24 NOV 08: PICKED-UP SIX

Instant Message to Ruth Ann's Restaurant downtown: Did I read the sign correctly - you had "special holiday hours" this past weekend? The weekend BEFORE Thanksgiving? When did SOA Watch weekend become a holiday?

The big SOA Watch protest apparently went into overtime Sunday afternoon. The event's web site reports hundreds of people marched beyond the protest zone near the Fort Benning main gate, "into the streets of Columbus, Georgia." On Torch Hill Road, this would be no big deal on a Sunday. On Victory Drive, marching up the hill toward Spencer High School might wear some people out.

SOA Watch counts only six arrests of protesters this year - down from 11 in 2007. What's going on here? Are marchers more concerned these days about oppressed Latin American residents, or keeping their own jobs?

SOA Watch reports the six protesters were NOT arrested for "crossing the line" at the Fort Benning main gate. They marched a half-mile onto post at the Interstate 185 entrance, which was kept open for the weekend. So give these suspects a little credit -- they followed the strategy used in liberating Kuwait.

But Columbus Police told the evening news they've had "very few incidents" involving the SOA Watch protesters. After all, almost all the marchers could afford to travel to Fort Benning - so they're not the ones robbing convenience stores over and over.

The Ledger-Enquirer's photo gallery of Sunday's events includes a picture of a U.S. Army dress uniform, which was left at the Fort Benning fence. I don't know the story behind that outfit. But wouldn't this have been a nice gift to offer someone at God Bless Fort Benning -- or have we concluded peace between these groups never will happen?

A few protesters lingered in Columbus Sunday afternoon, after the big vigil on Fort Benning Road. I passed a few during an afternoon jog on the Riverwalk. You could spot them by the "peace" messages they wore - but no, they did NOT plant a secondary set of backup crosses around the Trade Center.

One of the protesters spotted by WRBL was the Kentucky woman who was ordained as a priest in August -- the woman who has put SOA Watch founder Roy Bourgeois at the brink of excommunication. So far there's no sign that they plan to borrow from Britain in the 1930's. You know, the king who gave up his throne for the woman he loved....

So how many protesters showed up at the main gate Sunday? Columbus Police told WRBL there were more than 8,500 people. SOA Watch claims there were "20,000 voices" - and I doubt all those puppetistas were also ventriloquists or impressionists.

That final number from SOA Watch matters to some extent, because God Bless Fort Benning estimated its crowd this year at 10,000. Some people want to know if the pro-military group outnumbered the "pro-peace" group -- which is a bit strange, when you consider the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation claims to be on both of them.

SOA Watch organizers didn't drop any hints about how their weekend balloting turned out, on moving the vigil from Columbus to Washington in 2010. A meeting in February reportedly will decide that. It may come down to the Convention and Visitors Bureau -- and whether it wants more motels to open, or several to shut down.

-> How is our poker playing going? Check the math we did at our other blog, "On the Flop!" <--

E-MAIL UPDATE: We officially stopped Hurtsboro Mondays long ago, but we've been meaning to get to this latest message....

"Sir" Richard:

Your "Tickler" about Monday mornings BLOG piqued my interest! Only you and your readers can surmise whether things are better or worse in "Hurt'sboro." But rather than rely on your ability to read between the lines; I'm attatching my latest correspondence with his honor. Perhaps we can interest him in a bit of blogging with you. He doesn't seem to be as reclusive as the "Mare" was during her tenure.

Constable R.J. Schweiger

The outgoing constable attached a letter in which he disagrees with Mayor Rayford Tapley selecting a new police chief, before hiring officers. Robert Schweiger wants the officers hired before the chief -- or even better, he wants the police eliminated completely, along with the Municipal Court. If you can't abolish Hurtsboro at once, eliminate it one step at a time....

But Robert Schweiger actually compliments the Hurtsboro Mayor, for calling for an audit of city records. And he says Rayford Tapley is "wise" for having an attorney present at upcoming City Council meetings. Of course, that means any outbursts from frustrated citizens could lead to the immediate filing of criminal charges.

Since this IS The Blog of Columbus and not Hurtsboro, our work to verify various Columbus stories (along with other tasks) has taken top priority in recent days. We finally left another message at the Town Hall Friday to talk with Mayor Tapley, but it was not returned as of Sunday night. Don't worry, Mr. Mayor - we do NOT plan another surprise trip to town for Thanksgiving this year.

But in an interesting twist, the young woman who talked with us at Hurtsboro's Town Hall asked for our blog e-mail address. City officials seem interested in sending their own items to us. We'll be happy to receive them -- because while e-mail throwing may be as ugly as mud-throwing, at least local workers don't have to clean up the damage.

Let's see what else popped into our mind Sunday:

+ Georgia School Superintendent Kathy Cox announced she and her husband have filed for bankruptcy protection. In a related note, the CRCT exams for mathematics may need some adjustments next year....

(Kathy Cox and her husband could have added much more to their assets column. But she donated the million dollars she won on "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader" to Georgia schools. Would any recent Georgia Lottery winners like to return the favor?)

+ The Smiths Station High School marching band left for Philadelphia, to march in a parade on Thanksgiving Day. Band members reportedly had to go through some training, because the parade route is two miles long. Teenagers who aren't on the track team simply don't walk that far non-stop these days.

+ The Atlanta Falcons crushed Carolina 45-28. But Atlanta's Harry Douglas received a penalty for taunting the punter, as he returned a kick for a touchdown. If he's not careful, someone will call Athens and recommend him for the Big Harry Dawg-House.

+ The Columbus Crew won the Major League Soccer championship, with a 3-1 win over New York. We congratulate the.... what?! Oh, I know - it's that OTHER Columbus. But our city has won three minor league sports titles in the last 12 years to their none, so Ohio needs some encouragement.

The number of unique visitors to our blog is up 32 percent from last year. To advertise to them, offer a story tip, make a PayPal donation 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: 925 (- 38, 3.9%)

The views expressed in this blog are solely those of the author -- not necessarily those of anyone else in Columbus living or dead, and perhaps not even you.

© 2003-08 Richard Burkard, all rights reserved.