The Navy’s newest attack submarine North Carolina will be commissioned Saturday, May 3, during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony at Port of Wilmington in Wilmington, N.C.

Designated SSN 777, the fourth submarine of the Virginia-class will bear the name North Carolina to honor the Tar Heel State. The submarine will be the fourth ship of the U.S. Navy to bear the name North Carolina. The first was a 74-gun ship-of-the-line that served from 1820 to 1836. The second North Carolina was a Tennessee-class armored cruiser that was built at the Newport News shipyard and served from 1908 to 1921. The third North Carolina was the first of the Navy's modern battleships, serving from 1940 to 1947, earning 12 battle stars for service during World War II. The battleship now serves in Wilmington, N.C., as a memorial for all North Carolinians who served in World War II.

Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter will deliver the ceremony’s principal address. Linda Bowman, wife of retired Adm. Frank "Skip" Bowman, former director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion, will serve as sponsor of North Carolina. The ceremony will be highlighted by a time-honored Navy tradition when Bowman gives the first order to “man our ship and bring her to life!”

Source: Milcom Monitoring

You can also watch the commissioning of the SSN-777 North Carolina live at 10 am from Wilmington on Saturday, May 3rd. I'll try to remember to post a link again before the event on Friday night.


US Navy Photo

cross-posted on Thunder Pig.



Here is the entire debate in an 11 video play list. I edited the candidates last question and closing remarks as separate videos because I could not fit them on one video.

I would have had these up yesterday, but my internet connection died on me.

If I can establish an internet connection, this is where the video player will be embedded. So, please stand by for further developments.

I anticipate beginning the live feed around 11ish am, and starting the pre-game show at 11.30 am.

The show is now live at 11.00am.

**update** 11.53 The signal strength has dropped too low to stream video, so I'll have to beg out. Sorry.

:

Richard Bernier, of the URTV program Sound Off Buncombe recorded the appearance of candidates Carl Mumpower, Don Yelton, and Mike Fryar at the April meeting of the Buncombe County GOP Ladies Club.


**update** 10.51am The video dies after 15min and 07sec. I have contacted Richard about this problem. He may have to re-upload or re-edit the video.

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release April 24, 2008

Mumpower for Congress One Oak Plaza - Suite 310 · Asheville, NC 28801 828-252-8390 · www.mumpower08.com · e-express@mumpower08.com

Carl Mumpower, Republican candidate for the 11th District Congressional nomination, congratulated his colleagues Spence Campbell and John Armor today for their strong showing in yesterday's Henderson County straw poll. The results were a dead-heat, with Campbell receiving 24 votes, Mumpower receiving 23, and John Armor receiving 20. It was Mr. Armor's strongest showing yet, coming on the heels of his recent win of straw poll taken among Macon County Republicans late last month.

"John was perfectly charming yesterday," said Mumpower. "He made us all laugh more than once with his characterizations of Congress and Heath Shuler. It was a good morning for all of us, I think, and reinforces my feeling that this will sure be a lot more fun when we're all playing on the same team."

The poll was taken at the monthly meeting of the Henderson County Republican Men's Club, after a spirited debate on the issues that avoided the often testy exchanges that have characterized the primary campaigns so far. It was also the tenth such debate across the 11th District, an unprecedented and highly-praised flurry of GOP pre-primary activity designed to give wide access to voters for the chance of learning more about the three men vying for the chance to defeat Democrat incumbent Heath Shuler in November.

"What I think that this latest straw poll shows is that nothing can be taken for granted," said Mumpower. "I'd remind everyone that the primary is less than two weeks away --- on May 6 --- and I'd encourage every Republican in the 11th District to get behind the candidate they believe in and to go vote. We need to choose the toughest candidate among us if we are going to have any chance of defeating Heath Shuler in the fall."

Mumpower will appear tonight on the "Newsmakers" interview segment of UNC-TV's widely acclaimed public policy interview show "North Carolina Now." That interview, conducted yesterday afternoon in Raleigh after the Henderson County debate, airs at 7:30 locally on Channel 8.



Campaign Website

The NCGOP has apparently received an infusion of Fighting Spirit from my new heroes, the Carolina Stompers.

