1 00:00:05,240 --> 00:00:07,840 Speaker 1: Hey, this is Annie and Samantha and welcome to Stephano 2 00:00:07,920 --> 00:00:19,040 Speaker 1: never told your production of I Heart Radio. Yes, and 3 00:00:19,200 --> 00:00:22,880 Speaker 1: welcome to another episode of Sminty. I'm not really sure 4 00:00:22,880 --> 00:00:24,440 Speaker 1: why I need to do all that, but you know, 5 00:00:24,520 --> 00:00:28,440 Speaker 1: it felt like it felt right. And because we have 6 00:00:28,680 --> 00:00:31,880 Speaker 1: a special guest, special topic for to day, we want 7 00:00:31,880 --> 00:00:35,200 Speaker 1: to go ahead and time stamp this because who knows, 8 00:00:35,240 --> 00:00:37,920 Speaker 1: you may be listening to this in twenty eight or 9 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:41,360 Speaker 1: fifty or oh my god, our podcast is going to 10 00:00:41,440 --> 00:00:46,080 Speaker 1: be existing in those times. I'm really scared. But for today, 11 00:00:46,120 --> 00:00:51,159 Speaker 1: it is January two. It is a what day? Is 12 00:00:51,159 --> 00:00:55,760 Speaker 1: this Thursday? One of our recording days. If you're wondering 13 00:00:55,800 --> 00:00:59,280 Speaker 1: future people's we are stuck in pandemic life. Yes? Was 14 00:00:59,320 --> 00:01:02,160 Speaker 1: that too much infer nation? No, just the right amount. 15 00:01:04,760 --> 00:01:07,000 Speaker 1: But today is a great day. And you can tell 16 00:01:07,040 --> 00:01:09,560 Speaker 1: I'm a little giddy and excited because we are back 17 00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:12,360 Speaker 1: with our friend in front of the show and activist 18 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:17,000 Speaker 1: Melody Ray. I can't wait for this to be in 19 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:22,959 Speaker 1: the Smithsonian, guys, and they're listening to definitely let's drop 20 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:26,800 Speaker 1: some gems. I think we can. I think we can 21 00:01:26,800 --> 00:01:29,520 Speaker 1: do it. You know that fear is that they're going 22 00:01:29,560 --> 00:01:31,399 Speaker 1: to take this audio and be like, what was wrong 23 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 1: with them? That's about right. It'll be one of those 24 00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:37,400 Speaker 1: like you know, you go through. This was the impact 25 00:01:37,440 --> 00:01:43,680 Speaker 1: of COVID. Look how loose their minds were. Look at 26 00:01:43,680 --> 00:01:48,960 Speaker 1: these sad ladies. No, we're not sad again. I'm excited 27 00:01:48,960 --> 00:01:51,680 Speaker 1: and pumped and ready because you are here. UM. And 28 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:54,800 Speaker 1: just in case the listeners are new or have not 29 00:01:54,920 --> 00:01:59,200 Speaker 1: listened to the previous episodes with you guesting, can you 30 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:03,240 Speaker 1: introduce your self for our listeners? Yeah? Absolutely, thanks for 31 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:06,360 Speaker 1: having me back on. I always love hanging out with 32 00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:09,680 Speaker 1: you ladies. UM. My name is Melody Bray. I live 33 00:02:09,800 --> 00:02:14,359 Speaker 1: here in Atlanta, Georgia. We do not call it hot Atlanta, UM. 34 00:02:14,400 --> 00:02:18,320 Speaker 1: Just for the record, just Atlanta, UM. And in our 35 00:02:18,480 --> 00:02:21,760 Speaker 1: rooms and times, we've talked a lot about kind of 36 00:02:21,760 --> 00:02:23,959 Speaker 1: my activists work with a group called the Georgia fifty 37 00:02:23,960 --> 00:02:30,000 Speaker 1: five Project that was set on reelecting our current president 38 00:02:30,120 --> 00:02:33,120 Speaker 1: Biden and Kamala into office here in Georgia, and we 39 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:37,120 Speaker 1: feel like we did a pretty good job at that. UM. 40 00:02:37,480 --> 00:02:40,720 Speaker 1: And essentially it's just get out the vote organization, UM. 41 00:02:40,760 --> 00:02:43,120 Speaker 1: So being able to do that make sure people felt 42 00:02:43,160 --> 00:02:46,440 Speaker 1: empowered and knowledgeable about how to vote, where to vote, 43 00:02:46,440 --> 00:02:49,960 Speaker 1: and why to vote. UM. And that's what we did. Yeah, 44 00:02:50,080 --> 00:02:53,440 Speaker 1: and you're also part of the grassroots project in Atlanta 45 00:02:53,600 --> 00:02:56,760 Speaker 1: which worked for UM those an house that we're having 46 00:02:56,880 --> 00:03:00,800 Speaker 1: a housing issues or problems. I worked as well, worked 47 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:03,840 Speaker 1: with a group called city Roots at L UM and 48 00:03:04,040 --> 00:03:07,440 Speaker 1: we have which I'm sure many of your listeners, regardless 49 00:03:07,440 --> 00:03:10,760 Speaker 1: of where they are, are dealing with affordable housing issues 50 00:03:10,800 --> 00:03:13,600 Speaker 1: in their areas as well. UM. And that's no different 51 00:03:13,639 --> 00:03:17,080 Speaker 1: here in Atlanta. Wages are not increasing, but rent and 52 00:03:17,200 --> 00:03:21,560 Speaker 1: mortgage definitely is UM And so our grassroots group, city 53 00:03:21,600 --> 00:03:24,880 Speaker 1: Roots at l was working with our city on how 54 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:29,240 Speaker 1: to think a little more comprehensively of how do we 55 00:03:29,280 --> 00:03:34,560 Speaker 1: approach the housing issue. Housing is connected to so many things, crime, healthcare. 56 00:03:35,520 --> 00:03:38,560 Speaker 1: It really reaches into so many different areas of our 57 00:03:38,600 --> 00:03:41,680 Speaker 1: societal life. UM, So trying to attack it in a 58 00:03:41,680 --> 00:03:45,440 Speaker 1: way that maintains the human dignity of each person who 59 00:03:45,520 --> 00:03:48,480 Speaker 1: lives in our city, right. UM. And we were so 60 00:03:48,520 --> 00:03:50,400 Speaker 1: glad that you did come onto this show because you 61 00:03:50,440 --> 00:03:52,520 Speaker 1: were able to kind of give us an in depth 62 00:03:52,560 --> 00:03:55,040 Speaker 1: look about some of the problems and some of the 63 00:03:55,080 --> 00:03:58,320 Speaker 1: issues as well as possible solutions that could happen for 64 00:03:58,560 --> 00:04:01,800 Speaker 1: housing situations as well the voting right situation, which was 65 00:04:01,840 --> 00:04:06,760 Speaker 1: a mess and as I had to, I had to 66 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:10,320 Speaker 1: correct myself. But with that, can you tell us what 67 00:04:10,400 --> 00:04:14,040 Speaker 1: you've been up to recently? Because I'm very excited. Let's go. Yeah, 68 00:04:14,720 --> 00:04:18,560 Speaker 1: just just jump right in. Yeah. Well, I decided that 69 00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:23,039 Speaker 1: moving from in the streets to trying to be slightly 70 00:04:23,160 --> 00:04:26,920 Speaker 1: more legitimate. Um, I have announced my campaign to run 71 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:29,760 Speaker 1: for a state Senate District thirty eight here in Georgia. 72 00:04:30,440 --> 00:04:34,240 Speaker 1: So super excited about that and having an opportunity to 73 00:04:34,320 --> 00:04:39,320 Speaker 1: represent a district that has not been represented in recent memory. 