Tomorrow: FaBoStaMe '09

FaBoStaMe 2009 kicks off tomorrow. I'm excited! I am slated for my 30 status updates in 30 minutes from 6 to 6:30PM (EDT). Visit the FaBoStaMe 2009 event page on Facebook. Add the people involved. Lookout for our status updates. I am using 30 to announce exciting news.

Dana Guthrie Martin (pictured to the left) deserves a pat on the back for organizing this collaboration. (Thank you, Dana!) If you haven't visited her blog, mutating the signature, well, you are missing out. Don't forget: Dana is also in Stealing Fire.

Update Time: Limp Wrist to Fundraising to Project Verse and More!

(1) I was happy with the current status of fundraising for Limp Wrist until this weekend when I received word that $750 is not the fee for the Juniper part of the scholarship. The total amount is $1,030-- $750 covers tuition and meals plus $280 to cover a dorm room for the scholarship recipient.

With this in mind, I want to remind you that tomorrow is the last day to enter in the Limp Wrist raffle. Click here for the details and for pictures of the items. I'm very happy to say the funds from the raffle are TAX DEDUCTIBLE and go to support the inaugural Limp Wrist Scholarship.

(2) Ellen Bass, Maureen Seaton, and Dorianne Laux have blurbed Stealing Fire.

Stealing Fire is, by turns, delightful, ironic, witty, stabbing, sobering, intoxicating. I didn't want it to end. ~ Ellen Bass, author of The Human Line

The ordering process for Stealing Fire is going to be a tad bit different than originally mentioned; however, it will still be easy! After covering the production costs of the chapbooks, all funds raised will go to the Limp Wrist scholarship fund.

(3) If you are on Facebook, join the cool kids in checking out:
Fans of Denise Duhamel OR A Group of Duhamalites
Fans of Dorianne Laux
Fans of Laure-Anne Bosselaar
The Joe Milford Poetry Show

(4) I am participating in Dana Guthrie Martin's FaBoStaMe 2009. I plan to use my 30 updates in 30 minutes to announce something big.

(5) I have started consulting with poetess Stacie Boschma on an Atlanta Project. I love that she is just as thrilled as I am about it. This is not the big announcement that is mentioned in #4. This will stay secret for a bit longer as it is to die for.

(6) Project Verse should be kicking off in late April. I received 39 applications, each ranging between 15 to 19 pages. I am giving each application the attention it needs; therefore, it is very time consuming.

Legislation Update ~ THE ASHE ADVOCATE

Georgia Politics

The following legislation originating from the Senate was approved by the House this week:

SB 13, which would allow a sentence of life without parole to be imposed, even when prosecutors do not seek the death penalty. Currently life without parole is allowed only as an option in death penalty cases.

SB 14, which would prohibit anyone on the national or state sex offender registry from being eligible for election to or service on local school boards.

SB 44, which would require school systems to give preference to products manufactured in Georgia when purchasing supplies, equipment and food.

SB 61, which would establish the Life Settlements Act, providing oversight and regulation of life settlement contracts and requiring brokers to be licensed and regulated by the Georgia Department of Insurance.

SB 69, which would require citizens to report suspicions of sexual exploitation of children.

SB 155, which would remove buffer zones from streams carrying mostly rainwater. I voted against this proposal because it offers too broad an exemption from environmental protection measures.

SB 165, which would authorize the Department of Community Health to obtain income eligibility verification from the Department of Revenue for Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids applicants.

SB 170, which would prohibit companies that do business in Sudan from submitting proposals for Georgia state contracts in the future.

House members also approved an amended version of HB 233, which would freeze property valuation reassessments for the next two years. The Senate agreed to final changes, sending the bill to the governor for his signature.


All credit to State Representative Kathy Ashe as this information was copied and pasted from her newsletter, The Ashe Advocate.

ABC: Gay Bashing at a Straight Sports Bar

Dustin in Dolly Drag? ? ?

On 2/5/09, I announced that the Limp Wrist fundraising raffle was extended to 3/30/09.

With the extension comes my promise to create a Youtube video of yours truly performing Dolly drag, if I raise $1,000 by 3/30/09 for the Limp Wrist Scholarship.

