The Watercooler
By Staff
9/3/2006 02:21:05 PM


This is an open blog for discussing whatever you`d like.


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Shadow
Comments: 30
Joined: 02/09/2007
07/04/2008 10:21:36 AM
Walker CI doesn't respond with the County because of some women in the County Dept. flirting with and even more with the Prisoners. There have been several "incidents" with different women that have been covered up. Now, not all the females in the Fire Dept are guilty of this but there are a select few that have corresponded and "fraternized" with inmates. On the other hand alot of men in the Fire Dept. have been involved in extr marital affairs as well "I hope not with the prison Fire Dept. staff" but as I have said before there is more sex scandal in the Fire Dept. than on Knotts Landing. Even though there had been alot of issues between the County and the City of LaFayette I doubt they would disrespect Dino in his final moment.
 
maggie
Comments: 1273
Joined: 01/08/2006
07/04/2008 07:46:28 AM
Happy 4th of July to everyone. Hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday. God Bless America!!!!!!!!!!
 
maggie
Comments: 1273
Joined: 01/08/2006
07/03/2008 10:24:22 PM
Just wanted to put this out there, please parents, grandparents, etc. don't ride your small children on the riding mower when you are mowing. It is so dangerous and many children each year are killed or severely injured by doing this.

 
mdsp
Comments: 155
Joined: 07/16/2007
07/03/2008 08:52:49 PM
If this is true and Ashburn did not want a ladder truck at Dino' s funeral he needs to explain because as I see it, it was no skin off his back. If Ashburn had issues with Dino it would only be because Dino was so respected and he (Ashburn) has never known that sentiment.

 
Outsider
Comments: 4
Joined: 05/15/2008
07/02/2008 10:44:48 AM
Oh, excuse me WalkerMommy! The ladder truck requested by LaFayette Fire Dept. for the Funeral actually came from Hayes CI which I believe is also a part of the Georgia Department of Corrections Prison System. Hayes CI, however, is not a usual first responder in Walker County as Walker CI is. Walker CI is catching the heat from the ladder truck being provided by Hayes.

 
WalkerMommy
Comments: 35
Joined: 11/26/2007
07/01/2008 04:25:15 PM
Outsider - Man, you are really on a roll. That's why I hate having to tell you that the prison fire department doesn't have a ladder truck.

 
Outsider
Comments: 4
Joined: 05/15/2008
06/30/2008 10:56:01 AM
OK Mr. Ashburn, tell us what is going on with the Prison's Fire Department. I heard over the weekend that you got your panties in wad over the City of Lafayette using the Prison's Ladder Truck for Dino's Funeral. I heard that you got so mad that you went to the 9-1-1 Center and had Walker CI's department removed from the alerting system and will no longer "allow" them to respond in Walker County. Walker CI's department is probably the best staffed and trained department in the county but because you got your feelings hurt, you are putting citizens lives in danger by not allowing them to respond. I seriously doubt that Chief Camp agrees with this decision but I am sure that he can't express his opinions for fear of being fired. Can you just tell us if the rumor is true and if so, give us a logical explanation for not letting the hardest working fire station in the county respond to the fires.
 
maggie
Comments: 1273
Joined: 01/08/2006
06/27/2008 10:44:42 PM
Familymom, that is the way I see it, as a joke. I knew they had a hefty reserve, but didn't know the actual amount. I am sure it could disapear quickly without tax revenue coming in, but enough is enough. Something most people don't know either is that (at least it was this way when I worked for the school system) payroll for the employees comes in around the 15th of the month and payday is not until the last school day of the month, giving the school sytem interest on those 15 days it sits in the bank. I am sure the reserve fund is also invested in accts. that earn interest. I would think they could use the interest off this money, without touching the principle to help fund some of the needs of the school system. Perhaps they already do, but I don't know. I would think the interest on 8 million would be a tidy little sum.

If they really want to help the citizens of Catoosa County, they need to lower the millage rate more than the tiny bit they are planning.
 
familymom
Comments: 157
Joined: 11/29/2007
06/27/2008 10:13:35 PM
I hope I can buy half a tank of gas with my property tax savings...lol. It is a joke to think it will help us all out.
 
familymom
Comments: 157
Joined: 11/29/2007
06/27/2008 10:12:12 PM
Maggie,

I am glad they are not raising taxes (so far). I know that I was going to protest it at the July meeting...
I was in shock to see the reserve fund amount!!! I do not know anything about education budgets and how much is needed to reserve, but that seemed like alot. I cannot believe they were even talking about raising the taxes a few weeks ago.


 
maggie
Comments: 1273
Joined: 01/08/2006
06/27/2008 05:30:28 PM
Well isn't this nice of the school board to think about us tax payers. Wow, amongst all of us tax payers, just wonder how far this $83,000 will go to help all of us buy more gas and groceries. Whoopee, I bet that takes all of $50.00 off my taxes, well that will buy me half a tank!!!!!!!!! I wish I had over 8 million in a reserve fund, I could draw from to help pay my expenses. How fortunate, they have that plush fund, thanks to all of us hard working tax payers.