74 00:04:39,920 --> 00:04:46,480 Speaker 1: So that's what I've been up to. I kind of 75 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:48,599 Speaker 1: felt like that was a great power flex, like a 76 00:04:48,600 --> 00:04:51,400 Speaker 1: good move. I'm intimidated, but I like it. I like it. 77 00:04:53,760 --> 00:04:56,120 Speaker 1: I love that because like me and her, when I 78 00:04:56,160 --> 00:04:57,839 Speaker 1: was talking to her about coming back on the show, 79 00:04:58,080 --> 00:04:59,440 Speaker 1: she was like, oh, that was a that was a 80 00:04:59,520 --> 00:05:01,800 Speaker 1: really uh sly flags And I was like, who are 81 00:05:01,800 --> 00:05:04,240 Speaker 1: you talking to? Flex and you're running for it? Like 82 00:05:08,240 --> 00:05:10,279 Speaker 1: here's the thing though, I think that one of the 83 00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:14,240 Speaker 1: things I learned working with George five project was that 84 00:05:14,760 --> 00:05:17,279 Speaker 1: getting into the rooms of people who are in positions 85 00:05:17,279 --> 00:05:20,760 Speaker 1: of power you quickly realize that these are human beings 86 00:05:20,800 --> 00:05:24,960 Speaker 1: who happen to have responsibility that's public. You know, it's 87 00:05:25,240 --> 00:05:29,320 Speaker 1: we have the same conversations about you know, regular everyday 88 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:32,760 Speaker 1: life and then we get to a policy discussion. But 89 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:35,600 Speaker 1: they're they're people, they're humans. And it removed a level 90 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:39,320 Speaker 1: of this like grand mystique that I had, which just 91 00:05:39,400 --> 00:05:42,640 Speaker 1: being able to volunteer and hear that made me feel 92 00:05:42,680 --> 00:05:46,560 Speaker 1: a lot more comfortable deciding to go ahead and run, 93 00:05:46,600 --> 00:05:50,279 Speaker 1: because I too am a human um who has regular 94 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:52,960 Speaker 1: who deals in regular life. So if they can do it, 95 00:05:53,040 --> 00:05:55,320 Speaker 1: so can I, and so can either review for As 96 00:05:55,360 --> 00:05:59,720 Speaker 1: a matter of fact, I mean I haven't done a 97 00:05:59,800 --> 00:06:06,520 Speaker 1: quick play in but recent times. Let us know that 98 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:10,320 Speaker 1: whatever is in your background really doesn't matter. That's true. 99 00:06:10,440 --> 00:06:13,080 Speaker 1: I've actually told this story before, how I wanted to 100 00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:15,360 Speaker 1: run for office when I was in college and then 101 00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:18,560 Speaker 1: I got interviewed for an unrelated thing by the FBI 102 00:06:18,680 --> 00:06:21,359 Speaker 1: for a friend who's trying to get security clearance, and 103 00:06:21,400 --> 00:06:23,039 Speaker 1: I was listening to the questions they were asking about her, 104 00:06:23,040 --> 00:06:24,520 Speaker 1: and I was like, I will never be able to 105 00:06:24,520 --> 00:06:26,880 Speaker 1: pass this. I will never be elected. And now years 106 00:06:26,880 --> 00:06:31,920 Speaker 1: have passed and I'm like yeah, I think it couldn't 107 00:06:31,920 --> 00:06:37,560 Speaker 1: even be like an added bonus for you. She's mysterious. 108 00:06:39,880 --> 00:06:43,240 Speaker 1: So I'm curious you've kind of touched on it a 109 00:06:43,320 --> 00:06:45,880 Speaker 1: little bit already, but can you talk about the process 110 00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:49,160 Speaker 1: of deciding to run and maybe some of the biggest 111 00:06:49,279 --> 00:06:52,760 Speaker 1: surprises and biggest struggles and also the things have been 112 00:06:52,800 --> 00:06:55,320 Speaker 1: the most rewarding kind of the whole the whole shebang, 113 00:06:55,680 --> 00:06:59,000 Speaker 1: if you will. Yeah, I mean my process is deciding 114 00:06:59,040 --> 00:07:02,520 Speaker 1: to run. If you're running, that means everyone in your 115 00:07:03,200 --> 00:07:06,840 Speaker 1: in your orbit is also running. UM. So the first 116 00:07:06,880 --> 00:07:10,080 Speaker 1: part of the process was talking to uh, my mom 117 00:07:10,200 --> 00:07:12,480 Speaker 1: who her and I are very close, She's a major 118 00:07:12,520 --> 00:07:15,880 Speaker 1: part of my support system, UM and my closest friends 119 00:07:16,040 --> 00:07:18,520 Speaker 1: and asking them honestly, like, do you think this is 120 00:07:18,560 --> 00:07:21,600 Speaker 1: something I feel compelled to do this? Do you think 121 00:07:21,640 --> 00:07:24,800 Speaker 1: this is something that I should do? And if so, 122 00:07:25,240 --> 00:07:29,080 Speaker 1: really you helped me UM, because no one individual can 123 00:07:29,200 --> 00:07:32,920 Speaker 1: run and be successful. UM. So that that was a 124 00:07:33,000 --> 00:07:36,320 Speaker 1: huge part of the process, UM. And it was encouraging 125 00:07:36,360 --> 00:07:39,200 Speaker 1: just to be able to hear other people's vision for 126 00:07:39,680 --> 00:07:42,960 Speaker 1: my life and things that they've seen that maybe I 127 00:07:43,000 --> 00:07:46,920 Speaker 1: either thought was unnoticed or um didn't even really pay 128 00:07:46,960 --> 00:07:48,920 Speaker 1: attention to UM and that we were all on the 129 00:07:48,960 --> 00:07:51,960 Speaker 1: same page. So that was a huge part of the process. UM. 130 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:55,600 Speaker 1: And then there's the like nitty gritty part of sitting 131 00:07:55,640 --> 00:07:58,600 Speaker 1: down with other people have done it like well before 132 00:07:58,640 --> 00:08:02,240 Speaker 1: me and asked them what is it actually entail? How 133 00:08:02,320 --> 00:08:05,640 Speaker 1: much time is this going to take? UM? Here in Georgia, 134 00:08:05,840 --> 00:08:10,760 Speaker 1: our legislature are part time. The senators make seventeen dollars 135 00:08:10,800 --> 00:08:13,440 Speaker 1: a year, So how am I going to pay my 136 00:08:13,520 --> 00:08:16,440 Speaker 1: bills while I do this? Um? Kind of answering those 137 00:08:16,480 --> 00:08:20,200 Speaker 1: practical questions though, that was a big thing too. But 138 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:22,680 Speaker 1: in the end, when I realized that the state senator 139 00:08:22,760 --> 00:08:24,800 Speaker 1: for my district has been in that seat for twenty 140 00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:28,800 Speaker 1: two years, she has been largely absent. For the past 141 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:31,840 Speaker 1: two years. She has not lodged a single vote. UM, 142 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:35,040 Speaker 1: including the big vote of s P two two here 143 00:08:35,080 --> 00:08:38,480 Speaker 1: in Georgia that was our anti voting rights bill, didn't 144 00:08:38,480 --> 00:08:41,400 Speaker 1: even show up for it. Um. Those types of things 145 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:46,280 Speaker 1: made it like if not now, when, and if not 146 00:08:46,720 --> 00:08:49,480 Speaker 1: for for these reasons, if you if these aren't good 147 00:08:49,520 --> 00:08:53,160 Speaker 1: enough reasons, then running just isn't for me. Um. So 148 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:55,840 Speaker 1: it was just the right time for me. Yeah, And 