This was perhaps the question that revealed the sharpest differences of opinion among the three candidates seeking to face Heath Shuler in the NC-11 US House Race this fall.

I attended the Macon County GOP Convention today, and took lots of video and lots of photos. I was amazed at the spirited debate among the three Congressional candidates, and wowed by the state level candidates, who all spoke eloquently.

I also found out my video editing software doesn't like large files. So, after three hours of processing, the hour long video of the debate was unusable. So, I am chopping the debate into You Tube sized chunks. THis is the first, then I am going to bed, and will process the rest tomorrow.

Here is the latest from Richard Bernier of the URTV program, Sound Off Buncombe:

The videos were posted in reverse order, so this last question asked by Russ Bowen of WLOS-TV is first in order. He posed a question of Bill Graham about Mental Health Reform in North Carolina, and the other candidates took the opportunity to address general health care issues in the state:

Bill Fishburne of the Hendersonville Tribune poses a question to Pat McCrory regarding Light Rail and NC DOT Funding.

Larry Freeman of WHKP-AM asks the candidates to address Agricultural concerns in North Carolina:

This is the latest episode of "Sound Off Buncombe" presented by Richard Bernier for his TV Show on URTV (Asheville Charter Ch 20).

This question was posed by James Shea of the Hendersonville News-Times about the North Carolina "Education" Lottery.
(Emphasis mine).

A question from Larry freeman of WHKP-AM to the candidates running for the GOP nomination for North Carolina Governor about the More at Four program and education in the state:

This question comes from Bill Fishburne of The Hendersonville Tribune:

This question was posed by James Shea of the Hendersonville Times-News on carrying handguns in National Parks and on Schhool Property:

The next question was posed by Russ Bowen of WLOS-TV:

Not all my video is usable due to bad camera angles, so I'll just be posting a few of the questions from the debate yesterday in Henderson County.

The first one is a question posed by Bill Fishburne of the Hendersonville Tribune about School Vouchers:

The debate is scheduled to start at 8am in the morning (8am! Noooo!)


I will leave Franklin at 5ish, drop my riders off at WCU in Cullowhee at 6ish, and outsmart every NCHP unit between there and Hendersonville and hope to get there before 8am.

This is my game plan:



Plan A) Webstream Player goes here.
Plan B) My live-blogging of events goes here.
Plan C) I'll have something here by 4pm.
Plan D) Avenge me!

I received the following from HK Edgerton:

Early Easter Sunday morning, March 23rd, 2008 a day before the birthday of my dear mother, I would listen to an interview conducted by the reporters of Fox news to a one Bishop Eddie Long of Atlanta. They talked about many things; being honest about race, about the forty thousand people who would on that day fill the Georgia dome in the city that with the blessings of Abraham Lincoln , William T. Sherman would burn; to hear his sermon, and it being the chance of them coming together to be a better nation. Yet I could not help but to wonder if the good Bishop who proclaimed that he was to give a Christian message to politicians, and a variety of people from all walks of life would remember that it was Confederates like the Honorable Rev. R.L. Dabney from Prince Edward County Virginia , or for that matter, the Honorable General Thomas Stonewall Jackson who in Lexington, Virginia would bring the Black man in America to the moment of Christianity. I think not. After all it was the very same journalist who would continue to tout a message on race given by a man , a mulatto, from Lincoln’s Illinois whose father is African and mother, a Northern white woman whose mother though afraid of Black men would raise him. Furthermore, a man who would sit and listen to the ramblings of a man whose rhetoric would make the ranting of any bigot I ever heard minuscule in comparison. For me Fox News like so many in this nation, while their intentions might be honorable as they seek solutions to what they feel are issues of race divide have become bamboozled by historic distorted rhetoric taught in the public school system, and lack the fortitude to face the real reasons and facts that divided and placed asunder the love that existed between a people of the region of the country called the South; one called master and the other called slave.



I would adorn the uniform of the Southern soldier, while brandishing his glorious flag and station myself at the top of the road that leads to the church that would deny my dear mother a Christian service at the time of her burial as she was honored by her Southern family as the only Black woman to ever be given a Confederate State Funeral. My mom full well understood that the White man of the south was prepared to do right by the Black man after the great war, even though he had meager resources left after Sherman and Lincoln’s total war policy of burning, killing of animals and looting that left them destitute. She taught us that two wrongs don’t make a right, and that the use of the Black man against the White man during so called Reconstruction was the underlying cause of all the hate that we faced. She taught her children to embrace their Southern heritage, and talked of the day of not only vindication for the South, but also for a man who was called slave who had earned a place of honor alongside a man he called master, family and friend. The irony of the day is that I would be given a grand salute by the driver of the church van that carried many to this church on this Easter day!

Jack Betts has hit on a topic near and dear to my heart, video coverage of the North Carolina Legislature in action:

That thought occurred to me as I sat in the audience Thursday at the annual Sunshine Day observance at Elon University and heard state Sen. Eddie Goodall, R-Union, repeat his call for a study commission to assess the need for televising all legislative sessions and certain committee meetings.

He's right to pursue a study; legislative leaders have not backed the idea of gavel-to-gavel coverage in either chamber, though of course commercial and public television stations provide varying kinds of new coverage on issues. But what the legislature needs is that kind of daily coverage so the public can see what's going on -- and what's not.

Source: Charlotte Observer
Related: This Old State (Jack Betts Blog)
Tracking: NC Senate Bill 701

Commentary

Anyone can afford to stream video these days 24/7/365 through the use of various free services.

A tool such as streaming coverage would increase the awareness of North Carolinians of what is going on in Raleigh, and I'll bet that is the primary reason they'll fight tooth and nail to keep it from being done. Use the link to track the progress of Senate Bill 701, and let your representative know what you think about it.

