The religious subtext in a Republican fight over prayer
We have a fight over prayer that’s not just about how and when one should talk to God.
Last week, Sam Olens, one of three Republican candidates for attorney general, put up his first TV ad of the primary. The 30-second spot addressed Olens’ courtroom defense of the opening invocations given at meetings of the Cobb County Commission — which he led as chairman.
One of his primary rivals, former federal prosecutor Max Wood of Macon, took exception.
Wood said that he has held his tongue when Olens has mentioned the topic in front of GOP crowds. “But when he came out with a television commercial touting himself as some big hero in support of prayer, I thought the whole story should be told,” he said.
In a press release, Wood pointed out that, last year, Olens and the Cobb Commission permitted an atheist to give the opening prayer. “As a Christian and as an American, I am insulted that Olens would allow a man without faith to stand up at a public meeting and encourage others to give up their religion,” Wood wrote.
It’s true. Smyrna atheist Ed Buckner was one of seven county residents who, with the American Civil Liberties Union, filed a federal lawsuit to halt the practice of invocations before government meetings in Cobb.
This is the court battle that Olens speaks of winning. Immediately afterward, in July of last year, Buckner served notice that he wanted to give the invocation at a county commission meeting.
In an interview this week, Olens said that, under the First Amendment, he had no choice. Picking and choosing who could give a public prayer would only have landed the county right back in court.
Buckner’s invocation turned out to be a protest, naturally. At the time, Olens called it “repugnant.” The commission chairman sent the atheist a letter saying that Buckner had proved that he was not interested in spiritual communication and would be not be allowed to repeat the stunt.
But to deny the atheist a chance to pray, as Wood suggested, would have been folly, Olens said. “What he is saying is, if you don’t like the law, don’t apply it, which is a strange position for an attorney general,” Olens said.
Wood’s response was biting. “[Olens] used an invocation, which is supposed to be a holy moment, as a political tool to ingratiate himself with a broad section of the Cobb County community. That is part of what I resent there,” Wood said.
“One’s faith is more important than one’s legal analysis,” he added. “If he’s going to present himself as a person of faith, then he should be thinking about these issues as a person of faith, and not like a lawyer.”
There is a subtext to this discussion that both candidates were reluctant to discuss. Olens is Jewish. And a Jewish candidate has never been elected to a statewide constitutional office in modern Georgia — as a Democrat or Republican.
Elliott Levitas, a Democrat from DeKalb County, served five terms in Congress — until he was defeated in 1984 by Republican Pat Swindall.
Kevin Levitas remembers the implied messages used to defeat his father. “He’s not one of us.” And “We need a good Christian in office.”
Times have changed. Over the past two decades, shared interests — Israel by far the most important — have made Jews and evangelicals more comfortable with each other.
Kevin Levitas, a Democrat like is father, is now one of several Jewish members of the Legislature.
Former Cobb County prosecutor Debra Bernes, who is also Jewish, won a 2004 seat on the state Court of Appeals in a nonpartisan statewide vote and is seeking re-election this year.
But the base of the Georgia GOP remains overwhelmingly conservative and Christian. Olens understands this. The topic of prayer for his first TV ad wasn’t accidental.
Prominently featured in the video is the Rev. Ernest Easley of Roswell Street Baptist Church, one of Cobb’s largest churches — and certainly the most influential.
Olens has also snagged the endorsement of several GOP leaders, including House Majority Leader Jerry Keen of St. Simons Island, a former head of the Georgia Christian Coalition.
Olens leads both Wood and state Sen. Preston Smith of Rome in fund-raising — a sign of significant support within the GOP establishment.
But Olens doesn’t want to become the Jewish candidate any more than Barack Obama wanted to become the African-American candidate or Ralph Reed — whom Olens supported in his 2006 bid for lieutenant governor — wanted to be identified as the Christian candidate. Labels limit.
“My ad stands for itself and accurately represents my record of fighting for the conservative values that Georgians care about,” Olens said in a statement issued Friday.
Wood, for his part, likewise feels restricted. The former prosecutor said he has never mentioned Olens’ religion — and resents any suggestion that his frequent mentions of his own Christian faith are intended to draw a distinction.
“That is political correctness run amok,” Wood said. “The fact that someone else I’m running against has a different religious view of the world should not prohibit me from exercising my First Amendment rights to talk about my faith. Because that’s who I am.”
