Georgia Awarded $6 Million For 790 New AmeriCorps Positions

The Associated Press is reporting this morning that the federal government awarded more than $200 million in grants for the expansion of the AmeriCorps program [Sanner, Ann (2010-6-7). Gov't awards $234 million in AmeriCorps expansion. Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. Retrieved on 2010-6-7.].

Five AmeriCorps programs in Georgia are among the recipients of this new funding.

State	City	Organization	Program Name	Funds Awarded	Member Positions
GA	Atlanta	Boys & Girls Clubs of America	Boys & Girls Clubs of America	$124,000	310
GA	Atlanta	Habitat for HumanityInternational, Inc.	Habitat for HumanityAmeriCorps	$3,900,000	300
GA	Atlanta	Hands on Atlanta, Inc.	Hands on AtlantaAmeriCorps	$991,520	80
GA	Atlanta	Points of LightFoundation	HandsOn CorpsAmeriCorps Program	$793,285	82
GA	Jekyll Island	Jekyll IslandState Park Authoritydba Georgia Sea TurtleCenter	Georgia Sea TurtleCenter Competitive	$223,907	18
		5 Programs	Georgia Total	$6,032,712	790

[SOURCE: The Corporation for National and Community Service]

The $234 million in new AmeriCorps funding is part of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act (H.R. 1388) signed into law by President Obama in 2009. The law, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service (AmeriCorps' umbrella organization), reauthorizes and expands AmeriCorps and increases opportunities for Americans of all ages to serve.

Georgia's congressional delegation was split on H.R. 1388 with all seven Republicans voting against the bill and all six Democrats voting for it [House Roll Call 140]. Georgia Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson both supported the legislation [Senate Vote #115].

Created in 1993, AmeriCorps is like a domestic Peace Corps. It allows Americans to give back to their community, serve those in need and make a dramatic impact upon the world they live in.

And Now. . .The Rest Of The Story (the Ken Hodges edition)

One of the great things about having a blog with the word "unfiltered" in its title is that an individual, like myself, has no need to edit what is posted on this site's front pages.

Take, for example, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's coverage of the controversy surrounding Andrew Young's mealy-mouthed position on whom he's supporting in the Democratic race for attorney general. The AJC gave us a partial quote from Ken Hodges' campaign manager Shannon Marietta [Galloway, Jim (2010-6-4). Your morning jolt: Forget border wall — we need ray guns. AJC Political Insider. Retrieved on 2010-6-7).].

Here's the rest of that quote:

It's not surprising that Rob Teilhet, who's never prosecuted a single case and appeared before judges a handful of times, is trying to divert attention from his lack of experience in the courtroom and with law enforcement. The reality is that Ambassador Young endorsed his candidacy, as have former Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears, Senator Michael Meyer Von Bremen, Civil Rights Leader Lonnie King, and law enforcement officials from around the state, and hundreds of other Georgians from all walks of life and all parts of the state. Those endorsements are based on the simple fact that the Attorney General should be a tough, fair, and experienced prosecutor rather than a politician who lives and dies by political favors.

Additionally, the AJC posted a screenshot of the Ken Hodges mailer that Rob Teilhet seems to have a problem with. Below is the Hodges campaign mail piece in its full context:
That's what it means, that's what it really means to be unfiltered.

ICYMI: Isakson Endorsed By Chattanooga Newspaper

Friday, U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson picked up what appears to be the first newspaper endorsement of his re-election campaign. Too bad the support came from an out-of-state paper.

With Tennessee's Chattanooga sprawling over the border and a lot of "our" people in Georgia, it is natural for many Chattanoogans to feel that Georgia's U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson and Georgia's U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss are somewhat "our" senators, too, along with Tennessee's U.S. Sen. Bob Corker and Sen. Lamar Alexander.

Because of Sen. Isakson's long record of good, sound, sensible, conservative public service, we are pleased to have the opportunity to encourage our Georgia neighbors to re-elect him this year.

Re-elect U.S. Sen. Isakson. Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved on 2010-6-6.

So, our neighbors to the north are encouraging us to re-elect Sen. Isakson. Speaking on behalf of myself, I'll be sure to take that under serious consideration.

Now can we talk about the incorrect Tennesse border which has resulted in years of foreign occupation of Georgia land.

Honest Question: Who's Lying? Ken Hodges or Andrew Young?

Nearly a year ago, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that former Atlanta mayor, Congressman and U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young endorsed Democrat Ken Hodges for Attorney General [Gould Sheinin, Aaron (2009-8-17). Young endorses Hodges for attorney general. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved on 2010-6-4.].

This mealy-mouthed bowl of mush fed to us by Andrew Young isn't going to cut it.

