"You're scaring the children." That was the not-so-subtle message from one of the state's most influential pastors during his Sunday sermon. And it was aimed squarely at those 45 and older who are frustrated and angry with the political system.
Andy Stanley, the founder of North Point Ministries and the senior pastor of a flock of metro Atlanta churches, took issue with the rising level of vitriol in today's political debate, invoking the "religious liberty" fight in Georgia. Watch here: http://northpointonline.tv/messages/tough-as-nails/fix-your-eyes
Said Stanley:
"Nothing could be further from the truth. Government matters. Policies matter. But neither of those matter as much as men and women who understand this word: Faith ... So all of you people over 45, knock it off. You need to model your behavior for the next generation that God is in control."
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Former state House member Mark Hatfield
of Waycross is soliciting a little presidential business.
To constitutionalists across the State of Georgia: if you're interested in challenging Ted Cruz' eligibility for the presidency, contact me. My law firm litigated the Georgia eligibility case against Obama (in which Obama and his lawyer ignored a subpoena and refused to show up for trial) that went to the U.S. Supreme Court. While the Supreme Court refused to grant certiorari in the cases involving Obama, there is a substantial possibility that a case against Cruz may make the cut. While Obama's birthplace was the subject of speculation and dispute, Cruz was unquestionably born in Canada -- and only recently renounced his Canadian citizenship. Pass the word on to the Trump camp!
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Out in California, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., compared GOP presidential frontrunner Donald Trump to a populist from the olden days. From the Los Angeles Times:
"Sometimes I feel like I am reliving part of my past. I heard it so much growing up in the South," he said. "I heard it so much during the days of the civil rights movement. As a people, I just think we could do much better."
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State Rep. Allen Peake's push to expand Georgia's medical marijuana laws will land before its first hearing on Monday.
Pay special attention to a provision tucked deep into the measure, House Bill 722, found on line 677 of the text. Consider it a non-discrimination act for medical marijuana patients.
As long as there's no violation of federal laws or regulations, it would bar employers from discriminating against anyone who is enrolled in the state's medical marijuana program - whether it be hiring, firing or any sort of penalties against them.
It also would ban employees from taking any action against a patient for a positive drug test for marijuana components - unless the person used, possessed or was impaired by medical cannabis on the job.
We're told the business community is watching this provision very carefully.
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That hearing called by state Rep. Earl Ehrhart, R-Powder Springs, to examine Georgia Tech's treatment of an on-campus fraternity will run from 1 to 3 p.m. in Room 403 of the state Capitol.
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The path to replace Rep. Lynn Westmoreland just got a bit clearer.
Former state lawmaker Jeff Brown sent word over the weekend that he will not run for the heavily-Republican west Georgia seat, citing what he said was a $400,000 tab to get enough name recognition ahead of the May primary.
Westmoreland's announcement this month that he would not run for re-election as he considers a race for governor has set off a scramble for the seat.
State Sen. Mike Crane last week announced a bid for the seat in a press conference, earning the endorsement of several of his would-be rivals. Other names that have been floated include Labor Commissioner Mark Butler and former U.S. Rep. Paul Broun.
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Over at the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Chuck Williams has a Q&A with state Rep. John Pezold, a Republican, about his future prospects. A snippet:
Pezold: "I would rather pass a kidney stone every day for the rest of my life, and I've passed a kidney stone before."
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