Webmaster's Note: This commentary is in response to Maria Supporta's AJC article on Atlanta's efforts to 'brand' itself and remake its image.

As one of many who worked unofficially in the late fifties and early sixties toward the growth and development of Atlanta, I feel compelled to speak out on the subject of the current effort to develop a 'marketable brand' for Atlanta.

Reading the Atlanta Journal Constitution article by Maria Supporta describing the new effort causes me to ponder how the same usual suspects (the Metro Atlanta Chamber and their politician puppets) that got Atlanta into such a poor public perception has any hope of achieving the new directions so badly needed.

They collectively over the years have accomplished several undeniable feats. They have spent a lot of taxpayer money developing a reputation as the national center for homosexual celebrations. They have advanced the theory that the real history of Atlanta needs censoring and a new P.C. "history" is required to replace it. Then there's one of the leading social and cultural events, the now world-famous celebration honoring pimps and ho's. In efforts to be "inclusive" and "sensitive" they have molded Atlanta into the crime and vice capital of the South, the southern Sodom and Gamorrah.

This is the same group that espouses the philosophy that "Atlanta is Georgia," therefore, Georgia must fund the costs of replacing infrastructure (like sewers) the citizens and leaders of Atlanta have ignored for years. Heavy contributions from the Atlanta Chamber members to rural legislators (who behind the scenes have been willing participants in state sponsored subsidies) have greased the skids to build Atlanta infrastructure at Georgia's expense. Only recently have organizations like the Georgia Heritage Council begun to point out these practices with remarkable results. Almost two dozen "cooperative" down-state and suburban legislators have been defeated or retired from public life. ( More on Georgia vs. Atlanta )

Back in my day, working with Mayor William B. Hartsfield and a group representing all aspects of Atlanta life, white and black, remarkable progress was made in the sixties when the rest of the nation (including the South), was undergoing racial turmoil. Atlanta grew from slightly less than one million in population, schools were integrated, equal opportunity developed new leaders, new business growth and a city known for its graciousness.

Its motto, "A City To Busy to Hate" was widely accepted as visitors poured in from throughout the world. The big attraction was the history of Atlanta which had to center around The War Between the States. Southern food was a big attraction. Everyone wanted to know how to get to Tara. Battlefields and tours were part of the agenda for conventioners. They came here expecting to see, hear and taste southern symbols and culture.

Things changed and a new mentality took over as the demographics changed. This is exemplified by how Coca Cola ---which was always the favorite of Southerners---- determined to go politically correct to what appears to be their own detriment ( as their sales throughout the South plunge). The "new" mentality is demonstrated adequately by the quote from Georgia Pacific CEO, Pete Correll. In the Sapporta article he is quoted as saying "We have moved beyond 'A City Too Busy To Hate', that's a backward-looking vision. We want to look forward."

Under Correll's "forward looking" leadership, Georgia Pacific has been one of the Atlanta leaders in the sponsorship of the cultural cleansing of Georgia history and one of the leading contributors to legislators willing to sell their heritage, including the removal of the 1956 state flag without even the benefit of a public hearing.

If Atlanta truly wants a new marketable image, it would seem the solution might be to go to the same thinking that built Atlanta before the "forward-looking" P.C. corruption took over. There are people who still care. I'm one of them. Are there any other "backward-looking" people who want to return Atlanta to its better days?

Jeff Davis, GHC Chairman

The 2003 Perdue Counterfeit flag