28 APR 05: ANY ABSTENTIONS?
It's with some disappointment that I post to the blog today. I'd been looking ahead and thinking about this day for weeks - the start of four "days of abstinence" called by Columbus civil rights leaders. But then last week, everything suddenly was called off. So on this question, apparently more people voted no than "abstain."
The days of abstinence were a protest of the handling of the Kenneth Walker case -- with civil rights leaders asking you NOT to spend money in Columbus for four days. They apparently figured less income would make business leaders so concerned that they'd demand action. But they forgot something -- many people leave Columbus if they want more income now.
Believe it or not, I was planning to join in the "days of abstinence." Of course, I'd come to the days with an advantage over most other Columbus residents. I'm a single guy who doesn't smoke - so I abstain in two key areas already.
(Regular blog readers would have noticed I was keeping the days of abstinence right away, and probably celebrated - because you wouldn't have seen that message about my CD at the top of the screen.)
The cancellation of the days of abstinence is disappointing, because your blog had four days of special coverage planned:
+ Day 1: We set up shop at the Piggly Wiggly store just across the 13th Street Bridge in Phenix City. We'd ask drivers of cars with Georgia tags if they're keeping the days of abstinence - and most probably would say, "I don't want any today, thank you" as they pass us and walk inside.
+ Day 2: It's my scheduled laundry day, so I'd haul my hamper to one of Phenix City's fine laundromats. I'd tell other people I'm keeping the days of abstinence - then count how many people ask what the word "abstinence" means.
Friday evening brings the blues concert with B.B. King and Bobby "Blue" Bland at the Columbus Civic Center. I'd be waiting outside the front door, asking people to prove they bought their tickets two days before the show.
+ Day 3: It's a special Sabbath day at church, with everyone expected to give an annual offering. I'd go ahead and put a check in the basket - since all the money goes to the denomination's home office in Ohio, and it might not come back here for weeks. So our group works like federal grant programs....
If anyone invited me out to dinner after the church service, I'd tell them I have to eat outside the Columbus city limits. The congregation is finishing a week of eating unleavened bread, so some people probably wouldn't mind if I add even more rules.
+ Day 4: The final day of abstinence is a Sunday, so I'd visit Pastor Wayne Baker's Spirit-Filled Ministries church. If he asks for the usual weekly offering, I'd be there to convict him on the spot as a hypocrite.
(Sunday afternoon would be hard to figure, though. Many Columbus residents already go to east Alabama on that day, to buy beer....)
BLOG UPDATE: More details emerged Wednesday about how Mayor Bob Poydasheff's proposed budget would affect Columbus city services. Public Service Director Rufus Riggs said there would be no more Saturday funerals at city cemeteries -- so please make arrangements for your loved ones to die on weekends, to fit this new schedule.
City department heads also revealed the mayor's proposed budget will mean one less animal control officer in Columbus. But if a mean dog is chasing you down the street, I'd go ahead and call that department anyway - since the police department is losing 15 more positions.
(I was surprised to learn Columbus animal control officers picked up 8,000 stray animals last year. That's one for about every 25 residents - so it sounds like some of you homeowners need to stop opening your neighbors' backyard fences.)
Columbus law officers were busy Wednesday holding their quarterly practice session at the police shooting range. After learning about the proposed budget, you can excuse them if they pretended the targets had Mayor Bob Poydasheff's face on them....
THE BIG BLOG QUESTION wants to know if you agree with Fraternal Order of Police President Randy Robertson. He says any cut in public safety is "unacceptable" - so should that area be exempt from city budget cuts? Or should people wearing badges and information technology guys wearing pocket protectors be treated equally?
(By the way, let the record show we received NO e-mails about public safety Wednesday. Perhaps "IsOurCitySafe" was in shock, over how the mayor seemed to ignore all his appeals.)
Now let's check other highlights from a wonderful Wednesday (with apologies to the Columbus Museum):
+ Numerous area florists were busy, selling bouquets for "Administrative Professionals Day." Some people still call it Secretaries' Day - and I personally consider Condoleezza Rice my favorite secretary.
+ News reports revealed notorious segregation supporter J.B. Stoner died at a Lafayette, Georgia nursing home last Saturday. So if you see 1956-style Georgia flags flying at half-staff in Webster County for a few days, that's why.
+ The Muscogee County Humane Society was honored for a recent animal adoption campaign, by receiving a $5,000 "Excellence in Execution Grant." Now hold on a minute! I thought this place was trying to become a NO-kill shelter....
+ Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller announced Gambro Renal Products will open an office in the Fox Run business park. I'm glad they're bringing in 150 jobs -- but is that really the sort of business the Chamber of Commerce will give big mention in its brochures?
(I can hear the slogan for this company now: "Gambro - we know beans about kidneys.")
+ The Brookstone ladies' tennis team won its Georgia regional title - for the 35th year in a row! This seems to prove the George Steinbrenner theory of baseball, that money can buy championships.
+ The Columbus Catfish dropped a doubleheader to Greenville, 6-2 and 8-0. The Catfish changed jerseys between games - which means either they thought they had lucky shirts, or they know they have a nit-picky clothing contract.
+ "Access Hollywood" showed a new AFLAC commercial, in which a mad scientist switches the duck's voice with that of Donald Trump's wife. Let's all be thankful that madman didn't try to swap their brains....
(Melania Trump told Access Hollywood her commercial co-star from AFLAC is "a very professional duck." If there's one thing I can't stand, it's an amateur duck - so you creatures waddling on the Riverwalk had better get your acts together.)
+ Instant message to AFLAC's Dan Amos: Did you mean to say what the Ledger-Enquirer quoted you as saying -- Melania Trump is "the bride of the year"?! What did your new wife of three months say when she read that?
COMING SOON: A Columbus park where seemingly no one goes for a walk....
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