Georgia's Republican Governor Won't Endorse Town's First Racially Integrated Prom

Georgia’s Republican Governor Won’t Endorse Town’s First Racially Integrated Prom

Because he doesn’t want to ‘take sides’

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WingnutsApril 2013 • Views: 31,682

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal (R) has refused through a spokesperson to endorse one town’s first-ever integrated high school prom, saying that he would rather not take sides on the issue. According to Atlanta’s WMAZ Channel 13, politicians from both parties have stated their support for black and white students from Wilcox, Georgia, but Deal declined to join them.

Raw Story spoke to activist Bryan Long of the progressive group Better Georgia, whose group has asked Georgia elected officials “to publicly support the students of Wilcox County who are fighting to end a ‘separate-but-equal’ high school prom.”

“We thought it would be nice if our elected officials would support these students,” said Long. “They’re taking a great stand in their community. We thought that officials all across the state should send a message to the nation that we’ve moved beyond the racial divisions of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s.”

He added, “We were surprised to read that the governor’s spokesperson said that he wouldn’t be ‘taking sides’ on this issue. I didn’t know that there were sides to take.”

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134 comments

bratwurst Fri, Apr 12, 2013 3:33:33pm

As much I get angry with people who organize racially segregated events, I am more angry with Deal who implies that there is a legitimate “side” in favor of such things.

Oggie Ben Doggie Fri, Apr 12, 2013 3:35:22pm

I certainly have more respect for racist segregationists than for the spineless worms who pander to them.

RealityBasedSteve Fri, Apr 12, 2013 4:48:23pm

To me the money quote was in the the last paragraph of the linked article. Wilcox High School was integrated decades ago, but parents have put up their own money for annual private parties rather than have an integrated prom. I suspect that the gov didn’t want to offend any of the influential families who contribute to ~~his campaign~~ the community.

GEEZE!!!! Sometimes the “Right Thing To Do” isn’t the easy thing. In this case the right thing is the easy, obvious and so freaking simple thing to do that it makes me shudder. This is a clear and simple case of partisan politics, as confirmed by the gov’s own spokesman. Deal spokesperson Brian Robinson told WMAZ on Thursday that Deal is refusing to endorse the integrated prom because of Better Georgia’s bipartisan initiative.

“This is a leftist front group for the state Democratic party and we’re not going to lend a hand to their silly publicity stunt,” wrote Robinson.

And people wonder why I mutter constantly under my breath.

RBS

majii Fri, Apr 12, 2013 6:01:02pm

I live with this cretin as governor of my state. He is a 1st Class Coward. Whenever any controversy arises, he either wimps out or refuses to comment. When this jackass was in the House, he had plenty of ugly, outrageous sh*t to say about President Obama and democrats, but now that he’s in a real leadership position, he’s the biggest wimp in the country. What pisses me off about these GOP cowards is that the rank and file describe them as “brave individuals who aren’t afraid of tackling the difficult issues.” I just threw up a little in my mouth. Deal has just shown anyone with one functioning brain cell that he doesn’t believe in desegregation. The tools who are incapable of thinking for themselves may buy into his “I’m not taking sides” lie as being a suitable response to the question, but I don’t and I never will.
WMAZ is my local station. It’s located in Macon, GA, not Atlanta, GA, as the article states.

freetoken Fri, Apr 12, 2013 6:17:42pm

Re-messaging… how does that work?

Skip Intro Fri, Apr 12, 2013 6:28:14pm

re: #5 freetoken

Re-messaging… how does that work?

Hey, they gave it a try for about four hours or so. The party damn near imploded over it.

Kragar Fri, Apr 12, 2013 7:36:10pm

“This is a leftist front group for the state Democratic party and we’re not going to lend a hand to their silly publicity stunt,” wrote Robinson.

Mission: FAILED

Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 12, 2013 7:41:35pm

Youtube Video

Blue Point Fri, Apr 12, 2013 7:42:14pm

When you vote for a Republican candidate anywhere, you are voting for Republicans such as this everywhere. Sides. That’s a great answer. Wonder if he needed counsel for that gem.

BongCrodny Fri, Apr 12, 2013 7:44:00pm

How noble and brave of him.

jaunte Fri, Apr 12, 2013 7:46:26pm

bettergeorgia.com:

Wilcox County students offer redemption for Georgia

“…Wilcox County High School students are working their tails off to unite their community and shake the humiliation and sins of their parents. They’ve organized a facebook page asking for donations to have their first integrated prom on April 27. They’re doing this against the wishes of some parents and even some in the school, which has refused to host the proposed prom.”

Skip Intro Fri, Apr 12, 2013 7:49:17pm

re: #11 jaunte

bettergeorgia.com:

Wilcox County students offer redemption for Georgia

Did time stop at around 1960 in some places in the South? I know that in Rush Limbaugh’s world, it’s always 1959. Apparently that’s a common condition for boomers in the South.

AntonSirius Fri, Apr 12, 2013 7:49:24pm

re: #3 RealityBasedSteve

“This is a leftist front group for the state Democratic party and we’re not going to lend a hand to their silly publicity stunt,” wrote Robinson.

I’m confused. Is desegregation the silly publicity stunt, or is it young people rejecting the fear and hatred of previous generations?

Dancing along the light of day Fri, Apr 12, 2013 7:49:41pm

FAIL.
Desegregation is like SO 1960’s and this asshat is still into it?

Dancing along the light of day Fri, Apr 12, 2013 7:50:15pm

And, for fun!

Frank says:

Sopranos!? That’s why God made the rocket launcher and grenade!

BongCrodny Fri, Apr 12, 2013 7:53:23pm

“I’m not taking sides” is tacitly endorsing the segregationist side. It’s stating that there *is* a difference.

No, fuck that — it’s explicitly endorsing the segregationist side.

simoom Fri, Apr 12, 2013 8:00:57pm

13wmaz.com

The school defended itself against negative criticism, saying “WCHS is much like any other school” and that “students see skin color through their parents’ eyes.”

simoom Fri, Apr 12, 2013 8:02:32pm

ajc.com

“Last week, Melvin Everson, the Republican executive director of the Georgia Commission of Equal Opportunity — and an African-American, identified himself as a 1975 graduate of Wilcox County High School and posted the following on his Facebook page:

“I graduated from Wilcox High in 1975 and did not experience the prom atmosphere because one wasn’t held. I am willing to help fund one single prom for all students that will be an evening to remember. I call upon all those from Wilcox to help make this a reality. Please do not allow the media to present Wilcox as a backward, backwoods county. I am proud of my birth county and all the citizens who live there. Come on Wilcox, let’s show this state, this country, and the world, that Wilcox is bigger than this. Let’s Go Wilcox! Let’s make it happen with class!”

…

Republicans, you’ve been urged to show a more inclusive face since last November. Mr. Everson has just given you an opening. Tell yourself that you’re not responding to Better Georgia — just to a fellow Republican.”

Stanley Sea Fri, Apr 12, 2013 8:08:52pm

re: #17 simoom

13wmaz.com

Their parents are 40 years old or so. Just so sad. Maybe seen through their grandparents, but their parents? It’s not over, that’s a dream.

Skip Intro Fri, Apr 12, 2013 8:09:31pm

“Last week, Melvin Everson, the Republican executive director of the Georgia Commission of Equal Opportunity — and an African-American, identified himself as a 1975 graduate of Wilcox County High School and posted the following on his Facebook page:

I can only imagine the shitstorm that came down on Mr. Everson for daring to post that.

AlexRogan Fri, Apr 12, 2013 8:16:09pm

Deal (and his spokesman) won’t say anything positive about this because they know there’s still a lot of Georgian neo-Confederates that long for those bad ol’ days of “separate but equal” under the color of law.

