Final Word On Governor Perdue's Chief-of-Staff Issue

It is truly fascinating how some people in politics operate. They take a factual item and turnaround and trump it up into some sort of "mega-story" that has absolutely nothing to do with the truth.

Thus is the issue with Eric Tanenblatt's impending departure from Sonny's administration. Back during the 2003 Session, Eric had stated to a few folks that he hoped to leave the Governor's office at the end of the Session. This got whispered to a few other people and all of a sudden, it became a BIG "rumor" (which we never touched because we knew the truth) bandied about by political name-droppers that "Sonny wasn't happy with Tanenblatt and was going to give him the boot at the end of the Session...blah-blah-blah..."

The fact of the matter is that, according to our sources at the highest levels of Perdue's administration, Eric did an outstanding job in his role, and was well-respected by most, if not all, of the daytime occupants of the Capitol.

Perhaps it was a matter of bad-timing for finding a replacement for Eric that made it take so long, and he was not able to leave until December 31, 2003. His replacement, John Watson, has Eric's experience and counsel for six weeks to help him settle in his new position. If one was getting "fired" from his position, as some nimrods still claim to us under muttered breath, one wouldn't be hanging around for 6 weeks to help train the new guy, would he?

In short, there is an innocent change of personnel at the Governor's office, and nothing more sinister than that.

If we hear one more muttered breath (or read one more stupid e-mail about it) about any nonsense with Tanenblatt, Watson, the Governor, or any other related junk, we will happily print your name under a list titled "Political Know-Nothings You Should Know About," and proceed to rip you several new ones in the most interesting public ways we can find, regardless of your gender.

Editor's Point of Personal Privilege

To me, President George W. Bush's surreptitious Thanksgiving trip to surprise the troops in Iraq had all the markings of a Tom Clancy plot for his favorite (and mine) character, President Jack Ryan, in his book Executive Orders.

It just gives me goosebumps every time I see that video of Bush walking out from behind the stage netting in Baghdad. Hooray for the thorough planning and perfect execution.

- Bill Simon
Editor

Bad Moon On The Rising for The 4th Congressional District

Rumors have it that there is a sinister plot going on in the state Democratic Party circles, and it involves the [Billy & Cynthia] McKinney Gang conspiring with some upper-level Dem officials.

Here's the set-up: The Demmies are extremely hard-up for a candidate for the U.S. Senate race. They have exhausted their first string candidate hopefuls: All currently elected statewide officers have refused to leave their current position. Well, okay, one minor correction on that statement. Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond has indicated that he will run if given the nod from the state dems. But, he wasn't actually ever "courted" for the race in the way Secretary of State Cathy Cox, Lt. Governor Mark Taylor, and Attorney General Thurbert Baker were (who all said thanks, but we'll wait for our future in 2006 and beyond).

Then, the Demmies went to their 2nd string of candidates. Former Atlanta Mayors Andrew Young and Maynard Jackson were courted, as well as Dem Party Chairman/State House Member Calvin Smyre; all three rejected the opportunity.

Recently, and quietly, the 3rd string of Dem potentials were approached and pitched. This time, it was current 4th District Congresswoman Denese Majette. The upper-echelon Dems gushed with extra saliva to Majette that she was the ideal one to go for the senate seat. As an up-and-coming black and female legislator, she would be the ideal one to carry the Dem flag into November 2004. "You're perfect," they said. "You'll get lots of media attention. You have your 2-year legislative record to run on. It's perfect. And, we'll help you all the way..."

PV Reveals The Sinister Underpinnings of The Offer to Majette: Edgar Allen Poe (if he were alive today and if he was involved in politics) couldn't have written a better plot than this one. It turns out that the puppeteer behind this offer to Majette was none other than Defeated State Rep Billy McKinney (of the J-E-W-S fame). It was McKinney's daughter, Cynthia "Nutcase-Commie-Pinko Friend-of-the-Terrorists" McKinney who was defeated by Denese Majette in the primary of 2002.

So, this is what McKinney thinks will happen: Majette will eagerly jump at the opportunity to run for U.S. Senate, and leave her position open to be reclaimed by Cynthia McKinney. That would be the only way McKinney could reclaim that seat because she wouldn't be able to beat Majette in a primary.

Majette should seriously consider the ramifications of her entry into the senate race. If the heavy-hitters of the Dem party (Taylor, Cox, and Baker) refused the opportunity to run, why do you suppose that is? One could argue that Cox and Taylor refused the race because they are both eying the 2006 gubernatorial race. Okay...but, Thurbert Baker is black and has statewide name recognition, yet he's not jumping for the seat. So, Majette should ask herself why a lower-tier candidate like herself would have ANY significant shot for the seat?