Tweedledum and Tweedledee continue their battle in the NC Gubernatorial primary race...with Richard Moore's campaign pointing out an endorsement that Beverly Perdue seems to be hiding. The National Rifle Association has endorsed Bev Perdue for North Carolina Governor. I would think that would anger more NRA members than it would gun-hating Democrats. That is one reason I have never joined the NRA...their consistent endorsements of Democrats in North Carolina. If they ever want a membership from me...they'll have to quit that behavior.

Harvey Gantt has also endorsed Beverly Perdue. In his endorsement he noted "She is a great progressive leader with the proven ability we need in our next Governor. She has helped North Carolina's working families both economically and socially, and I know Bev will be a great Governor." Which brings me back to the NRA endorsing Democrats...especially progressive ones...why?


The latest figures I have are:

1. 45% Bev Perdue
2. 36% Richard Moore
3. 04% Dennis Nielson

Source: PPP Blog

I think that Bev Perdue has this race locked up. She has been using her West Virginia Coal Mine money to build an empire in North Carolina...and if she can defeat the GOP candidate in the fall, she just might have her empire.

Previously:

Moore and Perdue debate

Richard Berner has knocked another one out of the park with his production of this month's Action Club meeting for his URTV program, Sound Off Buncombe.

Tonight, the democrat Candidates for NC Governor debated, and here is the audio. I missed the intros...the website I was listening to was unbelievably unfriendly to navigate, so it took me a few mintues to find the stream.

**note** there is a problem with the audio, and I am attempting to fix the audio.
forget it...it's past my bedtime, and I'm cranky enough. Right click and download the file.

I will be broadcasting a live videostream from Haywood Community College on April 26th, probably from noon to 2 or 3pm, including the debate between John Armor, Spence Campbell, and Carl Mumpower. So, if you cannot attend, I'll have the stream up here and on Thunder Pig for you to watch. I may also be interviewing candidates for office as well.

**update** 4.46pm The debate has been pushed to around 2pm...so I'll start the show around noon, and I'll be there for the duration, and will have a debate wrap-up, perhaps with the participants.

**update** April 24th, 9.34am I've been advised that the internet connection for Saturday is not 100% reliable, so I may have revert to my normal M.O. That is disappointing.

This is video shot last week of the Candidates Forum held in Fairview showcasing the Democrat candidates for the Buncombe County Commission.

I found a link to it at Scrutiny Hooligans, and am inquiring as to the videographer. It is good to see the Democrats being put on the record as well as the Republicans.

**update** 11.08am The video was shot by B.J. Snow

Log Hollow Falls from Ralph Roberts on Vimeo.
This video is from Ralph Roberts, a local videographer with URTV.

Eric Gorny spoke on behalf of Bill Graham, candidate for NC Governor, at The Action Club April meeting, and these are his remarks:

Paul Purdue, candidate for NC House District #115, spoke at the April meeting of The Action Club, and here is what he had to say:

Joe Dunn, candidate for Buncombe County commissioner, sopke at the April meeting of The Action Club:

Don Yelton, of Citizens Speak, and a candidate for Buncombe County Commissioner spoke at the April meeting of The Action Club. Richard Bernier, co-host of Sound Off Buncombe (on URTV), was there to capture the event:



Here is an audio clip of what Don refers to:

It took place in the second hour of Take A Stand on April 11th.

Personally, it very gratifying to hear the professor say what I have tried to tell Matt for years on the radio, and that his dearly held positions are wrong, and play into the hands of forces that will destroy this great Republic if it continues. That is why I have taken to calling his brand of libertarianism Progressitarian, because they have become useful idiots for the Progressives.

Here are links to that entire show:

Hour One

Hour Two

Hour Three

Richard Bernier is busy as a bee editing video he took of the April Meeting of the Action Club in Asheville. Richard is co-host of Sound Off Buncombe, which airs on URTV.



Mike Fryar Campaign Website

I will be posting more as Richard posts...

Dogwoods in Cullowhee, NC

US Senate

Republican
$7,723,745 Senator Liddy Dole

none of her primary opponents are listed as having raised ANY money.

Democrat

$562,695 Kay Hagan
$214,705 Jim Neal



The Congressional races that concern me are the 5th, 10th, and 11th.