By the governor of Georgia trying to play both sides of the fence by being noncommittal on something as important as the free exercise of civil rights in his state, even though this is a subject that shouldn’t even have “sides” in this day and age, he and his spokeshole blew their feet off with 12-gauge shotguns.

stabby Fri, Apr 12, 2013 8:17:35pm

re: #19 Stanley Sea

Their parents are 40 years old or so. Just so sad. Maybe seen through their grandparents, but their parents? It’s not over, that’s a dream.

You’re forgetting that this is the south. Clearly on racial matters, the south isn’t the United States that you see on TV, unless the station is Fox News.

AlexRogan Fri, Apr 12, 2013 8:19:12pm

re: #11 jaunte

bettergeorgia.com:

Wilcox County students offer redemption for Georgia

The school is refusing to host this integrated prom, here in 2013?

Sounds like the ACLU needs to go after the school board and the city/county government for this.

Gus Fri, Apr 12, 2013 8:19:57pm

Yo! Republicans! How’s that rebranding thing working out for ya?

engineer cat Fri, Apr 12, 2013 8:20:16pm

re: #22 stabby

You’re forgetting that this is the south. Clearly on racial matters, the south isn’t the United States that you see on TV, unless the station is Fox News.

i’m not at all sure which country i’m seeing when i watch fox news

jaunte Fri, Apr 12, 2013 8:23:02pm

Some AJC comments:

Posted by Mustang100 at 7:06 p.m. Apr. 12, 2013
Some people can’t survive without government assistance, be it social, financial, or whatever. It’s called the Plantation Mentality.

Posted by Wheel at 7:31 p.m. Apr. 12, 2013
Slow news day huh?
So you have to create a problem and drag a conservative Republican into it.
Its not like there was an abortionist who killed 7 black babies after they were born alive. … or a democrat PAC who has bugged a Senator’s office or something like that would be more newsworthy…

Posted by Milton1960 at 8:37 p.m. Apr. 12, 2013
This Wilcox County prom/no prom is absolutely a local issue, but the Lefties will use any ole thing to poke a thumb in the Governor’s eye.

Posted by Jojo1 at 9:14 p.m. Apr. 12, 2013
What is the title of the article? There is already a movement to integrate. The State Government should stay out of it unless the attempt fails. There is already a problem in this country with the larger government getting too involved when things should be handled at the local level first. Only if the integration attempt failed should the governor get involved. Otherwise we have the same problem on the county level as we have with the federal government getting involved in state issues. The county knows the situation the best.
ajc.com

Tenthers alive and well in Georgia.

Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 12, 2013 8:24:21pm

re: #22 stabby

You’re forgetting that this is the south. Clearly on racial matters, the south isn’t the United States that you see on TV, unless the station is Fox News.

Even FNC does better than some parts of the south, and those parts won’t trust Fox News because its based in New York City.

/I wish I was kidding.

Mattand Fri, Apr 12, 2013 8:24:59pm

re: #16 BongCrodny

“I’m not taking sides” is tacitly endorsing the segregationist side. It’s stating that there *is* a difference.

No, fuck that — it’s explicitly endorsing the segregationist side.

Pretty much says it all. Fuck you, GOP. And a biiiig “Screw you” to all you out there who are voting Republican and endorsing these idiots.

engineer cat Fri, Apr 12, 2013 8:50:07pm

what’s the best movie opening this week?

allegro Fri, Apr 12, 2013 8:51:00pm

re: #26 jaunte

Only if the integration attempt failed should the governor get involved.

FFS, this was written by someone today? 60 years, give or take, hasn’t been long enough for integrated proms? At what point may one ever so gently suggest that maybe FAIL has passed by a whole lotta times.

I despair sometimes. Really.

jaunte Fri, Apr 12, 2013 8:53:59pm

“We have become expert in how to provide ideological reinforcement to like-minded people, but devastatingly we have lost the ability to be persuasive with, or welcoming to, those who do not agree with us on every issue.”
—Growth and Opportunity Project Report; Republican National Committee

engineer cat Fri, Apr 12, 2013 8:56:21pm

re: #31 jaunte

“We have become expert in how to provide ideological reinforcement to like-minded people, but devastatingly we have lost the ability to be persuasive with, or welcoming to, those who do not agree with us on every issue.”
—Growth and Opportunity Project report; Republican National Committee

i would start with some remedial actual reality and then move on to some training in good manners

AlexRogan Fri, Apr 12, 2013 9:00:20pm

re: #31 jaunte

“We have become expert in how to provide ideological reinforcement to like-minded people, but devastatingly we have lost the ability to be persuasive with, or welcoming to, those who do not agree with us on every issue.”
—Growth and Opportunity Project Report; Republican National Committee

In other words, the GOP is fantastic at feeding the (heavily white, male, and “Christian”) conservative echo chamber and keeping them perpetually riled enough against everyone who doesn’t act, sound, or look like them so that they consistently vote against their best interests, but they suck ass at convincing others to take a bite of their rancid shit sandwich.

That about right?

Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 12, 2013 9:04:26pm

re: #31 jaunte

“We have become expert in how to provide ideological reinforcement to like-minded people, but devastatingly we have lost the ability to be persuasive with, or welcoming to, those who do not agree with us on every issue.”
—Growth and Opportunity Project Report; Republican National Committee

Several conservative writers have urged their readers to read non-conservative sites at times (Talking Points Memo being listed more than once, BTW) with the aim of improving understanding of liberal ideas and policies. One would hope this would take hold, but if so it’ll be slow in doing so. Once you get into a media bubble, its tough to get out.

AntonSirius Fri, Apr 12, 2013 9:15:37pm

re: #34 Dark_Falcon

Several conservative writers have urged their readers to read non-conservative sites at times (Talking Points Memo being listed more than once, BTW) with the aim of improving understanding of liberal ideas and policies.

But are they recommending them in a “Know thy enemy” way, or in an honest attempt to foster a dialogue?

goddamnedfrank Fri, Apr 12, 2013 9:17:12pm

re: #23 AlexRogan

The school is refusing to host this integrated prom, here in 2013?

Sounds like the ACLU needs to go after the school board and the city/county government for this.

On what basis? The school doesn’t have an affirmative obligation to host a prom, so they don’t host any proms. They’re all private affairs. You can shame the school, board, county for being ridiculous cowards about racial social and romantic integration in 2013 but they aren’t in fact breaking any law or violating anybody’s constitutional rights.

Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 12, 2013 9:24:29pm

re: #35 AntonSirius

But are they recommending them in a “Know thy enemy” way, or in an honest attempt to foster a dialogue?

“Learn about the Other” is how I would put it. Ross Douthat and Kevin D. Williamson, when urging their readers to branch out a bit, both take care to avoid being hostile. They believe that conservative ideas are far more often than not the right ideas, but they also understand that neither liberals nor their ideas are evil. They urge understanding as a way to argue the conservative case effectively, but also as a way of staying connected to reality and accepting that the other side sometimes has a decent case to make.

freetoken Fri, Apr 12, 2013 9:27:58pm

Rand Paul would argue that Nathan Deal is simply trying to avoid government over-reach, I suppose.

Interesting Times Fri, Apr 12, 2013 9:31:13pm

re: #37 Dark_Falcon

“Learn about the Other” is how I would put it. Ross Douthat and Kevin D. Williamson, when urging their readers to branch out a bit, both take care to avoid being hostile.

It’s a joke and they know it. The only “branching out” their readers are capable of doing on non-rightwing sites would be trolling the comment sections.

They’re not interested in a dialogue, they’re interested in DARVO.

goddamnedfrank Fri, Apr 12, 2013 9:35:07pm

re: #38 freetoken

Rand Paul would argue that Nathan Deal is simply trying to avoid government over-reach, I suppose.

He’d definitely a fence sitting coward, afraid of losing the votes of racists who clinging to an anachronism forty five years past its sell-by date. At the same time he knows he can’t endorse the segregated private prom system either because it’s fucking 2013.

