Occupy Atlanta is suing Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed whining arguing that Hizzoner acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner when he told them GTFO rescinded his executive order allowing them to break the law.

In the suit, Occupy Atlanta stated that its goal is to voice political concerns and encourage political participation and awareness. The group, part of the Occupy Wall Street movement that started in September, intends to return to Woodruff Park on Saturday.

Joining as plaintiffs in the suit are state Sen. Vincent Fort and civil rights leader Joe Beasley, along with four individual members of Occupy Atlanta.

The young protesters met for hours Thursday with Jackson; the Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, a close confidant of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.; and Isaac Newton Farris Jr., president of the SCLC and King’s nephew.

According to WSB,

The lawsuit states the city ordinance governing park gatherings is overbroad because large groups, defined as more than 75, are allowed to get permits to stay in the park after hours, but no such permit is required for smaller groups.

Occupy Atlanta said the protesters who stay overnight have not numbered more than 75 and cannot qualify for any type of assembly permit.

The group is also seeking a temporary restraining order allowing it to stay in the park until the case is decided.

The Occupiers are also considering implementing “Media Monkey” as a way of dealing with unfair press coverage:

Media Monkey. The general idea is to make it difficult for hostile media organizations to misrepresent Occupy. If you see a representative of an organization that doesn’t “get” Occupy, get the attention of other members, surround the representative, and make it as difficult as possible for him or her to report. For example: if there’s a camera or mic, yell or shout as loudly as possible. It may be possible to sing copyrighted songs, as simple as the ”Happy Birthday” song, so that they legally can not air the footage.

Here’s my question: how do they determine which media organizations are consciously trying to make them look like idiots because they don’t “get” Occupy, and which are simply reporting the facts, which also happen to make them look like idiots.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

The photo above shows the church where I exercise my First Amendment right to worship as I am called to. On April 15, 2009, many of us gathered at the Georgia State Capitol under the protection of our right to assemble. Most weekdays in January through April we may petition the legislative branch of our state government. And on this blog, as well as other place online and off, we exercise our rights to free speech and to publish opinions and information that the government may not like.

(Before you say it, SOGTP, the Supreme Court held in Gitlow v . New York that the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution extends the protections of the First Amendment to the states. Love it or hate it, I don’t make the rules.)

I’ve written here recently about the pitched battle between Atlanta Progressive News and the Atlanta City Council.

Now, the Fulton County Daily Report is covering the actions of the City of Atlanta Law Department as it sought and received in Fulton County Superior Court a prior restraint (subscription required) against APN’s publication of the infamous memoranda.

On Aug. 9, Cardinale began reporting on his news site about a series of memos sent by city lawyers to council members, some drafted before he had filed his lawsuit and some after. Although Cardinale didn’t post copies of the memos on his site, his Aug. 9 story discussed in some detail an April 4 email Senior Assistant City Attorney Kristen Denius sent to Councilwoman Felicia Moore, copying city council members and staff and others in the city Law Department.

When they saw the memos quoted on Cardinale’s site, the city’s lawyers asked for their memos back. Cardinale, who said he received the memos from a confidential source, refused.

So on Aug. 12 they sent Baxter a motion for a temporary injunction to keep Cardinale from discussing or publishing the memos further, at least until the court could hold a hearing. The lawyers argued the memos could be damaging to the city’s attempts to settle a potential lawsuit by the state Law Department over related issues.

Baxter granted the temporary injunction but set the matter for a Monday hearing. According to Cardinale and Dow Lohnes lawyer Lesli N. Gaither, who sat in on the hearing on behalf of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation, the city quickly withdrew its request for a permanent injunction Monday, given the memos already had been posted over the weekend by Todd Rehm on the Georgia political blog Peach Pundit.

The city moved to hold Cardinale in contempt over the possibility that he had violated the temporary injunction by giving the memos to Peach Pundit. But Cardinale was able to show Baxter emails that proved he gave Rehm the memos before Baxter entered his order, and Baxter denied the contempt motion.

