And why this sudden Democratic

Party protectiveness for our state constitution? In November 2002, Georgians

got to vote on no less than six constitutional amendments, including the

paramount issue of sterilizing stray animals to prevent overpopulation

of unwanted dogs and cats.

What kind of caucus, what kind

of political party can assure that we all get to vote on authorizing a

new vehicle license plate to raise money for spaying pets but then withholds

from us the right to vote on the definition of marriage?

Is spaying strays more important

than traditional marriage?

important amendment passed, 71 percent to 29 percent. Of the six amendments

offered to the voters, we approved four of them, less than two years ago.

But in the name of one brand-new

"right," all of us lowly voters now face having our voting rights

taken away.

The Rev. Martin Luther King,

Jr., would be appalled that the very people who benefitted from his struggle

and martyrdom are now the very ones who are denying every voter in this

state that most basic right of democracy: The right to vote.

Thus, we say to our African-American

legislators, to the Black Caucus and to the so-called Democratic Party

what they themselves once cried out with fervent conviction:

Let your people vote!