Peggy’s story: The cruel cynicism of the voter ID crusade

Hans von Spakovsky, a former Fulton County Republican party official and now a star of the right’s nationwide effort to suppress voting through strict voter ID protocols, continues to pretend that in-person voting fraud constitutes a major threat to American democracy.

Yet when challenged to present evidence of such a threat, as he was in a recent article in The New Yorker, he continues to fail.

For example, in responding to the New Yorker article, von Spakovsky listed a series of recent alleged voting fraud cases that to his mind justified the expense, bureaucracy and obstacles to voting created by voter ID laws. They were:

——————-

– the Democratic nominee for Maryland’s first congressional district removed from the ballot after it was discovered that she had registered and voted in both Maryland and Florida in the 2006 and 2008 elections;

– an Arkansas legislator resigning after pleading guilty (with three other defendants) to committing voter fraud;

– a Canadian couple and a Mexican citizen arrested for illegally registering and voting in Iowa;

– a New Jersey resident convicted on multiple counts of voter fraud;

– three Indiana residents (including a former Democratic mayoral candidate) indicted for voter fraud;

– three Ohioans indicted for double voting;

– a Mexican drug dealer’s guilty plea for voting illegally in the 2008 presidential election;

– Florida’s discovery of nearly 200 non-citizens illegally registered to vote, and

– a city-council race in Vernon, Calif., overturned owing to voter fraud.

——————-

That’s the best he could do?

Once again, none of the examples could have been prevented through voter ID. Requiring a drivers license to vote, for example, does nothing to prevent non-citizens from voting because citizenship is not noted on the license.

Also note that none of the examples cited by von Spakovsky involved an organized effort to alter an election through fraudulent in-person voting. Several involved absentee balloting, the easiest and most popular way to abuse the electoral process. However, it is noteworthy that the Republican Party has in general tried to expand absentee voting without tightening oversight because that’s the means that many of its own voters tend to prefer.

Peggy Cobb

Peggy Cobb

Which brings us to the story of 97-year-old Peggy Cobb of Sandy Springs, as related in an email from her son Bill:

——————-

“I now have a crystal clear, visceral understanding of why some politicians think voter ID laws are so important. The suppressive power of this law to deter people from voting is far greater than I realized. Meet my mother.

She is 97, in good health and with virtually all her marbles (bad hearing loss, though), living an active, independent life in Sandy Springs. She moved here four years ago or so. Had one knee replaced a couple years ago.

Peggy has voted in every presidential election since she was eligible, and most if not all others, too. She pays attention to this stuff more than a lot of people I know. She insists, often with me chafing, on hearing the other side.

She has a Fulton County voter registration card and has voted in every election when she’s been here. Her expired Indiana driver’s license used to be enough ID at the polling booth. No more.

But all she had to do was go to a driver’s services office, show the necessary documents, and get her Georgia Voter ID. Some waiting. No fees. Great deal.

So Peggy gathered up her voter registration card, some utility bills, bank statements, rent receipts and tax returns and went to Driver Services. They said “Great, you have everything you need. Except a birth certificate.”

She went back home and eventually figured out how to order a birth certificate from Minnesota, where she was born and married. Six weeks later, it arrived. Peggy returned to Drivers Services very enthusiastic, since the election was only a couple weeks off. They said “Great, you have everything you need, except the last name on your birth certificate isn’t the same as on all these other documents.”

Well of course not, she got married in 1943. What else could that middle initial “V” stand for except her maiden name, Vanstrom?

No Georgia voter ID card for Peggy without a marriage certificate.

I rarely ever see my mother near tears, but I did then. Some combination of rage and foreboding maybe. Luckily, the Minnesota county that has her marriage certificate is very user friendly. They even do same day turn-around and overnight delivery, if you pay for it. Time was short. $53. But UPS screwed up and misdelivered it, so Minnesota sent another one (no charge) to my house. My wife and I made sure one of us was home all day to sign for it.

Yesterday, back to Drivers Services. A friend drove her. They said, “Great, you have everything you need, except your Social Security number doesn’t match our system. Sorry, no exceptions.”

The friend, who had only bargained for lunch really, drove Peggy home to search for more papers with her Social Security number on it, then drove her to a Social Security office in Marietta. The agent could find nothing amiss, and gave her some papers.

