T-SPLOST ballot language misleading
Passage of the proposed one-penny regional sales tax in late July is critically important to the economic well-being of metro Atlanta and Georgia. However, even those high stakes don’t justify the unfair description that voters will see printed on the July ballot, which claims that the proposal “provides for local transportation projects to create jobs and reduce traffic congestion with citizen oversight.”
Opponents of the transportation tax, including the tea-party movement, have criticized that wording as “marketing language” that “improperly promotes a ballot question.” And they’re absolutely right. That’s exactly what it does.
Unfortunately, under longstanding Georgia law and court rulings, state officials are given a great deal of discretion in how ballot questions and proposed constitutional amendments can be worded.
In a 1974 case, Sears v. State, the Supreme Court of Georgia tried to warn the Legislature against the temptation “to interject its own value judgments concerning the amendments into the ballot language and thus to propagandize the voters in the very voting booth, in denigration of the integrity of the ballot.”
The justices also ruled that in the case they had under review, the Legislature had indeed yielded to that temptation. But they refused to rule that such ballot-box propagandizing was illegal or unconstitutional. The standard they set instead required that the wording of a ballot question must merely “be adequate to enable the voters to ascertain on which amendment they are voting.”
In other words, if the wording is accurate enough to let voters distinguish which question they’re being asked to decide, that’s good enough. The courts want nothing to do with determining whether the wording is fair.
Given that history, any legal challenge to the ballot wording is likely to be difficult. Georgia voters instead are forced to rely on the sense of fair play among state officials, in this case Secretary of State Brian Kemp, whose office drafted the preamble.
Even supporters of the T-SPLOST have to admit that the ballot language fails the test of fairness and accuracy and is an attempt to influence the outcome of the election. In a better world, that language would be changed to present a more balanced description of the ballot question, and state law would be changed to require such balanced language in all future elections.
But don’t hold your breath. The power to slant ballot language, however unfair, will not be surrendered easily by those in power.
– Jay Bookman
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206 comments Add your comment
USMC
June 22nd, 2012
2:34 pm
“Shamelessly repeat talking points fed to me? I’m on it, Massuh Drudge!”–USNC2
“Shamelessly”??? Stands has got her girdle in a knot.
More Angry hate-speech from Jay’s little teacher’s pet, Stands for decibels.
What a joke! LOL!
Towncrier
June 22nd, 2012
2:34 pm
Things that make you go hmmmm: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tim-graham/2012/06/21/unlike-2000-death-count-iraq-abc-nbc-pbs-msnbc-skip-2000-marker-afghanis
stands for decibels
June 22nd, 2012
2:35 pm
Behavior of endearment:
Jeez, you too, TC?
TaxPayer
June 22nd, 2012
2:35 pm
Today’s GOP is the new Rodney Dangerfield and they get what they deserve, no respect.
Mighty Righty
June 22nd, 2012
2:35 pm
the cat
June 22nd, 2012
2:26 pm
I did the same thing the last time I toured. Were you offended then?
You didn’t have enough class to warrant an invitation? Shame.
stands for decibels
June 22nd, 2012
2:36 pm
Stands has got her girdle in a knot
USMC’s insult-humorist consultant has been in a coma since the Eisenhower administration.
TaxPayer
June 22nd, 2012
2:37 pm
Y’all go easy on USMC. I think she’s about to blow.
JamVet
June 22nd, 2012
2:37 pm
Happy birthday Elizabeth Warren.
Give these fake conservatives what they have worked very hard for – pain this November.
G Mare 71(PLEASE VOTE NO ON TSPLOST)
June 22nd, 2012
2:37 pm
Please vote NO! Wow, never thought I would agree with cons on here!!
the cat
June 22nd, 2012
2:38 pm
mrighty-thanks to shrub not protecting this country on his watch-one has to jump through hoops and receive security clearance to tour the WH. So no-not invited but very honored to be there.
Towncrier
June 22nd, 2012
2:38 pm
” I did the same thing the last time I toured. Were you offended then?”
Would you be offended if someone did that to your mother or her portrait – you know, just trying to gauge where you are on the do unto to others as you’d have them do to your continuum?