Denia Reese School taxes could be a little bit lower this year.

The Catoosa County Board of Education informally agreed to build a budget based on lowering the millage rate from 16.868 mills to 16.773 mills. A mill is $1 of tax for every $1,000 of property value.

Lowering the rate would cost the school system about $83,000 in a budget of about $103 million, said assistant superintendent Kim Nichols.

Superintendent Denia Reese said that although every penny is “sacred,” she feels comfortable with recommending that the board take the $83,000 loss given that taxpayers need their money more than ever in today’s economy.

“Because we are seeing people suffer trying to keep up with fuel costs and the way things are right now, if we could help the taxpayer out a little bit...I think we could manage it,” she said.

The board has yet to make the decrease final.

The budget is based on drawing $1.7 million from reserves. Some $720,000 of that is designated for aKim Nichols
dditional teacher salaries in case enrollment is more than anticipated. It would leave a reserve fund of $7.5 million, officials said.

Board chairman Don Dycus said there is a possibility that the system would receive more funds in the mid-term adjustment in which the state, during the middle of the school year, allots additional monies. If that’s the case, not all of the $1.7 million would be taken from reserve funding, he said.

“Everybody’s worked very hard to make sure that we have a healthy reserve,” Nichols said.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anticipated school system revenue sources
Property tax: $25.5 million

Other local (real estate transfer taxes, investments, various fees):

Don Dycus $2.3 million

State and federal: $68.4 million

Child nutrition: $5.6 million

Local reserve funds: $1.7 million


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Earlier in the year, the system announced cutbacks of more than 60 teacher and paraprofessional positions because of anticipated funding losses from state revenue. Reese said all but a handful of those people have now found other jobs, either within the school system in different positions or in other employment. She said Nichols’ careful handling of finances helped make it possible to consider decreasing property taxes even in a tight budget year.

If the school board did not lower the millage rate, officials would be required to hold three taxpayer hearings to allow public input on the issue. That’s because a mill levied on property across Catoosa County would bring in more money this year than last year, officials said, due to development and increased property values.

Board member David Moeller was absent from the meeting, but Dycus said he would be informed of the board’s unofficial decision and allowed to give input.

Nichols said the board would likely vote on the final budget near Aug. 1.



 
familymom
Comments: 157
Joined: 11/29/2007
06/27/2008 11:07:15 AM
fixem,

I can see your point. In fact it can sometimes go even further. When my husband went back to college about 5 years ago we looked for scholarships, but had difficulty. There were funds for women, blacks, black women, indians, asians, even one for gays and lesbians!!! There were no scholarships for white men alone. It was frustrating as he had a perfect GPA and was just your average white man with a family trying to pursue another career. At any rate, we took it in stride and got a loan for school. I agree that the segregating groups are a bit ridiculous.
Also, within his professional organization there are separate groups to join...but they are for the blacks, the asian, the indian...and yes there is a group for the lesbians and gays! I do not know why all these groups of people wish to exclude themselves from the main organization. They want to have their cake and eat it too.
And if a white heterosexual wanted to form a group just for white heterosexuals...the ACLU would be ALL over him.
 
bygracethrufaith
Comments: 746
Joined: 07/13/2007
06/27/2008 11:02:08 AM
okay, then fixem.

Just so I'm COMPLETELY clear on where you stand. Then do you believe the ENTIRE post to be true? INCLUDING the two statements that I copied and pasted from it yesterday in another post?
 
fixem
Comments: 63
Joined: 11/16/2007
06/27/2008 09:41:54 AM
let me make something clear. i did think the post through, i do think that it is time to take a stand against the preferential treatment for those that use race as something to keep holding over everyones head. we are all supposed to be walking around, afraid to say anything for fear of offending someone who isnt afraid to offend others. you know what i mean? i get sick of seeing things that are there for betterment of someone that is no better than me! all this black this and black that, when african americans are not even wanting to be called black anymore! now does that make any sense? to me if they wanted equality, then all these orginizations should change there policies and accept everyone no matter what the race. it is like that on everything else that is avalible to everyone else.
 