149 00:08:56,160 --> 00:08:59,840 Speaker 1: speaking of that, and and kind of as we introduced 150 00:08:59,840 --> 00:09:04,079 Speaker 1: you and issues that are important to you. Um, you're 151 00:09:04,120 --> 00:09:08,080 Speaker 1: definitely someone who's seen a lot of changes in our 152 00:09:08,520 --> 00:09:13,839 Speaker 1: community and in the policies that we have in our community. Um, 153 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:17,319 Speaker 1: so what are some things that you think are important 154 00:09:17,320 --> 00:09:19,800 Speaker 1: for voters to pay attention to when it comes to 155 00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:23,480 Speaker 1: issues and platforms. Sure, one of the things that I 156 00:09:23,520 --> 00:09:25,640 Speaker 1: think all of us should probably be paying attention to 157 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:30,600 Speaker 1: right now is education. Um, it would seem that the 158 00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:36,200 Speaker 1: far right conservatives have decided that this is going to 159 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:39,880 Speaker 1: be kind of the pivot issue for the mid terms 160 00:09:39,920 --> 00:09:42,880 Speaker 1: that are coming up this year. And because of that, 161 00:09:42,880 --> 00:09:45,520 Speaker 1: that's why you're going to notice a bunch of kind 162 00:09:45,520 --> 00:09:49,160 Speaker 1: of crazy stuff popping off in your school board meetings, 163 00:09:49,640 --> 00:09:53,080 Speaker 1: which whoever paid attention to school First of all, did 164 00:09:53,160 --> 00:09:56,320 Speaker 1: you even know they have school board meetings? Um? What 165 00:09:56,320 --> 00:09:58,960 Speaker 1: what they would talk about at school board meetings? And 166 00:09:59,040 --> 00:10:03,120 Speaker 1: you certainly wouldn't go to one? Times have changed. They 167 00:10:03,240 --> 00:10:06,480 Speaker 1: now have public comment that lasts for hours in some 168 00:10:06,559 --> 00:10:11,120 Speaker 1: school board meetings, people are getting escorted out by the police. Um. 169 00:10:11,120 --> 00:10:13,800 Speaker 1: You know, you've got coordinated signs and banners and T 170 00:10:14,000 --> 00:10:17,240 Speaker 1: shirts and that's where all this like critical race theory. 171 00:10:17,240 --> 00:10:20,560 Speaker 1: Discussion is coming up a lot of class whether you 172 00:10:20,559 --> 00:10:23,040 Speaker 1: should or should not close schools due to COVID is 173 00:10:23,080 --> 00:10:25,800 Speaker 1: coming up um and even here in Georgia, which is 174 00:10:25,840 --> 00:10:28,800 Speaker 1: happening as well in other states. Is just like we've 175 00:10:28,840 --> 00:10:34,200 Speaker 1: done redistricting as far as for congressional districts and state districts, 176 00:10:34,240 --> 00:10:38,600 Speaker 1: also your cities and your school boards do their redistricting 177 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:42,480 Speaker 1: as well, and so how those school boards are going 178 00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:46,200 Speaker 1: to draw their lines to make certain school board players 179 00:10:46,320 --> 00:10:49,719 Speaker 1: more or less powerful. That's something you've got to pay 180 00:10:49,720 --> 00:10:53,079 Speaker 1: attention to because that's directly going to affect the resources 181 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:56,160 Speaker 1: that are going to your teachers, how code is treated 182 00:10:56,160 --> 00:10:58,480 Speaker 1: in your schools, all the things that are going to 183 00:10:58,559 --> 00:11:01,960 Speaker 1: affect our children moving forward. I haven't even thought of 184 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:04,960 Speaker 1: that point, to be honest. There's so many bigger things 185 00:11:05,040 --> 00:11:07,280 Speaker 1: in my head that I'm like, oh, yeah, this is 186 00:11:07,320 --> 00:11:09,880 Speaker 1: on the local level that's going to really affect a 187 00:11:09,960 --> 00:11:12,000 Speaker 1: lot of the people, a lot of the parents, a 188 00:11:12,000 --> 00:11:13,760 Speaker 1: lot of the teachers, a lot of all of that, 189 00:11:13,960 --> 00:11:16,880 Speaker 1: and we really should be paying attention to what is happening. 190 00:11:17,440 --> 00:11:19,880 Speaker 1: And yeah, honestly, I've seen the drama of it without 191 00:11:19,960 --> 00:11:24,360 Speaker 1: really thinking of the implications behind that, What are some 192 00:11:24,400 --> 00:11:26,959 Speaker 1: of the other things that when it comes to especially 193 00:11:26,960 --> 00:11:29,679 Speaker 1: with like the local elections, because we know this is happening, 194 00:11:29,679 --> 00:11:33,000 Speaker 1: we know where I'm hearing all of the campaigning happening. 195 00:11:33,040 --> 00:11:36,520 Speaker 1: I know for Georgia, but several other states are talking about, Okay, 196 00:11:36,520 --> 00:11:38,800 Speaker 1: we have to make these lower level changes. What are 197 00:11:38,800 --> 00:11:40,320 Speaker 1: some of the other things that we should look for 198 00:11:40,840 --> 00:11:43,600 Speaker 1: as we know that it is doing a trickle up 199 00:11:43,640 --> 00:11:50,120 Speaker 1: effect almost, I guess that's the word, but like, what 200 00:11:50,160 --> 00:11:52,600 Speaker 1: should we be paying attention to in that level as 201 00:11:52,640 --> 00:11:56,080 Speaker 1: it goes upwards to our federal level. Yeah, So another 202 00:11:56,120 --> 00:11:59,480 Speaker 1: one that is kind of an undercard race, are going 203 00:11:59,520 --> 00:12:03,360 Speaker 1: to be your judges and your d a s um 204 00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:07,440 Speaker 1: We focused a lot on that in with all of 205 00:12:07,679 --> 00:12:09,960 Speaker 1: all of the kind of let's get out into the 206 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:14,400 Speaker 1: streets and raise our voices. And now that's we're not 207 00:12:14,480 --> 00:12:18,560 Speaker 1: doing that anymore. And because of that, my personal fear 208 00:12:18,679 --> 00:12:22,280 Speaker 1: is that suddenly the spotlight on our criminal justice system 209 00:12:22,320 --> 00:12:26,440 Speaker 1: will also just not really be at the forefront any longer. 210 00:12:26,559 --> 00:12:31,920 Speaker 1: And yet still judges and your district attorneys are constantly 211 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:36,880 Speaker 1: making decisions that literally change the direction in life of 212 00:12:37,000 --> 00:12:41,040 Speaker 1: people in communities. But these are voted on positions. Um, 213 00:12:41,120 --> 00:12:45,040 Speaker 1: so paying attention to as best you can what your 214 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:47,960 Speaker 1: d A is doing. I know it might be a 215 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:50,840 Speaker 1: little bit of drudgery, but watching the nightly news, the 216 00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:54,400 Speaker 1: local nightly news, they generally are going to come, they're 217 00:12:54,440 --> 00:12:57,120 Speaker 1: not going to judge covering judges, but d A s 218 00:12:57,840 --> 00:13:01,960 Speaker 1: that's sixy enough for them to actually talk about you 219 00:13:01,960 --> 00:13:05,160 Speaker 1: know what I mean, any of those higher profile cases. Yeah, 220 00:13:05,200 --> 00:13:13,400 Speaker 1: nothing sex year than a district attorney, am I right? Yeah, 221 00:13:13,400 --> 00:13:18,840 Speaker 1: I've watch suits. So so yeah, that focusing on those 222 00:13:18,880 --> 00:13:21,960 Speaker 1: things and not allowing all the work that we did 223 00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:26,040 Speaker 1: in the streets in to just fall by the wayside. 