Drivers Services finally relented and gave Peggy a Georgia voter ID yesterday, 5 days before the election. What would she have done without that determined friend?

You probably can’t truly appreciate the physical and emotion toll this ordeal has taken on Peggy. She definitely can’t believe it.

“Why is Georgia doing this to me! Do they want me not to be here? I thought government was supposed to make voting as simple as possible. I don’t understand it!”

I explained the reason for Georgia’s anti-fraud requirements with a joke I heard a long time ago. It begins with a guy standing around constantly snapping his fingers.

“Why are you doing that?” someone asked.

“I’m keeping the elephants away.”

“What? There’s never been an elephant within a thousand miles of here!”

“See, it’s working.”

The reality, of course, is much more mean-spirited and pernicious. Peggy got the joke right away. But she’s still not happy. It’s not funny. At all.

——————-

No, Peggy’s not happy. In a later message, she herself spoke of her frustration with what she calls “Beautiful Georgia, my adopted state as I finish life’s journey.” Voting absentee, she says, “seemed sensible.” But on the other hand, she wanted to once again feel the excitement of voting in person, on Election Day.

“This year 2012 held new significance … my last year ever to vote in a presidential election. I wanted to feel part of this great privilege, wanted to again walk out of my precinct tapping my Georgia Peach voter sticker. Even if the day were dark, gloomy and cold, the sun would be shining.”

But “government intrusion stripped me of my established legal right to vote in 2012 unless I complied with new restriction laws…. I will vote in person on Nov. 6 but my spirit is broken. Trust in the government of my adopted state is shattered, a cruel joke.”

– Jay Bookman

1,304 comments Add your comment

getalife

November 4th, 2012
1:21 pm

We live in a center right, center left country.

So, the libs and cons think our President is not good enough for their vote.

Fair enough since he governs center right and center left but he has dragged political discourse to actually helping the middle class instead of just the wealthy. Both parties.

To me, this is another Huge accomplishment because we know bringing change to Washington is really tough to accomplish.

William J. Clinton

November 4th, 2012
1:30 pm

I did not have sexual relations with that woman!

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

November 4th, 2012
1:30 pm

Redneck Convert:

Libs. start name calling when they no longer can debate:

barking frog

November 4th, 2012
1:30 pm

you say what you have to say to
get elected. you do what you have
to do to stay elected. thus do the
people rule.

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

November 4th, 2012
1:30 pm

Bookman:

You need to have someone set the website clock back one hour.

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

November 4th, 2012
1:31 pm

Brosephus:

“Neither one of them CAN do anything about Black employment in the US. That has to come from the private sector.”

Well, hallelujah! You have seen the light.

Then vote for a capitalist instead of a socialist.

Geez !

DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman

November 4th, 2012
1:31 pm

Obama told us Washington can’t be changed from the inside

Link?

============================
Bro: . It’s simple FACT based upon private sector hiring.

Facts make little conned heads explode. They much rather deal in histrionics, more fun, less strain on the brain.

Bro: Blacks simply know that the money pushers behind conservatism really don’t give a Damn about us. That’s why Blacks support the Democratic Party.

There you go with those freaking FACTS again! Now watch heads start exploding all over the place and when they do I’ll blame YOU.
===============================

Happy B-Day Midori!! And many many more!!!
========================

Jackie: Wonder how the Repubs in the US House will handle the request from President Obama for emergency aid for folks in NY, NJ, CT, VA and NC due to historic Sandy?

Will their talking points be fashioned around “we can not afford it?”

Repugs may be immoral leaches, but they’re not stoopid!! FEMA is only wrong when their state doesn’t need it……

==============================
k71: He is not an American black…. he is a Kenyan black.

I think K71 has finally went insane. This reelection campaign has really made him unhinged.

He had a chance to change things in this country by attempting to heal the racial divide.

Some cancers can’t be cured — especially if the patient doesn’t WANT to be cured……..

getalife

November 4th, 2012
1:38 pm

The gop only deserve to get the wealthy vote but because of racism and abortion they get the con vote too.

Not enough votes to win the election.

