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Archive for the ‘Georgia’ Category

National Sales Tax Shenanigans

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , on October 17, 2008| 3 Comments »

I just saw a Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee ad against Georgia Senator Saxby Chambliss about the “Fair Tax” or 23% National Sales Tax.  What’s dishonest about the ad is that a real discussion on this matter should included the fact that the 23% sales tax REPLACES all federal personal and corporate income taxes, gift, estate, capital gains, alternative minimum, Social Security, Medicare and self-employment taxes. 

 

I am no tax expert but I would like to hear more about the Flat Tax proposal with the less than 20% single rate and the two postcard-sized forms: one for labor income and the other for business and capital income.

 

Bottomline: any intelligent discussion of the Fair tax proposal or the Flat tax proposal should included the full disclosure of taxes the new plans would eliminate—anything else is an attempt to exploit the perceived ignorance of the voters.  Not cool. 

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Putting Kountry First

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , , , on October 13, 2008| 1 Comment »

The African American community has a long history of putting all of our eggs in one basket and waking up the day after the election to broken eggs.  This blog is the net extension of our desire to provide sage political strategies at pivotal times to maximize our clout and capital.  Senator Obama keeps saying that things need to be address with a scalpel not a hatchet; Senator McCain says that we should put “country first.”  Down there in Georgia, we should put “kountry first” by making a surgical analysis of our region’s best interest.   The following points need discussion and consideration.

 

Let’s diversify our political portfolios to cultivate opportunities in both major parties.  Like Wall Street, we must invest in a range of enterprises so a political downturn in one sector does not leave us powerless and seeking a bailout.  Also like Wall Street, buying political stock during low periods could prove beneficial in the long run—I will take a few shares of General Motors at $4 and a few political investments in better Republican candidates with the knowledge that their national woes have not reduced their Georgia power (pun intended).  Good Cross-party Buys: Saxby Chambliss, Sanford Bishop, Paul Broun, Jack Kingston, David Scott, Rick Goddard. 

 

Tip: Take a loss on Jim Marshall stock. The Macon Democrat had every opportunity to boldly endorse Obama or McCain.  For some inexplicable reason, he thought he could sit out this historic presidential election.  Open message to Rep. Marshall: your job as congressman is to study the policy proposals of both parties and report to the people what will and won’t work in your opinion; you should be commenting constantly.  This weekend was the last straw.  The incendiary rhetoric on the campaign trail reached a level that might have provoked the sickest minds to contemplating something tragic.  Senator McCain dialed the rhetoric down and Congressman Lewis attempted to do the same but conservative Jim Marshall said or did nothing.  His rural and urban status could have been used for the better good but no. 

 

McCain Democrats, Obama Republicans, interesting times.  Why are we saying vote vote vote like there is only one contest on the ballot?  I have an idea: If you are an Obama supporter in a Republican congressional district, consider the GOP candidate if he is a decent guy just to mess with the “assumptions” about our voting patterns. If Obama wins, your area has influence with the GOP congressman because you helped him during the rough election of 2008; ask him to be fair with the new administration.  If McCain wins, you have a rare GOP congressman swayed into office by a surprising percentage of the African American vote.

 

Let’s not find ourselves saying “shoulda, coulda, woulda” in December.  I personally think we could look for African American opportunities to support less offensive congressmen and congresswomen in both parties.  And GOP voters in districts like Sanford Bishop’s should acknowledge his efforts to seek bipartisan cooperation.  Who would Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue select to replace Bishop if Obama picks him for his cabinet?  Imagine the “Georgia power” of Agriculture Secretary Bishop, Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee Saxby Chambliss and Secretary of State Sam Nunn.  The renewable energy provisions in the Farm Bill were design to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.  Come to think about it, McCain or Obama could make Rep. Jim Marshall Ag Secretary to show no hard feelings—what a year.

