SundayPaper.com

Cover Story: What will change?

Stephanie Ramage — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:57:00 GMT

What do Obama's Cabinet picks mean for the future? SP gets the inside scoop from people who know.

The exploitation of Sarah Palin

Kevin — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:45:00 GMT

The governor seems to be suffering from a little buyer’s remorse.

Gupta for Surgeon General?

Kevin — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:43:00 GMT

Obama wants CNN correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta as his new Surgeon General, according to the Washington Post.

Immigration detainee Fanny is home in Honduras

Stephanie Ramage — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 14:17:00 GMT

Fanny Suazo has returned home. Meanwhile, the Honduran government is looking into reports of incompetence at Atlanta's Honduran Consulate.

Don't forget to vote today!

Stephanie Ramage — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:32:00 GMT

Today's the day for the U.S. Senate run-off election between incumbent Republican Saxby Chambliss and Democrat Jim Martin. To learn more about where I stand on this race, please see "Saxby vs. Obama and the Unions" at http://www.sundaypaper.com/More/Archives/tabid/98/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/3354/Saxby-versus-Obama-and-the-unions.aspx

To find out more about where you can vote, visit http://www.sos.georgia.gov/Elections/

Al Jazeera: 20 hostages in Mumbai, many are Americans

Stephanie Ramage — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 03:26:00 GMT

How many Americans are currently being held hostage in Mumbai? Good luck finding out. No one is reporting who the hostages are, how many there are, or where they are from.

Al Jazeera's Arabic language website, not surprisingly, claims that the terrorists have about 20 hostages and that they are "mainly Americans" but Al Jazeera does not cite its source for the information. Instead, the network says simply, This is what we have," basically.

CNN, the BBC and Reuters all say that hostages are still being held at the Taj Mahal Hotel and the Trident Oberoi, without giving numbers or other details, and they also say that the terrorists, apparently an Islamist group called the Deccan Mujhadeen, were looking specifically for Americans, Brits and Australians. Yet, no one has any numbers or details. How many hostages are there and where are they from? And why in God's name isn't the US even remotely curious about Americans being slaughtered in 5-star hotels?

Bush and Obama are condemming the action, for whatever that's worth.

By the way, if you're planning to call the U.S. State Dept. to find out if your friend or loved one is one of those killed or captured, don't bother. You'll get a longwinded recording in a cheery upbeat voice that will instruct you to go to the Web site, then you'll get a 5-digit slate of options and finally a forward to the emergency line.

Yes, I mean this one: "U.S. citizens concerned about the wellbeing of friends and family in India may call the following number for information:

1-888-407-4747

This weekend's news: On Strikin', Smokin' and Spangin'

Stephanie Ramage — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:34:00 GMT

President-elect Obama has vowed to make the misleadingly titled Employee Free Choice Act, better known as “Card Check,” the “law of the land” and that’s bad news for Americans who want to keep their jobs. If Sen. Saxby Chambliss loses in the Dec. 2 run-off election, Card Check will indeed become law, driving more jobs overseas and decimating what’s left of the American economy. My column in this week’s paper explains why Georgians need to send Chambliss back to Washington to defeat this disastrous legislation.

U.S. military's African command not coming to Ga. anytime soon

Stephanie Ramage — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:26:00 GMT

“The Secretary of Defense said about a week ago that he was postponing any decision on a location of AfriCom until 2012,” says Vince Crawley, spokesman for AfriCom in Stuttgart, Germany, where the command is currently located. “There is long range interest in a base on the [African] continent, but also in having a substantial number of staff based somewhere not on the continent.”

Half million votes still not counted in Georgia

Stephanie Ramage — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:10:00 GMT

"There may be nearly a half million outstanding ballots in Georgia alone, and thousands more in other states — including the one with the largest turnout, California — that are still being counted."

Black Panthers intimidate voters in Philly

Stephanie Ramage — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:12:00 GMT

Video shows two alleged members of the "new" Black Panthers wielding a night stick to scare away anyone who looked like they weren't voting for Obama at a polling station in Philly. I say "alleged" because although they are black and they are wearing militant garb, we don't know if they are actually members of the Panthers or just wannabes. Not that it matters much when it comes to wielding a deadly weapon at a polling station. Does Philly not have any cops? Here's the video made by a University of Pennsylvania student as posted on politico.com:

Democrat Congressman: Take from soldiers, give to welfare

Stephanie Ramage — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 20:01:00 GMT

Last week, Democratic Congressman Barney Frank told the editorial board of the Standard-Times newspaper in New Bedford, Mass., that he supports an expansion of entitlement programs. Where will the money come from? Some of it may come from cutting the military’s budget by 25 percent, the rest will come from higher taxes.