Try doing something different in 16 cons/

getalife

November 4th, 2012
1:42 pm

Socialist argument is ignorant of the facts.

Brosephus™

November 4th, 2012
1:47 pm

Then vote for a capitalist instead of a socialist.

When there is a choice between the two, then let me know. Just because you THINK there is a choice, such as this one, does not make it truth. As I said before, there are 4 people on the ballot in Georgia. The only one that has definitely disqualified himself, in my opinion, is Romney. Hell, if I vote for him, I don’t know which Romney I’d be voting for. Other than him, it will likely be a coin toss or two to decide who gets my vote.

Brosephus™

November 4th, 2012
1:49 pm

Well, hallelujah! You have seen the light

I saw the “light” a long time ago. Many posters here tend to get distracted by melanin, voices in their heads, and other things as opposed to paying attention to what I actually say.

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

November 4th, 2012
1:51 pm

THEFT !

“4 men arrested in Perrysburg for stealing Romney signs while driving sheet metal union truck”

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/11/4_sheet_metal_works_union_loca.html#incart_river_default

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

November 4th, 2012
1:52 pm

Brosephus:

“When there is a choice between the two, then let me know.”

I’m letting you know. Vote Romney.

A Simple Man

November 4th, 2012
1:53 pm

Just back. I see Debbie calls me a liar. Wow. I told a simple story and that’s the response. You don’t know the facts or the woman I’m speaking about. I can assure you that I’m only saying the facts as I know them to be. My story was a counterbalance to Jay’s. Is Jay lying?

getalife

November 4th, 2012
1:54 pm

Don’t jump down no scout holes..

The people with money rule Americans politics and they are capitalists.

DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman

November 4th, 2012
1:56 pm

took Matti’s advise and googled Blacks for Obama — that was the funniest sh##t ever! Thanks Matti!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VJbnxhZmRk

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

November 4th, 2012
1:56 pm

Brosephus:

………. or NOT.

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

November 4th, 2012
1:58 pm

A Simple Man:

“My story was a counterbalance to Jay’s.”

Libs. don’t believe in counterbalance or really even in you having an opinion different from theirs.

If you do they just call you a liar. If you’re going to be on this blog you’ll have to get used to it.

getalife

November 4th, 2012
2:00 pm

If you don’t want to be called a liar, don’t lie to try to restore your credibility.

cons have zero credibility.

You will need some for 16 so get to work cons.

Brosephus™

November 4th, 2012
2:01 pm

Scout

I’m in the NOT category with Romney. If I actually knew his true positions, then I’d be able to accurately gauge him. He’s been so far over the spectrum, that it’s impossible to know what he truly stands for. From what I see, he would be nothing more than the pen in hand that Grover Norquist said Conservatives need in the WH. I don’t subscribe to far right or far left policies, and I do not support candidates who won’t stand up to them.

TaxPayer

November 4th, 2012
2:06 pm

Republicans like Romney for his diversity. There are enough of him to allow one to have a different version of him at least once every day in the year and still not know where he stands on any given issue.

DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman

November 4th, 2012
2:13 pm

Bro: You’re just like any other dumbass in that you attribute things to him that he either has not done or has no control over. I really pray for people like you because I can’t honestly believe that any single human being would be so clueless in life.

It never ends. The overt and covert bigotry just NEVER ends. For once, I’d like to go somewhere and not be seen as :

a) A welfare mother who’s just waiting to have 5 more kids so the gubmint can take care of them.

b) an angry black woman; because sometimes I just dont’ feel like or have a reason to smile

c) Easy — cause you know, all black women are easy

d) lazy or inept — because i only worked full time AND went to school, while also keeping up with my volunteer work and since I didn’t have mommy or daddy to pay for stuff for me, i am obviously not as qualified as a Mitt Romney who DID. [SIDE: Noticed in that Bain Capitol photo of Mitt and company something missing? Did you see any women? Did you see any blacks? Ever wondered why?]

e) Having people follow you in the store OR in one case with me when I went into a Nordstrom’s in South Carolina, told that we don’t carry lay-a-way here; when i asked about the price of a coat.

===============================
jackie: The question to those who have experienced this overt racism, what is it like to be black?”

See above.