Mattand Fri, Apr 12, 2013 9:36:43pm

re: #34 Dark_Falcon

Several conservative writers have urged their readers to read non-conservative sites at times (Talking Points Memo being listed more than once, BTW) with the aim of improving understanding of liberal ideas and policies. One would hope this would take hold, but if so it’ll be slow in doing so. Once you get into a media bubble, its tough to get out.

When your media bubble encourages you not to take sides on the problem of 21st century segregated high school proms, you’ve got bigger problems than not reading Think Progress

freetoken Fri, Apr 12, 2013 9:44:17pm

Self-hatred.

That’s the best answer I can come up with for this prolonged longing for the idea of racial separation.

Those “white” folk in Georgia who want a segregated prom - I wonder how many of them have taken a genetics profile of themselves? Many would show that they have African ancestors in historical times. Thus they wouldn’t pass a “one drop” rule.

Sol Berdinowitz Fri, Apr 12, 2013 9:55:11pm

re: #5 freetoken

Re-messaging… how does that work?

Abraham Lincoln and Frederic Douglas would have attended separate proms, and they were GOP!

-Rand Paul

AlexRogan Fri, Apr 12, 2013 9:57:38pm

re: #36 goddamnedfrank

On what basis? The school doesn’t have an affirmative obligation to host a prom, so they don’t host any proms. They’re all private affairs. You can shame the school, board, county for being ridiculous cowards about racial social and romantic integration in 2013 but they aren’t in fact breaking any law or violating anybody’s constitutional rights.

If the school’s facilities are let out for other functions during off-hours to outside renters, then it becomes an issue of public accommodation and that is a matter of equal protection under the law, AFAIK.

Drummed-up or obfuscated reasons for refusing to let the gym out to their own junior and senior classes for an all-inclusive prom shouldn’t hold water, legally speaking; they would have to give them the same considerations as an outside group.

Sol Berdinowitz Fri, Apr 12, 2013 9:57:46pm

re: #42 freetoken

Self-hatred.

That’s the best answer I can come up with for this prolonged longing for the idea of racial separation.

Those “white” folk in Georgia who want a segregated prom - I wonder how many of them have taken a genetics profile of themselves? Many would show that they have African ancestors in historical times. Thus they wouldn’t pass a “one drop” rule.

They have a mortal fear of a daughter committing miscegnation.

AlexRogan Fri, Apr 12, 2013 10:00:39pm

re: #45 Sol Berdinowitz

They have a mortal fear of a daughter committing miscegnation.

Which always brings me to that old chestnut from Blazing Saddles:

Youtube Video

Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 12, 2013 10:08:40pm

re: #41 Mattand

When your media bubble encourages you not to take sides on the problem of 21st century segregated high school proms, you’ve got bigger problems than not reading Think Progress

Yet the longest journey begins with a single step. Problems of comprehension usually need to be tackled first, or at least very early on. And such problems normally must be solved gradually, since they came into being gradually in the first place.

goddamnedfrank Fri, Apr 12, 2013 10:09:01pm

The young white guy at 1 min 10sec of this CNN video spells out his objection explicitly, “I don’t think there should be black guys going with white girls. I don’t believe in that. I wasn’t raised that way.”

jamesfirecat Fri, Apr 12, 2013 10:09:45pm

re: #47 Dark_Falcon

Yet the longest journey begins with a single step. Problems of comprehension usually need to be tackled first, or at least very early on. And such problems normally must be solved gradually, since they came into being gradually in the first place.

Or to put it more simply….

It’s a long way down from the summit of bullshit mountain.

goddamnedfrank Fri, Apr 12, 2013 10:30:50pm

re: #44 AlexRogan

If the school’s facilities are let out for other functions during off-hours to outside renters, then it becomes an issue of public accommodation and that is a matter of equal protection under the law, AFAIK.

You make a ton of assumptions that are totally lacking any support. What if it’s not the school’s facilities being used? My prom was held in a private facility, a lot of even officially school sponsored proms are, so the logical assumption would be that a private prom means a private prom, no use of school property or government facilities. The only logical way that the fifty years of segregated events was enforceable was that the students and parents were renting private banquet facilities.

Drummed-up or obfuscated reasons for refusing to let the gym out to their own junior and senior classes for an all-inclusive prom shouldn’t hold water, legally speaking; they would have to give them the same considerations as an outside group.

Again, you’re making a massive assumption utterly without evidence. You assume that the public schools there rent out their facilities for private dance parties when I’ve never heard of any public school anywhere doing that. What exactly is the purpose of trying to invent unequal applications of the law where they are in no way apparent? It’s doubtful that you’re going to find the one loophole that’s somehow escaped fifty years of legal scrutiny by simply willing it into being.

Mattand Fri, Apr 12, 2013 10:33:50pm

re: #47 Dark_Falcon

Yet the longest journey begins with a single step. Problems of comprehension usually need to be tackled first, or at least very early on. And such problems normally must be solved gradually, since they came into being gradually in the first place.

Just so we’re clear, the problem that gradually came into being is the GOPs willingness to unapologetically embrace all manner of bigotry and discrimination.

And the only steps I see them taking are backwards ones. Rand Paul’s tour de farce at Howard University being a prime example.

Dark_Falcon Fri, Apr 12, 2013 10:34:35pm

Good Night, all.

Kragar Fri, Apr 12, 2013 10:40:30pm

Gay Republican blasts GOP committee member over party platform

The head of a gay Republican organization accused a member of the Republican National Committee (RNC) on Friday of putting them in danger of losing future elections following the committee’s decision to include resolutions against same-sex marriage in the party platform.

“That is a fantastic way of giving Democrats fodder to attack Republicans,” Log Cabin Republicans executive director Gregory Angelo told committee member Robin Armstrong during an exchange on MSNBC’s Hardball. “It’s a great way to make the 2014 election all about this. It’s a great way to make the 2016 election all about this.”

The committee voted unanimously on Friday for resolutions stating that it defined marriage as being between one man and one woman, saying heterosexual couples provided “the optimum environment in which to raise healthy children for the future of America.”

“I believe that it is the height of arrogance for us to think that we can change 6,000 years of history,” Armstrong said in response. “I believe that the definition of marriage is between one man and one woman. We’re not against people, but we are for one man, one woman marriage.”

Armstrong also told host Chris Matthews that Republicans were “the tolerant party,” because it allowed people who were pro-choice and pro-marriage equality under its tent.

“As long as they do what they tell them, vote the way we tell them, and give us their money, we’ll take anyone.”

I would suggest to Mr. Angelo he seek greener pastures.

SteveMcGazi Fri, Apr 12, 2013 10:51:35pm

My high school class only had 1 black kid, so separate proms were never a consideration. But, I can’t imagine a prom would be as much fun if half of the kids you go to school with can’t attend.

freetoken Fri, Apr 12, 2013 11:18:54pm

RIP:

MP3 Audio

AlexRogan Fri, Apr 12, 2013 11:20:31pm

re: #50 goddamnedfrank

You make a ton of assumptions that are totally lacking any support. What if it’s not the school’s facilities being used? My prom was held in a private facility, a lot of even officially school sponsored proms are, so the logical assumption would be that a private prom means a private prom, no use of school property or government facilities. The only logical way that the fifty years of segregated events was enforceable was that the students and parents were renting private banquet facilities.

Again, you’re making a massive assumption utterly without evidence. You assume that the public schools there rent out their facilities for private dance parties when I’ve never heard of any public school anywhere doing that. What exactly is the purpose of trying to invent unequal applications of the law where they are in no way apparent? It’s doubtful that you’re going to find the one loophole that’s somehow escaped fifty years of legal scrutiny by simply willing it into being.