THE NEWS: It will only take $150 to meet the goal of raising $1,000 by 3/30/09. Click here to make a TAX DEDUCTIBLE donation and put me one step closer to Dolly-Dustin-Drag History.

Ball Check!

Maintaining a blog that allows comments is asking the world to share their thoughts/opinions/concerns/etc. I get it. I want people to comment on my blog. I want people to share.

Criticism will come. Stupidity will come (See comments section). Friendships will be made. Endless opportunities. I get it.

What I do not get is when people leave anonymous rude/snarky/bitchy comments directed towards others. Have the balls to leave your name and contact information. Be man or woman enough to stand behind your words. If you can't do that, shut up, keep your fingers off the keyboard, and settle for being a chicken shit.

WHY DO I WRITE ~ Mary Jo Bang

WHY DO I WRITE ~ Mary Jo Bang




My biological father (who left home when I was four) kept a daily journal for over fifty years weirdly recording times down to the minute (5:38, not 5:40), the weather and its vicissitudes, which roads he drove to work (various), and what he bought if he stopped at the drugstore (Tums), etc. At night he typed and shaped it. He kept the pages, divided into years, in over-sized three-ring binders. He called it The Story of My Life. There are thousands of pages. Some genetic debt undoubtedly drives my compulsion to write. Of course, there's also everything I've ever read, and every one I've ever met, including my mother, whom I met early.

Sunday Eye Candy ~ Jared Padalecki

David Trinidad to Judge '09 Atlanta Pride Poetry Contest

CONTEST DETAILS
• All entries must be the poet’s own original, unpublished work.
• Poems must address one of the following topics:

(1) Pride Begins With You
(2) LGBT Civil Rights
(3) Stonewall

• Two pages is the max length per poem submitted for the contest.
• Poets entering may not have been a student of the contest judge.
• All entries must be received no later than midnight on May 11, 2009.
• Poems should appear in the body of an email as well as in an attached Microsoft Word Document. The first page of the Microsoft Word document should contain the poet’s name, email address, phone number, and titles of poems submitted. The first page is the only page that should contain the poet’s name, email address, and phone number.
• Entries should be submitted via email to poetrycontest@atlantapride.org with a subject line of :“*Insert Name Here*-- Atl Pride Poetry.”
• The contest winner agrees to acknowledge the Pride Magazine as the first publisher in future reprints of books,anthologies, website publications, podcasts, radio, etc. Copyright reverts back to authors upon appearance in the Pride Magazine.
• The final contest judge is David Trinidad. Trinidad will announce the contest winner by June 30, 2009.


PRIZE
• Atlanta Pride will split the collected entry fee money, 50%-50%, with the contest winner.
• An announcement regarding the contest winner will be posted on the Atlanta Pride website.
• The winning poem will be published in the ‘09 Pride Magazine with a brief bio of the winner.
• The winner will be featured at the Atlanta Pride Literary Event as well as a reading at Outwrite Bookstore & Coffee House.
• The winner will receive a brief interview to be featured in Limp Wrist, an online magazine with queer sensibility.
• Please note the contest winner is responsible for his/her transportation to and from the Atlanta Pride Festival, as well the reading at Outwrite.


FEES
• Poets may submit three poems with an entry fee of $5. Poets may submit an additional three poems with a fee of $2 per poem.
• Payments must be postmarked by May 11, 2009.
• Payment should be in the form of check or money order and made out to Atlanta Pride Committee.
• Mail to:
Atlanta Pride Committee, Inc
Attn: Poetry Contest 2300 Henderson Mill Rd Suite 125
Atlanta, GA 30345

I'm In Love ~ '09 National Poetry Month Poster

Poets do the Colonnade

I just returned home from a dinner with great people as well as great poets. In attendance, at what I hope to be the first of many, were Rupert Fike, Collin Kelley, Karen Head, Christine Swint, Julie Bloemeke, Chelsea Rathburn, Cleo Creech, and "little" ole me.

The food was great, but the conversation was even better. I was thrilled to finally meet Christine Swint and Julie Bloemeke. I have only had the pleasure of chatting with them via Facebook. Hopefully, I didn't give them too big of a dose of Dustin-- Christine was across from me during dinner and Julie was to my right. It was great to see Karen, Chelsea, and Rupert as I haven't seem them in a while. Well, Collin and Cleo, I see your mugs each month for the AQLF meetings. (See the two of you tomorrow!)

