Sunday, November 15, 2009
The state meeting in Fayetteville on Nov. 7 was great.
Attendees from our area were Fenika Miller, Betty Pearsall, Tina Simms, Diana Dunten, and Maryjane Crook.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Rally in Perry/Houston County Saturday, 10-24-09
The Middle Georgia Democratic Women and Houston County Democratic Committee held a free political rally and hot dog roast at Creekwood Park in Perry on Saturday 10-24-09 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Hot dogs, chips and beverages were served to every one who attended. DJ Dave provided some foot-tapping entertainment. Our speakers were governor candidates Dubose Porter and Carl Camon, SOS candidate Michael Mills, and US Senate candidate RJ Hadley.
Culture of violence and disrespect....
I had fun decorating a booth at the Georgia National Fair for the Democratic Party. I brought tables and chairs and flags and posters from home. Then I stopped by Kroger and bought blue and white balloons. My friend Fenika Miller brought a life size stand-up of President Barack Obama as a finishing touch for the booth.
And that’s when the vitriol began.
Grown men raised in the South whose mamas must have taught them better stopped by the booth on a regular basis and made rude, aggressive, and sometimes violent comments.
One sneering man approached the booth and said, “You better take that down.” He pointed at the Obama stand-up.
“Are you threatening me?” I asked. Twenty-three years in the public schools did not make me a shy person. I am a retired educator, age 73, with a head full of white hair but I will still stand up to bullies.
“I’m threatening him,” said the visitor. I’m coming back and I’ll pour gasoline on him and burn him up.” This sounded a bit like Mississippi in the 1960s to me.
After that, I had a chat with the manager in the McGill building and with fair security. Some nice guys at a nearby booth offered to help me if I had more trouble.
And there was more trouble, most of it occurring when women were volunteering at the booth. I guess the bullies weren’t up to trying to intimidate the men volunteers.
At one point a guy who apparently had gone obsessive on the subject of communism stood in front of our booth hollering, pointing, and doing everything but making good sense for what seemed like ten minutes, but had to be shorter. Two real Southern gentlemen helped me out by approaching the booth and standing next to him, one on either side. The ranter became quieter and quieter and finally slunk off. The presence of two men, both bigger than he was, seemed to have a calming effect.
Let me insert here that the Republicans that I know personally have manners and class and would be ashamed to act like those ruffians who taunted the Democratic women at the fair. If they are disappointed over the outcome of the 2008 election they are not showing it by snarling “You don’t believe all that crap, do you” when a Democratic woman asks, “Are you enjoying the fair?”
Another older man said he wanted to borrow our Obama image so he could hold its head under water at a nearby hot tub demonstration. Said this grandpa, “I would hold him under the water for ten minutes and smile the whole time.”
I would like to say that this rude behavior surprised me. I would like to say that it surprised me when a young man stood in front of our booth and went through the motions of firing an imaginary rifle in the direction of an image of the President of the United States. It doesn’t surprise me because I was at the same booth last year and encountered the same type of verbal abuse.
What does surprise and shock me is the culture of violence and disrespect for the Presidency that is taking root in my beloved United States of America.
Kristina Simms is a retired educator and state president of the Georgia Federation of Democratic Women. She is the author of a history of Macon, GA and several other books, and also an advocate for the mentally disabled.
And that’s when the vitriol began.
Grown men raised in the South whose mamas must have taught them better stopped by the booth on a regular basis and made rude, aggressive, and sometimes violent comments.
One sneering man approached the booth and said, “You better take that down.” He pointed at the Obama stand-up.
“Are you threatening me?” I asked. Twenty-three years in the public schools did not make me a shy person. I am a retired educator, age 73, with a head full of white hair but I will still stand up to bullies.
“I’m threatening him,” said the visitor. I’m coming back and I’ll pour gasoline on him and burn him up.” This sounded a bit like Mississippi in the 1960s to me.
After that, I had a chat with the manager in the McGill building and with fair security. Some nice guys at a nearby booth offered to help me if I had more trouble.
And there was more trouble, most of it occurring when women were volunteering at the booth. I guess the bullies weren’t up to trying to intimidate the men volunteers.
At one point a guy who apparently had gone obsessive on the subject of communism stood in front of our booth hollering, pointing, and doing everything but making good sense for what seemed like ten minutes, but had to be shorter. Two real Southern gentlemen helped me out by approaching the booth and standing next to him, one on either side. The ranter became quieter and quieter and finally slunk off. The presence of two men, both bigger than he was, seemed to have a calming effect.
