The North Georgia Progressives met for their fifth anniversary with an open forum at the Fireside Grill May 26th.
Founder Harris Green gave a brief history of the organization at the beginning of the meeting. As he began, an Elvis Presley impersonator in another section of the restaurant started belting out classic rock ‘n’ roll. The music nearly drowned out Green. “It’s hard to compete with Elvis,” he said, laughing.
He then continued, saying the group started in his house in 2004, in an effort to organize and drive President George W. Bush out of office and withdraw from the Middle East, as well as revitalize the Democratic Party. While Green is the founder, member Tom Are, he says, is the front man.
Green then spoke about what he thinks it means to truly support the troops.
“Six years of this support the troops thing has really gotten on my nerves,” he said.
He believes that supporting the troops requires more than forwarding emails or applauding them in the airport. He believes that Americans need to supply their forces with better equipment.
Among other speakers, Are gave a book report on The Post-American World, by Fareed Zakaria, and Joe Holt gave a “report card” on how President Obama is handling various issues, awarding him a solid “B.”
Joseph Mann attended the meeting. Mann intends to run against Chip Pearson, State Senator for the 51st District, in 2010. Mann spoke briefly.
“I am running for change,” he said, “so when my children grow up and they come back and want to be north Georgians and progressives, there will be a place for them.”
According to Are, the North Georgia Progressives consists of mostly Democrats, with a few Independents and Republicans mixed in. The purpose of the Progressives is to allow members to voice opinions and organize. They meet once a month at Fireside Grill. |
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| PHOTO BY SNEED COLLINS |
| Harris Green, founder of the North Georgia Progressives, speaks to the group on its fifth anniversary about how to really support the troops beyond just forwarding emails. |
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