Make no mistake, the “private” proms in Wilcox (at least, the ones for the white students) were most likely devised as an end-run around Brown v. Board of Education and the Civil Rights Act, in the same way that many small Southern communities set up “segregation academies” back in the 60s and 70s for the white students and let the black students languish in underfunded and substandard public schools.

As far as the facilities issue goes, Wilcox County has less than 9000 people in the middle of BFE country, about 50-60 miles from Macon; I can’t see them having a facility large enough to safely have an all-inclusive prom besides the school gym. Hell, when I was in middle and high school about 20-25 years ago, we regularly had school-sponsored-and-organized dances…and that was here in Nashville, where there are plenty of places to hold such events, other than on school grounds; the big reason that a lot of high schools here started having their proms (and graduation ceremonies, as well) at private facilities was because they could and wanted to, not necessarily because they had to (for example, here in Nashville, the Grand Ole Opry House and various college arenas have been popular bookings for HS graduations for at least the past 15-20 years).

My guess (and it is only a guess) is that, for all of these years, the separate student groups in Wilcox County have been using local church halls (or even a VFW or American Legion hall, if they have one there). However, if the school’s administration has let one group do their proms on school property at any time, it shouldn’t be an issue to have them do one together there.

It’s long past overdue.

goddamnedfrank Sat, Apr 13, 2013 12:23:59am

re: #56 AlexRogan

As far as the facilities issue goes, Wilcox County has less than 9000 people in the middle of BFE country, about 50-60 miles from Macon; I can’t see them having a facility large enough to safely have an all-inclusive prom besides the school gym.

The size of the town plugs into both sides of that equation, you don’t even know how large the student body is. A little research shows half a dozen or more private banquet facilities within 20 miles. I went to high school in Redmond, WA but our prom was held in Downtown Seattle. As shown below, the integrated prom is being held in nearby Cordele, GA.

The ladies are planning to hold the integrated prom April 27, at the Cordele Community Clubhouse.

The assumption that the school can do anything about the racist proms is based more in wishful thinking than fact. The most they can do is offer an integrated prom, which apparently they did. Why that offer wasn’t taken up isn’t clear:

There will still be two proms this year. Neither proms are financed by or allowed to take place at Wilcox County High School. The students said that when they pushed for one prom, the school offered a resolution to permit an integrated prom that would allow all students to attend but not stop segregated proms.

I’m not sure that the school by itself can do anything about the segregated proms as long as they remain private gatherings. Not unless they start to equate attendance at such functions as violations of their codes of conduct, which opens up a whole new can of worms. The community might be able to ban them from using community centers like the ones used for this years integrated prom, and may already for all we know, I’m not sure if policies enacted by private renters of public facilities are even governed under civil rights public accommodations law or not. Anybody? Is the Klan allowed to rent either public park or private facilities for their own segregated gatherings?

Targetpractice Sat, Apr 13, 2013 12:29:15am

re: #53 Kragar

Gay Republican blasts GOP committee member over party platform

“As long as they do what they tell them, vote the way we tell them, and give us their money, we’ll take anyone.”

I would suggest to Mr. Angelo he seek greener pastures.

Sure, you can be pro-choice and pro-marriage equality in the GOP…provided you don’t vocally support either in public and make the necessary noises when questioned by the press about how abortion is murder and gays are sinful.

CriticalDragon1177 Sat, Apr 13, 2013 12:34:24am

Skip Intro

The only other side to take really is the side of racists. This is the 21st century, not the nineteen fifties. There should be no controversy here. But unfortunately, even in this day and age, some people refuse to leave behind old prejudices. Gov. Nathan Deal is on the wrong side of history, regardless of his motive, and if part of the reason why he opposes this is becouse the group fighting to end the segregated prom is somehow associated with the democratic party, he shouldn’t care. You shouldn’t oppose something, just because your political opponents support it.

freetoken Sat, Apr 13, 2013 12:36:09am

This is America, 2013:

Jindal defends school vouchers in NBC interview

Jindal also said he has no problem with creationism being taught in public schools as long as a local school board OK’s it. Since the state is committed to national academic standards, he said, as long as schools are teaching evolution they should be allowed to teach other theories as well. “What are we scared of?” he said. “Let (students) debate and learn … give them critical thinking skills.”

The interview was supposedly live-streamed:
nola.com
as part of the Education Nation New Orleans program, though I’ve not been able to find a copy of it on Youtube or other sources.

Anyway, Jindal is clearly opposed to the US Constitution.

Where are the tea partiers screaming

CONSTITUTION!!

???

Well, of course, they never really cared for the realities of the Constitution, just their biased wishes of what they hoped it meant.

As for Jindal - he’s just a blatant panderer to the religious right, someone who knows God plays well in American politics.

CriticalDragon1177 Sat, Apr 13, 2013 12:38:48am

“This is a leftist front group for the state Democratic party and we’re not going to lend a hand to their silly publicity stunt,” wrote Robinson.

re: #13 AntonSirius

I’m confused. Is desegregation the silly publicity stunt, or is it young people rejecting the fear and hatred of previous generations?

I think he’s just trying to use that as an excuse to justify it to his fellow Republicans. Its a stupid reason anyway.

CriticalDragon1177 Sat, Apr 13, 2013 12:41:36am

re: #24 Gus

Yo! Republicans! How’s that rebranding thing working out for ya?

Its looking more and more like they’re not even trying.

prairiefire Sat, Apr 13, 2013 1:13:55am

re: #62 CriticalDragon1177

Its looking more and more like they’re not even trying.

Great Youtube set up, dude.

Amory Blaine Sat, Apr 13, 2013 1:19:12am

When students are excluded from a school prom, it’s not a school prom. It’s something else.

Targetpractice Sat, Apr 13, 2013 1:21:35am

re: #60 freetoken

This is America, 2013:

Jindal defends school vouchers in NBC interview

The interview was supposedly live-streamed:
nola.com
as part of the Education Nation New Orleans program, though I’ve not been able to find a copy of it on Youtube or other sources.

Anyway, Jindal is clearly opposed to the US Constitution.

Where are the tea partiers screaming

???

Well, of course, they never really cared for the realities of the Constitution, just their biased wishes of what they hoped it meant.

As for Jindal - he’s just a blatant panderer to the religious right, someone who knows God plays well in American politics.

“Critical thinking” has to rank up there with “religious freedom” on the list of phrases that the religious right have turned into Orwellian newspeak. The promotion of creationism, a “theory” that says one should simply accept centuries old religious text as a factual retelling of the creation of this planet and all life upon it, as being equal to evolution does not promote “critical thinking.” If anything, it promote the exact opposite, telling students that the scientific method is useless because any wild-assed guess can be promoted without the least bit of evidence to back it up.

Amory Blaine Sat, Apr 13, 2013 1:25:52am

New Concerns About Plastic Pollution in Great Lakes ‘Garbage Patch’

Until recently, my concept of a ‘garbage patch’ was of an area of ocean with large pieces of floating debris, the kind of stray fishing gear and trash from ships and shorelines that collect where currents form eddies far from view of most people.

Having seen my share of sea trash in 20,000+ miles of lake and ocean sailing and even untangled sheets of plastic and thick ropes from the propeller and rudder of my 37-foot sailboat, I was shocked to learn that the kind of garbage scientists are most concerned about is invisible to the naked eye. They’re finding tiny bits of plastic known as “micro-plastics” floating near the surface of the water in high concentrations. The particles are so small that a microscope is needed to even see them.

CriticalDragon1177 Sat, Apr 13, 2013 1:30:56am

re: #63 prairiefire

Thanks! It took me awhile to get it right.

freetoken Sat, Apr 13, 2013 1:59:45am

MP3 Audio

NomadicView Sat, Apr 13, 2013 2:23:05am

Wasn’t it nice of the Gov to undo all of that silly PR work that Rand Paul did earlier in the week at the Howard University? After all that talk about giving the Conservative Republican party a second look, it didn’t take long for the true face of the party to emerge.

