Senate GOP to require pledge of allegiance to state flag
In an apparent nod to state sovereignty, Senate Republicans will require members of their chamber to recite the pledge of allegiance to the state flag of Georgia every morning they gather – after a daily devotional and a pledge to the U.S. flag.
The addition to the chambers’ rituals was adopted Friday at a caucus meeting in Macon, as part of a wholesale change in state rules that included the stripping of Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle of most of his powers.
Both the House and Senate now include a daily sermon and a pledge to the U.S. flag as part of the beginning of each day’s business.
Afterwards, in the House, state Rep. Bobby Franklin (R-Cobb County) has led a small group of GOP lawmakers in a wildcat recitation of the Georgia pledge:
“I pledge allegiance to the Georgia flag and to the principles for which it stands: Wisdom, Justice, and Moderation.”
This afternoon, Franklin said the Senate was highly appropriate, “given the usurpations of Washington.”
“It’s time for the House Leadership to join the Senate and add the Pledge of Allegiance to the Georgia Flag to the House’s morning order of business,” Franklin said.
We’ve obtained copy of a draft of the rule changes, which you can see here.
(The draft does not include a notation of a daily pledge to the state flag. Neither does the draft include Cagle’s two appointments to the Committee on Assignments. Also, simply cross out Section 12.)
From the draft and other sources, we can say the following about the new eight-person Committee on Assignments, the new governing unit of the Senate:
– The Committee on Assignments will name the chairmen of all committees, and will determine the number and identity of all senators who sit on committees;
– Cagle will have two appointments to that committee. Other members will be – as stated before – the President pro tem, the majority leader, the chairman of the majority caucus, the majority caucus vice chairm, and the majority caucus secretary;
– The “hawk” provision that gave the lieutenant governor the power to pack committees with ex officio members – in order to move favored legislation — now shifts to the Committee on Assignments;
– Gubernatorial appointments that require Senate approval will be handled by the Committee on Assignments. You’ll recall that last year, Cagle was blamed for sabotaging Sonny Perdue’s appointment of longtime GOP activist Fred Cooper to a seat on the Board of Regents.
– Cagle will retain the right, as president of the Senate, to preside over the chamber. But should two or more senators rise to speak at the same time, he “shall recognize the President Pro Tempore (Tommie Williams of Lyons), the Majority Leader (Chip Rogers of Woodstock) and the Minority Leader (Robert Brown of Macon), in that order of precedence, should any of them rise to speak, prior to recognizing any other Senator.”
That’s a rule that had been in place during the GOP icing of Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor, a Demcrat.
– Points of personal privilege – opportunities for senators to speak on any topic they want – will be moved to the bottom of the days business. Which could make a long day for 4H groups in the galleries, waiting for a shout-out from their senator.
– In addition to maintaining the limited power to direct legislation to individual committees, Cagle apparently retains the power to name the conference committee members who will negotiate with their House counterpoints over specific pieces of legislation. That’s not a small thing.
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201 comments Add your comment
JJ Harper
November 10th, 2010
1:50 am
FMX
I believe that everybody in Georgia should have to work for the GA Dept. of Corrections for at least one year.
Then, and only then, should they be allowed to comment on the subject of “bigotry.”
Those of you who have at least one eye and half sense can look up demographics regarding our prison population.
…I guess the facts doesn’t speak for itself.
Will Jones - Atlanta Jeffersonian Exegesis
November 10th, 2010
3:19 am
Bush, a draft-dodging closet-queen cheated into.the WH by only the RC’s on the SCOTUS, whose family has served Vatican banker Rockefellers five generations, since SO was built on murder and arson, and whose Knight of Malta grandfather was the money conduit from the U.S. RC collection plate to the author of “I Paid Hitler” and whose CIA, bigamist father “can’t recall” his whereabouts upon which he learned of JFK’s assassination by the CIA (’Hunt v Marchetti’) sending 58,000 of us to die for papal interests in VN, committed 9/11 (Viz. “The New Pearl Harbor,” Griffin, Ph.D.).
Don’t “get” it? You aren’t an American, you’re a Tory.
Gerald West
November 10th, 2010
5:39 am
What a completely useless bunch of yokels! Let them spend all their time on pledges and prayers if that’l divert them from their mischief.
Lee Howell
November 10th, 2010
6:14 am
I swear, I’ve voted GOP for the past 36 years, but on a state-wide level at least, these clowns are turning me into an Independent fast! I couldn’t even vote for most of them while holding my nose!