I would love for each poet from the dinner to post one of your own poems in a comment to this post. Please.

ouroboros review #2

I have two poems in the second issue of ouroboros review: "Memo" and "Wanting To Come Out." I'm also happy that I can say two more of my poems will appear in the third issue.

Responding "None of Your Business" Causes Drama

If you remember, I wrote two blog entries that mention Senator Valencia Seay. (Click here for #1 and here for #2.) Well, the saga continues.

Senator Seay is pissed at 11 Alive because the station used her picture when running their story on elected officials who haven't paid their state taxes. Yes, 11 Alive used her picture; however, when Senator Seay was discussed, I never heard anyone say she had not paid her taxes. The reporter said Senator Valencia Seay replied with "None of your business." If Senator Seay would have responded with "I'm current" over "None of your business," she wouldn't have been discussed on the news.

Senator Seay claims she has received hate email and calls because of the 11 Alive story. If these are claims are true, they are disappointing, disheartening, and disgusting. The people who made the claims should be ashamed of themselves. They could have easily sent Senator Seay a message requesting that she, like 50%-plus of her peers, disclose whether she has paid her taxes or not.

A blog reader, who asked remained nameless, sent me what he alleges are two press release from Senator Valencia Seay's office. I use "alleges" since I have not been able to verify them as official. Senator Seay's state webpage or her personal website do not have them listed.

Here is one of the alleged press releases from Senator Valencia Seay:

Senator Valencia Seay today demanded an apology and an on-air editorial repudiation from 11 Alive News in Atlanta for their deceitful implication that the senator failed to pay taxes.

The station called the Senator Thursday and asked that she disclose her tax records. Told that those records were private and none of their business, 11 Alive later used the senator's photo in a story about those who have not paid their taxes.
Tax records are private under Georgia law. Failure to pay taxes is a crime, and accusing a person of a crime - even by implication - constitutes libel under Georgia law. O.C.G.A. § 51-5-1.
Following the report, Senator Seay received the following threatening message in an email: "Pay your taxes. Typical deadbeat baby killing democrat."

The email arrived the day after SR 452 - a proposal to allow senators to dig into the tax records of political opponents - was defeated on the floor of the Georgia General Assembly.

"This is precisely the sort of irresponsible, unprofessional and trashy journalistic response that we would expect to see as a result of Senator Johnson's witch-hunting ethics proposal," Senator Seay said. "Undaunted by their ignorance of the facts, 11 Alive News showed their willingness to take a refusal to disclose personal information as license to imply the worst. For the record, I have NO tax delinquencies - federal, state or local. 11 Alive should go back to doing what they do best - empty reporting on celebrity drug addiction and car crashes."
Senator Valencia Seay is a leader among a committee of senators investigating how the recession is affecting Georgians and how best to mitigate that damage through smart responses from government. She said, "It is a shame and an abomination for me to be distracted from working on addressing the needs of homeless Georgia Veterans of wars from WWII to Iraq and Afghanistan and other citizens hard-hit by the largest recession since the Great Depression. I should not have to spend time responding to my children and grand children's concerns that I could be a victim of an Olympic bomber/Eric Rudolf wannabe."

Senator Valencia Seay is a former member of the Clayton County School board where she earned a reputation for being in politics for the right reasons. This reputation propelled her to a successful run for the state senate after reapportionment and redistricting. During the last election, she easily defeated a candidate backed by the infamous former Sheriff, Victor Hill.

"Baby Got Front" by Jackie Front

DO NOT watch this video in front of anyone under the age of 18.

The Surgeon General recommends that people with cardiac complications should not watch this video.

AARP is lobbying Congress to have "Baby Got Front" removed from the Internet.

Clergy requests you seek the sacrament of confession directly after watching this video.

Consider yourself warned!

Enjoy the scandal that is Jackie Beat.

