March 12, 2005 - Saturday was deemed "Legislative Family Day" by the state house. An opportunity for the working men and women of Georgia to see their legislators at work doing the people's business. It was supposed to be a fairly low key event in which the House and Senate passed non-controversial legislation and visitors got to see how everyone in government got along.
Well not so fast.
The day started out innocently enough with legislators posing for pictures with their children and grand children on the House floor. The Speaker welcomed the packed gallery of visitors to the day and gave an overview of the agenda for the day. While I stayed in the House side, I imagine the scene was much the same on the Senate side.
After the Speaker had called the session to order, various legislators made their way to the podium to recognize one one group or another, welcome family members etc.
That was when Alisha Thomas (now Morgan) approached the podium and conducted what I can only refer to as an act of political immolation. Apparently the representative was upset over the debate being closed on a piece of legislation passed the night before dealing with photo I.D requirements for Georgia voters. She said she wanted to "set the record straight" and began a very loud and emotional discourse about being called the "new Cynthia McKinney", and how you can call her Cynthia McKinney, but don't call her Jesse Helms, yada, yada, yada. Needless to say, the majority of the visitors in the gallery, myself included, had very little idea of which she spoke. The bottom line is she continued her self centered rant over several admonitions from the speaker telling her that time had expired. As the tirade grew longer, the initial shock of the visitors began to wear off and a loud chorus of boos errupted from the gallery. It was only when it became apparent that she was going to be physically removed from the podium, that Alisha Thomas left singing a spiritual hymn. The Speaker promptly appologized to the public, hinted at the disciplinary action to follow, and the rest of the session continued without further fireworks.
Actions like this are not uncommon for Alisha Thomas Morgan and have been excused for too long by her fellow legislators because of her youth. She does nothing to promote her agenda by this type of grandstanding, and only does a disservice to her constituents by alienating herself from the rest of the House. Somehow though, I think that this type of selfish disrespect is less about her constituents and more about herself. If this was a politically calculated move on Representative Morgan's part, I suggest she enroll in remedial math.
The truly historical aspect of the day was witnessing the repeal of the embarassing "Jim Crow" laws from the 1959 - 1960 era which stilled remained on the books of the Georgia legislature.
These laws were placed on the books in reaction to federally mandated civil rights and desegregation rulings. While these laws have long gone out of practice, it was a good sign of how far the state has come, ( even though we still have a long way to go), in the fight for equality of all citizens. My question is, why did the Democratic leadership fail to do in 45 years, what it took Republican leadership only 1 to accomplish?? Maybe it just wasn't a priority then??
After the votes were completed, we made our way down to the rotunda where we were treated lunch at the taxpayers expense with food from Chick-Fillet and the Varsity. We were joined in line by Warner Brothers cartoon characters and several dozen homeless people wearing red T-shirts saying "Working Families standing up for Georgia". After a 45 minute wait in line alongside Tweetie Bird, all this taxpayer got was a bag of chips.
All the best;
Al Meyer
Rocky Mountain 2 Precinct Chairman
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Sunday, March 06, 2005
The Cobb County Republican Convention
For those of us who didn't overdose during the November elections and prefer to Mainline our political junkie habits, the Cobb County Republican party held it's county convention last Saturday at Pope High School in East Cobb. Speaking as a veteran observer of this specific Cobb County ritual, it was a relatively tame and gracefully short affair compared to some of the more marathon events I endured in the past. Gone (or at least in cognito) were the Flaggers, and rebellious in-fighting some of us had to endure in the past. The crowd of about 185 delegates came, did what they needed to do and left without much blood shed.
The convention was dedicated to the memory of Col. William G. Gustafson, Cobb County Republican Chairman from 1991 to 1997, a time best remembered by Conservatives for Newt 's Contract with America.
The convention was called to order about 10:05 by Chairman Anthony-Scott Hobbs. After an opening prayer by the Rev John Roddy and pledge by Col. Al Rowe, Lori Hullett sang the National Anthem.
After some brief welcoming comments by the Chairman, U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson provided some brief remarks on U.S. Senate activity followed by comments on the U.S. House of Representatives by Dr. Tom Price.
Other speakers included Bob Barr, State Senator Chip Rogers, State Senator Judson Hill, 6th District Chair Sue Everhart, State Senator John Wiles, and State Representative Judy Manning.
Both Tom Price and Chip Rogers mentioned Immigration Reform as a top priority and John Wiles spoke on his efforts at judicial reform at the State level.
Fred Allen presented the voting strength report from the Credentials Committee of 155 delegates, plus 30 late arrivals who were added by voice vote.
The agenda was adopted and Calvin Rhodes was elected Convention Chairman.
Frank Molesky and Dawn Strickland presented Nominating Committee report in charge of selecting the County Officers and the Delegates to the State and District Conventions.
The County Officers ran unopposed and were accepted by voice vote. Sorry I didn't get all the officers, but by this point, Robert's Rules of Order had all but been discarded and the train was moving so fast that I couldn't keep up with the notetaking. :)
Suffice it to say the Officers included, but were not restricted to Chairman Anthony-Scott Hobbs, Vice-Chairman Michael Altman, 1st Vice Chair Debbie Ellis, Asst. Treasure John McWilliams, etc.
The Delegates to State and District Levels broke down as folows:
The convention was dedicated to the memory of Col. William G. Gustafson, Cobb County Republican Chairman from 1991 to 1997, a time best remembered by Conservatives for Newt 's Contract with America.
