I have had Georgia on my mind for quite some time.
The fight over individual liberty has now split open in the
Peach State. While pecan pie is a well-known staple of this thriving and
diverse region, the lawmakers have picked another fight for liberty, and
Governor Nathan Deal needs to declare: “This is the deal!” and protect the
First Amendment.
Originally founded as a social experiment to ease
incarcerated individuals in debtor’s prison, Georgia would later become a
thriving, developed, and open state.
I even met some native Californians who moved to the Peach
state. Why? They were looking for a peachier quality of life, with a lower cost
of living, coupled with more affordable housing.
The 1996 Olympics opened up in Atlanta, a surprising and
prosperous turn for a region where poverty had become the norm for decades—if
not an entire century—after the Civil War.
To its benefit, Georgia has become one of the reddest states
in the union. So conservative, that Democrats have to run against their party
to win, or have run away altogether. The current governor, Nathan Deal, used to
be a Democrat! The biggest political dynasties in Georgia politics, Nunn and
Carter, have crated and come to nothing in the last two election cycles.
The Southern Democrat has become a “peculiar institution”,
akin to slavery.
Good for Georgia!
The state legislature has rolled out conservative,
pro-liberty reforms at an accelerated pace, too. They expanded recognition for
the Second Amendment. Concealed carry is allowed in churches and private
places, not just in the public square. The state legislature told off the
federal government, declaring that they would refuse to comply with the
overreaching—and blatantly unconstitutional—Affordable Care Act.
Governor Neal has reached out to minority communities,
strengthening charter schools and signing off on tax credit programs to entice
more business to the region. Georgia is fast developing into the Southern
Hollywood, rivaling the depleted movie projects in Southern California.
For decades, the Peach State earned a reputation as
pro-civil rights, too, providing respect and respite for minority communities,
even when Jim Crow, segregation, and white supremacy movements had retained position
and influence throughout the South.
The latest, most notorious example of discrimination took
place in the 1960s. Ray Charles originally signed up to perform at a segregated
music hall. He later refused, and got sued.
About two decades later, his hit song “Georgia on My Mind”
would become the state theme song. He also received a formal apology. Ray
Charles understood the pain of discrimination, as an African-American growing
up in the South. Today, he is one of the most celebrated entertainers, feted in
a state which had more quickly embraced civil rights for all. Let us never
forget that Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. called Georgia home
before taking the Civil Rights Movement throughout the Deep South.
So, Georgia is blessed with an egalitarian legacy, and a
history of stopping prejudice and expanding liberty for all.
Yet today, forces within and outside the state are
contending that Georgia is returning to a state of discrimination. Why? Because
legislators in Atlanta are taking the lead against rogue federal government
once again. This time, they are thwarting the rogue Supreme Court, which chose
to undermine the United States Constitution in order to redefine marriage.
This radical intrusion of the federal government into an
eternal institution has set up Christians for persecution. Christian bakers,
florists, and photographers have been forced to compromise their convictions,
or close up shop. Judges have resigned their posts rather than officiate
same-sex weddings, which would clearly violate their First Amendment freedom of
religion.
And who can forget the Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis, who
was incarcerated for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples? The
institution of one man and one woman has withstood the tests of politics and
culture. The liberty of man should not cave to these extralegal bullies either.
At least, that’s what the Georgia legislature thought. Their
latest bill, HB 757, also billed as a “pastor protection bill”, would ensure
protection for the life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness for all Georgians
who do not wish to participate in same-sex promotional activities (baking a
cake for a same-sex wedding, or officiating such a ceremony).
This bill is not discriminatory, but rather affirmatory,
recognizing the freedoms of speech, religion, and conscience. Despite the
basic—and even some claim watered-down—provisions of the legislation, major
companies are threatening to boycott the state. Openly gay business owners in
the state are preparing to move their operations to other “gay friendly
states”.
To make matters more desperate, Governor has not signed off
on the legislation, and even claimed that the intent of the bill was not
Christ-like!
 |
| Georgia Governor Nathan Deal |
This hatred leveled at the wonderful state of Georgia today
is both unfounded and offensive. The NFL, Disney, Hollywood, and other
corporate interests have neither right nor power to dictate to you, me, or the
great state of Georgia the extent to which we can exercise our First Amendment
rights.
This fight is about more than about personal preferences.
This legal, moral, and spiritual war is about protecting liberty: of commerce,
speech, religion, and association.
If there is any call for tolerance, it should be directed
toward homosexual activists. If there is need for restraint and respect, that
demand should be directed toward Big Business trying to bully individuals.
My message to Governor Deal? Sign the Bill!
Help protect the First Amendment in Georgia (and ultimately
your state!):
Tell Georgia’s Governor: “Here’s the deal: Sign HB 757!”
Email the Governor. Click
here.
Call the Governor’s Office: (404) 656-1776
Write direct mail to the Governor:
Office of
the Governor
206
Washington Street
111 State
Capitol
Atlanta,
Georgia 30334
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