Dirty Dawg

November 4th, 2012
2:19 pm

Fact is when you back Republicans into a corner over this issue with all the facts, they simply resort to an ‘I don’t care, it it keeps ‘those people’ from voting its OK with me.’ How’s that for being a good American?

A Simple Man

November 4th, 2012
2:19 pm

Thanks “getalife” and “0311/8541/5811/1811/1801.” I see how it works now. When you got nothing else you scream liar. I seem to recall someone calling the president that and liberals getting upset. Must not work both ways.

St Simons

November 4th, 2012
2:21 pm

oh snap – Electoral Vote dot com has the PPP results up, saying final
undecideds are breaking 3-1 for Obama the Mammmmba.

Eric(k) Eric(k)son (bad lawyer – R-Macon) blogs – “well, on Wed morning
I will still have my family, and my God.”

don’t forget your guns & religion, clinger & bad lawyer Eric(k)
you’ll have that, and AM radio.

No Sockpuppet Wednesday! – join the movement.

Wildwood

November 4th, 2012
2:24 pm

I feel very liberal today as I doze on my sofa thinking about what others should do.

getalife

November 4th, 2012
2:27 pm

simple,

If you can’t type the truth, don’t type.

Prretty simple, even for you.

getalife

November 4th, 2012
2:30 pm

“I feel very liberal today as I doze on my sofa thinking about what others should do.”

cons think they are better so they can tell others what to do.

They are worse than others and should shut it.

DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman

November 4th, 2012
2:30 pm

Simple Simon if you know for a FACT that your made-up black friend is voting illegally, why didn’t you turn her in to the authorities?

Duh!

Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes

November 4th, 2012
2:43 pm

Jay, I go to church with a woman who is here illegally (parents brought her). She is a black single mother. She told me that she has voted in the last three elections and will vote Obama in this election.

I go to church with a man who brings in plane loads of illegals to vote for Romney. He has done this for the last 40 elections.

They all stay at the Holiday Inn Express.

And date Morgan Fairchild — yeah, that’s the ticket!

getalife

November 4th, 2012
2:46 pm

You cons have been watching and reading all negative stories about our President and country for four years.

Take a break from the doom and gloom and read inspiring stories about human nature after Sandy.

It will do your heart and soul some good.

St Simons

November 4th, 2012
2:47 pm

The air is not really there. You can’t see it. So that proves it.

My story is a counterbalance to Isaac Newton.

DannyX

November 4th, 2012
2:48 pm

I was at church today and was talking with a nice white lady who mentioned how important it was to get a white man back into the presidency. She said she was mailing in 8,400 absentee ballots from 3 different swing states, all marked for Romney, to help make it happen.

DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman

November 4th, 2012
2:52 pm

Kam, St. Simons, and Danny X — you guys are crazy!! :lol: :lol:

RF

November 4th, 2012
2:54 pm

indigo: your 9:46 link says “page could not be found.” Got a better link?

DDR: I teach in a Title I school, and I spend a lot of time with especially my boys (white, black, and hispanic) talking about bigotry and racism they’re likely to face or be the purveyors of because of poverty and/or race. They know what it’s like to be followed in the store and have their car searched when they get pulled over for a tail light being out. I remind them constantly how hard they’ll have to work to prove people wrong because they’ll be judged by the way they look or dress. It’s sad that we have to prepare kids for that reality in this day and age, and it’s sad that one political party captializes on deep-seated traditions of bigotry and racism and class to justify their actions. It’s okay so long as you’re sitting in church or at the country club surrounded by those of like mind I guess.

josef

November 4th, 2012
2:59 pm

indigo

I wasn’t here when you came in, are you here when I got back. And I’m a “little puke?” Chile, I ain’t been what most would call “little” in a long time…now, puke, well that’s a matter of choice of (I trust) character judgment and, coming from you, I’ll wear it with pride. I’d hate to think I met with YOUR approval. I’d have to change my ways…

DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman

November 4th, 2012
3:04 pm

RF: t’s sad that we have to prepare kids for that reality in this day and age, and it’s sad that one political party captializes on deep-seated traditions of bigotry and racism and class to justify their actions. It’s okay so long as you’re sitting in church or at the country club surrounded by those of like mind I guess.

