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NUg'S SPACE IS A NON-PROFIT
MUSICIAN'S RESOURCE CENTER
AND REHEARSAL FACILITY
SPONSORED BY
FLAGPOLE
Volunteerj A Donations
Always Appreciated
Welcome Back Students!
Friday, January 10 • 9pm • 18+
Koncak CD Release Show
Featuring the Music
of Nuqi Phillips
Performers Include: David Barbe,
Patterson Hood, Members of Michael,
Ben Mize and Guests
Admission is FREE
Re-mastered CO available for $10
or visit www.nuci.org to purchase your copy now
VISIT WWW.IUUCI.ORC FOR UPCOMING EVENTS,
SOUND CLIPS, VIRTUAL TOURS AND ONLINE CLASSIFIEDS.
FnciuTies
rehearsal spaces • resource library
counseling referrals
HOURS J
SEVEN DAYS A WEEK 12pm-2am Cl
* rehearsal time must be confirmed before midnight
— ask about our daytime price discounts *
,r *:>
Trivia Mondays, 9*llpm
Downtown Location
3 Great Locations
MILLEDGE AVENUE
DOWNTOWN • EASTSIDE
THIS WEEK’S SPECIALS...
r dreamy ChixV
Pesto Pasta.. $6 25
served
l^w/garlic breac^
r Sur.aried ^
Tonr.ato Burger
w/basil jalapeno
^mayo $5 50 .
Soup of the Week
vegetarian chili
clocked
259 w Washington it
(naut t« th« 40 waft)
optn 7 days
hamburgers and french fries
m-f 1 1am rmdmts
4/son nssn mtdruft
196 alps rd.
(beechwood
promenade)
mon-sat
552-1515
Now looking for artists to
display works in our salon. Call
& ask for the manager, Jenny.
GINGRICH’S GHOST
Eight years ago. Republican guru and Georgia Representative
Newt Gingrich (once Georgia's only Republican representative) led a
so-called political revolution to change power in Washington after
40 years of Democratic rule over the House of Representatives.
“Give us leadership," Mr. Gingrich proclaimed, and things will
change. He promised a "Contract with America," campaign reform,
less government and a slew of other improvements. Of course as
soon as he became Speaker, matters became personal and, because
he had to exit Air Force One from the rear door, Mr, Gingrich shut
down the government. Less than four years after taking office, not
only Mr. Gingrich, but also the next Republican in line. Bob
Livingston of Louisiana, both resigned from the House in financial
and se/ual scandals. Of course neither Gingrich nor Livingston left
Washington to return home. They stayed in Washington to become
lobbyists and think-tankers.
Will Republicans be any different on the state level? Only time
will tell. Remember, Gingrich led his charge not only nationally, but
also at municipal, county and state levels. While Washington has
always been a bitterly
partisan town, Mr. What will be their first order of
Gingrich brought, or
shall we say "lowered," business: ethics legislation,
partisanship to every
level. Across Georgia, campaign finance reform?
votes on city councils
and county commissions now reflect party lines, and in the State
legislature, harsh, bitter words taken directly from Mr. Gingrich's
GOPAC tapes were used by Republicans to criticize every step taken
by the Governor, Lt. Governor and Speaker. And to whom did the
Republican caucus, which met in Athens just before Christmas, first
turn for advice? Newt Gingrich.
What will be their first order of business: ethics legislation, cam
paign finance reform? Of course not. Republicans will re-write the
rules of the Senate and possibly state laws on succession, and then
try to re-district, all to strengthen Republican rule. I spoke with new
Senate leader Eric Johnson in Savannah and proposed, on my own,
that he forge a deal with the Lt. Governor. I explained that Terry
Coleman would win Speaker of the House and, with a Republican
Senate and Democratic House, nothing would pass without co-oper
ation. Mr. Johnson's forging a compromise with Mark Taylor would
help such cooperation. It would also show that Republicans really
do want to move this state forward in a bipartisan manner, and
would be a magnanimous demonstration to the citizens of Georgia.
That's not going to happen. In a secret vote on January 13, the
State Senate, now led by a Republican majority, will vote to strip
the big guy of all his Senate powers. Sen. Johnson has been glee
fully telling groups
all over Savannah Will Republicans deliver that
that the Lt.
Governor will still promised breath of fresh air, or
be able to "attend
funerals and cut follow the example of their guru?
ribbons."
I have a problem with a secret vote to change the powers of the
Lt. Governor. The Lt. Governor is a constitutional office. The people
elected Mark Taylor with the expectation he would have certain
powers. If Senate Republicans strip Mark of those powers, they are
taking away the people's vote. Was it not just a few days ago that
Republicans ran around the state squawking "Let us vote!''?
I reminded Mr. Johnson that Republicans need to tread carefully;
that if Sonny Perdue does not finish his term, then Mark will
become Governor. Guess what? That is not so certain either. State
law, I was told, not the Constitution, governs succession, and the
legislature can change State law. That may be the ultimate reason
Larry Walker is vying for Speaker. Again, this is a change only the
citizens should make. "Let us vote." Four state senators changed
parties after the November election. I can’t believe they did so to
change the powers of the Lt. Governor; certainly not to change the
laws of succession. We shall see.
Republicans ranted and raved about the flag and redistricting.
All we heard about redistricting was "Partisanship, partisanship,
partisanship." And all we heard about the flag was, "Let us vote!
Let us vote! Let us vote!" Amazing how those sound waves were so
pleasant to Republican ears when flowing from their mouths.
So, will there be any change? Are the Republicans really going to
give us the mature leadership they promised, or will the next four
years just be Republican partisanship with childish maneuvers of "I
gotcha back"? Will Republicans deliver that promised breath of fresh
air, or follow the example of their guru, be petty and end up leaving
office in disgrace? Only time will tell.
Tony Center
Tony Center was a 2002 Democratic candidate for the 12th
Congressional District.
8 FLAGPOLE.COM • JANUARY 8, 2003