Pledge of Allegiance: Do They Mean It?

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: DO THEY MEAN IT?

I am a Vietnam Veteran, proud American and furious Georgia Democrat who wants the Republican candidates for Governor to come out of the closet on the secession issue.  There are certain matters of bedrock American Patriotism that are command performances, and standing proud under the American flag and Pledging Allegiance are among them.

Unfortunately, GOP candidates Nathan Deal, John Oxendine, Karen Handel and others disagree.  They still haven’t come forward to disavow their ridiculous secession talk.  I, for one, want to know if they mean the words in our Pledge of Allegiance, "one nation under God, indivisible", or not!  Do they truly mean the words when they say the Pledge, or is it just a cheap political pander to those of us who have put on the uniform and proudly gone into harm’s way for our country?

There is no confusion about where I stand on this issue; I put out this video last week.  I also called on Congressman Nathan Deal to stand with me and repudiate all this silly chatter about secession from the United States.

Congressman Deal, John Oxendine, Karen Handel and others are now trying to duck this issue.  Since they won’t come forward on their own, I think we should smoke them out ourselves.

If you share my outrage, join me in pushing them to make a public stand.  Below are their contact numbers.  Call them today and ask them if they will stand with America by publicly disavowing their previous positions about secession from the United States.

And after you call, be sure to send my campaign an email to tell us what they said.

Nathan Deal: 770-297-0011

John Oxendine: 404-872-1740

Karen Handel: 770-740-0010

OUR GRADUATES DESERVE MORE
JOB OPPORTUNITIES HERE CLOSE TO HOME

Many of Georgia’s Class of 2009 graduated from high school this week.  Some will be entering college and technical schools, and many more will be jumping straight into the job market.

And while there is excitement in the air, there is also cause for alarm for those of us who would like to keep our young people working and raising families close to home.  Too many of our graduates are looking outside of Georgia for work because we haven’t done a good enough job to create new jobs and industries in Georgia.

Our graduates are preparing for the jobs of the future: technology, life sciences, alternative energy production, environmental sciences and more.  But those jobs are being created at a faster rate in other states than in Georgia.  We must change this, and as your next Governor, this will be my top priority.

Click here to read more about my job creation plans for Georgia and how these plans will keep more of our young people here in Georgia for generations to come.

THANK A TEACHER!

Another year is in the books for Georgia’s public school teachers.  They’ve earned the right to a little R&R this summer, but there is a fight brewing that we must win for our teachers: scrapping No Child Left Behind and changing Georgia’s mandatory testing.  Let me be clear, I support classroom and student accountability, but I also think that we rely on exit exams too much in Georgia.  When we make them “teach to the test,” we are handcuffing our public school teachers and reinforce the notion that if you can memorize the answers, we’ll consider you educated.  When I’m your Governor, this will change.  

I trust our public school teachers and want to give them access to educational technology and professional development tools to become the envy of the nation.  Click here to read my vision on education.   If you see a Georgia teacher this summer, thank them for their service and tell them about my plan to transform public education!

NOTHING MIDDLIN’ ABOUT THESE LADIES

Our Saturday started early with a drive south of Macon to historic Marshallville to speak with the Macon County Democratic Women, the newest chapter of the Georgia Federation of Democratic Women (GFDW).  My special thanks to Ms. Spring Rosati for hosting this event at her restaurant and gift shop in the beautifully restored train depot.  Mary Jane Crook, chair of this club, is to be commended for her leadership as is GFDW President Tina Simms.

Elizabeth and I also enjoyed discussing local government issues with Camille Bielby, Downtown Development Manager for the City of Montezuma.  My good friend from my National Guard days, Chuck Wade came to the meeting to visit with us.  He spoke about my leadership as Commander of the Guard, and I was humbled by his kind words of endorsement for my candidacy.

CELEBRATING FREEDOM:  EMANCIPATION DAY IN THOMASTON

Elizabeth and I had a wonderful time in Thomaston as the residents and visitors from across the state celebrated the 146th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.  The festival atmosphere was filled with song, praise and just good ole, down-home fun!  Mr. Lankston Johnson and the entire organizing committee did an outstanding job planning this annual event, honoring the historical significance of President Lincoln’s action.  I am grateful for Mr. Morris McKinney, community organizer and committee member, for taking the time to introduce us around and for facilitating my participation and speaking opportunity.

MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS: HONORING OUR HEROES

On the day when we recognize the heroes who gave their lives to protect our freedoms, we should remember that all of us share the same American values of patriotism, love of freedom, integrity and honor, and minor political differences pale in comparison.

Thunder in the Country: Veterans’ Remembrance Ride from Monroe to Madison

It was my great honor to be a featured guest at the 11th annual “Ride for America” motorcycle ride on Memorial Day.  This ride was dedicated to the late Gary Lemonds, Vietnam Veteran, Medal of Honor Nominee and Founder of Ride For America, and to all Veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and the men and women now serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Hundreds of riders gathered in the morning in Monroe for the ride to the Morgan County Courthouse for the ceremony.  Elizabeth and I had a blast admiring the bikes and visiting with friends old and new.  Ride coordinator Stan Mauldin and American Legion Post 37 Commander Jim Nesmith deserve special recognition for their leadership in making this event a success once again.  Our Patriots for Poythress leader Tanya Brinkley spent the day at both locations making sure all gathered knew about my candidacy.

We enjoyed the remarks of County Commission Chair Mac Bodin, and were inspired by Madison Mayor Tom Dupree.  I spoke about our common values as Americans and how ceremonies such as these not only honor our fallen brethren but celebrate our true power as Americans to come together for our common values.  There was a special feature to this program; dozens of veterans from all branches of service were called forward to the tune of their service anthem.  Young and old, black, white and brown - patriots all!

Millen: War Memorial Monument Dedication

The Jenkins County Courthouse was the site of the dedication service for a new War Memorial Monument.  Honored on the monument are those brave men who gave their lives in service to our country from WW I, WW II, Korea, and Vietnam.  This event was the culmination of three years of work by the VFW conducting Buddy Poppy Drives and soliciting donations.  Byron A. Scoggins, Commander of VFW Post 2776, was kind enough to invite me to share the stage with Congressman John Barrow and local hero, Four Star General Carlton Fulford, USMC (Ret).  My thanks to Edwin Arita, USMC (Ret), for his kind introduction, and to the Millen Woman's Club for providing much appreciated refreshments.

LEGISLATIVE OUTREACH LEADS TO FUN IN MACON

Thanks to State Senator Emanuel Jones, Chairman of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC), for inviting me to sit down with members of the GLBC last week.  This meeting was the first of a predicted 2-3 rounds of interviews of the candidates for Governor.  I appreciated the thoughtful questions posed by this important group of legislators - they put me through my paces in a straightforward and courteous way.

An unexpected surprise of the afternoon came when Representative David Lucas offered us tickets to Sunday’s Soul Jam Music Festival in Macon.  Elizabeth and I thoroughly enjoyed the music and spending time with Rep. Lucas and his wife, Macon Councilwoman Elaine Lucas.  They were wonderful hosts and coordinators of this terrific event.  More than just great music and good food, many folks we visited with had serious concerns on their minds; education, good jobs and recreation were top issues among the festival goers.

FROM THE FRONT LINES:

AJC, Tucker: Some GOP hopefuls talk 'treason'

AJC, Galloway: Poythress: GOP Talk of Secession is Childish Cowardice

DailyKos: Georgias Secessionist ChickenHawks get Called Out

AJC, Bookman: Poythress Calls the Secessionists Bluff

UGA Liberal: Poythress Taking it to the Republicans

Tondees Tavern: Ouch, that's gonna leave a mark

Peach Pundit: Poythress: Secession Rhetoric a Slap in the face to
Soldiers

GriftDrift: Poythress Punches

Down with Tyranny: Crazy Adventures of Texas Secessionists

Roswell Weekly: Poythress Challenges Deal

Perimeter Progressive: Time for "Secessionistas" to enter our lexicon

Macon Telegraph: Poythress in Marshallville

Mostly Media: Poythress Takes on Republican Secession Talk

Creative Loafing: Poythress on Secession

Perimeter Progressive: Secession Backlash Starts to Heat Up

California Notes: David Poythress for Governor of Georgia

All the best,

David Poythress

PS – Friends, I need you to help me get my message out. Many of you have reached into your pockets already, and some of you have pledged online to give every month until the election. Our network of contributors already reaches far across the state, giving us strength and resources in all parts of Georgia. Can I count on you to give $20, $50 or $100 to my campaign today?

About David Poythress

Lieutenant General (Ret.) David Poythress is the immediate past Commander of the Georgia Army and Air National Guard.  He previously served as Georgia's Secretary of State and Commissioner of Labor, and he is a Democratic candidate for Governor in 2010.