From You
Socialism (n.)
originally published January 24, 2007
In response to Kelly Girtz and Doug Lowry’s statements included in the “New ACC Commission” article [Jan. 10], I would like to reply that a “socialist revolution” is exactly what is required not only in Athens but the world as a whole. Anti-authoritarian collectivism is the system most likely to truly combat socioeconomic inequality while preserving personal liberty and autonomy. The “progressivism” espoused by both new commissioners serves only to indemnify humanity to a political and economic system that regards humanity as nothing but a source of labor and consumption. Oh well, Athens and the world will remain screwed until the situation either gets bad enough to foment mass risings or the base realities of capitalism and representative (as opposed to direct) democracy become apparent to humanity itself. One way or the other, it’s just a matter of time…
Blanket Drug Testing
originally published January 24, 2007
The Clarke County School District is considering implementing a drug testing policy. Alas, one clause in their proposed policy is unconstitutional. It deals with the blanket testing of all new school system employees. I hope and pray that the blanket clause crept into the proposal not out of any obstinate effort to fight the Supreme Court of the United States and the U.S. Circuit Court in Atlanta, but rather out of misguided good intentions and unintended ignorance of the law.
The law is clear. The case Georgia Association of Educators v. Joe Frank Harris, 1990, came about when the Georgia General Assembly passed a blanket drug testing policy for all new state employees, teachers and University System personnel. The case went before the U.S. Circuit Court, and was decided in favor of the Georgia Association of Educators, and a permanent injunction was granted against the state’s enforcing its law. The decision was based not on the mandatory aspect, but rather on the blanket aspect. The law is clear, established by the U.S. Supreme Court case of Von Daar, 1990. Blanket policies were not legal; there instead had to be a balancing of an individual’s rights to privacy against an employer’s needs. In other words, some jobs could well require testing, such as for bus drivers and those carrying weapons, but blanket testing of all government employees or school teachers was not acceptable to the high court.
Some will object, saying, just as at the hearing of the 1990 case, “Well, private employers like Home Depot can test, so therefore why not governments?” The answer is that the high court ruled such objections are irrelevant, since private employers are not required to obey the Fourth Amendment.
As an ACC taxpayer, I am fearful that $50,000 or $100,000 might easily be squandered in a pointless lawsuit. (If the state of Georgia with its deep pockets and Attorney General Mike Bowers could not prevail, what chance has tiny Clarke County and its meager resources?) As an educator, I am sickened by cuts already in Athens-Clarke’s essential programs in the arts and humanities, and know the money could be better used. As the son of two parents who taught 70 years in the public schools, I find the thought of compulsory blanket micturition testing offensive to my memory of the dignity of their profession and to the dignity of today’s teaching profession. As a citizen hopeful of attracting high-tech industries to our community to expand our tax base, I wince, should such an illegal policy be voted in, at what potential employers will think when reading newspaper publicity as they contemplate bringing their employees and families to our county.
Rude, Dude!
originally published January 24, 2007
“Widespread Panic fans summed up the occasion by uttering a collective ’Dude!’ and heading to the falafel stand.” [Threats & Promises, Jan. 10]
Gordon Lamb: “Rude!”
Was that really necessary, making a stereotypical comment at the end of your blurb about the Philips Arena banner raising? It’s inaccurate, insulting and not even funny. Besides, isn’t this a Widespread Panic-friendly city?
Eastside Crossroads
originally published January 24, 2007
The Eastside Publix is nearing completion, replacing one old strip mall with a new one right behind it. The Banner-Herald has also been talking about a new Target on Lexington Highway. It seems as if the future of the Eastside has been decided, and that future is Atlanta Highway, Part II. It’s too bad, given all the mixed-use stuff that is going on Gaines School Road (Ansonborough, Cedar Pointe, that one across from Hilsman), and the huge Lakewood development. All that intense traffic will make quick work of any attempt at pedestrian life on the Eastside. I’d say we’re at a crossroads. Will Lexington Highway become another seven-lane nightmare, or can we encourage more mixed use, especially with this new Target development? Let’s ask the developers of this new shopping center to give us something that will really add to the unique character of this town.