Word.

josef

November 4th, 2012
3:09 pm

RF
Yep. As I tell mine, “you might as well get used to it. That doesn’t mean it’s right and it doesn’t mean you have to bow or be beat down by it. There’s plenty of good folks out there, too, and most are somewhere in between. Just make sure you’re not the one doing it yourself. You’re the only person you can change. The others you have to be a role model for. You be what you want them to be.”

Doggone/GA

November 4th, 2012
3:11 pm

“coming from you, I’ll wear it with pride. I’d hate to think I met with YOUR approval”

Amen to that!

josef

November 4th, 2012
3:12 pm

RF

Indigo’s link…that not the only one missing in his evolution… :-)

stands for decibels

November 4th, 2012
3:12 pm

rf, your are right about the depressing persistance of bigotry. I honestly believed, back when I was a kid, that another generation or two would render such things basically obsolete. Obviously there has been progress, but there is still so far to go. And dammit, I did not think *my* kid would have to deal with it.

Doggone/GA

November 4th, 2012
3:16 pm

“It’s sad that we have to prepare kids for that reality in this day and age”

Why? When has it ever been any different? We can’t prepare kids for the past, that’s done and gone. We can only prepare them for the reality of NOW and try to teach them how to move that learning into the future. It’s never been any different.

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

November 4th, 2012
3:17 pm

Yahoo News: “Forget the war on women: The men’s vote could decide who wins in 2012″

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/forget-war-women-men-vote-could-decide-wins-150827099–election.html

Doggone/GA

November 4th, 2012
3:17 pm

“your are right about the depressing persistance of bigotry.”

“Bigotry” is a fact of survival for ANY territorial animal. It’s never going to go away. The best we can do is to expand our “inclusive” attitudes to more and more people. But there will always be those too afraid to be so inclusive.

getalife

November 4th, 2012
3:17 pm

Old racists and bigot’s will die off eventually.

Change is slow but we keep moving forward to achieve it.

Mighty Righty

November 4th, 2012
3:18 pm

Here is something for you loons to chew on: Every “Battle Ground” state is a state that Obama carried four years ago that he may lose this time. That means that after four years of Obama, millions of voter in those states will vote for Romney instead of Obama this time. Not a single state that voted for McCain will vote for Obama this time.

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

November 4th, 2012
3:19 pm

Brosephus:

“I don’t subscribe to far right or FAR LEFT (my emphasis) policies, and I do not support candidates who won’t stand up to them.”

Well, then there is no way you could vote for Obama either based on the above statement.

stands for decibels

November 4th, 2012
3:23 pm

DGA, I hear you about bigotry, of course there are elements of the human condition that really cannot self correct. (And my much-younger self was pretty naive.)

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

November 4th, 2012
3:23 pm

Headline CNN: “Candidates Stuck in Margin of Error”

And for an incumbent that is very, very bad.

josef

November 4th, 2012
3:23 pm

SFD

“…but there is still so far to go.”

When I was a young one and coming to terms with the state of affairs, and was looking at it from that perspective, Granddaddy always told me, “true, my Boy, but any time you get to feeling low about that, just look behind you and see how far we’ve come.”

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

November 4th, 2012
3:24 pm

A Simple Man @ 2:19

“Must not work both ways.”

And you would be correct.

St Simons

November 4th, 2012
3:26 pm

best way to deal with bigotry – win – beat them at their own game.
whoop-whoop

What the hell happened on Faux “news?”
they’ve pulled all their ben-gazi hysteria have been butt-kissing Obama
for two hours. uh-oh cons

Brosephus™

November 4th, 2012
3:29 pm

DDR @ 2:13

I feel your pain….

—————

RF @ 2:54

Amen!!

————–

Scout

Well, then there is no way you could vote for Obama either based on the above statement.

And, pray tell, what makes you THINK I’m voting for Obama? I’d stop with the assuming if I were you.

getalife

November 4th, 2012
3:29 pm

The right will lose because they deserve to lose.

They are not role models for any American and that is very sad.

Their so called leaders, lie, cheat and tried to steal this election..

Just horrible Americans and human beings.

Truly, the dark side of American politics.