NC-05

Democrat

$25,637 Roy Carter

Republican

$490,509 Congresswoman Virginia Foxx

NC-10

Democrat

$123,975 Daniel Johnson
$19,552 Steve Ivester

Republican

$595,678 Congressman Patrick McHenry
$8,220 Lance Sigmon

NC-11

Democrat

$794,658 Congressman Heath Shuler

Republican

$187,865 Spence Campbell
$3,049 Carl Mumpower
$0 John Armor


Source: Open Secrets

We will find out in three more Tuesdays how well the primaries turn out, and then see if the trends developed in the primaries continue.

Marie has a new baby.

The GOP Candidates for the NC-11 Congressional seat debated on the radio today on Matt Mttan's "Take A Stand" Show, which airs on WWNC-AM 570.

It usually takes them a few days to put up the podcast, so here is the debate with the commercials edited out.

Download Hour One

Download Hour Two


Candidate websites

John Armor

Spence Campbell

Carl Mumpower

Interesting...Under The Dome notes an appearance by the former Governor at a Clinton Rally this past weekend.

NC Governor

34 Pat McCrory
25 Fred Smith
06 Bill Graham
05 Bob Orr
00 Elbie Powers

Oh God, please. Anybody but McCrory!!!



NC Lt Governor

12 Robert Pittenger
10 Greg Dority
09 Jim Snyder
03 Timothy Cook

Pittenger seems to me the only one who is serious about running.

US Senate

81 Liddy Dole
12 Pete Dilauro (who should be disqualified by his web page out the gate)

PRESS RELEASE

In a Monday editorial entitled "Road in Park Nothing But a Boondoggle," the Hendersonville Times-News attacked 11th District Republican candidate Carl Mumpower, a persistent proponent for completing the North Shore Road, for his insistence that the federal government follow-through on its original promise." It was the position of the editorial that "a handful of Swain County families want the road instead of having to take boats to some family cemeteries."

"The Editorial board of the Hendersonville Times-News seems to love tweaking the nose of Republicans - especially those of us who put principle above politics, party, or self-service," said Mumpower. "I find it interesting that a paper in Henderson County - owned, mind you, by the New York Times - would show such a strong interest in the affairs of Swain County. That was, until I realized that they support a team led by Senator Lamar Alexander, who is obviously supporting Tennessee's interests; his back-up quarterback Heath Shuler, supporting who-knows-whose interests; and environmentalists and National Park Service who, with their own interests in mind, never saw a piece of land they didn't want to claim."

"I am a fiscal conservative, and have a consistent voting record to prove it, but the value of your word supersedes that consideration," noted Mumpower. "The practical arguments offered in the Times-News article follow the same train of thought as those who find justification for sidestepping our promises to Veterans. What it amounts to is "sure we'll keep our word, but only as long as it's convenient."

"It may not be very politically smart to joust with folks who buy ink by the barrel - especially when they are preparing to hand out endorsements," said Mumpower. "But the Times-News editorial staff sometimes grabs headlines before they grab facts. It is easy for folks who do not live in or near Swain County to blow-off the promise to build the North Shore Road. The naysayers are not affected by the loss of jobs and opportunities that occurs when 80+ percent of your County is owned by the government - much less the loss of community identity that comes with that honor."

"Aside from indications that cost projections for building the road are inflated, it remains that the North Shore Road - and the resulting access to some of the most beautiful and pristine forests in region - have major potentials as an economic engine to uplift the people of Swain County and WNC," asserted Mumpower. "Much as Cades Cove and other roads through Tennessee have uplifted those communities."

"The proposed buy-out amounts to one-half of the annual budget for just one WNC city - Asheville - in a 'pennies-on-the-dollar' settlement with a small-down payment and a promise to pay later," said Mumpower. "And, I would add, that is a promise that's backed by the same government that's violated its word to the people of Swain County in the first place."

Mumpower concluded: "The real "Road to Nowhere" ends in Washington...and begins any other place that puts dollars, convenience, and politics before promise and principle. That includes, apparently, the doorstep of editorial staff of the Times-News." 80

Campaign Website

Commentary

On the issue of the North Shore Road, Mumpower has it right. The Hendersonville News-Times stands firmly on the side of the short-sighted, and money-hungry, Swain County Commissioners. I, for one, live outside Swain County, and am firmly FOR the North Shore Road, and will not vote for anyone opposed to it.

Here is a portion of the article from the Hendersonville News-Hater:

The "fiscal conservatives" running for the 11th Congressional District came up with an eye-popping proposal last week. They want to revive the Road to Nowhere, out of principle, not because it's needed or because anyone outside of Swain County wants it.