The convention was called to order about 10:05 by Chairman Anthony-Scott Hobbs. After an opening prayer by the Rev John Roddy and pledge by Col. Al Rowe, Lori Hullett sang the National Anthem.
After some brief welcoming comments by the Chairman, U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson provided some brief remarks on U.S. Senate activity followed by comments on the U.S. House of Representatives by Dr. Tom Price.
Other speakers included Bob Barr, State Senator Chip Rogers, State Senator Judson Hill, 6th District Chair Sue Everhart, State Senator John Wiles, and State Representative Judy Manning.
Both Tom Price and Chip Rogers mentioned Immigration Reform as a top priority and John Wiles spoke on his efforts at judicial reform at the State level.
Fred Allen presented the voting strength report from the Credentials Committee of 155 delegates, plus 30 late arrivals who were added by voice vote.
The agenda was adopted and Calvin Rhodes was elected Convention Chairman.
Frank Molesky and Dawn Strickland presented Nominating Committee report in charge of selecting the County Officers and the Delegates to the State and District Conventions.
The County Officers ran unopposed and were accepted by voice vote. Sorry I didn't get all the officers, but by this point, Robert's Rules of Order had all but been discarded and the train was moving so fast that I couldn't keep up with the notetaking. :)
Suffice it to say the Officers included, but were not restricted to Chairman Anthony-Scott Hobbs, Vice-Chairman Michael Altman, 1st Vice Chair Debbie Ellis, Asst. Treasure John McWilliams, etc.
The Delegates to State and District Levels broke down as folows:
- 5th District - 18 Delegates and 18 Alternates
- 6th District - 176 Delegates and 160 Aternates
- 11th District - 38 Delegates and 38 Alternates
I imagine out of those delegate positions assigned we would be lucky to have 100 total delegates show up at the state convention.
Martin O'Toole presented the Report of the Rules Committee. The Rules were accepted with out change.
The Convention concluded with a rapid fire reading and accepting of the Resolutions Committee Report by Michael Opitz filling in for Richard Gruetter , after which the meeting was adjourned.
Saturday I will be checking in on the special legislative session at the state capitol.
'Till then;
Al Meyer
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Welcome to Cobb County's Newest Conservative Forum
March 03, 2005 - I hope this page will provide a forum for the discussion of political thoughts and ideas both locally and nationally. Cobb County is one of the bastions of conservative thought for both Georgia and the nation, producing the likes of Newt Gingrich and others. I plan to give an insite into the Cobb County political process, both the players and the processes which will determine the direction of the County over the next several years. For those curious about how the GOP works at the local level or wanting to find out how to become active at the local level this will be the place to begin. I plan on posting relevent links to both local and national organizations, discussing current political liturature, local, state and national legislation, and current events. I plan on throwing out my take on all these topics and hope you will take the time to do the same. I think there is a real need for easily accessable, intelligent discourse at the local level on polical matters.
I believe a well informed electorate is a well armed electorate better able to protect our freedoms and democratic traditions. Just as the printing press was a catalyst for the Rennaisance, the emergence of the electronic media will give cheap and easy access to area of political thought and encourage participation from areas of the electorate that have been more or less shut out until now by educational and economic barriers.
The elctronic media is also going to play an important role for the future of politics in Cobb County. As the demographics of Cobb, like the rest of the country go through dramatic change, the political organs of the county will take a cue from Howard Dean and rely more and more on a grassroots effort aided by the electronic media to access these new voters.
2005 may have only just arrived but the election campaigns of 2006 are already in motion. While Sonny Perdue will likely run unopposed in the GOP primary, the race for Lt. Governor is getting geared up with Ralph Reed and John Oxendine announcing early.
I will be attending the Cobb County GOP Convention this Saturday March the 5th at Pope High School for the election of State Delegates. I will be taking good notes posting my impressions here after the Convention. I don't expect a large turn out because of the non-election year and a lot of voter burnout after the Presidential election last November. This is the time of the campaign season to really get a good jump on the competion. It will be interesting to see who comes out early.
Until then;
Al Meyer
Precinct Chairman
Rocky Mountain 2 Precint
Cobb County Republican Party
I believe a well informed electorate is a well armed electorate better able to protect our freedoms and democratic traditions. Just as the printing press was a catalyst for the Rennaisance, the emergence of the electronic media will give cheap and easy access to area of political thought and encourage participation from areas of the electorate that have been more or less shut out until now by educational and economic barriers.
The elctronic media is also going to play an important role for the future of politics in Cobb County. As the demographics of Cobb, like the rest of the country go through dramatic change, the political organs of the county will take a cue from Howard Dean and rely more and more on a grassroots effort aided by the electronic media to access these new voters.
2005 may have only just arrived but the election campaigns of 2006 are already in motion. While Sonny Perdue will likely run unopposed in the GOP primary, the race for Lt. Governor is getting geared up with Ralph Reed and John Oxendine announcing early.
I will be attending the Cobb County GOP Convention this Saturday March the 5th at Pope High School for the election of State Delegates. I will be taking good notes posting my impressions here after the Convention. I don't expect a large turn out because of the non-election year and a lot of voter burnout after the Presidential election last November. This is the time of the campaign season to really get a good jump on the competion. It will be interesting to see who comes out early.
Until then;
Al Meyer
Precinct Chairman
Rocky Mountain 2 Precint
Cobb County Republican Party
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