Posts Tagged ‘ga-4’

A reception in Doraville

Posted: May 31, 2010 by datechguy in Afghanistan war, blogger for hire, opinion/news, special events
Tags: , , , , ,

The spread looked great.

There was a sandwich the size of 5 larges at Mighty Subs, cakes, chicken and when that started to run out Pizza. A steady stream of people came in to greet Doraville’s newly returned police chief.

John King had been had spent his time in Afghanistan training Afghan police, trying to change the a group from a society that is tribal in nature.

The Civic center was filled to hear his presentation and a great chunk of that group walked down the hill past the library to the City hall to join in the celebration.

It was the single most diverse group I had seen in my entire time in Georgia, White, Black, Asian, Hispanic, Mixed, all paying tribute to the chief who had returned alive from the war zone. I was told that the stereotypes of the south often portrayed in the North isn’t the reality. That day I saw a group of young white children gathered around an elderly black veteran of World War 2 talking about his time on the beaches of Normandy. The only thing I saw in their eyes was awe.

It was a good moment for a town that had come on some hard times. With the closing of the GM plant a source of jobs and tax funds had been cut off. The current mayor Ray Jenkins had high praise for his predecessor who had during those good times stockpiles millions for the city in CD’s in case of a rainy day. It had kept them going but with the county government also in tight straights the city was finding itself taking care of more and more duties that the county normally would.

It meant some hard times and people disagreed on how it was best to be handled, but those disagreements would be for another day. Today was for celebration and welcomes. the official one for Col King, but the people there were so friendly, so accommodating, and just so nice to a stranger with a strange accent who had come 1000 miles away to report on a political race that I it was almost as if the party was for me.

The Party went on for two hours after I left, I’m sorry I couldn’t stay but I look forward to seeing Doraville again someday.

Quick Take on Matthews event

Posted: May 28, 2010 by datechguy in blogger for hire, elections, opinion/news
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Vinnie and I went to Matthews Cafeteria last night to a Liz Carter event. The food was very good. This might sound hard to believe to Georgia readers but I’d never had a deep fried pork chop before. In the back room Liz Carter met with a couple of dozen voters taking questions and introducing a presentation on the flat fair tax.

A brief talk about the Fair Tax, the basic idea being that it would replace federal income taxes and payroll taxes. Liz endorsed the fair tax and has promised to support it.

A very fair question was asked how we would prevent it from being amended to make it just as big a monster as the current code. The answer is it’s up to us. If we don’t hold our reps accountable that is what will happen. I’m afraid I didn’t show very much journalistic detachment, but then again I’ve never pretended that I am not a conservative republican nor that I want a conservative republican to win.

Joe, Vinnie and the newest member of the Axis of Fedora

Vinnie was very impressed with Liz (who joined the Axis of Fedora) and took a bumper sticker and information. This is exactly what will be necessary after the primaries if this seat is going to flip. She also told an anecdote that was very telling.

I also met her sons, fine young boys although we are only 6 years apart in age she certainly doesn’t look old enough to have boys that age.

It is unlikely that I will get a chance to see her again before I leave, I’m really sorry I didn’t meet her husband, he must be a fine fellow who is nearly as lucky as me.

Update: the first paragraph should have said “Fair” rather than “flat” Thanks to kp for catching that. My bad.

Newer Entries