Military honorees are the best of America
Thinking Right’s weekend free-for-all. Pick a topic:
● Newsweek’s cover photo of Sarah Palin is sexist, as she asserts. The magazine used a photo of Palin in running gear that she’d allowed to be taken for a sports magazine. The hostility of many of those in the media to Palin is breathtaking. Liberals fear her more than any other potential Republican presidential nominee, hence their desire to ridicule and diminish.
● Check the headlines. Yes, the economy’s lousy. And … That’s the cue for the pari-mutuel gambling crowd to make their periodic pitch for horse racing. It matters not whether Democrats or Republicans are in power under the Gold Dome. Some special interests never go away. State Rep. Harry Geisinger (R-Roswell), chairman of the Special Equine Study Committee, says his panel will propose a public referendum to legalize betting on the ponies.
● Atlanta’s largest police union, the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Local 623, endorses Kasim Reed over Mary Norwood for mayor. Norwood voted against a property tax increase. If public employees are able to elect their bosses, no politician will vote against giving them what they want, which explains in part why Atlanta is in such long-term financial trouble.
● Surprisingly often in national reporting about the legitimate conflict over health care provisions now being debated in the U.S. Congress, you read a version of this sentence, drawn from an Associated Press account of the version introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.): “Initial maneuvering on the Senate floor was expected later this week on the measure, bitterly opposed by Republicans eager to deny Obama a victory on his top domestic priority.” That’s it. The opposition is cast as purely political — evidence of too-long-on-the-beat cynicism or a failure to comprehend conservative opposition.
● Get ready. A federally appointed panel that makes health care policy recommendations thinks mammograms for most women should not be routine until 50, rather than 40, the current standard. “The additional benefit gained by starting screening at age 40 years rather than at age 50 years is small,” the panel said. The administration was quick to back off the recommendation. But there are only two ways to afford the trillion-dollar health care legislation: Increase taxes directly and indirectly, and when that is inadequate, decide who gets what care and when.
● One newspaper after another finds the Obama administration’s claims about jobs saved or created by the $787 billion pork-as-stimulus bill to be bogus. Bogus. Phony. Made up. The AJC’s Jeremy Redmon reported that the Central Savannah River Area Economic Authority in Augusta was recorded as having saved 317 jobs because officials took the “stimulus” and used it to give those 317 employees a 2.3 percent raise. The administration really should stop reporting national numbers. They’re junk.
● The Georgia Lottery board should be ashamed. Giving $2.75 million in bonuses to staffers — a total that is up 8 percent from last year — for enticing desperate people to fork over a portion of their unemployment checks and their scant earnings for an infinitesimal chance at riches is shameful. Lottery CEO Margaret DeFrancisco got a $204,034 bonus, up from $150,000 last year. Man, there’s a Depression on. Is the board oblivious to the world about us?
● In troubled times, take refuge in that which is good. Honoring the top men and women in the enlisted ranks of the Georgia Army National Guard and the Army Reserve, as the AJC has done for decades, comes at a military ceremony that always lifts the spirits. They do Georgia and the nation proud. This year’s honorees are, from the Guard, Sgt. Brandon R. Clark of Dallas, a member of Company A, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry, and Sgt. 1st Class Daniel P. Crump of Ellenwood, a member of Joint Force Headquarters. The Reserve group includes Spec. Brittiany L. Jordan of Marietta, 3rd Medical Command, and Sgt. Patrick K. Elrod of Gainesville, 3rd Battalion, 323rd Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. They are a reminder about what’s good in America.
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41 comments Add your comment
Robards
November 19th, 2009
9:24 pm
Good evening Jim. Many of us conservatives fear Palin, too.
jconservative
November 19th, 2009
9:56 pm
“Liberals fear her more than any other potential Republican presidential nominee…”
Jim I find the exact opposite. Every liberal I know has zero respect for Palin & can’t wait to get her in a national campaign. I cannot emphasize the zero respect enough and that leads to the belief that at best she would get 40% of the vote in a national election.
