Project Logic Ga

I can’t believe the dramatic events from the last two weeks of political conventions.  Former Republican Congressman Jim Leach gave a deep, but boring speech at the DNC convention in Denver.  To me, he is a real kind of guy who exemplifies Middle Western sensibility and I think he sees some of that in Kansas-raised Obama.  It is a shame that the Democrats beat him after 30 years (in part) because some previous supporters refuse to back him after he told the RNC not to use divisive tactics in his race. 

Leach was on the House Banking Committee with Augusta Congressman Doug Barnard who was denied a subcommittee chairmanship by Democrats until the end of his congressional career because he voted conservatively. 

Congressman Don Johnson succeeded Barnard, voted in support of Bill Clinton’s budget plan and served only one term for it. But last night, Senator Joe Lieberman stood on the podium at the RNC Convention and praised that Clinton balanced budget that stimulated the American economy. 

In politics, you have to strike a delicate balance between what you personally believe and your party.  Many Americans don’t fit neatly into the two major parties and it takes courage to stand your ground.  I worked for Don Johnson and across the hall from Maryland Republican Congresswoman Connie Morella, who constantly battled for the moderate element in her party.  It was rough hearing that she lost her seat because she truly was a servant of her constituents.     

Georgia Representative Jim Marshall clearly understands that most of his district is conservative but what about the sizeable moderate portions.  People talk about liberal this, liberal that but moderate Democrats were surprised that he did not stand with the party on the SCHIP children health program votes and he should have been in Denver with Sanford Bishop, Heath Shuler and other Blue Dogs to pull the next Democratic agenda toward what Colin Powell referred to as the sensible center.

Some people believe Marshall will not go anywhere near candidate Obama because he does want pictures that swift-boat groups can use; while others think he should also be mindful of hemorrhaging Democrat support.  I am sure Marshall will marshal the courage to tell us if he is with McCain or Obama soon and I will respect whatever decision he makes.  

When I think about courage, I am reminded of two American heroes who lived 100 years a part and stand as examples for our men and women in the armed forces.  From the Ken Burns documentary on the Civil War, we remember Major Sullivan Ballou and that  letter he wrote his wife about courage, love and country before First Bull Run. ”I question the patriotism of anyone who doesn’t get choked up from that letter.  

 http://www.pbs.org/civilwar/war/ballou_letter.html

The second hero is Lt. Colonel Lemuel Penn, an Army Reserve officer killed by the Klan while driving through Madison County, Georgia, to return to Washington, D.C. after summer active duty at Fort Benning, on July 11, 1964.  The killers were upset that President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law nine days earlier.  It is sad that a World II Bronze Star recipient and educator would be murdered while serving our nation and that he could not use most public restrooms during that car trip.  

Lt. Colonel Lemuel Penn

 

 

 

 

 

I should honor one more hero, Clete Johnson, the father of former Congressman Don Johnson.  Mr. Johnson was the prosecutor who took the two killers of Colonel Penn to trial despite a Klan warning note posted on his back door.  In his closing argument, Johnson told the jury, “Have the courage to do what’s right”.  We should all remember these heroes during this historic election year.  

Look at this picture of Lyndon Johnson and Georgia Senator Richard Russell and wonder what they would think about this political season.  

I know this post is long but seeing that picture of LBJ trying to sweat Senator Russell (who was grand uncle of Georgia Democratic Party chairwoman Jane Kidd) made me think about Texas Congressman J.J. Pickle.  Rep. Pickle was on the same hall in the Cannon House Office Building with Don Johnson and Connie Morella and like Mrs. Morella, he could always make you smile.

Mr. Pickle came to Congress just in time to be one of seven southern representatives who voted for the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  LBJ called him at 2 am in the morning to tell him he was proud of Pickle’s voting his conscience.  If Sullivan Ballou was right in his letter and the dead could walk among us, LBJ and his good friend J.J. need to pay a visit to Macon to tell Jim Marshall the party really needs him now or we will remember in November.     

I always remember this tragic date because this event happened one month after I was born and I was born the day after those courageous three Civil Rights workers died in Philadelphia, Mississippi.