Category Archives: Radio Commentaries

July 3, 2015 Radio Commentary

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Honor Guard Barred from Churches

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, July 3, 2015 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Maybe you haven’t heard how different the Fourth of July celebration will be this year in Georgia’s second oldest church, Abilene Baptist Church in Martinez, Georgia, founded in 1774. Its first pastor was a Revolutionary War chaplain.

For almost 20 years, the U.S. army has provided an honor guard for the church’s Independence Day celebration, but it won’t be there for the God and Country celebration this year. Why? It violates a military policy banning any involvement in a religious service.

The current pastor said, “It was an absolute shock. What a sad commentary on the state of affairs in America…. They have participated for the past two decades and now they are saying no. This is just another example of the secularization of America.” Continue reading →

June 26, 2015 Radio Commentary

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Draining Taxpayers

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, June 26, 2015 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Recently, I asked the Office of Budget and Research, “How much money in the FY2015-16 budget is allotted to refugee resettlement in Georgia?” The answer, “$9,300,000, but it’s all federal money.” The state does not appropriate matching funds to get that amount, but after refugees arrive, state and local taxes provide welfare benefits, services and education.

Refugee resettlement is an international program powerfully influenced by the United Nations. Global entities determine which nationalities come, how many are selected, and where they settle. By 2012 Georgia’s refugee population had grown so much that Governor Deal asked for a 50-percent reduction in the number coming to Georgia every year. But, the governor’s wisdom was questioned by Mr. J.D. McCrary, executive director for the Atlanta office of International Rescue Committee, Inc. Note this interesting fact. Though Mr. McCrary is employed by an international business, his decision trumped the request of Georgia’s governor.

This is what he said, “Fifty-percent. That’s an enormous request and in fact it’s an unreasonable request. We’re really not sure what the Governor’s or the state’s reservations are over the arrival of new refugees.” So, he arbitrarily cut the governor’s request down to 20- to 25-percent and decided to send Georgia 2,500 refugees every year, instead of 4,000. Continue reading →

June 19, 2015 Radio Commentary

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GOP Resolution Challenges College Board Monopoly

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, June 19, 2015 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

The College Board’s Advanced Placement U.S. History course got much-needed attention at the State Republican Party Convention in Athens on May 16th. Opposition to the new course prompted Republicans to pass a resolution explaining why the course should be rewritten or completely replaced.

The major problem is the College Board monopoly over course work and testing for college bound students in the United States and other countries. As a private nonprofit corporation, the College Board is not accountable to the public, although it develops, administers, and owns standardized tests and curricula used in public schools K – 12 and beyond.

That means, the trademarked Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), which is privately developed and beyond parental influence, is used to screen most high school juniors and seniors for college, and parents pay extra for the test. Parents who have no influence on the test or content of the course were charged $98.50 for their child to be tested on June 2nd and another $31.90 for the study guide. The College Board derives additional revenue from selling study guides, tools and services to students, parents, colleges and universities, and from private donations. Continue reading →

June 12, 2015 Radio Commentary

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Great Idea: Elect the State School Board

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, June 12, 2015 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

On May 16th the Georgia Republican Party passed a resolution to elect members of the State Board of Education, and there’s good reason for that. Many folks might not know that state school board members are appointed to seven-year terms. They don’t get paid for serving, but they are reimbursed for expenses.

They are not accountable to voters, although their actions affect all children in public schools. Since they are not elected, state school board members have no incentive to reflect voter values or wishes, even though schools under their control are funded by Georgia taxes that build, maintain and support education. Over half of the state budget is spent on K – 12 schools and higher education, so taxpayers have every right to expect all school board members – state, as well as local – to respect and support the values of students and their parents. While appointed school board members may seek parental approval, their primary allegiance is more likely to be to the person who appoints them, which, in this case, is the governor.

The Constitution of the State of Georgia describes the state school superintendent’s job as “the executive officer of the State Board of Education,” but think about this: The power of the State Board of Education, whose members are NOT elected, supersedes the power of the elected state school superintendent in setting the agenda for each state board of education meeting, in hiring and firing staff, as well as staff directly within the Department of Education. That arrangement subjugates the elected state school superintendent to policies made by 14 state school board appointees that are not accountable to voters. Continue reading →