The only people I talk to who have any “fear” of her are those
supporters of other Republican hopefuls who fear she may take out their candidate.
jmiles
November 19th, 2009
11:51 pm
Palin is such a threat to the Republican Party that I almost believe she is a Democratic plant. America may reject super liberals in three years; however they are also likely to reject super conservatives. We need moderates, hopefully Republicans, but if they are not available then Democrats will have to do.
BitterEXdemocrackkk
November 20th, 2009
6:05 am
The BEST thing Palin can do is pull outta the Republicannots, coax Dr. Ron Paul into doing the same, and run the Paul/Palin 2012 machine NOW!!!
I cannot imagine a better leadership team than Ron Paul and Sarah Palin !!
http://www.CampaignforLiberty.org
jt
November 20th, 2009
6:22 am
BitterEXdemocrackkk
Amen!
Let the R & D Party have their big government candidates. I’ll take liberty.
Mid-South Philosopher
November 20th, 2009
6:45 am
Good morning, Jim,
It has been a while since last I commented here, but someone has to try to prop up the Bush/Obama economy, and contributing to the maintenance of four households requires a good deal of my time.
Your point about desperate folks forking over part of their unemployment monies in an effort to gamble their way to a decent living is well taken. However, it is not just the folks on the dole. A lot of people, working and non-working, find themselves in dire straights thanks to, among others, the two most recent “illegitimates” (that is a nice way of saying the “B” word) White House occupants!
All of that being true, I still favor a public referendum on pari-mutual betting….and not just for the ponies. I like the notion of letting the people decide these social/moral issues. Of course, the reactionary Republicans and the Marxist Democrats can’t abide that loss of power.
Chuechill's MOM
November 20th, 2009
6:55 am
BitterEXdemocrackkk
6:05 am
I am with you
**Handel 2010***Palin Paul 2012****
An honest view.
November 20th, 2009
7:20 am
What would be good in America?
For Jim Wooten to stop lying. He said over a year ago that he was going to stop his drivel on AJC. He’s still doing it.
Guess he really is a Republican – HE LIES EVERY TIME HE SPEAKS.
Fair and Balanced
November 20th, 2009
7:52 am
How many colleges did Sarah Palin attend again, just to get a bachelor’s degree in journalism? The woman is intellectually dense but Wooten wants to tout her as someone to fear….please.
itpdude
November 20th, 2009
7:54 am
I wonder if Wooten has ever said negative things about bonuses given to temp agency execs?
Chris Broe
November 20th, 2009
8:08 am
The best pitch for pari-mutuel ponies is Palin’s pose on Newsweek. A real Clydesdale!
(I know, say it dont spray it)
Chris Broe
November 20th, 2009
8:10 am
“If public employees are able to elect their bosses, no politician will vote against giving them what they want, which explains in part why Atlanta is in such long-term financial trouble”
Did anyone decypher that? I have no idea what the inscrutable Mr Woo, of China, just said.
Chris Broe
November 20th, 2009
8:30 am
“Surprisingly often in national reporting about the legitimate conflict over health care provisions now being debated in the U.S. Congress, you read a version of this sentence, drawn from an Associated Press account of the version introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid”
Surprisingly is an adverb. If you cant find a preposition use an adverb? This sentence is written soley to tease me. I know it’s so. The redundancies, (Conflict…being debated….version, version…what version of what? Huh?) The entire approach to communication is convoluted.
But there’s more here. The GOP has no senator going rogue about Obamacare. The AP sentence that Wooten complains about describes the reality in the senate: The repudlickans (sic) ARE united, for political reasons, to vote nay. The fact that Wooten’s unreadable style punctuates his own disinformation about the senate fight makes him the Malaprop King (sic)! Here’s how he could have phrased this bit….aw, why bother…. I’m afraid Mr. Woo, of China has taken that slow boat to nursing home, or he’s drunk, (hic).
I feel like my brain has been twisted into a pretzelized pretzel thingie that has twists and turns and lots of salt and gets baked. Great, now he’s got ME doing it.
Political blogging makes strange bedpans, fellas.
