Tuesday, November 28, 2006

28 NOV 06: REMEMBERING RICHARD



No, today's entry is NOT a reminder to put me on your list for year-end cards. I receive plenty of cards in the mail throughout the year. About 15 of them are fake promotional credit cards from Capital One....



BLOG EXCLUSIVE: Your blog has learned a campaign is beginning to build an Iraq War Veterans Memorial in Columbus. Our apologies to the Third Brigade at Fort Benning for mentioning this -- because you probably want your next tour of duty in Iraq to be as comfortable and carefree as possible.



The Iraq War Veterans Memorial is a project of the "Richard Thomas Davis Foundation for Peace" - named for the veteran who was murdered by fellow Fort Benning soldiers three years ago. Davis's killers probably are more concerned right now about building a foundation for appeals.



The family of Richard Davis is creating this foundation through public donations, and promoting it through the web site of North Georgia author Cilla McCain. We told you in September [15 Sep] she's working on a possible book about the Davis murder case. Somehow I do NOT think the title will be, "If They Did It, Here's How It Happened."



The web page explaining the "Foundation for Peace" says it is NOT pro- or anti-war. Instead, its focus is to make sure military personnel are screened for mental problems and criminal histories before they're admitted. That's the part of the military draft proposal Rep. Charles Rangel didn't bother to tell you about.



The family of Richard Davis isn't sure yet how the Iraq War Veterans Memorial would look. One idea is to have a water fountain, which would be only fitting for the "Fountain City" of Columbus. In fact, we found a prime location a couple of weeks ago -- when that water main was broken at the airport.



When she informed us about plans for the Iraq War Veterans Memorial, Cilla McCain also had an update on plans for a movie about the Richard Davis murder case. The fictionalized story has been given the title "In the Valley of Elah" - borrowing from the Biblical location where David took on Goliath. Trouble is, modern-day Iraq is more like fighting a Biblical beast with seven heads.



There might actually be two movies about the Richard Davis case. Cilla McCain tells me the screenwriter of "In the Valley of Elah" wants to turn her book notes into a documentary. If this comes out during the 2008 Presidential campaign, we might learn whatever happened to the "Swift Boat Veterans for Peace."



By the way, don't be surprised if the Ledger-Enquirer begins calling events in Iraq a "civil war." Parent company McClatchy Newspapers used the phrase on its web site Monday, and an executive told National Public Radio that's what the situation has become. In a strange way, support for U.S. involvement in rural parts of south Georgia now might increase....



(My pastor would tell you there's no such thing as a "civil" war. And let's face it, some of the reports from Iraq have been more criminal than civil.)



But back to honoring veterans: a public hearing in Talbot County Monday night focused on plans for a veterans' care center. Some homeowners near Lake Talbot in Box Springs don't want the center in their neighborhood. They'd probably take the War Memorial - but not the people who fought in it.



Dozens of homeowners in the Box Springs area expressed concern the proposed 300-bed care will take in homeless drug addicts and mentally unstable veterans. And while they're at it, the bars can stay in downtown Columbus as well.



It was surprising to see even some military veterans are opposed to this Talbot County care center. One of them said the center is for veterans, but "it's not for Box Springs." So is there any space left around West Central Georgia Regional Hospital?



E-MAIL UPDATE: Monday's InBox had a few media items, which have readers asking questions:



Have you noticed the word "Saturday" is "Saterday" in the Carl Gregory Honda commercial..Have I been spelling it wrong all my life?



No, your spelling of Saturday seems to be correct. My computer SpellCheck agrees with you. Maybe the people who made the commercial paid more attention to that tiny fine print at the bottom of the screen.



Now from television to movies....



I know I must be losing it now, A new "Rocky" movie is coming out.



IS this the revenge of AARP.



It very well could be - especially if the round cards carried around the boxing ring have the American Association of Retired Persons' logo on them. Product placement is very important, you know.



This movie series DOES seem to be showing its age. Have you noticed the upcoming film is titled "Rocky Balboa"? It's like they've forgotten how many Roman numerals they used before.



Now for some newer (or maybe just about as new) items, from the Monday news:


+ Advance voting opened for next week's Georgia runoff. With only two local races and one state race on the ballot, the Columbus Public Library polling place should stay about as quiet as usual.



+ Muscogee County School Superintendent John Phillips told WRBL he's going to Washington today to ask Congress for more than 200 million dollars. If anyone in Columbus is happy to see big-spending Democrats take control of Congress, it's this man.



+ Uptown Columbus announced Broadway is now fully open to cars, from 10th to 14th Streets. But there's still some "Streetscape" work to do on sidewalks in the 1000 block - so joggers such as me still are at risk of tripping over bulldozers.



+ Harris County Sheriff Mike Jolley told WRBL deer collisions are up 62 percent this month, compared with last November. If this trend continues, I may actually go buy a shotgun and settle this myself.



+ The University of Alabama fired head football coach Mike Shula. Athletic Director Mal Moore promised to find a "proven" coach with "a winning record." I think Mike Price still qualifies, at Texas-El Paso....



(As Mike Shula was fired, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution projected Alabama will play in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis. Shouldn't there be a law about this? If your coach gets shown the door, you can't play ball any more.)



+ The indoor football Columbus Lions signed former Fort Valley State player Joe Kegler. I'm surprised he played at a small college - because with a name like "Kegler," you'd think he would go bowling at least once.



+ Instant Message to William Howell of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition: It's been three months since you made that big challenge to the mayoral candidates about settling the Kenneth Walker case [27 Aug]. Are you finally ready to endorse somebody -- three weeks after the election?



SONG OF THE DAY: November is National Hospice Month. So instead of wishing you a Merry Christmas, here's what we'll do....



We wish you a happy hospice!


We wish you a happy hospice!


We wish you a happy hospice -


And may you get well soon!



Full payment we wish, from the Medicare plan.


Full payment for treatment, until you get well soon!



Today's main item was the result of a blog reader's tip. To offer a story tip, advertise to our readers or comment on this blog, write me - but be warned, I may post your e-mail comment and offer a reply.



BURKARD BULK MAIL INDEX: 3806 (+ 101, 2.7%)



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