Jm-pass TSPLOST silly people
June 22nd, 2012
2:40 pm
Without infrastructure investment, Atlanta will become the most miserable city to live in, in America
Then again some of you probably already think that
So why not double down?….
stands for decibels
June 22nd, 2012
2:40 pm
If you don’t believe me, go to the next Braves game, use certain curse words (the “F” word) in front of minors and see what happens.
Huh? I hear that after about every sixth or seventh at-bat on my TeeVee.
the cat
June 22nd, 2012
2:40 pm
Towncrier-I did not know Raygun was your mother! Do tell.
Jay
June 22nd, 2012
2:41 pm
Crier, re: Joe Williams.
Agreed. He should be fired, not suspended.
the cat
June 22nd, 2012
2:41 pm
Back on topic- I will be voting No!
Towncrier
June 22nd, 2012
2:42 pm
“Jeez, you too, TC?”
Sorry…I don’t give the finger to anyone; haven’t for many years. It is vulgar and disrespectful in my opinion (like calling someone as a****** – just stop and think about what such a statement literally means…it is hatred towards another person).
the cat
June 22nd, 2012
2:42 pm
I saw Joe Williams headline briefly and honestly thought he had been hacked by The Onion. What an idiot.
Road Scholar
June 22nd, 2012
2:43 pm
If you spend $8 B in an area in 10 years, no jobs would be created or maintained? Cripes, no wonder unemployment is over 8%!
No congestion relief? If you spend $0 would that solve congestion? Air Quality? Yeah, sure.
Safety improvements? Let em die! Or get maimed!
Sorry for the graphic description, but if no one cares…
Joe Hussein Mama
June 22nd, 2012
2:44 pm
B. Cassidy — “Yeah, it was from Barstow to Las Vegas.”
This will streamline and increase efficiency in Vegas’ business process of separating soldiers and Marines from their pay.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barstow,_California
UNCLE SAMANTHA
June 22nd, 2012
2:44 pm
i remember a GREEN AMENDMENT when ZELL MILLER was govenor that touted saving the trees in georgia………….. of course it passed ………… but then we found out it was only a tax break to GP, The Railroads and Southern Co as a tax break so they didn’t have to pay taxes on standing timber on their land………………..
it then forced small counties that lost that tax to increase it on their residents
that is why i vote no on this crap
stands for decibels
June 22nd, 2012
2:46 pm
Sorry…I don’t give the finger to anyone; haven’t for many years.
And I have? My point was that this story has been regurgitated here by all the usual suspects, it’s kind of ridiculous to have to see it, what was it, a fourth time by you as well?
Towncrier
June 22nd, 2012
2:50 pm
“Agreed. He should be fired, not suspended.”
Thanks for that, Jay. Question for you: don’t you think it would be great if we could all just openly and freely talk about race in America (rather than dance around the subject) and get out all of the hurt, frustration, bitterness, misconceptions, misunderstandings and attitudes as a way of coming together? To me, Obama would have been a great person to initiate that since he is mulatto but, alas, It really needs to happen I think – maybe starting at a grassroots level with moderated town hall meetings. Maybe a movement would result.
Doggone/GA
June 22nd, 2012
2:51 pm
OT: Dick Cheney’s daughter and her partner got married. Congrats to them both!
Towncrier
June 22nd, 2012
2:51 pm
“My point was that this story has been regurgitated here by all the usual suspects, it’s kind of ridiculous to have to see it, what was it, a fourth time by you as well?”
My apologies…I didn’t see those other posts before I submitted mine else I wouldn’t have done it.
Adam
June 22nd, 2012
2:52 pm
Watching the Joe Williams clip, still haven’t heard the remarks quoted. It’s a 10 minute long clip and I clicked on it halfway and now have to wait for it to load up to that poitn again
stands for decibels
June 22nd, 2012
2:54 pm
My apologies…I didn’t see those other posts before I submitted mine else I wouldn’t have done it.
well, if I went overboard, I apologize as well. you seem like a reasonable sort.
(although I’d ix-nay use of the term “ulatto-may” in favor of “mixed-race” if I were you.)
JamVet
June 22nd, 2012
2:56 pm
What exactly was it that this Joe Williams said?
Mighty Righty
June 22nd, 2012
2:57 pm
Full blown panic has set in with the Obamanistas. First many in Hollywood has let it be known they have had enough of Obama begging for money like a homeless person. Now they have a web site asking for your Birthday presents and Wedding gifts to be given to the Obama campaign. They are asking you to regiser your wedding on their web site. They are running scared. The pigs are in panic.
stands for decibels
June 22nd, 2012
2:59 pm
Now they have a web site asking for your Birthday presents and Wedding gifts to be given to the Obama campaign
Yawn. Already covered.
