A Sham of an Investigation

My first attempt at making a satire cartoon video!  This video is a spoof on the so-called "investigation" conducted by the City of Atlanta Law Department between October 2010 and March 2011 in response to citizens' claims that the city aborists are not doing their jobs. The reference to "Tom" in this video is to "Tom Coffin", the city arborist who was fired in 2008 because he issued fines when people cut protected trees without a permit. Apparently, that didn't sit so well with certain developers who preferred to work with some of the more "agreeable" arborists on staff. Tom filed a whistleblower lawsuit, which the City of Atlanta offered to settle on very favorable terms just before the trial began.



Update, 4-6-11:  Some questions I received on this video since it was first posted:

• Why are the bears Indians?  
• Why do they speak with a British accent?  
• Why is the city arborist bear trying to sell shrimp?

I wish I could come up with some deeper meaning for the Indian costumes, but I just happened to like the way the particular bears looked dressed as Indians.  Nothing is implied or should be interpreted by the way they are dressed.  The bears also speak with a British accent because some of the words come across a little clearer using a British accent than an American one. Plus, it just sounds more humorous.  Finally, the "shrimp" reference is to an often told story by a Tree Next Door member who was surprised to be solicited by the city arborist to buy some some shrimp.

Is this arborist selling shrimp on city time -- and the taxpayer dime?  We don't know.  This solicitation may have been a one time thing.  But what we do know is that the lack of work exhibited in his work records begs the question:  "What IS he doing with all his time?"