Snowdog
Comments: 10
Joined: 06/07/2007
06/26/2008 06:45:28 PM
I just have a small comment to make. I wish there could be a fence put around the water fountain at Joe Stock Memorial Park. I was driving down the road in front of the park and I saw a little toddler headed for the road. Luckily the driver coming from the other direction saw him also and stopped. The little guy walked out in the road in front of both of us, almost crossing the road completely before Mom saw him and ran after him. I think they could put some type of wrought iron fence around it just to deter the little ones from going to the road. It really scared me to think about how deadly that could have been. Any one have any suggestions on who to talk to?
Thanks
 
bygracethrufaith
Comments: 746
Joined: 07/13/2007
06/26/2008 05:09:12 PM
Diogenes,
I completely understand. A similar thing happened around me...with this very email that emulates "white pride." Perhaps that's why I've taken such offense to it being posted. I can understand an occasional rant about things not going as they should in our country...but when we have just one thing wrong, it's easy to negate our entire arguement.

I've come to loathe chain letters, as most of them contain falseness and/or fantasy.
 
Diogenes
Comments: 373
Joined: 01/31/2006
06/26/2008 04:59:38 PM
Grace,

We are close enough in values to be in general agreement on most. I certainly know what you mean about wishing people would think things through.

My mother-in-law is a dear sweet little old lady, without an ounce of hatred in her, but possibly not as mentally sharp as she once was either. She got the Obama email that compares him to Muslim terrorists, and claims he is the anti-Christ with a phony biblical reference.

She was terrified with the idea that the Democratic candidate for president might be the anti-Christ. Without really understanding the thing, or realizing it's bigotry, and lies, she forwarded it to a large list of family and friends. One or which is an African American Muslim, who was very upset with her, until he realized she didn't even think about what it would seem like to him.


 
bygracethrufaith
Comments: 746
Joined: 07/13/2007
06/26/2008 04:28:17 PM
Diogenes,
perhaps you misunderstood me as much as I misunderstood you then. lol.

I already said that I do not believe that the intent of the poster(fixem) is bad....it's that of the AUTHOR that I have a problem with.

And again, while there are a few points that I can agree with, such as the ones that you mentioned, I cannot see posting the whole thing as if it is ALL true.

Remember the old saying, "Two wrongs don't make a right?"

I don't have a problem with fixem...I just don't think that posting an email that has predjudice undertones is a good idea, if you are for equality.

I just really wish that people would think things through...consider the ENTIRE contints of a message before forwarding or posting it. I have stupid chain letter emails sent to me all of the time. But I don't forward any of them, not because they don't contain one ounce of truth...On the contrary, they contain "JUST ENOUGH" truth to make the whole thing believable, including the lies. Case in point... The "obama" emails. I've yet to see one putting him down that does not contain one lie.

Not saying you or fixem (or me or anyone else for that matter) do not have legitimate concerns, however, I am not in agreement that having the sort of attitude that comes across in the ENTIRE MESSAGE...not just the phrases that can be agreed upon...... will ever solve anything. It will make it worse. I have a hard time agreeing on the "correct points" when I'm distracted by the obvious intent of the AUTHOR of the message. (the AUTHOR, not fixem)
 
maggie
Comments: 1273
Joined: 01/08/2006
06/26/2008 03:28:08 PM
Twinkie, I will keep your work in my prayers.
 
Diogenes
Comments: 373
Joined: 01/31/2006
06/26/2008 03:26:49 PM
Grace,

I didn't say I agreed with the content, and certainly didn't say I agreed with any of the remarks you parsed out of the material.

The material itself has been circulating the internet for a while, so I didn't think the poster here was the author.

I just didn't assume a racist intent in the poster's act of posting that material, and while some of the comments are offensive, I can still relate to the frustration, confusion, and offense, fostered by the prolific number of racially exclusive organizations which are somehow above reproach, criticism, or even comment, in the current Politically Correct world.

There are schools where my children would not be welcome, because of their race.

There are college funds that would exclude my children, based on their race.

There is a NAACP, which I would be welcome to join and contribute to, but my children could not benefit from it, based on their race.

These things are somewhat offensive to me, but it offends me much more to be blamed for an ugly hatred I've never felt.

I can see plenty wrong with the statements you mention, but I also see plenty wrong with this other stuff, and I don't buy into the argument that it is somehow justified, or needed, because of things that happened years ago.
 
Twinkie
Comments: 390
Joined: 01/18/2006
06/26/2008 03:17:11 PM
Maggie, I haven't been on the cruse yet. The trees are in the ground and the blueberries are doing well for their first year but we are trying to get enouth fence up to keep the deer out. They have eaten the tops of most of the okra and all the sunflower plants.
We are still working hard on getting it going, have had a few set backs but keep praying that we will get it right eventually.
 
bygracethrufaith
Comments: 746
Joined: 07/13/2007
06/26/2008 01:47:19 PM
The post in question states:

"You say that whites commit a lot
of violence against you,
so why are the ghettos the most
dangerous places to live?"

