....and the imminent announcement of a Republican candidate for HD-02, the Fox of Oxford just outsmarted himself...and apparently, every door to run for re-election may be about to slam shut in Crawford's face. He could do a Lieberman, but he's unlikely to win another term that way IF there is also a Republican challenger...a high likelihood, because it's a no-lose proposition for Granville County Commissioner Tim Karan...if he wins, he wins, if he loses, he doesn't have to resign his commissioner seat with two years remaining on his term. I've been following Crawford for years and he's a helluva "chess player", but if the announcement (link above) is for real, he is caught between an established Democrat to include a tough primary fight and a Republican challenger in a swing district whose fastest growing precincts are Republican-leaning. I'd never underestimate Crawford but it looks like he is well and truly screwed. If so, never thought I'd see the day.
It might be worth the BOE's time to question some of the 34 different employees of New Breed who each donated $1,000-$4,000 increments totalling some $63,000 to McCrory's campaign.
Both [National NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous and North Carolina NAACP head William Barber] said the majority lose when politicians use wedge issues to divide people, citing the example of a proposed amendment to the North Carolina constitution that would enshrine state laws barring gay marriage.
The event addresses education equality, workers' rights and equal protection under the law. Participants say they are rallying for causes such as poverty, rights of the working class and voter suppression.
"The new far-right, Tea Party-backed ultra-conservative leadership of the General Assembly has attacked public education; assailed our voting rights; ignored the cries of the poor and unemployed; sought to divide us by race, income, region and sexual orientation; and tried to sell off our environment to the highest bidder," an advance copy Rev. Barber's speech said.
Here are some pics of various groups at the march. The credit for these photos goes to Jeff Shaw, the Director of Communications with the NC Justice Center. You'll notice the HAVA Heart signs scattered throughout the pictures.
Frontrunner Bothwell challenged by Washington insider
Eleventh District congressional candidate Cecil Bothwell now faces an electoral challenge from retiring Rep. Heath Shuler's chief of staff.
Bothwell has waged a grassroots campaign against Shuler over the past 10 months which culminated in the withdrawal of the unpopular Congressman from the 2012 race.
Bothwell's message of "Jobs, Education and Healthcare" has resonated with voters in WNC dismayed by Shuler's support for a Republican agenda aimed at undermining the President. Bothwell has blasted Shuler for his opposition to the President's stimulus funding, health care, and jobs legislation, and Shuler's support for Republican efforts to slash Medicare and Social Security.
"Real Democrats fight for the people, not the corporations," said Bothwell. "Hayden Rogers has led Shuler's efforts to support a Republican pro-corporate agenda. I believe North Carolina voters have had their fill of Washington insiders like Rogers."
Bothwell said, "WNC's people deserve better. You deserve better. I won't take corporate or corporate PAC donations. Ask Hayden Rogers where his campaign money is coming from. Hundreds of real people have donated to our campaign. We don't need another Blue Dog, corporate waterboy here in the mountains."
Bothwell's campaign has drawn more than 1,100 volunteers with campaign organizers in every county in the District and has collected more than 820 individual donations. Volunteers have spread the word at more than 100 street fairs, holiday parades, party functions and picnics. His campaign has held seven Town Hall Meetings since January, which have been attended by hundreds of voters. Other meetings are scheduled District-wide.
Bothwell said, "We have the momentum and we're going to fight to represent the working people of these mountains. Join us!"
Glen Bradley told me through some e-mail exchanges we had that he, as a Republican, would stick to his Libertarian values and vote against the amendment. He proceeded to vote for the amendment in one of the votes. Here is a segment of what he said:
I am a strong believer, but I believe that marriage is solely in the dominion of God, and that any attempt on the part of government to trespass against the dominion of God is a kind of blasphemy.
I am going to take a lot of heat for opposing the marriage amendment, I know that, but whatever heat I take is worth it for the honor of standing up to reassert our Constitutional form of government.
If even the Libertarian Republican who said it would be going against the Constitution and committing Blasphemy to vote to put this amendment on the ballot, won't vote against it, it makes it harder to imagine any Republican in NC could oppose this kind of discrimination.
I would greatly like to think of myself as more of a independent-leaning guy, but it's hard when not being a bigot, and supporting fair elections feel like hyper-partisan issues.
The popular music director at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in south Charlotte lost his job last month for marrying his longtime partner in New York, one of seven states to recognize same-sex marriages.
I appreciate the sentiment. I don't know if such tactics have any value or not. All I know is that whatever Democrats have been doing to combat the rise of corporate power in North Carolina hasn't worked in the slightest.
I'm not going to continue to beat a dead horse. I really question how effective this tactic will be in raising awareness about how awful their agenda is for the vast majority of North Carolinians, but it is awful so I do hope I am wrong and some good comes out of your action.
anything to divert attention from their pedophiles. It's quite entertaining to think of a bunch of hairy old white men, generally, telling women what to do with their bodies and how to do it. Sorta reminds me of the NC GOP legislators. I suspect they'll get a signal from most women voters in November....an extended middle finger. The church...well...you don't see people in the streets supporting it do we?