As for the issue of prayer, Wood said, that’s ground chosen by the former Cobb County Commission chairman. “He has a 12-year record of public service,” Wood said. “Why did he choose to bring this into the public discussion? Because he’s trying to corner me as someone who’s against him because of his religion. And that’s simply not true.”
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64 comments Add your comment
Mrs. Glenn Richardson
July 10th, 2010
10:42 am
Something’s not Kosher here.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
July 10th, 2010
11:13 am
Olens touts himself as a “fiscal conservative,” yet after being the “captain” of the “good ship” Cobb County for several years he “jumped ship” to run for higher office right before Cobb County’s finances “ran aground.”
He is a fraud and a liar.
The Olens-Wood conflict is further proof, should any need it, that no member in good standing of the Gay Old Pervert party need be put or kept in public office by the good and decent People of Georgia.
Wood probably is trying to “smear” Olens for a “Jew,” but the fact of the matter is Olens isn’t a true Jew.
A Jew must “pursue Justice,” and “abolish evil,” just as should all righteous Americans in this New Israel, founded in covenant, as the Land of Promise into which all nations flow, with the one Creator, G-d of the universe by all our White, Black, Jew, and Gentile Founders.
Olens had the opportunity to do so as Chairman of the Cobb County Commission when made aware of proof of a corrupt police officer’s lying under oath and forging a videotape in Cobb State Court to get a traffic conviction.
He let it pass after dishonestly providing assurance that it would be properly resolved.
It is “interesting” to note that his Public Safety Director now appears to have been filtered through 9/11-committing Bush’s “Homeland Security” and is a fake “Silver Star-winner.”
Birds of Feather.
As another Cobb police officer, with an unusual Bush first-cousin’s last name, abetted a former local talk radio host’s unprovoked, aggravated battery of a peaceful sign-carrying protester of Bush’s having committed 9/11 at the Atlanta Veteran’s Day Parade in 2005, one can see just who the fascist traitors are who want a phony “Jew” like Olens to be “their” phony Attorney General.
UGA honored Rob Teilhet and Ken Hodges is at best manifestly corrupt.
Rob Teilhet for Attorney General. He can’t be worse than Thurbert Baker.
Conservative Thinker
July 10th, 2010
12:16 pm
Olans for AG
chefdavid
July 10th, 2010
12:36 pm
Preston Smith is willing to buck Party Insiders when nessesary. He proved it this year. He was one of the only ones that stuck by the principles he told his constitiuents and not as many insiders say “We govern different down here in Atlanta than we tell our folks back home.” He has got my vote.
Martin
July 10th, 2010
1:19 pm
They’re both a couple of un-American theocrats.
Got to hand it to Woods for arguing that Olens’s abuse of the Establishment Clause wasn’t abusive enough.
Ed Buckner
July 10th, 2010
1:24 pm
As the proud giver of the Atheist “invocation,” I am firmly convinced that neither Mr. Olens or his opponent Mr. Woods deserves to be Attorney General of the great state of Georgia. Olens did indeed send me a follow-up letter after I did my civic duty–a letter that included both misleading and factually incorrect information, citing, for example, an opinion from another court case that has long since been overturned. It is not Olens’s place, as a mere government official–a public servant–to decide what counts as “inspirational,” or as a “proper invocation.” But Woods is apparently even less qualified to be attorney general, if he honestly thinks any government official should decide what religion to promote or which citizens get to speak. The constitutions of both Georgia and the U.S. are bigger and better than either of these hypocrites.
–Ed Buckner, President, American Atheists ebuckner@atheists.org
JDW
July 10th, 2010
1:55 pm
Sam Olens has called on his buddy Jim Galloway to create a DISTRACTION in the Attorney General race, because if the discussion for Attorney General turns on experience, Sam knows he will lose.
Regarding Olens’ commercial, I have seen more impressive work in a kindergartner’s finger-paintings. This was Sam’s chance to give voters a look at his experience as an attorney, instead he only talked about what he would do while in office; that’s fine so long as it’s coupled with experience so people can say “well, he’s done it before, he can do it again.”
Remember when Obama was elected based on his promises of what he’d do while in office? That turned out to be a disaster, because he had no experience with the responsibilities that came with the office he was running for. Sam has no experience with criminal prosecution so how can we expect Sam to enforce the immigration laws?
