I understand where you are coming from. But, try to understand where I am coming from. I don't give a rat's behind about the child in his life or where or when it came. What I have a problem with is that this young fella just may not understand that there should be a very clear line dividing Church and State. I do not and will not ever vote for anyone that I believe does not understand this line. What I understand from the article (not the attached blogging) leads me to believe that he wants to bring his religious beliefs into the office. If that is true, he is a choice I will not be making.

I think there is a bit of confusion about this. I do not know or know of Shelby so I am writing this based off of that clear line statement. Separation of Church and State is normally code for not wanting an elected official to regularly attend a church or hold a fundamentalist viewpoint of faith. Normally this has to do with things such as drinking laws, stem cells from fetuses, abortion etc. What most fail to register in their minds is that one can hold the opposite view of you based solely on secular arguments. All you have to do is read Slate (a definite lefty pub) to see well thought secular arguments against stem cells, and also abortion by extension. How exactly will a city council person bring his religious views into office? Will it be code enforcement? Lots of secular people weren't fond of a tattoo parlor or strip club. Will he want to bring a goodwill store into that Baby Kroger against the wishes of mostly the secular community?
And lets look at religions--A devote and committed environmentalist is very much a religious zealot. They are worshipping mother earth. I see that the EPA is close to regulating greenhouse gases. Is that a religious cause or one of dire consequence? Please remember that the biggest, most influential greenhouse gas is water vapor. It accounts for over 95% of forced feedback to the sun's luminesence. It is not emitted by man. It is not considered anthropogenic.

Like I said, I do not know this person. I will research all candidates when the time comes. Please let me know what rights he would take away as a council person? I imagine that people can still have their fishbowl parties, quiet keggers, and whatever else floats their boat. Your statement does not make a lot of sense to me.

"A devote(sic) and committed environmentalist is very much a religious zealot. They are worshipping mother earth."

Yeah really, who needs clean air and water *rolls eyes*

Wedge wrote: "Separation of Church and State is normally code for not wanting an elected official to regularly attend a church or hold a fundamentalist viewpoint of faith."

I don't think that is anywhere close to the truth. I could care less that an elected official attends church, synagogue or Mormon culthouse. They can have any and all fundamentalist religious tenets they care to personally respect and worship. They can wear fancy costumes and talk to snakes for all I care.

Where *I* personally draw the line is when an elected official attempts to interject his personal beliefs upon the general populace via the force of law. Don't coerce your religious beliefs on me!

For example, several churches here in Fayette county believe in the literal interpretation of the bible. Since the Bible (in the book of Leviticus) declares eating shrimp to be an abomination (LINK), what's to prevent a shiny-eyed uberChristian PTC council member from prohibiting the sale of shrimp and lobster at Kroger?

Now, I know you are probably thinking that is an extreme example, that most politicians have the common sense to distinguish between secular prohibitions and religious prohibitions.

Shelby Barker lacks that common sense. He is on record, right here in these blogs, as stating he WANTS to interject "Conservative Christian" values and principles into ALL levels of government.

Ergo, Vote for Shelby and NO SHRIMP FOR YOU!

your real worry is the possible end to those fishbowl parties when the PTC council turns into a Theocracy.

First the PTC Council came after the tattoo parlors, but I didn't speak up because I had all the tattoos I wanted...

Then the PTC Council came for the late-night dance places, but I didn't speak up because I was too old to stay out late dancing.....

Then the PTC Council came after the x-rated video places, but I didn't speak up because I never went there after I found the password to John Munford's porn stash on the Citizens' servers....

By the time the PTC Council came for the Shrimp Restaurants, there was no one left to speak up for me.....

well played

"I could care less that an elected official attends church, synagogue or Mormon culthouse. They can have any and all fundamentalist religious tenets they care to personally respect and worship. They can wear fancy costumes and talk to snakes for all I care.

Where *I* personally draw the line is when an elected official attempts to interject his personal beliefs upon the general populace via the force of law. Don't coerce your religious beliefs on me!"

That is exactly how I feel about this subject and I generally vote conservative. Mind you I didn't say Republican. I will tell you right now that if the Democratic party were able to get a candidate on the ballet against L. Wastemoreland I would vote for them. But Barker, no way, to young and not enough experience in the game of Life!

Obama's weapon of Choice!

about what fundmentalist rules would come out of the Peachtree City city council? This is much ado about nothing. Are you seriously only talking about liquor? That is kind of silly as many religious people drink. Feel free to show me in the bible where alcohol is forbidden

In case you didn't notice, the holy church of insane liberalism rules the political landscape now. President, House, Senate all under the control of the extreme left wing of the Democratic Party. Georgia and Peachtree City need to get in step with liberalism now or else we will miss out on the federal money they are throwing out of helicopters.

It is too late now Shelby, but you don't ever take responsibility for your actions - that is so old fashioned -and with a baby especially. That's why the holy church of liberalism worships abortion. It is not there just for the mother's convenience, it is for you too. Think of all the extra cash you'd have if you had only worshipped at the alter of abortion. Money you could use for whatever wild-eyed liberals buy - drugs, condoms, beer? Who knows.

You can still get elected though, just say you are sorry for not getting that abortion and reassure people that even though you passed on killing your baby, you are all for them killing theirs. When that's behind you, promise to tax the rich and give tax cuts to 95% of the rest of us - even those who pay no taxes. Trust me it is a winning strategy.

You may want to set aside some money for that baby of yours - for future taxes.