Willis
November 10th, 2010
6:24 am
So, how long will it take for their pledges and sermons and such to result in jobs for Georgians? Next thing we know they’ll be wearing their pistols in holsters while they are under the gold dome. Idiots.
Willis
November 10th, 2010
6:32 am
I hope new people don’t move to Geogia. That way, the Republican in-breeding will just get better.
The Centrist
November 10th, 2010
6:32 am
What a great start to a legislative year. Top priorities for protocol? Sermons and pledges. By the way, how many conservatives signed their loyalty oaths?
Us vs Us
November 10th, 2010
6:34 am
Re: JJ Harper at americanmilitant.org
Wow, a real live weekend warrior anti-american rambo survivalist wannabes playing army man with a mind to create a theocracy in the US.
I especially like the ” We don’t “tolerate” much outside the realm of Christianity.” Perfect, you stay classy dude. Have fun at your little jamborees.
=================
From that site
=================
We are vigorously active in what we stand for. We must reform so-called “Christians” back to the old-time religion! Our mission is that of “warfare!” America must start fighting for our Christian rights!
We are a “non-violent” organization, however, our aggressiveness might seem violent to some. We are an “in-your-face” organization. We don’t “tolerate” much outside the realm of Christianity.
If you plan to introduce anti-Christian ideologies to Americans, we plan to confront you with a welcome out of this country!
==========================
Bobby
November 10th, 2010
6:44 am
We have a crook for Governor, an adulterer Family Values person for Lt. Governor. Sounds about right for Georgia politics.
Keith
November 10th, 2010
7:11 am
Shouldn’t all legislators at every level be pledging allegiance to the constitution instead or a piece of cloth? In particular they should be pledging to defend the concept of the federal government having a role of specifically enumerated powers. These people are not sent to office for their own personal profit or power. They are sent to serve the interests of the voters that elected them. Every single one of them owes their allegiance to the Constitution; not to a flag. No spending bill should ever be approved without asking if it is Constitutionally legitimate and if it is appropriate that the government steal money from taxpayers to provide it.
LizBeth
November 10th, 2010
7:12 am
JJ–
Honey, Sweetheart, Dear…
I get it. You’re a Pharisee.
Keith
November 10th, 2010
7:14 am
(gaah – words disappeared from my posting – That should have read: “In particular they should be pledging to defend the concept of the federal government having a LIMITED role of specifically enumerated powers.”)
JB
November 10th, 2010
7:29 am
Jez, these kids don’t even play well with thier own kind.
professional skeptic
November 10th, 2010
7:29 am
MODERATION?? Tell that to our bankrupt, spendthrift Gubner Elect.
A.B. Davis
November 10th, 2010
7:33 am
Hey, all you people who are critizing Ga., how about getting on the next northbound plane, train or bus. Go back to the rust belt and pay your stinking Chicago style taxes up there.
Jeff
November 10th, 2010
7:37 am
Pledging to the Ga flag is a step in the right direction, Constitutionally speaking. Another issue, why do state buildings fly the federal flag? Federal buildings don’t fly the state flag. As far as I’m concerning we could save ourselves a lot of money by not flying the fed flag on state property. And why is the fed flag flown higher than the state flag? Read your history folks, the state was here before the union and the states created the union.
Gwinnett GOP
November 10th, 2010
7:47 am
Gwinnett County – one party Republican rule = corruption. State Capitol = one party Republican rule.
kdd
November 10th, 2010
7:52 am
Glad I left GA for KY, it’s way more moderate…I never thought I’d ever say that! GA will soon be more backward than MS. Enjoy the ride!
common sense
November 10th, 2010
7:52 am
as the saying goes, people be afraid very afraid!!!!!….
professional skeptic
November 10th, 2010
7:58 am
AB Davis:
It is our God-given right to criticize Georgia government. I plan to exercise that right until we stop electing crooks, shysters and philanderers to state office.
What’s the point of a daily sermon during the legislative session if these jokers and clowns just turn right around and commit adultery with staffers and lobbyists while they’re in public office? Or, if they use the resources of their public office for personal financial gain?
There’s certainly no shortage of things to criticize.
Rob
November 10th, 2010
8:09 am
wow – this is disheartening – oaths to State flags – oaths to Political Parties – we all know what is next – Georgia will not attract new business with these puritanical and hypocritical legislators
NXS
November 10th, 2010
8:11 am
So the Republicans have ruled this state for over six years now, as they continually complained about one party rule at the national level. How has this worked out for Georgians? Well, at least we can legally collect and eat road kill.
