Shenanigans
Monday, May 21, 2012
Shenanigans Atlanta Streets Alive 2012: Bicyclists, a cat in a stroller, and people in cardboard killer-robot costumes
Posted by Thomas Wheatley on Mon, May 21, 2012 at 1:43 PM
Officials attendance counts aren't in, but we've heard estimates as high as 10,000 people. Helping the event attract a bigger crowd this year: the route stretched through four vibrant neighborhoods, which allowed more people to easily access the festival.
What we saw during our three hours at the event, among other things: a woman with a cat in a stroller, people swinging from ropes, belly dancers, jump ropers, street hockey, bicycle polo (?), and lots of lawn signs urging the crowd to vote yes on the July 31 transportation tax vote. (It was a smart idea to target the attendees, many of whom would probably gladly pay for more transit and to be able to walk and bike in the city.)
After the jump, crappy photos taken with my cell phone and some snapshots by John Ramspott. (He's also posted a full album.) A Thrift Life, one of the city's street fashion blogs, also captured some photos. (You'll notice yours truly, the wretched ginger hobbit, walking with his missus in the last photo.) If you come across other blogs with ASA photos, post the link in the comments.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Shenanigans So that Obama-riding-a-unicorn photo that's floating around the Internet...
Posted by Thomas Wheatley on Thu, May 10, 2012 at 5:09 PM
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Politics / Shenanigans State Sen. Nan Orrock bids adieu to controversial conservative think tank
Posted by Thomas Wheatley on Tue, Apr 17, 2012 at 3:59 PM
- Joeff Davis
- State Sen. Nan Orrock, D-Atlanta
State Sen. Nan Orrock, D-Atlanta, one of the Gold Dome's most liberal members, has cut ties with the American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC, the controversial think tank that's successfully pushed a conservative, free-market agenda by whispering sweet policy into the ears of state lawmakers across the country. In related news, Nan Orrock was a member of ALEC?!?
The senator's reason for tearing up her membership card is pretty awesome. Via Bryan Long of Better Georgia, the progressive organization that's been hounding Georgia lawmakers to part ways with ALEC, which has been under intense scrutiny for its role in crafting such legislation as the controversial "Stand Your Ground" law:
“As a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council for several years, having joined ALEC with the primary goal of better understanding the corporate-dominated organization, I know first-hand that ALEC is not the innocuous organization it claims to be.
ALEC is underwritten by corporate dollars to push corporate financial interests that disadvantage middle-class and working families. This group enrolls state legislators to promote its radical legislation in state after state, creating the false illusion of public support for its dangerous agenda. ALEC promotes legislation that suppresses voter participation, undermines state budgets and services, and impedes democracy.
With my departure, Georgia’s delegation to ALEC can no longer claim to be bi-partisan. Any lawmaker who cares more about Georgia residents than multi-national corporations should leave the group. We need to be focusing on real solutions for our state, not fanning the flames of wedge-issue politics.”
Some of the Gold Dome's bigwigs, including Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock, have links to ALEC. The Washington, D.C.-based group today said that it'd stop pursuing social conservative issues, such as Voter ID laws, and stick to economic initiatives. The announcement comes after ALEC saw several high-profile corporate sponsors, including Coca-Cola, pull their funding.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Sex / Shenanigans / End Days Foam dance parties in Marietta are apparently a thing
Posted by Thomas Wheatley on Fri, Apr 13, 2012 at 11:14 AM
- Wikimedia Commons
- Me, pretty much all the time
Whatever its origin, it's all the rage in many nightclubs around the world these days.Often scantily clad dancers writhe to music as tons of foam suds pour over them.
Most of the time it's perfectly legal fun, but Marietta Police have put out a warning to parents of underage teens who're joining in, especially girls.
"There's really a lot going on that's actually very dangerous to the kids," Marietta Police Officer David Baldwin told 11Alive News.
The word on the street, according to Baldwin, is that these decadent, sudsy soirees can sometimes attract gangs, drugs, and creepers who have no qualms about taking advantage of "partially dressed underaged girls." (Expect attendance of the latter to skyrocket after they learn, from TV news, that such parties exist.)
Bottom line, parents: Know where your teenagers party. And then wear a shiny track suit, cover your face in fluorescent dye, and meet them at the event.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Shenanigans Sen. Balfour, you're about to have company
Posted by Gwynedd Stuart on Wed, Apr 4, 2012 at 9:56 AM
- Joeff Davis
- Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville)
What better place to celebrate the defeat of a bill that would have made protests at private residences illegal than at the private residence of the bill's sponsor?
At 11 a.m., Atlanta Jobs with Justice — in conjunction with Occupy Atlanta, local labor unions, immigrant rights groups — will hold a celebratory press conference in front of State Senator Don Balfour's $29,000 a year condo at the Spire Condominiums on Peachtree Street in Midtown.
A press release says ...
[The victory over SB 469] marks beginning of a 99% spring offensive. Everyday Georgians will gather in-front of Balfour's Atlanta condo to announce our historic victory and plans to go on the offensive to take our state back from corporate giants and the politicians they own like Senator Balfour. As part of the 99% Spring over 100,000 community members in our state and country will be trained in collective non-violent action and people's economics to take our economy and government back from the 1%.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Shenanigans / Transit Follow (former) Intern George as he rides a bicycle across the United States
Posted by Thomas Wheatley on Wed, Mar 28, 2012 at 12:35 PM
- WIKIMEDIA
- Oh, the places you'll go, George.
