Thinking Right

By TW

August 17, 2007 8:05 AM | Link to this

Ever hear the one about the Republican who invaded the wrong country? Yeah, it’s true. And in the process he killed hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians, thousands of our own troops, and cost the country hundreds of billions of dollars. Funny thing was, there was a group of people who wouldn’t get up off their knees in front of this fella’ for nuthin’! What about that one, Jim?

By Planner

August 17, 2007 8:05 AM | Link to this

Jim, ever considered that commuter rail will allow some Georgians to completely avoid the congestion and gridlock you’re always whining about? Rail gives people a choice. Commuters can continue choose to sit in traffic along with the millions of others who refuse to sacrifice the creature comforts of their private vehicle. But they should also be able to choose to have a stress free ride into the city while they read the newspaper, do some work on a laptop, or catch a few extra minutes of sleep. Currently, they have no such choice. Why is providing an alternative considered a “white elephant”. And if you claim that’s it’s inappropriate for government to subsidize a service that runs an operating loss, I’ll counter by asking: “When’s the last time I-75 turned a profit?”

By Mid-South Philosopher

August 17, 2007 8:05 AM | Link to this

Good morning, Jim,

Richard Nixon had H. R. Halderman and John Erlichman.

Ronald Reagan had Donald Regan.

George Herbert Walker Bush had Lee Atwater.

George W. Bush has had Karl…Halderman…excuse me…Rove.

Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton had no one to blame but themselves.

Oh, Gerald R. Ford was an honest man. Look what that got him in ’76.

With respect to government financed pensions, legislative elected officials such as members of the Congress, members of the 50 state legislatures, members of county commissions, city councils, school “boreds”, etc., around the country should not be eligible for a retirement plan. THEY SHOULD NOT STAY IN OFFICE THAT DA*N LONG!

Other quasi-executive elected officials (sheriffs, probate judges, tax commissioners, etc.) and elected or appointed members of the judiciary should be eligible for a standard 401k individual pension plan with their respective government entity contributing no more than five (5) percent per year toward the benefit.

By Judge Burton Lake

August 17, 2007 8:08 AM | Link to this

I sentence Jim Wooten to treatment instead of jail for thinking wrong on just about everything.

By Charles

August 17, 2007 8:08 AM | Link to this

Democratic revisionists abound in the blogs on the AJC. The most prevalent one I see in the daily rantings of some of these Left Wingers is that Bill Clinton was not impeached.

To set the record straight once again, Bill Clinton was impeached on December 19, 1998 upon the passage of H.R.611 by the House of Representatives on grounds of perjury to a grand jury (by a 228-206 vote) and obstruction of justice (by a 221-212 vote). Two other articles of impeachment failed — a second count of perjury in the Jones case (by a 205-229 vote) and one accusing Clinton of abuse of power (by a 148-285 vote). Four Republicans opposed all four articles, while five Democrats voted for at least one of them. Upon passage of H.R.611, Clinton became the second U.S. president to be impeached, following Andrew Johnson in 1868.

Of course, when Liberal bloggers get their information from whacko websites like MoveOn.org they never learn the truth.

By jbmlaw

August 17, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this

Good morning all. I am much encouraged by the “headline homer” – that suggests to me that serious people are in charge among our loyal opposition. Perhaps they are beginning to understand what we conservatives have known all along. Jim’s second note and this first note were conjoined by Chairman Ann in her essay yesterday. Conservatives know where to find it, and our non-conservative friends do not care.

I fear David Shafer and Hakim Mansour Ellis have been seized by the mentality that all problems are the governments to solve, and thus magnify their own importance. The same mentality is playing out on the national level, with sub-prime mortgages. I invoke the Br’er Rabbit imagery of the “battle with a tar baby,” popular in my youth; regretfully the pointy-heads misread a racial metaphor where the simple story told all.

Our New York City brothers are ahead of the rest of us on the home-grown terrorists. Peggy Noonan has a thoughtful observation, to be published in tomorrow’s WSJ, http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/pnoonan/?id=110010480

Jim jokes about the latest dumb criminal, but we have gotten away from serious consideration of the mens rea requirement for any criminal conviction, with sad consequences for our culture. I feel the same way about all dopers and speeders – and immigrants.

Juanita Hicks is only the latest to milk the system. Why is there a government pension at all? Are they too good to get the same 401k personal investment privilege we mere mortals share? Government pensions are the best example of runaway government, better even than earmarks. While the broken bodies of our noble military may deserve long-term sustenance due to the sacrifice of the best years of their lives, I think when a mere bureaucrat claims a pension we need to go break a body or two.

The earmarks provide the only area where left and right can consistently share common ground on this blog. As the left is in control now, of course, most of the stories involve their guys. Our guys were just as guilty before the American public justly fired them. John Fund related a funny story earlier this week:

“Concealing just how the pork-barrel culture works is important to congressmen in both parties, because the process can’t really be defended on the merits. Nothing illustrates that better than the exchange that took place just before Congress broke for its August recess between Democratic Rep. John Murtha, the overlord of spending on the House Appropriations Committee, and GOP Rep. John Campbell, a antipork reformer from California.

“Mr. Campbell, a certified accountant, rose to challenge a $2 million earmark for a “paint shield” being developed by the Sherwin-Williams Co. in Cleveland. Since the actual sponsor of the earmark, Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones, chose not to defend her handiwork, Mr. Murtha took up the cudgel on her behalf. Mr. Campbell simply wanted to know if the Pentagon had asked for the paint shield, since the rationale for the spending was that it would “protect people against microbial threats.”

“Mr. Murtha imperiously assured Mr. Campbell that the shield was “a very worthwhile project,” and that “I’m sure the military is interested in this kind of research.”

“Mr. Campbell persisted and asked if, “in fact, the military has asked for this kind of technology?” When Mr. Murtha was silent, Mr. Campbell said, “I guess the answer to that is no.”