Dustin Interviews Denise Duhamel

DB: Your sestina, "Delta Flight 659: to Sean Penn," is one of your many 'fun' poems in your latest book, KA-CHING! I'm glad to see "Delta Flight 659: to Sean Penn" up for discussion in poem: a virtual poetry group. I sent the poem to Penn's publicist, and I requested Penn respond to you with a poem. When it happens, as a thank you, you can write a poem about Dolly Parton and dedicate it to me.

DD: Consider it done! It'll be a ghazal with the end words Dolly and those words that rhyme with Dolly.

DB:I was about to commission you to write the best Dolly ghazal the world has ever seen; however, I checked my bank account balance, and it is four figures, two of which are behind the decimal. I'll have to take my chances with Penn. By the way, have you seen Milk?

DD:Yes, Sean Penn was fantastic in Milk! I am so happy that he won the Academy Award for his performance.

DB:Yes, even more evidence that besides being a poet goddess, you are also a fag hag. (Mark your calendar for when you're Atlanta; we're hitting a gay bar!) This reminds me of a conversation we had about our dislike of the term fag hag. Did you ever think of a friendlier term?

DD:What about Dear Queer of Queen Princess? Or a Queen Colleen? Maybe there should be some kind of contest, conducted by a "fag hag" to come up with something more complimentary? The winner could get tickets to an Elton John concert or something...

DB:I'll end our brief but lovely conversation with a challenge. Write a villanelle, or my arm could be twisted for it be a free verse poem, titled "Queen Colleen," and the poem must address the need to replace the term fag hag.

DD:I accept your challenge!!

A Message from State Rep DuBose Porter

Here is a message from State Representative DuBose Porter (picture to the left):

Congratulations Nurses and Friends of Georgia’s Children,

Thanks to our combined efforts and money from the stimulus package, school nurses are included in the 2009 supplemental budget. (However things are still up in the air for the 2010 budget, so we need to keep fighting.)

This session’s effort on behalf of nurses has created a last minute change in key Republican talking points. This change is a good indication that our efforts had an impact. I am urging you to continue to make your voices heard so that the fight will not have to be as intense next year.

Here is a short synopsis of the sea change we were able to create with your help:
At the beginning of the 2009 session, the Republican Leadership’s strategy was to go after nurses’ jobs and children's healthcare with a vengeance. In a group setting at the capitol when asked, “How can you take nurses away from our school kids?” the talking points delivered by a key Republican leader to the group was verbatim as follows: ”You know, these kids are just soft. These kids need to just toughen up. They used to take kids out west on wagon trains and they did fine... Today’s kids will just have to toughen up. We just need to focus this money somewhere else.”

As you know nurses spend untold hours becoming qualified to administer health care services. Often they have given up higher paying jobs to help take care of our state’s schoolchildren. School Nurses are vital to our state’s future and our Republican Leadership was ready to toss them aside.

Thanks to your efforts in voicing your concern and by our Democratic House Caucus keeping this issue in the foreground, a few key Republicans in Leadership are starting to publicly change their tune. This was a great indicator that we would win the battle. Some key Republicans even posted pro nurses in schools videos on their websites this week when they realized the nurses would be added back into the budget- just as if they have been for nurses all along. We welcome each and every one of them on board. Nurses must stay in public schools, and united, our voices are making a difference. Now that they have come forward we must make sure they do not revert to their original views next year. To insure this I ask you to stay engaged in the process.

Without a majority of votes in the House and Senate our job is to hold that majority party accountable. Our strongest allies in doing this are the voices of fellow Georgians who understand the damaging effects across the board cuts have on healthcare and education. As you know, even when times were good and Georgia had surplus money in the budget, our Republican State Leadership cut 1.6 billion from public education and as much as they could from Public Health. These short sighted efforts have and will continue to greatly damage Georgia’s ability to bounce back from this recession. A healthy and well educated public is key to our economic recovery.

Once again, thank you for your efforts. Your voices have helped us to hold the Republican Leadership’s feet to the fire. With this year’s supplemental budget we have started to win the fight. I ask you to stay engaged and continue your efforts. With a school nurse’s care, more of Georgia’s children can stay in the classroom, more parents can stay at their jobs and more teachers can spend their time teaching. By working together we can secure a more healthy future for Georgia.

