The Rights of Free Press and Free Association Are In the Constitution
I just wanted to clear that up, since many of the so-called “Constitutionalists” have been flooding my Facebook feed and inbox with status updates and emails telling me to call the Beacon, the host of tomorrow night’s “Big 5″ GOP GAGOV debate and protest them deciding not to include Ray McBerry and Jeff Chapman.
Indeed, apparently they are also now planning a protest outside the event over McBerry’s lack of inclusion.
Nevermind the fact that Ray McBerry has openly holds stances which will directly lead to a literal shooting war with the US Government if enacted.
Nevermind the fact that Ray McBerry openly praised as “the best campaign manager” in the world a woman who claimed she was “thrilled” a man was murdered in his church during Sunday morning service.
Nevermind the fact that Ray McBerry never bothered to file his latest disclosure as required under the rules of the State Ethics Commission until after an official complaint was filed over the issue.
Nevermind the fact that had Ray McBerry filed this disclosure when he was required to do so, the Beacon could have made a more informed choice about him.
Nevermind the fact that the Beacon’s published standard for participation in this debate was $250K raised so far, and Ray McBerry has barely raised a third of that number for his campaign.
No, all of those issues are irrelevant in the grand scheme of things, because in the grand scheme of things private property rights are the cornerstone of virtually every other right we enjoy. To dictate to the Beacon who they must allow on their property in their event violates this right, as well as the Constitutionally guaranteed rights of free association and free press.
But apparently, these so-called “Constitutionalists” are only interested in protecting rights when they agree with the use of said rights.
Hypocrites.
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February 3rd, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Jeff ,like I previously said…….
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:26 pm
For me, I believe that the paper has the right to include whomever they wish; however, it is important for people to realize that they are trying to have a role in picking the winner. We are tired of politics as usual, and we are tired of the notion that money = votes.
When we hosted an event, we invited all candidates – GOP, Dems, and Libertarian. We believe that Georgians should hear from all candidates before making their choice.
February 4th, 2010 at 4:09 am
Just found out that the Beacon debate is co-sponsored by the Fulton GOP: http://www.fultongop.org/ Seems that it might be a violation of the Georgia GOP bylaws – take a look and tell me what you think: http://www.gagop.org/documents/2009Rules.pdf (page 20 – section 2.22)
Am I misunderstanding?
February 4th, 2010 at 4:22 am
Yes, you are misunderstanding. The rule clearly states that individuals cannot use their title when endorsing someone in a Primary. Many have interpreted this to mean that individuals who happen to have certain titles cannot openly endorse anyone in a partisan primary at all, but that is not in the text of the rule, per my reading.
NOTHING is said about the activities of County Parties there, and even if you want to try to paint this as the individual members of the County Executive Committee doing something, they have NOT endorsed anyone in any way.
You’re grasping for straws in an ocean here, Dawn.
February 4th, 2010 at 4:26 am
I actually was thinking that it would be worse for a county GOP to work on behalf of certain candidates over others…
it doesn’t really matter at this point – Jeff Chapman and Ray McBerry will be the benefits of this exclusion in the end – the established political class bases success on money – and the Tea Parties are rejecting that concept – so, we shall see….
February 4th, 2010 at 4:36 am
Dawn,
They are not working on behalf of certain candidates over others. Beacon set up the debate and asked every candidate who had raised $250K or more to come, simple as that.
The Tea Parties have shown in IL that they are nowhere NEAR as effective as they claim to be. Right now, money is the ONLY reasonably accurate way to measure support – it is still to early for polls to begin to paint a truly accurate picture, since the vast majority of the voting public is barely aware that there is even a GAGOV election this year – much less that there are 13 people actively running for it right now.
February 4th, 2010 at 5:05 am
I’m sorry, but if there was a standard published, and those selected are the ones who met that standard, then McBerry’s camp needs to get over it. I may not agree with the standard, and to an extent, I’d rather they include all the candidates rather than a few who have raised the money. Not just McBerry.
And that goes for both parties.
February 7th, 2010 at 9:44 am
I agree with Tom and Jeff.The promoters of the event had the right to set their own rules. McBerry should stop acting like a crybaby and accept his wacked out views just dont resonate with the general public. Even though he didnt participate in the debate, he had the oppurtunity to attend the event and pass out literature . Libertarian candidate David Chastain had people there distrubiting literature even though it waw a republican debate. His yellow flyers were everywhere and there were numerous Liberetarians working the crowd, including voluenteers working with “Libertarians for Austin Scott for Governor”. It was graet seeing my fellow Libertarian friends there.