All Sam can talk about is his endorsements and time as Cobb County Commissioner, because he has not practiced law in ten years and lacks experience. Sam can’t measure up to the experience of his qualified competition, Max Wood.
I hope voters see this for what it is… a DISTRACTION.
Tommy Lee Maddox
July 10th, 2010
2:00 pm
Sam’s a good man.
JDW
July 10th, 2010
2:27 pm
This race is not about being a good man. Max is a great man. Most attorneys are good people; that doesn’t qualify them for Attorney General. Experience qualifies one for Attorney General. Sam has no experience with criminal prsoecution, tax liens, or employment discrimination as well as other issues Georgia’s Attorney General deals with. As U.S. Attorney, Max dealt with those issues in criminal and civil cases.
In addition, Sam taking credit for the ACLU case is like any client taking credit for the work of their attorney, not the mark of honesty, Tommy. Prayer has nothing to do with being Attorney General. Sam put that in his commercial to appeal to conservative Christians to show he’s a man of faith. We all know that’s a farce. IGNORE THE DISTRACTION.
Ken Tanner
July 10th, 2010
2:28 pm
Notice how just about every statement by Max Woods begins, “As a Christian …” A not-so-suble way to remind the Bubbas that Sam is Jewish. Betcha Woods lists Jesus as a job reference.
DannyX
July 10th, 2010
2:32 pm
“Sam’s a good man.”
I used to think that too. I used to the Cobb County was lucky to have him. I saw him as someone who could unite people, and had good old fashioned common sense.
Its amazing that Republicans politicians from the metro area feel they have to give up things like their common sense and integrity when they enter a statewide race.
Karen Handle is just as bad.
Instead of the issues they resort to selling out their principles to the lowest common denominator.
This is why you are stuck in traffic metro Atlanta. This is why we still have water problems. This is why the metro area is no longer on the short list for companies looking to relocate. Our local leaders dessert us once they run for office and pander to the crowd that think carrying a gun in church is more important than any number of the real issues that face our state.
Can’t wait for Olens next ad, probably showing him in the background at Sonny’s pray for rain debacle. Showing his head bowed in support of our new water policy.
GwinnetIsGreat
July 10th, 2010
2:34 pm
Olens really knows the old Liberal trick of wrapping himself up as a victim and getting his buddies in the press to publish it. Sam should be ashamed of himself. No one cares if he is Jewish, but we do care that he is a Liberal who won’t stand up to the administration on guns, heathcare, or anything else important to Georgians.
Hopefully Preston and Max make the runoff and send yet another career politician back to the unemployment line.
Mark
July 10th, 2010
2:38 pm
I am all for public prayer, as long as it is to Zeus.
Thanks for the Laugh
July 10th, 2010
2:56 pm
Silly republicans. Always trying to get elected by pretending to be the best christian. You’re a joke.
John K
July 10th, 2010
4:29 pm
It’s pretty much a freaking embarrassment to be living in Georgia anymore.
But they sure know what plays well with the blind and backward fundie vote.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
July 10th, 2010
6:24 pm
It is un-American to name one’s deity in political discussion. The Constitution and Creed circumscribe for all Americans, the Creator, by Annuit Coeptis. Atheists are welcome as “free-riders” in this prophesied Promised Land.
FormerGeorgian
July 10th, 2010
8:07 pm
Both are awful. Max Wood has no leg to stand on though. He worked in the Bush Justice Department which was the most corrupt and partisan in all of American history and was basically run by Karl Rove himself.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
July 10th, 2010
9:23 pm
The People must rectify Bush’s and Cheney’s having committed 9/11 regardless of the specifics or timeline.
Rejection at our polls of those nearest to them is the first order of business. The next is a fundamental whig renewal of the Spirit which created America at the beginning.
The Founders were “whigs.” “Whig” means “anti-Roman Catholic.” How prescient and gracious were the Founders, as the Roman Anti-Christ has given us all Our Republic’s ills.
Tired of BS
July 10th, 2010
9:28 pm
I b’lieve my name says it all. In 1993-94 when dems were changing parties to become republicans, were both of these men republicans? Will they talk about issues instead of the same tired BS we are all tired of hearing? Are they both prone to political pandering? Do you know where their contributions come from? Who is going to have the balls to stand up and say that a prayer is usually offered by someone who believes in some higher power? Duh!
I’m tired of all the political BS. If you bitch, whine, and complain like a girly-man….. you’ve lost my vote! ‘Nuff said!
