"Come to me, all of you who are frustrated and have had a bellyful, and I will give you zest." (Matthew 28:11, The Cotton Patch Version of Matthew and John by Clarence Jordan)
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Georgia: Senate Democrats Show Moxie
5:04 p.m.: Here's an update from Galloway. The upshot is that Senate Republicans are experiencing a crisis of confidence in their leadership. You will recall that even before session began, certain members worked together to do to Lt. Gov. Cagle what had done to Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor -strip him of his power and make his position effectively ceremonial. The difference of course is that Taylor was a Democrat presiding over a new Republican majority while Cagle is a Republican. Turns out that knives stabbed in backs can be removed and appropriated for other purposes. Today, when Sen. Hooks (D) offered a perfectly innocent piece of legislation asking that the rules be changed to restore 'points of personal privilege' to the front of the Senate agenda each day, the legislation was a Trojan horse, serving as a vehicle for a no confidence vote in the Senate leadership. With 14 Senate Republicans abstaining, an amendment to engross the legislation failed, allowing the bill to move forward to rules and then to the floor for debate. By opening debate on this Senate rule, all Senate rules will be fair game - including the rule used to strip Cagle of his power.With their caucus fracturing around them, the Senate Republican caucus fled the chamber and met behind closed doors. Galloway reports that Cagle, with body guard in-tow, met with them for about 20 minutes. There will be more fun tomorrow.
And Still They Come.... A Look at Western North Carolina
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Mississippi Misery - with a side dish of Hope
Sometimes last minute, panicked arm-twisting recruitment turns into a nightmare - the Democratic Party of Georgia certainly saw that in some of their legislative races in 2010. But reluctant, last-minute Treasurer candidate Connie Moran appears to be a bright spot. Currently the Ocean Springs Mayor, Moran is well liked and will do well. Will she win? Probably not. But we like her and are very glad to see her step up and garner a brighter spotlight.
Second and perhaps even more interesting is former Jackson, MS coucilman and 2009 Jackson mayoral candidate Marshand Crisler. An Iraq war vet, husband of 22 years, father to three, and former Sheriff's Deputy who cut a not unlikeable profile in his motorcycle cop uniform, Crisler unexpectedly jumped into the Mississippi Transportation Commissioner Central District race. While this office does not exist in many southern states, it's a quiet, monied powerhouse of a post in Mississippi.
Crisler does have Democratic primary opposition from a perennial Democratic candidate, but should come through without bleeding resources. The same cannot be said for the Republican incumbent, Dick Hall. Hall faces stiff primary opposition from Tim Johnson. Yes, all of these names are real.
This is your next generation of Democratic candidates in Mississippi folks. Get to know them. Get out there and support them.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Abortion Audits?
This bill would make permanent and expand the Hyde amendment restrictions on the use of federal funds for abortions. It seeks to prohibit even indirect funding streams that may potentially come in contact with abortion services. For example, it would deny tax credits to companies that offer health plans that cover abortions and it would block anybody with insurance that covers abortions from receiving federal subsidies, even if the abortion portion is paid separately with personal funds. It would also redefine rape for the purpose of exempting resulting abortions from the federal funding restrictions as "forcible rape" and limit the incest exemption to cases where the women is a minor.
I suggest that we all 1) Call our congressmen and 2) make it our business to elect more women by contributing to organizations like Georgia's WIN List.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Academic Freedom Under Attack
What was Cronon's crime? He dared to research and discuss ALEC, American Legislative Exchange Council, the right wing legislation factory that should be credited with Republicans across state legislatures all singing in tune off one sheet of music. ALEC merits discussion, sure, but the real issue here is the Wisconsin Republican Party's bare-knuckled assault on academic freedom, a key cornerstone of democracy and a principle treasured by my Baptist ancestors. We should all, regardless of party, be worried.
We Can Only Hope
Here's a link to the legislation that has, so far, made it to Deal's desk. In addition to the HOPE "fix" (do not get me started) and the supplemental budget, lawmakers have managed to pass a measure to correct a problem they created last session when they exponentially increased fees for for filings in Superior Court and for appellate records and transcripts and another bill, that among other things changes from "shall" to "may" the requirement that local elected officials file electronically with
So far, other than the HOPE legislation, no hot-button bills have reached the Governor's desk. Nothing on abortion, immigration, or open government. But never fear, seven days is an eternity on the legislative clock, there's still plenty of time for nasty bills to slip through, and since this is but the first of a two year cycle - there's always next year. For this year, just to keep you on your toes through the end of session, from Georgia Legislative Watch, here's a list of the bills that survived crossover day. For all our sakes, let's hope most never see the Governor's desk.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Geraldine Ferraro: Bending the Arc of History
Geraldine Ferraro helped build the ladder for women who aspire to political office. Indeed, when Hillary Clinton kicked all those cracks in the ultimate glass ceiling - she was standing on Gerry's shoulders. In so many ways, we all do.
Friday, March 25, 2011
N.C. Lawmakers Mock Students
The context is really irrelevant. Like schoolyard bullies passing nasty notes, these "representatives" shared emails making fun of the students' grammar. Instead of praising the students for becoming civically engaged, or seeing the errors as "Exhibit 'A'" in support of the students' argument, these fine examples of how elected officials should never behave made the students the butt of their jokes. Never mind that the unemployment rate in Rep. Clary's district is nearly twice the state average. She's more concerned about whether these students embarrassed her. I hope my friends and family who still live in Rutherford County are busy finding Rep. Clary an opponent.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
An Epidemic of Lunacy Under the Gold Dome
Unfortunately, it turns out, Republicans are only interested in protecting doctors from lawsuits when doing so doesn't trample on any of their special interests. If you don't believe me, read Sen. Barry Loudermilk's SB210, a bill that passed with only 16 'nays'. For the record, this lunacy epidemic may be jumping species, attacking Democrats and Republicans alike. For those who are not political nerds (i.e. who are normal) there are 20 Senate Democrats. I see only one "yes" vote from a Democratic Senator (Curt Thompson), but others were excused or did not vote.
Given the number of ridiculous bills he has sponsored, Sen. Loudermilk earned this tongue lashing from the Rome New-Tribune, but he is not alone.
The question is simple. When will the Georgia legislature stop the epidemic of lunacy and focus on job creation? We're on pins and needles.