Better trolls, please.
Jay
June 22nd, 2012
3:00 pm
And as to the Reagan thing, I have no idea what occurred, if anything. I do know that the gay community harbors a lot of anger at Reagan for doing little or nothing during the ’80s to research the causes of AIDS, an indifference that may have cost thousands of lives.
Adam
June 22nd, 2012
3:00 pm
Watched the segment. He said that Romney was very comfortable around “people like him” and then said the Fox and Friends crowd were “white folks that were very much relaxed around him.” I see why Politico would suspend. I do not see why he should be fired over it. Much MUCH worse has been said on just about any network you can think of with ZERO repercussions except for apology demands.
stands for decibels
June 22nd, 2012
3:01 pm
By the way, if I’m ever so lonely and hard-up for attention that I’m reduced to repeatedly dumping off-topic, left-wing-friendly copy-pastes over at Kyle’s joint in hopes of ticking off conservatives?
Make it something quick and relatively painless. It’s all I ask.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
June 22nd, 2012
3:02 pm
http://www.barackobama.com/obama-event-registry?source=TheObamaEventRegistry-20120622-signup-HQB&icn=20120622-TheObamaEventRegistry-signup-HQB
They BOTH suck
June 22nd, 2012
3:03 pm
Adam
Just because “worse” was said doesn’t mean that a firing shouldn’t occur.
It was out of line. Politico’s choice, but way way out of line to say the least
Towncrier
June 22nd, 2012
3:06 pm
“I do know that the gay community harbors a lot of anger at Reagan for doing little or nothing during the ’80s to research the causes of AIDS, an indifference that may have cost thousands of lives.”
That is one explanation I guess. But to be fair, I don’t think AIDs was even observed as a distinct pathology until the early 80s and (if memory serves) its cause was discovered by a French doctor in 1986 – not a lot of lag time.
Talking Head
June 22nd, 2012
3:06 pm
Does T-SPLOST create more East to West avenues of travel? I would hope so, the North to South doesn’t seem to be working.
j$
June 22nd, 2012
3:06 pm
“Give me your tired, your poor
your wedding gifts
your birthday presents
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free”
Obama 2012
JamVet
June 22nd, 2012
3:08 pm
Reagan got hundreds of thousands of innocent people around the globe killed.
For the most part, he was a terrible president.
Tricky Dick was right: Ronnie was “shallow” and of “limited mental capacity”…
The beginning of the dumbing down of the GOP…
Jay
June 22nd, 2012
3:08 pm
Adam, that statement was only part of the Williams’ ouevre.
Towncrier
June 22nd, 2012
3:08 pm
“He said that Romney was very comfortable around “people like him” and then said the Fox and Friends crowd were “white folks that were very much relaxed around him.”
It exposed a certain amount of bigotry on his part and, while I don’t entire blame him for coming to have such feelings, I believe at this point he really needs to deal with them and realize that most whites today are truly not bigoted or racist.
Towncrier
June 22nd, 2012
3:12 pm
“Adam, that statement was only part of the Williams’ ouevre.”
Yes:
“That comment alone may have been brushed off if Williams hadn’t also jumped on Twitter and made a joke about Mitt Romney’s p*nis.”
http://www.inquisitr.com/260782/politico-suspends-joe-williams-for-making-mitt-romney-white-folks-comment/
Jm-pass TSPLOST silly people
June 22nd, 2012
3:12 pm
Joe Williams should be able to play jazz forever
If he will just live that long
Towncrier
June 22nd, 2012
3:14 pm
“Reagan got hundreds of thousands of innocent people around the globe killed…Tricky Dick was right: Ronnie was “shallow” and of “limited mental capacity”…The beginning of the dumbing down of the GOP…”
And yet you still want to say LBJ was a “decent” president. Who moderates your posts?
MrLiberty
June 22nd, 2012
3:15 pm
A better, more accurate description:
“provides for local transportation boondoggle to create wealthy developers and enhnace government power with absolutely no accountability.”