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Georgia Debate Drama

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , on October 9, 2008| 2 Comments »

There is a big debate in Perry tonight at the Georgia State Fairgrounds.  Senator Saxby Chambliss v. Democrat Jim Martin, and Congressman Jim Marshall v. General Rick Goddard.  I can’t make it because I will be watching Survivor Africa, Ugly Betty, Grey’s Anatomy, ER and CSI Las Vegas.

 

But then again, the event in Perry will produce the same drama.  Jim Marshall faces Survivor because he is trying to outwit and outlast his other opponent, Obama supporters. Can he get those polls closed on election day before they/we discover that his “Democrat” Immunity Idol is actually fake—“Jim, the tribe has spoken, time for you to go.”

 

Like Warwick on CSI, is Jim Martin’s senate bid likely dead because Georgia is to conservative for him; can Vernon Jones give him an ER trauma rescue or is Jones upset that the Democrat Party treated him like Ugly Betty for voting for President Bush. Why can Jim Martin vote for John Edwards and Jim Marshall support Bush policies that McCain admits were questionable and the Democrats run behind them like Dr. McDreamy from Grey’s Anatomy but Vernon Jones got shamed for being bipartisan? 

 

The CSI team could use all available technology and still would not discover a nanometer of support that Jim Marshall gave the Obama/Biden ticket—exile island awaits you, Congressman Marshall, because you did not perform in the challenges and flirted the rival tribe, you don’t deserve the reward.

UPDATE: Here’s the video of the Goodard v. Marshall debate

Political Forums at The Fair | 13wmaz.com | 13WMAZ

 

http://www.13wmaz.com/article/20081009/DEBATE/81008012

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Sowing the Seeds

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , , on October 7, 2008| 5 Comments »

Two wars, Wall Street failing, gas as high as a kite, economy on life support and someone wants to talk about Charles Keating and William Ayers.  My birthday was the day after Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner were killed in Mississippi by domestic terrorists in 1964.  For most of my southern childhood, the possibility of terrorists with hoods and/or badges loomed as we slept.  Folks would say after 911 that their children are not safe in their own beds in America and African Americans would think, “join the club.”  It is interesting that the new domestic terrorists in our community looks like us and desperately needed a belt on their backside from their parents growing up and need belts on their pants now.

 

As for Senator McCain’s history with Charles Keating, those claims don’t pass the smell test either.  Every congressman has helped someone who turned out to be shady.  Let’s measure the integrity of Georgia’s congressmen and candidates by monitoring who stays on substantive issues and who “totes” water for their team by pushing these distracting talking points.  We should reward character with our support.

 

Clearly, sowing the seeds of love improves our nation rather than the politics of fear.  We should export agricultural technology and practices that teaches developing nations to feed themselves and produce renewable energy—you get more people with honey.  Planting negative thoughts in voters should limited because you reap what you sow. 

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Gwen Ifill and the Beatitudes

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , , , , on October 2, 2008| 4 Comments »

Have you seen the bumper sticker “Mess with me, mess with the whole trailer park”?   Well, mess with Gwen Ifill and you mess with me because she is clearly a good person.  When Don Imus called her the cleaning lady covering the White House, she personified grace and dignity with her handling of the matter.  Now, extremists eager to find any angle to influence the presidential election content that Ifill will moderate the Vice-President candidates debate in a way that will help her promote a book she is writing about Blacks in politics.

 

Enough.  Stop the madness. Kenny Rogers’s song “the Gambler” had a line that said, “Son, I have made a life out of reading people’s face; Knowing what their cards are by the way they hold their eyes and if you don’t mind me saying, I can see you’re out of aces.”

 

Country people can read eyes and faces, and I see that Gwen Ifill (like Arthur Ashe and Colin Powell) is salt of the earth.  Because her late father was an AME Church Minister, this meek woman should read the Beatitudes today because she will inherit the earth—not trampled underfoot by men.  Okay, I listened in AME Sunday School a little as a kid because the teacher was pretty. President Reagan spoke of America as a shining city upon a hill whose beacon light guides freedom-loving people everywhere—also from Matthew.  The world is watching as the swift-boating begins from both sides.

