With apologies to Gregory Peck et al for the post title.

So gun ownership has been the law in Kennesaw (save for the Constitutionality of conscientious objectors and various other loophooles) for 25 years now.

After doing some perfunctory and fairly superficial research, it seems like the law is really more of a symbolic act than a legislative one. Here’s a choice quote from the above link:

Among those exempt are residents “who conscientiously oppose maintaining firearms as a result of beliefs or religious doctrine.” Others exempt include the physically and mentally disabled, paupers and those convicted of a felony.

The law contains no clause addressing punishment for violating the law. If convicted, City Clerk Diane Coker said punishment would be determined by the general penalty clause of the Kennesaw Code Ordinance – probably a fine of about $100.

So why did Kennesaw enact the law and what has it done. First, it was partially motivated to knock Morton Grove, Illinois, a city that (in)famously banned gun ownership, off the front page. Also, I think there was a real desire at the time to defend the Second Amendment.
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The husband and I were watching the Braves tonight and they mentioned some Auburn University kids who wrote a song about Mark Teixeira. Husband is an Auburn native and graduate, so we had to find the song on YouTube. Not bad for a couple kids sitting on a nasty-looking couch in a crappy college apartment. Turns out that Jeff Francoeur found their video on YouTube (shouldn’t he be practicing or something?), and then somehow the Braves PR department got a hold of it. The Auburn boys were invited to play it at Turner Field. Unfortunately, I can’t find out when or where. Might just be in the Braves live studio there at the field.

Know what rhymes with Mark Teixeira? “Probly marr-ya.” “Mass hysteria.” Stuff like that.

We already set the Tivo up to record it.

well the internet is all ablaze with reaction to an ajc story about former senator sam nunn running for president. according to the piece:

In an hourlong interview, in his small office on Marietta Street on the edge of the Georgia Tech campus, Nunn acknowledged that he — like former Georgia congressman Newt Gingrich — is considering a run for the White House next year.

But unlike Gingrich, Nunn would run outside the traditional two-party structure.

“It’s a possibility, not a probability,” said Nunn, now the head of a nonprofit organization out to reduce the threat posed by nuclear, biological and chemical weaponry. “My own thinking is, it may be a time for the country to say, ‘Timeout. The two-party system has served us well, historically, but it’s not serving us now.'”

The 68-year-old former senator, still considered one of the foremost experts on national security, confirmed that he’s discussed a presidential run as part of several conversations with Michael Bloomberg, the New York mayor.

over at msnbc’s first read they seem to suggest nunn may be mulling a bid primarily to gain attention for non-proliferation.

otb’s james joyner suggests nunn may be a candidate moderate republicans could get behind.

and jonathan singer suggests that nunn’s primary role would be to take democratic votes away if he won.

my bigger question is, i wonder if sam nunn could carry georgia?

Michael
Vick
Pleads
Guilty

Anyone else ready to move on?

When do the Falcons play a meaningful, non-preseason game?

Are you tired of those that want Michael to be the “Vick-tim” (groan)?

Not me personally, but many folks in the metro area have signs or window-clings or magnets affixed to their car proclaiming this exact message.

One in particular – Susan Edwards – has an LED sign built into the border surrounding her license plate.

True story. Swear to God.

I only wish I’d had a camera to capture stills or video, because the thing nearly caused several accidents from folks reading her helpful message of salesmanship (myself included).

Anyone else seen any head-turning, stomach-churning tactics by the Realtor set this Summer? Leave a comment.

As a father of a pre-schooler, I’ve eaten my fair share of birthday party cupcakes.

Store bought or homemade, dry or moist and mounded with frosting, chocolate or vanilla, I think I’ve sample them all. That is until I had a stellar cupcake yesterday; simply amazing.

There were cupcakes in the breakroom in the early afternoon following a lunch meeting elsewhere on my floor. Being the sneaky, secret eater that I am (and unable to resist baked goods), I tried what I now know to be a “coconut!” cupcake from Atlanta Cupcake Factory.

I don’t spend much time in Poncey Highlands (or special order cupcakes for that matter) but I’d make an exception in this case.

The cupcake I had was fresh, moist and real. None of the too-airy whipped frosting or thick, heavy bulk of some of the Publix cupcakes we usually eat.