First Annual Queer Voltage Queer Poets Competition

From the fingertips of Christopher Soden:
Queer Voltage: the theatre that produced the award-winning Queer Anarchy is pleased to announce a fundraiser : The First Annual Queer Voltage Queer Poets Competition. Any poet who self-identifies as GLBT may enter. 10-15 Finalists will be invited to read at a special event at 7PM, May 16th, 2009 at Teatro de La Muse in Plano, Texas. 1st (150.00) 2nd (75.00) and 3rd (50.00) place prizes will be awarded with three honorable mentions. All Finalists receive certificates and will be featured in a commemorative chapbook released at the Finalist's Reading. We hope to provide actors to read for finalists unable to attend, and a video tape of the event. You need not be present to win.

Entry fee is $5.00 per poem. Poets may submit three poems for $15.00 and a copy of the winning chapbook. No poem should exceed 3 pages. Contestant's name should not appear anywhere on poems. A cover sheet including contestant's full contact information (Name, address, phone number, email address) poem titles and brief bio should be enclosed. Checks and money orders should be made out to Queer Voltage. Entries must be postmarked by March 31st, 2009. Christopher S. Soden, Director : Queer Voltage, 7706 Meadow Road # 121, Dallas, Texas 75230. 469-228-1575. We accept email submissions : jlgdrd@gmail.com

Poems will be judged on craftsmanship, originality of language and subtlety. Poets must self-identify as GLBT poems submitted needn't queer issues. Judges are respected members of the literary community and represent a variety of disciplines and orientations. Top six winners will be chosen by preeminent Queer Poet and Pulitzer Prize Nominee, Cyrus Cassells. Queer Voltage is dedicated to the performance of ground-breaking, poignant and provocative drama to advance understanding and appreciation of the Queer Community as a whole.

Reinstate 4% State Sales Tax on Groceries!

UPDATE: AJC reports: "House Speaker Pro Tem Mark Burkhalter (R-Johns Creek) confirmed Tuesday that legislation to put the state’s 4 percent sales tax back on food is dead."

I want to blog about more than Georgia politics; however, the members of the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives are keeping my attention.

Representative Chuck Sims (pictured to the left) has sponsored HB 67, which would reinstate the 4% state sales tax on groceries. Too many Georgians are already hurting because of the economic crisis. Apparently, Representative Sims has no regard for them. Apparently, Representative Sims is not aware that many Georgian have to decide between paying bills, buying medications, and eating. Why make this worse? As my brother would say, I guess he's the kind of guy who would kick you in the balls when you're already down.

Besides being disappointed in Representative Sims, I am disappointed in the House Ways and Means Committee for giving HB 67 a favorable vote. Does the committee even have the best interest of Georgians in mind?

Yes, HB 67 does allow for Georgia income-tax filers to apply for a credit, every year, for the amount of state sales taxes they paid for groceries. I am sure Georgians will be excited and love to track a year's worth of grocery expenditures. I know I'd love nothing more than to become the receipt version of the cat lady. I should send Representative Sims a thank you card for looking out for us with this lovely part of the bill.

Alcohol sales do not tend to falter during hard economic times. In fact, alcohol sales often increase during hard economic times. Google it if you don't believe me. Why not propose an increase on alcohol sales? I am like the famed Gladys of The Ellen DeGeneres Show; I love Jesus, but I like to drink a little, and I would not mind an increase on the alcohol sales tax. Another idea with alcohol---our legislators could allow each county to decide whether or not there should be Sunday alcohol sales.

Another option to increase funds for the state is House Bill 39, which would increase the state tax on cigarettes. I think it seems logical to increase state taxes on alcohol and cigarettes before reinstating the sales tax on groceries. Don't you agree?

To Representative Sims: I guess you have never lived from pay check to pay check. You probably have never had to worry that you might not be able to feed your family. Four percent might not seem like a lot to you, but you need to realize the damage potential of 4%. Senator Sims, look out for all Georgians. Withdraw HB 67!


What can you do?
(1) Call Representative Chuck Sims at 404-656-3947 to demand he withdraw HB 67.

(2) Contact your House Representative to let him/her know you oppose HB 67.

