Drifting Through The Grift

My Morning Wooten

2008-07-17T12:02:00.002-04:00

Barack Obama is a guy who picks up words and phrases from Category A and Category B briefing papers so that he sounds knowledgeable but says nothing.

Kind of like editorial columnists who lazily repeat right wing radio talking points instead of cogitating an original thought?

Gonzo Primary

2008-07-16T12:11:00.004-04:00

Reporting plausibly live from Manuel's Tavern. No notebook. It would be a dead giveaway, the room is full of Democrats and they are feeling bloody. Random notes on the fly. Anonymity is the only protection for the faded and jaded. But onward we must go.

*"I don't know anyone in that room" "You have to wait until the polls close, all the young uns are still out working the field"

*"I think we were talking about smacking Matt around when his business partner Chuck walked by"

*"Steve Davis will trounce his opponent" "It's 51-49" Silence

*"After watching many elections I've learned there are few surprises" "What about Paul Broun and Roy Barnes?" "I'll give you Paul Broun"

*Sen. Nan Orrock seen chatting with former 10th District Candidate James Marlow asking what his next move is and upon seeing a shady blogger nearby hurrying off to a dark corner.

*" Don't worry, it's only Satan. The son of Satan isn't with him."

*"You tipped her too much. You think she's cute!"

*Allen Buckley supporters bumrush the 11Alive live set and get on the 11:00pm newscast. Unfamiliarity with the seven second delay causes much shuffling and frustration. Democrats strangely amused.

*Rev. Lowery is still a sweetheart but its difficult watching legends grow old.

*No fights. No orgies. No dice.

Selah.

Signs? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Signs!

2008-07-15T17:48:00.003-04:00

There are various reports of poll signs still saying PSC candidate Jim Powell is still disqualified despite a judges stay.

Public Service Commission candidate Jim Powell says voters from all over the state are telling him signs noting he was disqualified and votes for him would not be counted were still hanging at the polls as late as 1 p.m. today — almost a full day after a judge told Secretary of State Karen Handel she could not boot him off the ballot.

Just to make the already perverse step a little further on the wild side there are also reports of polling places with absolutely disqualified state Sen. District 36 candidate Eric Underwood on the ballot but with no clarifying signs.

When I endorsed Sec. Handel in 2006, the prime reason was my belief in her administrative abilities. Despite my "defense" of Handel in the Powell affair, I believe this chaos caused by the Secretary's last minute decision to disqualify several candidates requires explanation. Otherwise, all those recent whispers of higher office may wisp away on lost zephyrs.

About As Low As You Can Get

2008-07-15T16:33:00.002-04:00

St. Cloud, Fl. businessman Mike Meehan just wants to help Republicans.

To be fair local Republicans have repudiated the billboard and it is the work of one lone douchebag. But still...

Let's Get A Few Things Straight

2008-07-15T12:30:00.006-04:00

Karen Handel Is Not Katherine Harris - And this is not 2000. And the PSC sure as hell is not the President Of The US. It would be simple to say Harris is an idiot and leave it at that. But Kitty is also a meglomaniacal, crazy idiot who clearly placed party above policy in such blatant fashion that even hard-core Republicans blanched and in later years left her to wander in the wilderness. Handel, although arguably just as partisan, is far more clever.

Also, despite the wailing, what Handel did was clearly legal. Harris, the Florida Supreme Court and ultimately the U.S. Supreme Court actions in 2000 were, to be kind, dead in the gray.

And just to repeat, the PSC is not the President. If you want to make the argument that this is another example of a Republican trodding on long standing traditions of the roles of Constitutional arguments then you've got a winner. If you get overwrought with outlandish rhetoric to the point it turns people off then it will lose steam. Just some friendly advice.

Of Course It Is Partisan - I've only said it three times on my own blog and on several other blogs. Even called it dirty. Some are building a case that it is the latest in a series of partisan moves by Handel and that appears to be a strong argument. That's good! That is absolutely a fair issue and should be used against any future Handel candidacy. Blatant partisanship is pure red meat to independents like myself.

But continuing to ignore where I acknowledge this fact because you perceive I should be more upset is like a cold shower to an independent. The more you compare Handel's move to [insert dictator here], the more likely am I to dismiss your entire argument as the lunacy of the unbalanced.

Powell and the Law - I wrote that piece for two reasons - I have some experience with that system and it is a byzantine area where I believed some clarity for all would be helpful. For that, I was called a "shill for Handel". Thanks. Now, I have another answer when someone ask me why I'm not a Democrat.

