Great Moments In Political Arrogance
From the "Great Moments In Political Arrogance" files, here's a gem for you...
David Graves, a Georgia State Representative from Macon, was charged with DUI in Cobb County.
Please click here for the full article from AJC.com.
Despite the overwhelming evidence Cobb authorities have to prosecute him (Blood-Alcohol Content of 0.13, slurred speech, etc.), Mr. Graves and his attorney have decided to invoke a rarely-used paragraph (Section IV, Paragraph IX) within Georgia's constitution regarding "Privilege of Members". Here's the paragraph in its entirety:
The members of both houses shall be free from arrest during sessions of the General Assembly, or committee meetings thereof, and in going thereto or returning therefrom, except for treason, felony, or breach of the peace. No member shall be liable to answer in any other place for anything spoken in either house or in anycommittee meeting of either house.
For the full Georgia Constitution, please click here.
Fortunately, Cobb County State Court Judge Irma Glover saw through his story (treating a party as an officially sanctioned "committee meeting") and ruled that his arrest was indeed constitutional. Thank goodness we have someone on the bench who uses common sense. In the meantime, Mr. Graves and his attorney are appealing this matter to the Georgia Supreme Court. I hope that Judge Glover's ruling would be upheld, but that will ultimately be the justices' decision.
The constitutional provision was designed so that rival politicans would not be using the criminal justice system to punish and imprison those fellow legislators who disagree with them. I do not believe for one millisecond that the law was intended to be an arbitrary "Get Out of Jail Free" card. Apparently, we have at least one legislator who sees it in such a light.
Assuming Mr. Graves is convicted on his DUI charges, I hope that the Georgia House of Representatives and Governor Perdue would punish his arrogance by having him removed from office. If they don't do it, then I hope that his constituents will do so on election day.
Folks, it's ultimately up to us, the people, to hold our elected officials accountable, whether they are the President of the United States or even the local dog catcher. Too many people who are otherwise eligible to vote don't do so... and look what we are getting as a result. If we don't do our part, then government of, by, and for the people will eventually perish from this earth and we might as well put our federal and state constitutions through the paper shredder.
Finally... Mr. Graves, for your show of political arrogance against the good people of Georgia, we, the staff of LouieWilliamsJr.com, hereby bestow upon you the not-so-coveted Bill Engvall "Here's Your Sign" Award... in fact, we even bestow this award upon your attorney.
That's all for now. Thanks for visiting and please come again.
David Graves, a Georgia State Representative from Macon, was charged with DUI in Cobb County.
Please click here for the full article from AJC.com.
Despite the overwhelming evidence Cobb authorities have to prosecute him (Blood-Alcohol Content of 0.13, slurred speech, etc.), Mr. Graves and his attorney have decided to invoke a rarely-used paragraph (Section IV, Paragraph IX) within Georgia's constitution regarding "Privilege of Members". Here's the paragraph in its entirety:
The members of both houses shall be free from arrest during sessions of the General Assembly, or committee meetings thereof, and in going thereto or returning therefrom, except for treason, felony, or breach of the peace. No member shall be liable to answer in any other place for anything spoken in either house or in anycommittee meeting of either house.
For the full Georgia Constitution, please click here.
Fortunately, Cobb County State Court Judge Irma Glover saw through his story (treating a party as an officially sanctioned "committee meeting") and ruled that his arrest was indeed constitutional. Thank goodness we have someone on the bench who uses common sense. In the meantime, Mr. Graves and his attorney are appealing this matter to the Georgia Supreme Court. I hope that Judge Glover's ruling would be upheld, but that will ultimately be the justices' decision.
The constitutional provision was designed so that rival politicans would not be using the criminal justice system to punish and imprison those fellow legislators who disagree with them. I do not believe for one millisecond that the law was intended to be an arbitrary "Get Out of Jail Free" card. Apparently, we have at least one legislator who sees it in such a light.
Assuming Mr. Graves is convicted on his DUI charges, I hope that the Georgia House of Representatives and Governor Perdue would punish his arrogance by having him removed from office. If they don't do it, then I hope that his constituents will do so on election day.
Folks, it's ultimately up to us, the people, to hold our elected officials accountable, whether they are the President of the United States or even the local dog catcher. Too many people who are otherwise eligible to vote don't do so... and look what we are getting as a result. If we don't do our part, then government of, by, and for the people will eventually perish from this earth and we might as well put our federal and state constitutions through the paper shredder.
Finally... Mr. Graves, for your show of political arrogance against the good people of Georgia, we, the staff of LouieWilliamsJr.com, hereby bestow upon you the not-so-coveted Bill Engvall "Here's Your Sign" Award... in fact, we even bestow this award upon your attorney.
That's all for now. Thanks for visiting and please come again.
posted by Georgia Road Geek at
5:34 AM