It's with great interest that I'm following the one and only George Weidman, or, as we knew him, Intern George or Gee-org.
The recent college grad — whose cycling coverage for CL won a Blinkie from the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition — is pedaling thousands of miles across the southern United States and writing along the way.
What to expect from the trip, which will include trips through "the Mojave dessert, the gulf wetlands, and the hot Texas prairies?" "Adventuresome writing, vibrant photography, and maybe even a video or two," he writes. "With this many miles ahead of me, something wacky is bound to happen!" Good luck and stay safe, George.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Shenanigans Atlanta airport needs 1,500 people to pretend they can afford plane tickets
Posted by Thomas Wheatley on Wed, Mar 21, 2012 at 4:37 PM
- Atlanta Airport
Airport officials are seeking warm bodies to pretend they're escaping metro Atlanta and "test" the international terminal, which is expected to open in mid-May:
We will measure our readiness on Wednesday, May 2 during an operational exercise in which we replicate a “normal” operating day. We need 1,500 volunteers to assist in our simulation by playing the role of international passengers. Each volunteer will be provided a trip itinerary and script describing the actions he/she will perform during the simulation.After the simulation, volunteers will be served refreshments and will complete a short survey to evaluate critical areas of the facility as well as provide general comments on experiences, processes and building features. Your participation and survey comments will be critical as we gauge our operational readiness and ensure that Atlanta puts its best foot forward when we open our new terminal to the world.
You'll also receive a "small commemorative gift" — perhaps $1 million? — for participating. Please, someone volunteer for this activity, act like a prima donna, and then tell us about the entire strange experience. Interested? Fill out the questionnaire (PDF) and pray you get selected.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Shenanigans / Guv'ment New world record: State lawmaker discusses delivering farm animals, chicken fights, abortion in three minutes
Posted by Thomas Wheatley on Wed, Mar 7, 2012 at 5:09 PM
The other day we posted a speech in which state Rep. Sharon Cooper, R-Marietta, blasted a bill that would prohibit women who are more than 20 weeks pregnant from getting an abortion.
Fair and balanced guys and gals that we are, we thought we'd give equal time to a speech in favor of the bill. Moments before the House voted 102-65 to approve the legislation, state Rep. Terry England, R-Auburn, stood before his colleagues and described how crushed he gets when he delivers dead calves and pigs. Then he recalled the time that a farmer told him that he'd give up all his chickens if state lawmakers would outlaw abortions. (Plus, something about chicken fighting? We're trying to wrap our heads around the speech.) England is the chair of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, which helps decide how billions of dollars in public funds are allocated each year. Bask in the poetry below.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Politics / Shenanigans Newt Gingrich wins Georgia thanks to CL's endorsement
Posted by Thomas Wheatley on Tue, Mar 6, 2012 at 8:00 PM
- Joeff Davis
- Newt Gingrich at his victory party after winning the South Carolina primary in late January. South Carolina and Georgia are the only primaries Gingrich has won so far.
The New York Times says Newt Gingrich has bested his GOP presidential nomination rivals and won Georgia. Thank you, dear readers, for taking our advice. Reports the Times:
According to early exit-poll returns, Mr. Gingrich won across nearly all groups of voters. His strongest support came from older voters, those without a college degree, the very conservative, strong Tea Party supporters, rural voters, white evangelical Christians - he won more than half of each of these groups.Mr. Romney was viewed in Georgia as the most electable in the fall; 40 percent of voters said Mr. Romney would win in the general election, compared with about a third who said Mr. Gingrich would.
But Mr. Gingrich appeared to be more in sync with the views of Georgia voters. Two-thirds said Mr. Gingrich's positions were just right, while more than half said Mr. Romney's positions were not conservative enough. Nearly a third said Mr. Santorum's positions were too conservative.
To view other election results in Fulton County — including whether Atlantans will continue to pay a one-percent sales tax to fund the city's sewer overhaul — head on over to the county's online data fortress.
Politics / Shenanigans It's Su-purr Tuesday! Get out and vote for sewers and Newt!
Posted by Thomas Wheatley on Tue, Mar 6, 2012 at 9:01 AM
- Thomas Wheatley's iPhone
- MEOW-NITED WE STAND Lorenzo the Cat says to make the Founding Fathers proud and vote
Georgia is among the 10 states deciding the GOP's presidential nominee. But there are just as important races that deserve your attention. Atlanta residents will be asked to extend a one-percent sales tax to fund the city's $4 billion sewer overhaul. And many other parts of metro Atlanta will get a chance to catch up with the rest of civilization and determine whether stores should be allowed to sell booze on Sundays.
CL's editorial board says voters should pull the lever for Newt Gingrich because a.) the former Georgia congressman deserves a thrill and b.) he stands zero chance against President Barack Obama in the November General Election. (Yes, Democrats, you can vote in the Republican primary! Wacky, isn't it?) The board also urged a "yes" vote for the four-year extension. If the measure fails, city officials say, Atlantans will most likely wind up paying increased water bills. Why not offset some of the burden on the tourists and commuters?
Disagree with us? Tell us and fellow Atlantans why in the comments. Notice any shenanigans at the polls? Send us a line. The Secretary of State's website has everything you need to locate your polling place and view a sample ballot. Be sure to bring a form of photo ID, as well. Enjoy your Su-purr Tuesday!