"You rob us,
carjack us,
and shoot at us."

If you cannot see anything wrong with those statements, then I see no point in explaining any further.

I have never been to a "black, hispanic, or asian" ghetto....but I imagine that a WHITE ghetto would be just as dangerous.

I have never been robbed, carjacked, or shot at by ANYONE, but I believe that a WHITE person is just as likely to do that to me as any other COLOR.

To assume and STATE otherwise IS predjudice and motivated by hate or fear, or both.

In other words, when you say "robber, carjacker, drive-by shooting, community violence, etc." The writer obviously primarily thinks of people of color, otherwise, they would not use such examples. Am I the only one who sees a problem with that?

I understand that there is racial predjudice all the way around...but that post is not the answer, on the contrary, it promotes it.

I'm against justifying ANY act of predjudice.

Should a black person hate me because of something my grandparents did? NO. But at the same time, I should not be so naive to think that just because slavery ended, and civil rights for all are in effect that there is no predjudice against people of color anymore. Just because I'm not predjudiced (at least I try not to be) doesn't mean that no one else is.

Again, MY point IS: Promoting the PRIDE of ANY race is NOT the answer to racial discimination in this country. We need to back off from the "pride" and become more humble toward one another. ALL OF US. REGARDLESS OF COLOR.
 
Diogenes
Comments: 373
Joined: 01/31/2006
06/26/2008 01:12:47 PM
Grace,

I read the other poster's comment without assuming a racist intent.

When you get down to it, excluding an actual lack of pigmentation, there are really no white people, or black people.

So aren't we all just different shades of brown ?

Sort of silly, all the fuss made about such.

I may be called "White", but in the Summer I turn darker than some of my "Black" friends. I can turn red from embarrassment, or the heat of the day, blue from the cold, green from envy or sickness, and I turn pale from fear, or rage.

So, am I not also a "Person of Color" ?

One of my grandfathers grew up in South Texas in the late 1800s. He was a full blooded Comanche, with a white wife.

I think my family has a very good understanding of the nature of biggotry.

Yet, because I am called "white", to even comment about an organization that excludes "white" people, will quickly get me labeled a racist.

This is highly offensive to me, and it also doesn't make any sense.

During my young days, I heard much about a fight for equality, and the elimination of segregation.

It rightly became unlawful to exclude people from organizations based upon the color of their skin.

Now, we now see many organizations doing exactly that.

Just like an Alabama high school excluding African Americans fifty years ago, such organizations are justifiable only to those who benefit from them.

Did segregation end, or is it race discrimination, plain, and simple, ugly as it ever was ?.

In my opinion, in no instance do the unjust actions, or attitudes, of the past, justify the same in the present.

If I am wrong, please explain why.





 
bygracethrufaith
Comments: 746
Joined: 07/13/2007
06/26/2008 01:10:43 PM
fixem,
I know that there is SOME truth to your earlier post, but it also contained a tone of racism. When you say that carjackers are people of color, then that's a racist statement. When you blame the violence in ghettos on people of color, rather than looking at the circumstances that a person with ANY color would have to live under in that ghetto, that has a racial undertone as well.

I'm not an advocate of being proud of ANY skin color. I'm an advocate of looking below the surface of skin color and examining the PERSON wearing the skin.

Truth is: if EVERYONE can't get past Black Pride, White Pride, Green Pride and Yellow Pride, then nothing will EVER get accomplished as far as predjudice in skin color is concerned.

My point:
WHITE PRIDE is not the answer to any of the problems that you, or anyone else has with other races and their own colorful Pride.

As long as there is PRIDE in any COLOR (or lack of color), there is very litte acceptance and equality for any other race besides the one that Pride is being shown for. Being proud of your skin color invites you to look down on others who do not share that same color. And I say that about ANY color.

I believe that a better answer for everyone is to show humility, rather than pride. You don't answer the issue of "pride" with your own "pride."

You're right, there are things out of whack in this country as far as racism is concerned, but there are several reasons why your previous post is not the answer to those problems.

I know you probably didn't write it (unless, of course, you are the creator of the same one circulating in email boxes) Because I've already got this one in my inbox. And I don't believe the creator of this message had the same intent as you when he/she created it. Stereotyping people for the promotion of another race is never brought about by "good" intentions. While you may agree with a few of the points, surely you do not also believe that all carjackers are people of color, and that violence in ghettos is there because the people that live there are of a certain color???

This is the same tactic as tele-evangelists use to "reel" people in. Hook'em with a little "truth" from the Bible, then bring'em in with the lies.

Not much difference in my eyes.

