"My Mother: Former Chair of the Local Repub Party, Now Progressive"

[radio4progressives]

Published on Tuesday, January 3, 2006 by CommonDreams.org

My Mother: Former Chair of the Local Republican Party, Now Screaming Progressive


by Missy Comley Beattie

Kentucky is the Bluegrass State. It’s where I was born and lived until leaving for college. My mother was Chair of the local Republican Party at a time when Republicans were scarce there. Now the state is glaringly, blindingly red.

Mother made national news years ago when she took issue with the county judge, a Democrat, meeting with him in his office to demand that campaign signs for Democrats be removed from the courthouse lawn. The law was clear that these signs were not allowed within a certain distance of the building. The judge argued but soon acquiesced and my mother was declared the victor. She’s always spoken her mind.

Our house was political. Hosting receptions for gubernatorial candidates, Mother would introduce them to local business owners. She organized teams to call registered Republicans, urging them to vote. Back then, this effort hardly made a dent.

(cont..)

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0103-34.htm

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Missy Beattie lives in New York City. She's written for National Public Radio and Nashville Life Magazine. An outspoken critic of the Bush Administration and the war in Iraq, she has participated in many peace marches, including the Cindy Sheehan rally in DC. She completed a novel last year.

[Boomer]

1. Very poignant

"My mother is articulate and courageous, unwavering in her beliefs that we are led by the worst president in our history. Even though her spirit is fractured, she’ll continue to speak with a steady voice against this administration and its war. Her heart is shattered, and I know in mine that my parents, both in their 80’s, will not be with us long enough, even if they live another 20 years, for the time to heal their pain."

Based on the lack of outrage among so many Americans, I fear that this country won't "return to the light" for quite some time to come. I have come to believe that the momentum of fascism will have to rise and crest before it ebbs - just as it did in Germany. I only hope I live long enough to see Americans hang their heads in shame and weep for their sins.

[mazzarro]

2. Question about congress and the Iraq war

Who were the five members of Congress that went to the Congressional Reading Room to examine the documents stating evidence for the invasion of Iraq?

[Radio_Lady]

3. Mazzarro, you might try posting this to the DISCUSSION forum.

Interesting questions, and I'd like to know the answer, too.

[radio4progressives]

4. If you find the answer to the question, will you please post it here or

start a new thread in the general discussion - politics forum?

[eridani]

5. Sounds like in her youth, being a Republican WAS progressive

Back then in Kentucky (and in the South in general), all the corrupt good ol' boys were Dems, and the Dems were the Jim Crow party as well. Since the party roles have reversed since then, her subsequent personal change makes perfectly good sense.