224 00:13:26,360 --> 00:13:28,960 Speaker 1: We've still got work to do there. Yeah. And and 225 00:13:29,000 --> 00:13:30,920 Speaker 1: as you're talking about that, we also need to pay 226 00:13:30,920 --> 00:13:34,160 Speaker 1: attention to like law enforcement and shriffs, which are also 227 00:13:34,240 --> 00:13:37,040 Speaker 1: elected officials, because we just had a big incident in 228 00:13:37,040 --> 00:13:40,480 Speaker 1: which our council members allowed for a large piece of 229 00:13:40,520 --> 00:13:44,400 Speaker 1: property to be used in a way that not a 230 00:13:44,400 --> 00:13:45,960 Speaker 1: lot of us are happy about when it comes to 231 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:50,160 Speaker 1: law enforcement being granted public anicely, I think it's private property, 232 00:13:50,200 --> 00:13:53,160 Speaker 1: isn't it that happened? Uh? That that is it that 233 00:13:53,280 --> 00:13:55,679 Speaker 1: was a public piece of property, But they're using some 234 00:13:55,800 --> 00:13:59,960 Speaker 1: private dollars to develop that piece of that piece of land. 235 00:14:00,040 --> 00:14:03,520 Speaker 1: And and in furtherance, there's actually here in Georgia, and 236 00:14:03,880 --> 00:14:07,240 Speaker 1: I I mean, I don't think it takes a crystal 237 00:14:07,280 --> 00:14:10,840 Speaker 1: ball to see that this would likely be replicated in 238 00:14:10,880 --> 00:14:14,880 Speaker 1: other jurisdictions. But um, it was discussed yesterday that they're 239 00:14:14,880 --> 00:14:21,480 Speaker 1: looking at allowing for individuals to donate directly to law 240 00:14:21,600 --> 00:14:24,960 Speaker 1: enforcement agencies, so like your local pd S office, and 241 00:14:25,040 --> 00:14:27,760 Speaker 1: that you get a state tax credit or right off 242 00:14:27,800 --> 00:14:30,240 Speaker 1: for it. So it would act like you're donating to 243 00:14:30,280 --> 00:14:36,080 Speaker 1: a nonprofit to incentivize increasing funding for So it's essentially 244 00:14:36,080 --> 00:14:40,840 Speaker 1: it's the anti defund the police legislation, but it's like 245 00:14:41,360 --> 00:14:43,960 Speaker 1: up fund the police or increased fund of the police, 246 00:14:44,000 --> 00:14:47,600 Speaker 1: which it's it's clear that I mean, it is a 247 00:14:47,640 --> 00:14:51,400 Speaker 1: fact that crime is rising. Um depends on what category 248 00:14:51,400 --> 00:14:53,200 Speaker 1: of crime we're talking about, but it is a fact 249 00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:55,440 Speaker 1: that crime is rising and something does have to be 250 00:14:55,480 --> 00:14:58,600 Speaker 1: done about it. Is that the solution in my opinion now, 251 00:14:58,840 --> 00:15:03,479 Speaker 1: But um, because of that hard fact, we can definitely 252 00:15:03,560 --> 00:15:06,560 Speaker 1: see that far right we'll be pushing for increase in 253 00:15:06,600 --> 00:15:10,960 Speaker 1: funding for policing. And again we need to be paying 254 00:15:10,960 --> 00:15:14,400 Speaker 1: attention to who has control of those dollars and where 255 00:15:14,400 --> 00:15:32,200 Speaker 1: those dollars are going to go. Yeah, yep. And something 256 00:15:32,200 --> 00:15:36,600 Speaker 1: else that you mentioned earlier is that this kind of 257 00:15:36,640 --> 00:15:40,800 Speaker 1: redrawing of districts, right, and that has happened recently in 258 00:15:40,840 --> 00:15:44,760 Speaker 1: Georgia and our state. George isn't only state doing it. 259 00:15:45,240 --> 00:15:48,080 Speaker 1: And I know it's been in the news and discussed 260 00:15:48,120 --> 00:15:50,160 Speaker 1: a lot, but can you talk about why tactics like 261 00:15:50,200 --> 00:15:52,760 Speaker 1: this are important for us to pay attention to and 262 00:15:52,800 --> 00:15:56,640 Speaker 1: what we can do to call it out as it's happening. 263 00:15:57,280 --> 00:16:00,600 Speaker 1: Mm hmm, yeah, so we we doubt we discussed this 264 00:16:00,640 --> 00:16:03,320 Speaker 1: on a previous episode. It was when I was making 265 00:16:03,360 --> 00:16:06,440 Speaker 1: sure that people filled out their census, which happens every 266 00:16:06,440 --> 00:16:10,600 Speaker 1: ten years US constitutionally mandated. And the reason that you 267 00:16:10,640 --> 00:16:12,560 Speaker 1: fill out of census is so that we know how 268 00:16:12,560 --> 00:16:16,280 Speaker 1: many voters need to go in each of their respective districts, 269 00:16:16,320 --> 00:16:20,160 Speaker 1: whether that's congressional or like I was talking about school board. Um. 270 00:16:20,240 --> 00:16:24,200 Speaker 1: Just now, so based on these new census numbers, they 271 00:16:24,240 --> 00:16:27,800 Speaker 1: now need to redraw districts so that generally the same 272 00:16:27,800 --> 00:16:31,120 Speaker 1: amount of voters are in every district. We don't have 273 00:16:31,280 --> 00:16:36,360 Speaker 1: one that has more voters than the district, right, next door. UM. 274 00:16:36,400 --> 00:16:39,880 Speaker 1: So nationwide we just went through a redistricting process. What 275 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:43,360 Speaker 1: also happens is that it's done at the state level UM, 276 00:16:43,400 --> 00:16:47,440 Speaker 1: which means essentially, whoever has the majority, whether it's Republican 277 00:16:47,560 --> 00:16:50,320 Speaker 1: or Democrat, whoever has the majority at the state level 278 00:16:50,440 --> 00:16:54,520 Speaker 1: are the ones to control where those lines land. So, 279 00:16:54,600 --> 00:16:58,280 Speaker 1: for instance, here in Georgia, we had some redrawing where 280 00:16:58,720 --> 00:17:03,040 Speaker 1: we had sitting legislatures, people who have been duly elected 281 00:17:03,240 --> 00:17:07,480 Speaker 1: through a fair and open election voting process, who were 282 00:17:07,560 --> 00:17:10,920 Speaker 1: drawn out of their own districts while they are trying 283 00:17:10,960 --> 00:17:14,679 Speaker 1: to represent the district. Essentially those folks would be in 284 00:17:14,720 --> 00:17:17,440 Speaker 1: the minority party and the majority party was trying to 285 00:17:17,520 --> 00:17:21,399 Speaker 1: change their numbers. Not just in Georgia. Definitely is a 286 00:17:21,480 --> 00:17:24,239 Speaker 1: cap and across the board UM, and this sets us 287 00:17:24,320 --> 00:17:26,640 Speaker 1: up for midterm elections that are going to be happening 288 00:17:26,640 --> 00:17:29,600 Speaker 1: at the end of this year. It creates a lot 289 00:17:29,600 --> 00:17:32,359 Speaker 1: of open seats, So I would encourage you to see 290 00:17:32,920 --> 00:17:38,200 Speaker 1: have your districts changed in your wherever you live, UM. 291 00:17:38,480 --> 00:17:41,320 Speaker 1: And if they have changed that, what happens then is 292 00:17:41,320 --> 00:17:44,280 Speaker 1: what's called an open seat where the incumbent is no 293 00:17:44,359 --> 00:17:47,480 Speaker 1: longer running in that seat and now it's a bunch 294 00:17:47,480 --> 00:17:49,360 Speaker 1: of people kind of throwing their hat in the ring 295 00:17:49,800 --> 00:17:52,480 Speaker 1: to take over that open seat. So check and see 296 00:17:52,520 --> 00:17:55,280 Speaker 1: if any of your districts have changed, because you might 297 00:17:55,520 --> 00:17:58,760 Speaker 1: not be represented by who you think you've been represented by. Yeah, 298 00:17:58,760 --> 00:18:01,000 Speaker 1: I had to go through at the beginning with you. 299 00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:04,679 Speaker 1: We're like, wait, am I okay, let's let's okay, Like, 300 00:18:04,720 --> 00:18:07,160 Speaker 1: I definitely have to checklist with you about that because 301 00:18:07,160 --> 00:18:09,840 Speaker 1: we were trying to figure that one out. Um. As 302 00:18:09,880 --> 00:18:12,119 Speaker 1: in fact, it's such a big deal, uh, and it 303 00:18:12,160 --> 00:18:16,800 Speaker 1: has caused such kind of worries of rucas. But with 304 00:18:16,960 --> 00:18:19,919 Speaker 1: that as well as the new bill that you just 305 00:18:19,920 --> 00:18:23,280 Speaker 1: talked you talked about recently that was signed into what 306 00:18:23,440 --> 00:18:25,240 Speaker 1: you referred to as the anti voting rights bill, and 307 00:18:25,240 --> 00:18:29,440 Speaker 1: I agree with that cinement. Uh, that just got signed. 