BTW, I also find it a little amusing that you are under the assumption that I am NOT white and am not also possibly being blamed for something my grandfather did. You're also asking "I can't be as proud of my color as you?"
Rather than having pride in a color, I'd rather have pride in striving to become a better person.

-But, just for the record, regarding what I look like....I'm just about as "caucasion" as you can get! LOL.
 
fixem
Comments: 63
Joined: 11/16/2007
06/26/2008 12:32:05 PM
seeing things like miss black america being crowned last night when ladies of all colors are allowed to be in the miss america padgent makes me realize that somehow whites are the ones having our faces rubbed in the whole race issue. i have many friends of color and a number of them feel the same way. i am with you on lets get past the whole race thing and just call ourselves americans. i was simply bringing an issue to the attention of others that something is out of whack in this country. there is more and more people of color that are doing well for the situation of others to be blamed on the whites. but it still is. everywhere you turn its like that. there is a lot of truth in my earlier post. and it is obvious that some of it dont have to be. we as a people cant be blamed for what happened before we were born but for the most part, the whites are still to this day blamed for it. if you had a great great grandfather who did something would you feel like you should be held accountable for it? we as whites are. there are whites that are worse off than many blacks or asian, or latinos. should they be entitled to special priviliges that are not avalible to people of color? NOPE! i know that there is still hatred between the races and that is something that will always be. but cant i be as proud of my color as you? that is what i was saying in my post. may god be with us and bless us all.
 
bygracethrufaith
Comments: 746
Joined: 07/13/2007
06/26/2008 11:54:21 AM
RE: Proud to be white?
What?
I'm in shock, fixem.

If so many things had not already happened that white people should NOT be proud of, then there would likely not ever have been a NEED for those organizations to have ever been formed.

I fear that posts such as this one may divide even further.

Your post complains about the violence in the "ghettos." Seriously now, take out all of the people of color in those areas and replace them with WHITE people, and watch the same thing happen. You would get the same results. It's NOT the skin color of the people. It's the situation that they are forced to live in.

It's also because of the LACK of opportunity in the past in this country for people that have any color to thier skin that these colleges are formed. Have there ever been any white people turned away from black colleges? I think that's something to look into before forming an opinion.

There is STILL MUCH racism toward people of color in this country, whether you want to believe it or not. Everything hasn't changed as many people would like for you to believe. It's STILL there. People still hate. The only difference NOW is that racially motivated crimes are more likely to be punished than in the past. That's the only reason why we don't see more violence against people who are not white. Our country has only evolved a little on the SURFACE... the HATE is still there for many. It's just masked. The predjudice is still there. The fear is still there.

And posts like that ensure that it stays there for all that believe those words to be justified.

Just because you may not (I have no clue, speculating here) think that you are racist, doesn't mean that everything's okay now. It's still there for alot of people. It's just a little harder to "detect" than it used to be.

Perhaps we should ALL quit trying to "focus" on being proud of ANY skin color (or lack thereof) and just try to be good people.

What a concept!


 
fixem
Comments: 63
Joined: 11/16/2007
06/26/2008 08:57:59 AM


PROUD TO BE WHITE



Here is one to sink your teeth into. This is so true in our American Society.

It makes you squirm, but illustrates how far political correct behavior has come.


Proud To Be White






Someone finally said it.





How many are actually paying attention to this?




There are African Americans,


Mexican Americans,





Asian Americans,





Arab Americans,





Native Americans, etc.





.....And then there are just -





Americans.





Some pass me on the street





and sneer in my direction.





They Call me 'White boy,'





'Cracker,' 'Honkey,'





'Whitey,' 'Caveman,'





.....And that's OK.





You say that whites commit a lot





of violence against you,





so why are the ghettos the most





dangerous places to live?



They have the United Negro College Fund.
They have Hispanic History Month.
They have Martin Luther King Day.
They have Asian History Month.
They have Black History Month.
They have Cesar Chavez Day.
They have Ma'uled Al-Nabi.
They have Yom Hashoah.
They have Kawanza.< SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">
They have the NAACP.


If we had WET


(White Entertainment Television)





.....We'd be racists.





If we had a White Pride Day





.....You would call us racists.





If we had the White History Month





.....We'd be racist.





If we had any organization for only whites





to 'advance' OUR lives,





.....We'd be racists.





We have a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce,





a Black Chamber of Commerce,





and then we just have the plain





Chamber of Commerce.





Wonder who pays for that?





If we had a college fund that only gave





white students scholarships





.....You know we'd be racists.





There are over 60 openly-proclaimed





Black-only Colleges in the US,





yet if there were 'White-only Colleges'





.....THAT would be a racist college.





