Southern Bookman

Cautious optimism that Warnock, Ossoff can win in Georgia

I'm beginning to believe that Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff can win their Senate races, despite Democrats' dismal record in Georgia runoff elections.

An alleged GOP feud is encouraging, although the conflict is unlikely to have much effect on Republican voters.

Warnock seems likable in his TV ads, while incumbent Sen. Kelly Loeffler's shrill commercials strike me as ineffective. Sen. David's Perdue's attacks on Ossoff also appear unconvincing. 

But my hopes for Democratic victories have been repeatedly crushed. Michelle Nunn. Jason Carter. Stacey Abrams. A gallery of dismal Senate candidates I can't even remember.

Georgia's Democratic Party over the years has done a good impersonation of the Washington Generals, the team that always got hammered by the Globetrotters.

The national Republican Party is pouring massive resources into Georgia, to reverse Joe Biden's surprising victory in the presidential election. Meanwhile, the Democratic plans are "vague," the AJC reported.

To counter that troubling report of Democratic confusion, national media darling Abrams appears well-organized in registering new voters and generating a strong turnout in the runoff.

Loeffler's Cruella de Ville and Perdue's J.R. Ewing personas violate the old maxim that voters like someone with whom they could have a beer. They epitomize the wealthy's greed and entitlement.

But Georgia's working-class voters, like those across the country, are known for voting against their own economic and social interests.

The attacks on Warnock echo those the forces of segregation made against Martin Luther King Jr., whose Ebenezer Baptist Church Warnock now leads. King was accused of communist ties and seeking to subvert American life. Now Loeffler uses the same playbook against Warnock.

Once again, turnout will be the key. If enough suburban whites join black and other minorities in voting for Warnock and Ossoff, Democrats will gain control of the U.S. Senate.

 

 

Wildfires sending smoke deep into space, WSJ science writer reports

A traveler through space can tell the earth is burning.

Super thunderstorms caused by massive wildfires send smoke clouds miles into the stratosphere, Wall Street Journal science writer Robert Lee Hotz reports in  his Science Journal column Tuesday.

While the long-term effects have not been determined, the smoke blocks sunlight on a planetary scale. The effect is similar to that of a volcano's erupting. Recent massive wildfires, of longer duration and intensity than in the past, are believed caused by climate change.

The Australian wildfires last January sent smoke 21 miles above the earth, Hotz reports. The smoke circled the globe twice before dissipating last April.

Despite such stories by the WSJ's reporters, the Rupert Murdoch-owned newspaper denies the reality of climate change on its editorial pages.

While not as long-lasting as carbon emissions into the atmosphere, wildifire smoke spewing into the stratosphere is an ominous sign of climate change.

As another hurricane stirs in the Gulf of Mexico, the Trump administration announced another final act of desecration, opening oil leasing in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge. The oil companies can stake their claims to the pristine wilderness beginning Jan. 17, three days before the inauguration of Joe Biden. The Biden administration will have a difficult time reversing the action by the climate-denying, fossil fuel-supporting Trump administration.

Trump's plundering last days highlight the importance of the Senate runoff elections in Georgia. Victories by Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff will allow Biden to carry out his program to shift from a fossil fuel economy and eliminate carbon emissions. Republican control of the Senate will allow fossil fuel companies to continue ravaging the planet.

 

Random musings on Veterans Day

One more reason to worry: China's way ahead of the United States in rolling out 5G technology, according to a Wall Street Journal special report.

The Chinese can download a movie in 15 seconds, while it takes an American 15 minutes. Movies are censored in China, however.

China's huge lead in 5G technology seems like a major national security concern. But, as with climate change, there's no sense of urgency.

A strange Veterans Day, on the eve of the Masters beginning. A big story is how Augusta National's fall foliage compares with its usual April azaleas. Will players get a free drop from fallen leaves?

ESPN's College Game Day will broadcast Saturday morning from Augusta National's Par 3 course. Good the gang can talk about golf, with so many football games canceled because of Covid-19.

I never thought America would turn into Belarus. Trump in refusing to accept Joe Biden's election is acting more and more like Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko.

Following Saturday's spontaneous street celebrations of Biden's victory, Americans now need to stage massive protests as the people of Belarus did.

Christmas TV commercials have arrived again. I'm puzzled at car companies recycling last year's ads. Haven't the models changed?

World War I  ended on this day 102 years ago, followed by a global flu epidemic. Now, Covid-19 is resurgent throughout the world.

On this somber day, let's remember those lost to our 21st century pandemic and hope that an effective vaccine arrives soon.

 

 

Georgia hunkers down for Biden

Georgia has at last turned blue, or at least purple.

Clayton County, previously known as the home of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Bulldogs stars Hines Ward and D.J. Shockley, put Joe Biden over the top in overtaking Donald Trump Thursday night.

It appears that Biden will be the first Democratic presidential candidate since Bill Clinton to carry the state.