Allow me a moment to discuss the idea of “prior restraints”. A prior restraint is a form of government censorship that prevents someone from saying something the government doesn’t like or publishing information the government wishes to keep from the citizens. A prior restraint is considered particularly loathsome because it prevents an idea from being heard and either accepted or rejected, it prevents a citizen from sharing information and accepting whatever consequences might attend. It is inimical to the”marketplace of ideas,” an analogy to the free markets that we all cherish around here.

In New York Times Co. v. United States, the United States Supreme Court rejected the lower courts imposition of restraining orders preventing a newspaper from publishing government documents obtained in a questionable manner. This case, also known as The Pentagon Papers case, is frequently cited for the principle that prior restraints are usually unconstitutional.

In Nebraska Press Ass’n v. Stuart, the Supreme Court expanded on the Pentagon Papers case to state in that “prior restraints on speech and publication are the most serious and least tolerable infringement on First Amendment Rights.” A concurring opinion stated that prior restraints could issue against the media only if the government could show that such publication would present a “clear and present danger” in that case to a defendant’s Constitutional right to a fair trial. Another concurring opinion by Justice Lewis F. Powell articulated a nearly identical standard.

Given these clearly articulated standards for the government imposing a prior restraint, it should be only under the most extraordinary and exigent circumstances that an American government would seek to impose a prior restraint. Unfortunately, the Law Department of the City of Atlanta doesn’t seem to think so. In this case, what was at stake from the City’s perspective was its strategic position in a pending lawsuit that might be brought by Attorney General Sam Olens to force the City Council to abide by the Open Meetings Act.

But, you say, you guys are the press, are you? You’re not “legitimate media” to quote another government official or two.

Chief Justice Hughes, writing for the Supreme Court in Lovell v. City of Griffin, which originated in Georgia, stated that “[t]he press, in its historic connotation, comprehends every sort of publication which affords a vehicle of information and opinion.”  That sounds like us.

Hollie Manheimer, Executive Director of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation, which filed an amicus brief against the prior restraint, told the Daily Report that “[t]here is more room for blogger and citizen action now, and we expect that role and activity to grow.”

How far was the City Law Department willing to go to defend their right to break the law?

The City Law Department is apparently so embarrassed at having their ass hat handed to them by a non-lawyer that they are willing to attempt to harass and intimidate Cardinale. In my opinion, they are using armed guards to prevent Matthew Cardinale from exercising his First Amendment right to petition his government. Shame on them.

The City of Atlanta government appears to have pulled out all the stops in its assault on the First Amendment rights of one of its citizens. They’re also willing to harass and attempt to intimidate Peach Pundit, or at least its most annoying contributor.

In this Motion, the City requested to take depositions of APN’s Editor, Rehm of Peach Pundit, and an activist named Robert Schreiber, who sent the Peach Pundit blog post to the City.

In its Motion, the City provided a screenshot of Rehm’s Facebook page, as well as a series of posts on Rehm’s Facebook wall, as emailed to the City by someone named Rob[ert Taylor] O’Neal.

Since Assistant City Attorney Kristen Denius seemed so interested in my facebook postings, I sent her a friend request so that she can view them herself, rather than enlisting  Robert Taylor O’Neal. I’m disappointed that she hasn’t accepted.

Matthew Cardinale is well-known for singing and rapping in his comments to the Atlanta City Council. Since the City lawyers lost their motion, I suspect they’re no longer interested in deposing me. But just in case, I’ve given my lawyer instructions to pass on to them: they’re taken from another song you may have heard. (link not safe for work or around young kids)

I am admittedly an absolutist complete nutjob with respect to the First Amendment, but it’s only because it protects so many of the most important things in our lives. If you’re a government official who deals with the press, you should acquaint yourself with the First Amendment and our rights under it.

“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.”

-Barry Goldwater

If the First Amendment protections against our government fail, our next bulwark is the Second Amendment. And nobody wants it to ever come to that.

