Predictable boycotts aimed at Georgia. Plus: Who's an expert? Keeping up with the Trumps.

By Gary Abernathy

Some want boycott of Georgia democracy

Like clockwork, left-leaning political organizations are calling on a boycott of the state of Georgia because they don’t like a new voting law there.

In one example, CNN reports that the National Black Justice Coalition said in a statement, "The PGA Tour and Masters Tournament have both made commitments to help diversify golf and address racial inequities in this country -- and we expect them to not only speak out against Georgia's new racist voter suppression law -- but to also take action.” That action is, of course, boycotting the Masters Tournament.

We’ve seen this drill before. When North Carolina passed the so-called “bathroom bill,” boycotts were demanded. Reuters reported in 2017, “Over the past year, North Carolina has suffered financial hits ranging from scuttled plans for a PayPal facility that would have added an estimated $2.66 billion to the state’s economy to a canceled Ringo Starr concert that deprived a town’s amphitheater of about $33,000 in revenue. The blows have landed in the state’s biggest cities as well as towns surrounding its flagship university, and from the mountains to the coast.”

From sea to shining sea?

People love democracy and say they believe in it until it results in a law they don’t like. Georgia’s new voting rules went through the proper procedures, passed by both chambers of the state legislature and signed into law by the governor. Some complain that hearings weren’t held, etc. Hearings are good, but they’re not required in federal or state constitutions. Georgia followed the rules for a bill to become law. Those who disagree should work to elect different legislators and a different governor. Pressuring private industry to boycott an entire state over certain laws is not how the system is supposed to work, but it’s a favorite tool for some.

Should ‘experts’ always be trusted to lead the way?

Sometimes, “experts” don’t know what they’re talking about, but if the media can quote an “expert” – defined in various ways, depending on the day – we’re supposed to accept it as gospel. “Experts say…” is a phrase often followed by explanations on politics, government, race, economics, health and any number of other subjects — explanations that make no common sense — but since the media found people who can be called “experts” by their standards, we’re not supposed to argue. Just venting, but more on this as time goes by.

Donald and Melania launch a ‘magnificent’ website

Keeping up with the Trumps is going to be fun once in a while, such as today. According to USA Today, Donald and Melania Trump have launched a new website attached to their new personal offices. The website features a statement explaining that the site is “committed to preserving the magnificent legacy of the Trump Administration…”

I love Trump’s hubris when it comes to describing his own “magnificent” accomplishments and plans.

Trump is apparently working on building his own social media platform. I seriously doubt it will happen, but if it did, it would undoubtedly be magnificent.

Sign up and share this newsletter

Please sign up to receive this newsletter directly into your inbox Monday through Friday (except holidays or other occasional interruptions) or, if you are already a subscriber and reading this by email, share with a friend using the convenient button below. Thank you!