This cupcake had a cream-cheesey, almond-tinged frosting and a pile of coconut shavings that would make a pina colada envious. Despite looking reasonably tidy, it was just as much a bear to eat as one of those overblown pastry monstrosities in neon colors I’ve eaten with a paper hat on my head.

There cupcakes are made to order, but if you’re salivating, you can get them at MetroFresh in Midtown. I know where I’ll be desserting on Friday afternoon.

Forget Number 25* and his (now) 758*, I’m talking about Bobby Cox’s new gold standard of 132 ejections as a manager.

Way to go, Bobby. It fired up the boys last night as they kept pace with the Mets and Phillies.

Is anyone else getting concerned, though. It’s mid August and our post-All-Star surge has never really materialized.

Sure we’ve got Teixeira and we’ve had no trouble scoring runs, but outside of Smotlz and Hudson, name another starter you trust.

And the bullpen is just as questionable, with Wickman looking more and more like David Wells (in physique) every day.

I don’t know about you, but I’m still not sold on the fact that the Braves can pull it together and make the post season. Much like Mulder (Fox, not Mark), I want to believe.

Let me know what you think.

Oh, and if you’re not already a regular reader of Rowland’s Office, become one.

Yesterday I blogged about the American Idol try outs, today I bring you Soap Star try outs. That’s right. It’s mutating. Soon we won’t have “real” lives at all, we’ll each be trapped in our own reality show – mine will highlight my lack of coordination skills and ability to trip over a 4inch curb in a single bound.

For those of you having a hard time making out the print in the picture I snapped @ Atlantic Station yesterday, the 411:
Location: Atlantic Station
Date: August 18
Time: 10am – 2pm

If you or someone you know is going to give this a whirl, be sure to let us know. I’d personally love to hear about it. I’m trying to imagine what the elimination challenges will be like – cry on queue? Laugh on queue? Give your best villain face? I don’t even know, but the idea is numbing my brain.

Many of us have spent at least a fraction of the last six television seasons taking pleasure in watching and giggling at American Idol, where we get to see the best and the worst aspiring singers that America is gracious enough to verp up on to a TV screen.

In past seasons the Atlanta try outs have put through such hopefuls as Diana Degarmo, Tamyra Gray, Bo Bice, RJ Helton, Ejay Day, Kinnik Sky and Vanessa Olivarez not to mention others including our former police chief’s (Eldrin Bell) son – Justin Guarini.

This year promises to be no different. If you think you’ve got what it takes, or you just want to provide fodder for mocking ala William Hung (bless his heart), you’ll need to get your happy hiney down to the Georgia Dome, stat.

On the other hand, if you’ve got a friend/colleague/plumbers cousin’s nephew who’s trying out, be sure to let us know so we can keep our peepers peeled for ’em.

The 411:

Location: Georgia Dome, One Georgia Dome Dr., Atlanta, GA 30313

Lineup/Registration: No one will be allowed to line up prior to 6:00AM, August 12, 2007.

Registration begins August 12, 2007 and continues to the morning of August 14.

Actual Auditions: August 14, 2007 / Approximate Start Time: 8:00AM

Line Up: TBD / Look for the “Front Of Line” banner.

Parking: Various lots around the Georgia Dome that charge various rates. Be prepared to pay for parking each time you park as there are no in or out privileges in any lot. Park at your own risk. Georgia Dome rates are as follows (subject to change without notice): Red Deck: $10 / Green Lot: $8 / Orange Lot: $10 / Blue Lot: $8 / Gold Deck: $10.

Driving east in the morning, against the traffic on Dekalb Avenue in Inman Park, I saw it two or three times before it got painted over. One day it was a purple stanza on the towering concrete pylon of the MARTA line, the next is was a patch of pristine tan acrylic paint.

The first day, I used it as a crutch, that stanza, holding up small talk all around the office. This is what I told everyone it said:

Threatening the space-time
is bullshit

The second time I saw it, I realized I’d read it wrong. It wasn’t a statement of metaphysical philosophy, shouted in paint in a real American forum. It was a burst of self-celebratory hyperbole, posted like a warning. This is what is really said:

Threatening the space-time
bullshit

One time, it was there. Now it’s not. It’s the little things.