 

As we enter into the final stage of this election year, I read in the faces of Obama and McCain that they find the party bickering and bitterness distasteful.  One man will be president and the other one will buck his party by being a positive senator.  Like most African Americans, I am a Democrat but I support the sensible division of the Republican Party. 

 

I told a local Republican that voted for him and he smiled while saying, “I am unopposed.”  Let’s support GOP candidates when possible or when they are simply better, because improving both major parties reduces extremism on both ends of the political spectrum.    

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Palin Bashing not Helping Obama

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , , , on September 26, 2008| 2 Comments »

You know I hate when family fights in public but I had to write a letter to the Editor of the Albany Herald regarding a fellow member of the Albany State University Pol Sci family and one Governor Sarah Palin.  For background, my letter responded to Dr. Konde’s op-eds stating that who you are as a person or leader is measure by your level of education and the prestige of your colleges.

 

My letter:    

 

Konde’s comments counterproductive

I voted for Obama/Biden yesterday because I real want positive change for our nation. Then, Sanford and Saxby got votes because their work in agriculture is vital to Georgia’s economy. As an ASU double grad in political science, my thoughts turned to Hollis, Rhodes, Mobley, Joshi and the elegance of Tucker when reading the on-going battle between Professor Konde and Palin supporters. Dr. Konde, your well-intended jousting regarding academic degrees is driving Clinton-type voters to the polls for Palin. You are playing into their plans. Rep. Jim Marshall is Ivy League like the Obamas, but he would never put Princeton in his ads — only old pickup trucks. Dr. Konde should reread the Art of War or read the notes on our black moderate blog Project Logic GA. Sun Tzu wrote, “Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.”

Team Obama and reasonable people stopped attacking Gov. Palin and switched focus to actual issues. There is an old story about Congressman Bishop’s father, who was college president during the Iranian hostage crisis. When the Iranian students started to protest America on campus, President Bishop promptly sent them home. The late Dr. Lois Hollis and the late President Bishop would recommend caution during these delicate days — don’t fan the flames.

 T. S. Sylvester Georgia

 

Dr. Konde’s Op Ed

Palin’s supporters promote mediocrity

In “Is Palin ready for office?” (SundayViews, Sept. 7), I argued that Gov. Sarah Palin is ill-qualified for the office of vice president and explained why. I was unambiguous and lucid. Some people were taken aback by my contention and felt compelled to question my pedigree: “How dare him?” Given that my detractors could not answer my fundamental argument with equal zeal and clarity, they naturally found recourse to tangential issues not even remotely related to the argument.

One respondent accused me of plagiarism (Sept. 8), a second noted that I was writing from a position of hysteria (Sept. 8), a third thought I was unfair (Sept. 10), while another directed my attention to Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe (Sept. 10). And then there was The SquawkBox (Sept. 10) where some people berated me as the “pompous professor,” teaching hate, and more. These attempts at derogation notwithstanding, none of my detractors rose to present a cogent rebuttal. I am truly the disappointed man.

The litany of invective has been dragged on into week two, with David Morey’s “Elitism ‘inspires’ mediocrity” (Sept. 17). I wonder what was so elitist about my candid perspective, or so mediocre about my contention! I will not characterize Morey’s person as elitist; but mediocre, his ideas are. Note the distinction I make between the person and his ideas. It is not normal for one with a first degree to present himself as an intellectual counterweight to me. No, Mr. Morey, I will not cower to platitudes. You come across as one with the mentality of people of by-gone years, and operate on the assumption that it is your prerogative to tell me when to inhale, exhale and when not to.

I reject your stance because I stand on a pedestal constructed by valiant men and women who came before me. I will not relent in the face of your insult packaged as erudition. You are mistaken to think that your first degree in engineering is better than a graduate degree earned from Albany State University.