“He then proceeded to ask if any research had been done to show that the “paint shield” would actually be effective. An impatient Mr. Murtha replied that “we look at every [earmark]. We ask the members to vet them. Our staff vets them. We go over every single earmark.” But he could offer no evidence of the effectiveness of the shield beyond saying that Sherwin-Williams was “a very qualified contractor.”

“When asked if other paint companies working on a similar product had been given the opportunity to bid on the research, Mr. Murtha claimed in exasperation that “every one of these earmarks [is] competitively granted under the regulations of the Defense Department,” and that for their $2 million outlay, the taxpayers would own the fruits of whatever Sherwin-Williams came up with in its lab.

“Mr. Campbell explained that the whole point of an earmark is that it bypasses normal competitive bidding and guarantees the recipient doesn’t have to compete for federal money. In addition, taxpayers are rarely, if ever, given ownership of any part of the research they pay for, since companies and universities routinely seek earmarks so they can get the government to foot the bill for their basic research.

“The Campbell-Murtha exchange vividly illustrates why many Americans would be upset if the earmark process were ever opened up to serious scrutiny. Members of both parties are complicit in keeping the game going and trying to foist a fake reform bill off on President Bush. Only 17 senators tried to block passage of the bill. Mr. Campbell won only 91 votes, less than a quarter of the House, for his amendment to strike the paint shield.”

The imagery in Mr. Fund’s article is too funny – Rep Murtha “covering the earth” with earmarks.

By Craig also

August 17, 2007 8:12 AM | Link to this

Fortunately there are some things in politics that are pretty much beyond the pale of acceptable discussion. For example, calling your opponent a Nazi pretty much always backfires.

I look forward to the day when comparing your opponent to Osama bin Laden - the forgotten guy who murdered 3000 of our fellow Americans - backfires on the scoundrel who makes the analogy.

Saxby is a pig, and those who defend him, Mr. Wooten, have lost any moral compass.

By Your humble id thief

August 17, 2007 8:15 AM | Link to this

Macon Mayor Jack Ellis seems destined to become the next leader of the Nuwaubian Nation of Moors cult. He’s every bit as crazy as that child molesting Dwight Malachi Chief Thundering Eagle York.

By Jeff

August 17, 2007 8:20 AM | Link to this

OK, is anyone else who has seen Star Wars Episodes 2 and 3 starting to get REALLY FREAKED OUT at this “home grown terrorist” deal????

By AmVet

August 17, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this

When my band of right-wingers take over and institute draconian laws..

When did Mr. Wooten first bring this stuff out - 1994?

In case he hasn’t noticed there was an extreme right wing GOP takeover - of the US Senate, US House, White House in 2000, many state governorships and virtually all of Georgia, and sadly in our state’s case, probably forever, as I don’t see many of my fellow Georgians ever pulling their heads out of certain body cavities for a long time.

He may make light of “draconian” laws but I would put almost NOTHING past these reactionaries, these neo-conservatives and these quasi-fundies who generally comprise this incompetent “new” Republican Party.

Have a good laugh, Mr. Wooten and look at what you and your cousins have wrought.

It ain’t pretty.

By Capt

August 17, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this

Hey JBM I guess you could call me a governmet bureaucrat. I am a Firefighter/Paramedic that sits at a desk all day making sure that the system that protects you and your family runs smoothly. I only came to this desk job after I ruined my back working to save two children from burning to death. Oh and by the way I have cancer, probably from all the smoke and cancer causing agents I inhaled my whole career. I now cannot breath well and walk with a pronounced limp due to the ruptured discs in my back that are inoperable. After all of this I have missed only 3 days of work due to these developments in my health. So do I deserve a pension?….I don’t know…according to you I don’t. So the next time your house catches on fire or a member of your family has a stroke or heart attack call someone with a 401K and see how well that works out for you.

By jm

August 17, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this

Let’s see, with Georgia in the top 10 (maybe top 5) in prison population and in the bottom 5 in education, I wonder how many domestic terrorists are being created here.

Slick Willie did have James Carville, “it’s the economy, stupid”.

I wonder where the comment against state’s having foreign policy was when Sonny was out of the country “promoting” Georgia, instead of being here running the state.

You can spin what happened to Senator Cleland any way you want but if it truly was about unions, why was an image of Osama Bin Laden used (you remember him, the guy who actually attacked us, who was not in Iraq).

By Craig also

August 17, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this

Of course we know Bill Clinton was impeached, Charles. So what? He was then acquitted by a Republican Senate. Duhhhh.

By Buy@life

August 17, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this

My car’s navigation system actually said, “You cant get there from here.” I was trying to drive to Lovejoy from behind the locked fence at the police impound lot.

How did it know?

When I tried to drive to the bridge to nowhere, my car’s navigation system started complaining about congressional earmarks, and vowed to vote for Hillary.

One thing that bothers me about homegrown terror cells here in the USA is that post-911, where was the publicized profiling about what to look for as we all became deputies of liberty (read vigilantes)? What was the actual profile of the 911 hijackers? How long were they here? What jobs did they have? What did their neighbors see that was unusual?

All this data was covered up, which makes me think that the war on terror is a campaign slogan/bumper sticker.

What happened to all those orange alerts? Imagine feigning a terror alert to rig elections, or glean support for pork. Rove is going to have to hide away for a long time.

The Brookings Institute, a repudlickan think tank, has just issued an estimate about when US troop withdrawals could begin: The text-to-speech recording on their website actually pronounced these words, (written phonetically): “We aint nebah tonna bit moutta Pinaq.”

Thomas Friedman said on Charlie Rose last night that Rove swiftboated Kerry and Cleland but failed to swiftboat OBL. The fact that the American People didn’t swiftboat Bush’s national guard duty should show McRove wannabe’s how to run election campaigns: Take your own weaknesses, and depict your opponents as owning those weaknesses. It’s easy. You simply imagine how a good lawyer would grill your candidate about being AWOL during a time of war, which is treason.

Ask yourself this: would I want to reenter earth’s atmosphere with a gash in my heat shield and with global warming making the heat of reentry even hotter?