Vote Them Out
July 10th, 2010
9:42 pm
These right wingers frightening over prayer and who is more holier. Turns my stomach. Vote against all these idiots.
Better Choice
July 10th, 2010
9:46 pm
Let’s write in Ed Buckner, President, American Atheist, for Georgia Attorney General.
Tired of BS
July 10th, 2010
10:04 pm
IMNSHO….. Ed Buckner is just as much of a political stage ho as the candidates.
Bobby Anthony
July 11th, 2010
2:51 am
Will Jones you are a little off-base when you state the Founding Fathers were Whigs. The Whig Party was a political party of the United States during the era of Jacksonian democracy. Considered integral to the Second Party System and operating from 1833 to 1856. There were no political parties when this nation was founded. Washington warned the nation in his Farewell Address against establishing them. The Founding Fathers split into two factions. The Federalist led by Hamilton and the “Democratic-Republicans” led by Jefferson. The Federalist wanted a strong central government. Jefferson was opposed to a strong central government favoring states’ rights. Many of the Founding Fathers were Deist. They believed in God but not that Jesus was the Son of God. There were some Jews in their ranks and some Christians. Jefferson did not believe in the divinity of Jesus as well as Thomas Paine. John Adams was a Christian. We do not know for certain about Washington’s belief because he had many of his personal papers destroyed and was careful in his correspondence to keep his personal views concealed. Franklin is also somewhat of an enigma concerning his views on Christ. Franklin wrote the following in a letter to Ezra Stiles, president of Yale, who had asked him his views on religion…:
“As to Jesus of Nazareth, my Opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the System of Morals and his Religion, as he left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupt changes, and I have, with most of the present Dissenters in England, some Doubts as to his divinity; tho’ it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and I think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an Opportunity of knowing the Truth with less Trouble….” (Carl Van Doren. Benjamin Franklin. New York: The Viking Press, 1938, p. 777.)
In summation I would like to state for the sake of Mr. Buckner, almost all of our Founding Fathers believed in God.
Travis McGee
July 11th, 2010
6:05 am
Folks, this whole arguement is nothing but pure, unadulterated horse hockey!
In all my years, and they are many, I’ve never seen such a poor slate of state-wide candidates. By any metric, these candidates should all be rejected; but in Georgia a serial killer could be elected if he ran as a Republican.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
July 11th, 2010
7:15 am
Bobby Anthony – If that is your real name you need to refresh your awareness of American History: Those wolves who cloaked themselves in the name “Whig” after the 1830’s were Rome’s “Fifth Column” stealing the revered name of the Founders’ party, whose opposition before the Revolution was the Tories, who came to power through an “anti-Masonic” stratagem – the representatives of the Old Sectarian Order’s monarchists – whose fellow-traveling papists are now Rome’s modern “Fifth Column,” behind the Gay Old Pervert party of draft-dodgers, phony “Silver Star winners,” adulterers, pedophiles, closet-queens, hypocrites, and traitors – and compliant “Democrats” like Roman Catholic Mafia Princess Nancy Pelosi.
Those falsely named “whigs” changed their name to “Republican” just as those who proved themselves false Americans as “Republican” under Bush and Cheney are now the Beast changing its “skin” and calling itself the “Tea Party movement.”
Read Messrs. Jefferson’s and Adams’ “post road correspondence” of their old age. It is as if one were putting one’s hand in the “wall socket” of G-d. They peel open the political and sectarian factions through history, and how to know them despite their “names.”
One is for the few or for the Many. In American Exceptionalism, the “Many” is the Electorate, which has the opportunity to manifest G-d’s grace by elevating only those whose grace and probity, strength and virtue, are conclusively patriotic and G-dly.
As E Pluribus Unum the People must reassert its sovereignty in a new manifestation of Reason and Truth, that Justice be once more established in Our Land.
The Roman Anti-Christ was identified by The Founder, Thomas Jefferson, the Anointed Author of Our Independence and a Prophet of G-d. Read his writings and know this is true. Because of that truth the Roman Catholic governor of Virginia has had Mr. Jefferson’s writings removed from the internet connection at the library at Mr. Jefferson’s University.
G-d allowed Israel to be sent into captivity, twice in ancient days, and the Six Million to be taken by Amalek/Rome in the Holocaust, financed by Vatican banker Rockefeller from the Roman Catholic Church’s collection plates through Knight of Malta Prescott Bush.