Let me insert here that the Republicans that I know personally have manners and class and would be ashamed to act like those ruffians who taunted the Democratic women at the fair. If they are disappointed over the outcome of the 2008 election they are not showing it by snarling “You don’t believe all that crap, do you” when a Democratic woman asks, “Are you enjoying the fair?”
Another older man said he wanted to borrow our Obama image so he could hold its head under water at a nearby hot tub demonstration. Said this grandpa, “I would hold him under the water for ten minutes and smile the whole time.”
I would like to say that this rude behavior surprised me. I would like to say that it surprised me when a young man stood in front of our booth and went through the motions of firing an imaginary rifle in the direction of an image of the President of the United States. It doesn’t surprise me because I was at the same booth last year and encountered the same type of verbal abuse.
What does surprise and shock me is the culture of violence and disrespect for the Presidency that is taking root in my beloved United States of America.
Kristina Simms is a retired educator and state president of the Georgia Federation of Democratic Women. She is the author of a history of Macon, GA and several other books, and also an advocate for the mentally disabled.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
MGDWC meets 9/19 for Quiche and Issues!
The Middle Georgia Democratic Women's Club will meet at Chef Audrey's Bistro in Warner Robins (WalMart Shopping Center) on Saturday, September 19, at 10:00 a.m.
The topic of the meeting is "Quiche and Issues." A delicious brunch will be served for $8.00. Reserve your brunch by calling Kristina Simms at 988-8560 or email ktina72@windstream.net New members always welcome.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
OFA Health Care Rally -- Macon -- 9/1/09
Photos from the OFA Health Care rally with Alise Marshall and State Sen. Robert Brown in Macon. Our GFDW at-large board member Kimberlyn Carter was helping as emcee, and I also saw MGDWC member Margaret Ford . Margaret was on the 6pm news on WMAZ-TV! LEFT CLICK TO ENLARGE. RIGHT CLICK TO SAVE TO DISK.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
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Sunday, August 23, 2009
Georgia Democratic Disabilities Caucus
Organizations in Georgia serving the disabled have suffered during the last eight years. Now is the time to form a Georgia Democratic Disabilities Caucus. If you are disabled or a caregiver for a disabled person or a person who works with the disabled and you would like to make your voice heard by the Democratic Party of Georgia, please contact Rep. Pedro Marin at marin@georgiademocrat.org to join this caucus. Include your name, address, phone, and your suggestions for improving services to the disabled in Georgia.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Democratic Women are heard at Congressman Sanford Bishop's Town Hall Meeting
Democratic women from Peach County, Houston County, and Taylor County made their presence known at the Congressman Sanford Bishop's Town Hall meeting at the Pettigrew Center, Fort Valley State University, today. The crowd appeared to be about 250 people and, although some opponents of health care tended to be loud when they were given the microphone, the demeanor of the audience in general was respectful. Kudos to Congressman Sanford Bishop for being so very well informed on the Health Care bill. He carefully and knowledgeably went over the main points of the bill before the question and answer period began. From the Middle Georgia Democratic Women Club, four had a chance to hold the microphone, ask a question, and voice their support for Health Care Reform: Fenika Miller, Chair of Houston County Democrats and lst Vice President, MGDWC; Patti Rowell, member, MGDWC; Sharon Dawson, secretary, MGDWC; and Kristina Simms, Acting President, MGDWC, and President, GFDW.
Some other friendly faces in the crowd: Mary Ann van Hartesveldt (Fort Valley), Patti James (Taylor County), Spring Rosati (Macon County)
We were not allowed to carry in signs, and purses and other bags were checked by security as we entered the auditorium.
On the whole, this was a fine example of what a town hall meeting should be, and Congressman Bishop and the staff and police of FVSU are to be commended. As a "Blue Dog" Democrat, Congressman Bishop expressed his strong wish to keep costs down in any health care plan, but he also pointed out many sections of the bill that he thought were worthy, and needed by our citizens.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Carol Porter at MGDWC meeting August 15
Left to right; Carol Porter, Peggy Davis, Connie Cutlip. Peggy is a candidate for city council in Perry.
Carol Porter of Dublin spoke at the Middle Georgia Democratic Women's Club on Saturday, August 15, at Chef Audrey's Bistro in Warner Robins. Mrs. Porter spoke on behalf of her husband, Rep. Dubose Porter, who is a Democratic candidate for governor.
Transportation, energy and water problems were among the issues she focussed on, as well as cuts to education and Georgia's burgeoning prison population. For information about the Middle Georgia Democratic Women's Club and upcoming programs, contact Kristina Simms at ktina72@windstream.net or phone 988-8560.
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