P.S. Matthew Cardinale and Atlanta Progressive News have spent a considerable sum defending the rights of all of us. Consider visiting their site and making a donation to offset their legal expenses; I have. I also highly recommend subscribing to their newsletter. Even though I disagree with his politics, I read every single edition as he covers topics neglected by the mainstream media.

P.P.S. The American Spectator used to publish a semi-humorous (if you appreciate droll humor) list of “enemies of the people”. I’m starting my own list.

But not in Jonesboro, not anymore.

The Jonesboro City Council has approved an ordinance banning sagging pants, joining some other Georgia cities which have already outlawed the practice.

The Clayton News Daily reports (http://bit.ly/nejJXw) that councilors approved the ban 5-1 Monday after heated debate.

Under the ban, anyone wearing pants, shorts and skirts more than three inches below their hips can be cited for disorderly conduct and ordered to appear before a judge.

Critics of the ban such as Dalton Smith of Jonesboro said he didn’t think city leaders should force their opinions on what constitutes fashion on anyone else. But Ann Sligh, an outspoken proponent of the ban, told council members the practice should be banned because it’s indecent.

Officials in the Henry County town of Hampton recently passed a similar measure outlawing sagging pants.

Other cities not interested in seeing other people’s knickers include Dublin, Hawkinsville and Warner Robbins. Fines, citations, etc. are doled out by the supposed “fashion fascists” when faced with such derriere dilemmas.

Buy a belt. It’s cheaper than jail and keeps you from making all sorts of new friends.

During a townhall meeting for Rep. Paul Broun in Oglethorpe County, someone – presumably a constituent asked, “when is someone going to shoot Obama?” No doubt, that’s inappropriate and deranged question to ask, especially to a Congressman. According to Blake Aued, Broun responded by noting that the ballot box was where people upset with the president should voice their frustration:

The thing is, I know there’s a lot of frustration with this president. We’re going to have an election next year. Hopefully, we’ll elect somebody that’s going to be a conservative, limited-government president that will take a smaller, who will sign a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare.

Disagree with Barack Obama all you want. I don’t particularly care for most of his policies, but the ballot box is where I’ll make these disagreements known.

Hopefully, the guy that asked this question will be getting a visit from the Secret Service soon.

Politics certainly makes for strange bedfellows.

House Bill 179 changes some of the current regulations for allowing the cutting of trees, kudzu, etc. in front of billboards. It was recommended out of committee last week.

(As background, information packets can be left on representative’s desks regarding a particular member’s opinion about issues and legislation. Such literature must have a member’s business card attached, showing they approved of the distribution.)

The Garden Club evidently has taken the gloves off for this one. Posing as Rep. Kip Smith, they distributed information stating that not only was he against the bill, but the DOT stood with him. The business card attached, indicating Rep. Smith approved the distribution, was purloined from Smith’s office. Today representatives received a another (legitimate) letter from Rep. Smith, explaining the unauthorized material and his real position.

Word has it that Herschel Walker has been calling representatives in favor of the bill and Coach Vince Dooley is against it. No word yet from Paul Johnson.

At least no one is poisoning the trees…yet.

Herman Cain has been receiving a lot of attention since announcing his exploratory committee for the Republican nomination for president. The reception has been positive, although he underperformed at CPAC. So naturally he must the subject of vicious attacks from the left:

In the immortal words of Megatron in Transformers: The Movie, Herman Cain’s speech at CPAC really is bad comedy. As you know, I find black garbage pail kids black conservatives fascinating not because of what they believe, but rather because of how they entertain and perform for their White Conservative masters.
[...]
Let’s consider the routine. First, Cain enters the stage to Motown music. Then Cain feigns swimming after rolling up his sleeves to show them his black skin and how he is a hardworking negro (not like those other ones). Cain bellows in a preacher affected voice and channels the folksy negro down home accent of his late grandpappy. In the money shot, Cain gives the obligatory “black folks who are not Republicans are on the plantation” speech to the joyous applause of his White benefactors. And he doubles down by legitimating any opposition to President Barack Obama as virtuous and patriotic regardless of the bigoted well-springs from which it may flow.