NC GOP Gubernatorial Debate Coverage

Those of you have have read this blog or Thunder Pig know of my fondness for presenting events via video. And that I prefer to present my coverage as "beginning to end" and let the viewer judge the events on their own merits, or lack thereof.



I plan on doing a live webcast of tomorrow's Gubernatorial Debate from the Bo Thomas Auditorium through the use of a borrowed laptop, and the Blue Ridge Community College Wifi Network. It may not work, because this will be my first test of the idea, but I'll be there to record the event with my cheap digital camera if my even cheaper webcam doesn't work (I paid $16 at Walmart).
Surely our state government can do better than me, a simple blogger using borrowed equipment.

I'll have the coverage here, and will link to my coverage from Thunder Pig and West Carolina Report.

I woke up in Dillon, South Carolina with one thing on my mind, and I found it at South of the Border. It wasn't kitsch I was seeking. It was Blenheim's. But it turns out the surreal roadside attraction on Interstate 95 provides plenty of kitsch and plenty of Blenheim's.

Source: Ruminations From The Distant Hills

I like Ginger Ale, too. But this Blenheim's sounds a bit scary. Our local Walmart "sometimes" has Vernors available, which I snap up when I see it.

Also, John Norris Brown has started a series of podcasts with a focus on things Appalachian. I hope he continues to pursue the effort.

Responding to mounting pressures from within his own party to change his position on proposed additional immunity for telecommunications companies, 11th District Republican Congressional Candidate Carl Mumpower proclaimed, "I am not for sale," in a Good Friday press release.

"Voters who want someone willing to abandon his principles to artificially support the Republican party need to look elsewhere," said Mumpower. "I am an authentic conservative - I'm not a party hack willing to fall into the line when I'm told to - especially considering how often my party has betrayed its core values in recent years."

"The additional retroactive immunity provisions found in FISA are a con job," said Mumpower. "Yet, normally 'right-thinking' Republicans are sadly just falling 'right-into-line' and in the process, sacrificing their integrity, liberty, and the Constitution for fear-based arguments and the good graces of party leaders."

"This is one of the reasons I will accept only personal campaign contributions and none from unions, PACs, business groups, or even the Republican National Congressional Committee," said Mumpower. "I will serve independently, from a principled position that it is clear and up-front or I will not serve at all. I will not be beholden to special interests or the Republican party structure. I am not for sale."

---End Press Release---

Campaign Website

Commentary

You gotta give it to Dr. Mumpower, he has tenacity.

Here is the latest volley in the NC-11 GOP primary from Dr. Carl Mumpower:

--PRESS RELEASE--


FISA Discussion Reveals Sharp Republican Contrast
Armor, Campbell and Shuler in political lockstep

Recent heated communications from each of the 11th District congressional campaigns have illuminated a key policy difference among Republicans vying for that seat, finding both John Armor and Spence Campbell in support of legislation that would, in effect, cover-up illegal wiretapping.

Carl Mumpower, a self-proclaimed "independent Republican," opposes a controversial component of the Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) which would grant additional retroactive immunity to large telecommunications companies (such as Verizon and AT&T). It has been recently revealed that - without warrants or legal authority - these "telecoms" bugged phone calls, intercepted e-mails, and monitored the internet traffic of untold numbers of American citizens.

"The Democrats - with the exception of Heath and a few others - are right on this one, plain and simple," commented Mumpower. Incumbent Heath Shuler (D-11) is one of only a handful of Democrats to agree with Armor and Campbell in his support of the additional immunity.

Mumpower has held firm in his stand that providing additional immunity to big companies for spying on Americans "dangerously sidesteps the Constitution," even the face of his opponents' various characterizations of his position as "garbage," "irresponsible," and "foolhardy".

"If Congress wants to do something real, they should start by doing financial and performance audits on our intelligence agenies and by securing our porous borders," said Mumpower. "The greatest problem the intelligence community faces is effectively processing and acting on the information they already have. Any additional telecom immunity beyond what they enjoy already is not only a blank check, but a decoy issue that lock-step politicians use to pander to voters' fears."

An excerpt from testimony before the United States Senate Judiciary Committee on October 31, 2007 by Edward Black, President of the Computer & Communications Industry Association, offers information in support of Mumpower's position:

"...Retroactive immunity for participation in the recent secret government surveillance program is premature at best, since this Congress has yet to become well-informed enough to determine whether in fact the NSA surveillance program exceeded legal boundaries established under FISA. If immunity for past activities is granted prior to full disclosure and accountability from the Executive Branch, Congress and the public may never understand the nature of the NSA warrantless wiretapping program."

"If the rule-of-law, limited government, and the truth are not your priorities, then I'm not the guy to vote for," cautioned Mumpower. "I try hard to land on the right thing and hold the line...until the right thing wins or new information helps me to reconsider. This is not a time to surrender to pressure...from my own party or my own supporters."

He continued: "Armchair patriots" who support these new FISA immunities and who are willing to sacrifice the Constitution for illusionary security initiatives are, in fact, enabling our enemies. I will not join the herd just for the sake of doing so, no matter what the personal price."

(For the full transcript of Edward Black's testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, click here.)

---End Press Release---

Campaign Website

Commentary


I guess that puts me in the armchair general category. It is my opinion that we cannot allow an openly hostile 5th column in our country to openly practice lawfare in pursuit of our defeat in World War IV. Go read the testimony of Edward Black and form your own opinion.

• 44% Barack Obama
• 43% Hillary Clinton
• 13% Undecided

The full results of this poll of North Carolinians can be found here [warning pdf file], which include other North Carolina races as well., including the NC Gubernatorial GOP primary race:

• 29% Pat McCrory
• 29% Fred Smith
• 8% Bill Graham
• 7% Bob Orr
• 1% Elbie Powers [?]
  