This current group of Talibaptists is now demanding adherence to religious doctrines which, I would think, is unconstitutional. Of course, I’m sure our illustrious lawmakers are all constitutional scholars in one way or another so maybe this isn’t an issue. What a pathetic joke this state is becomings under a bunch of redneck, religious zealot. How long will it be before they try and make all of us take a pledge to their party and their savior?
John K
November 10th, 2010
8:23 am
A sermon? Seriously? Georgia: Spearheading the way to 1952.
SAMESTUFFDIFFERENTNAME
November 10th, 2010
8:31 am
REMINDS ME OF WHAT THE STATE DEMS WERE DOING FOR DECADES BEFORE THEY ALL BECAME REPUBS IN THE 90′S. ANYONE REMEMBER JOE FRANK SELLING OUT TO THE PAPER COMPANIES. FACE IT GUYS THIS IS THE SAME CORRUPT POWER STRUCTURE THAT WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD. SCREW EVERYONE THAT IS NOT RICH AND POWERFUL THEN DIVIDE THEM ALONG PARTY LINES. I BELIEVE THAT THE MAJORITY OF GEORGIANS ARE MODERATE, INTELLIGENT, HARD WORKING PEOPLE BEING REPRESENTED BY THE OPPOSITE. WE DO NOT GET A PROPER CHOICE WHEN WE ARE IN THE VOTING BOOTH BECAUSE THE POWERS THAT BE CONTROL THOSE CHOICES.
Paul in RDU
November 10th, 2010
8:33 am
Is it 1861?
lmno
November 10th, 2010
8:35 am
Great, they are reciting a pledge as a way to give the proverbial finger to the Federal Government. They did something like this in 1956 to give the finger to Brown v. Board of Education. I suspect that their current actions will be viewed historically much like that 1956 move.
Are we ever going to get tired of dragging behind the rest of the country?
Rural Georgians are Ignorant
November 10th, 2010
8:35 am
Let’s see … The state GOP-lead agenda so far has produced:
1. Praying for rain
2. Ok to carry guns to church
3. Ok to eat road kill
4. Pledge allegiance to the State flag
5. Strip the Lt. Governor of his power
6. Consistently finish in the bottom 3 of education
Oh yeah, this state is definitely on the right track.
All politics are local. WHERE’S THE JOBS!!!!!!!
lmno
November 10th, 2010
8:41 am
Don’t forget that they also passed a bill that bans anyone from forcing others to have microchips planted under their skin!
Dodged a bullet on that one! Good looking out Georgia GOP.
I look forward to your many other progressive forward thinking ideas.
If you are taking suggestions, I think maybe you should make it illegal for anyone to use a ray gun for controlloing womp bat populations. Think about it.
pete
November 10th, 2010
8:50 am
smells like a breath of stinky air from the American Fascist party.Republicans are just left overs of the Italian fascist party.Corporatism and the republican party are funding the death of our free REPUBLIC.Wake up working people do you want to go back to slaving all day for pennies, if not then start researching what and who you vote for.I mean really who would vote against themseves, Amendment 1 for example this should have never happened do we not have enough laws on the books.We are going to enslave ourselves thinking we are doing something for this or that goverment party.Think before you do, United We Will Stand Divided We Will Fall.
GT/MIT
November 10th, 2010
8:53 am
Ah, the blues are blue, the grapes are sour, the chops are bursted, and God forgive me, your angst is a joy to behold !!
John Goldsmith
November 10th, 2010
9:29 am
Rep. Tom Price is an idiot!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/09/republican-study-committe_n_781122.html?view=print
td
November 10th, 2010
9:30 am
GT/MIT
November 10th, 2010
8:53 am
Ah, the blues are blue, the grapes are sour, the chops are bursted, and God forgive me, your angst is a joy to behold !!
LMAO. Very well said and so true.
SpaceyG
November 10th, 2010
10:18 am
*Usurpations* is a popular word… on some other planet.
OldFarmer
November 10th, 2010
10:20 am
More Elephant Party bull.
