July 20, 2018 Radio Commentary

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Supreme Court Okays Gerrymandering

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, July 20, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Every ten years, before and after the census, “gerrymandering” becomes part of the political conversation, because the census is used to determine district lines for Congress, the General Assembly, and the Public Service Commission. Judicial district marshals performed the first census in 1790 by visiting households and recording each person living there. Mail-out census forms were first used in 1960 and, since then, census data has been available on computer.

Since the constitution does not mandate straight district lines and the census was implemented to provide equal representation for voters, by 1812 district lines had become so erratic that the word “gerrymandering” was created to describe Massachusetts districts that were drawn to defeat the Federalist Party. Those lines were so crooked they were compared to a salamander, a mythical lizard. Gerrymandering was coined by using the Honorable Mr. Gerry’s name, the last two syllables of salamander, and adding “ing.”

In Georgia, the 2001 new district maps were not finalized until 2004. Although then-Governor Roy Barnes called two special legislative sessions to get it done, legislators did the work, but Barnes rejected the maps. One map squeezed 180 house members into 147 districts, meaning 23 of the most heavily populated house districts had two, three, or four representatives. Also, during those years, three lawsuits were filed. Continue reading →

July 13, 2018 Radio Commentary

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Life & Free Speech Upheld by Supreme Court

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, July 13, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

On June 26th the Supreme Court overruled a California law that (a) forced medically licensed pro-life pregnancy centers to post in a conspicuous place in their waiting rooms signs in 22-inch font or distribute forms advertising that the state offers free or low-cost abortions. That law, also, (b) required pregnancy centers dedicated to ending abortion to include on that sign a phone number that would refer women to abortion providers like Planned Parenthood.

But that law went further. It forced pregnancy centers, including religious pro-life centers that are not medically licensed by the state, to post in waiting rooms and advertisements a disclaimer in up to 13 different languages, that they are not a medical facility. During the hearing, Justice Kennedy asked, “What would happen if an unlicensed entity, unlicensed center, just had a billboard that said ‘Choose Life.’ Would they have to make the disclosure?”

The answer was “yes.” That center would have to post a disclaimer on that billboard, in the same size font as “Choose Life,” in up to 13 different languages, which would completely drown out the pro-life message. Continue reading →

July 6, 2018 Radio Commentary

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ALERT: July 24th, Run-Off Election in Georgia

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, July 6, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

On June 29 th , the secretary of state reminded voters that polling places in Georgia counties would open Monday, July 2 nd for early voting in the July 24 th primary run-off election. Polls were closed for July 4 th , but will be open weekdays through July 20 th , at times and locations indicated by each district.

Ballots will differ according to party and district and some may include run-off candidates for Congress or judges, as well. Registered voters that did not vote in the primary or voted non-partisan are eligible to vote in either party’s run-off election.

Republicans have run-off candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and six state House districts – 19, 36, 907, 102, 105, and 141. Democrats have run-offs for U.S. House districts 6 and 7, the state school superintendent, and two state House districts – 111 and 144. Continue reading →

June 29, 2018 Radio Commentary

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ERA: Dead Bill Walking

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, June 29, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

This year’s General Assembly did a good thing by letting H.R. 217 and S.R. 195 die in committee. Those bills would have resurrected the Equal Rights Amendment Congress passed in 1972, but the states never ratified. Section One of the ERA says, “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” Since that sentence mentions sex, but not women, it does nothing to protect women.

Section Two says, “The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.” So, consider this: No one knows EXACTLY how Congress would have mandated equality of law for males and females in 1972 and no one knows EXACTLY how Congress would interpret equality based on sex in 2018, when sexual identity of male and female has been replaced with identities based on behavior.

Adding the ERA to the U.S. Constitution would mean every law that protects women would be unconstitutional. Women would be expected … and some already are expected … to hoist and carry any load a man can carry, fight alongside men in the military and get used to the idea that equality based on sex would mean everyone could use the same private facilities at the same time. Continue reading →