Here’s an excerpt and a link:

U.S. Circuit Court grants Troy Davis stay of execution

Stephanie Ramage — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 13:27:00 GMT

On Friday, Oct. 24, the Eleventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay of execution for Troy Davis who was convicted of the Aug. 19, 1989 murder of 27-year-old Savannah police Officer Mark Allen MacPhail.
The stay was granted on the same day that more than 100 members of the clergy sent a letter to Gov. Sonny Perdue stating, "We are distressed by the inability of the appeals courts to provide a hearing or new trial to examine evidence that Troy Davis did not murder Mark MacPhail. We are distressed that in a case based solely on witness testimony the unprecedented number of witness recantations has not impressed the courts enough to re-examine the case.

The "black McCains"

Stephanie Ramage — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 19:03:00 GMT

Doug Blackmon over at the Wall Street Journal has written a fascinating article about the descendants of slaves owned by John McCain's family in Mississippi. It is a heartwarming story about the "black McCains" and the "white McCains" reaching out to each other to come to grips with the past.
Here's a link and an excerpt: "When George McCain was killed in a traffic accident in 2003, Frank Bryant, the aged former sharecropper, invited to the funeral Bill McCain, the senator's cousin, who owns the remaining 1,500 acres of Teoc plantation and lives nearby. It was the beginning of a modern dialogue between the two families as equals. At the service, Mr. McCain stood in the family section with the black McCains."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122419511761942501.html?mod=article-outset-box

Congressman John Lewis: Did he or didn't he?

Stephanie Ramage — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:13:00 GMT

Georgia Congressman John Lewis has sent out a statement to clarify an earlier statement that seemed to draw comparisons between GOP presidential candidate John McCain along with vice presidential running mate Sarah Palin and notoriously racist /segregationist Alabama Gov. George Wallace. In his statement today, Lewis says he did not compare the two to Wallace. So, here are both statements for you, the readers, to review in order to draw your own conclusions:

Statement #1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 11, 2008

Rep. John Lewis On Hostility of McCain-Palin Campaign

“As one who was a victim of violence and hate during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, I am deeply disturbed by the negative tone of the McCain-Palin campaign. What I am seeing reminds me too much of another destructive period in American history. Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are sowing the seeds of hatred and division, and there is no need for this hostility in our political discourse.

“During another period, in the not too distant past, there was a governor of the state of Alabama named George Wallace who also became a presidential candidate. George Wallace never threw a bomb. He never fired a gun, but he created the climate and the conditions that encouraged vicious attacks against innocent Americans who were simply trying to exercise their constitutional rights. Because of this atmosphere of hate, four little girls were killed on Sunday morning when a church was bombed in Birmingham, Alabama.

“As public figures with the power to influence and persuade, Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are playing with fire, and if they are not careful, that fire will consume us all. They are playing a very dangerous game that disregards the value of the political process and cheapens our entire democracy. We can do better. The American people deserve better.”

Statement #2

Rep. John Lewis Clarifies Misinterpretations of his Earlier Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 11, 2008

"A careful review of my earlier statement would reveal that I did not compare Sen. John McCain or Gov. Sarah Palin to George Wallace. It was not my intention or desire to do so. My statement was a reminder to all Americans that toxic language can lead to destructive behavior. I am glad that Sen. McCain has taken some steps to correct divisive speech at his rallies. I believe we need to return to civil discourse in this election about the pressing economic issues that are affecting our nation."

House passes financial bailout--2 Ga. Dems change votes

Stephanie Ramage — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 20:43:00 GMT

The U.S. House has passed the $700 billion "Wall Street bailout," bill formally known as the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, by a vote of 263 to 171 today. When the bill was first introduced in the House on Sept. 29, only two of Georgia's 13 members of Congress supported it, Rep. Sanford Bishop of Columbus and Rep. Jim Marshall of Macon, both Democrats. It was defeated. Today when it returned to the House laden with incentives for passage after its approval by the Senate on Oct. 1, two more Georgians, also Democrats, voted yes, Congressman John Lewis and Congressman David Scott, both of Atlanta. Lewis sent out a press statment quoting the speech he made explaining his vote switch:

Experts differ on $700 billion bailout

Stephanie Ramage — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:51:00 GMT

In this week’s edition of The Sunday Paper (the “Cash Crisis” issue), we explore the Wall Street debacle. We also talk with finance experts Alexander Barinov at the University of Georgia and Ivo Welch at Brown University about the economic plans of Republican presidential candidate John McCain and his opponent, Democrat Barack Obama. Here's what they told us about the proposed $700 billion Wall Street bailout:

FREE FLU SHOTS!