This is why Buzz Lightyear gets the big bucks. The shuttle crew is supposed to trust the same engineers who designed the space shuttle to predict the outcome of a compromised heat shield reentering the atmosphere.

The space shuttle is a monument to rocket-science ignorance and the influence of popular culture on our judgement. (The movie Star Wars had spaceships w/wings 2).

So did the old 50’s tv show, Flash Gordon.

The real news story in the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk’s helpyourself is that her successor was handpicked. That should have put her in prison, because there should be a law against it, and we need to fix that today.

Our entire beaurocracy is corrupt just like in China. We aint no better than the godless commies, heaven help us.

I guess you really cant save mankind from itself. If christ couldnt, then I certainly cant, and thus wont even try. That’s why I stopped eating my vegetables. (“Cruciferfy him!”)

Who said that?

By WFC

August 17, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this

I don’t hate George W. Bush. He’s too banal to waste emotion on. I simply don’t respect the man. He’s simply “skated” all of his life because of his family connections. I’ve seen a hundred guys like him (on a smaller scale) from college onward. He is neither intelligent nor reflective. If his name were George W. Smith, he’d probably be running a used car lot somewhere.

By jbmlaw

August 17, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this

Dear AmVet @ 8:26, we “conservatives” have never been in control. Our agenda was always blocked by a coalition of democrat-obstructionists and North-Eastern Republicans. Otherwise you would have a right to invest your own social security monies, to get a return better than 2%. We also would not have a looming “largest tax increase in the history of the world,” as the permanence of the tax cuts in 2002 was blocked by the coalition. That is what Jim is talking about.

Dear Capt @ 8:31, as you self-identify as a bureaucrat rather than as one who nobly sacrificed body for the public weal, I would say you do not deserve a pension. If, on the other hand, you had given some indication that your circumstances are more analogous to those of our brave fighting men, I would defend an argument for a pension. How much pension do you think you deserve, since you obviously think you should not have to invest in your own 401k?

By Katharine

August 17, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this

We have more to fear from governmental incompetence than terrorists. Who cares whether the person holding a gun to your head is a terrorist, a crack-crazed addict, or a government agent? The bullet is just as fatal.

By ron

August 17, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this

By Buy@life

August 17, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this

Katherine, I suspect you’re pretty good with your two .38’s

You can probably shoot good too.

Truth is, the best handgun is a snub-nosed .357 magnum loaded with dum dum shells. Why?

Because if you are actually using it on another human being, you’re going to be at point blank range, probably in an elevator or a parking garage. You dont have to be accurate, just powerful.

Now the kick is debilitating, but the noise, and the impact will take your opponent out.

A .38 gives your attacker/mugger/hijacker time to squeeze off a couple of rounds of return fire even if you hit him dead center. a .38 is a pea shooter.

If you even wing someone in the arm or leg or side with a snub-nosed .357 magnum loaded with dum dum shells, (the most powerful handgun/ammo package in the world), then you’ll blow his head clean off.

Then all you have to say to get out of a mugging/hijacking is, “Do you feel lucky, punk?”

I know cause I’ve kilt, oh, I’d say about a couple dozen over the years. (little big man)

By hypocritehunter

August 17, 2007 9:08 AM | Link to this

Do I believe my eyes?! Wooten thinks that Max Cleland asked for it because he became a ‘national Democrat’. He asked to have his reputation impuned by a scuzzball, lightweight politician like Chambliss? A Vietnam vet and triple amputee asked to be defamed by a draft dodger? A guy who almost died for his country asked for it at the hands of somebody who didn’t have the guts, time or principles to go over there himself? So Wooten, what you’re saying is that in politics, if you’re a Repub, the ends justify the means. That anything goes in politics if your opponent puts himself out on the national scene (I thought being in the Senate automatically puts you in the national scence, and hey, after all, Cleland IS a Dem). Your opponent is fair game for ANY smear, from being unpatriotic and supporting terrorists to swiftboat lies about Kerry….or the dirt invented by Karl Rove about John McCain in the 2000 SC primary. How does a halfway decent paper like the AJC keep an a* like this on its staff? Are you listening, Cynthia?

By Buy@life

August 17, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this

Jack Benny was mugged once. “Your money or your life”, demanded his attacker.

Several seconds passed, more seconds, more seconds….

“Well?” insisted the mugger.

“I’m thinking it over”, protested Jack Benny.

By Capt

August 17, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this

See Jbm….you only half read. I said YOU could identify me as a bureaucrat. I am in a 40 hour position and routinely work 70 hours a week with no compensation past 40. I would never make an analogy comparing me to people in the military because that is not true. You do understand that saying something that is not true is a lie don’t you? Anyway if I had been compensated with a salary anywhere close to the private sector i would have most definately agreed with you about a 401K. However with a wife and 2 children to clothe, house, feed and educate I CHOSE to enter my profession because I felt called to help my community and fellowman.This concept is probably foreign to you and you may think that it is a silly reason to do anything. However, I can promise I have gotten more instant gratification out of my job than I would wager you have gotten. I do not know that for sure but I think it would be a safe bet. So yes you may be smarter than I and you may talk and write with a fluency that I cannot approach but you know what….I sleep really well at night knowing that, as my documentation shows, there are 132 people alive today because I chose to come to work on the days they needed help over my 31 year career. But knowing people like you are always right I suspect that you think all this is silly when I could have gone into the private sector and made much more money than in the Fire Service. I tell you what…lets do away with all government positions all together execpt for the military and see how well society functions. Give it a try…I don’t think you will be happy.

By Dennis

August 17, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this

Mr. Wooten’s column, today, offers an above his usual cornicopia for controversy. But this one doesn’t need to be slipped in,ignored, and gone with the wind without some comment; “Democrats just can’t let revisionist history go….”

No one should let revisionist history go. However, the Bush administration has plans to lock up every last paragraph, sentence and period of its “real” history for seventy-five years.