(3) Contact the members of the House Ways and Means Committee via committee aid Lindsey Napier to express your frustration and disappointment of their favorable vote of HB 67. Email Lindsey Napier at lindsey.napier@house.ga.gov, or you can reach the committee via phone at 404-656-5103.

(4) Contact the House Ways and Means Committee to request support for HB 39. (Use the same way of communication as listed in #3.)

Senator Valencia Seay Answers the Question

Yesterday, I blasted Senator Valencia Seay for telling 11 Alive reporters that it wasn't any of their business if she has paid her state taxes or not. It seems that Senator Seay has come to reason, and she has reported that she has indeed paid her taxes.

Why was answering yes so hard?

Better late than never.

Elected Officials Too Good to Pay Their Taxes?

A few weeks ago I heard rumblings that there are members of the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives behind on paying their state taxes. Then the AJC ran an article on the issue. Now, 11 Alive has tackled the issue.

There are 16 House Representatives and 3 Senators who are not up to date on their taxes. 11 Alive has placed calls to elected officials giving them a chance to comment on whether or not their taxes are paid. Click here to see who 11 Alive is waiting to hear from and who has cooperated with 11 Alive. The elected officials won't remain nameless forever. Once they have been served papers from the Georgia Department of Revenue and given time to respond, their names will available to the public.

Senator Eric Johnson (pictured above), Chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee, in some circles, is receiving credit for trying to crack down on his peers who aren't paying their taxes. Before you praise Senator Eric Johnson, please note that a majority of the lawmakers who are not current on their taxes have been delinquent for a couple of years or more. Why did Senator Eric Johnson wait so long to raise the red flag? Oh, I guess his candidacy for Lt. Governor has something to do with it.

A message for Senator Eric Johnson: At first, some of the good citizens of Georgia will probably fall for your "I care routine," but it won't take them to see you treat politics like a game of poker, and sir, you play dirty. Your actions show your interest lies within your desire for power. For the sake of your own dignity, please stop the pathetic pandering for votes, and do what an elected official should do-- genuinely look out for the citizens of Georgia.

Let us turn our attention to Senator Valencia Seay (pictured to the right). When 11 Alive called Senator Valencia Seay to ask about her Georgia tax status, well, she told 11 Alive it is none of their business. Woah---I did not see that answer coming from a Senator who has been serving since 2002. Is it just me or is Senator Seay telling her constituents and the rest of Georgia that she is above public disclosure?

Senator Valencia Seay serves as the Minority Caucus Vice Chair, which makes this matter even more disappointing. She is in a leadership position, and leaders should lead by example. I am happy that most of her peers are not following her example!

Contact Senator Valencia Seay to tell her to disclose whether or not she is current on her taxes. I especially urge the people of Senate District 31 to hold Senator Valencia Seay accountable. Is Senator Valencia Seay who the people of District 31 want respresenting them?

Senator Seay's Contact Information
Email: valencia.seay@senate.ga.gov
Capitol Office Phone: 404-656-5095
Capitol Office Fax: 404-657-9728

I sent my email to Senator Valencia Seay asking her to disclose whether or not she is up to date with her Georgia taxes. Of course, I will share what she has to say in I Was Born Doing Reference Work in Sin.


Remember: If we don't hold our elected officials accountable, who will?

UPDATE: Senator Seay speaks!

WHY DO I WRITE ~ Robert Pinsky

WHY DO I WRITE ~ Robert Pinsky



I write for the same reason a toddler, at some occasion like a wedding party, dances.


The child hears the music and observes what the elders are doing. So he or she begins grinning and bouncing around.


I can remember the feeling I got when I read certain things, heard certain music. Alice in Wonderland, Charlie Parker, Ray Charles, Mozart, Ivanhoe, "Sailing to Byzantium," "To Elsie," "Howl," "At the Fishhouses." Movies like "The Searchers" or "His Girl Friday" or "Sullivan's Travels."


I remember the feeling those works gave me. I would like to give other people that feeling. (I am paraphrasing wise remarks I heard in an interview with the great saxophonist Dexter Gordon.)


I try to shape words into poetry, into works of art, because of the feeling I have gotten from great works of art. I'd like to create that feeling for someone else.