Stephanie Ramage — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 20:00:00 GMT

This Saturday, Sept. 27th 12 noon to 4 p.m.in Centennial Olympic Park. Vaccinations are FREE for the whole family.

Wow--Colombia's brilliant hostage rescue operation

Stephanie Ramage — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:05:00 GMT

It's not local, but it's so great, I have to say so: It isn't often that militaries pull off something truly brilliant. But the Colmbian military did. On Wednesday, the Colombian military, having stealthily infiltrated the leadership of the terrorist organization FARC, executed a flawless ruse, rescuing former Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, three American contractors and 11 others--all of whom have been held captive by FARC for six years.

PR people running interference

Stephanie Ramage — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:44:00 GMT

If you've had trouble reaching a specific public official recently, I want to hear from you. Whether you're a member of the media or non-media citizen, if you know the name of the person with whom you need to speak and that person is in fact the person in charge of the area about which you need information, there is no sense whatsoever in wasting time and energy dealing with PR people who take it upon themselves to decide whether you really need to talk with that person or not. This is not the way that responsible and accountable governments do business. This is the way that people who don't want to face the public do business. It also seems to be the way that the Georgia Department of Human Resources does business, based on the latest round of phone-hockey I've endured. Members of the media, members of the citizenry, if you've run into the same wall of baloney, I want to hear from you. Email stephanieramage@sundaypaper.com

Happy Bloomsday!

Stephanie Ramage — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:05:00 GMT

Given Ireland's recent rejection of the Lisbon Treaty and subsequent news coverage that showed many of the Irish to be far less educated and articulate than their American cousins would like to imagine (some Irish voters claimed they voted against the treaty because it would infringe on local tax rights while others thought it might somehow affect same sex marriage laws), it might help to remember the poetry of William Butler Yeats and W.H. Auden, or the prose of Jonathan Swift, or of course the stories of that fabulously wandering storyteller, James Joyce. Yes, especially him. Today is Bloomsday, the significance of which derives from the novel, Ulysses, written by Joyce and published in 1922. The entire story takes place in Dublin on June 16^th, 1904, and involves a protagonist named Leopold Bloom, hence the moniker, Bloomsday. So, Happy Bloomsday. Lift a pint, and share a passage or two.

Some Left and Some Right

Larissa — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 18:27:00 GMT

In the wake of the Democratic nomination race (that we never thought would end), we at SP have scoured campaign coverage to produce some interesting thoughts from both McCain and Obama.

Both camps seem to be fairly optimistic as they hit the trail:

"You think about all the people who had to knock down barriers for me to walk through this door, and the challenges they went through were so much more difficult, so much more severe, and the risks they took were so much greater that I will say, last night standing in that auditorium, it struck me that it was testimony to them."

Sen. Barack Obama, while walking through a hallway in the U.S. Senate, just hours after he was named the victor in the Democratic primary.

“What a welcome change it would be were presidential candidates in our time to treat each other and the people they seek to lead with respect and courtesy as they discussed the great issues of the day, without the empty sound bites and media-filtered exchanges that dominate our elections."

Republican Sen. John McCain, on the prospect of holding a series of town-hall debates with Democratic Sen. Barack Obama prior to the 2008 Presidential Election.

McCain praises Rep. John Lewis and Lewis responds

Stephanie Ramage — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:42:00 GMT

Yesterday, the New York Times published a story about GOP presidential candidate ("presumptive nominee") Sen. John McCain praising the heroism of Georgia congressman, and Obama supporter, Rep. John Lewis. It may have seemed a strangely non-partisan thing to do on the campaign trail, but it was typically McCainian in its candor: In reference to the African-American community, McCain said "there will be many people who will not vote for me." Today, Lewis responded as graciously to McCain as McCain had been to him.