In total, CPAC is a carnival and a roadshow for reactionary Conservatives. It is only fitting that in the great tradition of the freak show, the human zoo, the boardwalk, and the great midway world’s fairs of the 19th and 20th centuries, that there is a Borneo man, a Venus Hottentot or a tribe of cannibals from deepest darkest Africa or Papua New Guinea on display. For CPAC and the White Conservative imagination, Herman Cain and his black and brown kin are that featured attraction.

We always need a monkey in the window, for he/she reminds us of our humanity while simultaneously reinforcing a sense of our own superiority. Sadly, there are always folks who are willing to play that role because it pays so well.

Uh. New tone?

That’s right, today is December 25th, and that now means it’s Jason Pye’s birthday.

As you wind down your Christmas celebrations, please take a moment and wish our resident Libertarian and Peach Pundit Assistant Editor a very happy birthday.

Though I’ve been trying to start the rumor that he would be turning 45 today, he claims it’s his 30th. Regardless, he’s been celebrating for a week, and I hope being snowed in gives him one more day of Pyepalooza.

Happy Birthday Jason!

Rep. Tom Graves and State Sen. Chip Rogers were hit with a tax-lien of $1,498:

The Internal Revenue Service has filed a lien against a company owned by state Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers and U.S. Rep. Tom Graves.

Filed in the Gordon County Superior Court on Monday, the lien is targeting Tich Properties LLC for $1,498. Both Republicans, Rogers and Graves are members of that company.

Rogers said the company’s taxes are current and the lien is a penalty for not filing W-2 forms with the federal government for one quarter of 2007. Rogers, however, disputed the lien, saying his company has filed all of its required paperwork. His accountant hand-delivered tax records to the federal government Friday and paid the lien to resolve the matter, with the expectation that the money would be returned.

“Our accountant has documents showing all paperwork has been filed properly,” Rogers said Friday. “Apparently, the Social Security Administration asked our payroll people back in 2008 to resubmit the W-2 paperwork, and they did. We heard nothing else until now. … Late yesterday, our accountant resubmitted, for a third time, the W-2 information they are seeking from 2007.”

Graves issued a prepared statement Friday, saying: “The important thing is at no time were any taxes unpaid. It’s a simple misunderstanding about filed documents, which we have now refiled for the third time. We expect the matter to be fully resolved today.”

Oh, and let this relatively small tax-lien, which is in dispute, serve as an opportunity for every media outlet covering it to remind you that they are still being sued.

More evidence (as if we needed it) that he has lost all grasp of reality.

“We had almost complete harmony with every nation on Earth,” the Nobel Peace Prize winner said of his administration. “We not only preserved peace for our country, we never went to war. We never dropped a bomb. We never fired a missile.”

“Complete harmony,” mind you. Harmony with the Soviet Union? Evidently. Harmony with Iran? Oh, sure! Harmony in Central and South America? You bet ‘cha!

And what were American forces doing on the desert floor one night under cover of darkness during his time in office? As Jimmy says…nothing. Why, it’s almost as if he actually believes what he is saying. Quite sad.

A white councilman in Warner Robins told a black councilman that he should be working in a cotton field. In the middle of a council meeting. With the cameras rolling. Unacceptable in any time or place. Roll the tape!

More here from CNN. Cotton e-mails in to note it’s just the plain ‘ol Fabric Of Our Lives™ and doesn’t want to get involved in this situation.

H/T to Thomas Wheatley at Creating Loafing who H/Ts to Wonkette

But, in the end, it really isn’t that big of a deal. Anyway, take a few minutes and read this post from there about the trials and tribulations concerning Jason Shepherd’s previous run in with Johnny Law. It’s fine, I’ll still be here while you are gone……Okay, you read the post? Swell. Now, let’s get to a few of the points the poster was trying to make…inaccurately.