In the Million-Man March,





you believed that you were





marching for your race and rights.





If we marched for our race and rights,





.....You would call us racists.





You are proud to be black,





brown, yellow and red,





and you're not afraid to announce it.





But when we announce our white pride





.....You call us racists.





You rob us,





carjack us,





and shoot at us.





But, when a white police officer





shoots a black gang member





or beats up a black drug-dealer





who is running from the LAW and





posing a threat to ALL of society





.....You call him a racist.





I am proud.





.....But, you call me a racist.





Why is it that only





whites





can be racists?
















































































































.

















 
maggie
Comments: 1273
Joined: 01/08/2006
06/26/2008 08:53:05 AM
You are right they probably won't put it up there, but you are right, being in any kind of office doesn't give a person the right to do as they please. Too bad, they usually do and get away with it.

How's the farm going? Hope all your trees and plants are doing well. Hope you are doing well also. Have you been on your cruise yet?
 
Twinkie
Comments: 390
Joined: 01/18/2006
06/26/2008 08:01:57 AM
Hi Maggie. Hope you are doing well. They probably won't put my post up there but at least I said what I had to say about the situation. I'm fed up with our elected officials who think their office puts them above the average John Q Citizen. These people should be held to a higher standard then the ordinary man on the street. In 2001, license's had to be renewed every 4 years, Garry Fricks knew he did not have a valid license. Suppose he had hit someone and killed or seriously injured them, it happens every day. And this man is a representative of Floyd county, he is a commissioner.
Didn't mean to rant, we just have so much corruption from the local level to the White House, there doesn't seem to be any honesty in our entire system. It's no matter what I do, let me show you my government ID card, it is a free pass to ignore the law.
 
maggie
Comments: 1273
Joined: 01/08/2006
06/26/2008 07:29:53 AM
Hi Twinkie, good to see you on here. I think that is thought provoking enough, but don't know if they will put it up there.
 
gabulldawg
Comments: 5
Joined: 06/23/2008
06/25/2008 11:50:24 PM
In response to Oldsoldier's question: Yes, anybody will tell you that Jim Cutler is Bill's handpicked successor for Jim Emberson's seat. If you will drive by Bill Clark's property and look at the signs that are on it, you will know right quick who he is supporting. Right beside his driveway is a Jim Cutler, Barbara Wilson, and a Brad Scott sign, along with Bill's sign. Bill doesnt allow anyone to put signs on his property unless he is supporting them.
Another way I know, is that Bill is very good friends with Mona Allday, and Mona's best pal is Darlene Cutler, which, obviously, is Jim's wife. So Bill recruited Jim on to be his yes-man. So if Jim and Barbara are elected, then Bill is going to be emporer of Catoosa county. If you like that, then vote for them, but the whold point of switching to a 5 man board was so we would have some diverse opinions, not just one man callling the shots and telling all commissioners which way to vote! You know it only takes 3 votes to get anything done in this county. Bill is a very smart man. Never to be underestimated.
 
Twinkie
Comments: 390
Joined: 01/18/2006
06/25/2008 11:15:30 PM
Mr. Moderator, Perhaps this is thought provoking enough. For 5 years now, I have fought through telephone call, e-mails, and letters to my representatives, to try to get our drivers license and insurance laws enforced. While it's true that many of the people driving without license and insurance are in this country illegally, we have recently had a Floyd County Commissioner arrested in Calhoun for driving with a license that had been suspended since 2001. Not only that, he had no proof of insurance, had a tag from another vehicle on his truck and instead of his license tried to present the arresting officer with his Floyd County Commissioner ID card.
That man was Floyd County Commissioner Garry Fricks, who stated that he knew there was a problem with his license for a "few months" but had procrastinated about taking care of it. Did he not try to renew his license since 2001? Surely it was not only suspended but also expired by now.
The other county commissioners have blown it off by basically saying that he didn't violate any laws of his office, but he was driving to meetings for his job and was reimbursed for his gasoline. Does the Floyd County Commission not require a valid drivers license before paying for his gas?
Quite frankly, I find the situation to be an embarrassment to this county!
 
Oldsoldier
Comments: 7
Joined: 06/23/2008
06/25/2008 10:16:12 AM
Here is a 'for real' question maybe someone can help with.

How does one get the designation as being aligned with Mr. Clark?
(A) DO They have the same values, LOW TAXES, NO TAXES, etc.?
(B) DO They meet with him regularly?
(C) DOES he helps finance their campaigns? (Doubt that!)
(D) DOES he give them political advice and coaching?
(E) DO they do what he 'suggests' that they do?
(F) All of the above?

I'd sure hate to be painted with that brush if I wasn't in his pocket. How does that label get on a candidate?