Guest Commentary

Send Lawyers, Guns and Money...
by John Armor

The title is from a song by Warren Zevon, I’d always heard the line as a telegram from a banana republic in crisis, and that the whole line was, “Send lawyers, guns and money; all Hell has broken loose.” Still, this is a column about lawyers that is favorable, and kind.

This morning, a lawyer I’ve known all my life invited me to go to the beginning of the session of the Superior Court in Sylva, the seat of Jackson County. (For those unfamiliar with that town in the Blue Ridge Mountains, many of the late scenes in “My Fellow Americans” with Jack Lemon and James Garner, were filmed there, including the legendary “All-Dorothy Marching Band” and the bathroom toe-tapper, “Macarena” scene.)

Richard wanted to introduce me around to some of his friends and colleagues who’d be gathered at that Court House for the start of the session. While we were there, I visited with about a dozen lawyers, and an equal number of court personnel. And I experienced something I’d almost forgotten, something I very much miss by being a semi-retired lawyer.

Sylva is a small town. Most of the lawyers who handle cases in that court know each other well. They’ve been up against each other before, and know they will be up against each other many times in the future if they stay in practice in this small community, As a result, the lawyers in that courtroom this morning were unfailingly polite and soft-spoken with each other and with the judge.

Do I suggest in any way that they fight less for the side they represent in a case than in the “big city” courtrooms? Not in the least. I watched a lawyer this morning give a one-hour argument which he will almost certainly lose, trying to get summary judgment for the defendant “women’s shelter” where an angry husband got in, dragged his wife out, and shot her dead on the front lawn in front of shelter personnel, and where her son found her body minutes later.

I know exactly why the lawyer was fighting for summary judgment for the defense, If that case goes to the jury, they will vote to drive up a money truck and throw money out the back with a pitch folk, to pay the damages on the horrendous facts of that case.

But this is not about who will, or should, win any of the issues presented in court this morning, Instead, it is about the highly civil way that lawyers behave in a small town, with a small trial bar who are always encountering each other. And that basic decency grabbed hold of the visiting lawyers who were there, some from elsewhere in North Carolina, others from out of state.

The visiting lawyers were probably experienced in trial work like I remember from the courtrooms of Baltimore City, a quarter century ago. There I found many lawyers who would cheerfully cut the throats of opposing counsel if it would give them a slight advantage in the pending case. I’m being metaphorical here, by a slight margin. However, the Gordon Gekko line from “Wall Street” does come to mind, when he said of an opponent, “I want him bleeding from all orifices.”

Yes, there were some lawyers whose word was good in the Baltimore courts. There were a few lawyers who, even as opponents in a case, could be relied upon to keep a commitment, and do something they said they would do. But that was not the norm.

This morning in Sylva, that was not only the norm, it was universal. And it made me nostalgic, just a bit, for the profession I have largely set aside and will not return to. But it is not the lawyers, but their environment, that is different here.

In a small town, all people in all professions and lines of work tend to be more personal, more courteous, in their dealings with others. There are exceptions, of course. But in a small environment, the Golden Rule becomes a long term survival technique. You do unto others as you would have them do unto you, because you know that they will almost certainly get the opportunity to do unto you.

There could be no better proof that the Golden Rule actually works as a mode of conduct than that it works among a random selection of actual lawyers. It’s like training put bulls to be lap dogs. I saw it succeed, this very day.

- 30 -

About the Author: John Armor practiced in the US Supreme Court for 33 years. John_Armor@aya.yale.edu He is running for the 11th Congressional District of North Carolina.

- 30 -

Campaign Website

Well, the primary between the three hopefuls in NC-11 has finally stumbled upon some issue of divergence, FISA.

From Dr. Carl Mumpower:

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Separates
Republican Congressional Candidates


A Monday press release by Republican Congressional Carl Mumpower has stimulated strong reactions from 11th District challengers John Armor and Spence Campbell. "I am not in favor of the immunity found in recent FISA legislation for telecoms or anyone else and I continue to believe that the pervasive bureaucratic dysfunction of America's intelligence agencies offers few incentives for more hidden powers," said Mumpower. "Securing our borders, enforcing existing laws, and both financial and productivity audits of our intelligence agencies will do more than allowing the government to expand its veil of secrecy."

Campbell and Armor share a common ground with a majority of Republican legislators, the President, and even 11th District Representative Heath Shuler. Shuler has come out in support of immunity to telecom companies and made a request of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi that future FISA legislation support that goal. Campbell has said that Congress should grant the telecoms immunity, while Armor stated, "I could not disagree with (Mumpower) more - this is garbage."

"As an Independent Republican, I support conservative principles with full heart and action," said Mumpower. "I am not, however, obligated to a Republican power structure that continues to betray those values and take short-cuts around the Constitution with actions like this. The rule of law, accountability, and liberty should not be for sale - especially to people who are quick to use the "terror card" to justify or conceal misbehavior."

"I am fond of Ben Franklin," said Mumpower. "He said that "Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." I'm sure it could be argued that there are practical justifications for immunity - one can always find a reason to take small steps away from the right thing. This is one of those times when a politician faces the temptation to fall into line with what's popular or take a principled position and the heat that results. I'll leave political conformity to others - and keep my eye on the Constitution."