UPDATE: And since this is now popping up on the other side's corrals, let me add, saying that there is no possibility of political motivation in Handel's decision is just as stupid as comparing the Secretary of State's office to Iran. You guys are probably going to win and everybody likes a winner. But nobody likes a gloater. A mistake Republicans frequently make.

Powell and the Law

2008-07-14T20:57:00.006-04:00

The frenizied howling over Secretary of State Karen Handel's rejection of Democratic PSC candidate Jim Powell continues.

For some of the firebreathers, the rhetoric has moved beyond comparisons to infamous Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris to an affinity with third world dictators.

Fueling some of the anger is the apparent weirdness of the situation. So, let's take a layman's look at what the law says and if it answers three of the more popular inquiries.

Why would Handel submit the case to an Administrative Law Judge if she was just going to reject the decision?

Simply put, because the law requires it. O.C.G.A. 21-2-5 states "Upon his or her own motion or upon a challenge being filed, the Secretary of State shall notify the candidate in writing that his or her qualifications are being challenged and the reasons therefor and shall advise the candidate that he or she is requesting a hearing on the matter before an administrative law judge of the Office of State Administrative Hearings pursuant to Article 2 of Chapter 13 of Title 50 and shall inform the candidate of the date, time, and place of the hearing when such information becomes available. The administrative law judge shall report his or her findings to the Secretary of State."

Now here is where it gets weird. The law also allows the Secretary to modify or completely reject the Administrative Law Judge's finding. O.C.G.A. 50-13-41(e)(1) states "A reviewing agency shall have a period of 30 days following the entry of the decision of the administrative law judge in which to reject or modify such decision." In this case the "reviewing agency" is the Secretary herself. As strange as it sounds, she doesn't have to abide by anything the ALJ says.

So why have the Administrative hearing at all?

Because that particular hearing is the last place where evidence can be entered into the record. An ALJ has the power to subpoena, call and question witnesses. The hearing is the record of all evidence in the case. Following the hearing, that record is only item reviewed. No further evidence can be entered.

So what's next?

As we saw today, Powell exercised his right to petition the court for a stay. Once again, we return to O.C.G.A. 21-2-5: "The elector filing the challenge or the candidate challenged shall have the right to appeal the decision of the Secretary of State by filing a petition in the Superior Court of Fulton County within ten days after the entry of the final decision by the Secretary of State." Powell was granted the stay and now has the right to a review. There is no jury. There is no one present unless the judge wants them. The judge only reviews the record from the hearing. Critically for Powell, the judge is not allowed to contradict the Secretary of State's determination of the weight of the evidence. In fact, the judge is only allowed to either affirm the decision or remand for further review unless there has been a pretty drastic violation. A reversal is allowed only if the "substantial rights of the appellant have been prejudiced because the findings, inferences, conclusions, or decisions of the Secretary of State are: In violation of the Constitution or laws of this state; In excess of the statutory authority of the Secretary of State; Made upon unlawful procedures; Affected by other error of law; Clearly erroneous in view of the reliable, probative, and substantial evidence on the whole record; or Arbitrary or capricious or characterized by an abuse of discretion or a clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion."

Clearly tests 1-4 are not applicable. Test 5 (erroneous view of evidence) is where the Powell case lies and that's going to be a tough row to hoe.

So, the bottom line is what Secretary Handel did could be labelled partisan, even dirty, but based on the evidence so far it certainly was within procedure. And given the fairly high standard for reversal, Powell's chances of remaining on the ballot seem to be slim.

More Primary Stuff

2008-07-14T15:35:00.008-04:00

The Atlanta Press Club has video of all the debate held over the weekend.

Check them out here: Atlanta Press Club Debates
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also Democratic PSC candidate Jim Powell whose residency had been challenged has been disqualified by Secretary of State Karen Handel. What makes the Powell case so unusual was an Administrative Law Judged had ruled Powell a legitimate resident of the PSC 4th.

Naturally, Democrats are far from happy about this twist.

The crux of the conflict is in the bowels off residency law OCGA 21-2-27:

Section 14 states: "The specific address in the county or municipality in which a person has declared a homestead exemption, if a homestead exemption has been claimed, shall be deemed the person's residence address".