I recall from the Chamber debates in 2006, candidate Mr. Hill was asked the following question (Wording is close if not verbatim).."Mr. Hill, Bill Clark has said that you are his man, and that when you get elected he'll have his three votes to run this county. Mr. Hill, are you someone Mr. Clark can control?"

And Dewayne's response was "I am my own man and will examine each item and vote as I feel is appropriate." Of course, no one admits to being a puppet, right? Maybe they don't even KNOW that they ARE!!

Well, Mr. Hill got elected, and he seems to not be his own man. Perhaps he thinks he is an independent thinker, but if so, his values (and Mr. Winter's) are uncannily aligned with Mr. Clark's values, as they all seem to vote in unison.

At the commission meetings, I can't even see those thin lines that are attached to their wrists that Mr. Clark pulls on when a vote is taken!!!! Good trick! Why not try out for "America Has Talent!" ?

In any case, how does one get that label (Clark's Gang, Clarkite, Bill's Groupies, etc.)? I guess as important, How might a candidate AVOID getting that connection made (..assuming they want to...)? Clearly current candidates Barbara Wilson and Brad Scott are proud of the association, and I haven't heard much about Cutler, except most think he's a Clarkite. Is HE? And how do we know?

Clarkite - Luddite, perhaps synonyms? I think the semantic alignment is appropriate. Historically, Luddites were against progress - back in early 1800's England. (Read "Shirley" by Charlotte Bronte.)


 
fixem
Comments: 63
Joined: 11/16/2007
06/24/2008 11:09:08 PM
thanks, i had heard it used before but didnt really understand. sort of a loophole eh? i kinda figured that it may be due to the defendant admitting guilt, sort of speak.
 
romegasir
Comments: 1605
Joined: 03/14/2007
06/24/2008 06:58:28 PM
lol moderator...............................mistake forgiven...............................

fixem, arraignment is simply where the defendant is advised of the charges against him, by a judge and pleads guilty or not guilty..................if not guilty, a tentative trial date is set.........................

You can also waive Grand Jury indictment....................it was once the "in thing" for attorneys to waive indictment because they were afraid that if the officer charged someone with aggravated assault, that the grand jury could true bill the charge and then add other charges, such as aggravated battery, battery, simple battery, simple assault, giving false statements (for instance if the suspect lied to the police, etc), felony obstruction (if the assault occurred on an officer during the course of his duties) AND the attorneys knew that their client would be true billed anyway, so why take the risk of other charges being added by the grand jury.???????????? However, today, for big cases, the in thing to do is let the grand jury do its thing and then attack the composition...........................
 
fixem
Comments: 63
Joined: 11/16/2007
06/24/2008 03:58:34 PM
romegasir, what exactly does it mean when someone waives arraignment? is it the same as a guilty plea?
 
moderator
Comments: 11
Joined: 01/01/2006
06/24/2008 09:18:49 AM
Hmmm, that's sort of strange. I remember that months ago, I accidentally clicked the wrong box and promoted to the front page a comment that I meant to delete, and then had to delete it after it had been promoted. However, that's been quite a while so I'm not sure what the explanation is for the current one. One of y'all needs to write something compelling and thought-provoking so I can print it in the paper and promote it to the top of the home page.
 
msla
Comments: 535
Joined: 12/29/2005
06/24/2008 08:50:45 AM
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Really, it probably didn't violate policy. Heck, how long was it there? Practically forever?

It was probably some sort of method to remove it. But it's a great laugh!

Moderator, will you offer an explanation?
 
romegasir
Comments: 1605
Joined: 03/14/2007
06/23/2008 08:59:15 PM
does anyone else feel that it's odd that the "comment of the week" (at the top of the screen) was removed for violating policy???????????????????????????????????????????? is it chosen at random????
 
Vocalwhennecessary
Comments: 143
Joined: 04/10/2008
06/22/2008 08:01:27 PM
GOOD FOR WHAT 'AILS YA............

Just came across something that may be of interest to those of you who are opened-minded enough to try it. I've been suffering with extremely painful tendonitis for the last 6 months in my elbow. I've had to wear a support brace on my elbow, among many other things. A friend of mine told me about a "home remedy" last night, and I laughed. After I got home, I figure "What the heck," and tried it. Believe it or not, it worked. He told me to get a can of WD-40 and spray it on the affected elbow. He told me to let it stay on the elbow for around 15 minutes, then wipe the excess off and wash it. He told me the pain would be gone within a couple of hours and wouldn't come back. To make a long story short, I tried it, washed the elbow after 15 minutes, and went to bed. I woke up, pain free for the first time in 6 months. On the subject of whether or not the pain will return, only time will tell. As for now, I'm pain-free for the first time in 6 months. Don't knock it 'till you try it.