Carl Mumpower
11th District Republican Congressional Candidate

67

From Col. Spence Campbell (Ret.):

March 18th, 2008

CAMPBELL RELEASES STATEMENT
ON FISA REAUTHORIZATION

Hendersonville—US Republican Congressional Candidate Spence Campbell released the following statement on the FISA Reauthorization bill:“As a former career U.S. Army intelligence officer, I know firsthand how important it is that we have solid, reliable intelligence in order to protect this great country and its citizens from harm. We must do all we can to ensure the safety of Americans and the citizens of western North Carolina.“We must not forget that we are a nation at war. There are people who actively seek to harm America, and we must ensure that our government has the tools and resources needed to ensure the safety of us all. “It is the height of irresponsibility for anyone to seek to undermine or try to prevent our government from doing all it can to protect its citizens, especially in a time of war. By criticizing portions of this bill, which allows companies to work together with our government to provide them with critical information and intelligence, is more than irresponsible. It is in fact, foolhardy, and dangerous. Anyone that seeks to put Americans in harm’s way should not be allowed the privilege of representing the citizens of western North Carolina in Congress.”

From John Armor, Esq.:

Mumpower Misunderstands FISA Issues,
Misquotes Ben Franklin

Carl Mumpower, Republican candidate for Congress from the 11th District, has put out a press release saying that the efforts in the US House to extend the FISA Act “demonstrate sharp differences between him and the other candidates.” He is right, but has the wrong conclusion, based on a gross misunderstanding of the subject.

FISA stands for Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The ACLU (the American Civil Liberties Union) is using American civil courts in an effort to gut-shoot the government’s efforts to stay ahead of the terrorists seeking to kill Americans in America. It seems that Carl Mumpower has not done his homework before taking a position on this subject.

The quote that Carl Mumpower uses in the name of Benjamin Franklin in his latest News Release is a false quote, although with an ancient pedigree. Mumpower quotes Franklin as writing: “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.” This comes from the title page of An Historical Review of the Constitution and Government of Pennsylvania (1759).

However, anyone with a little skill in using an Internet search engine, like Google, can quickly find that the accurate Franklin quote is: “Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.” It is both better written, and has a different meaning, than the bad quote used by candidate Mumpower.

“More importantly, Carl Mumpower seems blissfully unaware of what brought about the immunity provisions in the original FISA Act,” said John Armor. He pointed out that lawyers for the ACLU had filed several damage claims against several telecom companies, seeking damages for their cooperation with international security searches as sought by the federal government.

Commentary

I am afraid that Mumpower has chosen the wrong side of this issue. My impression of the whole FISA argument is that the attempt to deny immunity to the telecoms is part of a lawfare technique used by the enemies of America to weaken, and ultimately destroy her ability to defend against attacks from Islamofascism and Progessivism.

I lump Progressives together with the Islamofascists because both would rather that America not participate in World War IV. They have become allies of convenience at this point.

In a different category, I place "the honest civil-libertarians": Mumpower, through good intentions (like the libertarians), has found himself trapped by applying a misunderstanding of the issue.

Both Spence Campbell and John Armor understand the necessity of immunity for the telecoms.

ASHEVILLE – The treatment that held so much hope for leukemia patient Paxten Mitchell and his family has failed. The 3-year-old’s white cell counts rose again Sunday.

According to the family's CaringBridge site this morning, the family has taken the boy home. Plans have been made for a Make a Wish trip to Disney World and the family will be leaving today for Florida.

Doctors stopped the chemotherapy Paxten had been receiving, athough he was still receiving drugs to lower his white blood cell count.

Source: Asheville Citizen-Times

Paxten's Journal

Pray for Paxten. Donate to his fund to help his parents with the cost of cancer treatments the insurance company won't pay.

Robert Mitchell
c/o Paxten Mitchell Fund
Premier Federal Credit Union
148 Charlotte Street
Asheville, NC 28801
or inquire further at 828-252-2346

Previously

Paxten Mitchell and the City of Asheville

Here is a video shot by Richard Bernier of Fred Smith taking a few questions from people at the Madison County Lincoln-Reagan Dinner:

Richard Bernier has a TV Show on URTV called Sound Off Buncombe.

I realize my title for this post is redundant because they are both the same.

An excellent writer over at the local John Locke Blog, has a post listing some of the goals of the Asheville City Council, and I have stolen a few to share:

a) Continue public outreach strategies to communicate city council’s strategic goals.
b) Enhance commitment to public safety and drug enforcement priorities through a coordinated, holistic approach.
c) Promote and support the economic viability of local foods and agriculture through tailgate markets and other long-term strategies.
d) Develop youth and education programs that support job and career placement in Asheville; begin with a redesigned summer youth program.
e) Pursue the development of city-owned property to achieve strategic housing, economic development and land use goals.
f) Develop strategies to support diversified job growth and support small businesses.
g) Develop a sustainable funding structure for Asheville transit.
h) Develop neighborhood and corridor plans with citizen participation.
i) Use visualization technology and modeling to assess growth impact analysis for transportation needs, housing needs and neighborhood enhancements.

Source: The Wild West




Commentary

Where to begin?

The first big one that hits me is the wish to develop city-owned property for strategic housing. That is all we need, for the city of Asheville to get involved in screwing up the local housing market!

And the plan to develop a sustainable funding structure for Asheville transit. I presume this means taking tax money from people who do not, and would never use the system, to give a government subsidy to the program...a sort of government welfare to the Transit Authority.

Why not just raise fees to what the market will bear? The last time I rode the bus in Asheville, I think the boarding fee was a dollar (less, if you purchased a book of tickets) and transfer to another bus was about a dime or so. This was in 2003.

Some of the buses were packed full, other routes had less than six on board.

