TODAY'S ISSUE
Question authority on what rights we have that are left
By Roger Hagen
Special to GwinnettForum.com

LILBURN, Feb. 7, 2006 -- Last week Judge Samuel Samuel Alito was approved in a partisan vote for confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court. If Democrats had any real opposition to Alito, they would have filibustered the vote when it came to the floor. Not one of the Senate Democrats will be adversely affected by any of Alito's rulings or their own policies and laws. A lot is being made of this confirmation in the media.

There are real concerns about our Constitution from two previous Supreme Court rulings which have already transpired without Alito's assistance. In 2000, rulings from two cases, Gore v. Bush and Mineta v. Alexander, could be tragic to our Constitution. Before you groan about conspiracy theories, the importance of Gore v. Bush was hardly the person who took office, contrary to popular belief by most Americans.

The very act of accepting the Gore v. Bush case in 2000 by the Supreme Court was essentially a violation of the principles of the Court, if not unconstitutional itself. The Supreme Court was created to set precedent and be the final word on interpretation of the law, according to our Constitution. Every ruling before and since Gore v. Bush has in fact established the law of the land. In Gore v. Bush, the Court explicitly stated that the ruling shall not be applied to any other cases or used as basis for future rulings in any similar cases. The Federal government essentially overrode State's rights in this 5-4 ruling.

The second part of this case which is problematic is the stated ruling that the citizens of Florida are not guaranteed by the Constitution to even be allowed to vote for Presidential Electors. This is a correct ruling, by the way. It is called the Electoral College. The threat some Florida Republican lawmakers made of holding an emergency session to cast the State's Electoral votes for President was not a hollow one. They would have been within their rights to do so. This leads right into the Mineta v. Alexander ruling, also from 2000.

In Mineta v. Alexander, the Court ruled that the citizens of Washington D.C. did not have the guaranteed right to have a voting representative in the U.S. Congress. As I recall from early elementary school, taxation without representation was one of the primary factors of the American Revolution. You can add the recent ruling on eminent domain where the Court ruled that municipalities can seize property if they can increase their tax revenue by doing so. (Talk to Native Americans about eminent domain. They know how it works so well.)

So why are we worried about Judge Alito? The Constitutional crisis happened in 2000, not last month when we found out Big Brother is now watching AND listening to us. All these rulings happened without new Justice John Roberts or Alito.

Whose freedom are our soldiers fighting for again? Culture of life? An ownership society? Whose life, whose ownership?

Question authority and then hold them accountable. That is the American way. In a time when the government can lawfully make people disappear and even revoke citizenships of native born Americans under the law, it is time to ask, "What rights do I have left, and what am I willing to do to get them back?

ELLIOTT BRACK
Legislature embarrassing itself with bills. What? Again?
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher
GwinnettForum.com

FEB. 7, 2006 -- Seems like our Georgia Legislature works hard to ensure that we think less and less of it.

Two measures in particular caught my attention recently, one pushed by Republicans, the other pushed by Democrats. Neither should have been under consideration in the halls of government.

Republicans passed a Ten Commandments bill, allowing governments to post the Ten Commandants in governmental buildings. Oh, to make everyone feel better, they also allowed (and I believe required) the posting of the Mayflower Compact and the Declaration of Independence at the same time.

Courts have continually declared unconstitutional any legislation that sought to OK any semblance of the Ten Commandments in a governmental facility. The courts feel even posting the Ten Commandments in a public facility is an affront to those people not believing in them. The Commandments are no doubt a religious work, and as such, should not cross that requirement of mixing church and state. How about people not believing in the religion behind the Ten Commandments? It is a slap in their face and an imposition onto them of principles to which they do not hold.

Republicans were only playing the Christian Right card when they took this step. Fie on them for wasting the time of the Legislature on the question. (Bad thing is, what with a governor of the same party in control of the Legislature, he will probably sign this bad legislation.)

Recently the Democrats were not any more reasonable when they proposed a bill allowing the top 10 per cent of graduating seniors in any state public high school admission to Georgia's top colleges.

