Defending the Dead Vote:
This year Georgia passed a law requiring voters to present state-issued photo IDs, a measure that could help prevent mass quantities of dead voters from influencing elections, but a federal judge declared the law unconstitutional because it amounts to a “poll tax.” The IDs cost $35.

I’d like to see an ID charity launch, in order to help those groups singled out by critics, who say the expense “hurts the poor, the elderly and minorities.” I’m curious to know how the poor, the elderly and minorities are able to drive, or open bank accounts, or rent videos from Blockbuster… but if such great numbers of people really don’t have identificiation, or the $35 dollars required to obtain it, I think the citizens of Georgia would be more than willing to help them out, since the integrity of our elections are at stake.

Actually, though, such charity isn’t necessary. The bill’s chief sponsor has agreed to amend the law in order to offer these IDs for free.

Not good enough, says State Rep. Alisha Morgan and her friends at the AARP, the League of Women Voters, the ACLU and the NAALCP. They vow to repeal the law:

“It’s whatever it takes,” Morgan said. “I’m putting on the armor. Nothing they can do will fix the bill. It’s a bad law and it needs to be repealed. We’re not going backwards.”

What more can you say? When the headlines read, “State to Issue Free IDs: Poor, Minorities Hardest Hit,” there’s really no way to respond but to quote Al Gore:

“Sigh.”

The Cubs-Marlins Switcheroo Project:
Former Chicago Cubs right-handed reliever Joe Borowski has signed a one-year contract with the Florida Marlins, where he will join fellow ex-Cub pitcher Sergio Mitre.

Kinder, Gentler Stem Cell Research:
Sen. Bill Frist puts a local spin on a national story: Memphis families suffering the consequences of sickle cell disease will benefit from a bill President Bush signed into law this month. What’s more, the new law is embryo-friendly: the stem cells are taken from umbilical cord and placenta blood.

Russian Revolution:
The AP reports that a religious book-to-TV story has captivated Russian audiences. Lots of good stuff here:

Vladimir Bortko, director of the 10-series movie broadcast on Rossiya state television, said the book embodies freedom for several generations of Russians.

“It was like a breath of fresh air in the dead atmosphere of Soviet writing,” Bortko said.

He added that, for many Soviet citizens, Bulgakov’s novel was their first encounter with the Bible, which was discredited by the atheist communist government.

…

Some critics of President Vladimir Putin’s government say Bulgakov’s novel is becoming increasingly relevant in today’s Russia, where all nationwide television channels are controlled by the state and where security forces enjoy extended powers and little accountability.

“In Russia, as opposed to many other countries, several truths are not obvious yet - neither to the authorities, nor to the people - (including) that a person has an inherent right to life and freedom, that the state must serve individuals, not subdue them,” said Marietta Chudakova, a leading Bulgakov scholar.

We regret those truths are not obvious in several places here, either.