Shiplord Kirel Sat, Apr 13, 2013 2:43:39am

If Uncle Billy Sherman knew about this he would rise from the grave to finish the work he started 150 years ago.

Youtube Video

Targetpractice Sat, Apr 13, 2013 2:51:47am

re: #69 NomadicView

Wasn’t it nice of the Gov to undo all of that silly PR work that Rand Paul did earlier in the week at the Howard University? After all that talk about giving the Conservative Republican party a second look, it didn’t take long for the true face of the party to emerge.

It’s never really been hidden. All the talk about “rebranding” was pretty much undone within days of the release of the “autopsy.”

Mentis Fugit Sat, Apr 13, 2013 3:17:38am

Congratulations Governor, and congratulations Wilcox County, on keeping the crude stereotype of the cousin-fucking inbred, six-fingered banjo-playing, mouth-breathing brain-damaged redneck yokel Southerner alive, around the globe, into the third millennium.

On the other hand, if that is not your goal, I urgently recommend that you review your strategy.

freetoken Sat, Apr 13, 2013 4:06:02am

Rostropovich’s arrangement of this Rachmaninoff favorite:

MP3 Audio

Romantic Heretic Sat, Apr 13, 2013 5:43:19am

re: #37 Dark_Falcon

“Learn about the Other” is how I would put it. Ross Douthat and Kevin D. Williamson, when urging their readers to branch out a bit, both take care to avoid being hostile. They believe that conservative ideas are far more often than not the right ideas, but they also understand that neither liberals nor their ideas are evil. They urge understanding as a way to argue the conservative case effectively, but also as a way of staying connected to reality and accepting that the other side sometimes has a decent case to make.

Five reasons humans are terrible at democracy.

From the article:

Democracy is screwed up because while agreement and compromise make the world better, bitter rivalry is just more fun.

Also, Five reasons humans want monsters to be real. To many on the ‘Right’ those on the ‘Left’ are not people. They are monsters. Many on the ‘Left’ think the same of those on the ‘Right’.

Sad, but the GOP is made up of human beings and human beings, more than any other animal, engage in really weird and dangerous behaviour.

dragonath Sat, Apr 13, 2013 5:47:16am

Uh, Ty Cobb for Governor or something.

Shit, Republicans complain about Jimmy Carter all the time but at least when he was governor of Georgia he wasn’t endorsing racists.

A Mom Anon Sat, Apr 13, 2013 5:56:19am

re: #74 Romantic Heretic

I live in metro Atlanta. This “Other” shit was not NEARLY the issue a decade or so ago that it is now. Sure, you will always have racist assholes here(oh the stories I could tell you…), BUT, before that time, you could sit down with most of the conservatives around here and have a conversation about politics and walk away feeling pretty good about common ground and settling differences.

Not anymore. Shortly after 9/11 it started with GOP operatives like Ralph Fucking Reed. Liberal hunting licence bumper stickers on cars,intimidation if you had a bumper sticker or yard sign that wasn’t GOP. The radio exploded with horrific lies about anyone not conservative. I’m sorry, but this was NOT a liberal thing, and you can only get shit on and lied about for so long without responding and growing to loathe the assholes responsible and their damned supporters who refuse to read or listen to anything that doesn’t have the GOP stamp of approval. I don’t see conservatives as less than human like they see me. I do however see them as inhumane because they prove it over and over. I have yet to see one conservative I know speak out against this crap, so I get to live with the knowledge that my family is viewed as bad and Other. My Liberal family didn’t DO this, wingnuts did it and our neighborhood SUCKS because of it.

(edited to add)
If the bitter rivalry thing is so much fun, then why in the hell are so many conservatives so miserable and angry at everyone who is not them?

Aligarr Sat, Apr 13, 2013 6:03:06am

This is Georgia where racism is alive and well . They will skirt the periphery of the law , having absolutely NO spirit of the law .
This cowardly bum , is just pandering to the votes that got him there .
Just last week a high school Prom for a predominantly black high school was ruined when all the cars in an adjacent parking lot were BOOTED- AT NIGHT ,-IN A PARKING LOT NOT PARTICULARLY BEING USED at that time of night . This was in the “great state of S.Carolina ” [right next door to Georgia ].
People like this turn my stomach .Why is it always the fucking Republicans ?
[rhetorical question ]

Decatur Deb Sat, Apr 13, 2013 6:09:13am

re: #76 A Mom Anon

I live in metro Atlanta. This “Other” shit was not NEARLY the issue a decade or so ago that it is now. Sure, you will always have racist assholes here(oh the stories I could tell you…), BUT, before that time, you could sit down with most of the conservatives around here and have a conversation about politics and walk away feeling pretty good about common ground and settling differences.

Not anymore. Shortly after 9/11 it started with GOP operatives like Ralph Fucking Reed. Liberal hunting licence bumper stickers on cars,intimidation if you had a bumper sticker or yard sign that wasn’t GOP. The radio exploded with horrific lies about anyone not conservative. I’m sorry, but this was NOT a liberal thing, and you can only get shit on and lied about for so long without responding and growing to loathe the assholes responsible and their damned supporters who refuse to read or listen to anything that doesn’t have the GOP stamp of approval. I don’t see conservatives as less than human like they see me. I do however see them as inhumane because they prove it over and over. I have yet to see one conservative I know speak out against this crap, so I get to live with the knowledge that my family is viewed as bad and Other. My Liberal family didn’t DO this, wingnuts did it and our neighborhood SUCKS because of it.

(edited to add)
If the bitter rivalry thing is so much fun, then why in the hell are so many conservatives so miserable and angry at everyone who is not them?

Sounds a bit worse than our corner of Baja Alabama. Didn’t feel too weird having the only Obama yard sign in the precinct. I think the difference is that our county was very lightly settled wilderness during the War of Northern Aggression. We also have a lot of non-native influence from the Union army base.

Dark_Falcon Sat, Apr 13, 2013 6:12:22am

re: #74 Romantic Heretic

Five reasons humans are terrible at democracy.

From the article:

Also, Five reasons humans want monsters to be real. To many on the ‘Right’ those on the ‘Left’ are not people. They are monsters. Many on the ‘Left’ think the same of those on the ‘Right’.

Sad, but the GOP is made up of human beings and human beings, more than any other animal, engage in really weird and dangerous behaviour.

The Democratic party is made of humans as well, hence the screeching heard in some quarters when President Obama proposed some reforms of Social Security. In those areas of the Democratic party, cost-cutting of a entitlement is seen as kow-towing to Paul Ryan, which is to say, it is considered to be submitting to evil. Republicans have a worse problem with this, but it can be found in any political party that believes in itself. Homo Sapiens Sapiens is a predator species, and often predators just plain feel the need to fight and kill.

A Mom Anon Sat, Apr 13, 2013 6:38:26am

re: #79 Dark_Falcon

Social Security has a simple fix. Raise the cap on the Social Security taxable amount of income to around 200K from the 103K it’s at now. That’s why a lot of Dems are pissed off because that solution never gets talked about. Only cuts and raising the retirement age. Raising the retirement age is fine for people who don’t have to get dirty or sweat for a living, but it’s kind of stupid to tell a construction worker or the guy who lays asphalt that he has no option but to work til age 70. And it’s ALWAYS the people who don’t get dirty(in the physical sense)at work who want to cut benefits and raise the retirement age. It’s a shitty solution that’s not necessary.

Mattand Sat, Apr 13, 2013 6:44:54am

re: #79 Dark_Falcon

I’m calling Magic Balance Fairy on this one. A sizable chunk of the humans in the GOP are screeching because they consider allowing safe legalized abortion and gay marriage evil. Mostly because they want to force everyone else to live in the fictional theocracy they think the US is.

