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To: John Kirincich, Executive Director

Democratic Party of Georgia

1100 Spring Street, Suite 710

Atlanta, Georgia 30309

Subject: Purge Underway in the Democratic Party

Sounding like Stalin condemning Trotsky in his raise to power, Al Gore continues attacking Bill Bradley as a disloyal Democrat. Following his lead, Gov. Roy Barnes and the Democratic Party have begun a purge of dissident voices in Georgia. In an official notarized letter bearing Governor Roy Barnes= name, Turnout 75% has been asked to "Peddle your trash somewhere else." Viewing issues raised in The DISH as "vulgar, ugly and wrong," the Governor's Democratic Party spokesman asked to be removed from "your scandal sheet."

First introduced to politics in the face of McCarthyism by my mother, Mrs. Willie May Gray, I have supported every Democratic Presidential candidate from Harry Truman to Clinton/Gore. Against better judgement after George McGovern and Jimmy Carter, I continued supporting Democrats. When the President faced certain impeachment, The DISH editorialized in support of democratic values. Views accepted then and used to blunt screams for Clinton's resignation are rejected now in order to dismiss The DISH and those identifying with its views. I remind Democrats that while Roy Barnes jumped from the Democratic to the Republican Party and back again, I carried young Jack Kennedy's banner in 1960. I rode the "Chisholm Trail" with Shirley in1972, challenged Congressional district lines, which enabled Harold Ford, Sr. to become the first black Congressman from Tennessee, helped elected Derrick "Teddy" Withers, the youngest legislator ever in Tennessee at age 22 and suffered through the dark days of Michael Dukakis.

Turnout 75% is a community involvement program sponsored by The Richard L. Kirksey, Jr. Memorial Foundation. It is designed to increase participation in the democratic process. Although copies were sent to party officials, Hilary Rodham Clinton was the only Democrat who responded. Had you and Al Gore responded, you would know that the letter addressed to South Carolinians regarding the Republican Primary was designed to increase participation by citizens who would otherwise stay home. America has the lowest participation rate of any industrialized nation; hence, our efforts go far beyond partisan advantage for Al Gore.

Historically, African Americans have been owned lock, stock and barrel by Democrats, even though, there is not a dime's worth of difference between the two political parties, both represent white people. The DISH reflects a reality neither party recognizes. Specifically, institutionalized racism, supported by the 3/5 Compromise, evolved from slavery in America into systematic genocide against African Americans today. For that, we are owed reparations. Democrats win or lose depending on whether those sharing The DISH' s views come out to vote or stay home. Drumming us out of the party says, Democrats are no longer pretending to represent African American interests. Apparently, they believe, with Al Gore leading the ticket, they will attract enough white votes so as to make African Americans insignificant.

Attacking party faithfuls as disloyal because they disagree with Roy Barnes and Al Gore cast them as Robespierre and us as Danton. Which brings us back to South Carolina and the letter that upset you so. Lack of credibility and exclusiveness in party politics explain why John McCain is gaining support with voters. His stance on campaign financing and the control special interests exert on America's political process resonates. He listens and voters feel he genuinely cares about what they are saying. Under Clinton/Gore, the Democratic Party turned its back and a deaf ear to African Americans, dissenting opinions and freedom of expression. In your father's day, those red necks would have firebombed our office or ambushed us like Medgar Evers, Robert Malcolm, George Dorsey and Richard L, Kirksey, Jr. A reformed, but unrepentant segregationist, Roy Barnes knows exactly what I am talking about. Georgia flies a state flag that contains the Confederate battle emblem today! In looking at the divisive symbol, Barnes sees only his "heritage."

Per your request for removal from The DISH facsimile listing, please be advised that the Party's name does not appear on the alpha listing. Several manual searches of the extensive listing for the FAX number in question did not produce the one you want taken off, i.e., 404-873-4396. We are not holding anyone hostage to our opinion. With the right information, we will gladly comply with your request. In the interim, please accept our apologies for the inconvenience.

By Your Leave, John Burl Smith

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