Here’s the first EARTH SHATTERING REVELATION™:

Shepherd claimed, ““I voluntarily went through a diversion program before it even went to court, in an effort of good faith. However, the charges were totally dropped because there was no truth to them.” (http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2010/09/27/the-candidate-the-name-change-and-the-domestic-violence-arrest/)

The records tell a different story. Documents obtained from the Cobb Magistrate Court show that Shepherd appeared in court twice on charges listed as “Simple Battery – Physical Harm.”

After the first appearance, on July 14, 2000, the judge entered an order stating, “After hearing evidence in the above styled case and probable cause having been found, the defendant agrees to comply fully with the following conditions in lieu of prosecution.”

The order lists four “General Conditions of the warrant being placed on hold,” such as avoiding “vicious habits, especially alcoholic intoxication and narcotics and other dangerous drugs,” as well as a two “Special conditions.”

The special conditions are that Shepherd “treat for violent behavior” and that he avoid further contact with the victim.

Contrary to Shepherd’s assertion that the case was dismissed, the court retained jurisdiction over the matter. “It is further ordered the Order of the Court, and the defendant is hereby advised that the Court may at any time, revoke any conditions of this warrant, if any condition is violated.” Shepherd was ordered to return to court in three months.

All righty, then. Above we are told that Shepherd was evidently lying by saying that he ‘didn’t go to court’ on these charges because he actually did have to appear before a Magistrate Court Judge. That’s swell and all, but I’ve got a news flash: if prosecution were actually going to have proceeded, the matter would have been handled in State Court, not Magistrate Court.

And what were the things he had to do in order to have his case disposed with? He had to not hang out in areas with thugs, stay away from the alleged victim, and take some anger management classes. Big whup. The point is that he volunteered to do these things, just like the man said. He could have refused (he would have been a doofus, but he could have said ‘no’).

But here is where the conspiracy gets even more thick:

Shepherd’s contention that “charges were totally dropped because there was no truth to them” is disputed by the finding of probable cause by the court on July 14 and the solicitor’s representation on October 13 that probable cause exists.

The form used by the solicitor in closing the case includes an unselected option to close a matter because of “insufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” Instead, the solicitor advised the court that there was probable cause to prosecute further.

The court did not enter an order dismissing the charges. “The clerk is requested to enter this case as closed,” according the solicitor’s filing.

Shepherd admitted on his website that he entered a pretrial diversion program. The website maintained by the Cobb District Attorney explains its pretrial diversion program stating. “The Offender must admit guilt.” Successful completion of the diversion program “will result in dismissal or nolle prosequi of the charges.” In Shepherd’s case the charges were not dismissed but were nolle prossed, which simply means that they were not pursued further.

Oh, where’s Ben Matlock when you need him? Let me explain ‘probable cause.’ It relates to having a reasonable belief that a crime has occurred. It must be based on more than guessin’ or prayin’. So, if you have an alleged victim tell a police officer that she was hit (even if there is no physical evidence), then the officer has probable cause…for an arrest. NOT, I note, for a conviction. Because probable cause does not equal proof beyond a reasonable doubt, which is the standard at a trial.

Thus, when the solicitor said that probable cause exists, it’s a meaningless statement that is a CYA for the officer. Because, seconds later, the prosecutor did, point in fact, dismiss the charges. When a solicitor says that ‘probable cause exists,’ it’s a protection for the police department so that someone can’t come back and file a time wasting lawsuit. It basically announces that “there was sufficient reason for the officer to go ahead and take out the warrant but this case isn’t going anywhere so we’re going to dump it.” Otherwise, the record could be interpreted as the solicitor saying that the officer goofed in taking out the warrant, which opens the door to litigation.

Because, if you note, the state dropped the case seconds after announcing that blather about probable cause.

Dropped = dismissed = nolle prosequi.

Again, a nolle prosequi is a dismissal. Because it states that the prosecutor isn’t going to proceed with the case any further. Like he or she is done with it. Finished. Complete. Moving on. Outa here.