Just vote NO. You know they are just going to screw this one up too…and then want even more money when the costs go through the roof, they can’t pay to operate most of these things, and then need more money for maintenance later on.
the cat
June 22nd, 2012
3:16 pm
What did he say about Mitt’s penis?
Towncrier
June 22nd, 2012
3:17 pm
“What did he say about Mitt’s penis?”
TMI…do some research if you are that interested.
JamVet
June 22nd, 2012
3:18 pm
So you agree that Ronnie is guilty of those charges, TC.
Good, you’re making progress…
the cat
June 22nd, 2012
3:20 pm
Well dang-I was hoping for some 12 year old type humor but it doesn’t say what he said in the article.
Towncrier
June 22nd, 2012
3:23 pm
“So you agree that Ronnie is guilty of those charges, TC.”
Where did I say that? I was merely pointing out that, whatever the truth about Reagan is, you appear as the pot calling the kettle black (in your expressed support of a president almost no one thinks was good – I mean, what incumbent president doesn’t run for reelection?).
JamVet
June 22nd, 2012
3:23 pm
“He said that Romney was very comfortable around “people like him” and then said the Fox and Friends crowd were “white folks that were very much relaxed around him.”
That’s it???
Towncrier
June 22nd, 2012
3:24 pm
“Well dang-I was hoping for some 12 year old type humor but it doesn’t say what he said in the article.”
Are you out if high school yet? Seriously – you don’t know how to find it on the Internet?
Towncrier
June 22nd, 2012
3:25 pm
“That’s it???”
No…please read some of the other posts, including one by Jay.
the cat
June 22nd, 2012
3:26 pm
Towncrier-not exactly a subject I should google at work. KWIM?
Mighty Righty
June 22nd, 2012
3:28 pm
Joe Hussein Mama
June 22nd, 2012
2:44 pm
B. Cassidy — “Yeah, it was from Barstow to Las Vegas.”
Joe the train is to begin in Victorville which is some 80 plus miles East of LA and then the non stop leg to Vegas would be 180 more miles. The theory is that people would be willing to drive to Victorville, pay to park their car and take the train the rest of the way to Vegas. Having been a life long Californian with many friends and relatives there I know of no one who thinks this is a sensible idea. The 80 miles depends on where one lives. The trip to the train station could easily be well over one hundred miles.
Towncrier
June 22nd, 2012
3:29 pm
“Towncrier-not exactly a subject I should google at work. KWIM?”
Can you not visit a site like Breitbart? No doubt they probably have something there since they are always so ready to expose the flaws of liberals.
JamVet
June 22nd, 2012
3:29 pm
TC, you don’t have to say it. That you don’t disagree says it all.
And no other quotes from Mr. Williams?
Nothing?
At all?
So far this guy is not even in Herman Cain’s league…
HDB
June 22nd, 2012
3:30 pm
Towncrier/Jay….
Joe Williams shouldn’t get fired…nor suspended!! If you saw Romney in Philadelphia around black people, you’d have seen that Williams was ACCURATE in his statement! It’s not a racist point…for many people are only comfortable around people like them….but since Romney is running for PRESIDENT, he has to be able to address ALL of his constituents…and it’s quite evident that he has issues when dealing with the minority constituents that he would have to serve!! What hasn’t Romney had interviews on Telemundo, Univision, NewsOne or BET?? Romney only sticks to Fox News…..and we all know what the primary demographics of a FOX viewer is…….
Gale
June 22nd, 2012
3:31 pm
I have yet to see real plans for this tax money. If it is to fund fiascos like what they are doing at Ashford-Dunwoody and I285, I for darn sure don’t want to give them more money. I cannot believe there has been no serious accident there yet.
josef
June 22nd, 2012
3:32 pm
JAY
” I do know that the gay community harbors a lot of anger at Reagan for doing little or nothing during the ’80s to research the causes of AIDS, an indifference that may have cost thousands of lives.”
Nyah…don’t reckon that was it, do you?
stands for decibels
June 22nd, 2012
3:37 pm
Nyah…don’t reckon that was it, do you?
Carry a grudge?
Uncork a bottle of the Good Stuff on the day RR died?