Jklol
Chris Broe
November 20th, 2009
8:47 am
“Get ready. But there are only two ways to afford the trillion-dollar health care legislation: Increase taxes directly and indirectly, and when that is inadequate, decide who gets what care and when.”
Homerun! This backs up what Wooten has been warning us about. This follows perfectly the untimely PR disaster about mammograms. It’s almost like Glenn Beck was in charge of the federally appointed panel that opened it’s big mouth directly in front of the senate vote.
Bravo, Jim Wooten. Surprisingly, I’m on the GOP’s side about the Rx fix. It’s too expensive, and why cant we have a simplified, dumbed-down debate with Glenn Beck and Oprah leading the two sides in a televised national town hall meeting so we can all understand this bill?
Is it true that for obstetric care, the word stork is mentioned 379 times throughout the 2000 pages in the bill?
I havent’ read the bill, but I’ve heard reports that the language used in the bill is torture to wade through. I’m 58 and I’m just starting to fathom this common medical prognosis: “Crest has been shown to be an effective decay preventive dentifrice when used in a concientiously applied program of oral hygiene and regular preventative care.”
I wonder if THATS in the bill too?
Dave
November 20th, 2009
8:53 am
Thank you COL (R) Wooten for your support and participation in the AJC awards as a member of both the AJC and the GA ARNG. You and I both know how good it feels to see these great young men and women being recognized for their service. I for one, am glad you are able to still let your voice be heard here, in between trips to the farm. Take care my friend.
Peter
November 20th, 2009
8:58 am
Gosh Jim are you just making crap up or what ?
“Liberals fear her more than any other potential Republican presidential nominee, hence their desire to ridicule and diminish.”
“The administration really should stop reporting national numbers. They’re junk.”
“Man, there’s a Depression on.”………
Are you depressed Jim ? Perhaps you should stop writing before it is too late !
Make up more stuff Jim…… If it makes you feel good ! HA HA HA…..Jim one step from the nut house. or a blast to the head !
Cutty
November 20th, 2009
9:08 am
So Wooten believes that public employees shouldn’t be allowed to vote? Sounds like we need more elected officials with a backbone to say no, instead of cowering to pressure.
If Palin already took the same picture, willingly, for another magazine, why is it sexist now?
Peter
November 20th, 2009
9:12 am
HA HA HA……Jim, is so out of touch……..Typical REPUBLICAN…….he writes this crap, after all int e world tell us the Recession is coming to an end………
“Man, there’s a Depression on.”………
We need Palin as a Poster child for the Republican Party………Proves how dumb one can be as a Leading Republican candidate !
Ragnar Danneskjöld
November 20th, 2009
9:19 am
Good morning all. Of course Newsweek’s cover is cheesy – serious people read serious magazines, cheesy people read Newsweek.
Lobbyists, like the poor, will always be with us, and like the poor, will always be demanding that we, at the point of the government gun, fund their desires. On the issue of parimutual betting, I don’t have a horse in that race. Same with Atlanta mayoral race – too late to elect anyone competent.
The most amazing aspect of the health care debate is that serious people anywhere would consider imposing $1 trillion in new taxes/fees at a time of 10.5% unemployment. Sure, that will push it to 25%. Note that Chauncey’s minions did not say, “the new health care program will not increase spending” – they said the new $1 trillion in spending would not “increase the deficit.”
Why do we call it by a sterile name like “federally-apppointed” panel when it proposes abolishing mammograms for women who still have a life ahead of them? Magna Sarah’s inflammatory term was so much more apt/descriptive.
As to the administration’s deceptive reporting on the magnificent results of its stimulus program, what do we expect from a Chicago politician whose only administrative experience was as a community organizer? All he knows is spin and falsehood and theft.
The Georgia Lottery Board efficiently does what all government and quasi-government bodies set out to do – separate people from their money.
Unlike most of our friends, I don’t have to be reminded of that which is good and honorable in government service – my son, the Lt JG, deploys early next year.
