Republican Georgia State Representative Sue Burmeister of Augusta claims that the Atlanta Journal-Constitution misrepresented her statements related to the Voter ID law. And Republican House Speaker Glenn Richardson claims no investigation or corroboration was made by the AJC, to confirm the statements made in a Justice Department memo were accurate. He also claims that the memo was obtained illegally. In violation of Federal law.

The AJC took small excerpts from a memo, to develop a story that makes Ms. Burmeister appear to be a racist.

Here is more of that memo, which includes the statements by Rep. Burmeister cited by the AJC related to Blacks and some additional statements they did not mention. Rep. Burmeister was the sponsor of the Voter ID bill.

The AJC also points out that the memo cites some inaccurate statements made by Rep. Burmeister. Related to how people would be able to obtain proper state issued identification, that could be used for voting. Also Ed McIntyre (died last year) was convicted in 1984, in an extortion related case. But the real “stink” down here in Georgia today has been about the statements related to race. And if made, those statements are inherently racist. Given to assume that Blacks only vote for money implies that Blacks have no other value for the voting process. Which by definition would mean the speaker of such words feels that Blacks are inferior to others, given a lack of concern about something as serious as voting.

Being Black of course I know that any such view that Blacks only vote when paid to do so is very far from the truth. The history of Blacks literally giving their lives for the ability to vote is well documented and never were such efforts performed with payment in mind. I could go on about rich and poor Blacks I know taking their vote very seriously, given the history to make it possible in every part of this nation. But I wish to remain on topic here and for now the topic is Sue Burmeister.

Rep. Burmeister and Mr. Richardson made these comments in response (I recommend reading it all). Here are some excerpts:

So taking all this in I had to think how credible all the parties involved are. I know the AJC has a strong Liberal slant and is always going after Republicans, Conservatives or anyone that dare display a Conservative view. They also have an editor that has engaged in some very biased activity. I could point out bias from others at the paper, but I don’t want to spend all night on them. Then thinking about Rep. Burmeister, I’ve never known her to make racist statements. And I know of GA State Representatives who have made racist statements and engaged in racist actions. Those racists all stand by their statements/actions and Rep. Burmeister has never been one of them. She is saying that the quotes are not accurate and distancing herself from them. So if she made the statements it would be the first time I know of that she’s ever done such a thing. It’s not like she’s a former Klansman, like Democratic US Senator Roberty Byrd. Also in my review of the memo I felt there was a strong bias against the Voter ID law. Which leads me to give Rep. Burmeister the benefit of the doubt.

And with Glenn Richardson it’s the same as Rep. Burmeister. No history of racism. Also his mention of the memo being obtained illegally, which makes investigation and corroboration difficult if not impossible, is an interesting statement. I wish Mr. Richardson had gone into more detail about that.

So at the end of the day I have to look at this and say that I feel there probably was a misquote made in the memo. For someone to make such statements to a person doing an investigation for the US Justice Department would be something beyond insane. And given Rep. Burmeister has no prior history of such and distanced herself from the statements, saying the quote is not accurate I have to take her word for it. I don’t think she would be so crazy as to make such statements. She probably said something about her knowledge of some Blacks being paid to vote and if they (those who took money) were not paid then they would not vote. But I don’t think she made any such statements to imply that all Blacks in her district are that way.

I strongly support the Voter ID law and look forward to it being enforced here in GA and others states making similar laws of their own.

Related posts:

• 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will not lift the injunction on GA Voter ID law, but will expedite hearing the case.
• Pretty funny that Joseph Lowery would oppose GA’s Voter ID law, considering the actions of his own group!
• Poverty Pimps score temporary victory in Georgia Voter ID Law case

update (11/21/2005 4:42PM ET): Here is another article that offers more details. Rep. Burmeister says that she told an investigator that a representative of Ed McIntyre contacted her. And she is correct in saying that the report does not have any direct quotes. Just the investigator’s summation of their phone conversation. I think this is nothing more than one person telling a story to another person and that person getting the story a little wrong.

An investigation of voting fraud in the area would be good and is sure to find that only a small fraction of voters of any race in that area are taking part in that kind of activity.

Some Conservatives are having trouble seeing how such a statement if made would be racist. The statement which I don’t think she made speaks in absolute terms. Saying that “all Blacks” in that area are a certain way. That is by definition racist, to imply that all of one race would engage in such illegal activity, while implying that others are law abiding.