Let's see......Catholic owned hospital doesn't have to pay for birth control coverage for employees, yet a private own hospital does. So why do the Catholics get a business advantage over others?
One of the things I've come upon, over and over, in the last 10 months, is the attitude among progressive Dems in NC 11 that "We can't win. We need to veer right."
There are LOTS of people out there who have bought that argument. How about we test it? How about we vote where our hearts and brains are and not simply assume that a DINO is the best we can do?
Heck, I've even got Tea Party folks coming on board with this campaign. Let's not give up the game before we get on the field! Being "realistic" can be a substitute for being optimistic and leaning forward.
We are going to win this race, first the primary, then the general, and we have 1,100+ volunteers and 820+ donors who agree.
Given how courts have interpreted amendments in other states, it is very possible, however, that courts would interpret the Amendment to bar the state from giving any protections to unmarried couples – straight or same-sex – based on their relationships. This would:
invalidate domestic violence protections for all unmarried partners;
undercut existing child custody and visitation law that is designed to protect the best interests of children;
prevent the state from giving committed couples protections that help them order their relationships, including the right to determine the disposition of their deceased partner’s remains; to visit their partner in the hospital in the event of a medical emergency; to make emergency medical decisions for their partner if their partner is incapacitated; and to make financial decisions for their partner if their partner is incapacitated.
Furthermore, if courts interpreted it in a far-reaching manner, the Amendment could even invalidate trusts, wills, and end-of-life directives by one partner in favor of the other.
I have known Zeb for several years, I first met him while he was helping his dad run for Lt. Gov. I was so impressed with him that I recruited him to serve on the board of Democracy NC. He has been a great board member, giving us a perspective that was needed on the board. His small town roots would serve him well in Congress, his favorite saying was "there are a lot more Cantons in NC than Charlottes".
I hope he runs, he would be a good fit for the 11th.
The federal government has a legitimate interest in employee welfare and rights. You confuse institutions with people and Churches with the businesses they run.
It appears they have crafted a solution where employee rights and religious beliefs are in balance.
The point you're making needs to be made louder, and more often.
Amendment One ends all domestic partnerships for straight couples. Amendment one could end domestic violence protections and other rights for unmarried straight couples.
The only time one of these amendments was ever defeated, in Arizona, it was in large part I believe because people realized it was all the people under attack, not just an LGBT issue.
didn't want to trivialize that discussion. To answer that question though - it would be back to this :
With this bit of news that should interest everyone:
http://www.personcountylife.com/news/local_news_headlines/article_1494c1...
....and the imminent announcement of a Republican candidate for HD-02, the Fox of Oxford just outsmarted himself...and apparently, every door to run for re-election may be about to slam shut in Crawford's face. He could do a Lieberman, but he's unlikely to win another term that way IF there is also a Republican challenger...a high likelihood, because it's a no-lose proposition for Granville County Commissioner Tim Karan...if he wins, he wins, if he loses, he doesn't have to resign his commissioner seat with two years remaining on his term. I've been following Crawford for years and he's a helluva "chess player", but if the announcement (link above) is for real, he is caught between an established Democrat to include a tough primary fight and a Republican challenger in a swing district whose fastest growing precincts are Republican-leaning. I'd never underestimate Crawford but it looks like he is well and truly screwed. If so, never thought I'd see the day.
It might be worth the BOE's time to question some of the 34 different employees of New Breed who each donated $1,000-$4,000 increments totalling some $63,000 to McCrory's campaign.
http://pulse.ncpolicywatch.org/2012/02/11/thousands-at-hkonj-take-their-...
More photos are starting to appear in my facebook photo feed as friends upload them. The credit for these go to Yolanda Carrington:
It happened today, Saturday 2/11/2012 at 3:55 p.m.
"Thousands rally for civil rights in downtown Raleigh"
http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/10717192/
"Advocates for equality rally through Raleigh in HK on J march"
http://triangle.news14.com/content/top_stories/653658/advocates-for-equa...
"HKonJ coalition pushes progressive political agenda in Raleigh"
http://www2.nbc17.com/news/2012/feb/11/hkonj-coalition-pushes-progressiv...
Here are some pics of various groups at the march. The credit for these photos goes to Jeff Shaw, the Director of Communications with the NC Justice Center. You'll notice the HAVA Heart signs scattered throughout the pictures.
March:
Rally:
Frontrunner Bothwell challenged by Washington insider
Eleventh District congressional candidate Cecil Bothwell now faces an electoral challenge from retiring Rep. Heath Shuler's chief of staff.
Bothwell has waged a grassroots campaign against Shuler over the past 10 months which culminated in the withdrawal of the unpopular Congressman from the 2012 race.