To show you how unreasonable this measure is, consider this: There are 87,800 seniors in the public schools of Georgia (not counting the many private schools.) This would mean that 8,780 students could automatically get admitted to the University of Georgia or Georgia Tech in the fall.

Let's make a quick assumption: three quarters would go to UGA. That would mean 6,585 would show up in Athens, plus freshmen out of state students, and students not in the top ten per cent of their class in Georgia who are admitted.

Know how many freshmen started their college days at UGA in fall, 2005? There were 4,654 first time freshmen.

Among other questions for the legislators: where do you suggest this big freshmen group attend classes, or live? There is obviously not enough dorm nor class space for them at this new level of admission.

Come on, now! This is nothing but legislation proposed by Democrats to embarrass Republicans. Democrats know that Republicans and onlooking calmer minds (such as UGA officials) don't want to seem against this bill, for it will make them look bad. But they also know it is bad legislation, and will eventually get voted down.

All the Democrats are doing here is trying to make the Republicans have to vote against this legislation. It's the Democrats playing games, and making the Legislature look bad. Legislators usually do that anyway of course, as shown by the Ten Commandments bill, which will eventually get struck down by courts reviewing the law. (And this will cost the state of Georgia---and us taxpayers----for having to defend bad legislation.)

Is this what we want: sending elected officials to Atlanta to play games by proposing either worthless legislation which will be struck down by the court, or legislation which seeks only to embarrass the other party?

We would like to think of legislators as having a higher calling. Bad legislation like these two items makes us think otherwise.

ABOUT OUR SPONSORS

Today's featured sponsor is The Gwinnett Center, which is home to three distinct facilities right here in Duluth. The Convention Center offers our patrons the opportunity to host or attend a wide variety of events; from corporate meetings to trade shows, to social occasions. The Performing Arts Center has a, capacity of 700 guests, which is home to many local events, family shows and even the occasional comedic performer. The Arena is our newest addition and has already seen great success with a nomination for The 2005 Pollstar Arena of The Year Award. In early 2006, already the Ceneter has performances booked by Bon Jovi, George Straight, Nickelback and many more. Visit www.gwinnettcenter.com for updates on events at our three great facilities.

For a list of other sponsors of this forum, go to: http://www.gwinnettforum.com/about/sponsors.htm

FEEDBACK
2/7: Fresh information on whereabouts of Ruth Eisemann

Editor, the Forum:

I read your article about Ruth Eisemann in the GwinnettForum.

I can tell you that Ruth Eisemann is alive and living in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. She was married to Salvatore Randazzo, who recently passed away, and has five children, Felice, Francesca, Vita, Angela and Paolo Randazzo. She also has a grandson, son of Felice.

I knew the Randazzos in Venezuela. Mr. Salvatore Randazzo migrated from Sicily to Venezuela. In the 60's, he went to Honduras to install a marble machinery and decided to stay there. He married Ruth in 1972. He took Ruth to Venezuela several times to visit his brother, Pino, and his sister, Vita.

I was surprised when I learned that Ruth got involved with Gary Krist. She told me she was paralyzed by terror and was afraid that Gary was going to kill Barbara. Also, she was surprised when Barbara attacked her instead of Gary, her predator. I believe this is what is called the "Stockholm Syndrome" when the victim sympathizes with the predator. It is something similar to what happened to Patty Hearst.

I hope I provided you with useful information

-- Joe DeAngelo, Farmington, N.Y.

2/7: Hopes King family can come together to maintain legacy

Editor, the Forum:

Thank you for your thoughtful commentary today on the passing of Coretta Scott King.

It does represent the passing of an era, and like you, I hope the family can come together to honor and maintain the legacy of the King name.

-- George Snyder, Snellville

2/7: Says speech by president was more of the same old re-hash

Editor, the Forum:

There was nothing new in President Bush's State of the Union address. It was a rehash of his old speeches; the same old rhetoric about freedom, growth, and opportunity. (I didn't watch. I got my information by watching Headline News, listening to PBS and reading online; FactCheck.org, Washingtonpost.com, latimes.com, MotherJones.com and BBC News.)