Who’d ever do such a thing?
josef
June 22nd, 2012
3:38 pm
CARLOS
What’s with the comment to Mr B on the Christian School? Duh…he’s a public school teacher…
I make a lot of cracks about you needing to get help, but I’m beginning to make the suggestion in a more serious vein…seriously, Mec, that pier is only so long…
stands for decibels
June 22nd, 2012
3:39 pm
But seriously–josef, JV, anyone else… since LBJ’s decision not to seek a second term came up courtesy of our Towncrier, I’m just wondering–do you have memories of him making that announcement on TV in 1968?
I do. Was a young lad of course, but even then I “got” that the man seemed wracked with guilt over what he’d done in Vietnam. (Or maybe I’m just projecting what I learned later, and didn’t really get that at all.)
Erwin's cat
June 22nd, 2012
3:40 pm
cout – “More than one way to skin a cat !”
hey now!
JamVet
June 22nd, 2012
3:41 pm
Gale, your is the very first negative thing I have read about that interchange.
It cost MUCH less money to implement and is wildly popular and extremely effective.
Am I missing something here?
n
June 22nd, 2012
3:42 pm
I don’t often disagree with you Jay, but do in this case.
Raise the gas tax.
Cars should pay for roads. Politicians should make the tough calls.
There aren’t that many hybrid/electric cars on the roads and won’t be if the prices don’t come down. I certainly can’t afford one without going into major long-term debt.
They cost as much as my house did 30 years ago.
Where has all that gas tax money been going anyhow? We’re talking millions. Where does it all go?
Why can’t the DOT function? What has changed in the past few years that they can’t do their job?
They sure aren’t mowing along the state highways or resurfacing much at all. Everything is run down looking.
If the gas tax isn’t enough to pay for what needs to be done, raise it. Increase the dedicated revenue stream.
Don’t make poor people pay even more tax on groceries to pay for asphalt or politicians’ pet projects
People who drive cars should pay for the roads,not people who can’t even afford a car..
With billions of dollars from T-SPLOST in play, there is infinite potential for “high profit margins” for road builders, developers and insiders, and their crony networks.
The weasel words on the preamble just reinforce the perception that something is fishy about this whole process.
Do they think we are idiots?
[yes]
Towncrier
June 22nd, 2012
3:43 pm
“Joe Williams shouldn’t get fired…nor suspended!! If you saw Romney in Philadelphia around black people, you’d have seen that Williams was ACCURATE in his statement!”
I would agree to some extent if that was all he had said. But check out his tweets and then come back and tell me what you think.
“Romney only sticks to Fox News…..and we all know what the primary demographics of a FOX viewer is…….”
That is not so different from Obama early on in his campaign (by not appearing on FOX) if you’d be honest. Obama, like Romney, preferred non-hostile venues. Yet Romney has appeared on Leno, appeared on FTN this past Sunday and is slated to address the NAACP soon (as he did in 2008). I am sure other non-FOX appearances will be forthcoming.
Towncrier
June 22nd, 2012
3:45 pm
“And no other quotes from Mr. Williams? Nothing? At all?”
For a man who spouts a lot of opinions and judgments, you sure seem to be lacking reading and research skills. Or you are just deliberately obnoxious.
Erwin's cat
June 22nd, 2012
3:46 pm
HDB – When the General election is in full swing, I have no doubt that Romney will branch out…and to his defense (if you want to call it that) to me he never looks comfortable no matter the surroundings…which may have to do with some of the persecutions he has experienced for being a Mormon
josef
June 22nd, 2012
3:46 pm
SFD
I do remember it and remember it well. I also remember well “LBJ, LBJ! How many boys have you killed today?” Only years later was I able to see that announcement and grant what you say may well have been at work. At the time, I was just relieved to be rid of him…
Towncrier
June 22nd, 2012
3:47 pm
“Nyah…don’t reckon that was it, do you?”
See my response to Jay’s post, josef. If there was anger, it was probably a bit misplaced.
Jay
June 22nd, 2012
3:48 pm
n, in a perfect world, I’d agree with you. Raising the gasoline tax ought to be the primary means of funding transportation. But you’d never get the Legislature to take such a step, and even if they did you’d never see any of that money used for transit, both for political reasons and because the state constitution limits gas-tax money to roads and bridges.
Towncrier
June 22nd, 2012
3:50 pm
“I also remember well “LBJ, LBJ! How many boys have you killed today?”
JV does not remember this.
stands for decibels
June 22nd, 2012
3:51 pm
the state constitution limits gas-tax money to roads and bridges.