There are a number of reasons for this, not the least of which that if the “real” records of its administration are exposed, most of the administration, including Bush, Cheney, Rove, Rumsfeld, Gonzales, and a multitude of others who have given the administration “candid advice”, would spend the rest of their lives behind prison walls for crimes against the country as well as for war crimes.

As to revisionist history, one can bet that Rove will right a book - isn’t that always the “in thing” to do? - and it will have the misleading Rove slant that his entire political life has had.

(For those who feel they must holler about previous democrat administrations, save your typing. Those of us who watch are aware of them, and at present, they are not in the White House, nor can they be used as an excuse for the crimes of the Bush administration).

You don’t have to be a blind conservative not to see it, just an ignorant one to deny it.

By Reece

August 17, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this

I have to agree with Jim Wootenanny on one of his points.

Homegrown terrorists abound and right here on these pages. Jim and all of the BushRushRoveChambliss lovers are the sort that we should be locking up for all the damage they have or want to do to this great nation.

By deegee

August 17, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this

Can you imagine the crop of jihadists that are being cultivated in Iraq as we speak? There are thousands of orphans in Baghdad alone living in the streets. Many of their orphanages aren’t as good as our worst kennels.

Look for a rose garden wedding next year during the height of the election cycle. Let’s hope Jenna doesn’t stick her tongue out at reporters again thereby ruining the Hallmark moment for Dad.

By Jim's a Cherry Picker

August 17, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

Great Cherry Picking today Jim!

Crooked Republicans in Alaska, soon to be in jail, arrange for millions and millions of dollars to go to their cronies to build a bridge for 50 people, yet you still want to blame the Democrats.

Good work there.

And linking revisionist history to the Democrats is a real laugher. The Bush Administration’s motto should be “Reality sucks, so just keep on smilin’”.

By J

August 17, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this

“Home-grown terrorists, sympathetic to al-Qaida but not actually connected, are a legitimate fear, as law-enforcement officials now warn.”

Ahh, I love this: it combines the best of the “ZOMG! TERRORISTS!! ZOMG!!11!!” mindset with the best in historical ignorance. Now, say it along with me children: the worst home-grown terrorist attack in the US was the Oklahoma City bombing. Carried out by - oops! - white ‘Christian’ men with an ax to grind against the federal government (and apparently Jews). Remember, these are the nuts running around the back woods of states like our own with enough firepower to take out a decent size police force.

BTW, doesn’t this report (from NYPD, no?) exactly contradict the ridicule that was rained down on John Kerry for his insistence that terrorism was a law-enforcement (not military) issue??? Oops, never mind that, it doesn’t go according to the script!

By Southern Democrat

August 17, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this

I don’t mean to get too personal, but I find it appalling that Mr. Wooten, who served honorably in Vietnam, would sink to defending Karl Rove (3 student deferments), President Bush (Alabama Nat’l Guard), and Dick Cheney (5 deferments) over Senator Cleland. Funny how no other Vietnam veteran in the Senate agrees with you, Mr. Wooten.

You have lost a large sum of credibility with me.

By time for the truth

August 17, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this

The vile far left coward Cleland is a despicable human being who got exactly what he richly deserved electorally for his moral and political cowardice. Use of a wheel chair is NOT, even in these days of blatant moral fascist demoNcrat pandering, sufficient to hide the truth about Cleland who is undeniably one of life’s most vile sleazy lecherous scumbags. cleland is deservedly worthy of a noisy morals witch hunt by its fellow far left demoNcrat larry porno king flynt!!

This self styled Capt Wanker comes across as an abject hysterical LIAR!! Which is incredibly easy to do on a blog!! Even if some of what it posts is true then it should still STFU!! It voluntarily chose a hazardous job, knowing full well what the risks were. Yes it deserves a pension from its local county public purse for its DUH!! service - it doesn’t have the “right” though to (try to) assert/advocate the ‘selective’ provision of
assistance to those it “approves” (or at least doesn’t disapprove) of from the publicly funded emergency services - which it may or may not be a part of. Just another sick demoNcrat gutlessly/anonymously puking up more lies and cyber hate to try and lamely sneer at conservatives.

Sullen moronic far left blacks like this pathetic hate America loser Mayor of Macon simply underline the point that blacks do have a lower IQ than whites - as this superb article in The Times notes. Tellingly this pathetic black loser did NOT have the guts to do this during its first happily term limited spell as mayor. Now its thankfully on its way out of office its rabid leftist bollocks ooozes out. crackpipedebbieturd (among others) amusingly witlessly underlines this unassailable point about low IQ every time its posts its racebaiting paranoid filth!! the usual screeching imbecilic racist blacks/whites should note this factual article was NOT written by a white journalist.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article2267671.ece

The grasping gimme gimme gimme racial spoils blacks noisily racebaiting about the bottomless pit known as Grady need to STFU!!! Either they ALL pay the ‘full whack’ for their treatment or they STFU and let non-pandering ‘outside’ professionals professionally run the place and cease this despicable but typical selfish racist black racebaiting which as ever is just about stealing other folks’ (taxpayers) money for their health care!!

Hilarious to see the sullen silence about the conviction from the hate America cut and run scum of the wanna be towel head terrorist padilla. Aggressive racial profiling of these scumbags is the ONLY sensible policy. Anyone who objects to this should be kicked out of an Apache over Afghanistan.

The human scum Vick is deciding whether to spend a year or so in jail if it cops a plea. It should NOT be allowed to cop a plea. Give it the full five years in the fed big house - it refused to extend any kind of mercy to any of its dogs - plus whatever else the new (likely more serious) imminent charges will bring.

See how disgustingly pathetic liberals are folks - the party of hate/media screeching about this illegal mexican type killer of three completely innocent young black kids in NJ is getting hysterical. These shameless liberal panderers are systematically destroying America.

We have a vaccine for rabies, cervical cancer and polio - so why not one for liberalism????????

By Adam

August 17, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

Reece @9:27 - Jim and all of the BushRushRoveChambliss lovers are the sort that we should be locking up for all the damage they have or want to do to this great nation.