308 00:18:29,760 --> 00:18:32,040 Speaker 1: We had a whole thing happened with the arrest of 309 00:18:32,080 --> 00:18:35,440 Speaker 1: another representative, Cannon, because she was trying to be present 310 00:18:35,680 --> 00:18:40,520 Speaker 1: during the signing, which was a whole debacle, I would say. Um. 311 00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:43,000 Speaker 1: And because it was such a big deal and because 312 00:18:43,040 --> 00:18:47,199 Speaker 1: Georgia does represent such a big conversation, President Biden and 313 00:18:47,320 --> 00:18:50,520 Speaker 1: actual President Harris came through Georgia the other day to 314 00:18:50,560 --> 00:18:54,000 Speaker 1: talk about and bring awareness about voting rights as well 315 00:18:54,080 --> 00:18:57,360 Speaker 1: as the Voting Rights Amendment and whether or not anything's 316 00:18:57,359 --> 00:19:00,840 Speaker 1: going to change. And again, as we know, our governor 317 00:19:00,920 --> 00:19:04,480 Speaker 1: did decide to sign away some of those concerns UH 318 00:19:04,520 --> 00:19:08,240 Speaker 1: and almost kind of backing the idea that the votes 319 00:19:08,800 --> 00:19:13,159 Speaker 1: from the recent elections were not correct. He didn't say it, 320 00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:16,440 Speaker 1: but there was definitely an implication. Why do you think 321 00:19:17,760 --> 00:19:20,760 Speaker 1: that this conversation these could keep going? What is the 322 00:19:20,840 --> 00:19:24,360 Speaker 1: impact that we're going to see with that bill specifically 323 00:19:24,560 --> 00:19:27,240 Speaker 1: that has been signed by Kemp And what do we 324 00:19:27,320 --> 00:19:31,120 Speaker 1: need to do as the voters to make sure that 325 00:19:31,119 --> 00:19:35,440 Speaker 1: that we do get a fair chance to vote. Yeah, 326 00:19:35,640 --> 00:19:38,760 Speaker 1: one thing I first off just want to encourage everyone 327 00:19:38,760 --> 00:19:41,920 Speaker 1: to do. Uh. Are one of our state senators, Reverend 328 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:46,080 Speaker 1: Raphael Warnock. He had a speech on the floor of 329 00:19:46,119 --> 00:19:48,679 Speaker 1: the Senate when they were just looking to pass the budget. 330 00:19:48,760 --> 00:19:53,480 Speaker 1: If you google Warnock voting Rights or Voting Rights Senate, UH, 331 00:19:53,640 --> 00:19:56,720 Speaker 1: Senate speech, it will pop up and he speaks. It's 332 00:19:56,840 --> 00:20:03,280 Speaker 1: maybe fifteen seventeen minutes, amazing, a powerful speech on why 333 00:20:03,520 --> 00:20:07,679 Speaker 1: the John Lewis Voting Rights Act nationally is something that 334 00:20:07,760 --> 00:20:11,000 Speaker 1: we need to do everything we can to take up 335 00:20:11,119 --> 00:20:15,280 Speaker 1: because In the end, you can care about criminal justice reform, 336 00:20:15,440 --> 00:20:18,840 Speaker 1: you can care about education, you can care about policing, 337 00:20:19,080 --> 00:20:22,200 Speaker 1: all these things that are important. But if you do 338 00:20:22,240 --> 00:20:24,719 Speaker 1: not have access to the ballot box, how do you 339 00:20:24,840 --> 00:20:27,480 Speaker 1: actually ensure that any of those other things get done? 340 00:20:28,320 --> 00:20:31,679 Speaker 1: So SP two O two here in Georgia is an 341 00:20:31,720 --> 00:20:34,080 Speaker 1: example of the same type of stuff that's going on 342 00:20:34,119 --> 00:20:37,200 Speaker 1: in other places like Arizona, for instance. It is a 343 00:20:37,240 --> 00:20:42,040 Speaker 1: prototype bill and in many ways has made it more 344 00:20:42,160 --> 00:20:46,320 Speaker 1: difficult and more cumbersome to be able to vote things 345 00:20:46,400 --> 00:20:50,600 Speaker 1: like a for instance, UM which I think is illustrative. 346 00:20:50,960 --> 00:20:55,000 Speaker 1: Absentee ballot boxes, which are new, admittedly because of COVID, 347 00:20:56,240 --> 00:20:58,879 Speaker 1: but the purpose of it was so that working class people, 348 00:20:59,359 --> 00:21:01,520 Speaker 1: people would end of five jobs, would be able to 349 00:21:01,600 --> 00:21:05,440 Speaker 1: still cast their ballot easily. Well. Now here in Georgia, 350 00:21:05,560 --> 00:21:11,360 Speaker 1: absittee ballot boxes are inside the Elections Commission office that 351 00:21:11,400 --> 00:21:15,000 Speaker 1: closes at five o'clock. You could why do we need 352 00:21:15,040 --> 00:21:17,200 Speaker 1: a box, just go in and drop it off when 353 00:21:17,200 --> 00:21:20,560 Speaker 1: we're even talking about right So to me, the idea 354 00:21:20,560 --> 00:21:25,480 Speaker 1: of like that begs the question why you changed the law. 355 00:21:25,760 --> 00:21:30,320 Speaker 1: If either you're incompetent and you're solved improperly solving a problem. 356 00:21:30,320 --> 00:21:32,119 Speaker 1: You've stated a problem and you've come up with a 357 00:21:32,119 --> 00:21:35,560 Speaker 1: solution that does not actually solve that problem, or the 358 00:21:35,600 --> 00:21:38,200 Speaker 1: problem you're stating is not the problem you're actually seeking 359 00:21:38,240 --> 00:21:42,280 Speaker 1: to solve. Okay. Second example would be UM I D 360 00:21:42,680 --> 00:21:46,440 Speaker 1: requirement for voting. It is across the board, the majority 361 00:21:46,440 --> 00:21:48,520 Speaker 1: of Americans agree that there should be some sort of 362 00:21:48,560 --> 00:21:52,320 Speaker 1: I D requirement for voting. In SP Two to what 363 00:21:52,359 --> 00:21:54,760 Speaker 1: they did is they just you're all you need is 364 00:21:54,960 --> 00:21:58,840 Speaker 1: a photo copy of your license to be submitted with 365 00:21:58,880 --> 00:22:03,920 Speaker 1: your absentee ballot. How secure as a photocopy of a license? 