Dems ain’t perfect, but the GOP right now is basically the Christian Taliban, just less violent.

So far.

Dark_Falcon Sat, Apr 13, 2013 6:45:54am

re: #81 Mattand

Every time you call the Republican party that I’m going to downding you.

A Mom Anon Sat, Apr 13, 2013 6:48:15am

re: #78 Decatur Deb

What’s weird is that a pretty large part of the people who live here are not native. And this part of the area around Atlanta has more college graduates than most of the state. But the people who are from here have family ties that go back to the Civil War, like my “compound” neighbors (my property actually used to be a part of their land, which may also be an issue with them, who the hell knows?) and the guy down the road who flies the old GA flag with the stars and bars. He apparently stockpiled a bunch of them so he could fly a new one when the old one wears out. I’m not sure what the hell the problem is, but you’d think people would wise up. Hell, in all the time I’ve lived in GA(30 yrs) I’ve NEVER lived in an area where the Republican candidates for Congress actually had challengers I could vote for. They run unopposed and do nothing to earn the privilege.

William Barnett-Lewis Sat, Apr 13, 2013 7:00:40am

re: #80 A Mom Anon

Social Security has a simple fix. Raise the cap on the Social Security taxable amount of income to around 200K from the 103K it’s at now. That’s why a lot of Dems are pissed off because that solution never gets talked about. Only cuts and raising the retirement age. Raising the retirement age is fine for people who don’t have to get dirty or sweat for a living, but it’s kind of stupid to tell a construction worker or the guy who lays asphalt that he has no option but to work til age 70. And it’s ALWAYS the people who don’t get dirty(in the physical sense)at work who want to cut benefits and raise the retirement age. It’s a shitty solution that’s not necessary.

Personally, I believe the cap should be removed completely. If CEO Joe Snuffy can make $25,000,000,000 or athlete Jake Baseball can earn $125,000,000,000 then they can afford to cough up SS taxes on the whole amount. If we ensure that SS trust fund is inviolable and do that then we can push the retirement age back down to 60 even while raising payments to a living level while still having sufficient funding for everyone as well as providing more employment opportunities for younger folks by encouraging boomers to retire.

Of course we still need to significantly cut the defense budget, increase the amount of money spent on infrastructure and stimulus as well as expand medicare to cover anyone who lacks insurance. The last thing that needs to happen is marginal tax rates need to return to their 1980 levels since we now have 30+ years of proof that the cuts have failed in their stated purposes.

But before any of things I mention in this post happen we need to have an actual left of center Democratic presidency instead of our current right of center one.

Decatur Deb Sat, Apr 13, 2013 7:03:57am

re: #83 A Mom Anon

What’s weird is that a pretty large part of the people who live here are not native. And this part of the area around Atlanta has more college graduates than most of the state. But the people who are from here have family ties that go back to the Civil War, like my “compound” neighbors (my property actually used to be a part of their land, which may also be an issue with them, who the hell knows?) and the guy down the road who flies the old GA flag with the stars and bars. He apparently stockpiled a bunch of them so he could fly a new one when the old one wears out. I’m not sure what the hell the problem is, but you’d think people would wise up. Hell, in all the time I’ve lived in GA(30 yrs) I’ve NEVER lived in an area where the Republican candidates for Congress actually had challengers I could vote for. They run unopposed and do nothing to earn the privilege.

Heh—except in black-majority Alabama counties, there won’t be many Dems ousting TPGOP. One exception we have been looking at is State Sen. Shadrack McGill. He should be dumped just for his Li’l Abner name (and his profound stupidity).

Alabama State Senator Thinks Increasing Teacher Pay Goes Against A ‘Biblical Principle’

thinkprogress.org

Dark_Falcon Sat, Apr 13, 2013 7:05:21am

re: #84 William Barnett-Lewis

I think you and I have different views on where the center is. But I also am aware its a thing in motion; The political center will likely move more than the view of either of the two of us.

A Mom Anon Sat, Apr 13, 2013 7:07:04am

re: #84 William Barnett-Lewis

Removing the cap would work for me too, I just don’t know how that sort of thing flies politically since no one in a position to do much has really pushed the idea.

William Barnett-Lewis Sat, Apr 13, 2013 7:07:20am

re: #82 Dark_Falcon

Every time you call the Republican party that I’m going to downding you.

I’m sorry DF, but until they kick out the theocratic reactionaries who are actively trying to destroy the constitution (something the former governor of Arkansas admits to when he says it needs “amendment”), they are no better than that.

Mattand Sat, Apr 13, 2013 7:09:10am

re: #82 Dark_Falcon

Every time you call the Republican party that I’m going to downding you.

Well, downdinging is a hell of a lot easier than acknowledging what a screwed-up mess the GOP is right now.

Voting for Republicans is in many ways voting for a radical Christian theocracy. Even if you’re not explicitly for it, siding with these guys at this point means you’re at least cool with it.

A Mom Anon Sat, Apr 13, 2013 7:09:22am

OK Lizards I am off to do battle against pests and weeds in a pollen count of 4400(down from 7800 yesterday! YAY! oh how I snark). Have a lovely Saturday…

Targetpractice Sat, Apr 13, 2013 7:09:39am

re: #87 A Mom Anon

Removing the cap would work for me too, I just don’t know how that sort of thing flies politically since no one in a position to do much has really pushed the idea.

It’s not being pushed because both sides of the aisle in Congress not only are earning way above the average guy on the street annually, but the people financing their election campaigns are earning even more than they.

Dark_Falcon Sat, Apr 13, 2013 7:13:43am

re: #89 Mattand

Well, downdinging is a hell of a lot easier than acknowledging what a screwed-up mess the GOP is right now.

Voting for Republicans is in many ways voting for a radical Christian theocracy. Even if you’re not explicitly for it, siding with these guys at this point means you’re at least cool with it.

That might be true in Georgia, but its not true in Illinois. Hell, Mark Kirk’s supporting getting gay marriage passed in my state. So please do allow for the regional variations of the parties. All politics is local, after all.

stabby Sat, Apr 13, 2013 7:16:23am

re: #80 A Mom Anon

Social Security has a simple fix. Raise the cap on the Social Security taxable amount of income to around 200K from the 103K it’s at now. That’s why a lot of Dems are pissed off because that solution never gets talked about. Only cuts and raising the retirement age. Raising the retirement age is fine for people who don’t have to get dirty or sweat for a living, but it’s kind of stupid to tell a construction worker or the guy who lays asphalt that he has no option but to work til age 70. And it’s ALWAYS the people who don’t get dirty(in the physical sense)at work who want to cut benefits and raise the retirement age. It’s a shitty solution that’s not necessary.

Imagine the scream of pain and rage if the Democrats insisted that social security tax stopped being a regressive tax. It would be like throwing the entire Atlantic ocean on the Wicked Witch of the Norq-west

Dom Sat, Apr 13, 2013 7:20:43am

I am absolutely flabbergasted that there are still racially segregated events taking place in America. Anyway well done Georgia! Even if your governor’s a wanker.

SpaceJesus Sat, Apr 13, 2013 7:27:30am

oh hey it’s the south again

Iwouldprefernotto Sat, Apr 13, 2013 7:31:50am

My take on the issue.

If a liberal group has a cure for cancer, I’m against it, because….

Targetpractice Sat, Apr 13, 2013 7:34:11am

re: #96 Iwouldprefernotto

My take on the issue.

If a liberal group has a cure for cancer, I’m against it, because….

“We’ve engineered a vaccine for all known forms of cancer. We propose it be distributed to all Americans, free of charge, by the government.”
“SOCIALISM!!!!!”

dragonath Sat, Apr 13, 2013 7:43:18am

re: #82 Dark_Falcon

Every time you call the Republican party that I’m going to downding you.

