Sometimes a man -- make that a moderator -- has just gotta do what a moderator's gotta do. -- Mr. Williams does his job on The Ga. Gang today.

Part I:

In a 10-17-04 post entitled "The comment heard round the world by moms (soccer, terror and otherwise). -- Sen. Kerry speaks for Mary Cheney," I gave the Senator hell for his comment in Debate No. 3 about Mary Cheney. I noted:

"When it became Kerry's time, and he said 'We're all God's children, Bob. And I think if you were to talk to Dick Cheney's daughter, who is a lesbian, she would tell you that she's being who she was, she's being who she was born as,' I said out loud, 'how in the hell does he know, and thought to myself, does he think he knows everything?

"I probably wouldn't have reacted as harshly toward Kerry -- and recognize that I am talking about reacting in the privacy of my living room rather than in a public place -- had he not mentioned the Vice President's daughter by name, and then began dispensing his superior knowledge as if from Mt. Sinai, presuming to know what Mary Cheney would say.

"Whether it was a cheap shot or an indiscretion -- I don't buy the post debate spin of it being a compliment to the Cheney's (spare us here Senator) -- the damage was done. How much damage? Only time and the voters will tell."
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Part II:

In a 09-21-04 post entitled "I'm with Vice President Cheney on this one -- Same sex-marriage and gay bashing," I wrote:

In our 8-21-04 post entitled "You saw the Cheney headline: "[F]reedom means freedom for everyone." -- But there is more here . . . .," we reviewed the Vice President saying that he sees gay marriage as a state issue, that he and his wife Lynne have a gay daughter, and thus it's an issue with which his family is very familiar. The Vice President states:

"With respect to the question of relationships, my general view is that freedom means freedom for everyone. People . . . ought to be free to enter into any kind of relationship they want to."

Another Republican who also has a gay daughter sees it differently. That person is Sadie Fields -- president of the Christian Coalition of Georgia, principal leader in the effort to incorporate the gay marriage ban into the state constitution, the person responsible for delivering the votes in the Georgia House responsible for getting the proposed constitutional amendment on the Nov. 2 ballot, and without question one of the most powerful women in Georgia politics (if not the most powerful) -- until this past week has never publicly mentioned the sexuality of her only daughter.

Unlike Vice President Cheney who last month broke with President Bush on the issue, saying that people ought to be free to enter into any kind of relationship they want to, Sadie Fields has made no such concession on behalf of her daughter.

Ms. Fields told PI (9-21-04) according to:

"I love my daughter, but I don't agree with her choices." "[The Nov. 2 issue] is not about prejudice. This is about doing what's right, regardless of the pain."

And what does the daughter tell PI: "I would hope that Georgians don't let fear and prejudice divide their state in the same way they've divided my family."

As so accurately observed by the PI, "Sadie Fields and others may disagree, but given the random nature of homosexuality, it's hard to throw a rock in the gay marriage fight and not hit someone you know, even love."

Should this news give those opposing the constitutional amendment cause for rejoicing and dancing in the streets. I would hope not, and it should not.

But it should give all Christians pause to remember and consider the words of the Master and Greatest Teacher of all times who tells us in Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, that ye not be judged."

I'm with the Vice President on this one.

(Also see our 9-08-04 post entitled "A kinder, gentler challenge to a duel -- Sid vs. the Dean on Endorsing Nov. 2 same-sex marriage amendment," a post that could be updated by noting that Louisana has become the second state to vote overwhelming against same-sex marriage.)
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Part III:

This past week Sadie Fields' daught Tess Fields sent a highly personal public letter to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's editorial page, criticizing what she called her mother's "bigotry" and "abject hostility toward gay and lesbian people." (ajc story).

In an interview with the ajc, Tess Fields said she was speaking out partly to answer an opinion piece her mother wrote in Monday's Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and partly to offer encouragement to people opposing the amendment.

The story in the ajc also noted:

"Sadie Fields was clearly surprised to learn of her daughter's letter from a reporter Thursday night. In an emotional interview, she said her daughter's sexuality and their strained relationship is deeply painful for her. The Christian Coalition leader, who also has two sons, said that she loves her daughter and prays for her daily.

"'I would give my life for her, but I can't affirm her in her choices,' she said. Sadie Fields said she would continue to support the constitutional amendment because, 'it is the right thing to do.'

"'The amendment issue is larger than just one relationship,' she said. 'It's not just about me and my daughter. It's about the future of this country.'"

"Senate President Pro-Tempore Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) called the letter a 'private, personal matter.'

"'It certainly personalizes the issue, but I think most Georgians have gay members of their extended families, gay co-workers or friends,' he said. 'I think there is already an acknowledgement that gay people can have a loving relationship, but it does not mean we should change civilization's view of marriage.'"
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Part IV:

On the same day that the ajc runs its story, the AP runs a story noting:

"Just days before Tuesday's referendum, Tess Fields sent a letter to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's editorial page criticizing what she called her mother's 'bigotry' and 'abject hostility toward gay and lesbian people.'"

The AP quotes at length from the open letter and the ajc story.
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Part I lambasting Kerry was included to show you I don't like people talking about other people's family. It shows a lack of character, among other things.

Parts II through IV are background for Part V.
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Part V:

Today on The Georgia Gang Phil Kent goes ballistic about the Associated Press writing an article about Sadie Fields' daughter, etc.

Moderator Dick Williams politely tells him politely but firmly that we are not even into the issue of fair comment. This was a news item, etc.

Mr. Kent did look a bit red today in his grey suit. Maybe he had too much sun last week. Or it could be he's been like an ostrich with his head in the sand, and missing what has been going on, all on account of sending out emails for the Mike Sheffield campaign.

Regardless, I feel certain many watchers of The Gang were scratching their heads wondering as I was.

Thanks Dick.