366 00:22:04,200 --> 00:22:07,000 Speaker 1: I can literally go to my mom's wallet on my 367 00:22:07,080 --> 00:22:11,159 Speaker 1: little desktop printer print off fourteen of those if I 368 00:22:11,240 --> 00:22:15,080 Speaker 1: wanted to. Whereas you've got places like Oregon or Colorado 369 00:22:15,160 --> 00:22:18,320 Speaker 1: that are using or either using or looking at using 370 00:22:18,840 --> 00:22:21,879 Speaker 1: UM scantron and pin systems like we do it banks 371 00:22:22,080 --> 00:22:26,240 Speaker 1: who actually care about security. It's in your brain. Unless 372 00:22:26,280 --> 00:22:28,080 Speaker 1: I ask my mom tell me what your pen is? 373 00:22:28,119 --> 00:22:30,119 Speaker 1: She and if I did, she'd be like, what do 374 00:22:30,160 --> 00:22:33,920 Speaker 1: you need my pin for? You have to actually use 375 00:22:34,000 --> 00:22:38,040 Speaker 1: that scantron and pin in your number so that that 376 00:22:38,200 --> 00:22:42,400 Speaker 1: can be associated with your vote. So again, the statement 377 00:22:42,480 --> 00:22:45,560 Speaker 1: is we're trying to make it more secure. We're trying 378 00:22:45,560 --> 00:22:49,119 Speaker 1: to make sure that our elections are are wrought with 379 00:22:49,880 --> 00:22:53,600 Speaker 1: rampant fraud, and the way that you've decided to solve 380 00:22:53,640 --> 00:22:58,640 Speaker 1: that is photo copied licenses. That doesn't make sense to me, 381 00:22:59,359 --> 00:23:02,840 Speaker 1: So I'm to step down off off my soapbox or 382 00:23:02,920 --> 00:23:05,920 Speaker 1: just a moment. The point of fact is that all 383 00:23:06,080 --> 00:23:09,159 Speaker 1: is pushed towards the Voting Rights Act being done at 384 00:23:09,200 --> 00:23:13,879 Speaker 1: the federal level is because we have the Supreme Court 385 00:23:13,920 --> 00:23:18,240 Speaker 1: removed any sort of oversight, federal oversight over state elections, 386 00:23:18,320 --> 00:23:22,280 Speaker 1: and once that removal occurred, these are the cascading effects 387 00:23:22,320 --> 00:23:26,359 Speaker 1: that come from that. So a v r A would 388 00:23:26,400 --> 00:23:29,840 Speaker 1: allow us to actually look at things like what Georgia 389 00:23:29,920 --> 00:23:34,040 Speaker 1: with Arizona, um, what Alabama are doing and make sure 390 00:23:34,560 --> 00:23:39,240 Speaker 1: that they're still allowing for fair and free elections and 391 00:23:39,280 --> 00:23:43,320 Speaker 1: having everyone have access to vote. Yeah. Yeah, And I 392 00:23:43,320 --> 00:23:45,679 Speaker 1: think it's an important point, in a good point that 393 00:23:45,720 --> 00:23:47,960 Speaker 1: you make that it's sort of similar to the abortion 394 00:23:48,240 --> 00:23:51,359 Speaker 1: thing we're seeing happening, where this is a prototype, but 395 00:23:51,400 --> 00:23:57,159 Speaker 1: other places are looking and watching at what Georgia is doing. Correct. Yeah, 396 00:23:57,359 --> 00:24:13,919 Speaker 1: So it's very important, very very important. So you've already 397 00:24:13,960 --> 00:24:18,000 Speaker 1: touched on some very great practical advice for people who 398 00:24:18,080 --> 00:24:22,040 Speaker 1: might be thinking about running for their local elections. Um, 399 00:24:22,680 --> 00:24:25,639 Speaker 1: any other advice you might have, whether for people running 400 00:24:25,720 --> 00:24:28,959 Speaker 1: or even people want to support or provide some kind 401 00:24:28,960 --> 00:24:32,640 Speaker 1: of assistance in that way. Yeah, well, first of all, 402 00:24:32,680 --> 00:24:38,440 Speaker 1: you can support me at break dot com. I'm playing, 403 00:24:38,520 --> 00:24:43,200 Speaker 1: I'm playing so being being the candidate. UM, I can 404 00:24:43,240 --> 00:24:45,359 Speaker 1: say that, like I said at the very beginning, no 405 00:24:45,520 --> 00:24:48,520 Speaker 1: candidate is able to run on their own. They need 406 00:24:49,200 --> 00:24:53,280 Speaker 1: a support system around them. So if you're looking at 407 00:24:53,320 --> 00:24:56,640 Speaker 1: yourself and you're like I would never in a million 408 00:24:56,760 --> 00:24:59,000 Speaker 1: years decide that I was going to run for office, 409 00:24:59,280 --> 00:25:02,080 Speaker 1: that doesn't mean that you can't be involved in a campaign. 410 00:25:02,640 --> 00:25:05,080 Speaker 1: It doesn't mean that you can't host a house party 411 00:25:05,320 --> 00:25:07,880 Speaker 1: for a candidate that you're jazzed about and you want 412 00:25:07,920 --> 00:25:10,840 Speaker 1: other people to know about. Doesn't mean you can't donate, 413 00:25:11,240 --> 00:25:15,040 Speaker 1: go to their website, donate, repost your on your Instagram 414 00:25:15,040 --> 00:25:18,399 Speaker 1: and your Facebook, raise awareness for them. All of those 415 00:25:18,400 --> 00:25:22,399 Speaker 1: things are incredibly important to the candidate to get people 416 00:25:22,520 --> 00:25:25,960 Speaker 1: into positions to make the changes that we need to 417 00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:30,280 Speaker 1: push society forward. So you don't have to run, but 418 00:25:30,400 --> 00:25:34,400 Speaker 1: I would encourage you to please identify folks who are 419 00:25:34,480 --> 00:25:40,840 Speaker 1: running and actively support them. Give them money, repost host parties, 420 00:25:41,119 --> 00:25:44,560 Speaker 1: talk about them to your friends, and make sure that 421 00:25:44,600 --> 00:25:46,480 Speaker 1: if they're going to put their neck on the line, 422 00:25:46,920 --> 00:25:49,720 Speaker 1: they're doing it with your support behind them. Yeah, I 423 00:25:50,520 --> 00:25:53,119 Speaker 1: think that's that's such a I was telling Samantha the 424 00:25:53,160 --> 00:25:56,040 Speaker 1: other day. I know that people wouldn't use it this way, 425 00:25:56,080 --> 00:25:57,720 Speaker 1: but I wish that not only do we have a 426 00:25:57,800 --> 00:26:02,320 Speaker 1: national holiday for elections and we have the days, that's 427 00:26:02,359 --> 00:26:05,719 Speaker 1: one of the proposals, and I want it, but I 428 00:26:05,760 --> 00:26:08,160 Speaker 1: also wish there was a second day where you just 429 00:26:08,280 --> 00:26:11,639 Speaker 1: like got to sit down and think about like research. 430 00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:16,920 Speaker 1: So I think wouldn't it because I think it's so 431 00:26:17,040 --> 00:26:19,520 Speaker 1: valuable what you're saying is to have somebody because I 432 00:26:19,520 --> 00:26:22,240 Speaker 1: know for a lot of people, I'm very fortunate and 433 00:26:22,240 --> 00:26:24,040 Speaker 1: I had the time to sit because we had a 434 00:26:24,040 --> 00:26:26,640 Speaker 1: recent election in Atlanta and there was a lot on 435 00:26:26,680 --> 00:26:30,479 Speaker 1: that ballot And we've talked before about how a lot 436 00:26:30,520 --> 00:26:33,680 Speaker 1: of the language is often confusing, sometimes the information is 437 00:26:33,720 --> 00:26:37,520 Speaker 1: hard to check down. So I think that's so valuable 438 00:26:37,760 --> 00:26:40,440 Speaker 1: if you can just talk to people who maybe don't 439 00:26:40,440 --> 00:26:42,879 Speaker 1: have the time or could really use some like you know, 440 00:26:42,920 --> 00:26:44,520 Speaker 1: if you think this is important and I really like 441 00:26:44,560 --> 00:26:47,520 Speaker 1: this person who check out this person. I'm not saying 442 00:26:47,520 --> 00:26:50,080 Speaker 1: we should all be involved to be responsible, educated voters, 443 00:26:50,119 --> 00:26:52,600 Speaker 1: but I think that a part of that can be 444 00:26:52,840 --> 00:26:55,880 Speaker 1: for people of us who do have the time and 445 00:26:56,040 --> 00:26:59,000 Speaker 1: can research these things to you know, spread that information, like, yes, 446 00:26:59,080 --> 00:27:01,320 Speaker 1: I think you really be in to this person. I'm 447 00:27:01,359 --> 00:27:04,840 Speaker 1: really excited about this person. Yeah. And my hope as well, 448 00:27:04,960 --> 00:27:09,159 Speaker 1: coming out of kind of the political landscape change is 449 00:27:09,240 --> 00:27:16,200 Speaker 1: that we America just we're we're