I do not subscribe to the outdated notions which seem to pervade the world you inhabit — a world that time has gleefully left behind. That an engineer with a four-year degree from Mercer University would muster the audacity to challenge a historian in the realm of ideas is quite astounding.

And, yes! I know because I think. I know the contours and trajectory of your histrionics; and, I adamantly refuse to surrender an iota of intellectual ground!

The facts: Gov. Palin’s language is sophomoric. She earned a bachelor’s degree in six years attending five different institutions. If the majority of Americans were prone to that kind of erratic schooling, I would be compelled to tender my apology. But such is not the case. Gov. Palin is unique in this regard. Read: Hawaii Pacific University (one semester), North Idaho College (two semesters), University of Idaho (two semesters), Matanuska-Susitna College (one semester), and back to the University of Idaho (three semesters, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism).

Palin appears not to have made her mark on the college newspaper or campus television station at the University of Idaho. Upon returning to Alaska, however, she worked briefly as a sportscaster for KTUU in Anchorage, and thereafter began her meteoric rise to power as could be possible only in Alaska. And now some ill-advised ideologues want to foist her on America as the best the Republican Party could find? My detractors should take a deep breath and think things over. Adieu!

Emmanuel Konde is an associate professor of history at Albany State University.

 

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Opinions from Georgia military and families

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 22, 2008| 1 Comment »

In this election year, we need to hear from African American families directly affected by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the surge and the plans of the next president.

 

Georgia active duty military, National Guard, reserves, veterans and families, please use this blog to say what is on your minds.  I want to start this discussion by saying that we support the troops in my community because so many of them are our fathers, mothers, son, and daughters.  For me that support includes monitoring the White House to make sure that war plans and actions make common sense. 

 

The military has long provided an opportunity for minority upward mobility and a ticket away from southern suppression but, today the South is the place to be and governmental leaders are quick to send troops into harm’s way.  They say veterans are the most cautious Americans when it comes to declaring war.  I get chills when I think that south Georgia soldiers were facing fire for freedom in Vietnam and their mothers could not order a piece of pie at Woolworth’s—He brought us from a mighty long way. 

 

Let’s start this thread with a list of possible topics:

 

  1. Is the surge working?
  2. Are we spending money building infrastructure in Iraq that should be spent in America?
  3. Would McCain or Obama be better for military families?
  4. Can someone be an effective commander in chief without military experience? i.e. Obama, Palin
  5. Are African American military personnel and their families offended when extremists question the Obamas patriotism?
  6. Do military families sometimes feel that they signed up for defense and not nation building? Is national building part of denfense?
  7. Are African American military personnel generally politically conservative?
  8. Are defense contractors positive or negative to military missions in war zones?
  9. Can we agree that we should ignore collateral damage if we get absolute intel that Bin Laden is in a house or building.   
  10. Do people around the world dislike Americans in general or our governmental and cooperate leaders actions in particular?

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Chambliss and Isakson Bipartisan Energy Plan

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , on September 15, 2008| 3 Comments »

The Albany Herald newspaper was as sweet as summer wine this morning.  It seems that Rush Limbaugh and the extreme right are upset that Georgia Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson are part of “Gang of 10” energy proposal

 

Their energy plan would allow drilling 50 miles off the coasts of Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia, and the Gulf coast of Florida; while eliminating tax breaks for the oil and gas industry to generate $30 billion in revenue, with the money used to fund a new investment in alternative energy.

 

Other Republicans back an “all of the above” bill that would allow far more new drilling all along the East and West coasts and in restricted areas of Alaska, without the tax increase on domestic producers.

 

Chambliss and Isakson dismiss the criticism, arguing that voters want Congress to set aside differences and agree on something that will make a difference – even if it requires trade-offs.  “Usually if the extremes are raising cain, it means you’re doing something right,” said Chambliss.

 

I am still asleep and dreaming or did the two senators from Georgia just take about a third of their party behind the woodshed.  Senators represent the whole state and not just sections of people or just the people who elected them.  People act like their party can not be wrong in the same way people act like their family members are never wrong.  News flash: your party can be wrong and your brother might be nuts.