Thank goodness for them. The damage?? Jack (Hakim Mansour) Ellis is only the latest in the long line of hateamerica democrats that spend every waking hour trying to undermine this country. Cindy Sheehan, Harry Reid, Cynthia McKinney, Michael Moore, the list could go on forever. The shame is that so many simpletons like you continue to support them in their efforts.

By Buy@life

August 17, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

Cruciferfy him!

By .

August 17, 2007 10:03 AM | Link to this

The blacks have lower IQ article link

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol /comment/columnists/guest_ contributors/article2267671.ece

By Buy@life

August 17, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this

My car’s navigation system actually said, “you cant get there from here”. I was trying to drive to the bridge to nowhere.

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.My cars navigation system actually said, “you cant get there from here.” I was trying to drive through atlanta at rush hour.

bwa

By jbmlaw

August 17, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

Dear Southern @ 9:52, while I respectfully acknowledge your argument on Mr. Cleland, I think we may have a partisan disagreement here. I am certain that others who, like me, voted against Mr. Cleland did so because of his insistence on unionizing the Department of Homeland Security as a pre-requisite for its formation. As I have mentioned previously, I do not remember any advertisements at all (although in all fairness I never watch television, and I am mostly impervious to advertising anyway.) I think it is fair to assume that all of those who, like you, saw some “message” in a morphing image of Cleland-Osama Bin Laden, uniformly voted for Mr. Cleland. Perhaps Saxbe’s advertising agency intentionally baited his opponent’s supporters, but I serious doubt that anyone who voted for Saxbe (or who, as in my case, voted against Max) did so because we believed Max was ideologically aligned with terrorists. For us, it was a matter of competence.

Surely with the benefit of hindsight you would agree that unionizing DHS would have only worsened an already horrific public “service.” Although that may be my partisanship showing also?

By Leah

August 17, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this

Please … trash-talking about democrats, state politicans, whining about paying a civil servant too much pension and Michael Vick? No, I’m not going to justify any of these topics with a response. Talk about something of import … may I suggest:

ending the war in Iraq? repealing the Patriot Act? restoring the Constitution and Bill of Rights?

(sigh) No wonder Dr. Ron Paul is so popular on the internet. Most of us want to hear a strong conservative voice on the above topics and not these insipid local matters combined with partisan bickering. Bring the political dialogue up a notch, ajc

By time for the truth

August 17, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this

the snivelling unhinged wankkker reece needs to STFU … it is hilariously abjectly embarassing itself again!!!

the perjuring pardon selling arkansas rapist, the corrupt to the core Bhuddist Temple liar alBOre, Hitllary cattle futures/missing billing records KKKlinton, the DUI killer kennedy, dingy corrupt land deal reid et al need to be jailed for their blatant vicious/venal crimes!!

By Jackie

August 17, 2007 10:22 AM | Link to this

The news out of Washington is Gen. Petraeus will not write the report on Iraq, matter of fact, he is suggesting that the troop level be reduced. It is reported that the White House will write the report and they are saying this is what was to happen all along. Where are those who say everyone who does not agree with them are cut-and-run liberals?

By WTF

August 17, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

Jim, you know good and well that Max Cleland was doing what all political leaders do. He was working to get what he felt was the best possible legislation, just as President Bush is doing when he threatens to veto legislation because he doesn’t like one particular provision. As always, you’re a cherry picker and twist the facts to serve your own partisan purposes. It always strikes me as odd that for someone whom the AJC seems to feel has enough insight and knowledge about the political process to have their own platform on ajc.com, you routinely write things that show a complete ignorance of how government works.

By Buy@life

August 17, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

WWJD? what would jesus do?

SYTYDC? so you think you can dance.

DJTHCD? Does jesus think he can dance?

SYTYCKWJWDAAD? So you think you can know what jesus would do at a dance?

By jm

August 17, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

jbmlaw@10:13 - for the purpose of this argument we will stick to unionization of government employees. While some government positions are political by design, many are not. In order to run effectively (and for its many faults, the federal government does a reasonably good job), a stable core is necessary. Some mechanism needs to be in place to protect that core from the whims of the current executive/party in power (see US attorneys under W the incompetent or Slick Willie). Given my druthers, I would rather have a union (despite their faults) made up of dedicated employees, than a bunch of political appointees hired for their political beliefs or a private company that got the job as a result of political contributions. If you want an example of the latter, look at the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq.

By Jackie

August 17, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

Going after Max Cleland again only goes to illustrate the depth of moral depravity the neo-cons have. Capt. Max Cleland, 1st Cav. Div VietNam, 2 Silver Stars and a triple amputee, is morphed into Osama Bin Laden and literally called unpatriotic and a terrorist by these chicken hawk cowards! How loud will the whale gravy chicken hawks scream when the draft is started and the terrorist that are coming in from Mexico - via the border that Dubya refuses to guard - start on their rampage? Will they blame the next president from the confines of their bunkers? I am assuming they will have lots of answers and directions as to how to alleviate us of this problem.

By Southern Democrat

August 17, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

Jbmlaw,

The specific advertisement I saw said something to the effect of calling Max Cleland unpatriotic and wouldn’t stand up to the terrorists… Mrs. Southern Democrat can attest that I nearly choked on my coffee and then laughed saying, “Well, I guess we’re back to politics as usual,” never believing for a second that Senator Cleland would lose.

So far as the union issue goes, I (like many, many others [and I would hope including you]) saw the Dept. of Homeland Security for what it was: an attempt to make people feel safer and address what were surely to be questions of “How did this happen?” in the wake of 9/11. As DHS has been unquestionably the second worst waste of federal money in the history of our great country (Dept. of Education being #1), I could not have cared less if it was unionized or not. If Thousands Standing Around had a union, maybe its reps could talk some sense into the armchair generals who think that my Coca-Cola is a dangerous weapon, but my friend’s lighter is A-OK.

