Wednesday, March 10, 2004

Bigotry, Lester Maddox’s legacy alive and well here in Fayette

Rep. Virgil Fludd, it has been pointed out to me by the editor/publisher/owner of the local gossip rags that you are some of the few legislators doing your job of serving all the citizens of this state. I want to thank you for holding up your responsibility to minorities. Please pass on my appreciation to Bob Holmes, Joe Heckstall and Sharon Beasley-Teague.

As a male Caucasian residing in Georgia since shortly after civil rights were forced on the citizens of Georgia, I am fully aware that bigotry and discrimination against minorities is alive and well here. Lester Maddox may be dead but his abuse of the free press is alive and kicking here in Fayette County.

The local self-anointed supreme beings consider people born fundamentally different than them are to be relegated to second-class citizenship and denied basic human rights guaranteed to the citizens of this nation.

As long as minorities survive in Georgia, the only chance they have of enjoying equality is by the responsible representation of honest legislatures like yourself. Please continue to protect everyone’s civil rights.

I was raised a Roman Catholic and have been happily married for over 35 years. As a student of Catholicism I am fully aware of the dangers to humanity when a church has too much power and influence in civil government. I also know that neither state nor federal law has ever changed church law.

Please stop this misguided, politically opportunistic, anti-gay legislation. We need your valuable time spent on the serious business of running this state. I look forward to contributing to your re-election campaigns.

Mike McGowan

Peachtree City, Ga.