Saving Grace
originally published January 24, 2007
Just in case your readers would like a second opinion on Saving Grace in Comer [Grub Notes, Jan. 17], I thought I’d write a quick note. Saving Grace, in addition to serving up delicious and nutritious food that is lovingly and skillfully prepared, is serving something even greater.
With vision, skill, honorable intention and grace, they are serving community... by transforming a run-down, out-of-use building into a warm and beautiful space where our community can enjoy great food, live music, and each other’s company. Saving Grace is a jewel, and a blessing to all who know her. Come on out if you will. Peace.
Tipping & Decency
originally published January 24, 2007
I was reading an article about holiday (Christmas) tipping guidelines this morning, thanks to the timely headlines that plow across the top of my Gmail every day. I know it isn’t Christmastime any more, but it did get me thinking, and questioning the rationale of people who do not tip.
You know who you are. You go into a bar, order a bottle of beer or a drink or several of them, and then you put anything from A Big Nothing to a quarter in the tip jar. You build up a $40 tab, and you close it with a dollar on the tip line. I’m sure you have your reasons, and I’ve heard some of them. My favorite is, “All they did was get me a beer/ drink/ etc.” Well, all you have to do is cough up an extra dollar. The drinks are CHEAP in Athens. They are cheap because the service industry relies on your tip money in their flower vase. Go to Atlanta and try to find a drink for less than three dollars. It’s nearly impossible to do so.
The people who are working every night to make sure you don’t lose your ability to party are making LESS THAN MINIMUM WAGE. Every single one of them. Don’t be fooled. And, if they work a shift that covers about five hours, and they take home 10 bucks from a party of 75 people (which averages 13 cents per drink) which has to be split between them and several other employees, the guy who checked your ID, the guy cleaning up at the end of the night, maybe a couple of those guys… you see where this goes. Your bartender ends up taking home less than 20 dollars per night. I’ve fought this fight with a few people, explaining how things are when they don’t tip, and usually the response is, “Well, they can get a different job.” Really? In Athens? If you have lived here for any amount of time, you should know how difficult the market can be for employment. So it isn’t a matter of getting another job, it’s a matter of simple human decency, and I think we’re losing it.
Maybe I’m getting old (yeah, right), but I know this used to be different. I feel like people could, at one point in the not-too-distant past, have a sustainable income from tips and wages earned at a bar or a restaurant. Every year, coinciding with each new class of drinkers, it gets worse. The sense of entitlement this class has gets worse. The way this class treats the service industry gets worse. Yes, your everyday items are getting more expensive, but it is an insult from you to the people who are trying to make your day easier when you plink a dime on a $5 drink. It’s not a question of hurt feelings. It is a question of someone else’s livelihood in your hands, and when you opt out of tipping, you are not doing your job as a society to help anyone out but yourselves.
I want to make it very clear that I have nothing to gain from your tips. I have a different kind of job that allows me to take home a steady paycheck every week. I am paid well for the work I do, and it allows me to be generous at the bar when I go out drinking on the weekend. The reason I am writing is because it makes me sick to see the people in the service industry at the end of the night, wondering how the hell they are going to eat and pay their rent because Johnny No Tip decided that buying Coors Light for his bros was enough. Why would you leave your bartender empty-handed? Why not tip a buck for every glass that’s put in front of you? It’ll keep you from becoming an alcoholic because you won’t be able to afford all the beer you can stomach, but at least you can sleep well knowing you are helping the person in front of you keep a roof over their head and a burrito in their stomach.
Lou Dobbs is always talking about a war on the middle class, which I certainly agree is there. I wish he would touch on the war on the lower class that happens from the children of the rich, because it is alive and well.
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