THE AJC'S DISTORTED EDITING ON IRAQ SOLDIER STATEMENTS

Stephanie Ramage — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 13:24:00 GMT

If you look at the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s page A5 story in the March 16 edition, “Five Years in Iraq: Soldiers Talk About How It Felt,” you immediately think that even soldiers currently serving in the armed forces oppose the war. That’s because the AJC shamefully misused and actually distorted quotes used as the pullquotes—the boldfaced quotes placed under the pictures of the soldiers they interviewed—in order to express the AJC’s own stand against the war.

D&D anyone?

Stephanie Ramage — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 15:12:00 GMT

I'm thinking of getting together to play some D&D in memory of its creator Gary Gygax who died last week. However, I would have to re-roll for my characters since I haven't played in 20 years.

The Sunday Paper reported it first--Pharmaceuticals in Water Supply

Stephanie Ramage — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:32:00 GMT

As is so often the case, the Sunday Paper was way, WAY ahead of anyone else in reporting the pharmaceutical contamination of the water supply that the Associated Press is trumpeting today. We reported it in our July 15, 2007 edition. Here's the link to our story:

Long live the Prince

Stephanie Ramage — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 19:28:00 GMT

The fact that the Drudge Report revealed Prince Harry's whereabouts in Afghanistan is absolutely disgusting. It's times like these when a good hacker could come in handy. But, getting the Prince yanked from Afghanistan won't diminish Harry's contribution to his nation's battle against extremism. As British writers Charles Moore and Jasper Gerard have put it so eloquently, what Harry has done is to awaken a nation to the sacrifice being made by its soldiers in Afghanistan--that brutal combat theatre that gets dismissed as "the other war."

Apologies to West Virginia

Stephanie Ramage — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 13:10:00 GMT

Readers of the story "The Divorce Party," in this week's edition of The Sunday Paper will notice no doubt, and given the permanent condition of indignation that seems to afflict some of our readers, may become enraged by the fact that I incorrectly attributed the GOP win of West Virginia during the Feb. 5 primaries to Mitt Romney. It was, in fact, Mike Huckabee who won the "Mountain State." More observant--or perhaps unhealthily obsessed--readers will note that I correctly attributed the win of W. Va. to Huckabee in the news story on th Super Tuesday Primary Challenge in the same edition. How did this happen?

Please re-submit your Super Tuesday Challenge picks!

Stephanie Ramage — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:22:00 GMT

If you submitted your picks for the Sunday Paper Super Tuesday Challenge on Sunday, Jan. 27 or prior to 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 28, we ask that you please resubmit your form with an email address where we can reach you. Due to a technical glitch, contact information for forms submitted during that time period was lost (oops!). We apologize for the inconvenience and wish you the very best of luck in demonstrating your political savvy.

Services to be held for Cayle Bywater

Stephanie Ramage — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:03:00 GMT

Saturday, January 19th at 2pm there will be an informal Memorial Service held at;
Athens Memorial Park
293 Gran Ellen Drive
Athens, Georgia 30606
at the covered pavilion by the lake.
Everyone is invited, and we encourage all to bring their friendly dogs (on leashes).
Sunday January 20th at 2pm there will be a Service at:
Crowell Brothers Peachtree Chapel
5051 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard
Norcross, Georgia 30091
770-448-5757

The family appreciates any donations to assist with the memorial services for Cayle. Thank You. If you prefer to send a check please make payable to: Cayle Bywater Relief Fund, 3780 Mansell Road, Suite 450, Alpharetta, Georgia 30022 The Cayle Bywater Relief Fund is a non-profit organization and in process of filing for 501(c)(3) tax exemption status. Funds will be used to help defray the cost of services as well as to pay for a memorial dog drinking fountain in Memorial Park where Cayle spent so much time with her beloved pet, Oliver. For more information, please visit www.findcayle.com

TARA GRINSTEAD: ANOTHER MISSING GA. WOMAN'S CASE REMAINS UNSOLVED

Kevin — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 05:10:00 GMT

Exclusive online-only article

By Josh Clark

The murder of Meredith Emerson, the disappearance of Cayle Bywater and other, possibly related cases involving missing women have renewed interest in the case of another missing Georgia woman. Tara Grinstead, a beauty pageant winner who earned her Masters degree and was working on her doctorate while she taught history at Irwin County High, went missing from her home in Ocilla the night of Oct. 22, 2005.

Body of Cayle Bywater found

Stephanie Ramage — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 01:00:00 GMT

The family of Cayle Bywater informed The Sunday Paper at 8 p.m. that Cayle's body has been recovered from the pond in Athens' Memorial Park. An autopsy must be performed to determine the cause of death. We at the Sunday Paper extend our deepest sympathy to the Bywater family.