At a debate in Flat Rock on Thursday the candidates for the Republican nomination were asked what they thought of the project, which was first proposed in 1943 and meant to replace a highway flooded by the creation of the Fontana Dam. A handful of Swain County families want the road instead of having to take boats to get to some family cemeteries.

"That's a hard question," said Spence Campbell. "It's a hard question because it's two different issues for a conservative to deal with." The federal deficit is a crucial issue, he said, and adding $400 million to it is not what a fiscal conservative would want.

"On the other hand, the government made a promise in 1942 I think it was that they were going to build that road. They didn't do it. In this case I think the government's promise trumps what the county commission wants to do," by taking a cash settlement.

Campbell put the pricetag at $400 million. Trouble is, the price is actually nearly $600 million, according to the National Park Service.

"Honor your word," Mumpower said. "It's more than a road. It's an economic stimulus for Western North Carolina" similar to roads through the Smokies in East Tennessee. "We should build the road."

US Senate Race:

58 Undecided
28 Kay Hagan
07 Jim Neal (darling of the progressives)

NC Governor

41 Bev Perdue
31 Richard Moore

US President

54 Barack Obama
34 Hillary Clinton

The Civitas Institute had some GOP Numbers, but Matt Drudge linked to them and killed their website.[Archive Link]

45 Barack Obama
28 Undecided
27 Hillary Clinton

In potential matchups:

48 John McCain
39 Barack Obama

50 John McCain
37 Hillary Clinton

PRESS RELEASE


I know many of you received Walter Jones’ “push poll” this weekend. (At least he paid for it with his campaign, not your tax money the way he did those “constituent surveys” earlier in the year) I have no problem with the use of these types of polls, but I would like to give you the information you need to set the record straight when talking about the call to your Republican friends. Here are the facts in reference to the statements made in the poll and in his radio ads.



Claim: Taxes in Onslow County went up over 60% during my time on the Board of Commissioners.



Fact: The property tax rate went down in Onslow County while I was on the Board. I have no idea where the Jones folks came up with the 60% figure, except maybe property tax revenue. That means the amount of taxes collected. Over my 8 years on the Board, property values skyrocketed in Onslow as they did across the nation. Factor in new construction being added to the tax rolls and I would guess that is where they came up with the 60% number.



Jones Fact: Walter Jones twice voted to raise your taxes last year, breaking his American’s for Tax Reform pledge never to vote for a tax increase. That’s why Grover Norquist, President of American’s for Tax Reform has endorsed me and called Walter a “serial tax increaser”. Walter tries to say they weren’t “real tax increases”, but he was notified by ATR prior to voting for both bills that they contained tax increases and were violations of his pledge. He voted with the liberals in favor of them anyway.

I have signed the no tax increase pledge and I will stick to it.



Claim: The Jacksonville Daily News referred to me as “ethically challenged”.



Fact: That term was extracted from the Editorial Page of the Jacksonville Daily News, not an article. When you take strong stands, you will end up on the Editorial Page. You can expect to see me there for years to come.



Jones Fact: Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Ethical questions surround this new version of Walter Jones. Just look at his campaign report.



Walter Jones has taken money from radical anti-war activists, lobbyists, labor unions, shady payday lending companies, Indian tribes who run gambling casinos and even a former Democrat N.C. Secretary of State who is currently out campaigning with Bill Clinton in support of Hillary. And what about his spending?



Jones uses his campaign money to pay his almost $900 a month car payment. He also uses campaign money to pay his tab at the members only Capital Hill Club. He has even used campaign money at liquor stores. I ‘m sure Walter’s donors thought they were giving donations for yard signs and TV ads, not outrageous car payments and booze.



Claim: I had the worst attendance record of any member of the Onslow Board of Commissioners from 2006 to 2008.



Fact: Interesting how they used my 8 year term as a commissioner to factor in tax revenues, but only 2 years to factor in attendance. Yes, for those two years I did have more absences than any other member of the Board. I realized campaigning for Congress had to be my #1 priority and that is why I left my position on the Board of Commissioners.



Jones Fact: Walter Jones is the one who is “missing in action”. He refuses to attend Republican functions within the District and recently informed the Republican Party leadership that he would not be attending this year’s Third District Convention. This event is planned a year in advance and it is ridiculous to think that he has a schedule conflict. Walter Jones does not want to face Republicans because he no longer acts like a Republican.