"Charles", The Original
November 20th, 2009
9:20 am
Like all of the dangerous intoxicating drugs used by many persons in the streets of America, higher education has become a dangerous intoxicating drug too. Often, higher learners claim the right to lead others as a result of their ability to speak, read, write, add, subtract, multiply, divide, and present stellar performances. Although, there are some Americans who excel at performing but aren’t university graduates. But there is no need to panic. To save face, honorary degrees are often bestowed upon performers and the credit is to higher education.
Enter the former governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin. She has attained the basics of a higher learner. Palin speaks, reads, writes, adds, subtracts, multiplies, and divides well. But she has a glaring deficiency. She’s not the best performer in the world. In part, the ability to play the role of an educated American is the unspoken allegiance with and to the interest of the educated elitists in our country to the detriment of common Americans. I’m willing to bet the farm that Sarah Palin pledges allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.
Recently, Sarah has decided on ‘going rogue’ to trace one ordinary citizen’s extraordinary journey. Contrary to most politicians and highly educated Americans, she identifies with average Americans. Her position has provoked many educated persons in the controlled media to the point of hostility. The educated liberals fear what she represents more than any other potential Republican presidential nominee, hence their desire to ridicule and diminish.
Ward
November 20th, 2009
9:37 am
Worry not, Newsweek is but a sad shadow of it’s former self and is not long for this world. This week’s cover only hastens that demise as most of America (you know, flyover country) looks at that cover in the checkout line and recognizes it as the transparent editorial stunt it is. The only bad part is that Newsweek’s passing will only scatter the rats around.
Union City
November 20th, 2009
10:07 am
Newsweeks is not a liberal magazine. I’m a democrat, but Palin’s cover was inappropriate and sexist.
Jess
November 20th, 2009
11:09 am
From day one it has been the liberal strategy to paint anyone who opposes health car reform as hateful and greedy. They knew that they must take attention away from cost, so they used there best argument which was all the poor suffering uninsured in this country.
From the conservative side “cost” has been the objection from day one. The deception and fraud in the congressional financial estimates have only fueled the idea that we cannot afford this. Now that China has warned Obama of his excessive spending, maybe someone will listen. When the banker says you are out of control, you should take note.
On Palin. Last week AP had 5 reporters assigned to Palin to every one assigned to health care reform.
Ward
November 20th, 2009
11:22 am
Thanks for recognizing it’s inappropriateness, but only a Dem would say “Newsweek is not a liberal magazine.” Or someone who hasn’t read it lately.
Ray Pugh
November 20th, 2009
11:32 am
Ward, you people think everything that isn’t Faux News, WSJ and Guns and Ammo is liberal. Pull your head out of your @$$ amigo…
KZGuy
November 20th, 2009
1:48 pm
How can that nitwit call the Newsweek cover sexist? She posed for it with her eyes open. It was OK for Runner’s World but not for Newsweek? OF course not she was trying to change her image. Sarah Palin is just another Paris Hilton.
Chris Broe
November 20th, 2009
2:33 pm
Palin can vogue rogue with the best of the pinup girls, just like Levi.
Suggested 2012 campaing slogan for the GOP:
Palin ‘12: We worship Barbie. We hunt Bambie. We are front and center(fold), America.
Big Bucks GOP doing the Lords work
November 20th, 2009
2:37 pm
With the depressed state of the overall economy, newspaper ad sales fell 28 percent in the third quarter.
Ad revenue totaled $6.4 billion, according to figures from Arlington, Va.-based Newspaper Association of America. It was a narrower decline than the previous period.
Advertising revenue has declined year-over-year for 13 straight quarters killing some newspapers and wiping out thousands of jobs at publications across the country. In the third quarter, print advertising sales fell to $5.82 billion from $8.19 billion a year earlier. Sales of online ads dropped 17 percent from the year-earlier period to $623 million
Churchill's MOM
November 20th, 2009
2:41 pm
I hope your son make it home in the same condition he left. Best Wishes to him and all our brave troops.
Churchill's MOM
November 20th, 2009
2:41 pm
the above was written to you Rag Head.
JF McNamara
November 20th, 2009
2:41 pm
If the picture was sexist, then why let it be printed in Runner’s World? The genius that she is, I’m sure she understood the overtones of that particular photo when it first ran. She should have stopped it from running at that time and suggested other photos that show her in a more political and professional light. She just wants attention right now so that she can sell more books.
