November 2009
I like Brian Brodrick. He's a good guy, a moderate, a conscientious and responsible elected official, and a friend. If I had to pick any Republican to be trapped on a stuck elevator with, it'd probably be Brodrick. But in his post today, "Unintended Consequences," I believe he just unwittingly gave Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle a little more political cover to push through a $2.4 billion tax hike on Georgia taxpayers.
At issue is health care, and specifically the meme that Casey Cagle is trying to sell to anyone who'll listen that the Democratic health care plan will lead to human sacrifice, dogs and cats living...
Homicides resulting from domestic violence are on the rise.
Officials from Athens and Clark Counties are alarmed by the numbers.
Thirteen victims have been killed by their spouses so far in 2009, more than the six previous years combined.
Athens police spokesman David Leedahl believes a major factor is the tough economy.
One of the more interesting, yet underreported, stories these days is the sudden shortage of seasonal flu vaccine. While much attention has been given to the H1N1 vaccine - and the struggles to churn out enough supply of both the nasal spray and shot forms of the vaccine - the shortage of the usual seasonal vaccine is an even greater problem.
The Northeast Georgia Health District has been without the vaccine since September 25, and calls to both the Clarke County and Oconee County health departments confirmed the absence of the vaccine at those facilities. Clarke County is hoping to receive a shipment of both H1N1 and seasonal vaccines by the end of this week, but they both said they were unsure if they'd arrive.
By contrast, the Oconee County Health Department had the...
A new report from the Fiscal Policy Institute is suggesting that the rapid influx of immigrants - documented and undocumentated - has made a significant contribution to the overall Gross Domestic Product.
The report found that in the 25 largest metropolitan areas - including Atlanta which has seen the largest growth in immigrants' share of the labor force - foreign-born workers account for 20 percent of the economic output and make up 20 percent of the population. Given that those communities account for more than half of the nation's GDP, as well as two-thirds of all immigrants, that's an astounding number.
One of the primary reasons their contribution is so profound is that immigrants...
It looks like Sen. Kasim Reed owned last night's debate ...
Norwood had her own question about her opponent’s advertising:
Mr. Reed, you say you want to clean up the mess at city hall. That’s your latest commercial. But where have you been for the last eight years — when I have fought for audits, fought for audits of the watershed department, of the finance department, forced investigations, demanded reviews of other departments. Where have you been?
Answered Reed:
I’ve actually been getting things done, as...
- Again, I'm not opposed to legislation permitting the sale of raw milk. My problem is that the very people who are clamoring for the law to change don't like this proposal, and they shouldn't. It's devoid of oversight and is nothing more than an excuse for Rep. Bobby Franklin to do some silly chest-thumpin' about 'big government.'
If Franklin's name sounds familiar, it ought to. He's the guy who called for an armed revolution against the government earlier this month. On Facebook no less.
- This is really, really good. It's...
That is all.
Well, so say UGA scientists anyway.
UGA researchers did the study outside Athens restaurants and bars which have had an indoor smoking ban since 2005.
The scientists had non-smokers sit outside for a six hour period.
They found levels of the nicotine by-product cotinine increased 162 percent in those volunteers.
Lookit, this is a matter of picking your poison. People are going to smoke, whether inside or out. The difference is, with the indoor smoking ban, you walk through a cloud of...
In full disclosure terms, I'm serving on the steering committee for the event this year, but it's a great fundraiser that benefits more than 30 non-profit agencies during the holiday season.
The Annual Holiday Benevolence Market will be held on Sunday, Dec. 6 from noon to 3 p.m. at First Christian Church in downtown Athens-Clarke County. It's a free event where 'shoppers' can go from booth to booth and make donations to various organizations in the community. It's a great one-stop shop if you're thinking about giving back during the holidays.
We've got...
Best wishes from us to y'all on Thanksgiving.
I hope yours is as good mine ... which involves an oceanfront view, two turkeys set to be fried and a couple of cases of Coors Light.