 

Bickering fueled by talk radio and T.V. makes for fun entertainment but is not beneficial to our nation.  I am proud of the fact that the Democrats in the Georgia congressional delegation often work across party lines to seek compromise that is in the state’s best interest and that’s why Rep. Jim Marshall should have been in Denver at DNC Convention arguing that some of our Democrat platform was extreme left. 

 

Then I read the Cal Thomas column about a conversation he had with former Florida Governor Jeb Bush about why the Republicans lost the majorities in both houses of Congress.  Jeb Bush said that House Minority Leader John Boehner has confessed to “mistakes” by Republicans when they held the majority.  Governor Bush believes too many Republican leaders are “in denial” about why they lost their majority.

 

Dialog, understanding, negotiations, analysis, reasoning, logic and compromise are elements of proper governing.  This Project Logic Ga contributor respects Isakson and Chambliss for putting governing over bickering; and any extreme supporters they might lose will be replaced by many more sensible centrists – ask Senator Nunn.

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Slyram’s Soapbox

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , on September 9, 2008| 8 Comments »

The Project Logic Ga contributors have agreed to use “soapboxes” for general issues and items.  Disclaimer: the moderate comments found on Slyram’s Soapbox do not necessarily reflect the dignified views of HBA1 or the “conservative since kindergarten” outlook of Coastalmom.  Nor do they understand why Slyram does not patiently proof properly.  Geesh

My man Secretary Colin Powell wrote in his first book “it ain’t as bad as you think.  It will look better in the morning.” So I wake up this morning knowing that most of my family would be thinking, “That Alaska governor lady Palin goes to my kind of church.”  Of course still go to the AME church where we were brought “from a mighty long way” by of church civic involvement.   Since I took communion the other day and “intended to lead a right life” I better get on with my comment.

 

I turn on CNN at 6 this morning and Joe Johns was reporting on the number of African Americans at the RNC Convention.  Yesterday, I basically posted that numbers and faces on the stage was no big deal but the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies reports that only 36 of the delegates at the 2380 were African American—which is a 78.4 percent decline from the 167 African American delegates at the 2004 GOP convention. 

 

The Joint Center even has a state by state delegate list—Costalmom knows most of the Georgians and could fit them comfortably in her minivan. 

 

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies

 

 

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Conventions and African Americans

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , on September 8, 2008| Leave a Comment »

"Hey, Where's Rep. Jim Marshall??

Find Rep. Jim Marshall in this picture…I’ll wait… 

I received the following article about African American GOP activist Yvonne Davis and the 2008 RNC Convention.  I think she is upset that she is not on the A-list anymore.  She writes about the past RNC conventions with many African Americans on the stage but I remember people questioning why that was the case but few African American faces were in the seats.  You can’t please everyone all of the time and I got calls during the 2008 DNC Convention about the lack of AA speakers. Of course, I said be quiet and wait for the last speaker.

 

I give the McCain and Obama teams credit for being real; the stage should reflect the hall and hall should reflect the party.  Peace to Ms. Davis and other Republicans for Obama and peace to Democrats for McCain—come out of the closet; it’s a free country. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

    

   

  

 

Yvonne Davis: GOP turns its back on black constituents – MontereyHerald.com :

 

http://www.montereyherald.com/opinion/ci_10355511

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Become an Independent Thinker

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , on September 4, 2008| 5 Comments »

U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman said it right Tuesday night when he addressed the Republican National Convention in St. Paul. “So tonight, I ask you whether you are an independent, a Reagan Democrat or a Clinton Democrat, or just a Democrat: This year, when you vote for president, vote for the person you believe is best for the country, not for the party you happen to belong to.”

I couldn’t have worded that better myself. As an Independent who leans conservative, the notion that one simply believes he/she must vote for a person because of the Political Party is antiquated. We’re in a change political climate like something we’ve never seen in our lifetime. There’s a change factor on the Democratic and Republican side. And I love it.