Maybe I’d feel better about the Republicans if their message wasn’t aimed at a galaxy of white supremacists and gun nuts. Go look at the referrals on a story posted by The Blaze one of these days.

Or are you going to try and tell me the party of Nathan Deal is the same as Abraham Lincoln’s?

dragonath Sat, Apr 13, 2013 7:46:07am

Local variances are irrelevant when the national leadership comes out and did what they did to Sandra Fluke… amongst other things.

100

William Barnett-Lewis Sat, Apr 13, 2013 7:49:22am

re: #97 Targetpractice

“We’ve engineered a vaccine for all known forms of cancer. We propose it be distributed to all Americans, free of charge, by the government.”
“SOCIALISM!!!!!”

Just look at the ignorance spewed about guardasil…

101

dragonath Sat, Apr 13, 2013 7:50:35am

Hey, where was the outrage over this cartoon? Where was the pushback?

Image: mccoy.jpg

Oh wait, that was the party line. Oops.

102

Dark_Falcon Sat, Apr 13, 2013 7:51:13am

re: #99 dragonath

Local variances are irrelevant when the national leadership comes out and did what they did to Sandra Fluke… amongst other things.

I believe that vitriol was from Rush Limbaugh, rather than any elected official.

103

kirkspencer Sat, Apr 13, 2013 7:53:13am

re: #99 dragonath

Local variances are irrelevant when the national leadership comes out and did what they did to Sandra Fluke… amongst other things.

Equally to the point, local variances don’t mean much when they are being condemned by the general national membership. Usually at the end of that path lie either separation or capitulation.

104

dragonath Sat, Apr 13, 2013 7:54:01am

re: #102 Dark_Falcon

I believe that vitriol was from Rush Limbaugh, rather than any elected official.

Does that explain why the contraception hearing was in front of an all-male panel?

105

Dark_Falcon Sat, Apr 13, 2013 7:58:24am

re: #104 dragonath

Fluke was not speaking in front of an all male panel, nor was anyone on the panel a Republican. Please do not conflate two separate occurrences.

106

Dark_Falcon Sat, Apr 13, 2013 8:02:01am

Beaver kills man in Belarus; he wanted to be photographed with it

A Belarus fisherman who invaded a beaver’s space paid for it with his life.

The 60-year-old man in Belarus was with friends on a recent fishing trip when he tried to approach the beaver to be photographed with it, according to the Daily Telegraph. The beaver attacked, biting him twice and severing an artery.

The friends of the unidentified man “tried to bandage him and find a doctor in a nearby village,” a local wildlife official told the Telegraph. But the man died from blood loss before help could arrive.

There have been couple of attacks on humans by beavers in the US in the past years, but in both of those cases the person was swimming and the beaver had rabies. This last is a reminder to people to make sure your pet has their rabies vaccine and to notify animal control if you see a rabid animal.

107

stabby Sat, Apr 13, 2013 8:07:17am

re: #106 Dark_Falcon

When I first saw the headline “man attacked by beaver he was trying to photograph” I couldn’t help but imagine it as a porn scenario.

108

Stanley Sea Sat, Apr 13, 2013 8:24:17am

Waz up LGF?

109

Dark_Falcon Sat, Apr 13, 2013 8:25:58am

re: #108 Stanley Sea

Waz up LGF?

Just normal stuff..

110

Stanley Sea Sat, Apr 13, 2013 8:28:29am

I was doing the boss a favor and meeting client this am but thank dog he cancelled
Its the weekend darn it!

111

kirkspencer Sat, Apr 13, 2013 8:42:05am

re: #105 Dark_Falcon

Fluke was not speaking in front of an all male panel, nor was anyone on the panel a Republican. Please do not conflate two separate occurrences.

True, but disingenuous.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held a hearing on contraceptives - or more completely the conscience exceptions to the PPACA. Exceptions applied to religious organizations themselves, not to religious affiliated organizations. The Republicans invited predominately theologians and clergy to be on the panel. The Democrats attempted to add others including Ms. Fluke. Rep Issa refused because: a) she wasn’t clergy; b) she wasn’t an expert on contraceptives; c) besides, she was invited late.

House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee invited her the next week, where she was asked the questions asked of the panel and to which she made her responses. She also explained her interest, which was twisted and abused to create the smearing “she’s doing it for free contraceptives” attack made by many right wing pundits. (The “it was just a joke” apologies fell flat.)

So you are literally correct. She did not appear before Republicans, nor was the panel before which she appeared all male. The all male panel appeared before a bipartisan committee without her presence because the Republicans refused to hear her. The panel before which she did appear was, indeed, Democratic only.

This does not make the Republicans look better, you know.

112

Mattand Sat, Apr 13, 2013 8:43:02am

re: #92 Dark_Falcon

That might be true in Georgia, but its not true in Illinois. Hell, Mark Kirk’s supporting getting gay marriage passed in my state. So please do allow for the regional variations of the parties. All politics is local, after all.

It’s local to a point. And when the national platform calls for banning abortion and no gay marriage ever, that’s a problem for all of us.

And in the two examples above, people reject them because of religion. Which in a secular society like ours equates to an invalid reason.

113

Dark_Falcon Sat, Apr 13, 2013 8:48:13am

re: #111 kirkspencer

It makes clear it was not Republican officeholders who insulted her. I realize you did not imply that they had done so, however I always feel it wise to make all the details clear. I always want to prevent misunderstandings and avoid having incorrect Internet Legends spring up.

114

Dark_Falcon Sat, Apr 13, 2013 8:53:00am

re: #112 Mattand

It’s local to a point. And when the national platform calls for banning abortion and no gay marriage ever, that’s a problem for all of us.

And in the two examples above, people reject them because of religion. Which in a secular society like ours equates to an invalid reason.

Actually, religious reason are “not a basis for law”, not an “invalid reason”. One’s stance on a moral principal can be born of religious belief, but laws cannot cite that same belief as their justification.

I know that’s hair-splitting, but the distinction matters to me. It affirms that faith is important and is valid, but ought not to be used to justify laws. The reason religion ought not to be used for such justifications is itself partially born from a moral principal (that of non-coercion).

115

William Barnett-Lewis Sat, Apr 13, 2013 8:53:22am

No office holders, just the leader of the Republican Party, Rush The Hutt. Anyone who thinks he’s not the boss just needs to look at how fast anything against his line gets walked back by the rest of the moral cowards in the GOP.

116

Dark_Falcon Sat, Apr 13, 2013 8:57:34am

re: #115 William Barnett-Lewis

No office holders, just the leader of the Republican Party, Rush The Hutt. Anyone who thinks he’s not the boss just needs to look at how fast anything against his line gets walked back by the rest of the moral cowards in the GOP.

Stop insulting the Hutts in that fashion! Even Jabba was far more adroit and diplomatic than Rush Limbaugh.

/Stay on Target!

117

Dark_Falcon Sat, Apr 13, 2013 9:00:55am

I just found this on StrategyPage.com. You’ll have to scroll down to read it, but it seems as though during that Lady Thatcher died Acapulco had a replay of the Battle of Orgreave:

April 5, 2013: Over a thousand police officers in Acapulco (Guerrero state) broke up a blockade by at least 3,000 public school teachers (one report claimed 10,000 demonstrators). At least five policemen and five demonstrators were injured in the incident. Several of the teachers were carrying long sticks (yes, the reports include pictures, and they look like long baseball bats). The teachers had closed down the main highway between Acapulco and Mexico City for several hours. The teachers had begun a series of demonstration on April 4. The demonstrators then blockaded the highway. Traffic was held up for several hours before the police dispersed the crowd. Large rallies were also held in other towns in Guerrero and Oaxaca states on April 3. In Chilpancingo de los Bravo (capital of Guerrero state) a group of teachers carrying the long sticks took control of four radio stations. They also illegally entered state offices. The demonstrators say they are protesting against several new educational reform policies. Most of the demonstrators belong to a group called the National Education Workers Coordinating Committee (CNTE). The group is essentially the armed wing of the national teachers union, the National Union of Education Workers (SNTE). The national union is currently receiving scrutiny from federal prosecutors after the former union head, Elba Esther Gordillo Morales, was indicted on embezzlement and theft charges. Gordillo allegedly embezzled $160 million in union and education funds. The government is now implementing new controls over the union. In late February the government passed a law that gives the federal government control over education. Who had controlled education policy? The teachers union did so, with minimal official oversight. Based on the embezzlement scandal, there was also minimal financial oversight. Until the new law was passed, the SNTE determined who was hired and fired. The new law says hiring will be based on qualifications and merit. The teachers union has been one of the most powerful (and allegedly most corrupt) unions in Mexico. It has around 1.5 million members.