But then Section 15 states: "For voter registration purposes, the board of registrars and, for candidacy residency purposes, the Secretary of State, election superintendent, or hearing officer may consider evidence of where the person receives significant mail such as personal bills and any other evidence that indicates where the person resides".

Powell currently has homestead in Cobb County but receives mail and spends a considerable amount of time in his future home of Towns County.

A reading of the Administrative Law Judge's decision shows he deemed the considerable evidence of Powell's time in Towns to overpower the requirement of section 14.

Handel in her overrule stood squarely on section 14 stating Powell could have easily transferred homestead earlier in order to meet the 12 month residency requirement.

Although this particular decision is rare, its kind is not. The bottom line is Handel's decision was probably flavored by partisanship but it is based on an interpretation of the law which is arguably correct. For a politician, being able to snooker opponents while the law stands firmly as a backstop is the ultimate gotcha. It is the way things work in the real world and both sides do it.

Already some are floating comparisons of Katherine Harris. Honestly, some horses need holding here. Handel may be partisan. But she ain't crazy and she ain't incompetent. And the PSC, no matter how dear, sure as hell isn't the President of the United States.

UPDATE: According to comments at Tondee's, a Fulton Superior Court judge has issued a stay and placed Powell back on the ballot. The betting window is now open! Step right up Democrats! I'm even willin to offer odds that Powell will eventually be disqualified.

Loaf has confirmation.

The Endorsements

2008-07-14T12:04:00.005-04:00

A reminder of how things work. If it receives an endorsement it means I would vote in that manner. Issues and candidates are viewed through a prism of moderate sensabilities with a bent towards libertarian ideology. Most importantly, the Mule Rule will be generously employed.

Since it's a partisan primary with so few administrative positions or incumbents, the hitching post will likely be spared.

Now, let the blood flow.

Democratic Senate Primary - Vote Josh Lanier. Once the realization you are voting for a sacrificial lamb sinks in, the only rational process is to vote your conscience, your gut or just throw some random limb in the air and see which way it flops. So, let's see what we got. Three way. Cuckoo for cocoa puffs. Underseasoned arrogance. Sweet but dull. And Kinky Friedman. Weird is as weird does. Kinky gets my lever pull.

Dekalb CEO Democratic Primary - Vote Burrell Ellis. There's no Republican opposition so this one's for the whole ball of wax. The bad news is Burrell (it just rolls off the tongue) will likely let the bar hours rollback happen. The good news is he actually shows up to things and he's not Vernon Jones. Stan Watson is an interesting candidate but given the importance of this race and the lack of enthusiasm among the electorate, his penchant for not showing up to the debates is disturbing. Stan, we hardly knew ye. Ann Kimbrough is Vernon Jones Chief of Staff and has the keys to his political machine. Enough said. Ellis despite our differences on the critical issue of the late night drink knows the commission, knows the commissioners and knows how the county runs. Oh well, I guess the Mule Rule is kind of in effect.

10th District Republican Primary - Vote Paul Broun. Jesus. All Jesus, all the time. How Republican is the 10th? The two candidates actually debated over who loved Jesus more. Sources say Jesus was busy elsewhere. Paul Broun is a weird dude. On the one hand he votes for medical marijuana and with the other tries to get Playboy banned on military bases. Well, at least with the Maui Wowey vote he shows a whimper of supporting the individual. Unlike his opponent. So, pull for the strange Doctor from Oconee. Noseplugs will be handed out at the door.

5th District Democratic Primary - Vote John Lewis. If you don't, you are insane.

12th District Democratic Primary - Vote John Barrow. Once I inquired to an insider Democrat on the primary challenges to Barrow and Marsall. The response was "we just want to push him a little". I warned "be careful you don't push him right over to an R". The clincher in this race was a comment at Blog For Democracy stating John Barrow "is one of the most extreme right members of the Congress (in a moderate district)". Okaaaaaaaay. Actually, John Barrow is a moderately conservative Democrat in a moderately conservative district who still votes with his party the vast majority of the time. This vote should favor reality. Always a positive in these parts.

House District 80 Democratic Primary - ~~Vote Keith Gross~~. Oh wait. Nevermind.

House District 81 Democratic Primary - Vote Chris Huttman. Republican Jill Chambers, even with her district trending Democrat, even with fellow Republicans boiling about her opposition to Dunwoody, will not be beat. However, Huttman gives them a puncher's chance. Besides, anytime some yammering blogger (possibly under the effects of chemicals) begins ranting about this and that, Huttman usually stops by to provide a comfortable straight jacket of facts. We got to support our own, right?