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

November 4th, 2012
3:29 pm

Headline: “Superstorm Sandy Relief: Anheuser-Busch Turns Beer Into Water”

“They’re not turning water into wine but it’s almost as miraculous. They are turning beer into water.
About 44 thousand cases of water instead of brew are heading to the New York/New Jersey area free of charge.”

Private industry at work !!!

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/11/superstorm-sandy-relief-anheuser-busch-turns-beer-into-water/

Doggone/GA

November 4th, 2012
3:29 pm

“(And my much-younger self was pretty naive.)”

Weren’t we all? But the best we can hope for is to minimize as much as possible the destructiveness of the bigots we can’t fix.

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

November 4th, 2012
3:30 pm

Brosephus:

“And, pray tell, what makes you THINK I’m voting for Obama? I’d stop with the assuming if I were you.”

I will if you will about me.

YouLibs

November 4th, 2012
3:31 pm

Hey, getalife, that was the Mett I’ve known all his life last night. I’m not sure where his head has been for the last month, all the criticism he’s gotten lately probably rattled him somewhat, but the throws he made last night were the throws he made week in and week out at Butler. I expect to see a lot more of the same the rest of this season and next.

St Simons

November 4th, 2012
3:32 pm

that’s an easy change for Budweiser, just change the label on the can.

getalife

November 4th, 2012
3:32 pm

scout posted a positive story.

Did it hurt you scout?

josef

November 4th, 2012
3:33 pm

He ne ha…

“best way to deal with bigotry – win – beat them at their own game.
whoop-whoop”

V-v! As Unmentionable says whenever somebody expresses surprise that his is “the good life,” and want to know “how you did it,” expecting some litany of the po-po pitiful Redskin me variety, his answer is two words, “pure spite.” It’s that “visionary Native American spiritualism” thing… :-)

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

November 4th, 2012
3:33 pm

Doggone/GA:

“Weren’t we all? But the best we can hope for is to minimize as much as possible the destructiveness of the bigots we can’t fix.”

What? WHAT?

You substituted the word “bigots” for “racists” ???

Now that’s etymologic progress !!

Doggone/GA

November 4th, 2012
3:34 pm

“Now that’s etymologic progress !!”

Because the VAST majority of people misuse “racist” when what they mean is bigot. And, BTW, all racists are bigots…not all bigots are racists.

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

November 4th, 2012
3:35 pm

getalife:

Not at all ……… just showing that in many instances private industry can run circles around government.

getalife

November 4th, 2012
3:35 pm

Youlibs,

Well, if he wants to go pro, he has to make those throws but his performance in the second half was pro material.

If he stays away from the honey badger’s apartment, he should be fine.

josef

November 4th, 2012
3:36 pm

SFD and Doggone…

Too bad we discarded that naivete for the jaded…

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

November 4th, 2012
3:36 pm

“Because the VAST majority of people misuse “racist” when what they mean is bigot. And, BTW, all racists are bigots…not all bigots are racists.”

How true ………. and you are one of the few libs. on here that know or will acknowledge that.

Congratulations.

RF

November 4th, 2012
3:37 pm

“We can only prepare them for the reality of NOW and try to teach them how to move that learning into the future. It’s never been any different.”

Very true. What bothers me right now is that we’ve slipped backwards a bit, IMO. If you go back and read and view some of the propaganda in the 50’s and 60’s against the Civil Rights movement, there sooooo much terminology that is being recycled today, with almost as much impact. It is more “inclusive” today. We’ve added hispanics and muslims to the list…

stands for decibels

November 4th, 2012
3:37 pm

” scout posted a positive story.”

nah, that was just another dig at gubmint.

want a positive story, check this out.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-400_162-57544849/despite-nixed-nyc-marathon-runners-run-and-offer-aid/

getalife

November 4th, 2012
3:37 pm

scout,

All hands on deck means private and public help.

Your mind is half closed and mitt said Fema is doing a good job.

Opem your mind scout.

stands for decibels

November 4th, 2012
3:38 pm

anyway, gotta run. be excellent, and not beastly, to one another.

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

November 4th, 2012
3:39 pm

“All hands on deck means private and public help.”

Don’t disagree.

All I’m saying is private industry can often do it better and faster than government.

