We will hopefully have some reports later regarding some of the meetings last night. Stay tuned for that, but you may in the meantime come up with your own conclusion as always below on our open lines!
In the state level, drama unfolded in our house legislature, the end result being it looks like for a referendum vote on the May 2012 ballots regarding marriage in North Carolina. The House and Senate came to agreement about the amendment language. The two sentences now read: “Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state. This section does not prohibit a private party from entering into contracts with another private party; nor does this section prohibit courts from adjudicating the rights of private parties pursuant to such contracts.” If all goes as planned, in May 2012, voters will be asked if they agree or disagree to modify our state constitution to add the above text.
No public comment was allowed in today’s session by chairman Tim Moor, prompting demonstrations outside. Representative Glenn Bradly (R) (Franklin, Nash and Halifax counties) introduced his own amendment to the bill, that would end state licenses of marriage and return that function to the church. The amendment failed 43-71. Bradly ended up walking out before voting on the final alteration of the bill. He personally opposed the bill, however made a statement that he would vote the will of his people and voted for the bill, then “walked out in disgust”. However he did not realize they would do another reading of the bill and have another vote. He said, “So disgusted @ sanctioning blasphemy I left after the 2nd vote before I knew outcome. Forgot about 3rd reading. Seems they had it without me.” Bradly is listed as “Not Voting” on the official tally. Bradly said “I’ve never been more ashamed of my party or this body than I am today.” Local representative Crawford (D) voted in favor of the bill.
As of this writing, the Senate is now debating on the legislature, and yes it’s nearly 8pm as I write this. In a late session, Chapel Hill town council passes resolution unanimously opposing the marriage amendment.
Monday night, CNN hosted a live debate aptly named the Tea Party Debate . As of this writing they’re just giving introductions, and I notice Mr. Perry is beside Mr. Paul, and I just realized that both of them are from Texas. With them working in the same state, I’m curious how their dynamics are in their own state, much less in the national area. Blitzer promised at the beginning to give equal time to all attendees. We’ll see the stats and talking points on the debate tomorrow. Right now Blitzer and Romney are picking on Perry on his flip flop on dismantling Social Security 6 months ago, yet today announcing that Social Security should definitely be there for citizens when it’s their time. It seems to be the Perry and Romney show again. They really hounded on Perry regarding his executive order regarding mandating HPV vaccinne for young girls, especially Bachman, mother of 3 children who called him out regarding possible bribes from Merk, manufacturer of the vaccine. Blitzer completely skipped Paul regarding a question of auditing the fed. You know, the person who actually wrote the bill to audit the fed, didn’t get the chance to comment.
Obamacare is a popular keyword by candidates as something that must be repealed. But I find it extremely hateful for those who cheered and shouted yes at the question of should a man with no insurance having a stroke be left to die. Lots of boos for Perry when he reiterated his stance in Texas that illegal immigrants in receive in state tuition rates for colleges. Surprised Gingrich noted Egypt as a threat to our security. Cheers and boos alike for Paul who said the whole Muslim world doesn’t hate us for our freedoms like Santorum implied.
In the meantime, welcome to today’s open lines!
correction…Bachmann is the mother of 5 children and fostered 23 children.
Why would you be surprised about Newt Gingrich’s concern about Egypt?
Didn’t you hear our’s and Israel’s embassies there were attacked?
Things in Egypt are not turning out as the administration and others said..
nNo surprise there.
in Libya, rebel forces are being criticized by Human Rights groups for killing people indiscriminately and “improperly”.
a mass grave was found where the victims were found with their hands bound.
The administration has put our support behind people we know nothing about.
Ah, I thought I heard Blitzer say she was a mother of 3, I must have misheard, or he said it wrong.
I’m surprised at Gingrich because its something the news media isn’t discussing. I agree there is a major problem in Egypt there and I don’t think the public realizes what’s happening. Since Mubarak has been removed and the military has taken over from the police, the military has arrested 12,000 civilians, and are holding them to military tribunals. The government is kicking out journalists, not just individuals, but entire staff offices for technically not having a license. The issue is the government revoked their license and will not issue a new one. The same kinds of things that were happening before, and happening in other places like Iran. But since the US public thinks so highly of Egypt’s tourism and old culture, they’re not believing it. So I was surprised it’s something Gingrich knows about I guess is what I’m saying.
Libya is in a terrible place right now. Both government and rebel sides are doing terrible things, or at least accused of it. Both sides say the other did such and such, and provides proof, while the other makes a statement denouncing it. If we’re going to pay attention to Libya, we also need to pay attention to other places just as bad if not worse as well. Syria, Somolia, North Korea etc etc. But when the US sends ground troops to Libya and not to the other nations in turmoil, it greatly reinforces suspicions of the reasoning behind the Iraq invasion.
For the record, the US has done terrible things here and there as well, and just like the above, the citizens of those places provide proof of atrocities, yet the US makes a statement denouncing it and the public never thinks twice.
Phil…Bachmann IS the mother of 3 daughters…(and 2 sons)
that’s what might have caused some confusion.
The 3 daughters was mentioned because of the HPV vacinations context…
We were told we would not have “boots on the ground” in Libya..
which has turned out not to be true.
Newt Gingrich is usually “up” on what’s happening here, and around the world.
even if you don’t support him, his web site is informative.
There are major problems in Egypt and Libya, which should have been expected.
I agree that things are bad in Syria…it’s a dangerous situation there, especially with Hizbollah there…
also the never ending saga of Somalia and North Korea…where human rights abuses are terrible.
I’d also agree that the US is not always blameless, but I’m also aware that some will do anything to foment anti-American feelings.
Not only do other countries get mixed signals from the US government…
Americans do, too.
IMHO we’re too entangled in other countries’ business.