Walter Jones is a desperate man. He is pulling out all the stops to maintain the family business: politics. My campaign is about returning a conservative to Washington who will represent your core values. With early voting beginning on Thursday, please help spread the word that there is a conservative choice for Congress and the choice is Joe McLaughlin.



See you on the campaign trail!

Joe

Quote of the Week: “Joe McLaughlin understands what it really means to support our troops. Supporting our troops does not just mean supporting them on the homefront. We must support their mission when they are at war.” Retired Major General Joe Rigby www.joeforcongress.com Citizens to Elect Joe McLaughlin 235 Rudolph Drive Beaufort, NC 28516

Danny Lack captured the moment on video:

Richard Bernier of Sound Off Buncombe is processing the video he shot Thursday of the NC-11 GOP Primary Congressional Debate.

I will place them in this post as he uploads them.

Dr. Carl Mumpower's Opening Statement

Here are some videos taken by Sound Off Buncombe of URTV at the recent April Meeting of Citizens for Change:

FLAT ROCK — The $600 million “Road to Nowhere” could be back if the Republicans running for the 11th congressional district have their way.

At a debate at Flat Rock today, Highlands attorney John Armor, retired Army Col. Spence Campbell of Hendersonville and Asheville City Councilman Carl Mumpower described the 34-mile road through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park as a broken promise. Campbell and Mumpower said it should be built.

Source: Hendersonville News-Times

At least the candidates understand the importance of the North Shore Road.

U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx says bloggers need protection.

The Banner Elk Republican is one of 34 cosponsors of the Blogger Protection Act, a bill that would protect bloggers from Federal Election Commission regulations.

Two years ago, the FEC ruled that bloggers' rights to free speech should not be overriden by campaign finance laws and that blogs should be treated like other publications.

--snip--

"We must not leave the First Amendment rights of bloggers in the hands of the Federal Election Commission," Foxx said in a statement. "Bloggers’ rights are too important to leave them to the whims of a panel of federal regulators."

Source: Under The Dome
Hat Tip: Boone Web

I hope this can be passed before an enemy to Free Speech gets elected into the White House, whether it be John Mccain, Barack Obama, or Hillary Clinton.

Kudos to Representative Foxx for being a co-sponsor of this bill!

Saturday Night: A chance of rain showers, mixing with snow after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Monday Night: A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.

Source: NWS

Here are a few photos I shot on the road yesterday to remind you during the upcoming cold spell that spring is indeed here...

Joe Dunn is a candidate for the Buncombe County Commission, and he spoke at Monday's Citizens for Change monthly meeting. Richard Bernier of Sound Off Buncombe, which airs on URTV was there to record his talk.

I have heard that Carl Mumpower has been vindicated by his stand on the Hendersonville Debate via an email:

Got word that the panel had made a mistake about signage, they were wrong & Mumpower stood on the facts.

I've asked for a comment from the Mumpower Campaign, and I'll update this post when I hear something official.



Previously:

Times-News Reports:
Mumpower Upset About Debate

This delightful read in from the Wild West:

On Asheville City Council’s agenda, under “New Business,” is the state’s 21st Century Transportation Committee Report. There is no verb attached, so I have no clue what council is expected to do with it.

Of particular interest in this pdf file of what looks like an eighth-generation Xerox copy, made all the more difficult to understand by bizarre syntax throughout; is a conversation about VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled) devices. These Orwellian transponders let government know where, when, and how you are driving.

Asheville City Council current agenda.
North Carolina 21st Century Transportation Committee Report. [pdf file]

Doesn't surprise me one bit. With these devices, you would be taxed to death, and the control freaks could adjust the tax rates on different roads, and then watch us change habits (without the trouble of installing cameras everywhere) like so many ants in an ant farm...that is except for the people who could afford higher taxes. These "super-empowered ants" would then be able to travel on the expensive roads, much like the Communist Party apparatchiks...with no peons in their way. Also, I wonder if they would be willing to push for these devices to be placed on the holy bicycles that travel Asheville?

I am working on getting a correspondent to make regular reports from the Asheville City Council meetings, so stay tuned...this could get interesting.

This just in from Under The Dome:

A Wake Superior Court judge today sentenced former Rep. Thomas Wright to 70 to 95 months in prison after his conviction on three felony counts of fraud.