Here in Macon County, there is a Transit System as well. I looked at the pricing structure, and it is inline with what I thought bus fares should be in Asheville. Here is a sample list:

* Local Fares per Boarding
o Franklin - $2.50
o Highlands - $3.50

* Out of County Fares
Round Trip
o Sylva - $15.00
o Waynesville - $20.00
o Bryson City - $20.00
o Asheville - $30.00
o Clayton/Dillard - $15.00

Source: Macon Area Transit Service

As you can see, the prices are at a level where user fees pay a significant amount of what the service costs, which is better for the taxpayers, and it allows the users of the service to pay a larger fraction of their cost upon society. This allows some preservation of self-esteem, and helps to somewhat lessen the negative effect of being on the dole.

I will try to obtain figures for the percentages of who pays what for the MATS program. On the website, there is mention of a federal grant that pays for part of the service.

The address and name for donations to benefit Paxten Mitchell:



Robert Mitchell
c/o Paxten Mitchell Fund
Premier Federal Credit Union
148 Charlotte Street
Asheville, NC 28801
or inquire further at 828-252-2346

Government is Abusing Secrecy Protections

"Bad things grow in the dark and government at all levels is trying to turn out the lights," says 11th District Republican Congressional Candidate Carl Mumpower. Recent Senate and House debates on Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) have generated widespread debate on the necessity of government actions shrouded in secrecy.

"The more liberties we grant government agencies, the less liberty we find in the hands of people," said Mumpower. "I am not in favor of the immunity found in recent FISA legislation for telecoms or anyone else and continue to believe that the pervasive bureaucratic dysfunction of America's intelligence agencies offer few incentives for more hidden powers. Terror threats are real, but there are many productive things we can do to protect America from those threats before we surrender the rule of law and personal freedoms."

According to Mumpower, "Securing our borders, enforcing existing laws, and financial and productivity audits of our intelligence agencies," will do more than allowing the government to expand its veil of secrecy. "Under current protocols, information that should see the early light of day languishes for decades in the name of 'national security'. More often than not, the deeper agenda is to evade accountability and competency challenges through the timely attentions of citizen observers and the media. Transparency is one of the most crucial components of our constitutional Republic - I will be no part of exchanging the light of our tomorrows for a placebo of questionable security today."

Carl Mumpower
11th District Republican Congressional Candidate

Saying it-meaning it-doing it.

ASHEVILLE- Offers of help for little Paxten Mitchell began coming in early Friday morning.

Paxten, 3, has a rare form of leukemia, and payment for the unusual treatment he is receiving at Mission Hospitals has been denied by the company that administers the city of Asheville's insurance plan. His father, Robert Mitchell, is a firefighter with the city.

Jessica Miller, of Alexander, has set up jars for donations on the counters of several local stores, hoping to help the family with bills.

"I have a little boy 13 months old, and he's healthy, thank God," Miller said, "I just cannot imagine hearing my child has leukemia and then finding out the insurance company won't cover his treatment."

Source: Asheville Citizen-Times
Hat Tip: Carolina Stompers

What you can do to help this child, visit his online journal and make a donation to Caringbridge after you read about him and his struggle. There are also photos to look at as well.

I will be contacting the Credit Union tomorrow to see if there is a procedure for online donations...bookmark this post and return for an update.

Until then, you may send checks to:

Robert Mitchell
c/o Paxten Mitchell Fund
Premier Federal Credit Union
148 Charlotte Street
Asheville, NC 28801
or inquire further at 828-252-2346

You might want to contact the people who refused insurance coverage, Primary Physician Care.

The Carolina Stompers have another angle on this story:

Apparently there was a guy named John Miall who did a great job as the Risk Manager for the City of Asheville. He supposedly spent years on the insurance situation in Asheville and was nationally recognized for his solutions such as “The Asheville Project”. Under his leadership, the City of Asheville invested a small amount of money and built a corporation called “Asheville Claims Corporation” to handle critical insurance payments and pay city employees premiums. This “Asheville Claims Corporation” had a total worth of 5 million dollars. Sources tell us that when John Miall retired the Finance Director dissolved Asheville Claims Corp. and dumped all the money (5 million dollars) into the city’s General Fund which only lasted 1 fiscal year. Note, money in the General Fund can be used for any purpose. This money could save Paxton Mitchell’s life.

If you recall, in 2007 the City of Asheville had a 2.4 million dollar deficit. A few months later the City Budget Dept. announced they had a 2.5 million dollar surplus...

Source: Carolina Stompers



Just when you thought it was safe for the corrupt politicians in Asheville, the Stompers have opened another can of worms.

Photo Courtesy of Appalachian Traveler


Marvin "Popcorn" Sutton (pictured above) has been arrested:

ATF Agent Gregory E. Moore wrote in a federal complaint unsealed Friday that an undercover agent has in less than two months bought from Sutton some 300 gallons of the untaxed liquor and was poised to buy another 500 gallons in a single transaction. Authorities instead opted to raid Sutton’s three properties, including a barn and an old school bus he allegedly used to store his ’shine, Moore wrote.

In those Thursday raids, authorities seized more than 850 gallons of moonshine and three stills with capacities of 1,000 gallons each. They also discovered “hundreds of gallons” of mash and other moonshine-making ingredients, according to a release by U.S. Attorney Russ Dedrick.

Source: Appalachian Scribe

Commentary

This is ridiculous. The ATF are just "revenuers" seeking an easy arrest. I'll bet that the old man was not up to date on making sure the correct people "had their cut" from the business action. I won't speak to things I observed in my childhood for fear of the feds going after more old men, some of them now retired law enforcement officers, judges, state and federal agents from various agencies. I am sure it still goes on in all levels in this area.

It should be no secret that I hold this particular agency (the ATF) in the lowest of regards, with only the IRS held in lower esteem. Were I in charge of the next revolution, these two agencies would be abolished.