Also coming from behind to take the lead in Pennsylvania, Biden's closing in on winning the election. Now I'm sure that for the good of the country, Trump will honorably concede. Right.

Watching cable TV's horse-race coverage Tuesday night, I marveled at MSNBC's indefatigable Steve Kornacki, who looks like a cool high school teacher with his nerd glasses, khakis and rumpled shirt with rolled-up sleeves.

Kornacki at his map, juggling numbers in his head from various Pennsylvania and Georgia counties, blended humor, expertise and show-biz. I kept waiting for him to crash, or lose his cool at Rachel Maddow, Brian Williams or Joy Reid, but he kept going, a magician who couldn't be stumped.

Georgia will remain in the national political spotlight with two U.S. Senate runoffs.

Along with Biden's surge in the state, Democratic Senate challenger Jon Ossoff piled up enough votes to force incumbent Sen. David Perdue into a runoff when Perdue fell short of a majority.

A runoff Jan. 9 was already set between incumbent GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler and Democrat Raphael Warnock.

With control of the U.S. Senate hinging on the Georgia Senate outcomes, the state will be a raging political battleground through the holidays. Both parties will hurl tremendous amounts of money at the campaigns, bringing a barrage of TV ads and superstar appearances.

Kornacki better buy a few more pairs of khakis. He'll be a busy man.

 

An ominious turn: United States officially abandons climate change treaty

Overlooked in the chaotic battle for the White House, the United States on the day after the presidential election officially left the Paris climate change agreement.

With millions voting for climate-change denier Donald Trump, the United States abandoned the global commitment to reduce carbon emissions.

Trump announced in July 2017 that the United States would leave the 2015 pact that seeks to limit global temperatures. But the treaty required a three-year waiting period for a country to withdraw.

If Trump takes back the White House, the United States, with 15 percent of global greenhouse emissions, will commit itself further to promoting fossil fuels.

Trump has relentlessly reversed President Obama's climate change efforts, from weakening auto-emissions regulations to promoting the coal and petroleum industries.

He has also begun steps to open petroleum drilling in Alaska's Arctic Wildlife Refuge and other long protected wilderness areas.

Democratic candidate Joe Biden, near a presidential victory, promises to return to the Paris agreement. If Biden is elected, the country would have a month to rejoin the treaty.

Biden calls for a massive effort to make buildings more energy efficient and developing wind and solar power to shift from a carbon-based economy.

The treaty seeks to keep global temperature increases this century to under 2 degrees celsius above pre-industrial averages. It calls for additional efforts to reach a 1.5c threshold.

Climate change has already advanced further than earlier projections, with soaring temperatures, drought, melting arctic ice, fires and hurricanes. Rising ocean levels will threaten coastal nations and cities.

The United States must rejoin the effort to reduce emissions if the world is to have any chance to limit climate change's devastation.

 

 

 

 

 

Nation turns its weary eyes to Georgia

Georgia's at the center of the presidential cliff hanger after years on the margins.

Perhaps the home of the late John Lewis can give Joe Biden his illusive presidency.

As the Fulton County vote counting continues, I wonder if my mailed-in ballot is among those that might put Biden over the top. My vote could even be the decisive one that puts Biden ahead of Trump. 

I checked my ballot’s status and found it was accepted. It’s heartening to believe my vote might make a difference.

The signs look propitious for a Biden win with votes still being counted in several states. But I'm increasingly worried that Trump will snatch victory at the last moment with his dubious legal shenanigans.

Once again, the country's electoral college system bring chaos over democratic order. Like Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden overwhelmingly won the popular vote and should be president. Instead, the country has to undergo prolonged uncertainty.

 

 

Another Democratic horror show

Tuesday night felt like a horror movie sequel in which the monster comes back.

What a dismal night for the Democratic Party. Even if Joe Biden does eke out an Electoral College victory, his presidency will be crippled by the GOP-controlled Senate. Rather than building their House majority, the Democrats treaded water, losing six members.

The GOP's rogue gallery marched on, invincible to Democratic attacks. Oceans of money, ridicule and ethical censure failed to defeat Mitch McConnell, Lindsay Graham, John Cornyn, Kelly Loeffler, David Perdue and Joni Ernst. Even embattled Susan Collins sailed to victory in Maine.

Even if Biden claims victory Wednesday, Donald Trump will do everything to hold on to the presidency. Legal precedent and federal law favor Biden, but this Supreme Court cares little for that. Trump like the Godfather will demand repayment from his Supreme Court appointees.

But maybe the so-called justices will rule in favor of American democracy, and the principle that every vote counts.

Lincoln appealed to "the better angels of our nature." Trump appeals to our worst traits. Trumpism is now a primary force in American politics.

But hey, the sun rose this morning. Autumn's in the air. I heard a song when I took a walk. Carpenters were working on houses down the street.

Through the years, I've seen the political pendulum swing back and forth many times. Happy days will come again.