Bush's war on terrorism is making Americans less safe and secure, not more. His war in Iraq was based on false pretenses and has failed. Yet, the president doesn't seem to have the capacity or the moral sense to change the nation's course.

Bush's domestic policies have increased poverty in the United States. His policies will continue down the path of moral hypocrisy with tax and spending cuts that benefit the elite millionaires and impoverish the poor.

-- Ralph Greene, Snellville

(Editor's note: Whew! For a while there I thought you had watched the talk. You had me worried about what you said previously. ---eeb)

UPCOMING
Two new art shows open Thursday at Pinckneyville Center

Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation and Pinckneyville Community Center will have two new art exhibits, "Inspiration" and "Dolls: Believe it or Not," at Pinckneyville Community Center in Norcross.

"Inspiration" features the two-dimensional paintings of portrait artist Ernest Varner. "Dolls: Believe it or Not" is an exhibit of all types of porcelain dolls by Vanessa Morrison.

A reception with light refreshments will be held at the Pinckneyville Community Center on Thursday, February 9, from 7-9 p.m. with an opportunity to meet the artists. The exhibit will be on display through April 27. The reception and exhibit are free and open to the public.

The Pinckneyville Community Center, located at 4650 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Norcross, is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday Noon to 5 p.m. For more information call 770-417-2200.

Opportunities popping up for Gwinnett strings students

Several new opportunities for Gwinnett String Orchestra students and their teachers are currently underway. In the spirit of Gwinnett's "Success Lives Here" vision, Adam Crane, artistic director of Crane Classical Music Society, and Violin Maker Ronald Sachs have joined energies to facilitate four exciting programs.

Strings Competition: Three prizes, of $1000, $500 and $250, will be awarded to encourage aspiring string students, recognize talent, and award prize monies to assist in further artistic pursuit. The competition is open to all violin, viola, 'cello and bass string students, grades 9-12. Deadline for the first round March 1, 2006.There is no entry fee.

Deserving Young Artist Award: Six fine string instruments are being awarded annually to deserving young string players who would benefit from the use of a quality instrument. Serious young string players who have not reached their 18th birthday may be nominated to apply for these instruments. Nominations must be received by the student's orchestra director or private instructor.

The first two instruments have been awarded to 13 year old gifted violinists Benito Thompson of Crews Middle School and Yeyoung Park of Creekland Middle School. Each of these students received $5,000 violins.

Free Orchestra Mentorship: Students and their teachers benefit from instruction from professional musicians, by requesting seasoned veteran professionals to come to their schools. String sectionals rehearsals, master classes and ensemble training are given. Gwinnett is the 2006 focus area. There is no cost for school programs to sign up for their free mentor.

Master Classes: William Pu, associate concert master of the Atlanta Symphony, will hold an open master class for professionally bound violin students on March 26, 2006 at 5 p.m. David Hancock of Chamber Music Atlanta will hold an open master class on the music of J.S. Bach for solo cello. On April 2, 2006 at 3 p.m.

To find out more details about these exciting Gwinnett Music opportunities and happenings, please visit www.craneclassical.com.

Suwanee Police Academy offers glimpse behind the badge

Be part of an eye-opening, hands-on, fun learning experience. Suwanee's Citizens Police Academy program offers a glimpse of what it's really like to serve and protect.

The next classes begin Tuesday, March 7, and are held once each week for seven weeks. The program is open to Suwanee residents as well as to those who work in the City. Topics covered include crime scene investigations, firearms safety, traffic stops, crime prevention, and motor vehicle enforcement. Participants also have an opportunity to run radar, ride along with an officer, practice traffic stops, and search buildings.

Past participant Paul Haddon says: "I learned more about local government in those [seven] weeks at the Citizens Police Academy than I had in the previous 30 years. It gave me a fascinating look into the problems--and solutions--of police work and made me additionally proud to be a citizen of Suwanee."

