimiles thereof.
By seeing through the smoke
July 7, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this
One last comment before I have to go for the weekend — Jim, you were right about the supreme court on gay marriage. You said they would rule quickly and uphold the amendment. You got it right on both counts. I’m making no comment whether or not the court was right.
By Play that funky music white boy
July 7, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this
Van, what state do we live in? What state was the gay marriage amendment just upheld? In each of the instances I cited, they were true in Georgia, you know the state where this paper is printed.
The only person I’m “generalizing” to is someone not viewing this in the context of a blog on the “ATLANTA” Journal and Constitution. And no Van, it is not still legal to own slaves, unless you discredit the Emancipation Proclamation on the grounds that at the time the South was not part of the Union or under authority of President Lincoln. Read the 13th Amendment… give me a break. Now, you want to address the spirit of the posting I made in that just because something is legal or illegal doesn’t make it moral or immoral.
By Weiland Advocate
July 7, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this
My, my..but the little funky white boy does love sparring with an invisible foe doesn’t he? Luckily for me, the ability to spell correctly at every turn was not a prerequisite for my job. Unfortunately for you though….a decent personality is (and was). Tell me, does your government assistance afford you all your computer time? You have been quite prolific in your posts today. Time on our hands, have we?
By Play that funky music white boy
July 7, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this
Yes “Weiland Associate” - off day and all my chores were done - I’ve actually got to work on Sunday this week (travelling), so today’s a freebee. It was either this or watch Welcome Back Kotter reruns. You guys aren’t Vinnie Barbarino, but you are a lot of fun.
By MorrisDees
July 7, 2006 03:18 PM | Link to this
In that case Weiland Advocate, go pour some more concrete and chop down some trees. That’s all you have to know in today’s construction business.
By Hates Leftists
July 7, 2006 03:23 PM | Link to this
Mr. Wooten is a diamond at the otherwise liberal atlanta journal constipation.
Keep up the good work, Jim !
By Shurley Fronklin Advocate
July 7, 2006 03:23 PM | Link to this
I love Shurley.. I worked for her and know she wouldn’t do anything wrong.
By Larry
July 7, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this
Bozo: Thanks for the compliment - whether it was meant as such or not. The rest of you - thanks for the entertainment! Jim, if you’d ride somewhere other than the right wing you’d be all right!
By Al Goar Advocate
July 7, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this
My old boss, Al Goar, is getting a bad rap about global warming - You should all get off his back. I was in all those meetings he had with the scientists, he’s right.
By Van
July 7, 2006 03:29 PM | Link to this
Play that funky music white boy,
Calm down, don’t get a knot in your thong.
You made wild claims that don’t hold water, much like the rest of your blathering. Your claims do not make a convincing arguement.
By Play that funky music white boy
July 7, 2006 03:35 PM | Link to this
Van, how did you know I’m wearing a thong? Is my webcam on again? Do you like it?
By Barry
July 7, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this
I personally don’t care for all the condos that are going up in Midtown, Buckhead, and Downtown (Atlanta). People new to Atlanta wonder why there is so much traffic all the time. Seems like to me the more condos that are built the more people there are to crowd the streets and highways. What kills me are these developers that want to erect something on every lick of land around town. Why not put your loans to good use and build something somewhere else like Mableton or Lawrenceville where I couldn’t give a damn?
By Hotlanta
July 7, 2006 03:45 PM | Link to this
Star was the only black woman on the View. I wonder how many times she got kooties from going to the bathroom behind those white woman even though she did cover the seat.
By Loe Wieland
July 7, 2006 03:45 PM | Link to this
From a current long time John Wieland Homes Employee, this man is a great man. He is honest, trustworthy and very generous. So generous that he literally gives away millions a year to various groups, charities and organizations, many of which are specifically for blacks. The United Negro College Fund. Morris Brown. 100 Black Men. The list is very long! I admire him, respect him and could never see or even imagine he’d discriminate. He was affected by those discrimination charges. He was truly hurt. Know this man, his company and his company members before you jump to any conclusions!
By James
July 7, 2006 03:52 PM | Link to this
Hotlanta,
I hope you are not Black, because that was tasteless.
I think most have missed the part of Jim’s statement that the Wieland suit is a claim filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission by a white former employee
By Play that funky music white boy
July 7, 2006 03:52 PM | Link to this
Loe, I believe you - you got his name right. Like I said earlier in the postings, I’ve never heard anything but very good things about Mr. Wieland, and unfortunately that is not common in his chosen profession (real estate developer). I just can’t trust the two people who got on here earlier that misspelled their “supposed” former employers name.