Jay, has anyone ever even bothered to try to change this abomination, this crime against nature, by proposing a corrective ballot initiative? Did it ever get out of committee?
HDB
June 22nd, 2012
3:52 pm
Towncrier
June 22nd, 2012
3:43 pm
There have been WORSE tweets about Obama by conservatives….plus, Williams was kinda funny…if you understood what his point was!! A person that has elevators for his CARS…but didn’t want the ADA to cover elevators for people….what would be a proper prejorative that could be spouted in 140 charaacters or less?? I’VE been called worse!!
BlahBlahBlah
June 22nd, 2012
3:52 pm
Voting NO is the only way to go. They can’t be trusted. This will be another permanent tax if enacted, and those in power can’t be trusted to do the right thing with the money. Look no further than the approx. $1 billion local slush fund baked into the proposal. Many of the towns/cities etc. haven’t even said what they plan to do with the money.
NO NO NO NO NO send them back to the drawing board.
stands for decibels
June 22nd, 2012
3:52 pm
JV does not remember this.
hmm… I’d bet my home equity you’re wrong about that.
But, I’m headin’ upstairs for a very short spell, we gots SHEETZ.
JamVet
June 22nd, 2012
3:53 pm
TC, why do you struggle so mightily to provide basic, easily obtained, verifiable evidence when challenged to do so?
BTW, I’m still chuckling over that merciless expose at your expense yesterday by the very reasoned and reasonable Paul…
josef
June 22nd, 2012
3:55 pm
TOWNCRIER
I’m not out to play the pity card here, but if you were a not young gay man at that time you cannot even begin to fathom the hatred we felt toward him and now toward his legacy. The mere mention of his name is a reminder. I cannot and will never forgive him and curse his name each time I hear it.
Towncrier
June 22nd, 2012
3:57 pm
“There have been WORSE tweets about Obama by conservatives….plus, Williams was kinda funny…if you understood what his point was!! ”
No doubt…but not publicly by conservative JOURNALISTS (who weren’t also subsequently suspended or fired). I guess you forgot that journalists are supposed to aim at objectivity.
HDB
June 22nd, 2012
3:58 pm
Erwin’s cat
June 22nd, 2012
3:46 pm
If Romney’s attempt of “branching out” goes like it did when he was in Philadelphia….or with NALEO in Orlando this past week….he’s got a LOT of work to do! The “persecutions” Romney’s had couldn’t even come to what many minorities are facing every day!! Joe Williams was accurate..and he’s being called out on reporting the realities of the situation!!
n
June 22nd, 2012
3:58 pm
I clearly see your point Jay.
But sometimes I fear things must really hit the skids before politicians are held accountable for their errors, omissions, laziness, and false theology (no tax increases!).
They will never be held accountable, or made to do their jobs, if the public grants them a gigantic blank check.
They can continue to worship at the altar of Grover Norquist, while disclaiming any responsibility for the T-SPLOST, and evading the governing that they are paid to do.
It is endless hipocracy i
josef
June 22nd, 2012
3:58 pm
TC
Your memory does not serve. You speak of the general community and its awareness. I really don’t feel like rehashing it here and now, there’s still way to much anger there.
n
June 22nd, 2012
3:59 pm
hypocrisy
JamVet
June 22nd, 2012
3:59 pm
stands @3:52, the man is a fool for wring such drivel.
Among his many blogging failures, speaking stupidly and intentionally misrepresenting others here is one of William’s more egregious failings.
This all goes back to his racist rants about Trayvon Martin. And he’s had a hard on for yours truly, ever since.
As Paul noted yesterday, he does not debate.
He dances. Ala Elaine on Seinfeld.
To the music that others play.
Dance, little sister, dance…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY3g_c8QUas
They BOTH suck
June 22nd, 2012
4:04 pm
jammn upstairs
Bruno style
Gale
June 22nd, 2012
4:08 pm
JamVet; I guess you have not tried to make a right turn off the highway, needing to get to the left turn lane at the next light, and found it impossible due to the constant stream of traffic coming across the overpass at rush hour. I stopped exiting there. There was nothing wrong the way it was from my commute. I don’t know what they were “fixing”.
