Blogging for Max

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Bloggers for Burns, an independent grassroots organization supporting Republican Max Burns in Georgia’s hotly contested 12th U.S. Congressional District race, today released a “welcome” letter to incumbent Democrat John Barrow, Burns’ opponent.  Barrow was forced to move to Savannah this month following the removal of his home base of Athens from the district.

Written as a sarcastic jab at Barrow’s controversially late move to Savannah, the letter was delivered to an “open house” Monday, held by Barrow at 143 Houston Street, Savannah.  The letter, which was published on the group’s website, BloggingforMax.com, was part of a “gift basket” which included regional items like Vidalia Onions, Braswell’s Steak Sauce, boiled peanuts and a Claxton fruitcake.

BloggingforMax.com contributor and co-founder Adam Fogle says the letter and basket were “aimed at augmenting the humor of Barrow’s sluggish emergence into the district and this year’s race.

“John Barrow is an Athens man, and as such should not be running in this district,” said Fogle.  “Democrats gerrymandered Clarke County into the 12th so that a Democrat would have a chance at winning, and now he’s paying for the consequences.”

And the letter made sure to remind Barrow of those consequences.  “It is an unusual state of affairs… that affords us this opulent occasion to welcome you, via your extravagant Savannah open house,” the letter mockingly opened.  “We, your charitable constituency, have anticipated this blissful moment for nearly 19 months now and rejoice with you that your Election Day advent is at last upon us.

“Your decision to leave the Athens-Clarke Hot Stove League and garnish the people of the 12th with a sliver of Congressional representation could not come at a better time.”

This year’s race between Burns and Barrow is a rematch of the 2004 election, when an unknown Barrow upset then-incumbent Burns.  Because of the re-drawn district and the history between Burns and Barrow, many consider the race to be one of the top U.S. Congressional races to watch this election cycle.

Bloggers for Burns say that the site, and humorous actions like this, will “help remind voters of the seriousness of what is at steak this November.”

The letter’s final line says, “Per populus ex derideo,” which roughly translates to “from the people with mockery,” something Fogle believes was a very fitting closure to what will surely be just the start of a new firestorm.  For more information on Bloggers for Burns, go to http://www.bloggingformax.com.  For an original copy of the letter, go to http://www.bloggingformax.com/archives/54.

Since we’ve been open for business, we’ve received a couple of e-mails from “concerned voters” of the 12^th District and I hope we will receive more. If you have an e-mail you would like to send us, please send it here and we might post it for you. Here is the first of what we anticipate will become a series that – for now anyway – we’re calling the “Dear John Letters.”

Dear John Barrow:

I voted for you, and you let me down.

I am a mother of three, a graduate of Armstrong Atlantic State University, and a former educator. And until recently, I was a lifelong Democrat. I like to think I’m a level headed, moderate to left-of-center voter; against abortion but against the death penalty; in favor of tax reform, but opposed to privatized social security; for free trade but for school vouchers.

During your first year in office, you were insignificant but tolerable. But this year you did something I couldn’t believe. In April you voted against the College Access and Opportunity Act.

I was astonished, frustrated and hurt. Our Congressman, our “Great Representative,” the man “on our side,” showed that he was nothing more than a lawyer catering to his own financial interests. That I voted for you and even – yes, I’ll admit it – campaigned for you, against my better judgment, is something I deeply regret.

The College Access and Opportunity Act – which passed, no thanks to you – offers the dream of college education to millions of kids who otherwise cannot afford it. As a single mother who works very hard to support her children, I thank God every day that we have a system in Georgia that will assist my children’s generation with tuition.

But not all Americans have access to programs like HOPE and have to rely on weak programs like Pell Grants and individual student aid programs. So the College Access and Opportunity Act aimed to strengthen those programs and open the doors of higher education to anyone who wanted in. As someone who voted for you, I am ashamed that you would deny others that all-too-necessary right.

You and other Democrats told us this act would “raid student aid.” But it was a lie. It didn’t touch student aid but rather it strengthened Pell Grants and other essential programs for those who cannot otherwise afford tuition.

And even worse, the act helped non-traditional students – like military veterans – meet individual needs in their pursuit of higher education. Again, why would you deny our HEROES this opportunity?

John Barrow: I voted for you, and you betrayed me. You turned your back on Georgia and I’m done with you. You voted against me. You voted against Georgia. You voted against our future.

Katherine T.

Garden City, GA

*Note: all letters are edited for punctuation and some grammar. Links are added by BloggingforMax.com.

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