HOOF IT THIS WEEKEND

Kevin — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 22:23:00 GMT

If you think Downtown Atlanta is traffic-clogged and difficult to drive through under normal circumstances, you'll definitely want to consider avoiding it, or at least walking or taking public transportation, this weekend.

Eyeglasses found that may belong to missing woman

Stephanie Ramage — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 19:22:00 GMT

According to family members, someone has reported finding a pair of eyeglasses in Athens' Memorial Park that may belong to Cayle Bywater, the 29 year-old University of Georgia employee and grad student reported missing on New Year's Eve.

UPDATE ON MISSING ATHENS WOMAN

Stephanie Ramage — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:39:00 GMT

Cayle Bywater, a 29 year old Athens resident and local non-profit volunteer, has been missing since Saturday.
A group of volunteers are meeting on Thursday morning off of Milledge Avenue to search for her.

INTERESTED PARTIES - MEET AT:
- the dead end on Woodland Hills Dr. (off of Milledge) near the loop
- 9 am on Thursday, January 3rd.
- Dress appropriately we'll be searching a heavily wooded area and it's supposed to be very cold.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT CAYLE, PLEASE CALL: Athens Clarke County Police Central Communications (706) 613-3345

URGENT: ATHENS POLICE SEARCH FOR MISSING WOMAN

Stephanie Ramage — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:59:00 GMT

The Athens-Clarke County Police Department is asking for help in locating 29 year old, Cayle Bywater.

Bywater was reported missing on New Year's Eve when a neighbor found her dog running loose near her S. Milledge Ave. home.

She was last seen on Saturday and spoke with a family member that same day. Police found her backdoor open. Her purse, wallet, keys, cell phone and car are all still at her residence.

Will Bhutto's murder prompt an American troop shift?

Stephanie Ramage — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 01:08:00 GMT

For the United States, the consequences of Benazir Bhutto's assassination could be grave indeed.

For us, the timing of the turmoil surrounding the murder presents a problem. The spring thaw in the Hindu Kush usually heralds new offensives by the Taliban. Adm. William Fallon, head of U.S. Central Command, which oversees operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan, has been lobbying since last spring to shift troops from Iraq to Afghanistan. I suspect that Bhutto’s assassination will give him the leverage that he needs to overrule Gen. David Petraeus and make that happen.

Michael Vick Sentenced to 23 Months in Prison

Kevin — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:04:00 GMT

U.S. District Court Judge Henry E. Hudson this morning sentenced former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick to 23 months in prison and three years' probation for his role in a dogfighting operation. That puts him out of commission, football-wise, until late 2009, meaning the earliest he could return to the NFL would be the 2010 season.

SP interviews Standard & Poor's chief economist David Wyss

Stephanie Ramage — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:33:00 GMT

I interviewed David Wyss, chief economist for Standard & Poor's for this week's cover story on the economy. Wyss is brilliant--one of the world's most knowledgeable economists who knows just about everything from kitchen table economics to world trade. I also interviewed Richard Marston at the Wharton School at Penn, Richard Jackman at the London School of Economics and Jeff Rosensweig at Emory University. Their predictions for 2008? There's a rough patch ahead, but it doesn't have to be a recession. The weakened dollar will ease our pain significantly. That's right--the falling greenback is our long-overdue friend. Here are some highlights:

Butch Walker's Home Burns

Kevin — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 17:04:00 GMT

The Malibu home of Atlanta's Butch Walker has fallen victim to the wildfires spreading across California.

kudos to NPR for very revealing story

Stephanie Ramage — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 00:02:00 GMT

Several months ago, I photographed and interviewed some picketers in front of WSB in midtown. I kept thinking that they couldn't possibly be construction workers as their signs claimed. They seemed homeless.

ever been burglarized?

Stephanie Ramage — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 21:22:00 GMT

Looking for experiences of burglary or theft for a crime statistics story. Here's the big question: Did you get your stuff back?

Thanks to Josef Woodman for the link

Stephanie Ramage — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 16:10:00 GMT

Well, here's a little excerpt from the Dubai Health Care City site.

American health care providers overseas

Stephanie Ramage — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:48:00 GMT

I've gotten some questions regarding American health organizations doing business overseas to cater to growing middle classes in Asia and Africa as I mentioned in the Grady Hospital story this week. Please don't confuse this with medical tourism.