Here is a description of ATF Responsibilities from their website:

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is a law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Justice. The ATF's mission is to protect America against crime, violence, and other types of threats to the public, such as terrorism. In order to achieve this goal the ATF enforces Federal laws and regulations relating to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, explosives, and arson.

Other responsibilities of the ATF include collecting revenue and supervising different federal crime prevention programs, such as Gang Resistance Education and Training, otherwise known as GREAT.

On November 25, 2002, (after 9/11), the Homeland Security Act of 2002 split the Bureau of Tobacco and Firearms into two different sections:

--- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms was renamed the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE). It is now a part of the Justice Department. Its main responsibility is law enforcement.

-- The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau remains in the Treasury Department. This section oversees tax collection.

With more voting, comes more debates. Democratic presidential hopefuls Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama announced today that they have accepted invitations to two debates ahead of the next round of primaries.

Clinton sent a statement at 4:48 p.m. EDT announcing she had accepted an invitation from ABC to debate Obama in Philadelphia on April 16. The Obama campaign followed with a statement at 5:02 saying it had accepted that offer and another from CBS for a debate in North Carolina three days later on April 19. The Clinton campaign did not immediately return a call regarding its decision on the CBS debate.

Pennsylvania, with 158 delegates, and North Carolina, with 115 delegates, are the two biggest contests remaining. There are no more primaries scheduled before Pennsylvania votes on April 22. North Carolina follows that two weeks later with a primary on May 6.

Source: You Decide 2008

Related: WRAL-TV

I notice that WRAL lists a different number of delegates than the other website:

North Carolina and Pennsylvania are the last major states to hold primaries, with 188 delegates up from grabs in Pennsylvania and 134 in North Carolina.

So, it's beginning to look like the NC Debate will happen after all!

On March 7th, Macon County Sheriff's Deputies were joined by detention officers, detectives, patrol officers, tactical officers, K-9 units, I.C.E. Agents and officers from the North Carolina Probation and Parole Office in Operation Safe Streets.
The one day surge in law enforcement action netted 21 arrests, 8 of them for immigration charges. The suspects arrested on immigration charges have since been transported to Charlotte for deportation hearings.
Charges ranged from no operator license and DUI to 1st degree rape of a child and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Phase I netted 17 arrests on January 11th. There was no word about when Phase III might occur.

Source: Macon County News

March 26, 2008

12:00-1:30 p.m.
Buncombe County Rally
Asheville Ballroom and Dance Center
991-B Sweeten Creek Road
Asheville, NC

7:00-8:30 p.m.
Henderson County Rally
Blue Ridge Community College
Bo Thomas Auditorium
180 West Campus Drive
Flat Rock, NC

Katy's Conservative Corner has more dates, locations, and details of the Smith/Greenwood Rallies.

Another video from Richard Bernier of URTV's Sound Off Buncombe.

And see him from the 2007 Vance Aycock Dinner:

Photo Courtesy McDowell News





N.C. Highway Patrol trooper Andy Waycaster was arresting a man about 2 p.m. on the Sugar Hill Road I-40 overpass when the man cut Waycaster four times, at least once in the face, Highway Patrol Sgt. Pat Staggs said. Staggs said investigators think the suspect used a box cutter.

Staggs said Waycaster and the man were in the squad car when the cutting took place.

Waycaster then drew his .357-caliber pistol and fired two shots at the suspect, killing him. Staggs said he did not know where on the body Waycaster shot the man.

Waycaster was taken to Mission Hospitals for serious injuries, Staggs said.

Source: Asheville Citizen-Times

My prayers are with the trooper and his family. At least he has rid the earth of one idiot. Box cutter? What kind of idiot takes a swipe at a NC State Trooper with a box cutter? I am going to nominate the dead guy for a Darwin Award.

**update** 4.43pm Ashvegas has a post about it, and will let us know how the WLOSers cover it. (I guess I am lucky I can't get the WLOS from Franklin).

**update** 6.50pm Blog Reader Michelle caught a very glaring error in this post...I had the Trooper shot, when he was cut. For that error, I apologise, I should have payed more attention.

More from the Asheville Citizen-Times:

Trooper's life not in danger

Waycaster, 24, was cut at least four times, in the face, neck and upper torso, Highway Patrol Sgt. Pat Staggs said.

Waycaster, of Old Fort, was awake and talking to his wife at the hospital, Dickey said. He has been a trooper three years.

“At this time, it appears his injuries are not life-threatening," Dickey said. “He has extensive lacerations on the left side of his face. He was cut from his ear to his mouth,” in addition to cuts to his extremities.

“He’s a fighter,” Dickey said. “His wife is in there and he’s talking to her.”

“He’s a hardworking trooper, always making drug cases, just real active," said Trooper Josh Dowdle, who identified himself as Waycaster's best friend. “He’s always there if somebody needs something.”

Press Release

-From the desk of the Candidate-

Friday, March 14, 2008

Gold Shines as America Falters The spot price of Gold crossed one thousand dollars per ounce on Thursday. Inflation concerns, a sharp fall in the dollar, and other economic clouds are insuring that gold glitters while the broader economy falters. "When gold goes up, the rest of us are going down," shared 11th District Republican Congressional candidate Carl Mumpower. "We are witnessing a perfect storm of economic missteps involving government and the business community. Greed and self-service have driven both to evade responsible action and treat our economy like a rigged lottery. The bill is coming due, and I am concerned that the average guy and our grandchildren are going to be handed the check," said Mumpower. "Congress and the President should be demonstrating restraint, leadership, and accountability," noted Mumpower. "Instead we are getting economic stimulation packages crafted out of more borrowed money, budgets filled with pork, inflationary monetary policy, and big tax increases. The recent borrow and spend polices of my Republican colleagues, persistent tax and spend policies of the Democrats, and obsession by both on trivia over real issues have brought America to a dangerous place." "The promise of something for nothing has been driving our economy for a long time," said Mumpower. "That is not how the real world works and we are about to have a major test of our national character. I like that place of reason somewhere between denial and pessimism. That place says that, short of a miracle, there are some real bumps up ahead with high gas and food prices being a small tip on a much bigger iceberg. There is a little known word, 'derivative', that is about to catch everyone's attention." #64 Saying it-meaning it-doing it.