On another, partisan and political note, there is NO WAY that Georgia loses its military bases if Cleland is re-elected. Cleland, like one of my heroes, Sam Nunn, had the influence to ensure that Georgia’s interests were protected. While I do not have any major problems with Senator Isaakson, I think that Saxby has been a disgrace for Georgia.

By WTF

August 17, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

jbmlaw - While I may disagree with your past opposition to Senator Cleland, I can at least respect that you just had ideological differences with his political views and chose to vote for the other candidate. That’s what elections are for. However, I do think it is worth noting, for those here who are reticent to base their rants on fact, that then Senator Cleland was among the first in Congress to call for the creation of the Department of Homeland Security — while President Bush and his administration opposed the creation of the new department.

By David D

August 17, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

Let’s all try to be honest about the Saxby - Max race and what did and didn’t happen. Saxby Chambliss won despite the objectionable ad he ran. As a 20 year Army veteran, I was angered by that ad and told the Chambliss campaign I didn’t appreciate it, but it is also painfully true that Max Cleland simply was more interested in the national Democratic party and towing their line than in representing Georgia. Remember he was voting against a Zell Miller bill establishing Homeland Security because it didn’t include labor union protections - because labor unions are so important to Georgians - not. It’s a simple test, if you’re voting against Zell Miller, you’re probably voting against mainstream Georgia voters. And then there was Max’s vote against the national charter for the Boy Scouts because they wouldn’t permit gay scoutmasters. Come on, voting against Zell and the Boy Scouts pretty much defines being out of touch with Georgia.

Max Cleland sacrificed a great deal for his country and to be frank, the people of Georgia recognized his sacrifice and rewarded him with high public office. It was not, however, a lifetime appointment. He did not earn the right to return to office. The ad Saxby’s folks ran was unfortunate, but it did not get him elected. Georgians didn’t like that ad and Saxby won despite that ad not because of it. If Max Cleland had listened to Georgians instead of Tom Daschle, he’d still be in office. For that matter, so would Tom Daschle.

By Will

August 17, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

Hey “By time for the truth,” calm down will you, and add honest input into these comments, not some haranguing right-wing slogans.

By WTF

August 17, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

Jackie@10:53am — You’re spot on about Senator Cleland. However, I have to make a clarification regarding your comment about “the terrorists that are coming in from Mexico.” Yours is of course a widely held belief, however I think readers here would be interested to know that in the House Committee Report to the Fiscal Year 2008 Homeland Security Appropriations bill (HR 2638) the Committee stated “The Committee has heard repeatedly that the Northern Border is more vulnerable to terrorism than the Southwest Border. Yet the Administration has transferred resources and personnel from the Northern to the Southwest Border.”

By Jackie

August 17, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

We all have the opportunity to make our choices in a political environment, but, should we have bald-face lies thrust upon us to make a political point? Max Cleland lost the election because the citizens of Georgia felt he did not represent their interests. Saxby Chambliss and his supporters lied and insulted the intelligence of all of us who believe that one should be judged on the “content of their character.”

By Ray

August 17, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

Dittos David D - Cheney/Satan ‘08

By Ray

August 17, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this

Dittos David D - Cheney/Satan ‘08

By time for the truth

August 17, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

@ little willie

funny how yet again the cowardly lefties on here predicktably completely ignore the hate/bile from their fellow lefties and puke up dishonest bollocks about “haranguing right wing slogans”. Virtually every thing I posted was factually accurate about demoNcrat crimes/sleaze/lies and racebaiting etc. The remaining witty trenchant fair comment merely served to judiciously magnify just how putrid the likes of peeping tom and crackpipe debbieturd are … excuse me - is (using much loved lefty pandering hippety hop type ebonics).

By LIvingRight

August 17, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this

Thats great Ray. Does your mom know you are using the computer?

By Jackie

August 17, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

@WTF

I am not sure of which border the “terrorist” will cross - North or South. I am convinced, however, that Dubya is showing a lack of resolve in marshaling the resources and insight in protecting the country from this threat. It appears to me, the drug cartel is the conduit being used by the “terrorist”, therefore, a “road map” to targets that will bring fear and panic to the citizens. I believe that Dubya is slack in his vigilance because he wants to something to happen and be able to look back and say to us, “I told you so.”

By jbmlaw

August 17, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

Dear Jackie the Jew-baiter @ 10:53, we neo-cons and neo-con-lovers acknowledge your belief that all who voted against Max Cleland believed he was an unpatriotic coward. We also believe your belief system is internally consistent.

By Shar

August 17, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this

If blame for historical revisionism is to be prioritized and apportioned, it seems to me that the false linkage of Iraq and 9/11, or the knowingly false accusation of Iraqi WMDs, takes precedence over the shameful Chambliss lies about Cleland. Ardent defenders of the Bush Administration, such as Mr. Wooten, should take care before tossing around accusations of conduct that senior officials have elevated to criminal art.

The Bush scriptwriter David Frum said of Karl Rove that “polarization is his specialty”, and while it worked initially in winning elections the deafening silence on his departure from most Republicans in place of valedictions reflects uneasiness with its effect on the nation. Substituting demonization for debate, inciting the frenzy of the fringes at the cost of the center has substantively damaged the country and is Mr. Rove’s equivalent of Lady MacBeth’s “blood on my hands”, the stain that won’t wash off and that ultimately marks the traitor who puts self-interest over national welfare and human decency.

By Jackie

August 17, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this

@jbmlaw,

Did you purchase your batteries in bulk? It will save you some money.

By Will

August 17, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this

Ok, “truth,” but aren’t you forgetting about a certain Republican Congressman with a thing for Capitol Hill Page boys? Or the one who liked taking the bribes from defense contractors? Or how about the Ohioan who ejoyed living the high life off Jack Abramoff. Again, there’s a lot of people on here making honest commentary, why don’t you stop dragging down the collective IQ level and start adding something besides Rush Limbaugh slogans?