They BOTH suck
June 22nd, 2012
4:09 pm
Jam
I would to agree. At times he wants to pin one down with his line of questioning, but will tap dance around questions without any answer or until he can get you to accept “HIS” version of the question only then he might provide an answer
josef
June 22nd, 2012
4:11 pm
It’s FNM, and thanks, IMAM, it couldn’t have come at a better moment…
Erwin's cat
June 22nd, 2012
4:14 pm
HDB – “The “persecutions” Romney’s had couldn’t even come to what many minorities are facing every day!! Joe Williams was accurate.”
I wouldn’t go so far as to say some persecution is better or not as bad as others…it’s all bad ..period…fact is neither you or I have any idea what he has endured
Williams was accurate talking about Romney’s penis?…you really gonna stand by that?
n
June 22nd, 2012
4:15 pm
Everyone has left, but here, again is I, Claudius, knowing his end was near and all the scheming lowlife and potential tyrants around him would come into power, and abuse it horribly; finally leading to the restoration of the Republic and rationality:
“Let all the poisons that lurk in the mud hatch out!”
Erwin's cat
June 22nd, 2012
4:18 pm
I’ll show my ignorance…I had no idea, as in zero that the gay community hated Reagan, muchless as much as they apparently do
Towncrier
June 22nd, 2012
4:19 pm
“I’m not out to play the pity card here, but if you were a not young gay man at that time you cannot even begin to fathom the hatred we felt toward him and now toward his legacy.”
Why? AIDS wasn’t “discovered” until 1981 as far as I know and it’s cause was found by a french doctor 5 years later. What were you expecting a president to do, exactly – move heaven and earth to find a cure for a newly discovered pathology? Did he infect people with the virus? Was he a biochemist or research doctor? It almost seems like the gay community has made him a bogeyman. Was he against homosexuality on moral grounds? Yes. Did that stand in the way of his administration funding AIDS research? No. Food for thought (from Brent Bozell):
‘AIDS funding skyrocketed in the 1980s, almost doubling each year from 1983 – when the media started blaring headlines – from $44 million to $103 million, $205 million, $508 million, $922 million, and then $1.6 billion in 1988. Reagan’s secretary of Health and Human Services in1983, Margaret Heckler, declared AIDS her department’s “number one priority.” While the House of Representatives was Democrat-dominated throughout the 1980s, which Democrats would quickly explain was the source of that skyrocketing AIDS funding, Reagan clearly signed the spending bills that funded the war on AIDS.”
KT
June 22nd, 2012
4:29 pm
The careful and honest wording of the ballot should re-assure those on the fence that the pols will be careful and honest with our money once they get their hands on it. *wink*
Towncrier
June 22nd, 2012
4:30 pm
“This all goes back to his racist rants about Trayvon Martin. And he’s had a hard on for yours truly, ever since.”
I’m your huckleberry, JV. Tell you what: I will here and now make you a public wager. If you can prove that I made “racist rants” about Martin (and it should not be hard to do since it is all public record online here), I will forever absent myself from this blog. If, however. I can prove you to be lying on this point then you must agree to absent yourself forever. What say you? Like I said before to you some months back, PUT UP OR SHUT UP.
As for the rest of the nonsense you posted, can you debate issues with anyone like me without childishly resorting to youtube links?
BADA BING
June 22nd, 2012
4:31 pm
What did you expect Ronnie to do about AIDS? It is 30 years later and there is no cure. Maybe they should have closed the SF bathhouses, maybe people should have shown self control. I remember nothing about the 80s except the ME ME ME generation and partying.
They BOTH suck
June 22nd, 2012
4:35 pm
“remember nothing about the 80s ”
Maybe you should have not been partying so much
bada bing
Road Scholar
June 22nd, 2012
6:15 pm
Jay: How do owners of electric and hybrids pay their fair share? Gas tax?
Moderate Line
June 22nd, 2012
7:20 pm
Opponents of the transportation tax, including the tea-party movement, have criticized that wording as “marketing language” that “improperly promotes a ballot question.” And they’re absolutely right. That’s exactly what it does.
++++
This is an excellent point Jay. They make it sound like voting against apple pie.
That is why I never vote for any of these amendments unless I know exactly what it is. It also show that citizens voting directly for laws has it flaws because we have to rely on politicians to right the amendment clearly.
Mighty Righty
June 23rd, 2012
7:42 am
To paraphrase General George Patton, Fixed rail mass transit are monuments to man’s stupidity.”