That Bush’s son, GHW Bush, and his protege Richard Nixon, with an element of the Knight of Malta-led, Roman Catholic CIA, assassinated Our President, John Kennedy, six weeks after his NSAM263 and 120 American deaths in Indochina since Dien Bien Phu. 58,000 of us then died on behalf of the Roman Anti-Christ as its American “Fifth Column” fully usurped the levers of power in Our Land.
That Earthy Evil has since cheated a dry-drunk, draft-dodging closet-queen into the White House to commit 9/11 – only the Roman Catholics illegally voted in the SCOTUS’ majority in the unconstitutional ‘Bush v. Gore.’
The Truth is easily knowable. Just as easily knowable from Our Creed’s three mottoes, bequeathed to posterity by Our Whig Founders, is the Creator, G-d of the universe. This is why Our Nation is Novus Ordo Seclorem, the New Secular Order. We need no sectarian faction, mystery pedophile priesthood, or titled aristocracy to understand the universe. G-d is Infinite and Omnipresent, but for the recognition by each sovereign Individual.
The People, fulfilling Isaiah 2:2, of every color or national origin, must flow into America and relearn the means by which fascist plutocracy’s Old Sectarian Order of king and pope must once more be defeated.
You, Bobby Anthony, and all Georgians, particularly Atlanta, will help this come to pass. D.V.
Travis McGee
July 11th, 2010
7:39 am
I can’t get my brain around some of the rambling epistles and essays in this blog, but I’m pretty sure it’s all horse hocky!
Ignorance abounds.
And, so it goes. . . .
casual observer
July 11th, 2010
7:44 am
Liberals have little, if any, redeeming value and Will Jones has less.
Seriously
July 11th, 2010
8:51 am
Preston Smith for AG or LG??
JRH#
July 11th, 2010
9:13 am
What are these guys running for “church pastor”? It is amazing how disfunctional and odd the Rrpublican Party has become. They are represented by individuals who will create fiasco’s out of nothing. They have to be “against” everything and for nothing except God and guns. As someone stated earlier, they are theocrats and corporatists. What a said state.
deegee
July 11th, 2010
9:29 am
I learned a long time ago that when someone tries to win your confidence with the argument that they are a “good christian”, you better grab your wallet and run.
John Reiter
July 11th, 2010
10:27 am
Why does the headline on this column in the print edition call the attorney general’s race a “Cobb race”?
Horse Lover
July 11th, 2010
12:03 pm
John….Because people at the AJC think that everything revolves around the Metro…..
I will have to say……I have not paid attention to this race….but it seems like the Olens guy wants to say he is tough on the big bad ACLU but wouldn’t stop a lone atheist from doing an invocation (isn’t that a prayer which means the atheist can’t objectively do anyway)..THEN after the fact he wrote a scary letter to the atheist saying he can’t have any other time to speak……Isn’t that banning the first amendment right of the atheist as well? Maybe since I’m just a dumb horse trainer from Laurens County the big city people can get this better than I do…..
This guy cannot be serious
July 11th, 2010
12:09 pm
Speaking of fights over religion, can someone explain to me why this Jody Hice freak in the 7th Congressional district thinks he is anything more than a fringe candidate begging for attention? Frankly, if this is the type of person that is going to represent me in Congress, it’s about time to move.
He announced he won his first straw poll yesterday. Ray McBerry won the same straw poll for governor. Enough said.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
July 11th, 2010
1:14 pm
Fascist plutocrats need moron demagogues like Jody Hice to sow confusion in Our Land, leaving the corrupt rich in control through their “bi-partisan” rule.
This is why we must “cut to the chase” on Reason, logic, Truth and Justice, and use as a filter/litmus test any individual candidate’s view of Bush’s and Cheney’s having committed 9/11; Bush’s father and Cheney’s mentor, Nixon, having assassinated John Kennedy; and the recognition by America’s Prophet, Thomas Jefferson, that each American Patriot can personally known G-d, as well as Satan’s minions on Earth in the Roman Anti-Christ…manifest in America as the “Fifth Column” which promotes morons like Jody Hice to feed on the Public’s payroll when their “sheep” stop being fleeced in their pews.
“All that is required for Evil to triumph is that the Good do nothing.”
Hice is G-dless. Call him out in Georgia’s 7th District or there’s none to blame but you.