DJ Sniper
November 10th, 2010
10:38 am
Rural Georgians, you said it. As time has gone by, I’ve started paying more attention to local politics, and Georgia just seems to keep shooting itself in the foot. I swear, our elected officials seem hellbent on keeping this state stuck in the past instead of moving to the future. We are way behind on public transportation (which I’m sure will cost us jobs), we haven’t made any progress on the water situation, our education system is terrible, but none of these issues have been addressed. Our elected officials are more concerned with gun rights, microchip implants, and other such nonsense.
I just love it when people come on here and talk about how people should leave if they don’t like it here. Some of us do like it here, but we would prefer that the people in charge would actually serve the state and the people instead of their own interests.
backwards is the new forwards
November 10th, 2010
11:00 am
I hear they’re instigating a new dress code too, white capes and gowns and a fancy white pointy cap. Sometimes they sun is too hot for their fair skin so they can pull the cap down to cover their face.
GT/MIT
November 10th, 2010
11:35 am
I can’t recall off the top of my head which biblical character said,”its better to plant thy seed in the belly of a (lady of the evening) than to cast it upon the ground”. After reading through the comments posted on this forum, I think he was mistaken.
catlady
November 10th, 2010
11:49 am
Georgia Blue, Here are the Republican plans for education and the economy: !
Dan
November 10th, 2010
11:50 am
Really??? Don’t they have real work to do?
Will
November 10th, 2010
12:05 pm
Although a native born Georgian who loves my state, I pledge allegiance to no flag other than the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands.
Make no mistake about it, there are radical republicans in our state who are plotting and planning to lead a secession movement in Georgia. When the republicans lead our state out of The United State of America, I will proudly stand with our grand republic.
LMAO@GAVOTERS
November 10th, 2010
12:11 pm
TREY I hate to burst your bubble, but do your research my friend, the Repubs ran our country into the ground the last 8 years and for the majority of that time the Repubs had the White House and Congress under thier fingertips. So seeing that it took us 8 years to get in this mess, dont you think its going to take the current administration JUST AS LONG TO GET US OUT THE DITCH??
People like you have selective memory only when it chooses to fit your cause. Bill Clinton left office and this country had all its bills paid and a surplus. Within the first 18 months of Former Pres. George Bush’s term that surplus was gone and we were back in debt and we’ve never seen the light of day since then. So save me the rhetoric for another time.
As for sending jobs overseas, well all I can say is Whats the largest company in America that currently moved its entire operation overseas for tax breaks and was Chaired by an former Vice President? Repubs only say what we want to hear then do whatever the hell they want once elected. I REPEAT SINCE THE REPUBS THINK THE COUNTRY IS GIVEN THEM A SECOND CHANCE I EXPECT 2% UNEMPLOYMENT AND THE NATIONS DEBT REDUCED BY January 2, 2011. I’m given them less time than they are allowing the current president to fix this mess that took 8 years for the Repubs to create. Please TREY you been drinking too much of the Repubs KoolAid, but thats typical. Like my grandfather always said if you want to know a man’s future actions study his past.
Ignorance is bliss
November 10th, 2010
12:14 pm
I didn’t have time to read all of the comments, but has it been noted that the current GA flag is also the original Confederate States flag!!! Pledging allegiance to that flag is like saying a pledge to the Confederate States! Something has got to be done about this party gone wild. Next thing you know, they will try seceding (sp)from the union.
BBW
November 10th, 2010
12:16 pm
Maybe I am lost, but I’m proud they take the time to have prayer, pledge the American Flag and if they want pledge the Georgia Flag. Lets not loose our faith. Maybe we did elect the wrong Governor, all the more reason for prayer.
td
November 10th, 2010
12:26 pm
Will
November 10th, 2010
12:05 pm
Although a native born Georgian who loves my state, I pledge allegiance to no flag other than the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands.
Make no mistake about it, there are radical republicans in our state who are plotting and planning to lead a secession movement in Georgia. When the republicans lead our state out of The United State of America, I will proudly stand with our grand republic
I hope so because I do not really want to pay for bailing out Calf, NY, and Ill and Mich because their masses were to stupid to elect conservatives that would cut their budgets instead of continuing to amass debt.
luangtom
November 10th, 2010
12:36 pm
When are the whiners going to get over it and quit their p%$$ing and moaning? These people have not held a session yet and their detractors are out in force whining and complaining. Why are you not doing the same due to your Messiah, B. Hussein Obama, not going forth with his promises and lies? I suppose the tax-payer paid vacations for Michelle and daughters to shop overseas is not worth mentioning when many here are on unemployment and getting no help from the Messiah. Neither party is without fault or missteps. Wait until January for your clamoring and discontent. Let them at least convene the session.
backwards is the new forwards
November 10th, 2010
1:02 pm
@luangtom: Really? Whiners? Fox News, The Tea Party and the Republicans have been doing nothing but whining for the past two years, laying an assault on Democrats and blaming the for all the problems in this country. Maybe you should do a little more research into GW Bush. Selective memory indeed.