That's maybe a bit too simpleminded and practical. (Though honest.)

Senate Bill 16 Withdrawn!

Disappointed does not begin to describe how I feel about the withdrawal of Senate Bill 16. The AJC reports that Senator Seth Harp (pictured to the left) realized SB 16 would not make it out the Regulated Industries & Utilities Committee.

Rumor has it that Lt. Governor Casey Cagle pressured Senator Harper to withdraw the bill. This is a very interesting rumor because Lt. Governor Cagle used to be on the record as saying he would NOT use his influence to stop SB 16 from making it to the Senate floor. Looks like Lt Governor Cagle has given in to Sadie Fields and the Georgia Christian Alliance. The Georgia Christian Alliance has threatened all the members of the Georgia General Assembly by stating if SB 16 is released from committee, they will add the floor vote of the bill to their annual election score card.

I have this is to say to Sadie Fields and the rest of her group:
I know you see this as a win, and it is a win. I also know you were more nervous about the issue of Sunday Sales this year than you were the past two years, and you had every right to be more nervous. The good people of Georgia are starting to wake up because they want fair-minded legislation and elected officials. People want a say in their government, the withdrawal of Senate Bill 16 took away a chance for people to have a say in their government.

To the Replubicans who expressed their disapproval of SB 16:
Shame on you. The one saying I seem to repeatedly hear from Republicans is Less government. Well, SB 16 was just that, yet so many of you walked away from it. So again, shame on you. Many voters will remember how you walked away from SB 16 when they visit the polls.

After work, I called Senator Harp's office and spoke with his assistant, Martin. After my conversation with Martin, it seemed SB 16 was withdrawn because of a lack of enough support from the members of the Senate Regulated Industries & Utilities Committee. Is this the case, or does Senator Harp not want his staff to call out Lt. Governor Cagle?

I also left a message for Senator David Shafer, Chairman of the Senate Regulated Industries & Utilities Committee to see what happened at the committee meeting today. We'll see how long it takes to get a response from his office.

I ask that you hold the members of the Senate Regulated Industries & Utilities Committee responsible for the withdrawal of SB 16. Yes, it was Senator Harp who withdrew the bill; however, it would not have come to this action if the Senators on the committee would have shown their support for the bill earlier in the General Assembly. I ask that you call, email, or fax with your disappointment.

On a very personal note-- I am quite happy at the letters and emails I was able to generate among my friends. I had a number of very conserative friends who do not even drink alcohol sign letters of support of SB 16 because it is a bill that would have provided citizens a voice in their government.

As I receive any more information on SB 16, I will share it in I Was Born Doing Reference Work in Sin.

Senate Regulated Industries & Utilities Committee Members
David Shafer (Chairman): 404-656-0048 (phone), 404-651-6768 (fax)
Eric Johnson (Vice Chairman): 404-656-5109 (phone), 404-657-9727 (fax)
Ed Harbison (Secretary): 404-656-0074 (phone), 404-463-5547 (fax)
Gloria Butler: 404-656-0075 (phone), 404-657-9728 (fax)
Steve Hensen: 404-656-0085 (phone), 404-651-7078 (fax)
Jack Hill: 404-656-5038 (phone), 404-657-7094 (fax)
Dan Moody: 404-463-8055 (phone), 404-651-6768 (fax)
Jack Murphy: 404-656-7127 (phone), 404-463-1381 (fax)
Mitch Seabaugh: 404-656-6446 (phone), 404-651-6768 (fax)
Doug Stoner: 404-463-2518 (phone), 404-651-6767 (fax)
Ross Tolleson: 404-656-0081 (phone), 404-651-6767 (fax)
Renee Unterman: 404-463-1368 (phone), 404-651-6768 (fax)
Tommie Williams: 404-656-0089 (phone), 404-463-5220 (fax)

Limp Wrist Raffle Adds Items!

Donate to Limp Wrist before 3/30/09, and you are automatically entered to win some of the items you see above. (Items will be given away in groups of three.) All donations are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE and fund the Limp Wrist scholarship.

Here's the donation breakdown:
$5 = 1 Chance
$10 = 3 Chances
$20 = 5 Chances
$45 = 10 Chances
$200 or More = You pick the three items you want. Plus, you'll receive a mention in Limp Wrist.