Either there was an endorsement or there wasn't. If there was an Andrew Young endorsement of Ken Hodges that Young now wishes to withdraw, then issue a statement withdrawing the support.

In a news release issued by the Hodges campaign last August, Young was quoted as saying, "I am proud to stand with Ken Hodges in his efforts to become the state of Georgia's top law enforcement official and chief prosecutor. The people of this state need an Attorney General who has a demonstrated commitment to preserving our civil rights while seeking justice for all Georgians--not just the wealthy or the powerful. As Attorney General, Ken Hodges will continue to do just that." [Georgians for Ken Hodges, Inc. Civil Rights Leader, Former Atlanta Mayor Endorses Ken Hodges for AG. Press Release. 18 August 2009.].

Earlier this week, Andrew Young seemed to walk back his endorsement of Hodges and that has another Attorney General candidate, Rob Teilhet (D - Smyrna), chomping at the bit [Galloway, Jim (2010-6-1). Andrew Young on the SCLC: ‘I’m not interested in organizations. None of them. Except the NAACP.’. AJC Political Insider. Retrieved on 2010-6-4.]. Young told the Journal-Constitution that he just took a Polaroid with Hodges and that "it didn’t constitute a formal endorsement."

Does that mean that Andrew Young's previous statement made last August was a lie?

Does it mean that the Hodges news release touting the endorsement was false, fabricated and misleading?

If the answers to those two questions are yes, then why let nine months go by without setting the record straight?

If, however, the answers to those two questions are no, then why lie? Why say there was no "formal endorsement" when what Young really wants to do is withdraw his support of Ken Hodges.

This mealy-mouthed bowl of mush fed to us by Andrew Young isn't going to cut it.

My honest question in this situation is, who's lying? Is it Ken Hodges or is it Andrew Young?

Someone here is lying.

Enough of this pussyfooting around. The former United Nations Ambassador needs to set the record straight.

Either there was an endorsement or there wasn't. If there was an Andrew Young endorsement of Ken Hodges that Young now wishes to withdraw, then issue a statement withdrawing the support.

The longer this goes on, the longer Atlanta's former mayor Young looks like a sneaky snake slithering here and there, deceiving people with his forked tongue.

Karen Handel Suggests Pro-Life Group, GOP Opponents Don't Support The Death Penalty

The spat between former Secretary of State Karen Handel and Georgia Right To Life took a new turn Friday as the Handel gubernatorial campaign roundly chastised the pro-life organization for their "attack on her pro-life position."

Thursday, AJC political insider Jim Galloway reported that Georgia Right To Life "picked a fight" with Handel by emphasizing their non-endorsement of her candidacy.

The anti-abortion group gave five candidates its stamp of approval: state Sen. Jeff Chapman of Brunswick, former congressman Nathan Deal of Gainesville, former state senator Eric Johnson of Savannah, businessman Ray McBerry of McDonough, and state Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine.

But in its press release this afternoon, GRTL placed most of its emphasis on the unendorsed GOP candidate:

“Ms. Handel proclaims herself pro-life; however, she does not meet the 21st century demands of being pro-life.” says Dan Becker, President of GRTL.

Galloway, Jim (2010-6-3). Georgia Right to Life picks a fight with Karen Handel. AJC Political Insider. Retrieved on 2010-6-4.

That prompted the following response from the Handel campaign:

" GRTL's real problem with Karen is twofold: First, they disagree with her stance regarding exceptions to an abortion ban in cases of rape and incest. Secondly, Karen opposes the group's push to ban in-vitro fertilization, which has helped so many couples realize their dream of having children. The group has proposed legislation to virtually eliminate in-vitro. In a meeting with Karen, the group's leadership told her directly that fertility treatments are immoral and that their goal is to completely ban the procedure.

Dan Becker, the President of Georgia Right to Life even went so far as to say of Karen "Someone's desperate right to parenthood – because they're infertile, they're barren, whatever term you want to use – is an emotionally fraught subject that has our highest sympathy."

Handel's team also sought to use Georgia Right To Life's words against them by strongly suggesting that the group's pledge indicated they're against the death penalty.

"GRTL did endorse all of Karen's opponents and praised them for their opposition to rape and incest exceptions and their support for banning in-vitro fertilization. They are welcome to their position and will have to explain it to the voters in July," the Handel news release read. "They will also have to explain signing a statement vowing to protect life until 'natural death' which is in clear opposition to the death penalty which Karen strongly supports."

Jeff Chapman, Nathan Deal, Eric Johnson, Ray McBerry and John Oxendine all signed the Georgia Right To Life pledge that reads in part, "we believe, in the face of compelling biological evidence, that a continuum of human life and personhood begins at the moment of fertilization and ends at natural death. . ."

The conclusion being drawn here, obviously, is that if someone vows to protect life until "natural death", then if a criminal is killed by the state, they did not die naturally.