Applicants are required to undergo background checks. Deadline for applications is Friday, February 24. Applications are available online at www.suwanee.com or by contacting Sgt. Elias Casanas at elias@suwanee.com or 770/945-4607, ext. 327.

NOTABLE
Filing for homestead exemption changes to March 1

Georgia law recently changed the homestead exemption application filing period for property owners. For a 2006 exemption, taxpayers must file a homestead application by March 1, 2006.

Property owners already receiving an exemption and who had no ownership changes to their deed do not need to reapply. They will continue to receive their current exemption on property taxes.

For additional information regarding available exemptions, contact the Department of Property Tax. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For 24-hour service, customers are encouraged to utilize TaxTalk24, the Tax Commissioner's automated customer service telephone system, at 770-822-8800, or use the Tax Commissioner's website at www.gwinnett-tax.com.

Also, the Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner collects property taxes for the cities of Berkeley Lake, Dacula, Grayson, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Snellville, and Sugar Hill. Property owners residing in these cities'limits and who apply for a county exemption will also receive applicable city exemptions to which they may be entitled.

RECOMMENDATION

• An invitation: What Web sites, books or restaurants have you enjoyed? Send us your best recent visit to a restaurant or most recent book you have read along with a short paragraph as to why you liked it, plus what book you plan to read next. --eeb
  
  

GEORGIA TIDBIT
Georgia professors are early advocates of Darwin theory

The theory of evolution was developed by the English naturalist Charles Darwin in 1859 as a scientific explanation of the phenomenon of species formation. With later modifications, it is accepted as valid by most scientists, despite some disagreements over the processes involved. Strongly opposed by a considerable number of people, however, the theory continues to arouse debate. As elsewhere in the United States, responses to Darwin's theory in Georgia have varied from full acceptance to strenuous opposition.

Evolution disclaimer

Although Darwin's explanation of speciation, or the development of new species, has elicited the greatest controversy, it was not the first theory of evolution proposed. Of the earlier theories of evolution, the most thorough was articulated in 1809 by the French naturalist Jean Baptiste Lamarck, who contended that over long periods of time species can undergo organic modifications in response to environmental conditions.

Over time these variations result in the formation of new species. Darwin later agreed that environmental factors could induce alterations in species, but he viewed natural selection as the primary agent of evolution. Eventually, scientists demonstrated that the Lamarckian theory was flawed, and in light of a growing body of evidence, most of them concluded that Darwin's ideas were essentially correct and provided a sound, unifying explanation of biological facts.

Within two decades after the publication of Origin, an impressive number of American scientists, theologians, and other intellectuals had come to accept the theory of evolution. Among them were several Georgians, including Henry Clay White, from 1872 to 1927 a professor of chemistry at the University of Georgia in Athens. An avowed evolutionist by the mid-1870s, White taught the theory to his students throughout his long career. Equally committed to the theory was John Pendleton Campbell, the first professor of biology at the University of Georgia. Campbell freely advocated evolution during his entire tenure at the university (1888-1918) and, along with White, sponsored a conference in Athens in 1909 in celebration of the centenary of the birth of Darwin. Among those presenting papers at the conference were other university professors and C. K. Nelson, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta. Nelson's paper in praise of Darwin was printed in the Athens Weekly Banner.

Even better known as a proponent of evolution was Joseph LeConte, a native Georgian whose book Evolution and Its Relation to Religious Thought (1888), became one of the most popular works on the subject. Arguing for what he called theistic evolution, LeConte received great recognition for his efforts to reconcile evolution with Christian teachings.

• To access the Georgia Encyclopedia, go to http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org
  
  

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
One artist's reflection on the dangers of whining

"Whining is not only graceless, but can be dangerous. It can alert a brute that a victim is in the neighborhood."

-- American Poet Maya Angelou, via Roy McCreary, Dacula.

• Another invitation: What's your favorite saying? Share with others through GwinnettForum. Send to elliott@gwinnettforum.com.
  

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