Brambleman

5-Star Review of Brambleman: Neil Gaiman meets Flannery O’Connor

Here’ s a review of Brambleman by G.D. Brennan, a Chicago author who gives it five stars. I’m flattered, of course, and I’m especially gratified when a reader gets out of the book what I was certain I put into it. Brennan’s observation echoes my feelings. When I was pitching the book, I said, “Imagine Neil Gaiman and Joseph Heller collaborating on To KIll a Mockingbird.” Close enough, G.D. To see the original review, click here. To purchase a copy of Brambleman, click here. G.D. Brenna writes: Imagine Neil Gaiman and Flannery O’Connor collaborating on a story about the legacy of a true-life ethnic cleansing in rural Georgia. Better yet, imagine that story being told by someone with both of those…

Gov. Deal Appoints Tricia Pridemore to Georgia Public Service Commission

UPDATE: Tricia Pridemore has a Republican challenger, John Hitchins III, who repsonded to this post: “Well, she does have an opponent now in the primary. A true Conservative who doesn’t approve of the current Republican way of cozying up with utility companies. One who believes in energy choice and the free market to decide what is best for Georgia citizens. One who has ZERO alligience to big business and will work to end the corporate welfare that the current PSC has established. I may not be known in political circles, I may be a long shot, but I believe it is time to hold these cronies accountable. My name is John Hitchins and I am running for PSC 5th district.” (The Swamp,…

Environmentalist candidate John Noel says “Bye Bye” with fundraiser as PSC Chair Stan Wise rides off into the Swamp

Over his 23 years in office, Public Service Commission Chairman Stan “Swamp Thing” Wise taught Georgians the Cobb County way by shoving Georgia Power’s Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4 down the state’s throat. If you’ve been a Cobb EMC customer or noticed how the Braves stadium deal came to pass, you know what I’m talking about: A good old boy network colludes with corporate interests to screw the public. And while Cobb EMC’s former manager faces dozens of racketeering charges, consumers will never get their money back. And the same goes for Vogtle, which may or may not be completed. Today was Wise’s last day on the job. During his final meeting today, a colleague read from a Senate Resolution honoring…

Huey Long: America’s most famous Public Service Commissioner

Huey Long, the “Kingfish” of Louisiana in the 1920s and 1930s was a skilled and shameless politician who had a plan to win the presidency of the United States, if he hadn’t been gunned down by an assassin in 1936 (or his own bodyguards, depending on who’s telling the story). He’s a fascinating character. The definitive biography of Huey Long was written by T. Harry Williams. An excellent read, but no longer in print, but if you’re a student of Southern history and ever see a copy, snatch it up. I won’t try to tell his story here, but let’s just say he was equal parts corrupt and brilliant, financing his campaigns through deductions from state employees’ paychecks. It’s said that he’d…

Georgia Voter Guide is here

A lot of people put a lot of work into this, and I got to watch! Click to check it out! The 2018 Midterm Project: Voter Guide Georgia Trending Purple

Solar-powered Georgia PSC candidate John Noel builds momentum, takes lead in cash on hand

When looking at Georgia Public Service Commission races, it’s no surprise to see utility money flowing into GOP incumbents’ coffers. It’s the way they play the game. The shocker this year is that environmentalist John Noel—who is definitely not counting on utility support in his bid to unseat Chuck Eaton—has the most cash on hand of any candidate, Democrat or Republican. With only three months to go before the primary, this should be especially alarming to the competition. Not only that, but the news follows a whirlwind day in Athens for Noel that included a half-dozen media interviews and an enthusiastic response to his message: Ruth Pannill, president of Young Democrats of UGA, saw Noel speak at the Athens-Clarke County Democrats meeting…

Brambleman

Georgia politics, history, and other stuff