The retirement of Rep. Newt Gingrich opened the door for Republican stalwart Johnny Isakson, and the media has conceded the field to Johnny. Apparently, the Democratic Party in Georgia is reading Johnny's press clippings and has given in without a fight. I believe this approach sends the wrong message to voters wanting to rebuild the Democratic Party in Georgia. This strategy abandons Democratic voters in the 6^th District and forces them to consider voting Republican. Bad idea!

My great grandfather Rev. Burl Lee always preached "Without God as an alternative, the devil would look pretty good." Put more directly, you can not beat something with nothing. Winning or losing is not at issue here. This is an opportunity to make our case on education, Social Security, the 2000 census, prison reform, juvenile justice, healthcare, reproductive freedom, affirmative action and other quality of life issues. Furthermore, the campaign could reflect the President's legislative agenda.

Giving Republicans a free pass in a tough fight does not instill confidence. Ducking Johnny, because he is a media darling, will do serious damage to the party's image in the South. Black women in this area offer the Democrats an opportunity to put forth a unity candidate. There are several excellent community leaders on which to build a progressive candidacy. All will do an admirable job representing the interest of blacks, women, and democrats.

Such a candidacy would be capable of making Republicans show their hand before they are ready. When Republicans look good in a race , usually it is because they do not have very good opposition. The Coverdell race is a good example. With redistricting coming after "Count 2000," such a move could make it much more difficult for Republicans to carve safe districts. Democrats need to look at their game plan while they are reshaping it.

Other Essays by John Burl Smith

Busy slapping backs and patting black politicians on the head in gratitude for the November victory, the Georgia Democratic Party (GDP) reminds me of the Dixiecrats of the 1940s and 50s. Then as now, blacks delivered votes to white politicians, who believe having the opportunity to vote for them is reward enough. The GDP acts as if public pronouncements to placate black politicians will wash away centuries of discrimination. Accordingly, the GDP refuses to consider a black policy agenda. For black democrats, at the GDP the lights are on, but there is no answer when we knock.

Grassroots street efforts produced the massive vote for Democrats, the largest percentage in the nation. For such an effort, even Dixiecrats were more generous. If Mr. Worley and the GDP represent fairness, justice and equality, he will join African Americans' effort to remove the ultimate symbol of racism from the Georgia State flag. Those who still believe in "segregation forever" voted for Milner and Skandalakas.

An Angel wrote:

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.

To handle yourself, use your head;

To handle others, use your heart.

Anger is only one letter short of danger.

If someone betrays you once, it's his fault;

if he betrays you twice, it's your fault.

Great minds discuss ideas;

Average minds discuss events;

Small minds discuss people.

God gives every bird its food,

But He does not throw it into its nest.

He who loses money, loses much;

He who loses a friend, loses more;

He who loses faith, loses all.

Beautiful young people are acts of nature,

But beautiful old people are works of art.

Learn from the mistakes of others.

You can't live long enough to make them all

yourself.

The tongue weighs practically nothing,

But so few people can hold it.

Friends, you and me...you brought another friend...

and then there were 3...we started our group...

Our circle of friends..and like that circle...

there is no beginning or end..

* . (\ *** /) * . *

* . * ( \ (_) / ) * Guardian Angel *

. . (_/ | | \_) . * .

. * . / |_| \ * . . *

Here is an angel sent to watch over you...In order for the angel to work, you must pass this on to the people you want watched over...

About Me: Author Unknown

The DISH received this poem via email; its author is unknown. Included with the poem, Cgreen@benserv.com wrote "Have a fruitful and prosperous New Year and don't forget the man upstairs, try to give him more of your time in the coming year. Thanks to all of my friends for a most memorable year. Hope to share more good memories in 1999. Be blessed." Venue

The Dark Knight-Batman/White Ninja/Zorro says: "I have a dream. My dream is for all people to live in peace. Love not hate. Bat Cave

Governor Roy Barnes is a man of vision. His inaugural address showed a real understanding of the need to bring people in our state together for the sake of our children in the twenty-first century. The DISH supports the governor's efforts to make this a better place for our children.

To that end, The DISH is urging the governor to encourage the state legislature to change the state flag. Pick up the fight where former governor Zell Miller left off. Get rid of the Confederate battle emblem. Georgia's prospects for becoming the "capital for the new century" are significantly diminished by flying the divisive symbol. Truth be told, many in the governor's diverse coalition view the Confederate flag much as they did signs saying "Coloreds" on bathrooms and water fountains during Jim Crowism.

Ridding the state of its racist symbols will be a big first step in bringing all the people of this great state together to build a better Georgia for all children.

Rebound

by Yohannes Sharriff Smith

Paint your face with a thousand colors

Could I capture the grace? Where to begin?

In, thru and beneath the deep. She be jazz.

A quiet blue funk thunder

Nervously churning under the burning

Happening just below the surface.

Stir this with a slow spoon because its thick.

Intense and mysterious. I want to cry!

So frightened by this. Will I drown...will I die.

She wants to know me. What's behind the mask?

I ask myself this often...

Incense, candles and eye contact

I'm on the rebound.