AND for fun:
If I raise $1,000 by 3/30/09, I will create a Youtube video of me doing Dolly drag. Silence to the peanut gallery-- even though I am crazy for Dolly, I don't spend my weekends in Dolly drag.

Get your donation on!

Senate Bill 16 Update

On Wednesday, February 26, the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities was supposed to meet. This was an important meeting because Senate Bill 16 was supposed to be discussed. If the committee had met, if the members were of fair mind, Senate Bill 16 could have been released from committee to be scheduled for a vote on the Senate floor; however, quorum was not met.

As you might have guessed, the people at the top of this entry are your State Senators who did not show for the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities. From left to right you will find the following State Senators: (First row)Ross Tolleson- District 20, Mitch Seabaugh- District 28, Jack Murphy- District 27, (Second row) Jack Hill- District 4, and Gloria Butler- District 55. I am not sure why these Senators neglected their committee duties. I am sure they have a good reason as to why they failed to represent. Maybe Senator David Shafer, the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Chairman will press them for the reasons of their lack of attendance. I was in the emergency room for eight hours on 2/26/09, and I still made the time to call Senator David Shafer to tell him to use every ounce of his influence to make sure SB 16 is released from committee!

Senators Eric Johnson, Dan Moody, Tommie Williams, and Renee Unterman were also not in attendance for the 2/26/09 Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities committee meeting. A reliable source informed me that Senator Renee Unterman has been absent from her Senatorial obligations due to a family emergency, so I want to wish her all the best. Senators Eric Johnson, Dan Moody, and Tommie Williams were not able to make to the meeting because they were already attending a Senate Education and Youth Committee meeting that started late and before the Regulated Industries and Utilities; therefore, they missed the Regulated Industries and Utilities.

This Wednesday, the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities will meet. I ask that you hold your elected officials accountable. Tell the members of the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities that you want them to uphold their duties as our elected officials and attend this committee meeting. Then, if you are so inclined, ask them be fair-minded. Remind these State Senators that supporting Senate Bill 16 is not showing support for "Sunday Sales." Support for Senate Bill 16 is a State Senator's show of support for citizens to have a voice in their government. Isn't having a voice in our government, in our laws, isn't that what our government is all about?

You might think, Well, none of these Senators represent my district. Doesn't matter! These Senators need to know the opinions of all Georgians to do their job as a committee member. State Senators and House Representatives often go on to seek state wide offices, and this is the case with Senators David Shafer and Eric Johnson; these two Senators are going to battle for the office of Lieutenant Governor. I have more to say on this topic, but Senate Bill 16 is the issue at hand!


Please, contact the members of the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities before Wednesday; since time is of essence, please contact the members via phone or fax. Here is the contact information for the committee members:

David Shafer (Chairman): 404-656-0048 (phone), 404-651-6768 (fax)
Eric Johnson (Vice Chairman): 404-656-5109 (phone), 404-657-9727 (fax)
Ed Harbison (Secretary): 404-656-0074 (phone), 404-463-5547 (fax)
Gloria Butler: 404-656-0075 (phone), 404-657-9728 (fax)
Steve Hensen: 404-656-0085 (phone), 404-651-7078 (fax)
Jack Hill: 404-656-5038 (phone), 404-657-7094 (fax)
Dan Moody: 404-463-8055 (phone), 404-651-6768 (fax)
Jack Murphy: 404-656-7127 (phone), 404-463-1381 (fax)
Mitch Seabaugh: 404-656-6446 (phone), 404-651-6768 (fax)
Doug Stoner: 404-463-2518 (phone), 404-651-6767 (fax)
Ross Tolleson: 404-656-0081 (phone), 404-651-6767 (fax)
Renee Unterman: 404-463-1368 (phone), 404-651-6768 (fax)
Tommie Williams: 404-656-0089 (phone), 404-463-5220 (fax)

If you'd like a short, sweet, and generic message to fax, well, here you go:
I request that you do everything within your power to make sure Senate Bill 16 is released from the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee. I believe your support for Senate Bill 16 shows your support for allowing the citizens of Georgia to have a voice in their government.

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