Bothwell's message of "Jobs, Education and Healthcare" has resonated with voters in WNC dismayed by Shuler's support for a Republican agenda aimed at undermining the President. Bothwell has blasted Shuler for his opposition to the President's stimulus funding, health care, and jobs legislation, and Shuler's support for Republican efforts to slash Medicare and Social Security.
"Real Democrats fight for the people, not the corporations," said Bothwell. "Hayden Rogers has led Shuler's efforts to support a Republican pro-corporate agenda. I believe North Carolina voters have had their fill of Washington insiders like Rogers."
Bothwell said, "WNC's people deserve better. You deserve better. I won't take corporate or corporate PAC donations. Ask Hayden Rogers where his campaign money is coming from. Hundreds of real people have donated to our campaign. We don't need another Blue Dog, corporate waterboy here in the mountains."
Bothwell's campaign has drawn more than 1,100 volunteers with campaign organizers in every county in the District and has collected more than 820 individual donations. Volunteers have spread the word at more than 100 street fairs, holiday parades, party functions and picnics. His campaign has held seven Town Hall Meetings since January, which have been attended by hundreds of voters. Other meetings are scheduled District-wide.
Bothwell said, "We have the momentum and we're going to fight to represent the working people of these mountains. Join us!"
And a fabulous mom. Totally why we need more women in politics who will speak from their hearts.
Glen Bradley told me through some e-mail exchanges we had that he, as a Republican, would stick to his Libertarian values and vote against the amendment. He proceeded to vote for the amendment in one of the votes. Here is a segment of what he said:
If even the Libertarian Republican who said it would be going against the Constitution and committing Blasphemy to vote to put this amendment on the ballot, won't vote against it, it makes it harder to imagine any Republican in NC could oppose this kind of discrimination.
I would greatly like to think of myself as more of a independent-leaning guy, but it's hard when not being a bigot, and supporting fair elections feel like hyper-partisan issues.
Music director’s marriage leads to his firing
read more: Charlotte Observer
I appreciate the sentiment. I don't know if such tactics have any value or not. All I know is that whatever Democrats have been doing to combat the rise of corporate power in North Carolina hasn't worked in the slightest.
I'm not going to continue to beat a dead horse. I really question how effective this tactic will be in raising awareness about how awful their agenda is for the vast majority of North Carolinians, but it is awful so I do hope I am wrong and some good comes out of your action.
anything to divert attention from their pedophiles. It's quite entertaining to think of a bunch of hairy old white men, generally, telling women what to do with their bodies and how to do it. Sorta reminds me of the NC GOP legislators. I suspect they'll get a signal from most women voters in November....an extended middle finger. The church...well...you don't see people in the streets supporting it do we?
Let's see......Catholic owned hospital doesn't have to pay for birth control coverage for employees, yet a private own hospital does. So why do the Catholics get a business advantage over others?
... had half the courage of this Republican in Washington state, we wouldn't be facing Amendment One right now.
I'm thinking of retiring Senator Jean Preston or retiring Senator Richard Stevens.
The amendment only passed by one vote in the Senate (it needed 30 votes to pass teh 3/5 threshold, it got just 30 votes).
So any one Senator could have stopped it. But they didn't.
Anyone waxing poetic about Richard Stevens being some great moderate Republican would do well to remember his hand in Amendment One.
Good luck and stay strong. They will be coming after you like Catholics attacking birth control.
Love it!
One of the things I've come upon, over and over, in the last 10 months, is the attitude among progressive Dems in NC 11 that "We can't win. We need to veer right."
There are LOTS of people out there who have bought that argument. How about we test it? How about we vote where our hearts and brains are and not simply assume that a DINO is the best we can do?
Heck, I've even got Tea Party folks coming on board with this campaign. Let's not give up the game before we get on the field! Being "realistic" can be a substitute for being optimistic and leaning forward.
We are going to win this race, first the primary, then the general, and we have 1,100+ volunteers and 820+ donors who agree.
And it ain't pretty
I have known Zeb for several years, I first met him while he was helping his dad run for Lt. Gov. I was so impressed with him that I recruited him to serve on the board of Democracy NC. He has been a great board member, giving us a perspective that was needed on the board. His small town roots would serve him well in Congress, his favorite saying was "there are a lot more Cantons in NC than Charlottes".
I hope he runs, he would be a good fit for the 11th.
The federal government has a legitimate interest in employee welfare and rights. You confuse institutions with people and Churches with the businesses they run.
It appears they have crafted a solution where employee rights and religious beliefs are in balance.
The point you're making needs to be made louder, and more often.
Amendment One ends all domestic partnerships for straight couples. Amendment one could end domestic violence protections and other rights for unmarried straight couples.
The only time one of these amendments was ever defeated, in Arizona, it was in large part I believe because people realized it was all the people under attack, not just an LGBT issue.