Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for August 7, 2014

General George Washington created the Purple Heart on August 7, 1782. Click here for an interesting history of the award.

On August 7, 1790, a delegation of Creeks met with the United States Secretary of War and signed the Treaty of New York, ceding all land between the Ogeechee and Oconee Rivers to Georgia.

Theodore Roosevelt, who served as President from 1901 to 1909, was nominated for President by the Progressive Party, also called the Bull Moose Party, on August 7, 1912.

On August 7, 1942, Marine forces landed at Guadalcanal.

Voters ratified a new version of the State Constitution on August 7, 1945. Among the new features was the establishment of the State Board of Corrections to ensure humane conditions.

The board was directed to be more humane in its treatment of prisoners and abolished whippings, leg irons, and chains. Until 1945, prisoners in Georgia could expect to have heavy steel shackles put on by a blacksmith upon arrival. They were then taken out to work under severe conditions.

The caravan bearing 43 ounces of Dahlonega gold to be used in covering the Georgia State Capitol dome reached the Capitol and delivered it to Governor Marvin Griffin on August 7, 1958.

On August 7, 1964, Congress passed the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, which would be used as the legal basis for U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

Uber and Guber

The Republican National Committee currently has a petition online to support Uber.

Our country was built on the entrepreneurial spirit. Our cities deserve innovative and effective solutions without government getting in the way.

That’s what innovative businesses like Uber provide. And that’s why our cities need Uber.

But across the country, taxi unions and liberal government bureaucrats are setting up roadblocks, issuing strangling regulations and implementing unnecessary red tape to block Uber from doing business in their cities.

We must stand up for our free market principles, entrepreneurial spirit and economic freedom.

Show your support for Uber by signing the petition today.

Meanwhile, I’m starting a service for rural areas where you can catch a ride in the bed of someone else’s pickup truck. It’s called Guber. Like its namesake, Uber, it also runs afoul of Georgia law, as riding in the bed of a pickup without a seat belt is against the law.

Maybe it’s time to bring back the Subaru BRAT.

House Resolution 1805 created a House Study Committee on For-Hire Transportation Services to discuss ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft. Its members are:

Rep. Alan Powell, Chairman
Rep. John Carson
Rep. Emory Dunahoo
Rep. Lynne Riley
Rep. Dale Rutledge

Are you from Tennessee?

Tennessee voters head to the polls today in what is being called “The Tea Party’s Last Stand” after most incumbents have won their primaries this year.

Jamie Dupree answers the question of why Tennessee’s election is being held on a Thursday:

The original Constitution for the state of Tennessee has this in section 5 of the document:

“The first election for senators and representatives shall commence on the second Thursday of March next, and shall continue for that and the succeeding day, and the next election shall commence on the first Thursday of August, 1797, and shall continue on that and the succeeding day; and forever after election shall be held once in two years, commencing on the first Thursday in August and terminating the succeeding day.”

Newsbites

The gambling ship that ran aground off the Georgia coast has been cleared to sail again after an inspection – Savannah Morning News.

In San Francisco, a candidate for Board of Supervisors was campaigning and doing media interviews naked in his campaign against incumbent Scott Wiener – Savannah Morning News.

Protests against the School of the Americas at Fort Benning will have to be revised as the post commander has asked Columbus police to keep the main gate clear this year – Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.

After Dublin Mall security told a running group they couldn’t pray publicly at the mall, a prayer rally will be held in the right of way tonight from 6-7 PM – Macon Telegraph.

Congressman Rob Woodall voted for a border-security measure and signed a letter to the Obama Administration asking about refugee resettlement in Georgia, and also held a town hall in conjunction with the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials.

Last week, the 2014 National Immigration Score Card — a measure of elected representatives’ votes on immigration-related legislation — was released.

“Unfortunately your score is at zero percent so far,” Gonzales said. “We’re here tonight because we want to work with you to help improve that.”

Woodall went to work immediately, engaging the audience and explaining his stance on several issues, including immigration reform.

“The only immigration policy I’m interested in is the one that builds the absolute strongest America possible,” Woodall said.

While acknowledging there will be areas of disagreement, Woodall said he believes a common goal exists.

“What folks agree on is that the future of this country is the only thing that matters,” he said.

Woodall added that his office has worked with hundreds of constituents regarding immigration-related casework and dealt with more than 37,000 immigration-related letters, phone calls, faxes and emails.

“We don’t care what your politics are, we don’t care what your status is,” Woodall said. “We care whether or not the law is on your side because the law exists to protect us all equally.”

An economist speaking to the Georgia Forestry Association predicted a rosy short-term future for Georgia tree farmers – Rome News-Tribune.

Carroll County Commissioners dropped the idea of putting Sunday package sales on the November Ballot – Times-Georgian.

Newnan will host a traveling exhibit of photos of Georgians who were killed in action – Newnan Times-Herald.

The exhibit, titled “Remembering Our Fallen,” opens with ceremonies Sunday and will be on display and open to the public from Aug. 11 to Aug. 15 at the Jackson-Pless Armory, located on Armory Road next to Newnan High School. Those weekdays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., people will be able to visit the Armory and view military and personal photos of the 200 Georgian men and women who have been killed in the war.

I viewed this exhibit when it was in the Sloppy Floyd towers lobby across from the State Capitol. It’s moving, and the hand-written messages from friends and family that were left were heart-wrenching.

After his owner died, a dog from Chatsworth, Georgia will be returned to Georgia – Dalton Daily Citizen.

Georgia was named as one of five states with high rates of documented discrimination in voting procedures – Georgia Public Broadcasting.

Governor Nathan Deal ordered flags flown at half-staff at the Georgia State Capitol to honor the life of Phil Foil – via Facebook, photo by Teresa Cantrell.