Geter in the Gym
July 11th, 2010
2:47 pm
http://www.thegeorgiacitizen.wordpress.com Analysis of governor’s race
mike
July 11th, 2010
4:36 pm
After all these years and with more important things going on in this county, city, country and world, the best you bunch of southern morons can come up with is more arguments over prayer. No wonder you people look like idiots when your representatives are shown on tv.
Ole Guy
July 11th, 2010
5:03 pm
What ever happened to the doctrine of Separation of Church and State? Are these 9th grade civics lessons simply ideals which are, in reality, ignored?
If we are to incorporate religous beliefs/non-beliefs into the business of state, than does not the religous arena become yet another government entity?
How bout you people simply stick to the chores which I pay you to mind. If you want to pray, do so on your own time.
EduPAC on line 2 jim
July 11th, 2010
5:10 pm
Jim the news today is really bad. The conflicts of interest that totally destroy any credibility APS had in investigating itself have been completely exposed.
Thank God we can’t count on you to ignore it. Now be a good boy Jim, and come clean up the mess we made watching the World Cup.
ODDOWL
July 11th, 2010
5:19 pm
Most of the Founding fathers were Deists… They were enlighten renaissance Men. European Renaissance culture came about as the results of African and Afro-Asia culture that were introduced into Europe by returning crusaders from the middle East and other Europeans who visited Egypt, other African Countries, Cannan and Babylonia. Count Constantin De-Volney visited Egypt, Cannan and babylonia in 1783 and the books he wrote about his travels in Africa and afro-Asia were all the rage in Europe. The African renaissance culture were introduced into the Americas by European colonists. The Founding Fathers were not Christians. Most of them were Masonic Deists who Worshipped the African Sun God Amen-Ra. Masonry is an esoteric version of African Sun Worship as it was written by the Egyptians. Masonry was the denomination of Sun Worship practiced by the Stone masons who constructed the Pyramids, the Temples, Tombs, erected Obelisks and other megalitic stone structures. The F.F’s wrote in the Constitution that “all Men are endowed by their CREATOR with certain inalienable rights”. There is only one Creator Deity and that Deity is the African Sun God Amen-Ra. Thats why most of the buildings in our Nation’s Capital were constructed using Egyptian architecture designs. The Founding Fathers were devowed Sun Worshippers. When Gingrich, Limbaugh, Hannity and beck claim that the F.F’s were Chrictians, they’re lying. They’re attempting to prop up a Romanticized, revisionist history and their wild working hypothesis is completely untenable. The Neo-Con Republican ignorance and intellectual dishonesty is matched only by their pompous arrogance. America has only one legitimate God and that God is the God of the Founding Fathers. The African Sun God Amen-Ra.
Skepticus
July 11th, 2010
6:58 pm
So, this blog is only for schizophrenics ???
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
July 11th, 2010
6:59 pm
There is but one Creator, G-d. It is that “Infinite Power which rules the destinies of the universe,” to which our greatest President, Author, Founder and Prophet, Thomas Jefferson, obviously anointed of that selfsame G-d, payed homage.
As there is but one Eternal G-d, It is the same which now yet rules the universe and, no doubt, will prosper Georgia and America again if we reject the hypocrites, liars, perverts, and traitors of the Gay Old Pervert party, and by grace, make Elect those closest to G-d of the remaining candidates.
Please pray on this, Georgians – born and adopted. It is the People whom G-d burdens as the Electorate to seek Righteousness, establish Justice, and abolish Evil.
The Beast won’t be casting itself into the Pit.
Ole Guy
July 11th, 2010
8:08 pm
Will, yer a’scarin me!
FromMarietta
July 11th, 2010
8:33 pm
Sam Olens got shellacked in the GPB debate tonight. Wow, he looked horrible. Preston came off strong, but I think Max Wood was the best tonight. Max also has the most relevant experience to be Attorney General. Max gets my vote.
Flobert
July 11th, 2010
9:17 pm
Forced prayer, no wonder Republicans want guns in churches
Jane
July 11th, 2010
11:22 pm
Sam should have not used this issue.
DLink
July 11th, 2010
11:28 pm
If it’s a government sponsored event, paid for by the people for the government, or any person required by laws of the U.S. to attend? Then it is a breach of U.S. LAW.