Wright, who was taken away in handcuffs, was kicked out of the state House last month because of allegations that he used his political sway to obtain a bogus letter from a state official to get a $150,000 bank loan, Sarah Ovaska reports.

Wake prosecutors also accused him of pocketing three charitable contributions, totaling $8,900.

Video of the conviction and commentary by Wright's attorney.

Or so the progressive blogger at greenasheville says:

In your home County during this Primary season, there are very deserving Candidates who will get absolutely nothing from Jerry Meek's NCDP, nor from your County Democratic Party. Aren't these local Candidates, friends and neighbors who stuck their necks out to represent you, also worthy of financial support?

They dig deep to float their own Candidacy, while Jerry spends untold millions of Other People's Money floating fancy Dinners and expensive Staff salaries just to suck up all the gravy he can, building his New Age Progressive GLBT Democratic Party.

Just for fun, I dug through my files, and found some photos I took at the 2007 Vance Aycock Dinner at the Grove Park Inn last October, and made a slide show from the photos. I wonder if it would be worth it to go all the way to Raleigh and pay $25 to sit with the "riff-raff" and take pictures and video of the rich Democrats?

PRESS RELEASE

The Republican Party leadership has lost sight of its principles and become a party of cowards according to 11th District Republican Congressional Candidate Carl Mumpower. "I am ashamed of the self-serving agendas that have kidnapped my party and going forward I intend to challenge that betrayal at least as much as I challenge the Democrat's rush to socialism," said Mumpower in a Monday morning position statement.

"The extraordinary costs and precedence of the Bear Stearns corporate welfare bail out by the Fed was a final straw for me," said Mumpower. "My party has drifted on illegal immigration; further erosion of the Constitution by FISA; a 'made in China' economic stimulation plan; and a host of other actions that speak to convenience over principle." "The party of Lincoln is behaving like a party of lock-step partisan sheep."

"It is not too late to recapture America and the eroding Republican base that is heading for an exit sign marked Independent,", said Mumpower. "The only authentic difference between the major parties is found in Republican principles - small government, sanctity of life, and the 'American Success Equation" of liberty, opportunity, and responsibility. Unless these principles, along with those found in the Constitution, are supported with action, then they become meaningless. Only a party led by cowards would passively allow that to happen. I am not a coward at home and will not behave like one in Washington." 77


Those with an interest may review the following principles as posted on the National Republican Committee's website. Make your own assessment of the power of these principles and the failure to match words with action-

Republican Principles

I'm a Republican Because...

I BELIEVE the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person's dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored.

I BELIEVE in equal rights, equal justice and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age or disability.

I BELIEVE free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth and prosperity.

I BELIEVE government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn.

I BELIEVE the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations, and that the best government is that which governs least.

I BELIEVE the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people.

I BELIEVE Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times.

I BELIEVE Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom and human rights throughout the world.
FINALLY, I believe the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government. "

Campaign Website

Richard Bernier, of URTV's Sound Off Buncombe, has scored another candidate interview, this time with Paul Perdue, who is running for NC House #115. The second part will be released shortly.

cross posted on Thunder Pig:

After 18 months of battling his personal dinosaur, Paxten Andrew Mitchell passed at 7:28AM. I cannot find the words to express my feelings.... He fought throughout the night and morning. We love him so much and he will be sorely missed.

Source: Paxten Mitchell's Journal

My condolences go out to the family and friends of Paxten. You are in my prayers.
All I can say to the family of Paxten is that Paxten had an impact on the rest of us in the short time the LORD lent him to us, and you will see him again.



Previously:

Latest Cancer Treatment Fails Paxten

Paxten Mitchell Donation Fund

Paxten Mitchell and the City of Asheville

~Mumpower for Congress Committee~

Press Release

At a recent meeting of the Hendersonville County Republican Men’s Club, a member was heard chiding 11th District Republican Candidate for being ‘too principled’. Mumpower, in turn, offered, “I am a bit surprised that a man of evident character would speak against being principled, but I noted it as one of the strongest compliments he could have possibly offered.”