City of Dunwoody - Vote for incorporation. Yes, yes, I know. I've been one of the screaming in the winds prophets against the continued breaking of the Atlanta hegemony. And yes, I understand that the "citizens" of Dunwoody are so caught up in the euphoria of citifying, they don't really understand the risks and the costs of this venture. But the bottom line is Dunwoody, unlike the Frankenstein chimeras of Johns Creek and Milton, actually acts like a city. It has a paper (granted a certain bow-tied Napolean editor will probably profit from newly required legal notices). It argubly has a city core. It has an identity. So, let them have their new set of tinker toys. Later when one gets jammed up a nostril, we can all laugh at the crying.

Did I forget any? There are a shocking number of important elections tomorrow, yet sadly only 30% will vote. Don't be part of the ignorant 70%.

Yugoslavia In Forsyth

2008-07-13T19:49:00.002-04:00

Now that's funny.

And for the record, I absolutely adore townships. And the fact that a county the size of Forsyth elects commissioners county wide is nothing short of insane.

And this will probably get me accused of being a Democrat again. (Even though many Republicans also support townships)

h/t: Jmac

Things I Missed

2008-07-12T10:58:00.002-04:00

Things I missed while snorkling in the the Gulf of Mexico.

Rand Knight pays almost as much for his haircuts as I do.

Keith Gross hangs on but the grim reaper is near. And the crowd goes...on snoozing.

Despite the departure of Three Way, Dekalb refuses exclusion from the weird with the Chris Huttman/Cecilia Hailey hatefest. Thanks to Hailey, I now have an image of Chris in a red dress stuck in my head.

And not wanting to be left out, the Republicans started their own fray.

Local TV news is still the best entertainment in town. In a can't stop watching a train wreck kinda way.

And finally, as I lazed in the warm Gulf waters, worried harpoons might start flying at my pale white belly, I realized I completely forgot about the Statesboro Herald Senate Debate. Well, none of you went either so pbffttttt! (Flack did watch it on the intertubes though)

Now, y'all come back Monday for the 100% guaranteed (we just ain't sayin' what we guantee) griftdrift endorsements.

Until then, there's stupiding to do.

Goin' South

2008-07-08T10:55:00.002-04:00

Scallops are in season and I'm heading down 75. See you when I get back...maybe.

My Morning Wooten

2008-07-07T12:01:00.003-04:00

Game over, man.

Jim argues for another term of an actual Bush. Not the philosophical extra term flogged by Obama. An additional term by someone named Bush with similar policies as the current Bush.

Is there anything left to write?

Saturday Stupids

2008-07-05T15:01:00.002-04:00

Brother can you spare a stupid?

The Solemn Moment

2008-07-04T11:56:00.003-04:00

232 years later, the solemnity of that one crucial moment, the birth of something completely new, echoes still.

Disappearing In The Night

2008-07-03T03:06:00.005-04:00

A little over one week ago, upstart Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate Rand Knight received the endorsement from the Georgia Association of Educators. Given Knight's relative underdog status, the blessing of one of the Democratic Party's cornerstone constiuencies surprised many.

Two days ago, a prominent Georgia blog reported a story claiming Democratic Party of Georgia officials subsequently pressured members of the GAE selection committee to retract the endorsement. The story claimed the information was provided by anonymous sources and gave no additional confirmation. It was then cross-posted on a prominent Republican leaning blog.

The following day, the story was picked up by a prominent Democratic blog but the entry was later updated to include an alledged denial by once again anonymous sources within the Democratic Party of Georgia.

Sometime between Wednesday night and the wee hours of the morning of July 3rd, without any explanation, all traces of the original stories disappeared.

UPDATES: DPG official Martin Matheny states any allegations of the party attempting to influence the GAE to retract an endorsement are false. He also states he does not know the reason the stories were removed but suspects the authors realized it was important to only print the truth.

Also, Georgia Politics Unfiltered, the blog which published the original story, has printed a full retraction and apology.

My Hometown Headlines

2008-07-03T01:43:00.002-04:00

Not dead, just intoxicated

A Moultrie woman called police on Tuesday, thinking there might be a dead body in her yard. As it turned out, it was her intoxicated grandson who was charged by police after he refused to cooperate with them.

Full story here.

