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10 MAR 04: GO DIRECTLY TO JAIL
Today is the second and final day of the annual "Jail and Bail" fund-raiser for the Crimestoppers program. At last Edward DuBose can put David Glisson where he thinks Glisson belongs....
But seriously: "Jail and Bail" helps the Crimestoppers reward fund collect thousands of dollars. You lock up your friends or neighbors, and make them raise money by bailing themselves out. I can think of some local sports teams who could learn from this idea.
Sergeant Warren Dunlap of the Columbus Police described the project this way Tuesday: "Nobody's safe today and tomorrow." That settles it - every time I step outside my apartment today, I'm wearing sunglasses as a disguise.
The Jail and Bail lockup site has moved this year, from Peachtree Mall to the Heritage Inn motel downtown. I don't know why this change was made. Maybe the Mall is starting something for its usual visitors, called "Teens Grounded" or
something....
There are some restrictions on the "Jail and Bail" game. For one thing, people you want "arrested" must be at businesses -- NOT at residences. After all, we don't want to overwork the SWAT team.
Some businesses have "immunity" from arrests during "Jail and Bail," because they made a donation in advance to Crimestoppers. If it works for corporations during political campaigns, why not here?
Who would YOU like to see thrown in a mock jail for a while? We can think of some candidates....
+ Columbus Councilor Nathan Suber - so we can take pictures of him, and use them in attack ads during the next election.
+ Miriam Tidwell - because if she's not careful, she could develop the ego of a Martha Stewart.
+ Either Assistant City Manager - but we'd require them to pay the bail out of their big raises.
THE BIG BLOG QUESTION: Our one-week question on Sheriff Ralph Johnson ended Tuesday night, with 82 percent of you against a recall. (9-2) It already seemed like William Howell of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition had a mountain to climb. With these numbers, he might as well head for Mount McKinley and try it.
Meanwhile in Albany, District Attorney Ken Hodges told WRBL he will NOT release the "cop-cam" videotape of the shooting of Kenneth Walker last December. Hodges explained it might taint a jury, and hurt David Glisson's defense. If he's using language like that to describe the tape, the view of Glisson may not be obscured enough.
Dougherty County D.A. Ken Hodges also said he's spoken to the widow of Kenneth Walker, and plans to meet with her family before long. He'll probably wait until later to meet with David Glisson - when plea bargaining starts.
You need more Tuesday topics to talk about? OK:
+ The preliminary hearing for Fort Benning Chaplain James Yee was delayed for the SIXTH time. The military's definition of a "speedy trial" must be based on the Mars Rover spacecraft....
+ The Historic Chattahoochee Commission unveiled a sign in Columbus marking the "Colored Department of the City Hospital." [True/WRBL] It looks like supporters of the 1957 Georgia flag have a new gathering place.
+ Columbus State University announced it has changed its downtown campus plans, and will NOT build an arts and sciences center on the grassy oval at 10th and Bay Avenue. After all, future students will need someplace t play touch football besides the middle of Broadway.
+ The Columbus High School marching band staged a neighborhood parade, to get ready for a performance in Chicago on St. Patrick's Day. But hold on a minute - didn't this group forget something? Where was the Ketia Swanier float?
+ The Georgia House approved a bill regulating professional wrestling. Groups such as WWE would have to pay the state a $1,000 annual fee, plus $250 per match. At those rates, there won't be much money left to fix the matches.
(Supporters of this bill say they're trying to end dangerous "backyard wrestling" cards youngsters stage for each other. Of course, this simply will start another trend -- "basement rec. room wrestling.")
Instant Message to Mike Vee: It's nice to hear the Columbus Cottonmouths had an "action-packed month" in February. But I heard you say this on WRCG Tuesday night - on March 9. What have you done for me lately?
SONG OF THE DAY: GPB-TV presented a "pledge month" special Tuesday night about the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary - and Peter Yarrow was in the studio, going to phones with his guitar and singing to callers! Here's one tune he should have tried:
If I had a pledge, I'd pledge it in the morning.
I'd pledge it in the evening - I'd pick up the phone.
I'd charge it on Visa!
I'd use Disco-ov-er!
I'd pick up a tote bag for my brother or my sister,
All for - public TV!
(Uh-oh - I just realized I've committed to sing during the Valley Rescue Mission telethon March 25. Please DON'T call until after I'm through with my songs. Otherwise, I might think you want me off the air.)
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© 2003-04 Richard Burkard, All Rights Reserved.