“We live in a culture where the selective application of values has become the norm – we even seem to expect it from our politicians,” said Mumpower. “On one hand we lament the lack of integrity in Congress, and on the other hand we view principled people as weak, impractical, and rigid.” “I’m willing to take the criticism for having principles that I stick by – I’ll leave the spin and pandering to other politicians who have practiced skill in manipulating voters. Scott Peck acclaimed author of The Road Less Traveled, used a phrase, ‘People of the Lie’, to describe our culture’s drift toward selective ethics.”


“I don’t expect everyone to agree with my values – fairness, a concern for others, and aiming, however imperfectly, for the right thing lead the way – but I am surprised at how many good people will encourage me to lay those values aside for practical or self-serving considerations.” “I intend to win or lose this election standing upright and be absolutely rigid in assuming a principled position – those looking for a chameleon should invest their vote elsewhere. If I cannot stand strong with supporters in WNC, then I certainly will not be able to stand strong in Washington.

76

Candidate Website

Paul Purdue is running for NC House #115, and has the beginnings of a website up and running, and will be adding more as time goes on.

I look forward to visiting his website to find out what is going on in his run for office. His opponent is Bruce Goforth.

Carl Mumpower plans to stay home. The Republican 11th Congressional District candidate recently got into an argument about rules for a debate in Flat Rock, which is scheduled for April 10. Mumpower voiced concerns about rules that were established to limit the size of promotional material at the event. The Times-News was forwarded a chain of emails between Mumpower and the moderator of the debate.

Source: Hendersonville Times-News

Commentary

I admit that my knowledge of the debates, but I believe if Dr. Mumpower doesn't participate, it'll be the first debate this cycle in which one of the three has not participated.

Also Free Republic has caught on to the story. Guess I should check my pings more often!

Guest Commentary

Yet Another Madison County & Boss Leake Scandal

By Ann Ryder


Wow! Did you notice how quickly the Asheville Citizen Times (ACT) took down the news item on their website regarding the federal indictment of the folks slated to design and build the proposed new jail for Madison County? Mail fraud and conspiracy to make illegal contributions to the governor of Mississippi. You can get the story at newsrecordandsentinel.com. ([Story] [Archived] TP)

The company, The Facility Group is headquartered in Georgia and I poked around a bit and conclude that they have a history of knowing how to do business with corrupt public officials. Is it a big surprise that our very own Gordon Myers sits on their board of directors? You can also checkout coastal viewpoint.com to see what I mean. I got the following from the blogster Monomorphic, 4/1/08:

“ When I worked there in the Marketing Department my cube was right next to Robert Moultrie’s [one of the indicted] office. It was always a running joke that money was being passes underhandedly in envelopes. Their Business Development people wine and dine political officials at every opportunity they get…especially political officials from small municipalities that don’t know any better and have their first really big project to build. There were a couple of instances where the VPs would tell me that public projects that hadn’t been bid yet were ‘in the bag’. And what about that $115 million jail out in Chatham that they pulled out from under the highest ranking firms? That was the shadiest project I’ve ever been involved in. Somehow even after the project was awarded to another firm they managed to get one last interview. At the interview they brought in the Sheriff and the selection committee asked him whom he wanted. He said TFG [The Facility Group] and the selection committee went with what he said. I always wondered if the Sheriff was bribed. It was quite the coup to get that project unawarded and steal it away from the higher ranked firm. Methinks there will be a very large magnifying glass over all the public projects The Facility Group has won over the years.”

A very brief glance at their campaign contributions shows generous donations from executives of the company, as well as employees. Two recipients jumped right out at me, Jim Hunt for $4,000, and Dennis Wicker for $2,000. It is my opinion, now that Larry Leake, Chair of the State Board of Elections, is involved, further gifts of this sort will not show up on the books.

Leake is also Boss of Madison County. He selects who has county/state jobs, who gets the desired zoning/building permits, what firms are awarded county projects…he decides everything that goes on in the county. I’m thinking that the feds are getting closer now, considering all the drugs and gambling stuff, the mental health fiasco, contract irregularities, voting fraud, etc., etc., etc. Who is the ultimate target(s)…hmm?

Is it any wonder that the ACT jerked this from their website? The Facility Group has done work for both Gannett and Ingle's (BIG advertiser and don’t forget that Gordon Myers is best buds with Bob Ingle). Thank goodness The News Record and Sentinel had already printed and distributed its newspaper, or we’d never have heard of this mess.