Democratic Sen. Barack Obama has agreed to a matchup April 19 hosted by CBS News in North Carolina, his campaign said Thursday. North Carolina has 115 delegates up for grabs in its May 6 primary. CBS News said it was awaiting word on whether Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton would participate.

Source: Raleigh News & Observer

Well, now. Perhaps the very late primary date in North Carolina may mean something this time around in national politics. Not.

We all know that the primary system is set up to avoid a decisive southern voice in selecting the President.

I also note that the article refers to Senator Clinton as Hillary Rodham Clintom, but leaves out Barack Obama's middle name, Hussein.

I found this in Cullowhee, NC.

Cross-Posted on Thunder Pig:



Another fine video brought to you by Richard Bernier of Sound Off Buncombe, which airs on URTV in Buncombe County!

Les Merritt Campaign Website.

Richard Bernier has released another video excerpt of his day following around NC-11 Candidate Dr. Carl Mumpower:



Mumpower 08 Website


Contact Richard Bernier

I just got this Press Release:

H. K. Edgerton, noted Southern heritage activist, will visit the historic Ringgold, Georgia, and its historic railway depot on Wednesday, March 12, officials at Southern Heritage 411 announced.



Edgerton, who is black, is the President of Southern Heritage 411, a Southern heritage watchdog organization, and is the former President of the Asheville, NC, chapter of the NAACP. His purpose in coming to Ringgold is to focus public awareness on the refusal of Ringgold City Council to replace a Confederate Battle Flag that was removed from the depot’s Confederate memorial area in 2005, after members of the NAACP complained about its being flown there.



Three other flags fly on separate poles at the depot memorial site: the present-day U.S. and Georgia flags and an 1863-pattern U.S. flag. The Confederate battle flag was removed from its pole shortly after the city put it up, and was replaced by a so-called Cleburne pattern unit flag, a blue flag with a white circle that is virtually unknown to all except Civil War scholars. The city said the Cleburne flag was historically accurate because Cleburne’s division fought at the Battle of Ringgold Gap on Nov. 27, 1863. The national and local Sons of Confederate Veterans countered that evidence shows other Confederate flags were present at the battle, and that at any rate the depot display is a memorial and that the Battle Flag is the correct flag to fly in that context. The Southern Legal Resource Center, acting on behalf of the SCV, demanded that the city replace the battle flag or face legal action.



“This is just another example of the politics of appeasement,” Edgerton said Tuesday. “The city put that flag [the battle flag] up in the first place and they were correct. “Then the NAACP said ‘Boo!’ and they took it down. I will bet you that most if not all these city officials had ancestors in the Confederate army. I’d be ashamed.”

End of Press Release

Ringold is in NW Georgia, and the Battle of Ringgold Gap was a tactical victory for the Confederacy after the disaster of Missionary Ridge. The battle was on November 27, 1863.

View the Cleburne flags.

Gordon Smith, of Scrutiny Hooligans, covered the Democrat Commission Debate last night...and I've pulled the open to post below:

I walked into the Carver Center in Black Mountain just in time to hear David Gantt deliver the first of the opening remarks. Somewhere around fifty people turned out to hear the candidates and to ask them unscripted questions. Bill Stanley skipped the debate, and Carol Peterson apologized for him. She said he had to attend a Shrine Club meeting instead. If anyone asks, Bill Stanley was the big loser tonight for having his priorities out of whack. Everyone else came across as thoughtful and making a real run at the Commission. Incumbent Stanley’s absence spoke volumes.

The event was hosted by a group in Black Mountain called Democrats On The Move. They’re an independent group who put on a great forum. Thanks!

This “transcript” is rough as hell. My fingers were a-flyin’, but there’s only so much a brother can do. Direct quotes are in quotation marks. Everything else is an impression or paraphrased. Any mistakes are mine. I’ll probably follow up in the next little while with my personal take on the event, but this is as close to reportage as you’ll get here at ScruHoo.

Source: Scrutiny Hooligans

Commentary

As usual, Gordon does a bang-up job covering the event. I seriously doubt ANY of the local legacy media outlets will have even half the coverage he has given to us.
I looked around for more coverage of the event, and found none. I'll post an update on this post if I find more coverage. This is part of what is so great about blogs, it increases the granularity of local politics. It gets even better if there are more than one person from different organizations covering the same event...

**update** 10.02am

Buncombe County Democrat Party

Here are the websites (if any) of the Democrats running for the Buncombe County Commission:

INCUMBENTS
David Gantt
Carol Paterson (County Website)
Bill Stanley (County Website)

CHALLENGERS
Kay Bailey (none)
Cecil Bothwell
Vernon Dover (none)
Bob Hill (none)
Holly Jones
Keith Thomson

I may have missed a legitimate website, if you know of a candidate website I missed, please add a link to it in the comments. I added Holly Jones website when she ran for City Council because I could not find one geared for the County Commission run, and assume (I know!) that she'll re-launch it with a new design later.

Also, I am gathering information about where each of the candidates (both parties) stand on issues, and will be posting on each as I have time.

Richard Bernier followed followed and filmed Dr. Carl Mumpower on his travels about the NC-11 Congressional District this past Saturday as he traveled from event to event.