 

 

 

 

Democrats look for surge in Georgia

Democrats hope that Georgia's blue wave arrives at last.

Joe Biden's chances look better and better in Georgia, forcing Donald Trump into late campaign appearances in the state.

Democratic candidates glimpse victory in the state's two U.S. Senate races. And the party appears on the cusp of retaking the House in the Georgia Legislature.

Former state Rep. Stacey Abrams, who fell short of a runoff against GOP Gov. Brian Kemp in the 2018 gubernatorial race, expressed optimism in an appearance on Chris Hayes' MSNBC show Monday night for a Democratic breakthrough.

To her credit, Abrams has led efforts to register and galvanize the state's new voters, most of them members of minorities who support Democrats.

The state has added 4 million new voters since 2016, according to a report by the New Yorker's Charles Bethea on the party's improved prospects in Georgia.

Forgotten as Democratic odds increase is Jim Martin's U.S. Senate campaign in 2008, in which he took incumbent Saxby Chambliss to a runoff, without the national support that Abrams and other Democratic candidates have received in subsequent years.

As with Abrams' bitter loss to Kemp, Democratic hopes have been crushed several times in statewide races. Kemp ran for governor while he was still Georgia's secretary of state, using that position to suppress black votes.

According to Bethea and others, many black voters are going to the polls for the first time this year, and record-setting early voting favors Democrats. Long lines have not dampened the turnout.

With Democratic candidates gaining in the state's two U.S. Senate races, the party is optimistic at reversing a long string of losses in state races. Georgia has two Senate elections because of the retirement of U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, one of the GOP's last moderates. A double win in Georgia might carry Democrats to control of the U.S. Senate.

In the campaign for Isakson's seat, Raphael Warnock, pastor of Martin Luther King's Ebenezer Street Baptist Church, is a more appealing candidate than the Republicans' ghoulish Doug Collins and Kelly "Atilla the Hun" Loeffler.

Warnock gave the eulogy for the late civil rights leader John Lewis, and has received endorsements from Barack Obama and other Democratic heavyweights.

With overwhelming campaign contributions, he's run a positive TV ad campaign, while his GOP opponents have been drawn to attacking each other, giving no attention to Warnock.

Democrats fear that the hapless campaign of Matthew Lieberman, Joe's son, might derail Warnock's chances of gathering enough votes in the race's so-called jungle primary to prevent a runoff.

Republican voters likely will close ranks in a runoff despite the Loeffler-Collins mud fight. Republican turnout would be galvanized if GOP control of the Senate hinges on the runoff outcome.

In the other race, 33-year-old Jon Ossoff has thrown a scare into incumbent U.S. Sen. David Perdue, whose main accomplishment in his first term was total fealty to Donald Trump. Polls indicate Ossoff is tied with Perdue, who backed out of his final debate with his quick-witted opponent.

The sixth congressional race between incumbent Lucy McBath and GOP retread Karen Handel is also drawing national attention. McBath beat Handel two years ago in the Democratic wave to gain control of the U.S. House. Lost by Ossoff to Handel four years ago, the sixth is one of those suburban battlegrounds undergoing rapid demographic change.

A couple of other Democratic candidates appear in good condition to take congressional seats.

Roy Barnes, the state's last Democratic governor, told Bethea that he sees signs of a Democratic surge. That would represent a wonderful late-life gift for 96-year-old former President Jimmy Carter and former U.S. Sens. Sam Nunn and Max Clelland. They and other Democratic heroes are primed to celebrate after years in the political wilderness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

America's day of decision arrives

America's day of reckoning is almost here.

I mailed in my ballot weeks ago, but will miss voting today with my fellow citizens. For years, I saw election day as a festive civic ritual, no matter which candidate won. But Donald Trump, who openly condones violence, has turned celebration into dread.

The United States has experienced voter intimidation through the years. But the country after the civil rights movement had reached an era of free expression of citizenship through voting. Then the Roberts Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act, and the GOP, the party of the Great Emancipator, suppressed minority voting rights.

Some of my friends say they'll leave the country if Trump wins. A Trump victory would be a calamity for the nation and the world, but I know I'll never leave. We've come too far through the years to give up now. No matter what happens, we'll keep striving for a more perfect union.

 

Looking for hope as election day looms

Halloween came early with Amy Coney Barrett's seizure of a Supreme Court seat.

I'm trying to raise my hopes that my worst fears won't be realized. But I'm finding it difficult.

Perhaps we can go to the moon - they've found water on sunlit areas there. But just molecules, not ice or liquid. Doesn't sound like much of a beach.

Joe Biden's lead in the presidential race is encouraging, but Barrett's presence increases my paranoia that Trump can steal the election through a Supreme Court-engineered coup.

I'm also optimistic about the Democrats taking control of the Senate, passing legislation to reverse the reactionary court's bad decisions. But I remain uneasy.

Those long lines in early voting boost my faith in American democracy.

I hope the republic prevails.