PV's Conclusion: Majette should stay in her seat...she has it for as long as she wants it. She needs more legislative experience under her belt before making a move like that that she could possibly win. If she does fall for the McKinney trap, she will lose everything, and force the residents of the 4th District to suffer undue pain and embarassment from having The Nut represent them again in Congress.

No Effing Way!!!

Rumors have it that Ethics-Complaint-Filing-Extraordinaire-and-Former-Rome-Bookseller George Anderson is entering the U.S. Senate race to vye for the Libertarian Party platform nomination. Anderson indicated that he got the idea from folks who were impressed with his dogged pursuit of letter-of-the-law violations by political candidates and officials from all ends of the spectrum.

PV Sez: We're interested in seeing what this guy's political beliefs are all about, so we will refrain from any unnecessary potshots on him for the moment. But, boy-oh-boy, we will look forward to dissecting his disclosure statements. :-)

We bet that the State Ethics Commission's Executive Secretary, Teddy Lee, is now breathing a huge sigh of relief. There is now a light at the end of the pain-in-his-rear stack of trivial pursuit complaints filed by Anderson over the past 3 years. Maybe now we'll be able to focus on some worse violations than a failure to file on time or missing an occupation of a contributor.

The Ten Commandments

In case we haven't made our position clear on this matter, this is what it is: If you want to follow the 10 Commandments in your own life, feel free to do so. If you want to pray publicly, feel free to do so. If you want to pray in your own church, mosque, synagogue, or home, feel free to do so.

But, let's dispense with this claim that "The United States was founded on the Ten Commandments" OR that it was founded to BE a "Christian country," because it wasn't. It was founded by Christians who wished to escape religious persecution at the hands of the Church of England, a sect of Christianity. A country founded by Christians does not mean that they intended this country to operate on "Christian principles," whatever that means.

To those who wish to claim that this country and our society is supposed to be guided by Christian principles, please tell us if the House of Prayer's Reverend Allen's interpretation of the Bible (one that inspires him to beat kids ruthlessly for the smallest infraction of the rules) is the right set of Christian principles to follow?

Or, how about the Christian Scientists' beliefs? They believe that everything that happens is God's way and intent and will not visit a doctor or emergency room if someone needed to go. If they die, they die, and that's God's way. Should we follow their religious principles?

And, hey, if you want to go back to the gender roots of this country, it was founded by men who didn't consider women to be on the same level as they were, regardless of the "all men are created equal" clause in the Declaration of Independence. Why? Because, back then, the Christian religion, as did a lot of religions, treated women as second-class citizens and didn't think to grant them equal rights like, say, voting.

It took a little over 125 years (and the dying-out of every Founding Father and his immediate offspring) to grant women the right to vote. And, in the granting of this right, via the 19th Amendment to The Constitution, religious history and practices had to be put aside in place of secular "all men are created equal" thought processes.

The fact is, this country was founded to be a haven for all religious and non-religious people. It has grown to what it is today due to the idea of a secular government and a capitalistic economy, not "religious principles." That the majority of its occupants are Christians does not mean that the majority rules. That the majority wishes to have the 10 Commandments posted in a government building does not mean that it should be.

If you want this country to change to a majority-rules country, then let's get rid of the Electoral College. And, while we're at it, Congressional representation in total. We can all just vote on everything and let the majority decide what happens.

Careful, though. If you set a precedent like that, in 100 years, when the Muslim religion becomes the dominant religion in this country, you might have to go along with what their majority says.

That the ACLU is on the forefront fighting such government impositions on religion does not mean that they are "out to get" Christians. No one is telling you that you must stop your personal religious practices; they are only stating that you cannot use our government's property to impose your religious beliefs on others. Why is that so difficult a concept for people to grasp and understand?

To claim that the denial of such an assumed "right" means the court is "attacking" Christianity is to take victim-mongering to a new (and lower) level than any such claim in the past. No one is taking away your personal rights in such a decision. Quit claiming that it does.

And, Speaking of The Ten Commandments...

Sadie Fields is the Executive Director of the Georgia Christian Coalition. During regular legislative sessions, she issues regular reports of what bills are in play in the state legislature and offers some very good analysis of the effects of the bills in terms of how they can impact people's lives.

So, despite what political/religious differences we may have with Sadie, we know the importance of her continued efforts and wish to help the organization continue to produce their annual Voter's Guide of what legislation was important and how did each legislator vote on it.

To that end, we are forwarding her latest e-mail to those of you who may be interested in contributing to her cause:

Dear Internet Family,

Just in time for Christmas! We now have, in our office, 11x14 copies of the Ten Commandments done by noted calligrapher John Stuart McKenzie. The Commandments are done using Chancery script and when framed (fits in a standard frame) will make a meaningful and beautiful addition to your home or as a gift.

