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21 FEB 04: BLACK, WHITE AND GRAY
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation turned over its report on the Kenneth Walker killing to the District Attorney Friday. Then the District Attorney turned over that report to the Georgia Attorney General's office. And the way things are going in
Atlanta these days, the report might wind up being traded to Detroit for a draft choice.
District Attorney Gray Conger disqualified himself from the Kenneth Walker case. So if you're keeping score on your computer, this is a D-A D-Q....
Gray Conger says former Deputy David Glisson trained some of his District Attorney staff in firearms, so there might be the impression of bias. So is THAT the standard in making decisions like this? The National Action Network saw bias, simply by looking at Conger's skin.
District Attorney Conger says he wants the killing of Kenneth Walker handled in an "impartial, unbiased manner." Come to think of it, I can't think of any radio talk show host who's become a prosecuting attorney - it's usually just the opposite.
Local civil rights groups may feel like they have the upper hand now. The Kenneth Walker case is in the hands of Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker, who is African-American. Trouble is, they need to remember Mr. Baker's campaign
commercials from two years ago - when county sheriffs did all the talking in his behalf.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation handed over about six volumes of evidence concerning the killing of Kenneth Walker. They include the "cop-cam" videotape from the Sheriff's patrol car, showing what happened last December 10th. Is it safe to assume we'll never see that video on "COPS?"
Wayne Baker of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance says the squad car videotape still needs to be released. He explains Columbus residents have a "first amendment right" ro see it. Maybe we should see "The Passion of the Christ" first, so the video won't look so frightening....
THE BIG BLOG QUESTION: We have a question currently open for your vote, about the firing of Deputy David Glisson. I couldn't help thinking of District Attorney Gray Conger when I saw this comment from a voter:
As a former resident of Columbus, I have kept abreast of the situation with Deputy Glisson and it is my understanding that the family isn't pursuing this issue and that they even made a public announcement saying that the NAACP doesn't speak for them the family......
I agree why isn't the tape being shown... [Sheriff Ralph] Johnson is just scared of losing his J.O.B....
You have to admit, though -- civil rights groups are showing the patience of J-o-b in this case....
So what else can we talk about on a springlike weekend?
+ Columbus Cottonmouths General Manager Phil Roberto denied reports from Florida that the hockey team will move to Bradenton-Sarasota after this season, if that area can build a new arena. Roberto said you should bet on the Snakes staying in town. What, and miss out on that $230 million Mega Millions jackpot?
(Phil Roberto admits attendance at Cottonmouths games has been weak this season. He notes when the team was "winning, winning, winning, attendance dwindled, dwindled, dwindled...." Maybe if the team scheduled regular fights on the
ice between periods....)
+ "Teacher astronaut" Barbara Morgan visited children at Phenix City Intermediate School. Morgan is sixth in line for a space shuttle trip -- and after about 18 years of waiting, she's more likely to get a pay raise in Phenix City first.
+ Which TV newscast interviewed someone by phone in Tempe, Arizona -- but showed a map putting that city in the middle of New Mexico? Some people are giving a whole new meaning to that book "Atlas Shrugged."
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