0311/8541/5811/1811/1801

November 4th, 2012
3:39 pm

“anyway, gotta run. be excellent, and not beastly, to one another.”

Start with yourself.

getalife

November 4th, 2012
3:40 pm

Open.

stands for decibels,

Good one.

Positive stories should get more links on this blog.

Doggone/GA

November 4th, 2012
3:40 pm

“Too bad we discarded that naivete for the jaded”

That was inevitable. It’s a way to protect yourself from mental exhaustion. The danger is when we exchange that jadedness for cynicism.

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November 4th, 2012
3:40 pm

Doggone/GA:

“Because the VAST majority of people misuse “racist” when what they mean is bigot. And, BTW, all racists are bigots…not all bigots are racists.”

P.S. You might want to pass that on to Bookman.

getalife

November 4th, 2012
3:41 pm

“All I’m saying is private industry can often do it better and faster than government.”

It is not a game.

It is unity and human nature to help.

Doggone/GA

November 4th, 2012
3:41 pm

“If you go back and read and view some of the propaganda in the 50’s and 60’s against the Civil Rights movement, there sooooo much terminology that is being recycled today, with almost as much impact. It is more “inclusive” today”

Well, yes…that comes down to “those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it”…I think.

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November 4th, 2012
3:44 pm

“If you go back and read and view some of the Communist propaganda in the 50’s and 60’s against the United States, there sooooo much terminology that is being recycled today by the Obama Administration, with almost as much impact. It is more “inclusive” today”.

Doggone/GA

November 4th, 2012
3:45 pm

I’m out…got some shopping to do. Be back later

St Simons

November 4th, 2012
3:46 pm

“pure spite..” – he’s being kind, & diplomatic, josef

Brosephus™

November 4th, 2012
3:47 pm

I will if you will about me.

Well, to say that you care about Blacks after posting that trail of garbage appeared like complete BS, as most people saw. If you truly care about something or someone, you don’t denigrate them, especially in a public forum. So, forgive me if I am skeptical of your claims here. I can only go by what you post.

As for me supporting Obama, I have expressed my dissatisfaction with him numerous times. When you assume as you did, in light of the things I’ve said about him, that simply shows that you don’t pay attention to fact and merely shoot from the hip. Sadly, you failed in that assumption.

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November 4th, 2012
3:50 pm

Brosephus:

Sadly, you fail in your assumptions of me.

josef

November 4th, 2012
3:50 pm

DDR

In re: your I want to go somewhere where…when one of my melanin enhanced girlfriends back in high school was making that comment in her Mama’s earshot, she told her, “buy you a ticket to Jamaica. Then you can be a vulgar Yankee tourist…”

But I do know the feeling, just with a different set of “expectations.”

RF

November 4th, 2012
3:50 pm

“If you go back and read and view some of the Communist propaganda in the 50’s and 60’s against the United States”

Don’t tell me, let me guess, you think McCarthy was spot on in his rants…

As Doggone said, those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it. Thanks for proving that so deftly…

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November 4th, 2012
3:53 pm

RF:

Why thank you !!!

josef

November 4th, 2012
3:53 pm

getalife

The positive…back when I was growing up in the newsroom, the paper had a two-page section each week dedicated to nothing but good news…it was popular and, it was not an easy task deciding what went in and what did not since there were always plenty of stories to choose from…

getalife

November 4th, 2012
3:54 pm

Brosephus™

November 4th, 2012
3:54 pm

Sadly, you fail in your assumptions of me.

I never said I was correct either, did I? As I said, I can only go from what you post here. I may know people who know you in person, but I don’t. The personality that you show here would lead me to believe that I wouldn’t want to know you in person either. Don’t take it the wrong way, but I choose to surround myself with people who have a positive outlook on life, and that’s not what you show here. Even if I’m wrong, oh well. I can only go by what I see.

DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman

November 4th, 2012
4:02 pm

that’s an easy change for Budweiser, just change the label on the can.

Too funny!! You’re trying to say that Bud’s beers are watered down? IMO All ammerican beers taste like water!! you want a real beer you’d have to go German.

RF: What bothers me right now is that we’ve slipped backwards a bit, IMO

You’d be correct — like i said before, republicans aren’t that savy and they’re pretty easy to read — we’ve been headed in this direction for the past 25+ years, ever since St. Ronnie of Raygun said, “Government is the problem” while holding the highest government job in the land.

