This evening, I attended an event in Athens, GA promoting rail transit here here in Georgia. I was fortunate to sit at a table with Jack Crowley (former Dean of the UGA College of Environment and Design) and with the charming and very smart Jim Hightower! And, we ate an incredible meal of locally grown food prepared by a professional chef at the historic Foundry Park Inn Ballroom in Athens, GA.
Mr. Hightower is one of my favorite populists and political commentators. He is a super nice person! I had a great time and there was a very good turnout for his speech after the dinner. (And, even though I live in this blue island of a city in a sea of red, batshit crazy Paul Broun, Jr. is my congessman. SO depressing!) Mr. Hightower lifted my spirits with his wise and humorous speech!
:)
Jim Hightower Monday, Apr. 25 @ the Melting Point
Tired of being slapped around by the Radical Right? Mad as hell that you had to pay more taxes while GE paid none? Doubting whether it’s even worth getting so upset because the big bastards have enough money to control everything anyway, and what’s the use? Wondering why the Tea Party is more colorful than the drab, disorganized Democrats? Depressed over being a constituent of Congressman Paul Broun, Junior?
Despair no longer. Get yo’ yellow-dog ass down to the Melting Point at 7 p.m. Monday, Apr. 25 for a surefire inoculation against Republican hoof and mouth disease, delivered by former Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Jim Hightower. For decades Hightower has been mixing his acerbic populism with down-home humor to skewer the privileged classes and stand up for working families, small businesses and the 80 percent of Americans who find themselves shut out of an economic and political process dominated by big money.
Hightower has the fiery populist zeal to confront the Big Lie promulgated by the right wing and financed by big bucks. He hurls truth into the teeth of power and has fun doing it. He knows government, and he knows how to highlight what’s going on behind the scenes to pump up the rich and powerful at the out-of-pocket expense of everyday Americans.
You’ve read his newspaper columns (in Flagpole, too, back in the day). You’ve heard him on the radio, seen him on TV, read some of his seven books (Thieves in High Places: They’ve Stolen Our Country and It’s Time to Take It Back). You are guaranteed to laugh a lot and have a good time and come away reinvigorated and energized by “America’s Most Popular Populist.”
http://flagpole.com/Weekly/CalendarPick/JimHightower-20Apr11Athens, GA – "Rebuild Georgia Railroads -- 4/25/2011
5:00pm - 8:00pm
Foundry Park Inn Ballroom and The Melting Point 295 East Dougherty Street Athens, GA 30601
Rail Advocates Announce "Rebuild Georgia Railroad" Events in Athens, GA
Jim Hightower to Speak at 7pm inside The Melting Point
Public Forum at 6pm inside the Melting Point
Volunteer Work Session at 5pm inside the Foundry Inn Ballroom
Athens, GA- Freight and passenger rail supporters have set a series of events to push for rebuilding railroads in Northeast Georgia and across the state. Public demand for high speed rail is on the rise due to increased environmental awareness and high gas prices. Productive engagement countering the status quo of unsustainable transportation will be at the top of the agenda.
"We envision a world where our economic reality is no longer predetermined by the price on a barrel of oil.", says Carlton Segrest, chairman of TSPLOST 2012, a state political committee dedicated to regional funding of rail projects in the state of Georgia. "Delaying sustainable transportation will only drive up the cost of living while continuing to take a toll on families already battered by the current financial crisis."
Rail advocates believe a vital, policy-centered public dialogue is critical in a state stymied by traffic jams and high fuel cost.
"How much longer can GA families afford to pay $4 dollars for a gallon of gas?", says Russell Edwards, discussion leader of the public forum scheduled as part of the days events. "The time to fight for passenger rail is now."
Jim Hightower- a noted populist, consumer advocate and political humorist- will be the featured speaker at the 7pm "Hightower Hour" hosted by Tim Bryant, a radio news director and local talk show host.
Russell Edwards will lead a 6pm public forum featuring Gordon Kenna and Jack Crowley. Kenna is one of Georgia's leading high speed rail advocates. Crowley is a rail planner and professor at the University of Georgia's College of Environment and Design.
Carlton Segrest will conduct a 5pm work session for volunteers inside the Foundry Inn Ballroom.
Volunteers will receive priority seating at the public forum "Hightower Hour" hosted by Tim Bryant. Foundry Inn Executive Chef Martin Smetana will prepare a meal for the volunteers made from local produce, breads, meats and cheese.
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http://www.jimhightower.com/node/7430
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