Bum Bot in action by Claudia Sonea

Guess who's going to run for mayor of Atlanta this year? Shockingly, none other than Rufus Terrill! Now, if you were wondering who in the name of lord is Rufus Terrill, you have as a hint the 2006 primary for lieutenant governor of Georgia when he finished the fifth (there were actually only 5 candidates) and Jim Martin won with 41.2 percent. Why this almost anonymous person would get your attention when US is facing economic recession and other major issues, it is a mystery to me too. Yet, all the media is full of articles with him. In fact, the Bum Bot brought him under the spotlight- a 300-pound robot that patrols in the neighborhood of his pub (O'Terrill's) and his house. It is controlled by a remote and was built at Terrill's wife suggestion due to the increasing number of break-ins and vagabonds. The inventor of the robot was Rufus himself who customized it with bright red lights (from a 1997 Chevrolet), brighter spotlight blazing, infrared video camera filming, water cannon at the ready in the spinning turret on top, and powered it by four car batteries. Many people in the neighborhood argue about the utility of Bum Bot and doubt the purposes of Rufus Terrill, especially the homeless advocates. He believes that the robot promotes safety and that since September when it started to function, the number of break-ins has considerably decreased. Also Atlanta police spokeswoman Lisa Keyes says that no official complaint has been made until present day. If no one says anything against the robot as being harassing or bothering, nothing can be done. The question that persist is whether Bum Bot will bring to Rufus the desired mayorship.

related story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080422/ap_on_hi_te/bum_busting_robot;_ylt=AtSLhyNNpxaoaBgHLEDNoAes0NUE

by Claudia Sonea for PocketNews (http://pocketnews.tv)

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edited by Beata Biskova