I believe all politics is local. The State and local races in the State of Georgia are equally, and really, in my opinion, more important than the Presidential race. Why can’t an African-American who considers himself a Democrat look at what U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss has accomplished and if satisfied, vote for him. I think it is irresponsible for someone to simply go to the polls and vote for the person just because of their Political Party. Remember in the General Election, you can vote Democrat and Republican without repercussion.

Oh, yes I forgot. Some folks feel they will be ostracized if he votes for a Republican. That is ridiculous too. But when you get in the voting booth, the only one who knows, besides you, is God.

I urge African-American voters to become more informed. Take heed to Senator Lieberman remarks and think about how logical it sounds. Logical, in politics, that’s something new, right? But serious.

And the idea of Congressman Marshall, who has Republican opposition, by the way, made a decision to stay in his district and NOT attend the Democratic Convention tells me that African-American voters need to take a look at the other candidate. But sadly many people will complain that this sitting Congressman didn’t even make a cameo appearance, almost like he is ‘dissing’ Senator Barack Obama….but then will go back to the polls again, because you’ve ‘always voted for Democrats,’ and vote for him anyway.

Now does that make any sense to you?

Become an Independent Thinker. Don’t let tradition keep you from being the change agent that both presidential camps are running on. You can become a part of the change, by changing the way you think about voting for candidates. Remember what Senator Lieberman said…..

 

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Courage and Politics

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , on September 3, 2008| Leave a Comment »

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

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.  

 Senator Russell and LBJ

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. 

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GA Congressman Marshall skips Historic Obama Speech

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , on August 27, 2008| 15 Comments »

Rep. Jim Marshall will not be at the historic Obama acceptance speech in Denver.  I want to give Marshall the benefit of the doubt because he just returned from his 15th trip to visit our troops—including middle Georgia soldiers.  But, I wondered if he asked to take the trip during this time so he could avoid being with those “liberal” Democrats in Denver.

 

The party welcomes the Blue Dogs and other conservatives but Marshall needs to get on the next thing smoking toward Denver or get that “Branded” treatment like Chuck Connors’ character got back in the day. 

 

Remember, the Democrats are looking to pickup 12 to 20 seats in the House—they could make an example of Marshall; and President Obama could use a respectful McCain-type maverick Republican in the House.

 

But, I learned today that Marshall is back with enough time to fly to Denver for this historic event in African-American history.  So if you put the party stuff to the side, if African Americans overwhelmingly vote for Jim Marshall shouldn’t he at least attend the Invesco Field Obama speech for the historic significance.

 

My friends and I have been debating the top three events in African-American history.  For me, the list goes:

 

1.     The Emancipation Proclamation

2.     Dr. King’s I Have A Dream Speech

3.     Obama’s Invesco Acceptance Speech

 

If Senator Obama were sworn in as President, that event would jump to number 2 on my list. 

 

When I read that Marshall was skipping, my mouth dropped open and I had a two seconds blink.  After Senator Clinton brought that fire last night and with Biden and Bill Clinton on deck, how could anyone who loves policy debate blow-off a Super delegate pass to all of this.

 

It wasn’t easy for Rep. Bishop and Rep. Barrow to endorse Obama from their districts. Neither for the Georgia GOP congressional delegation to get behind moderate McCain as their second or third choice.  So, why can’t Marshall decide?

 

I am moderate Democrat who supported Herman Cain for Senate a few years ago because his conservative voice should be heard around the African American table and his African American voice should be heard around the republican table.   Cain wrote a book titled “They Think You’re Stupid.”  Well, Marshall must think Ds in his district are stupid if they will let him skip these historic speeches without a detailed explanation. 

 

I could be wrong, so let’s have this discussion. 

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Recognize

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , , , on August 18, 2008| 2 Comments »

Some people treat politics and sports like similar activities.