Rep. Hank Johnson Interview

2008-07-02T13:39:00.004-04:00

Videos abound!

Our friend and fellow "Conscientious Objector in the Culture War" Will Hinton interviewed 4th District Congressman Hank Johnson.

Above is Part I. Mark sure you follow the link and check out the rest.

Huge Registration Numbers

2008-07-02T00:11:00.003-04:00

Republicans can't be happy about this.

The number of Georgia voters has increased by 300,000 since the first of the year, with more than 4.7 million people on the active rolls for the July 15 primary, according to data released Tuesday.

Could conditions number 3 and 4 actually happen?

Not according to Rasmussen. But still...

Dekalb CEO Debate

2008-07-01T12:58:00.003-04:00

There's an important race on July 15 and it's not for U.S. Senate.

In the past 24 years, Dekalb County has had exactly three Chief Executive Officers. An extremely powerful but controversial position, many talk of altering or even eliminating the position in favor of a more traditional county chair. Yet, it is difficult to argue with that kind of stability. Once a CEO is elected, they tend to stay.

Since there is no Republican opposition in this race, the Democratic Primary will determine the County's next poobah. And no one seems to care.

Rusty of Georgia Podcast Network attended the recent CEO debate between candidates Burrell Ellis, Ann Kimbrough, Joe Bembry and Steen Miles (Stan Watson did not attend) and provides video of the entire event.

Above is the segment on the critical issue of the police funding. You can find the rest at Georgia Podcast Network. Watch. Learn. Choose wisely.

Songs In My Head

2008-07-01T04:05:00.001-04:00

Statesboro Senate Debate Confirmed

2008-06-30T17:37:00.003-04:00

The previously mentioned potential debate in Statesboro is now confirmed.

Democratic candidate Senate debate sponsored by the Statesboro Herald.

July 8th
7:00pm
Ogeechee Technical College
Joe Kennedy Building Auditorium

Confirmed to attend are Dale Cardwell, Josh Lanier and Rand Knight.

Jim Martin and Vernon Jones have yet to confirm.

Florida Crude

2008-06-30T11:23:00.004-04:00

Kevin Spear of the Orlando Sentinel does a good job of presenting both sides in the debate regarding off shore drilling on the Florida gulf coast. Reasonable people who are tired of hearing all the crazy talk would be well served to check it out.

My two favorite "myths" each side rolls out:

Oil rigs in the Gulf will disrupt the pristine view from the beach - The rigs are at least 50 miles out. On a good day you can only see 20 miles to the horizon. No snowbird basking on the sugar sand will ever know they are there.

There's plenty of oil in the gulf - According to the article one estimate has the entire east Gulf reserve containing a whopping half year supply based on current consumption rates. Those in certain talk radio circles would have you believe all that is required is sticking a straw through the silt to slake our thirst. But on two things everyone with sense agrees - we don't really know how much is out there and it will take a minimum of five years, more likely ten, to reach production. Consider these factors the next time you hear some loon ranting that drilling in the gulf will cause the price of gas to magically drop.

At the end of the day, it is a complex issue where both sides tend to roll out their pet myths. The only defense against the vapors of fear is education. Use it.

Strange Rumblings In Democrat Land

2008-06-30T10:51:00.003-04:00

Unfortunately, I missed the Fox 5 Democratic Senate Debate yesterday. Spain and Germany were playing in a little game across the pond and somehow it seemed more important.

I am now very sad because Vernon Jones finally showed up to something.

You can catch a recap by checking the live blogging at Tondee's Tavern.

Gay marriage, always fun for a roll in the mud, came up and according to those who did watch, Jim Martin opposes it. Decaturguy, in comments at Blog For Democracy, asks an important question. What was the context? Having not seen it, I can't say.

But it certainly is interesting the day after this declaration, members of the local LGBT community are holding a fundraiser for Martin. Methinks Jim might have some tough questions to answer. Or is this a case of certain Democratic thought process I've noticed over the years - we don't care as long as we win except when we do care. Sometimes it is difficult to determine when a candidate gets a pass and when they don't.

In other Senate news, the Democratic candidate with seemingly the most steam is young Rand Knight. As noted here and elsewhere, he recently received endorsements from two organized labor heavyweights. According to sources, this is a pure case of "froggy went a courtin'" but considering the closeness of these allies to the DPG this has to somewhat irk the powers that be. Knight also got a mention by Martha Zoller on this week's "The Georgia Gang". She labeled him as "interesting".