In a recent survey, it was found that only one percent of adults and teenagers who regularly attend church could name the Ten Commandments and about the same percentage had them displayed in their home. In fact, in one of the interviews I did about the battle to post the Ten Commandments in public buildings, I was asked by the reporter, "How many of your members have them posted in their homes?"

If you do not already have a copy, here is your opportunity! For a donation of $20, including postage, we will mail you your copy of the Ten Commandments. If you would like copies to give away as gifts, we ask for a donation of $10 for each additional one ordered.

Our supply is limited so order today to ensure that you get the number of copies you want. Make your check payable to the Christian Coalition of Georgia and mail to

8975 Roswell Road
Atlanta, GA 30350

Or you can purchase them online by going to Georgia Christian Coalition.

If you choose to make your purchase online, please send us an email with all of your contact information letting us know that you have done so - so that we can process your order quickly!

In order to receive your copy or copies in time for Christmas, please get your order in by December 15!

Thank you for Keeping The Faith.
Sadie Fields

P.S. If you would like to make an additional end-of-the-year donation to help fund our work - please know that it would be greatly appreciated.

Lamutt Opens-Up His Wallet

From Press Release:

State Senator Robert Lamutt, candidate for the 6th Congressional District, announced today that he has made a $514,000 personal contribution/loan to his Congressional campaign fund. This demonstrates his personal commitment in his bid to represent Georgia’s 6th District in Congress, the seat being vacated by Johnny Isakson. This contribution/loan brings him to a total campaign investment of $600,000.

"This personal contribution ensures my campaign is competitively funded for the first quarter of 2004," Senator Lamutt said. "This will allow me to concentrate more time listening to the concerns of the voters, and less time committed to raising campaign funds. This puts us well on our way to fulfilling our fundraising goal of $1.2 million."

At age 47, Senator Lamutt serves on the Board of Directors of a number of technology firms and small businesses. He credits his strong business success as the reason he is able to loan these funds to his campaign.

"We will continue to meet with and talk to voters and local business owners in the district to build grassroots support," Senator Lamutt said. "Our campaign will not be dependent on out-of-state individuals or special interest groups. We will receive our financial strength and support from local voters and business people."

Since fund-raising efforts began, the Lamutt for Congress campaign has reported contributions of $100,000 and will reflect this transaction on its next report to the Federal Election Commission which is due in mid-January.

A Word From Randy Evans

As Thanksgiving 2003 comes and goes, and the 2004 Elections approach, politicians count their blessings and prepare for the whirlwind of the next year. Some have more reason to be thankful than others.

President George W. Bush got a late blessing with the passage of a sweeping overhaul of Medicare including a dramatic shift in the way healthcare payments are made through the expansion of health savings accounts. At a time when it appeared that Democrats in the United States Senate would block any meaningful legislation, the President’s domestic agenda seemed to have reached a standstill. Although victory over Iraq’s military had come swift, the hostilities have continued with a steady stream of attacks by Saddam Hussein loyalists against both American forces and the Iraqi people. While there are signs that the economy is turning, and things appear to be improving, there is little question that the Medicare legislation, all 681 pages of it, was a much-needed boost for the President.

Governor Sonny Perdue has gotten some good economic news as well. This has translated into better revenue projections and better revenue means better news all around. Having endured the first year of office, and all of the inherited difficulties that it entailed, the Governor is beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel of change. While many had hope for wholesale change at every office of state government, and others had feared change for the sake of change without regard to what was best for Georgia, the Governor has moved steadily toward putting in place a team which consists of the best of both worlds. There have been some bumps along the way, and it remains to be seen whether Democrats will be able to achieve any political gain from the occasional miscues along the way.

National Democrats continue to sort out their candidates for the Democratic nomination for the Presidency of the United States. As opposed to last time a Bush was running for reelection following a successful war operation, there has been no shortage of candidates vying for the nomination. And, constantly looming in the background, there is Senator Hillary Clinton, undoubtedly the one strong candidate the Democrats have, but one which has refused to commit to the race. Although there have been times that the nomination process has gotten testy, Democrats can be thankful that it has not gotten nasty. Unlike other elections of similar import, the politics of personal destruction has not made its way into the Democratic contest. And for that, Democrats have much to be thankful.

In Georgia, Democrats continue to stumble along, content to wait to 2006 to prove that the 2002 elections were a fluke. No real candidate has emerged to challenge for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Zell Miller. Worse yet, all of the candidates that might prove competitive have considered and passed on the opportunity to face the Republican nominee riding on the coattails of President George Bush. The result is a headless ticket at a time when Georgia Republicans attempt to hold the Georgia Senate and make more inroads into the Georgia House of Representatives.