“Originally, some people did not want to ratify the Constitution. One big reason was that it did not have a bill of rights. A bill of rights is a list of rights that belong to the people. The government is not allowed to break these rights. Some of these rights might sound familiar: the right of free speech; the right to practice your own religion; the right to be silent if you are arrested. The original Constitution had no bill of rights. Many of the Framers did not think it was needed. But many people wanted one. So, promises were made to add one, using the amendment process.”
http://www.usconstitution.net/constkids4.html
That’s the fourth-grade level. Bunch of freakin children running the house… I am disappoint.
Horse Lover
July 11th, 2010
11:35 pm
There was an AG debate tonight? I missed it! Would like to see these characters in person….Does anyone know if they will replay it sometime?
FromMarietta
July 11th, 2010
11:43 pm
Horse Lover,
The debate may be posted tomorrow on Peach Pundit. http://www.peachpundit.com
Jeffery Turner
July 12th, 2010
2:07 am
41 Responses to “Yard Sign Report” Leave a reply ›
PaulaG July 2, 2010
The other day I saw a bunch of signs that had a flyer pasted on them that said, “This is an illegal sign.” Don’t know if it’s a citizen-initiated project or what, but I liked it.
Reply ›
Jules July 2, 2010
I was away for a bit and when I got back, about two bajillion signs has sprouted up all over Cobb.
Most disturbing is the giant face of Sharron Cooper on the 120 loop. Apparently her opponent is making headway and rattling her cage.
Reply ›
parker404 July 2, 2010
Keisha Waites always has signs everywhere…everywhere except in the yards of actual voters. Too bad for her right-of-ways, empty lots and vacant houses are disenfranchised.
I see tons of Joan Garner signs in voter yards.
I can’t call the Fort/Balch race to save my life.
Reply ›
Matthew Young and David Atkins of Capitol View July 12, 2010
Thats interesting… I just saw several of Joan Garners signs in abandoned homes and alomg right-of-ways along Metropolitan Pkwy. I also noticed Ms. Waites has many signs in businesses and in yards all over the city. We know this because we have one in our front yard!
Reply ›
Ed July 2, 2010
Drove around a while ago, Joe Martin sign in a yard and a Purcell/Handel combo. Next to my parents’ house is a Chloe Dellare and across from that a Handel sign. My parents have a Hodges sign in their yard.
Able Mable had some signs up too. They said “re-elect” and I’m not kidding you… ‘Able Mable”. That’s right, one apostrophe and one quotation mark. The spacing was irregular and poorly printed as well. Stay classy.
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Michelle hompson July 2, 2010
I live East Point and Graham Balch’s signs are everywhere. Graham has been very visible in East Point and it shows by the numbers of signs throughout the city.
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parker404 July 2, 2010
Graham is also the MC for a portion of the East Point Fourth of July celebration. A part of me feels that Fort is taking things for granted.
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Melb July 2, 2010
I got a mailer from Graham Balch today with a trophy award on the front and it says “Most Absentee Senator: Vincent Fort”
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parker404 July 2, 2010
Wow. I know there are entire neighborhoods in Fort’s district that claim to never see him, but I didn’t expect Balch to call him out like that. Ouch.
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Melb July 3, 2010
Honestly, I live in Midtown and I haven’t seen one Fort sign, but I have seen over a dozen Balch signs around Piedmont Park homes and then across the interstate near Atlantic Station. That was the third mailer I received from Balch as well.
However, I have received two mailers from Fort.
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Deb A July 6, 2010
Ever since I moved here 4 years ago, I never once saw Sen. Fort attend any of our neighborhood association meetings. Now, I don’t expect him to come to every one, but at least one a year would be nice, or at least once in 4 years. Never happened. But gee, he gets an opponent who is accessible and willing to talk to folks, and all of a sudden Sen. Fort appears (late of course) at our Neighborhood meeting in June. Hmmm…
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parker404 July 6, 2010
Are you on the East Point or Atlanta side of Fort’s district? I’ve heard comments similar to this one from East Point residents and am curious to know if the same is true in Atlanta.
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Deb A July 7, 2010
East Point. Right near Main Street in East Point. He didn’t start showing up to our City Council meetings with any kind of regularity either until earlier this year.
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JerryT July 7, 2010
I do not get the need for close personal contact from one’s representatives/senators/leaders.
Isn’t the question really- Are they doing their job? If we are going to make them go around and listen to every constituent with an opinion or problem- real or imagined- we’re not really looking for leaders anymore. We’re looking for a personal trainer.