 

Georgia v. Georgia Tech

Morehouse v. Clark AU

Fort Valley v. Albany State

 

These are games…. friendly rivalries…

But, politics and the selection of policymakers are real.  So whether a candidate has a D or a R on his jersey, give some consideration to what that person has done or would do for your community.  This writer thinks it is ridiculous that some  Georgia congressmen break their necks to serve the whole community, catch heat for it from their national party and still face opposition.  Really.

 

Which Georgia congressmen get Congressional Black Caucus support for the Farm Bill? Hint: do they have a R or D on their jerseys.

 

Which Georgia congressmen support the Georgia ports while protecting our fragile coastline?   Again, R or D, or both.

 

Which ones fight to keep our state’s military bases?   

 

Folks can bicker all they want but smart states don’t recreationally slam responsive leaders.  Think about it, that isn’t the southern way of doing things.

 

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the Saxby Dilemma

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , on August 18, 2008| 1 Comment »

Background: While Senator Chambliss is a traditional Republican on most issues, he is good for most of Georgia on the biggest three:

 

Agriculture: Chambliss crafted a bipartisan Farm Bill which does a lot for working families, develops alternative energy, and promotes a safe and affordable food supply.

 

Defense: the Senior Senator from Georgia continues Sam Nunn’s tradition of protecting our military bases and ensuring that out troops are prepared and well treated.

 

Veterans: Chambliss fights for the best interests of those who faced hostile fire for our freedom; particularly the recently returning personnel with medical and adjustment concerns.

 

As Vernon Jones pointed out frequently, Jim Martin (nice guy) is too liberal for most Georgians.  Energy wasted supporting him could be better-spent building a bipartisan relationship with Chambliss and transforming him into a Washington icon like former Senator Nunn—one whose knowledge and skills elevates him above party bickering.

 

Saxby is the ranking Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee; positioned to prevent McCain from gutting the Farm Bill—a bill that is vital to the economic backbone of Georgia outside Atlanta. 

 

If you draw a line from Columbus to Macon to Savannah, Saxby is really the only Georgia congressman based below that line.  If he publicly agreed to be civic in the vigorous “discussions” with the possible Obama White House, he could get enough new African American support to put this race away now and Obama will hook Martin up like Clinton took care of Wyche Fowler.

 

 

 

 

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Rep. Jim Marshall and the Obama Candidacy

Posted in Georgia, politics, tagged , , , , on August 18, 2008| 3 Comments »

It can’t be easy being a congressman in Georgia these days when your constituency is often divided by segments across the political spectrum.  With respect to those members who find a way to successful handle this precarious situation, I don’t understand the logic of Rep. Jim Marshall ignoring his district’s support of the Democrat candidate Barrack Obama.   

  

Of course, Rep. Marshall has a right to support or not support anyone he chooses—remember when he almost endorsed John Edwards.  However, the African American community has been there for him since his days as mayor in Macon.  Like Congressmen Bishop, Barrow and Scott, Marshall often makes moderate/conservative votes that reflect the moderate/conservative nature of most rural Georgians—African American and White.  But, if the African American community understands those votes, Marshall should understand that this election is not just an election.  Words cannot begin to describe the residual effect the Obama candidacy has in our community.   

  

We all know that Obama would be president of all of America and that moderate Blacks are not 100% in love with all of his positions, but to go from Jim Crow to having this man as the possible president—my goodness.   And for the record, if General Colin Powell ran as a Republican back when, he would have done big numbers in the African community also.  

  

Bottomline: for all the African American votes Jim Marshall has received over the years, he should work hard for Obama’s candidacy or else.  Maybe middle Georgians should put his feet to the fire a little bit and if he is so against what we believe, let’s watch him win without our bass. (pun intended)   

  

 

  

Candidate Obama is always talking about having a civil debate next year—about disagreeing without being disagreeable.  Middle Georgia should consider sending a southern Republican to Congress who will at least be as respectful to Obama as Georgia Democrat congressmen have been to President Bush.  

  

  

  

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