By i'm right and you're wrong

August 17, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

time for the truth — No one knows if your postings are “factually accurate” because you present them in a manner that is akin to the rantings of one of those crazy people you see on the street shouting at an invisible person. If you were to present your views in a more lucid and eloquent manner then perhaps you would receive a higher degree of respect on here.

By Will

August 17, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

Ok, “truth,” but aren’t you forgetting about a certain Republican Congressman with a thing for Capitol Hill Page boys? Or the one who liked taking bribes from defense contractors? Or how about the Ohioan who enjoyed living the high life off Jack Abramoff? Again, there’s a lot of people on here making honest, decent commentary, why don’t you stop dragging down the collective IQ level and start adding something besides Rush Limbaugh slogans?

By Jackie

August 17, 2007 11:38 AM | Link to this

@jbmlaw,

I will ask you, did you ever have the gonads to “volunteer” for military service? If not, sounds like you are in line with all those who had deferments because of some illness. In your case it sounds like you were and still are a Section-4. You sir, do not not know whether to scratch your watch or wind your a$$!!!!

By WTF

August 17, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

DavidD @ 11:01am — I won’t argue with you that Cleland was probably more liberally than his constituency, however, I believe you are mistaken when you say that the Senator voted against the national charter of the Boy Scouts because they won’t allow gay scoutmasters. I believe what he voted for was an amendment to an appropriations bill that withheld federal funds from schools that allowed the Boy Scouts to use their facilities as long as the BSA policy remained disallowing gays in the scouts. To be sure, many Georgians would certainly disagree with that vote, but I think that was actually what he voted for - not for an end to the scout’s charter. If I’m wrong let me know.

By Van

August 17, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this

Shar,

No one in this administration made any connection between 9/11 and Iraq.

The Weapons of Mass Destruction assessment was the same assessment that Bill Clinton used to bomb Iraq.

Cleland voted against the creation of Homeland Security because the the workers would not be under a Union.

I do not see your point - it is like a sound bite from the DailyKos or Moveon.org.

Please do a little research and get your facts straight

By Reader

August 17, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this

A recommended read is Prince of the Marshes, written by a Rory Stewart, a Brit who was the first interim governor of an Iraqi province down near Basra. I am only 1/2 done with the book but it looks like we need to get out, and get out fast, and let all the childish primitive tribes and cultures in the area duke it out without us. If that means a Sunni vs. Shia regional civil war, let them duke it out, no reason for the U.S. to be involved in that crap.

By WTF

August 17, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

Van @ 11:42am, while not explitly saying “Saddam was tied to 9/11”, Vice President Cheney, on March 12, 2007, in remarks to the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee said, “As we get farther away from 9/11, I believe there is a temptation to forget the urgency of the task that came to us that day, and the comprehensive approach that’s required to protect this country against an enemy that moves and acts on multiple fronts….Iraq’s relevance to the war on terror simply could not be more plain.” What exactly do you think he meant by that if not to leave the implication that Iraq was tied to 9/11???? It was not long after this statement that President Bush, years after going to war with Iraq, was finally cornered into saying that there is no evidence that Iraq was involved in the terrible events of September 11.

By HUH?

August 17, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

No one in this administration made any connection between 9/11 and Iraq.

Then who came out with that Atta 9/11 hijacker alledgedly meeting with Iraqi intelligence in eastern Europe, since disproven but disproven only after we invaded Iraq?

By Buy@life

August 17, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

My car’s navigation system actually said, “you cant get there from here”. I was trying to get home from inside the locked fences of the police impound lot.

My car’s breathalyzer told me to use Scope. I dont have to stand for that, do I?

The last time I was stopped by a cop, my car’s navigation system started videotaping ME. I wasn’t even sassing the cop.

I’m not Rodney King. But I do have a dream car. A car that lets you drive it without regard to speed or road conditions, but rather from how cool your leather driving gloves are.

I have a dream car……

By jbmlaw

August 17, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

Dear Jackie the Jew-baiter @ 11:38, even as dumb and cowardly as I am, I can spot a Jew baiter.

By time for the truth

August 17, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

@ little willie

NO ONE denies there have been a handful of GOP politicos who have been corrupt and criminal. The level of demoNcrat corruption/crime has been far far worse.

rape in Arkansas, DUI killing by a kennedy, actually molesting page boys, endemic corruption, selling pardons, millions of illegal/corrupt (returned fund raising) to the chi-coms, cattlegate futures slush funds, library slush funds, depraved W House sexual harassment, sexual predators - Kondit/KKKlinton, Kennedy’s et al, illegal drug abuse, DUI’s, repeated perjury/lying about illegal fundraising, insider trading - the execrable McCauliffe’s Global Crossing etc, $90,000 in the freezer, blatant nepotism at the WH travel office, the non suicide of V Foster etc + the Hitllarybitch’s slew of lies and corruption. Ferraros’s mafiaconnected hubbie, jim traffiKKKant, KKKlinton theft of W House furniture + ALL the criminal/corrupt KKKlinton cabinet homies etc etc etc …

the recent FL GOP congressman did NOT molest any page boys - an ASSachsussetts homosexual pervert repeatedly molested a page boy in Portugal hotel room - and was only slightly censured, the queer Bwarney Fwank was caught pimping homo rent boys from fed funded offices.

By WTF

August 17, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

Maybe I’m naive, but what is a Jew baiter?

By Buy@life

August 17, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

Anyone notice that Islamic slur Wooten used in his column today? Why would anyone point out that Mayor Ellis converted to Islam unless they were trying to incite a sectarian riot? (which is like so illegal, man)

The shame of it is almost too much to bear. A grown man! And All for a little bit of partisan bickering. Well let me tell you something, wooten, there’s more to life than a little bit of partisan bickering.

..and it’s such a nice day….

fargo.

By i'm right and you're wrong

August 17, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

time for the truth — Congressman Frank was not pimping prostitutes from his Congressional office. He had someone living in his home who was working as a prostitute. Nothing to be proud of to be sure, but get your facts straight since it is time for the truth.