By Pompano
July 7, 2006 03:59 PM | Link to this
JB commented earlier in the post about how poorly Barbara & the network handled the matter with Star - but exactly what is she talking about there (though I do have to admit I have difficulty following the logic of some of her later rants).
Appeared to me (and most writers that commented on the situation) that Star was the one displaying classless behavior. No different than any other former disgruntled/short-timer employee burning a bridge.
By Star
July 7, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this
Star Jones was black. The she bought some good Korean girl hair, blue contacts and had her skin lightened and had a face painted on her. Who knows…it could be Michael Jackson in another one of his whacky disguises. Has anyone ever witnessed the two of them together at the same time. Hmmmm…….food for thought.
By Stupid Stupid
July 7, 2006 04:19 PM | Link to this
Thank goodness for people like Jim who really know how to rally their readership base. And thank goodness for those stupid, stupid, black celebrities, stupid gays, stupid truckers, stupid discrimination whiners like ex-Wieland employees — why, those stupid democrats overall. For without them, who would keep Jim in constant fodder for his readership to rally against? By the way, I’m shocked there is no current mention about that Dixie Chick song “Not ready to make nice.” Maybe you can add that to the next column along with the Austin item.
By Hotlanta
July 7, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this
How classless behavior was Barbara Walters to get on television ans say that Star can stay as long as she wants, knowing good and doggone well that her contract wasn’t renewed. As far as that white man reporting Weiland he is just trying to get paid. He sees that there is a lot of money involved. Believe that. How many black people have reported Weiland before the white man and it is not believed until a white man says it. PLEASE.
By Stupid Stupid
July 7, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this
And as far as “food for thought” from “Star” — Honey, you’re malnourished.
By Pompano
July 7, 2006 04:28 PM | Link to this
Hotlanta - no one has reported Barbara Walters making that statement on TV. I think you made that one up.
By Sara
July 7, 2006 04:30 PM | Link to this
For those who thinks that Star has class. People, what qualifies for class in building C of the projects you call home, does not qualify for class outside the hood.
By Regina
July 7, 2006 04:37 PM | Link to this
Can we have a discussion without making everything a racial issue? Is it even possible?
By Chad
July 7, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this
I can keep it from being a racial issue:
Star Jones looked better fat, she looks like a helium filled balloon that is still in my garage two weeks after the party and it’s still floating there, wrinkled, soft looking, and looked a lot better at full size.
By Hotlanta
July 7, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this
Pomp- she made that statement on Entertainment Tonight weeks before Star said that she was leaving. She made that statement to offset the rumor that was floating around television land before Star made her own announcement. A lot of people heard Barbara made the comment. Sorry Regina everything that we do in life involves politics, race, gender, religion and money.
By Pompano
July 7, 2006 05:13 PM | Link to this
Sorry Hotlanta - but except for a few ding-dongs in blogs claiming to have heard the statement you cite, no news source has reported that Barbara Walters said anything of the sort.
Bet you claim to have some inside info on people blowing up levees as well
By rwh
July 8, 2006 10:27 AM | Link to this
Human beings,no matter who they are or, what role and positions they hold; they to often make changes in their lives. Be dieting, operations, going off to way-out places, they do change. Sometime, those changes are for health reasons. In this on-going story about Mrs. Star Jones-Reynolds, she knows that her contract was of grave concerns and by signing it; she is bound to the crossing the ts’ and dotting the is’. Those who have the first line of good defense for her know that really happen. And those, like me, who don’t are just guessing and would not want to pin or say anything about Mrs. Jones that is unproveable! She look good!…and she look like a new person; but the bottom line is…what did her contract say? I hope she can bounce back; not for the sake of the public; but for her own sense of mind and -(showwomamship). I take it that she has hurt someone, or company or even the public who like seeing as she was verse as she is to date!
By Nikole
July 9, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this
I am ashamed to call myself and Atlantan everytime I read these blogs and see how childish grown people can be.
By Jim Wooten
July 9, 2006 12:20 PM | Link to this
Don’t feel shame, Nikole. We’d be this childish even if we lived in Philadelphia. But stick around. There’s some amazingly intelligent and insightful commentary mixed in.