The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Bernice King rounds out field of Georgia dignitaries
The Rev. Bernice King, the youngest child of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., was the final Georgian to appear on the stage of this Democratic National Convention.
King was one of three who gave this evening’s invocation, and she asked the Almighty to put a thumb on the scales in November, in the name of a country:
“Where unity trumps division, peace trumps war, and love trumps hate. We ask, dear Lord, that you anoint Madam Hillary Clinton as our 45th president, to lead us to become a stronger and compassionate nation.”
At the Republican gathering last week in Cleveland, a number of pastors asked God for a different result.
The other Georgians who appeared on stage during the convention were state House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams of Atlanta, state Rep. Park Cannon of Atlanta, former state Sen. Jason Carter of Atlanta, former President Jimmy Carter (via video), AIDS activist Daniel Driffin, former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed.
Ga. delegation hears about Newtown shootings
U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty of Connecticut, speaking Thursday to Georgia’s delegation to the Democratic National Convention, explained why she sat next to Atlanta U.S. Rep. John Lewis last month on the floor of the U.S. House – a sit-in that protested the lack of action by Congress on gun violence.
The short answer is easy. Esty represents Newtown, where 20 children and six adults were gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Esty had been elected to Congress but had not yet been sworn into office on Dec. 14, 2012. She was in Boston, in a class for new members for Congress, when her phone started ringing.
“By noon, I’d thrown my clothes in the car and drove straight to the firehouse in Newtown, crying the whole way,” Esty said. “I sat there while families were notified.
“I remember hearing one woman screaming and crying and saying, ‘She was sick, she didn’t want to go to school. I wanted to go Christmas shopping. I made her go. And if I hadn’t done that, she’d be alive today.’ No parent in America should have to live with that guilt.”
Esty added, “It is not anybody’s fault other than the U.S. Congress for not taking action because we are a better country than that.”
‘American Sniper’ actor under fire
Bradley Cooper’s appearance at the Democratic National Convention has irked some conservative fans of the actor’s portrayal of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle in 2014’s “American Sniper.”
Cooper was spotted by TV cameras Wednesday night seated at the meeting in Philadelphia.
Some Twitter users say they plan to boycott Cooper’s future films over his presence at the convention.
The complaints have been mocked by others who say Cooper was simply acting a role when playing Kyle and conservatives shouldn’t be surprised.
Cooper, a native of the Philadelphia area, earned an Oscar nomination for “American Sniper,” which became a blockbuster thanks in part to an enthusiastic reception among conservative moviegoers. — Jennifer Brett
Smyre sees optimism as answer to Republicans
State Rep. Calvin Smyre of Columbus, a former party chairman with strong connections to Hillary Clinton, joined those pointing to the optimistic notes that Democrats are sounding during their convention, and he compared it to a harsher portrait that Republicans painted at their convention last week in Cleveland.
“It was clear to me last night that the message ought not to be anti-Trump, but it ought to be pro-America and pro-growth and pro-economic development,” Smyre said. “Instead of trying to tear down America, build up America.”JIM
Abdul-Jabbar delivers night’s biggest laugh line
Retired basketball star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar might have delivered the biggest laugh line of the night, if not the entire Democratic convention.
“I’m Michael Jordan and I’m here with Hillary,” Abdul-Jabbar said. “I said that tonight because Donald Trump couldn’t tell the difference”
— Greg Bluestein
“Long before Donald Trump struggled to read the letters ‘LGBTQ’ off a teleprompter, Hillary Clinton stood before the United Nations and boldly declared that gay rights are human rights. I want to remind Donald Trump of one thing. The LGBTQ community is as diverse as the fabric of our nation. We are Muslim. We are Jewish. We are women. We are black, white and Latino. We are immigrants and we are people with disabilities. And when you attack one of us, you are attacking all of us. And that’s why together, we are all with her.”
Chad Griffin, president, Human Rights Campaign
“Families of America, it’s time to suit up. With our lipstick on. With our shoes polished. Our shoulders squared. Ready to fight. To put Hillary in the White House. Because we know she’ll be carrying the torch for all of us.”
U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md.
“Guys like Donald Trump will do anything to help the rich and powerful get richer and more powerful, and Trump is willing to step on anyone who gets in his way. Hillary Clinton knows how to fight back against dangerous, loud-mouthed bullies. For 25 years, she’s been on the receiving end of one attack after another. But she doesn’t back down . ... She doesn’t run to Twitter to give people nasty nicknames. And she sure as heck doesn’t quit. Hillary just keeps right on fighting for the people who need her most.”
“Let me begin by issuing a heartfelt invitation to our Republican friends: If your party is no longer becoming to you, then you should be coming to us. I have known Hillary Clinton for 25 years. And let me tell you, she’s never let me down. And she won’t let you down either.”
U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II, D-Mo.
“My name is Sarah McBride and I am a proud transgender American. Four years ago I came out as transgender while serving as the student body president in college. At the time I was scared. I worried that my dreams and my identity were mutually exclusive. Since then I’ve seen that change is possible . ... But despite our progress, so much work remains. Will we be a nation where there’s only one way to love? To look? To live? Or will we be a nation where everyone has freedom to live openly and freely?”
Sarah McBride, the first transgender person to address a national convention
“Even as I work my fingers to the bone, I don’t always feel the support I need from the leaders I’m supposed to trust. I work two jobs at minimum wage and can barely make ends meet. I remember looking at my babies’ faces when they were little and fighting back tears because I always taught them to dream big. But I didn’t know if I was able to live those dreams.”
Henrietta Ivey, a home care worker in Michigan fighting for a $15 minimum wage