Let's see where this goes. I expect a bunch of statements from the GOP gubernatorial field shortly.

Reaching Across The Aisle: Buzz Brockway For State House

Buzz Brockway is a blogger over at Peach Pundit.com. He recently became a candidate for state Representative in the 101st district.

Buzz, if you didn't know, is a Republican. I'm a Democrat.

Now I know this may sound odd, but I threw some change Buzz Brockway's way. The exact amount will soon show up on Buzz's financial disclosures.

I personally believe Buzz will do a good job if elected. Plus, I always think it's a good idea to build up some good will across the aisle.

So that's that. Any questions?

State Dems: Isakson & The GOP Can't Adapt

Thursday, the Augusta Chronicle published an interview with U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R - Georgia) featuring the Republican's views on the issue of off-shore drilling.

Sen. Johnny Isakson still favors oil exploration off Georgia's coast, even in the wake of a growing spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

"I am a proponent of the United States becoming energy independent ... of exploring its own natural resources, which includes offshore drilling, but it should be responsible, and the consideration for the environment and the economy has to be paramount," he said.

. . .he's convinced adequate safeguards can protect Georgia's coastline should drilling be tried here as a new revenue source for the state.

Jones, Walter (2010-6-3). Sen. Isakson remains open to drilling off coast. Augusta Chronicle. Retrieved on 2010-6-4.

Democratic Party of Georgia spokesman Eric Gray was asked about Isakson's comments and had the following to say:

"I'm hopeful that someone will do a video montage of our GOP politicians chanting 'drill baby drill'. I'd love for them to explain their position given current events.

"Isakson's answer would be fine in 1990. It's a new world now and he (and the GOP) can't adapt."

Drill, baby drill has led to spill, baby spill in the Gulf of Mexico. How anyone could possibly continue to push off-shore drilling is unfathomable, but the junior Senator from Georgia has done it.

America and the State of Georgia needs to invest in new energy, renewable energy and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. After all, who can look at this picture and honestly say the juice is worth the squeeze.

(Photo courtesy the Huffington Post)

Bishop, Johnson Should Pull Their Names From This Loose Ethics Bill

"Georgia Democrats believe that it is a privilege to serve in elected office, and all who serve should be held to the highest ethical standards."

-page 14, Democratic Party of Georgia platform

Earlier this week, the New York Times brought attention to a resolution introduced by twenty members of the Congressional Black Caucus seeking to loosen some provisions of the U.S. House ethics rules [Lipton, Eric (2010-6-1). 20 in Black Caucus Ask for Curbs on Ethics Office. New York Times. Retrieved on 2010-6-4.].

Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Jay Bookman opined on the new move by certain members of Congress like this:

It’s no surprise that members of Congress don’t like the OCE. Unlike the House ethics committee, the OCE truly is independent, and a key part of that independence is its authority to release reports of its investigation to the public. If that power is taken away and the ethics committee, made up of fellow congressmen, is given the authority to squelch those reports, an important check on congressional ethics will disappear.

Voting now to weaken the OCE would be a terrible confirmation of the public’s current disdain for Congress. It would also make it much more difficult for congressional Democrats to claim that Congress operates any differently now than it did under Republican rule, when the ethics investigation process broke down completely.

Bookman, Jay (2010-6-2). Black Caucus launches effort to repeal major ethics reform. Jay Bookman. Retrieved on 2010-6-4.

The resolution referenced above is H.Res.1416 and features the names of two Georgia Democrats --Sanford Bishop and Hank Johnson-- on its list of co-sponsors.

No Democrat from the State of Georgia should co-sponsor this resolution. It undercuts the message that Georgia Democrats believe in ethical government. How, exactly, can the Democratic Party of Georgia make the argument that public officials should be held to the "highest ethical standards" when two members of the state Democratic executive committee are lending their support to legislation that loosens the ethics rules.

It's the height of hypocrisy.

If these twenty members of Congress have a problem with the Office of Congressional Ethics' actions, then there is really only one obvious solution:

Don't violate the ethics rules. Don't even give the appearance of any wrong-doing.

In other words, avoid being accused. And, avoid chickenshit moves like changing the rules of the game because you don't like the outcome.

Give Congressmen Sanford Bishop [(202) 225-3631] and Hank Johnson [(202) 225-1605] a call, and let them know that their constituents back home in Georgia don't want to see their names on this chickenshit piece of legislation.

No Racial Bias Here, Fulton Just Wants Sandy Springs' $400K Check

Once again, Sandy Springs is proving they can do it better and Fulton County is standing in the way of progress.

Sandy Springs, which began contracting government services to the private sector after its incorporation in 2005, found an outside firm to handle its November election for $250,000. City leaders backed away when it was determined the Justice Department couldn't review the proposal in time.

