Professional hockey player Jarome Iginla’s father is from Nigeria. While hockey is not my thing, I usually support Iginla until he plays for the Canadian National Team against the USA. Iginla’s assist to Crosby sealed the Olympic gold medal for our neighbors to the north and I threw down my hat.
From Robert E. Lee’s commitment to Virginia to Black American sports fans support of Iginla, we live in a world where the constant question is “Who you with” and the answer at times is surprising. Since 1865, many southerners have waited for the Confederacy to rise again; sentiments that seem as un-American as the ugliness that grows in the Middle East. The same people who continue to detest the northerners involved in the post-Civil War reconstruction are often the people who listen to national rhetoric that pits Georgian against Georgian today.
Like the lyrics to a gospel song or old blues tune, some people are sick and tired of constant fighting and bickering while others view such actions as second nature. The real competition is regions of this state and nation competing for scare economic development and jobs. New industries are reluctant to local or expand in places where hostile and division rule—simply locate in areas where people resolve difference in civil and professional ways. The fussing makes natives of certain areas flock away and leaves these areas full of those least prepared or inclined to improve conditions—Ray Ray ‘Nem.
An interesting discussion can grow from the balance between disagreement with elected officials and actions that seem almost treasonous. Of course, people often want to have governmental actions reflect the teachings and mandates of their faith but the Bible’s Romans 13:1 comes into the debate. At my church, this passage was interpreted to mean respect the laws that the government made because God made the government. Of course, some southerners have violently ignored the state and federal government in our troubled past.
America grew from so many different and varied roots that people have had to be patience as we sorted out policies and laws. At times, the Constitution seems like a blueprint for a more perfect nation and we are the builders. Black southerners fought for freedom for southeast Asia when their mothers could not use a public bathroom or drink from a water fountain. But, the same people would be hard pressed to name another part of the world where they would prefer living or a region in America better that the South. Atlanta’s population exploded for a reason. In the World Cup Soccer tournament, Team USA often plays African teams made up of people who look just like me. And “who am I with?” Don’t even play like that.
If a political candidate from my party can’t win, I am going to support the best candidate from the other side in the best interest of Georgia or the candidate with a history of bridge building. Of course, there are those who rubber-stamp our or their team no matter way.
Romans 13:1
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Project Logic Ga 
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