BPJ
November 10th, 2010
2:56 pm
I think it’s wonderful that Georgia republicans will be pledging allegiance to the principle of moderation! (After all, hypocrisy is the tribute vice pays to virtue.)
GT/MIT
November 10th, 2010
4:08 pm
@ backward is the new forward
I find your comment somewhat perplexing. While I agree that politics has been really ugly on both sides, the Tea Party has been making some waves, and the Republicans “have been laying an assault on Democrats”, even to the extent of blaming them for the unprecedented debt that will be passed on to our grandchildren. All of this, even though those of us with our heads up our a.., no let me rephrase that, with our heads in the sand know that it cannot possibly be true. Isn’t that right backwards? You neglected to mention the one most important thing that conservatives have been doing, and thats kicking your left wing butts out of office!!!
Right is Wrong
November 10th, 2010
8:51 pm
GT/MIT. I thought perhaps your moniker might stand for GaTech/Mass. Inst. Tech; however, after reading your post, maybe it stands for Gigantic TeaTard/Missing Intelligence Traits. How’s that good ‘ole “CON”servative leadership been working out for us here in Georgia? What have the Repubs done since they took control of the legislature, after Sonny came in and then immediately began helping himself to sweetheart tax breaks for himself and his corporate enablers? Nationally, Dems got thrown out for not creating jobs (which interestingly CONservatives claim is not the goverment’s job, while they pillory Obama for not doing so). How many jobs have our state’s one party RepubliCONs created? Last time I checked we were at 10% in Georgia which is higher than the national average of 9.6%. Yea, great CONservative leadership alright!
And you may have “kicked our left wing butts out of office” for now, but how long do you think the people of this state, and of this nation, will be attracted by the shiny little lures of CONservative politics (hey, look over here, liberals are communists, they hate God, they love queers, and a lot of them “don’t look like us” wink, wink, nod, nod). The dissension that the party you, apparently, support has caused is truly degrading to the fabric of our nation and has poisoned political discourse with all of its fear-mongering and hate speech coming from the AM echo chamber and GOPTV, aka Faux News. So while we liberals and progressives may be in the wilderness for some time to come, at least we know that our motives and policies are based FAR more on altruism than on the greed and the “I got mine” policies that permeate the Republicon Party.
I’ll close with a question for you. Just how many jobs did that great CONservative tax plan for millionaires and billionaires create? You know, the tax cuts that helped to break our long-term discretionary budgets (which is why it has a sunset provision) and to defund everything in our government except a never ending war of choice, i.e. the Bush tax cuts. Fewer jobs were created under Bush than in almost any other modern presidency except for daddy and Ford (even Carter kicked his butt, soundly!) -read it and weep, straight from the WSJ http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2009/01/09/bush-on-jobs-the-worst-track-record-on-record/.
Nationally, people will figure out that the Republicon scam of “look the other way while we take care of our rich buddies and continue to shrink the middle class” sooner than later. In Georgia, I’m not so sure as being 48-49th in education for so long has clearly taken its toll!
GT/MIT
November 10th, 2010
11:43 pm
Right really is Wrong//You have obviously invested quite some time in the construction of your comments, by that I mean you’ve spelled most of the words correctly if we can assume that the convolution of certain words was done purposely. But like most liberals that I have encountered lately you have somewhat of a problem processing the information you collect in any kind of a rational way. First you find it acceptable to attack FOX news simply because you don’t agree with their opinion while you make no mention of MSNBC, an admittedly far left media. Secondly, and this I find to be most distasteful, you tend to try to elevate your ideology by myth, half truths, and outright lies. I don’t recall calling anyone a communist, don’t know how you feel about God, and I have no idea of your relationship with homosexuals, wink wink, nod, nod. Finally, in answer to your question, I don’t know how many jobs we millionaires and billionaires created, but I know you liberals caused millions of them to vanish. In closing let me say once again, I am not a Democrat nor am I a Republican but I am true to the belief that fiscal conservatism is the only way our country can survive. I bid you a good evening sir.