Where does this all go? Nobody knows. All eyes are still on Martin and Jones, but this is a strange year, bubba. Anything might happen.

Finally, down in the house races, the state's two most prominent progressive website, Tondee's Tavern and Blog For Democracy, are in a tizzy over the Augusta Chronicle's report on current 10th District congressman Paul Broun's "sordid" (actually not that atypical) past. My first thought is, didn't we hear all this before? Except it came from Republicans in the last primary.

The bar brawler in me enjoys seeing somewhat placid Democrats pull out the brass knuckles but I do wonder if this is really a path they are ready to tread?

15 days until the primary. It's only going to get weirder, my fellow travelers.

A Couple of Updates: Jen clarifies in the comments that the gay marriage question was a simple no.

Decaturguy on his blog clarifies why he thinks this is a little more nuanced than first blush. But also points out Martin should clarify his position pretty fast.

And Jason has video of the whole thing. So you can see for yourself!

Georgia Gang Howler Of The Week

2008-06-29T11:02:00.002-04:00

Vernon Jones first television ad.

It appeared three times on this morning's Georgia Gang.

Jim Martin's first ad may be boring as hell, but at least it doesn't look like a cheap infomercial.

"Why is food so high?"

"Why does everything keep going up but my paycheck?"

"It's because of gasoline prices!"

It all begs the question. Besides billboards and cheap tv spots, on what is all that campaign war chest being spent?

My Morning Wooten

2008-06-27T10:46:00.003-04:00

Guns and butter edition.

Imagine that. The Second Amendment is real. We can keep and bear arms. Now let’s agree that when a gun is used to commit a crime, the problem is with the shooter and not with the weapon.

Have some straw with your man, Jim. Or are you actually insane enough to advocate removing stricter sentences for crimes perpetrated with a gun? What exactly does the N.R.A. have on you?

Before Barack Obama tries his skills of persuasion on a bad guy who threatens us —- Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, no preconditions —- he should test them on a seriously bad guy who doesn’t —- Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe. Today’s runoff election there is an international joke. Fearing for his life, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has withdrawn. The U.S. can sputter in outrage, but our obligation is to deal with the bad guys whose existence threatens us.

Like Saddam Hussein?

Two state senators of substance, one D, one R, opt out of the Gold Dome Games. Michael S. Meyer von Bremen (D-Albany) —- a former minority leader and one of two Democrats whom Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle allowed to chair committees —- qualified this week to run for a vacancy on the Georgia Court of Appeals.

This surprises and saddens me greatly. Rep. Meyer von Bremen was one of the few fresh voices under the Gold Dome.

Headline: “Former president willing to help Obama campaign.” The former president is Bill Clinton. Help? Make Hillary the food taster.

Whooo! That's a real knee slapper, Jim. I can't decided which is funnier - the implication someone may try to poison Senator Obama or that we would all be better off if Senator Clinton were dead. High comedy there.

Jim Durrett, executive director of the Liveable Communities Coalition, writing in support of the Beltline rail project, reflects the ancient view that those of us who live beyond I-285 are all trying to get to Atlanta’s downtown. Writes he: “We’ve spent the past 40 years building suburbs that are beginning to look unsustainable at $4 a gallon.” We of the “suburbs” are neighbors, not dependents, and when the state devises a transportation plan that moves us where we need to go, instead of just to Atlanta’s downtown, or in a circle around it, we’ll sustain ourselves just fine. Boss, we ain’t your young’uns.

And we of the "city" are your neighbors, not your suckling teat. So you won't mind if we ask you to pay to park at places like Doraville and Chamblee MARTA station will you, Jim? All those Gwinnett cars must jam into the Marta lots just so their occupants can catch a cab back outside the perimeter.

The Justice Department’s inspector general says recruiters improperly used “political or ideological” considerations to find and hire conservative interns. Ideology can be considered in recruiting political appointees, but not otherwise. Justice officials should get more sophisticated in screening to hire conservatives. Anybody doubt that colleges and employers look for the codes in applications and essays to achieve diversity? Ideological diversity is important, too

The report concludes that quality standards were sacrificed solely for the sake of ideological purposes. In other words, what conservatives have for decades bleated against regarding affirmitive action. The difference this time it is their people seeking favor for the sake of "diversity". How quaint.

Oh and Jim, the Inspector General didn't just find it "improper". In two cases, the report concluded the action was possibly illegal.

Selah.