Sandy Springs paid $400,000 for Fulton County to run the election.

After an unsuccessful attempt to run its own elections [...], Sandy Springs requested the U.S. Justice Department exempt it from federal oversight. . .

Hunt, April (2010-6-2). Fulton, Sandy Springs at odds over Voting Rights Act. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved on 2010-6-3.

Fulton County Commissioner Chairman John Eaves and Morehouse political science professor Hasan Crockett are both claiming racial bias in Sandy Springs' attempt to "bail out" of voting rights act scrutiny. But the only color at work here is green.

Fulton County wants to milk that Sandy Springs cash cow as long as they can and for as much as they can. This discussion about race and racial bias is nothing but a distraction from the real issue -- money.

Quote of the Day: the Maynard Eaton edition

"She is good, she is damn good. She was nobody yesterday. She is somebody today."

-Newsmakers Live moderator Maynard Eaton commenting on Republican Liz Carter's successful attempt to be included in a 4th district congressional debate Wednesday evening.

For the record, Liz Carter was never a nobody. She's been on the radar of most political observers since at least January when the Atlanta Journal-Constitution did a profile on her.

Someone ought to introduce Eaton to Google search.

Honest Question: Was Thurmond Offered A White House Job To Run For U.S. Senate

Was Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond offered a job in the Obama Administration in exchange for announcing his U.S. Senate candidacy?

I'm not one to throw out wild-eyed speculation on issues such as these but in recent weeks, it has been revealed that the Obama White House offered two Democrats positions in the government if they would end their campaigns against the White House preferred candidate.

Pennsylvania Democrat Joe Sestak and Colorado Democrat Andrew Romanoff have both said they were offered jobs not to run [Allen, Jonathan & Lee, Carol E (2010-6-3). White House political team stumbles, bumbles . Politico. Retrieved on 2010-6-3.].

Now, the Michael Thurmond situation is totally different.

Thurmond is a thrice-elected Georgia Commissioner of Labor. His job is safe. Thurmond could easily get re-elected to his post until the cows come home. The risky move for Michael Thurmond, characterized by a veteran political reporter as "one of the most cautious men in Georgia politics," is running against U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R - Georgia). So, it begs to question, why would a overly-cautious politician suddenly decide to throw caution to the wind? What offers, if any, were made to get Thurmond to run?

It's been repeatedly said that a high profile African-American (like Michael Thurmond) at the top of the ticket may drive up voter turnout in the black community, thus benefiting the Democrats in Georgia [Galloway, Jim (2010-4-19). Your Morning Jolt: Behind Michael Thurmond’s run for the U.S. Senate. AJC Political Insider. Retrieved on 2010-6-3.]. But what does Thurmond get out of this?

Again I ask, were jobs offered? Were appointments put on the table? What convinced a cautious politician to run for a U.S. Senate seat where his numbers have gone down and not up?

It's a question I'm curious about. It's a question, given the recent controversies surrounding Joe Sestak and Andrew Romanoff, that should be answered.

Make Transportation The Issue In ClayCo

With a few strokes of his pen, Gov. Perdue signed into law a massive transportation funding bill that includes a provision allowing Clayton County to decide on whether they will join MARTA.

The countdown to July 2012 started Wednesday as Gov. Sonny Perdue signed legislation allowing Georgians to vote two years from now for what would appear to be the largest single increase in transportation funding in the state's history.

In a nod toward a growing need for mass transit that can’t legally be funded with the gas tax, the law allows funding for a variety of transportation types and will let Clayton County decide whether to join MARTA.

The new law takes a major crack at an issue metro Atlanta has struggled with for decades -- increasing congestion that is choking the region’s growth, every year costing its drivers $3 billion, with each commuter wasting about 57 hours.

Hart, Ariel (2010-6-3). With signing, Perdue sets transportation plan into motion. Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved on 2010-6-3.

AJC reporter Ariel Hart writes that the next steps for Clayton County is a non-binding referendum on MARTA in this July's primary elections. But more importantly, Hart writes, a real referendum on MARTA in Clayton County can only happen if the Clayton County Commission authorizes such a vote.

Last year, Clayton County's commissioners voted 4 - 1 to end their bus system; C-TRAN. This year is an election year, and of the four county commissioners who voted against C-TRAN in 2009, two are on the ballot with opposition.

There's only one thing left to say. Make transportation the issue in Clayton County.

The unions, the community organizations, the community itself should make it clear that without a real referendum on ClayCo joining MARTA, some elected officials will be sent home this fall. That is that.

Two years ago, Clayton County's vital issue was its dysfunctional school board. This year, the vital issue is transportation and not one candidate for public office should be given a pass on committing to MARTA.

Break's Over