She whispers, "I can taste you.

Your words on the tip of my tongue."

The friendly yet noisy neighbor has left

We are alone again in this time, in this space

You are magic. You daisy on a summer's day.

I can see forever in a moment

And, with a touch...Breathless. Intuit

"The main reason I got out of the Navy was because of the very obvious discrimination that is still going on there. It is still segregated; the most obvious way to see it is in the uniforms. E-6 and below get dungarees, while E7s and officers get khakis. The evaluation process is another example of how institutionalized racism is used within the government. Minorities consistently get lower evaluations while white boys get higher therefore getting advanced faster. We need a law making racism and discrimination a punishable offense, then maybe it will stop; otherwise, people don't give a damn about anyone but themselves.

My co-worker at the post office is wondering whether he should attend his daughter's wedding because his future son-in-law is black. He stated that his family would not attend the wedding. He claims that the black guy is garbage. My co-worker should attend the wedding to respect his daughter, even though he doesn't like the guy. If the guy had been white and garbage he would be there with bells and tails. This is a really sad situation because the racism he practices at home he takes it with him to work.

We are actually going backwards in our fight for equality. Segregation is strong and is being practiced openly in America and nobody who is in power cares enough to do something about it. WHY? It doesn't affect them. So, white senators don't give a shit about racism because it doesn't affect them because they love white privilege." Email: VIRGOWHITE.MJW@worldnet.att.net

"Most people would have been fired for politicizing the workplace like that. The racism seems to be coming from you. Wasn't very smart on your part." Email: efreda@ajc.com

 "Maybe not smart for apologists, wannabees and jigaboos, but honest. I am inclined to believe the latter is a more desirable trait to possess. How was I racist for describing what happens to be true? Ignoring racism is far more dangerous and dumber than speaking out about it. I include mail comments in The DISH mailbox. Do you have a problem with your comments appearing in it? Let me know"

efreda@ajc.com replied: "Yes, I think I do have a problem with it. And would you also kindly remove me from your e-mail distribution list. Appreciate it."

"Institutionalized racism is an important topic addressed by this newsletter. It is alive and well because we don't fight it. My readers need to know there are those in positions to do more who refuse to do so for fear of politicizing the political - the workplace. The prospect of losing a job is more important that a measure of dignity and an ounce of honesty. Your shallow comments will help to show more clearly that those discriminated against are as much to blame for the situation by remaining silent as those who heap on the abuse." Mailbox

On Georgia Power

by Dot Smith

Ever wondered how your utility company computes your monthly bill? What is your local residential wattage rate? Most folks probably do not know what makes up their monthly utility bill. With a proposed increase by Georgia Power in my monthly Budget Billing, I sat down and tried to figure the rate by reviewing my statement. Frustrated, I called Georgia Power Company.

I was told the company uses a two-tier formula for determining residential rates. By using two-tiers, one for summer months the other for winter, Georgia Power can charge different rates for peak and off peak usage. Throughout the year, the company charges a base fee of $7.50. The local sales tax is applied to the entire balance. The formula for winter months is as follows: For1- 650 kilowatts, a rate of .04782 is charged. The next 350 kilowatts are charged a rate of .04104. All usage over 1,000 kilowatts is charged a rate of .0404. Plus, there is a fuel cost recovery fee of .013410 applied to all kilowatts.

My November statement showed usage of 1713 kilowatts. I live in DeKalb County where the local sales tax is 7%. The computation is below.

Base $ 7.50

650 x .04782 31.08

350 x .04104 14.36

(1713-1000)x.0404 28.81

1713x.013410 22.97

_________

Sub-total $ 104.72.

The above subtotal is $.75 less than the $105.47 sub-total billed. A company representative assured me the difference was due to an erroneous fuel cost recovery rate; the correct rate is .013976. This rate applied to my 1713 kilowatt usage yielded 23.84 for a subtotal of $105.69, which is slightly more than the amount billed. Asked about the difference, the GP representative said it represented economy sales give back to Georgia Power customers. She could not provide a percentage on which to compute it, but the economy sales give back saved me twenty-two cents.

Suspicious about a Georgia Power give back program, I called the Budget Billing Department; Mr. Bates knew nothing about it. However, he assured me .013944 is the correct fuel cost recovery rate, since it has not changed in several years. This rate times the 1713 kilowatt usage equals $23.89 for a subtotal of $105.64. I can only assume the economy sales give back is really seventeen cents. If you can figure out your utility bill or know about the economy sales give back let me know. This Georgia Power bill has got me stumped.

Is the Public Service Commission really serious about bringing utility rates in line with the prevailing energy market conditions? That's a good question in light of the commission's recent decision that pretty much puts the power company in the driver's seat.

If the Commission really regulates Georgia Power, The DISH hopes the PSC will look at the company's two-tier billing system. A customer's bill should not be so difficult to compute that even the company's service reps can not figure it out. DISHing It Up Hot!

This section included comments on a Tommy Hilfiger appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show. The author of the piece heard it on urban contemporary radio and read about it on the Internet. It was all a rumor. This is a DISH retraction....

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