Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	There Is Some Good news For Martini
Date:	11/8/2018 11:22:42 AM

While the Good Lady on the left won the 6th in Dekalb, at least you can drown your sorrows on Sunday.

Name:	CRD -	Reply
Subject:	There Is Some Good news For Martini
Date:	11/8/2018 12:13:46 PM

Speaking of Dekalb, it was my home from when I first moved to Atlanta in 1979 until 1996, at which time I joined a practice on the southern side of Atlanta.  Aside from a few pockets around the Emory, Morningside, and Decatur areas that still kindle fond memories of my time there, it for the most part no longer resembles that suburban, tasteful Atlanta suburban county that I remember.  So sad.....Handel's loss was not unexpected considering the current  demographics.

Name:	architect -	Reply
Subject:	There Is Some Good news For Martini
Date:	11/8/2018 12:25:43 PM (updated 11/8/2018 1:40:39 PM)

I have lived in Morningside since 1973 including ATL in DeKalb area since 1981 and have seen tremendous change...90%+ positive change. Thankfully, one thing has NOT changed...it was then and is now an area of moderation in political thought.  In 1973 that political atmosphere included smart and reasonable Republicans such as Rodney Cook and Paul Coverdale and Cathy Steinberg.  Today Cathy is a Democrat and I suspect Coverdale and Cook would be too were they still alive.  Today's GOP is a party of narrow minded  "my way or the highway" extremists!

Name:	MAJ USA RET -	Reply
Subject:	To Whom are you applying your conviction?
Date:	11/8/2018 1:04:48 PM

"Today's GOP is a party of narrow minded  'my or the highway' extremists!"

Does seem like an unqualified blanket statement.

In my opinion, the GOP and conservatives in general, are students of history and civics... especially the content and intent... of the Constitution.  

I find that most conservatives... as oposted to liberal Democrats... listen to reason.  They apply the lessons of their own lives, the realities of history and current events, and in many cases, the tenets of their (religious) faith.  I would guess (I have no proof) than most conservatives consult a handy, worn copy of the Constitution. 

I have come to recognize... not only that am I politically independent... but, that I am a classical liberal.  Sufficiently educated in and connected with history, civics, true science, mathematics, ethics, religion… having experienced real work (menial and professional)… lived among diverse cultures… been elated by success and honed by failure…  I HAVE THE RIGHT TO MY OWN THOUGHTS.  And, if YOU say something stupid to me… I will surely catch it immediately.  AND, only because I cherish a civil demeanor… will I not trash you over your ignorance.

I believe that... like gravity... all things animate and inanimate are connected by a "string."  By stringing together facts and reason... one can approximate truth. The REAL truth is known only to GOD. I have a tough time decerning facts and reason from the stridency which appears to possess the Democratic party.  e.g. Discuss for me the successes of socialism and communism.

- LMF Curmudgeon

Name:	architect -	Reply
Subject:	To Whom are you applying your conviction?
Date:	11/8/2018 1:39:48 PM (updated 11/8/2018 1:43:21 PM)

I back up my comment by clarifying I am referring to the current leadership of the GOP pretty much across the board.  You are giving a perfect description of the GOP of the past.  A party whose leaders would have told Steve King and Louie Gohmert and the 2 criminally indicted members to take a hike rather than having the head of the party beating the bushes for them! I am of the opinion that neither party is a paragon of decency and ethical behavior today, but the GOP has gone even deeper into the swamp than the Dems!

Name:	MAJ USA RET -	Reply
Subject:	AGAIN - To Whom are you applying your conviction?
Date:	11/8/2018 2:45:15 PM

I agree… many in BOTH parties are slinging mud and pointing out the “criminality” of opponents (including innuendo and allegations). 

Therefore, the best advice is to set such aside, and focus on effectiveness.  Remember… in order to cast the correct vote… one must choose that candidate that bodes best for you, your family, and your nation. What are planks of his or her platform? How has that person… or how can that person… act in the best interests of you, your family, and your nation?  If that person is incumbent, has that person been faithful to his campaign promises… faithful to you.  Have his or her actions been effective? Have conditions improved… or declined.

Unfortunately, the main-stream and social media are antithetic to good journalism.  On the cable and social media, there is no clear boundary between commentary and true journalism (i.e. feelings versus facts). And anyone can say anything.  Disinformation, when presented often enough… takes on the aura of truth.

Racist, sexist, homophobic, Nazi, anti-(name a race or gender), etc are terms which are now spouted with little meaning and much animosity.