And one more thing. Don’t forget this bit from GaPolitico.com:

The website maintained by the Cobb District Attorney explains its pretrial diversion program stating. “The Offender must admit guilt.”

That may be. But the District Attorney works in Superior Court with felonies. Here, we are dealing with solicitor’s in State Court handling misdemeanors. These are different programs we are talking about and the fact that the District Attorney requires an admission of guilt is quaint but meaningless since neither the DA, Superior Court or Superior Court Diversion Program were involved in this matter in Magistrate Court. Even the letters forming the names of the court are different, see?

M-A-G-I-S-T-R-A-T-E C-O-U-R-T
S-U-P-E-R-I-O-R C-O-U-R-T

Nope, they don’t match up at all (except for the ‘court’ part, but you get my drift).

All GaPolitico.com has shown is that they didn’t go to law school. Which, truth be told, isn’t exactly a bad thing for the soul.

Next time, guys, run your “paperwork” by an attorney to set you straight first.

(Previous posts concerning this story can be found here, here, here, and here.)

In via the Tip Line and in two separate conversations today, I’m hearing rumors (so take them as just that: semi-wild speculation with, at this juncture, nothing confirmed at all) that some of the dollars allegedly “misappropriated” by certain employees within Fulton County government may have been supplied by Federal grants.

Audits are believed to be underway this week to confirm if this suggestion is accurate.

Of course, should such a development actually pan out as true, it would permit the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, azz-kicker Sally Yates, to be able to join in any investigation which Fulton County Manager Zachary Williams says is ongoing, led by the Fulton County Police Department.

Now, just because she could does not mean that Yates would necessarily insert herself into such a situation, again assuming that this rumor is, point in fact, correct. Meanwhile, another day passes with no word from Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard and his hundreds of prosecutors and investigators as to when they might initiate an investigation separately or concurrently with those ongoing.

Creative Loafing’s Thomas Wheatley and Atlanta Politics Unfiltered’s Jim Walls have more on this unfolding story.

I’ll just let this speak for itself.

Shelby Marwan Heggs of Macon admits he’s been a sinner, but hopes his past won’t keep a judge from allowing him to become a Saint.

Heggs, who has convictions for drunken driving and marijuana possession, has filed a court petition that would allow him to change his name to Saint Jody Almighty Bedrock.

Heggs, who also faces an aggravated battery charge next month, says he’s rededicated his life to God.

“I wanted a name that everybody would know when they were talking to me that they were talking to a man of God,” said Heggs. “I wanted that to be expressed in my name.”

Prosecutor John Regan says the Bibb County District Attorney’s Office is opposing Heggs’ request on grounds he may be using it to try to hide his criminal record.

Rockdale County Commission Candidate Courtney Dillard (funky website | Facebook) seems to always be in the wrong place at the wrong time. As The Rockdale News’ Michelle Kim (risking charges of racism from leftists) details, it seems Dillard enjoys refreshers on the operation of criminal law:

-An arrest warrant for felony deposit account fraud was issued in Sept. 27, 2006 after a $700 check with Dillard’s signed name was made out to Erick Mathis. The warrant was recalled pending “further investigation” last week, all because he claimed he was the victim of fraud, which automatically results in a recall.

-Dillard was arrested for felony cocaine possession in Fulton County in 2004, but the charges were later dismissed after District Attorney Paul Howard’s crack battalion of prosecutors dropped the ball, yet again.

-Around 2004, Dillard was charged with battery of a minor, but had the matter removed from his criminal history after completing 40 hours community service and a conflict resolution class.

All that from a man who bills himself, “as a Christian father, husband, business owner and minister in this community, I believe ‘success in life’ on all levels is based on honesty, hard work, and beneficial relationships.” Success in life, indeed!

So what’s he saying about all this?

“I am not at liberty to respond to anything regarding the campaign,” he said.

Classic, dude. Just classic.

Former Macon Mayor C. Jack Ellis Hakim Mansour Ellis Jack Ellis said Wednesday he wants to return to City Hall again after a four year absence.