If someone has an issue, perhaps they should consider sending him an email, or a letter. But inventing arbitrary meeting attendance criteria for successful statesmanship sounds a lot like just trying to have an excuse to vote for the other guy. We don’t need to make up a reason. There is no test.
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CatherineAtlanta July 2, 2010
Just in the past few days signs having been popping up in our SW Atlanta neighborhood. Very few in actual yards. Mostly rights-of-way and abandoned property. The exceptions are Vincent Fort & Rashad Taylor – see lots of their signs in real yards on the way to and from work.
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Jen B. July 2, 2010
There are no signs in our neighborhood because the HOA forbids it, along with American flags.. but, there’s a huge Sam Olens AG sign down the street from us.
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Ed July 2, 2010
Also there is a Holder for FulCo Commission across from my house.
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JMPrince July 2, 2010
We’ve had plenty of signs stolen up here right out of people’s yards. And yes, the Rethugs will trash anyone going up against their favored incumbents too. Even primary opponents. JMP
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thetrueInsider July 4, 2010
Rev. Mitzi Bickers is doing the field work for Georganna Sinkfield so I’m not surprised that Sinkfield’s signs are popping up in strange places. Just wait until you see Sinkfield’s signs on church vans – you know those 501(c)(3) organizations that are not supposed to engage in political activity. I’m shocked that Sinkfield’s campaign manager, DeKalb State Rep. Stacey Abrams, doesn’t know the new signage rules that DeKalb county has instituted this year. I guess to Abrams is too busy on a statewide campaign to be engaged with her local constituents.
Saw some Joe Martin signs in yards…none from the other school super candidates. Saw a big Terry Coleman sign on Memorial Drive; it was in the ‘hood and along southwest Atlanta. Haven’t seen any Darryl Hicks yard signs anywhere; not even 1 billboard like he had in 2006.
Teilhet is doing a great push with yard signs; only seen a few Hodges yard signs.
Why does Shelithia Roberts have yard signs out when she isn’t even on the July 20th ballot? That’s redneck backwards to confuse the voters.
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parker404 July 5, 2010
Saw a Darryl Hicks sign for the first time today. It was in a right-of-way. The sign itself is terrible. Poorly designed and you can’t figure out who it’s for and which office they’re seeking.
Shelitha Robertson is terrible. I think she has a good heart, but is never willing to do the real work necessary. I can’t imagine why she has so many damn signs out already.
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JerryT July 7, 2010
I agree, the Hicks signs are a mess. They have a wimpy outline of the state of Georgia and a big “Hicks”, but you can’t read anything else.
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Dr. David Daniels of Morningside July 12, 2010
Rev. Dr. Mitzi Bickers church vans – is the pastor of Emanuel Baptist Church a501(c)(3) organizations that is not supposed to engage in political activity. I’m too shocked that Sinkfield’s campaign manager, DeKalb State Rep. Stacey Abrams, doesn’t know the new signage rules that DeKalb county has instituted this year. I guess to Abrams is too busy on a statewide campaign to be engaged with her local constituents. I saw the van in front of the Fulton County Government Center last week..Vincent Fort should be sent packing for this. I will be sending in a letter requesting a congressional inquiry.
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Jeffery Turner July 12, 2010
Enough is enough…
How to File an IRS 501(c)(3) Complaint
Rev. Dr. Mitzi Bickers of Emanuel Baptist Church has gone too far in promoting her list of crooked political candidates. I am encouraging every one to file to have the churches 501(c)3 status revoked. Rev. Mitzi Bickers is doing the field work for Georganna Sinkfield so I’m not surprised that Sinkfield’s signs are popping up in strange places. Just wait until you see Sinkfield’s signs on church vans – you know those 501(c)(3) organizations that are not supposed to engage in political activity. I’m shocked that Sinkfield’s campaign manager, DeKalb State Rep. Stacey Abrams, doesn’t know the new signage rules that DeKalb county has instituted this year. I guess to Abrams is too busy on a statewide campaign to be engaged with her local constituents.
Name of of the Organization:Emmanuel Baptist Church
Street Address: 1582 Benjamin Weldon Bickers, Atlanta, GA 30315-4004
Complete the Complaint IRS form 13909 on-line at IRS.GOV
dagnabit
July 12th, 2010
3:28 am
Travis McGee.I really like your name. Wish I’d thought of it. Rob Teilhet gets my vote.