not as politically involved 450 00:27:16,200 --> 00:27:20,280 Speaker 1: and inclined as other countries um around the world, and 451 00:27:20,400 --> 00:27:23,360 Speaker 1: it felt like in the last two years we're kind 452 00:27:23,359 --> 00:27:28,439 Speaker 1: of pivoting a little bit toward that. So to to 453 00:27:28,920 --> 00:27:32,639 Speaker 1: do it together, sharing information so that we're not all 454 00:27:32,680 --> 00:27:35,959 Speaker 1: in asylo looking things up on our own um and 455 00:27:36,000 --> 00:27:39,320 Speaker 1: sharing those types of resources are incredible. And even any 456 00:27:39,320 --> 00:27:42,400 Speaker 1: of what you're saying about it being a national holiday 457 00:27:42,520 --> 00:27:47,119 Speaker 1: reminded me in it's either Australia or New Zealand that 458 00:27:47,240 --> 00:27:49,680 Speaker 1: it it's not just that it's a national holiday, it's 459 00:27:49,720 --> 00:27:54,480 Speaker 1: also you get fined if you don't vote, so it's 460 00:27:54,480 --> 00:27:57,880 Speaker 1: a national holiday. Everybody's in line, and even if you're 461 00:27:57,960 --> 00:28:00,280 Speaker 1: if even if you want to abstain, like I don't 462 00:28:00,320 --> 00:28:02,040 Speaker 1: like any of these people, you still have to go 463 00:28:02,119 --> 00:28:04,880 Speaker 1: to the ballot box and check up stain like I'm 464 00:28:04,880 --> 00:28:07,320 Speaker 1: not voting for any of you losers. Which is fine, 465 00:28:07,359 --> 00:28:11,760 Speaker 1: that's your that's your right, um, and sometimes that's your obligation. 466 00:28:12,000 --> 00:28:14,560 Speaker 1: I would say, but you know, I would love to 467 00:28:14,560 --> 00:28:18,240 Speaker 1: get to the point where as a country we put 468 00:28:18,320 --> 00:28:23,000 Speaker 1: such an emphasis on the importance of voting that you 469 00:28:23,040 --> 00:28:27,280 Speaker 1: were in the ninety ninety percentages of people showing up 470 00:28:27,320 --> 00:28:30,480 Speaker 1: to vote. That'd be a dream. Yeah, yeah, and not 471 00:28:30,520 --> 00:28:36,760 Speaker 1: just for like the federal election, correct, Yeah, because definitely. 472 00:28:36,760 --> 00:28:39,160 Speaker 1: Annie and I had the moment during our local election 473 00:28:39,160 --> 00:28:41,280 Speaker 1: of like, I thought I was prepared, and then I 474 00:28:41,320 --> 00:28:42,840 Speaker 1: went and I'm like, I didn't know what these were. 475 00:28:43,040 --> 00:28:44,760 Speaker 1: I had no idea. I didn't know what to do 476 00:28:44,800 --> 00:28:46,400 Speaker 1: with us. So I just stared at it for a minute. 477 00:28:46,920 --> 00:28:48,560 Speaker 1: I had a moment of panic because I went and 478 00:28:48,600 --> 00:28:50,840 Speaker 1: found a sample ballot and I researched it. I was like, Okay, 479 00:28:50,840 --> 00:28:52,480 Speaker 1: I got it. And then I went in and there 480 00:28:52,520 --> 00:28:54,320 Speaker 1: was a sample ballot like on the Bolton board. It 481 00:28:54,320 --> 00:28:57,600 Speaker 1: was completely different in the ballot, but no, it was 482 00:28:57,640 --> 00:29:00,600 Speaker 1: told the actual ballot was the one I saw mine 483 00:29:01,080 --> 00:29:03,440 Speaker 1: like that one on the bulletin board made me panic 484 00:29:03,520 --> 00:29:07,200 Speaker 1: and I say, oh no, I'm gonna have to turn around, 485 00:29:07,840 --> 00:29:15,480 Speaker 1: get out of here, immediately, go home. It's over, it's done. Yeah, 486 00:29:15,520 --> 00:29:17,760 Speaker 1: And I think it's going to be an interesting conversation 487 00:29:18,000 --> 00:29:21,840 Speaker 1: as what is given access to once again, because yeah, 488 00:29:21,960 --> 00:29:25,160 Speaker 1: part of the voting right stuff is that conversation of 489 00:29:25,240 --> 00:29:28,160 Speaker 1: who has accessibility and who is allowed and given that 490 00:29:28,200 --> 00:29:31,080 Speaker 1: time because some of the things that we're happening with 491 00:29:31,240 --> 00:29:34,720 Speaker 1: this new build that signed into in Georgia seems very ablest, 492 00:29:34,920 --> 00:29:37,840 Speaker 1: and yet there's no way to actually combat that in 493 00:29:37,880 --> 00:29:40,880 Speaker 1: the manner that they are listening and just say no, no, 494 00:29:40,880 --> 00:29:43,600 Speaker 1: no, no no, no, that's not what you think. They have opportunities. Yeah, 495 00:29:43,640 --> 00:29:45,440 Speaker 1: they might have to wait three hours, but it's there. 496 00:29:45,880 --> 00:29:49,520 Speaker 1: You know. It's kind of this layer of where who 497 00:29:49,600 --> 00:29:51,760 Speaker 1: is this again? Who is this for? What are we doing? 498 00:29:52,040 --> 00:29:55,360 Speaker 1: And even knowing that, it almost takes a law degree 499 00:29:55,400 --> 00:29:58,160 Speaker 1: to understand some of the policies they're trying to enact 500 00:29:58,400 --> 00:30:02,480 Speaker 1: and to understand what they're doing, because I literally have 501 00:30:02,600 --> 00:30:05,400 Speaker 1: to follow my law friends to dissect and tell me 502 00:30:05,680 --> 00:30:08,440 Speaker 1: what this law is saying. Even though it sounds great 503 00:30:08,960 --> 00:30:14,320 Speaker 1: and it's positive law centric wording, but in actuality, it's 504 00:30:14,400 --> 00:30:16,560 Speaker 1: really really bad and it's gonna be hard to overturn 505 00:30:16,640 --> 00:30:19,960 Speaker 1: if this goes through like those levels of like conversation 506 00:30:20,000 --> 00:30:23,160 Speaker 1: of this shouldn't be this difficult for us to understand 507 00:30:23,200 --> 00:30:27,040 Speaker 1: what I'm voting for. I shouldn't be tricked into trying 508 00:30:27,080 --> 00:30:30,640 Speaker 1: to figure out do I agree with this or just disagree? 509 00:30:30,680 --> 00:30:33,000 Speaker 1: Did I just give money away or take money away? 510 00:30:33,000 --> 00:30:37,320 Speaker 1: I don't understand, which I feel like happens too often. 511 00:30:37,840 --> 00:30:39,480 Speaker 1: And yeah, of course we would love to research it. 512 00:30:39,560 --> 00:30:41,680 Speaker 1: But I will tell you, even when I was researching things, 513 00:30:41,720 --> 00:30:44,880 Speaker 1: because you know, when we had the original just recently, 514 00:30:44,880 --> 00:30:47,320 Speaker 1: our election happened and then we had to do runoff, 515 00:30:47,640 --> 00:30:50,960 Speaker 1: and in that runoff was still a lot more policies, 516 00:30:51,040 --> 00:30:52,320 Speaker 1: and I was like, wait, I thought it was just 517 00:30:52,360 --> 00:30:55,440 Speaker 1: these three things. Now I have eight things and I 518 00:30:55,440 --> 00:30:57,800 Speaker 1: didn't know about it. But even me trying to google 519 00:30:57,840 --> 00:31:01,800 Speaker 1: those beforehand, I still couldn't get at a clear answer 520 00:31:01,800 --> 00:31:04,280 Speaker 1: of what it was. It just said, yes, this, this 521 00:31:04,360 --> 00:31:06,760 Speaker 1: is going to be on the ballot. Good. So one 522 00:31:06,800 --> 00:31:09,200 Speaker 1: thing I would I would suggest and this, this might 523 00:31:09,240 --> 00:31:12,880 Speaker 1: actually be more helpful for folks that are listening who 524 00:31:12,880 --> 00:31:15,120 Speaker 1: live in metro areas and a little more difficult in 525 00:31:15,280 --> 00:31:19,160 Speaker 1: rural areas depending on where you are. But your local parties, 526 00:31:19,600 --> 00:31:23,600 Speaker 1: so you're count fill in the county name dems UM, 527 00:31:23,720 --> 00:31:26,120 Speaker 1: so for you know, Cobb County Dems, Fulton County Dems, 528 00:31:26,200 --> 00:31:28,880 Speaker 1: whoever it is, they generally were going to have your 529 00:31:28,920 --> 00:31:33,000 Speaker 1: monthly meetings. Elected officials do show up to these because 530 00:31:33,120 --> 00:31:35,440 Speaker 1: these are the same arms that help them fundraise and 531 00:31:35,520 --> 00:31:37,840 Speaker 1: do house parties and all the kind of stuff. When 532 00:31:37,880 --> 00:31:40,640 Speaker 1: things are on the ballot, they talk about it and 533 00:31:40,760 --> 00:31:43,400 Speaker 1: they're standing right in front of you. So Samantha, you 534 00:31:43,440 --> 00:31:46,360 Speaker 1: can say, I've heard when you just said, but that 535 00:31:46,480 --> 00:31:50,040 Speaker 1: that actually didn't make sense, Like can you re explain that? 536 00:31:50,280 --> 00:31:53,560 Speaker 1: Or someone down the street told me that I'm actually 537 00:31:53,840 --> 00:31:55,800 Speaker 1: you know, I thought it was what you said, but 538 00:31:55,920 --> 00:31:58,720 Speaker 1: that I'm wrong. Can you can you dig a little deeper? 