Why is it that we don't hold our Federal Government and it's corrupt leaders to the same standards many of the these posters hold candidates and officials for local offices to? We go after Logsdon and Smola with fangs extended but remain silent when our presidents (former and current) piss away trillions of dollars on busiesses that should be dissolved and penalizing financially those that succeed. Same with our congress and senate.

Know what? I believe there may indeed be a revolution brewing in this country. Not sure what it's going to look like.... and I don't know what they will call me.... but I do know whose side I won't be on. That has become clear and evident.

Don't Spread My Wealth.... Spread My Work Ethic

Are you meaning to tell us that at the exact same time Shelby Barker was here lecturing us on the rampant problem of teenage pregnancy (LINK), he was impregnating teens himself?

Whew...we may have the makings of a Gringrich-class hypocrite here!

The irony is thick enough to cut with a knife. But, I wouldn't hold this mild case of "do as I say not as I do" against him as much as his support for the great man, but flawed politician Mike Huckabee.

Anyone that would support the Fair-Tax candidate, was not only a tiny minority in their own party, but even more fringe in main stream, joe blow America. I can only imagine the fair tax philosophy playing itself out on the City Council.

Thanks but no thanks.

and given tepid, silent approval. I would think, though, that someone should have to do more D-bag like things to earn the title. Shelby is not an anomaly in this bastion of conservative republicanism. In short, he is a product of his environment. Social conservatism is full of those who espouse beliefs of moral behavior and family values that they themselves have not and could not live up to. Be it gay marriage opposition, single parenthood, or divorce/ fidelity matters, there are many stone throwers who have destroyed many a glass house (with no FEMA to help them rebuild). Still, I think the d. bag term is a bit harsh. And Shelby sounds like a neat dad from those who spoke up for him; just armed with an out-dated political philosophy.

"With every public school bell that rings, or with every Government program that is created or expanded, our freedom and ability to choose, the same trait God gave us, begins chipping away." Shelby Barker

Public school bells chip away our freedom and ability to choose?? that God gave us??? Public schools (like McIntosh and Starr's Mill) somehow chip away at our God- given freedoms?

Matt, I can see your point......

Shelby is on record as saying he wants to put his religious beliefs into politics (LINK).

I have no doubt that Shelby will work hard to turn America into a Christian Nation and Peachtree City into a Christian City if elected.

Plus, I am sure Shelby will make it a priority to keep homosexuals out of city government. He will work hard to prevent them from implementing their Homosexual Agenda on our community.

Gosh, it wasn't so long ago that Shelby was a high school student on here, lecturing us on The Way Things Ought To Be. Our little Shelby is now a man and ready to graduate from West Georgia this spring and put his political theories into action!

It's a darned shame that BPR is no longer around to see what has become of one of her favorite bloggers.

Any rational people running against this little Gingrich-Palin wannabe? All for young people getting involved in politics, just tend to favor those not so...polarizing in a hypocritical kind of way.

Good Chuckle from Sanctimonius Spear Road Guy.....Your sacred wine and cheese Fayette Republicans have enabled, embraced and elected a whole host of adulterers, let alone any other long list of sins. If adultery and divorce were moral standards you people castigate like you castigate unwed moms, your wine and cheese parties would be empty. And, oh by the way, wanna talk about Republican politicians locally whose daughters had abortions ???? Didn't think so. That's convenient route Shelby Barker could have taken and not been noticed. Instead he is willing to take the heat and be upfront. One last comment--- your Republican Committee lost all of my respect when they embraced Scott Ballard.

I couldn't see passed the big "Vote Republican." Did you mean, sometimes vote for some Republicans?

Gee, this sounds like soap opera material. I'm not sure about Fayette Co. Republicans, though. They got behind the mature John McCain who dumped her faithful wife to run after the rich gal with multiple homes.....

-----------------------------------
Making you think twice......

McCain Paid Child Support!!!

To think the young Barker was hanging around with the youth in our community makes my skin crawl.

Vote Republican

"Republicans will never get behind this immature adolescent who can’t control his urges!!!"

Now, Spear, that's what you said originally. Right? You didn't say repubs won't support a non-child support payer. You said republicans would not support someone who can't control their urges. And that, Shelby, is absolutely FALSE. Your party proved it. Your party will support whomever they think can win an election: Newt Gingrich, Giuliani, McCain... regardless of how they have done with the urges.

That's why it's tuff for liberally minded live free or die types like me to take you "Vote Republican" types very seriously. I try to keep my judgments outside of people's bedrooms, in general. If moral values were that important to your party, Mike Huckabe would have been the Presidential nominee in '08. He wasn't.

SHELBY BARKER ALSO PAYS CHILD SUPPORT !!!! I would be perfectly fine with Shelby Barker hanging out with my son.

SHELBY BARKER ALSO PAYS CHILD SUPPORT! ----- the perfect bumper sticker for his campaign.

I'm glad you're perfectly fine letting Shelby hang out with your son.
A question for you: would you let him hang out with your daughter?

As is the problem in Washington!!! The $10.00 question is "DOES HE PAY HIS TAXES??? Bless....

I suspect he's still claimed as a dependent on his parents' tax return.

I just cannot believe all of this trash-talk being spewed here. I guess those of you criticizing have never made a mistake in your lives. I for one, KNOW that I am not perfect. Whatever mistake he made would have nothing to do with whether he can do the job as councilman...I'm sorry but, some of you folks are just too sanctimonious for my tastes.