Bernier has a weekly 2 hour call-in show on URTV in Asheville, NC, called Sound Off Buncombe, and this 30 minute program will be airing on the show soon.

Don Yelton interviews NC Governor Candidate Fred Smith for 30 minutes. The show will air on URTV at a later date.
I'd like to thank Richard Bernier, Don Yelton, and Fred Smith for their time involved in this video.

ASHEVILLE — The people of Zacchaeus House will have to find another place to worship after Easter.

The small “house-church” was cited by the city for having a church in a residence, and its two ministers, the Rev. Amy Cantrell and the Rev. Chrystal Cook, were told they would have to bring the house up to code as a public gathering place or close.

“What was ironic to me was that we got the citation on Martin Luther King Day,” Cantrell said.

Cantrell and Cook live in the house and offer their two spare bedrooms to people who need shelter. They open their door to anyone who needs food, clothing or an advocate.

Source: Asheville Citizen-Times
Related: AC-T Topix Discussion

This is not surprising, coming from a city like Asheville, who will bend over backwards to ignore problems or violations committed by people "with the correct political views".

Here is a video taken in Weaverville by FBRiverkeeper, followed by the description written by him/her:



This site is dumping sediment into an unnamed tributary that flows into Lake Louise, a popular recreation area in Weaverville

This is a clear turbidity violation and a violation of erosion control measures, becuase the site has not been maintained. Sediment is the largest polluter in the French Broad Watershed and the vast majority flow off new construction sites. Recent improvements have only margainly helped the problem.

And, you can watch a very short one on the Wal Mart in Weaverville.
Source: RBRiverkeeper

Commentary

Every construction site I have ever worked at had the same kind of run off turbidity, so I can't speak to that, although my employer at several of the jobs said it was okay. I trust his statement because he made us do a lot of stuff to preserve the environment that I thought was going way over board. He wouldn't allow machinery to be operated on a lot of slopes, and sent in work crews to do the clearing off by hand.

Anyhow, finding this video gives me an excellent opportunity to show off a video I made on the 4th when we had some heavy downpours come through:



This was taken on Scott's Creek in Dillsboro, NC just before it empties into the Tuckaseegee River.

Related: Ruminations From The Distant Hills

HK Edgerton is a black Southern heritage activist and he is currently on a march to build awareness of Southern culture and history. I have been on the list to receive updates from him on his journeys via e-mail, and have recently obtained permission to reprint portions of his communications. You can support him by purchasing merchandise from Dixie Outfitters.

I will start this series with a letter sent yesterday, reprinted in it's entirety:



Florida Confederate Flag Heritage License Plates
For those who say that our flag represents a time that should not be revisited, and that having a Heritage tag in the great State of Florida would only force that visitation; I like many would welcome a moment such as that. Just maybe this time when our children who sit daily in the public school system; will be given the opportunity to hear a different story told about the things that set a region of people against their brothers of another. Just maybe this time when the story is told; the love that a man called master and that of one called slave will find reasons to be rekindled. Those of us who are truly loyal southerners and have prayed daily to our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, to bring us to the point of vindication , stand ready for any public dialogue, a dialogue that should and must take place.



Here we stand in preparation to elect a new leader of this nation, and Southerners are forced once again to hold their heads in shame because of the rhetoric and slander put forward by those who come among us , groveling for votes and money as their attack upon the Southern Cross is surely an attack upon the Southern people. Obama proclaims to stand for change, but is there change in store for, or against Southern people? He is a man that continues to parade through the South praising and comparing himself to Lincoln. I personally cannot come to how any knowledgeable Southerner could or would embrace Lincoln, and any man running for the highest office in the land , especially from Lincoln’s Illinois should at least know this. John McCain fares no better. Any man who would come to the South and talk down on the Southern Cross as John McCain has done on many an occasion; is he deserving of Southern votes and monies or not ?. It’s gut check time. Do we as a proud people continue to sit back and watch as we face social and cultural genocide as our children are forced to remember their ancestors in shame while folks continue to come amongst us and change the landscape of the South. Some of the most honorable people on God’s earth fought and died under the Southern Cross for Southern Independence, both Red, yellow, Black and White. No matter the slanderous and bigoted cartoons, the slander and lies of those who are paraded before us against the Christian Cross of St .Andrew; I am a man who has adorned the uniform of the Southern Soldier while brandishing his glorious banner and trod where so called legendary civil rights leaders trod while rocks, bottles and racist epithets were hurled in their paths, through towns where the whole Black population had fled; to cheers of delight that someone who looked like me would come and tell of a time when a man call Slave and one called Master , looked upon each other as family and friend, and shared a love for each other to this very day that has withstood the evils of so called Reconstruction , the uncertainty of the turbulent civil rights (state rights) periods; though much of that love was pushed asunder, and once again is being severely tested as loyal Southern Blacks are being asked again to turn their backs on their Southern White family and the honor earned by their ancestors who stood faithfully with their Southern family in feeding, clothing and building the economies of much of the civilized world, and when the time came, stood once again beside their Southern White family, in defense of their homeland ; the Southland of America.



I don’t know how any man, or woman proposing to be elected to the highest office in this land could purport a policy to heal the rift between the peoples of other lands, when they are afraid to come clean with the people of this nation, and especially undo the distortions placed upon an honorable people and their symbols. God bless the Great State of Florida and best wishes for a successful passage of the Confederate Heritage License Plate. It is a rich and glorious heritage for all its citizens and should be proud to be scrutinized by all.



HK Edgerton

I have posted on Thunder Pig about the Tornado Watch and Severe Thunder Storm Warning for western North Carolina. If you are in the area, you might want to check it out.