539 00:31:59,360 --> 00:32:01,720 Speaker 1: And it's one of the few opportunities that we have 540 00:32:01,800 --> 00:32:03,959 Speaker 1: a citizens to be standing in the same room as 541 00:32:03,960 --> 00:32:08,400 Speaker 1: an elected official and ask them a question without a 542 00:32:08,520 --> 00:32:11,240 Speaker 1: time a timer on a public comment or something like that. 543 00:32:11,400 --> 00:32:18,560 Speaker 1: So check your local Democratic parties, your Young DEM's UM, 544 00:32:18,840 --> 00:32:22,200 Speaker 1: those groups as well, and they do forums on this 545 00:32:22,320 --> 00:32:25,280 Speaker 1: stuff as it comes up, UM, and it's you know, 546 00:32:25,600 --> 00:32:28,360 Speaker 1: you're able to actually ask questions, and if you can't 547 00:32:28,360 --> 00:32:30,960 Speaker 1: make it in person, they usually have it on Facebook 548 00:32:31,000 --> 00:32:33,120 Speaker 1: live or on YouTube as well. That's some more great 549 00:32:33,160 --> 00:32:39,560 Speaker 1: advice yep. So before we wrap this up, is there 550 00:32:39,560 --> 00:32:43,360 Speaker 1: anything else that you wanna touch on, any important issue 551 00:32:43,360 --> 00:32:46,840 Speaker 1: on your mind? Anything like that. So we're coming up 552 00:32:46,840 --> 00:32:50,440 Speaker 1: on mid terms. UM. I know we're only in January, UM, 553 00:32:50,480 --> 00:32:52,760 Speaker 1: and mid term elections will be in November. And this 554 00:32:52,840 --> 00:32:56,200 Speaker 1: is you know, every two years, you've got kind of 555 00:32:56,200 --> 00:32:58,200 Speaker 1: the big one on every four and then two every 556 00:32:58,280 --> 00:33:01,120 Speaker 1: year in between two years in between you're voting on 557 00:33:02,040 --> 00:33:05,760 Speaker 1: your your legislators and here in Georgia we're voting on 558 00:33:05,800 --> 00:33:10,200 Speaker 1: our governor races and secretary of state and all of 559 00:33:10,200 --> 00:33:14,960 Speaker 1: those other things. Start paying attention now because we're in 560 00:33:15,000 --> 00:33:17,600 Speaker 1: the primaries right now. This is the time when people 561 00:33:17,640 --> 00:33:21,920 Speaker 1: are having to say anything and everything in order to 562 00:33:21,960 --> 00:33:25,240 Speaker 1: make sure that their base shows up. And if you're 563 00:33:25,240 --> 00:33:27,640 Speaker 1: not paying attention right now, you're not going to notice 564 00:33:27,640 --> 00:33:33,520 Speaker 1: when they pivot to the middle. Um, come June, July, August. Uh. 565 00:33:33,560 --> 00:33:35,960 Speaker 1: And for me, when I notice a hard pivot, it 566 00:33:36,040 --> 00:33:38,240 Speaker 1: makes me wonder how on it like, are you lying 567 00:33:38,280 --> 00:33:40,880 Speaker 1: now or were you lying then? You know? But when 568 00:33:40,920 --> 00:33:43,120 Speaker 1: you have the people that in the primaries said the 569 00:33:43,160 --> 00:33:45,800 Speaker 1: same thing that they're saying in the general, that's points 570 00:33:45,800 --> 00:33:49,920 Speaker 1: for me that you have a north star that you're 571 00:33:49,920 --> 00:33:53,720 Speaker 1: moving toward in some way, shape or form. So start 572 00:33:53,760 --> 00:33:59,160 Speaker 1: paying attention now. Resist the urge to delay until a 573 00:33:59,240 --> 00:34:02,720 Speaker 1: couple of weeks before the election in November. Um, even 574 00:34:02,760 --> 00:34:04,880 Speaker 1: if that's just you know, scroll on the headlines in 575 00:34:04,880 --> 00:34:08,880 Speaker 1: your local newspaper, uh and seeing what's come out each Sunday. 576 00:34:09,160 --> 00:34:12,200 Speaker 1: You know, take smaller moments now so you're not waiting 577 00:34:12,239 --> 00:34:14,759 Speaker 1: and doing three hours of googling the night before. Can 578 00:34:14,840 --> 00:34:21,040 Speaker 1: we do that? How do you story for a reason? 579 00:34:25,000 --> 00:34:31,480 Speaker 1: That's fair? Well, thank you so much as always Melody 580 00:34:31,560 --> 00:34:33,600 Speaker 1: for being here and for the great advice that we're 581 00:34:33,640 --> 00:34:35,520 Speaker 1: so excited to talk to you and so excited to 582 00:34:35,560 --> 00:34:38,040 Speaker 1: see what happens and to check in with you later. 583 00:34:38,239 --> 00:34:41,880 Speaker 1: Thank you. Yes, where can our listeners find you and 584 00:34:41,920 --> 00:34:46,000 Speaker 1: how can they support you? Absolutely so? You can check 585 00:34:46,040 --> 00:34:49,359 Speaker 1: out my website at bray for g a Senate dot com. Um. 586 00:34:49,440 --> 00:34:52,520 Speaker 1: There is a donate length there if you feel so inclined. 587 00:34:53,160 --> 00:34:57,440 Speaker 1: My financial disclosures are coming up on January one, and 588 00:34:57,480 --> 00:34:59,799 Speaker 1: that's when you show just how strong you are. And 589 00:35:00,040 --> 00:35:02,719 Speaker 1: so my policy priorities are there. So if you want 590 00:35:02,760 --> 00:35:05,000 Speaker 1: to know what I'm about, it's at Bray for g 591 00:35:05,160 --> 00:35:08,640 Speaker 1: A Senate dot com and that's Bray b r A 592 00:35:08,920 --> 00:35:13,959 Speaker 1: y um. That's right. I'm someone who's always like making 593 00:35:14,000 --> 00:35:16,640 Speaker 1: spelling more difficult than it needs to be. So for 594 00:35:16,719 --> 00:35:19,799 Speaker 1: anyone out there like me, yes, go check that out. 595 00:35:19,840 --> 00:35:23,560 Speaker 1: Listeners again, thank you so much Melody for being here. 596 00:35:23,719 --> 00:35:27,040 Speaker 1: Thank you guys. Yes, we look forward to to speaking 597 00:35:27,080 --> 00:35:29,719 Speaker 1: again soon and the listeners. If you would like to 598 00:35:29,719 --> 00:35:32,560 Speaker 1: contact us, you can or emails Stuff Media mom Stuff 599 00:35:32,560 --> 00:35:34,160 Speaker 1: at i heeart meta dot com. You can find us 600 00:35:34,160 --> 00:35:35,960 Speaker 1: on Instagram at stuff I Never Told You are on 601 00:35:35,960 --> 00:35:38,279 Speaker 1: Twitter app mom Stuff Podcast. Thanks as always for our 602 00:35:38,280 --> 00:35:40,920 Speaker 1: super producer, Christina, Thank you and thanks to you for 603 00:35:40,960 --> 00:35:42,799 Speaker 1: listening Stuff I Never Told You The production of I 604 00:35:42,840 --> 00:35:44,719 Speaker 1: Heart Radio for More podcast on My Heart Radio with 605 00:35:44,800 --> 00:35:46,919 Speaker 1: the Harry do App, Apple Podcast, or wherever you listen 606 00:35:47,000 --> 00:35:47,840 Speaker 1: to favorite shows