118

RadicalModerate Sat, Apr 13, 2013 9:03:12am

re: #81 Mattand

Dems ain’t perfect, but the GOP right now is basically the Christian Taliban, just less violent.

So far.

I’d go even further than that.

The modern GOP is a party that has apparently combined the most outlandish sections of “Atlas Shrugged”, “The Handmaids Tale” and “The Turner Diaries” as their vision for America.

119

Iwouldprefernotto Sat, Apr 13, 2013 9:09:51am

re: #118 RadicalModerate

I’d go even further than that.

The modern GOP is a party that has apparently combined the most outlandish sections of “Atlas Shrugged”, “The Handmaids Tale” and “The Turner Diaries” as their vision for America.

Downding all you want, but during the Republican debates there were cheers for people dying because they don’t have insurance and against soldiers who were gay. The hate doesn’t stop.

120

Dark_Falcon Sat, Apr 13, 2013 9:10:56am

An MP-5 that matches one of my mother’s purses:

Image: new2.jpg

121

Stanley Sea Sat, Apr 13, 2013 9:13:56am

re: #120 Dark_Falcon

An MP-5 that matches one of my mother’s purses:

Gross

122

stabby Sat, Apr 13, 2013 9:17:03am

re: #118 RadicalModerate

I’d go even further than that.

The modern GOP is a party that has apparently combined the most outlandish sections of “Atlas Shrugged”, “The Handmaids Tale” and “The Turner Diaries” as their vision for America.

George W Bush wasn’t like that.

sigh.

The party almost made it to sanity and then fell into the muck.

123

William Barnett-Lewis Sat, Apr 13, 2013 9:18:24am

re: #120 Dark_Falcon

An MP-5 that matches one of my mother’s purses:

That’s an … interesting … paint job. I’ll stick to my sporterized Arisaka Type 99 instead.

124

Dark_Falcon Sat, Apr 13, 2013 9:20:58am

re: #121 Stanley Sea

Gross

Why gross? I thought it was kind of funny.

125

Stanley Sea Sat, Apr 13, 2013 9:26:26am

re: #124 Dark_Falcon

Why gross? I thought it was kind of funny.

It combines pretentious label loving with guns. Two kinds of fetish into one.

126

Dark_Falcon Sat, Apr 13, 2013 9:29:19am

re: #125 Stanley Sea

It combines pretentious label loving with guns. Two kinds of fetish into one.

It’s always that way with guns anyways, as some brands are seen as far more prestigious than others.

BBL

127

Hercules Grytpype-Thynneghazi Sat, Apr 13, 2013 9:31:58am

re: #92 Dark_Falcon

All politics is local, after all.

So it absolutely doesn’t matter who controls the House or who has enough votes to sustain a filibuster in the Senate. Gotcha.

128

efuseakay Sat, Apr 13, 2013 9:43:05am

re: #60 freetoken

This is America, 2013:

Jindal defends school vouchers in NBC interview

The interview was supposedly live-streamed:
nola.com
as part of the Education Nation New Orleans program, though I’ve not been able to find a copy of it on Youtube or other sources.

Anyway, Jindal is clearly opposed to the US Constitution.

Where are the tea partiers screaming

???

Well, of course, they never really cared for the realities of the Constitution, just their biased wishes of what they hoped it meant.

As for Jindal - he’s just a blatant panderer to the religious right, someone who knows God plays well in American politics.

It’s not about guns. They don’t give a rat’s as.

129

bratwurst Sat, Apr 13, 2013 9:49:30am

re: #124 Dark_Falcon

Why gross? I thought it was kind of funny.

And here is an example why we have seen every effort at “right wing comedy” on cable television fail. Judging by the twitter machine, Glenn Beck has been proposing yet another attempt to produce a “libertarian/conservative Jon Stewart”…can’t wait for that.

130

Decatur Deb Sat, Apr 13, 2013 10:12:38am

Back on topic. Note that these kids aren’t in a ‘safer’ urban area of GA. They’re isolated in the sticks, in a county that has its own Klan HQ. Can you donate to their bash through FB if you aren’t registered?

SPLC Hate map:
splcenter.org

131

Decatur Deb Sat, Apr 13, 2013 10:14:13am

re: #129 bratwurst

And here is an example why we have seen every effort at “right wing comedy” on cable television fail. Judging by the twitter machine, Glenn Beck has been proposing yet another attempt to produce a “libertarian/conservative Jon Stewart”…can’t wait for that.

I think Herman Cain was the “libertarian/conservative Jon Stewart”.

132

Interesting Times Sat, Apr 13, 2013 10:48:31am

re: #131 Decatur Deb

I think Herman Cain was the “libertarian/conservative Jon Stewart”.

Oh, speaking of Herman Cain, turns out he’s not only sleazy, but evil as hell as well:

But here’s what happened: The minimum wage and the tipped minimum wage rose together until 1996 when Herman Cain, then the head of the National Restaurant Association, struck a deal with Congress to de-link the two — the minimum wage will continue to rise, but the minimum wage for tipped workers will be frozen. So we’ve been fighting for the last several years to get them re-linked. The regular minimum wage impacts restaurant workers as well because the restaurant industry is the largest employer of minimum wage in the U.S., both at the regular and at the tipped level. So even if tipped workers didn’t go up, raising the minimum wage alone would help millions of restaurant workers in America. But leaving the tipped people out, as has been done over the last decades, severely hurts and leaves in poverty millions of tipped restaurant workers. We need both to go up.

That’s a minimum wage for tipped workers of $2.13. No wonder Cain refers to himself as a Koch brother from another mother 9_9

133

stabby Sat, Apr 13, 2013 10:52:48am

re: #132 Interesting Times

Holy fucking shit…
…
there are no words. I’ll mention this whenever Herman Cain’s name comes up

134

majii Sat, Apr 13, 2013 3:11:52pm

re: #44 AlexRogan

I’m a retired GA high school teacher, retired in 2009 from a small county in Middle GA. This is the way most proms in GA high schools work: The juniors pay dues to provide a prom for the seniors, and this pattern is repeated year after year. Some schools will host the proms, and in other cases, the students opt to rent another building/location for the prom. The BOE and administrators in Wilcox County are lying if they cite a “tight budget” as a reason for not hosting the prom at the high school. Even if the prom is held on the high school’s campus, the student hire and pay off-duty police officers to provide security. I sponsored my school’s student council and other clubs during the 32 years I worked at the same school, so I know how these things work. What is really going on here is that the Wilcox Co. BOE and the school’s administrators are grasping for any reason they can think of to avoid having to stand up to a small group of parents who are continuing to perpetuate and make these segregated proms acceptable. Since Wilcox Co is a rural area, it shares many of the same qualities as the system in which I worked. One of these qualities is the ability of a a single very wealthy/influential person, or a small group of wealthy/influential people, to impose their will on the majority.

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Georgia’s Republican Governor Won’t Endorse Town’s First Racially Integrated Prom

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