Ah, Macon: the gift that keeps on giving.

“I decided in the last week or so after listening to a lot of people. They were encouraging me to run again,” he said. “I plan on devoting a lot of energy on this effort immediately.”

One wonders if he consulted with his good pal, dictator Hugo Chavez, who Ellis declared solidarity with in 2007. Also pending is if Ellis still supports Chavez’s funding of Al Qaeda, killing of political dissidents and suppression of independent media, as someone named Erick Erickson asked him several years ago.

Although Ellis’ mayoral tenure had its share of controversies — a push for condoms for youths instead of abstinence programs, taking the Macon Housing Authority to court and questions about misusing a federal grant — Ellis said he’s not focused on the naysayers in the coming election but rather is leaving things for voters to decide.

Why focus on those pesky naysayers bringing up uncomfortable facts! We’ll also wait to see when, or if, Ellis decides to resign from his position as Honorary Consul of Uganda in Georgia.

The fossilized remains of state Representative Tyrone Brooks (D) were interviewed yesterday concerning the Georgia Voter ID law which is currently before the Georgia Supreme Court. If you don’t have five minutes to spend watching, allow me to summarize: “The law is draconian! DRACONIAN! Did you hear me, it’s DRACONIAN! Who cares that no one has been kept from voting…it’s DRACONIAN! People don’t want to have to prove who they are! Who cares that many democrats support the law! I’ve been under the Gold Dome for 30 flippin’ years! Listen to me: DRACONIAN….’nuff said!”

I heard yesterday that Rep. Jim Marshall had hit the airwaves in GA-8, choosing to go negative against Austin Scott, his Republican challenger, by attacking him on immigration:

While I’m no fan of the GOP position on immigration and the rhetoric surrounding it, Scott did vote for SB 529 in 2006, which was once viewed as the strongest anti-immigration law in the country.

[UPDATE] Correction. This is Marshall’s second ad. You can view his first ad here. Thanks to Marshall’s campaign for letting me know.

Last week, Erick mentioned the nutty pastor in Warner Robins protesting the mascot of a local high school.

The pastor got himself arrested today:

Warner Robins police say they arrested Pastor Donald Crosby Monday morning as he and a group of supporters protested Warner Robins High School’s “Demon” nickname and mascot.

Warner Robins police spokeswoman Tabitha Pugh says 36-year-old Crosby was arrested after police told him he didn’t have a picketing permit, as required by the city.

Crosby and the group set up the protest outside the school on the opening day of classes because of their opposition to the school’s Demon team nickname.
[...]
She says officers asked Crosby and the group to leave, but he refused and was arrested. Others in the group dropped the protest.

Pugh says Crosby is charged with picketing without a license and disorderly conduct for not leaving when asked. Crosby was released from the Houston County jail on bond.

I think his cause is ridiculous, but it’s absurd that anyone would be arrested for exercising their right to free speech.

Environmental groups filed new challenges Monday in hopes of blocking an ambitious $2 billion plan to build the state’s first new coal-fired plant in more than two decades in southwest Georgia and a separate, smaller project designed for the central part of the state.

The coalition of environmental advocates said they filed the five challenges in a bid to stop what they see as an unprecedented wave of new permits for coal-fired power plants at a time when environmental regulators in other states are supporting alternative energy proposals.

More here and here.

Jennifer Sudderth (pictured), the Mayor of Hartwell, has had an interesting few months since being elected to that post. Shortly after the election, Sudderth was arrested for DUI in South Carolina where she allegedly tried to the use the power of her office to get out of trouble. Those charges are still pending.

Now, Sudderth is causing a big stink in Hart County because her teaching contract was not renewed for the next school year. Oh, I didn’t mention that Mayor Sudderth, with her pending DUI charges, is also a school teacher? Well, around April 14 Sudderth started throwing out her venomous accusations.