By jbmlaw

August 17, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

Dear WTF @ 12:18, fair question. As I employ the term, “one who blames the Jewish people for imagined sins.” In Jackie’s particular case, she borrowed Pat Buchanan’s anti-Jewish slur to blame her peceived enemies for defeating Max Cleland.

By HUH?

August 17, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this

Is Dick Cheney not considered part of this administration?

SOMEONE was implying Atta met with an Iraqi intelligence agent in Prague before 9/11.

http://www.globalexchange.org/countries/mideast/iraq/2243.html

By Reader

August 17, 2007 12:28 PM | Link to this

@Btftt,

The others are right; all you’re doing is spouting off some cracker right-wing conspiracies from decades ago. Ted Kennedy and Barney Frank? Please, that’s so old as to be etched in stone. Foley was trying to diddle little pages less than two years ago, and apparently did diddle two of them after they stopped working on the hill. Oh yeah, and Foley did this while chairing the House Caucus on Missing and Exploited Childern. Like the others have said, unless you can make some viable points as to the discussion at hand, stop yapping your right-wing BS about everyone from Kennedy on (what, no FDR rants?) and STFU!

By Buy@life

August 17, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

When I tried to drive to the Bridge to Nowhere, my car’s navigation system started complaining about congressional pork and vowed to vote for Hillary.

A fed-up partisan car?

By WTF

August 17, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

More cherry picking by Jim. He says “Earmarks, such as the “Bridge to Nowhere,” that individual members of Congress insert in appropriations bills, should be stopped altogether. But ample loopholes accompanying Democratic hype about doing it indicate it won’t be soon.”

Mr. Wooten fails to mention that President Bush has threatened to VETO the lobby reform legislation because he feels the “revolving door” (i.e. how long officials have to wait before becoming lobbyists) provisions for Senators and Executive Branch officals are too strict as opposed to the restrictions for House members. But of course, it’s the big bad Democrats who are not doing anything to clean up the process. I’m sure Mr. Bush is only doing what he thinks is right, not trying to ensure that his White House staff are able to hop into the lobbying business in early 2009.

By Bart Lvr

August 17, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

Speaking of home-grown terrorists, 100,000 Americans have been MURDERED Since 2001.

Who among you freedom lovers support THIS? “At the same time that we’re confiscating water and toothpaste from air travelers, we’re handing over guns and bullets by the trainload to yahoos bent on blowing others into eternity in armed robberies,drug-dealing, gang violence, domestic assaults and other criminal acts.”

“Among those who have noticed the carnage are the nation’s police chiefs, and they are alarmed. Surges of homicides and other violent crimes in many cities and towns over the past couple of years have prompted LA Police chief Bill Bratton to warn of a “gathering storm” of criminal violence in the U.S.”

Bart: But of course this isn’t Bush’s fault! He had to pull Clinton’s 100,000 extra cops off the beat because Clinton was evil. He had to put assault weapons back in criminal hands because Clinton was evil!

By WTF

August 17, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

jbmlaw @ 12:25, thanks for the definition. i thought that was what the term mean, but wasn’t sure. while i have no idea what jackie’s intent was in referring to “neocons” i would be willing to bet that the vast majority of americans aren’t aware that the term is often a code word for jews. but that’s a whole other issue for people to argue about. btw….i believe you and i are on opposite sides of the political spectrum, but i appreciate that you set a good example for the level of discourse on here unlike others whom i won’t name.

By Buy@life

August 17, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

I tried to drive to the Bridge to Nowhere, WTF, and you know what my car’s navigation system said? “You cant get there from here.”

I was inside the police impound lot after hours at the time, so maybe the car was right, eh?

Dont know. Just dont know anymore, aw WTF, sometimes you just have to say, “Fook it”, know what I mean?

I need a beer. How close is it to miller time, anyway?

Fook it. I’m popping open a tall cold one right now, sir.

By jbmlaw

August 17, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

Dear Southern @ 10:55, picking up on a couple of your arguments, I think I broadly agree with your analysis. I fully agreed with your (and Mrs. SD’s) then-perspective that Max Cleland was unlikely to lose his election. Dept of Education usually slips my mind, but I think I would agree with your rankings. DHS was mostly formed by rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic, carved out from pieces of other departments, like making sausage from souse. The “genius” of a vision of unionizing formerly non-unionized areas still escapes me. I fear public union bosses usually contribute less to the substance of make-work rules than simply ossifying their existence, but you are at least theoretically right that another voice in the mix may have tried to talk sense where none otherwise existed. You could be right, that military trimming may have by-passed Georgia facilities had we kept even a single liberal voice in the Senate, although I think that less likely due to Mr. Cleland’s influence within the military or within the Administration than within the Democrat party. Sen Chambliss does not particularly strike me as a disgrace – he voted for approval of Messrs Roberts and Alito, a distinction that most leftists in the Senate cannot claim; voting against those guys fits my definition of disgraceful (not that I am partisan or anything.)

By John

August 17, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

By Capt

August 17, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this

Hey JBM I guess you could call me a governmet bureaucrat. I am a Firefighter/Paramedic that sits at a desk all day making sure that the system that protects you and your family runs smoothly. I only came to this desk job after I ruined my back working to save two children from burning to death. Oh and by the way I have cancer, probably from all the smoke and cancer causing agents I inhaled my whole career. I now cannot breath well and walk with a pronounced limp due to the ruptured discs in my back that are inoperable. After all of this I have missed only 3 days of work due to these developments in my health. So do I deserve a pension?….I don’t know…according to you I don’t. So the next time your house catches on fire or a member of your family has a stroke or heart attack call someone with a 401K and see how well that works out for you.

Capt, thank you for sticking it into Wooten and others of his ilk so deeply that it will take a tow truck to pull it out. Not only will their 401ks not save them from the kind of fire that you fight, but it won’t save them from the kind of fire most of them will face come judgement day either.

By jbmlaw

August 17, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

Dear Southern and others affected, I violated my own rule by referring to the loyal opposition by the term “liberal.” I apologize; I intended no offense.