You cannot avoid politics and religion. It is impossible because everyone believes in something.
By definition and per the Supreme Court, even atheism is a religion.
Everyone has a political position. On donhaddix.com I talk about Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians, and Tea Parties.
The controversy involving Commissioner David Barlow and Chairman Steve Brown involves both.
The two county newspapers, including the blog of one, have covered the statements by Barlow attacking Democrats at the commission meeting as well as the NAACP on Facebook. They also contain Brown’s comments.
What Barlow said is indefensible, politically and Biblically. His political credibility is gone. Digging in deeper adds nothing to the conversation.
As always, Brown chose to dig in deeper anyway.
Those who have known Barlow for any length of time know he has not changed. He has been outspoken about Jesus ever since he moved to Tyrone. Nor has he hidden his history.
Brown, the other commissioners and the Tea Party knew it all before he was recruited to run for the commission.
As a candidate, I told him to remember he was running for commissioner, not preacher. Also that he would be representing many who were not Christians nor shared his thinking on numerous topics.
Now that this has become an embarrassment for Brown, he has done his typical response of feigning ignorance.
What Brown posted was dirty politics, unjustifiable and meant to give himself undeserved cover.
In his Letter to the Editor, Brown said, ”Yes, I wish he would leave Jesus, the most non-political being ever to grace the planet, out of his political gusts. Yes, I think Democrats have just as much access to heaven as Republicans.”
While I agree on not bringing up Jesus all the time and that Democrats have access to heaven, I take strong issue with the rest of Brown’s comment. Jesus is the “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” per the Bible and Roman Empire history. You cannot get any more political of a role.
Brown has his own history with religious issues, such as taking “Christ” out of “Christmas” when he was mayor. That offended a lot of Christians of all races and other beliefs.
Back in the political realm, when challenged about not stopping Barlow on the dais, Brown said he believed in free speech and felt Barlow had the right to say what he wished.
Speech is restricted, not free, during government meetings. Democratic Chairwoman Dawn Mabra and Executive Vice Chair Terry Williamson cited county ordinances, which say the following, in example:
• “The chair shall enforce the rules of decorum. The purpose of meetings of the board of commissioners is to conduct the county’s business. Meetings shall be conducted in an orderly and respectful fashion. They are not a forum to belittle, ridicule or embarrass county commissioners, other county officials, county employees, or others.”
• “Commissioners shall conduct themselves in a professional and respectful manner.”
• “Personal attacks and inappropriate remarks shall be ruled out of order by the chair.”
• “Commissioners should keep an open mind on all issues coming before the board.”
• “Remarks may not address the character of the person involved.”
By law Brown did not have an option. He was obligated to stop Barlow. His failure to do so turned this issue from being just on Barlow, but to one on him as well. It inflamed a lot of people needlessly.
The Peachtree City Charter places similar demands on the mayor and council members. It is a norm in government, not an exception.
I enforced it. In example, when Councilman Eric Imker attacked people personally, from the dais, I stopped him.
As for “the tipping point” being the water quality issues that hit Peachtree City hard, Brown had his own problems as well. He neglects to mention he talked about employees’ “heads rolling” and other threats.
His comments were in violation of the above ordinances and were fodder for a labor lawsuit. They definitely influenced the outcome, which many felt was too soft.
So, the tipping point for Brown, personally, actually was Barlow disagreeing with him, which is not tolerated by Brown. It was also a tipping point when others disagreed with him as well.
By speaking publicly on a legal issue, both actually mishandled the situation. The Golden Rule of office is when a legal issue like this arises the public position is, “No comment, this is a legal matter.”
This has been a recurring pattern for Brown that has resulted in controversy over who will be the chairman next year, a pattern that will not end until he is out of office.
Don Haddix
Peachtree City, Ga.
[Haddix is a former mayor of Peachtree City.]