Ragnar Danneskjöld
November 20th, 2009
3:51 pm
Thanks, Mom @ 2:41. He is a big boy, and smarter than his dad, but his mother and I appreciate your good wishes.
The American People
November 20th, 2009
8:39 pm
Write an article about the SEIU 1000 members beating up Ken Hamidi for trying to exercising his right for free speech at their public meeting. Write about the hyocrisy of the fact that this is barely been a news story. Write about how Obama has as he says “worked with this organization all of his life” but they are keeping this very quiet. Write about the obvious fact that if a black man would have gone into a public meeting and had been beaten up by 4 white men it would be national news and their would be a public outcry on every news channel in this country. Thankyou
a revolutionist
November 21st, 2009
9:22 am
John McCain picking Sarah Palin wound up costing him the election. It was the dumbest thing that he could have done. It took away his trump card of blasting the thing we have now ruining our country for his TOTAL lack of experience on anything a President should have. Palin is absolutely not Presidential timber and in the same boat as the Kenyan we have as our “leader.” It is time to bring home the troops, not because Afganistan and Iraq are not worth another one of these heroes dying for, nut we ARE NOT!!!
Dusty
November 21st, 2009
10:31 am
Ah, Jim Wooten, how good it is to read a journalist who is not afraid to say the truth and doesn’t mind showing some patriotism . PC reigns these days and the mention of honor and patriotism is out. .Thank you, Jim, for showing appreciation for the people who serve our country in the military.
Yes, Sarah Palin is being hunted down while the eager hunters declare otherwise. Palin is a former mayor and state governor, a college graduate, a mother with a faithful husband, and a woman of beauty and truth. That is what “burns” some complainers. All beautiful women, even the “brightest”, are supposed to be bimbos and ornaments, not in government. Will the mighty- men-element ever learn??? I think they better start learning.
As to mayors and finance in Atlanta, I have given up hope. It doesn’t matter about the credentials. It only matters whom you know and being a member of the old buddy club. It seems that CHANGE is wanted everywhere but in Atlanta.
Please, no horse racing and betting. We’ve got the Lottery. Let us forget horse racing, casinos and other forms of squeezing money from those who need to keep it. I prefer the Southern atmosphere of charm and education to the Vegas glitz and glimmer which follows decadent ways to raise money.
Well, once again, government deciding on health matters. We don’t need good doctors. Just health “experts” in panels. So a few women die of breast cancer without mammograms??Too bad says the government. .Just think about these things and that will do it. That is also the way Obama’s public policy health will go. Government will decide how to keep you healthy and make a law that you have to have insurance and pay for it. More debt and higher taxes! Well, that is one form of change to regulate health care.. Obama said we would get it.
Thanks again, Jim. And as always, Ragnar, best wishes to you and your son in the Navy. I know you are proud.
Peter
November 22nd, 2009
9:19 am
HA HA HA Dusty………Palin is not so bright…….come on now, besides being a quitter !
Newsweek is “Protecting” the Republican party !
They don’t take her seriously, Most intelligent Republican’s don’t want her running for the highest office yet again !
Road Scholar
November 23rd, 2009
7:36 am
has anyone done a cost of what health care will cost if we do nothing? My premiums, co-pay, etc are skyrocketing.
Chris Broe
November 24th, 2009
8:45 am
Cost prediction about Rx?
Yeah, I got a prediction:
PAIN.
(Mr T is back in infomercials. He looks amazing, and his acting skills are intact. You GO Mr. T!)
Brad Steel
November 24th, 2009
4:19 pm
Did he really say: Liberals fear her more than any other potential Republican presidential nominee, hence their desire to ridicule and diminish.
That’s funny. So pathetically uninventive, insipid and unoriginal that it’s funny – just like Palin!
Jesus Luvs Cannabis
November 25th, 2009
11:38 am
Holy oil was made from cannabis, free the weed, free your mind…
Military honorees are the best of America | ATL Report - Atlanta News and Gossip
December 15th, 2009
10:33 am
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