VWN
 
maggie
Comments: 1273
Joined: 01/08/2006
06/21/2008 07:43:29 PM
No, you are not alone, we have reasonably priced coverage, but after 33 years of marriage, we now have to prove that we are married and also send in our last two years tax returns to prove I don't work and don't have ins. coverage anywhere else. Not as bad as your problem, but aggravating just the same.
 
bloggeye
Comments: 279
Joined: 08/18/2006
06/21/2008 05:07:48 PM
Well the insurance companies never cease to anger me. My husband's and son's insurance premiums just skyrocketed from 446/month to 772/month. We have to have a separate policy for me at just under 500/month. Both policies have fairly high deductibles too. I guess we will probably have to go to a policy for those guys with an even higher deductible and less coverage. We're struggling just to stay afloat. If anyone gets sick in your family you need (but don't have) a full time secretary to keep up with all the paperwork from the various medical bills to battling with the insurance companies. Am I the only person with grievances against the insurance companies?
 
msla
Comments: 535
Joined: 12/29/2005
06/19/2008 02:16:27 PM
Slynay, How much of Ann Coulter can you really take? I mean, honestly? When you don't want her as a reference? I love you, but, really?
 
Slynay
Comments: 175
Joined: 11/29/2005
06/19/2008 01:45:56 PM
Justice Kennedy: American Idle
By Ann Coulter

Share Your Comments


After reading Justice Anthony Kennedy's recent majority opinion in Boumediene v. Bush, I feel like I need to install a "1984"-style Big Brother camera in my home so Justice Kennedy can keep an eye on everything I do.

Until last week, the law had been that there were some places in the world where American courts had no jurisdiction. For example, U.S. courts had no jurisdiction over non-citizens who have never set foot in the United States.
But now, even aliens get special constitutional privileges merely for being caught on a battlefield trying to kill Americans. I think I prefer Canada's system of giving preference to non-citizens who have skills and assets.

If Justice Kennedy can review the procedures for detaining enemy combatants trying to kill Americans in the middle of a war, no place is safe. It's only a matter of time before the Supreme Court steps in to overrule Randy, Paula and Simon.

In the court's earlier attempts to stick its nose into such military operations as the detainment of enemy combatants at Guantanamo, the court dangled the possibility that it would eventually let go


 
maggie
Comments: 1273
Joined: 01/08/2006
06/18/2008 10:11:39 PM
Familymom, this weather is SO NICE!!!! I have just enjoyed being outside, sitting on my porch or working in the yard. Hope it lasts, but I am sure the heat and humidity are lurking around the corner!!!!
 
familymom
Comments: 157
Joined: 11/29/2007
06/18/2008 08:36:22 PM
Yes. Twinkie, I thought about you a few days ago when I was fighting off the Japenese Beetles from my fruit trees..I wondered if you had them too and how you manage to keep them from all of your trees.
I hope all is well. Isn't the weather this week delightful?
 
maggie
Comments: 1273
Joined: 01/08/2006
06/18/2008 02:06:30 PM
Twinkie, are you still out there? How is your farm doing? Hope all the plants and trees are doing well this year.

 
Vocalwhennecessary
Comments: 143
Joined: 04/10/2008
06/18/2008 07:20:23 AM
I think we should open up the bar for him and buy a round of drinks (for ourselves). For him, the old 3-shot #$%&!tail would do rather nicely:

Sodium thiopental

Pancuronium bromide

Potassium chloride



VWN
 
familyfinder
Comments: 201
Joined: 04/16/2007
06/18/2008 06:36:41 AM
I DON'T THINK THERE IS A CIVIL WAY TO DISCUSS JAMES "BART" HUSKEY AND WHAT HE HAS DONE TO THAT CHILD. I AM GOING TO BE NICE AND NOT SAY WHAT I THINK SHOULD BE DONE TO HIM --
HE HAS RUINED THAT POOR GIRL'S LIFE. NOW HE WILL GET TO GO TO JAIL AND SIT ON THE BACK OF HIS LAP AND DO NOTHING BUT THINK. SHE IS THE ONE HURTING. I DO HOPE HER FAMILY CAN MOVE AND SHE CAN START A NEW LIFE AND GET THE HELP THAT SHE NEEDS.

 
failedbelle
Comments: 381
Joined: 01/11/2006
06/17/2008 09:18:06 PM
msla I think that's a great idea. I know I sure could have used a wife when my kids were at home. Someone to help around the house and with the kids and just someone to help me remember everyone's schedule. And it would have been great to have someone to talk to that didn't have one eye on the TV and just nodding from time to time. Someone that likes the same kind of movies that you do. Who cares about the sex.
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