There is NO justification for incivility short of applied self-defense.   

So… one must use his or her critical thinking skills to sort the wheat from the chaff (classical critical thinking is not in the curriculum of most present day U.S. schools and universities).

- LMF Curmudgeon

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	FROM A MAJOR MISTAKE COMES A CIVIL DISCUSSION
Date:	11/8/2018 3:18:03 PM

Maj...welcome back.

My original post was incorrect. I typed DEKALB...it should have read COBB. However, the error has resulted in a most civil and interesting discussion.

When I first moved to Atlanta, I lived  on West Peachtree near where  West P'tree and Peachtee meet. I had recently transferred from the North to Atlanta where I met my wife. After marriage, we moved to Alabama and lived in Mountain Brook. We found Lake Martin and camped almost every weekend at Wind Creek with our 16ft runabout, a tent, fishing rods, and 2 small poodles. We then moved back to Atlanta and lived in Tucker.

We drove back to Dekalb county last year to visit the old neighborhood. The area sureeeee has changed.

Name:	MAJ USA RET -	Reply
Subject:	Change
Date:	11/8/2018 3:30:08 PM

Progress moves faster than aging.

Name:	rude evin -	Reply
Subject:	Fact check Archy
Date:	11/8/2018 4:03:54 PM

Not to be argumentative, but believe you have committed a direct insult to Cathy Steinberg by saying she was ever a Republican.......she was a proud liberal Democrat, big friend of Tom Murphy and the dem machinery in Ga state government during her career. She likely would have been elected to Congress in the 90’s if the dem DOJ had not insisted on the supermajority black districts that by coincidence also created the supermajority republican districts...... that allowed John Linder to beat her the last time she ran for Congress.

Also, your opinion about Coverdale turning dem in today’s environment is truly breath taking in its lack of historical understanding. He along with Johnny Isakson among others were the founding members of the Ga Republican Party......back when they could caucus in a phone booth........and were the main architects of the state turning red......with your flight of fancy, I’m surprised you did not include Bo Callaway Ga Republican as another who would have turned dem!!! You remember Bo, the guy who won the popular vote, but was kept from office by your dem hero’s in the Ga House of Representatives who instead selected Lester Maddox for Governor!!

Fancy world you live in there......

Name:	au67 -	Reply
Subject:	Fact check Archy
Date:	11/8/2018 4:45:22 PM

In much of the revisionist history of the current Democrat party, George Wallace and Lester Maddox were most likely closet Republicans.  Arch will most likely cut your next GA state history class.  

Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	Fact check Archy
Date:	11/8/2018 4:54:09 PM

Careful with those facts now Rude.  You might find the truth

Name:	architect -	Reply
Subject:	Fact check Rudy
Date:	11/9/2018 9:44:14 AM (updated 11/9/2018 9:58:51 AM)

You may be correct on Cathy Steinberg but there was definitely a moderate early woman GOP member of the GA legislature who switched parties during the 80's as the GOP began to turn sharp right.  She was Jewish and represented Buckhead if my memory serves correctly.  I will try to find name.  I believe she is still in Atlanta.

Now, perhaps it is you that does not have a grasp of recent history, especially of the GOP and Democrats in the south.  You are correct that Coverdale was a founder of the GA GOP.  Kil Townson was also an early moderate Repub in the Gen Assembly.  What you fail to mention is that they were moving and shaking when the small contingent of Repubs in the legislature were, along with a handfull of urban Dremocrats, the most (for that matter the only) socially liberal members of the Assembly...an even rarer commodity then than now.  Lester Maddox and George Wallace and Ross Barnett were Democrats only because they were running in an era when, in most of the south, if you were not a ''Democrat'' you were not elected.  Can you look me in the eye and tell me with a staright face that you actually believe this trio would be Democrats if they were running today?  Perhaps more to the point, can you look me in the eye and say with a straight face that Abe Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt or Dwight Eisenhower would be comfortable in Today's GOP?! I believe them along with Ronald Reagan and Barry Goldwater would be proud and quick to tell Donald Trump where to stick it!

BTW:  I do strongly suspect that Bo Callaway would have a lot of problems with today's GOP!

BTW:  If the same circumstance as the Maddox / Calloway election should occur today (it can't because a runoff would be required today), but assuming it could and assuming Abrams had a few more votes than Kemp, do you actually believe the GOP run house would be any more likely to back Abrams than the long ago backed Calloway?