“I was not at all surprised. [Hart County High School principal Eulin] Gibbs and [Hart County Schools superintendent Dr. David] Hicks have a history of violating Department of Labor Laws,” said Sudderth in an e-mail to The Hartwell Sun that she confirmed. “I just called them on it and this is their way to retaliate.”

Sudderth charged Gibbs with discrimination.

“His discrimination against students and certain faculty have been anything but subtle,” she wrote.

By April 22, as the Hartwell Sun reported, Gibbs was directly refuting Sudderth’s baseless allegations.

“Discrimination is defined as unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice,” said Gibbs. “I do not practice nor have I been found guilty of discrimination by any official agency or organization in my entire career. I will let my record of service to the students, parents and community of Hart County speak for itself.”

But now she is resurrecting additional allegations that also have been proven baseless, all because her pride was wounded in losing her job.

The newest allegations relates to this story from more than nine months ago where the parents of a disabled Hart County boy said that their son was attacked on the school bus by a bus monitor. Both the GBI and the Hart County District Attorney’s Office said they found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing after their investigation. That doesn’t stop the good Mayor’s vendetta against her soon to be former employer, though! Behold the latest e-mail missive from Her Honor sent into the Tip Line.

From: jsudderth1217@#########.###

Date: Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:07:43 +0000 (UTC)

To: [redacted]
Cc: [redacted]

Subject: For Your Information – NOT in this CITY!!!!!

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is with a truly heavy heart that I come to you this morning. I realize this occurred before I took office as Mayor; but, I find it VERY disturbing that I have heard not WORD ONE of this travesty! This took place WITHIN THESE CITY LIMITS!!!! Take one minute – just one – close yours eyes and think of your child – YOUR child (or grandchildren or a child period!). Imagine that child you love so is the child shown in the attached video.

I will let you all know from the beginning – This is not about “vendettas” or “good-ole boys” – This is about a child’s life, a child whose parents put their trust in a school district inside our city limits ( and their trust in this city as well) and this was the result. Yet, we (or at least I) hear nothing of this. I am, today, mortified, that this (and its cover-up) was allowed to occur! I am ashamed of this city today and I am ashamed to have worked for three years for a superintendent that allowed this to happen. Each year, ALL educational professionals must acknowledge their responsibility to report even suspected cases of child abuse so, “I didn’t know” doesn’t work! I SINCERELY hope and pray that I can gain the cooperation of all city officials to see that justice is done by this precious little boy. Please do not tell me “I don’t understand the situation.” I am trained and hold an advanced degree in Mental Health Counseling Psychology. I am fully knowledgeable of the DSM IV TR and all symptoms and diagnosis. I have worked with these children and the behavior shown IS NOT IN ANY MANNER acceptable treatment of a child UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!! It is flat out ABUSE! I am so repulsed that this occurred in these city limits and yet no one said a word that I can barely keep my hands from shaking as I write this to you. I PLEAD with you to help me bring justice for this child! I will not have my tenure as Mayor involve acceptance of the disgusting treatment this child received or the silence of individuals WHO very well know what took place, yet said nothing – EXAMPLE – The school district was quoted as saying “We found no wrong-doing.” Seriously???????? Imagine – this is YOUR child – YOUR grandchild. Just think for a minute!!!!!! Put all petty little differences aside and put the rights of this child first – as you would a child you love.

foxcarolina.com/news/20397205/detail.html

youtube.com/watch?v=QyTfOnPLnSM

If you can’t click on these – type them in Manually…..

Pleadingly,
Mayor Sudderth

Jennifer S. Sudderth, MSMHC
Mayor/City of Hartwell
500 E. Howell St.
Hartwell, GA 30643
706-436-9310

This is also the same Mayor who thinks her own city (and, thus, her own constituents) is filled with racial division and “close-mindedness”. And cursed be the fool who dares to terminate the employment of Her Honor while she is facing criminal charges in another state.

Just four months into her term of office and Mayor Sudderth is making Hartwell proud each and every day. At this pace, Hartwell will soon dethrone Lithonia as the city with the most embarrassing leadership.