And to be honest, i don’t think that politicians , especially republicans, do this out of a deep sense of hatred/fear for one particular race or subset of people; i think they do it for the MONEY.

How is it possible that you have people like Newt Gingrich, who had to depend upon his wife’s job (first wife) to send him through school, who’s now independently wealthy? (not callista’s money — but his).

how can you explain someone like our current governor who miraculously gets out of $1m+ of debt in less than 2 years in office?

I think their politics is just a smoke screen to cover up their greed. Ryan went to school via his dead dad’s SSI benefit and now he wants to do away with that for others — and btw guess what? He’s also RICH. How is that possible?

How did Clarence Thomas, a PUBLIC SERVANT all his life, (gubmint employee); get so rich? He’s never headed a business or a law firm; yet he’s one of the richest justices on the bench.

Is all of these politicians new found wealth infecting their policy making?

You betcha.

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November 4th, 2012
4:03 pm

josef/getalife:

Back when Cynthia Tucker was still with the AJC she and I exchanged a series of personal emails about the news, editorials, balance, etc., etc.

Anyway, I suggested to her that there should be a counterpart to “The Vent” in the AJC each day called “Positves” (or something similar) and that only positive comments would be posted there.

She thought it was a great idea and said she would present it to management.

Alas, nothing happened.

josef

November 4th, 2012
4:04 pm

Like I was saying last night, there are only some five or six here at Big Daddy’s that I don’t think have any redeeming qualities. Sometimes you have to look for them, but they are usually there.

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November 4th, 2012
4:04 pm

Brosephus:

“Even if I’m wrong, oh well. I can only go by what I see.”

I think you mean read but that’s o.k.

P.S. I like to be around unbiased people.

josef

November 4th, 2012
4:10 pm

SCOUT

And that’s really sad…

Ours is an IB school. We have what is called the IB attitudes. Whenever somebody is spotted showing one of those attitudes, they are “reported.” Then, their names are announced along with who it was who reported them…here they are:

Inquirers: Students develop their natural curiosity.

Knowledgeable: Students explore concepts, ideas and issues that have both a local and global significance.

Thinkers: Students think critically to engage themselves in figuring out complex problems.

Communicators: Students express themselves and information through a variety of modes of communication.

Principled: Students act honestly and with a strong sense of fairness, justice, and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups, and communities

Open-minded: Students appreciate their own cultures and personal histories and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities.

Caring: Students show respect and compassion towards the needs of others.

Risk-takers: Students approach unfamiliar situations with courage, as well as defend their beliefs
.
Balanced: Students understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being.

Reflective: Students give consideration to their own learning and experience

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November 4th, 2012
4:10 pm

“People forgive you when lies are told and hate you when the truth is told.”

Author Unknown

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November 4th, 2012
4:12 pm

I think you should add “Truthful”.

DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman

November 4th, 2012
4:12 pm

josef – Im a child of the world (military brat) and i see the world a bit differently. However, i do know, that besides living in Paris & Montreal, i’d rather live here than anywhere else.

For all its faults, the US WILL come and get you, (or make a way for yo), if you’re in trouble and especially if a country hostile to us is holding you for political fodder. [See Clinton / N. korea/Lisa ling's sister and Jackson/Afghanistan hostages].

Some countries, Israel comes to mind, won’t come and get you or even acknowledge you; except to tell you they’ll notify your next of kin.

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November 4th, 2012
4:13 pm

As I have said before, only a true ‘friend” will tell you the TRUTH.

DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman

November 4th, 2012
4:14 pm

Allright folks I’m out — my sister isn’t feeling well and she wants me to cook dinner. Everybody say a prayer, cause if I don’t find any hamburger helper I’m screwed!

Oh wait, Dudley can cook! never mind! :)

Later gators.

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November 4th, 2012
4:15 pm

“Some countries, Israel comes to mind, won’t come and get you or even acknowledge you; except to tell you they’ll notify your next of kin.”

I guess you never heard of the “Raid on Entebbe” ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Entebbe

P.S.

And who is it that would come to get you? Some college professor or a soldier ?