NC Right Stuff - right thing, right way
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Addended Leake story by Ann Ryder



A little addendum to the last entry re The Facility Group (Georgia-based company with principal executives under federal indictment for bribery and mail fraud in Mississippi -the company that has Gordon Myers (lottery) has a director - the company that Larry Leake selected to build the jail complex in Madison County).



Further research shows that Myers is registered as Lobbyist for The Facility Group. He is also lobbyist for Bromont Group, Inc., the Arizona firm that's developing the Village at Lake Norman, a huge project in Cornelius. It calls for a new interchange on I-77. Myers, a former DOT board member, no doubt knows how to get 'er done.

Checking into the Governor's role, if, hopefully not, any.


**********END OF COMMENTARY***********

RB suggested that it would be apropos to add a video of Judge Level speaking in Madison County, so here it is:

Bill Graham has been attracting national attention with his plan for dealing with Illegal Immigration. Part of which I have reproduced below:

1. No driver’s licenses for illegal aliens
2. Require Voter Identification Cards
3. No access to public benefit programs for illegal aliens
4. Employer Sanctions
5. Make English the official language of the State of North Carolina
6. End bilingual education in public schools in favor of English transition and immersion
7. Enhance the ability of local law enforcement to apprehend illegal aliens and enforce immigration laws
8. Outlaw Sanctuary City Status: Charlotte, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh, and Winston-Salem

This has been picked up by Redstate, Digger's Realm, NC Voice, Smith Files, and ALIPAC.

The sad thing is that all these measures are common sense. In today's "politically correct" world, these measures are almost considered a hate crime by lefties, globalists, and haters of America.

We need to keep the issue of Illegal Immigration, and the danger it poses to our nation front and center. And be ready for another celebration of the communist holiday by Illegal Aliens and Friends on May Day this year.

There is a libertarian running for North Carolina Governor. His name is Mike Munger and he wants your signature so that his name will appear on the ballot in November.


I used to sign every Libertarian and Green Party candidate's petitions for ballot access. I will still sign for Green Party access, but no longer will I sign a petition for Libertarians to have access to the ballot. Here's why: Idiot Ron Paul Supporters and a radio host named Matt Mittan [1] [2] [3] [4].

The first group is a collection of malcontents who are psychologically unable to build a coalition, and hold it together long enough to have a political party that can affect real change in our system. They cannot build a big tent of Liberty because, to put it bluntly, most of them are idiots who have no real knowledge of how to effect a political compromise. So, they try to takeover something they cannot build, like 19 hijackers who took over the controls of aircraft their society could never build. And the end result of their effort will be the same. They are bent on destruction, not construction. They have lost their chance to prove to the Republican Party that they are not sore losers by refusing to accept the nominee of their party...especially since he is closer to libertarianism than the other choices, Obama [an outright Marxist] and Hillary [a closet Marxist].

This is why I coined a new term for them, Progressitarians, because they are lefty libertarians. They claim they are for liberty, but their actions and the candidates they support on the local levels gives lie to their posturing.

Now, view the following video with a new perspective:

COUNTY NC NEWS -- is proud to sponsor "Operation Freebird." A community policing operation designed to locate and apprehend most wanted suspected violators of the North Carolina Sex Offender and Public Protection Registration Program. Currently, convicted sex offenders and persons convicted of certain offenses against minors who have failed to register (FTR) in accordance with NC General Statue Article 27A, are considered to have committed a Class F felony.

County NC News has cataloged North Carolina sex offenders and offenders convicted of certain crimes against minors, who have failed to register (FTR) by county of conviction. Additionally, we also have listed these convicted offenders by last known residence (LKA). To search your county simply click of the appropriate County link. Furthermore, this listing is still under construction, therefore, some Counties are currently unlisted.

We appreciate and encourage your participation in "Operation Freebird," and will be publishing an "Anonymous Tip" and will add a "Recognized Sponsors Link Page" in the future. Also, for web masters we will be providing a PHP widget of "Featured Offenders" to add to their site.

Finally, never attempt to apprehend or detain any of these wanted FTR offenders, call your local law enforcement agency at 911. Additionally, all persons wanted in this database are to the best of our knowledge, FTR as of the date posted and information provided by the NC Sex Offender and Public Protection Registry on the afore mention date. As always, individuals displayed herein are to be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Source: County NC News

I hope these guys focus on some of the Sex Offenders here in WNC that are running free.