20 FEB 05: OBJECTIONS -- SUSTAINED

I wondered to myself this past week if the fervor about the Kenneth Walker case had settled down. Apparently the answer was yes - because Columbus civil rights leaders called a news conference Friday to make sure that changed.

Local civil rights leaders have called four "days of abstinence" around the end of April. So if you broke your New Year's resolution and you simply can't give up something for Lent, here's yet another chance to get it right.

During the days of abstinence, Columbus residents are asked NOT to buy anything in the city. Some businesses should look on the bright side about this - and start planning "Christmas in April" sales.

(Instant Message to Phenix City Mayor Jeff Hardin: If Chambers County cities can declare local sales tax holidays, you can as well. You may have just been handed four great days for doing it.)

The days of abstinence are planned from Thursday, April 28 to Sunday, May 1. I'm not sure exactly why those dates were chosen, but a check of the calendar is revealing:

+ That's the weekend after Riverfest -- so apparently these activists DO have a bit of heart.

+ It occurs during the last few days of the Passover season. So if you're already abstaining from leavened bread, you have a jump on everybody else.

+ Another protest march is planned on Saturday, April 30 - day seven of the Passover season, marking when Moses and the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. If God truly doesn't change, maybe the marchers can walk through the Chattahoochee while singing "Wade in the Water."

+ The abstinence period ends on "May Day" - and if the economic boycott works, that's what business owners will be yelling.

(Oh yes, the days of abstinence end on a Sunday. Does that mean I can go to a civil rights activist's church, without leaving money in the offering plate?)

Pastor Wayne Baker of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance says the four days of abstinence will "increase local unity." I guess I can see what he's saying - as the wealthy business owners draw closer to the bank accounts of the protesters.

Columbus Mayor Bob Poydasheff said you're free to do as you please during the four days of abstinence. But he claims he's "not taking sides" on it. Maybe he's thinking he can charge everything for those four days, and it won't count as "spending money."

(C'mon now, Mr. Mayor - if you shop in Columbus during those four days, you WILL be taking sides. And if we see you at the Phenix City Home Depot, we'll KNOW you have....)

There's one big problem I have with this four-day economic boycott. It's the name of it -- "Days of Abstinence." The way most people use the word "abstinence" today, it's (ahem) NOT about money. Well, except perhaps at some Victory Drive motels....

(BLOG-BLAH-BLAH: Do you have a better name for this four-day protest? Write us with your suggestions.)

Civil rights leaders might have a point about public safety misconduct in Columbus. WRBL found statistics showing the number of police complaints filed last year jumped from 71 to 92 - an increase of almost 30 percent! Did police officers think they could get away with misconduct, while everyone was watching the Sheriff's deputies?

The report went on to show 29 of the police complaints last year were sustained - which means an officer violated the rules in some way. That number was up 81 percent from 2003! Police Chief Willie Dozier's retirement suddenly looks very well-timed - like starting Social Security reform after President Bush leaves office.

THE BIG BLOG QUESTION returns from a long absence, to ask about abstinence. Will you join in this four-day economic protest at the end of April? Or do you plan to use it as "hunker-down" practice, for when the terrorists attack?

Let's see what else there is to examine on this President's Day weekend:

+ Hughston Orthopedic Hospital hosted a "Soccer 1-2-3" seminar for parents. This was especially valuable for Southern dads, who are more likely to think a "header" is something on a race car.

+ Columbus firefighters were called to the Cannon Brew Pub on Broadway, when an oven used to bake pizza caught fire. As long as the beer coolers weren't harmed, 99 percent of the customers probably never would have noticed a difference.

+ Instant Message to the new "International House of Chicken" on Fort Benning Road: I listened to your menu carefully on radio - but it seems to me the only "international" thing you're serving is an Asian sauce for wings.

COMING MONDAY: What you missed at the church karaoke night.... like the songs which never were sung....

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