Sunday, June 30, 2013

THE OBAMA ERA--Interesting Statistics!

Proud moment here for all socialists...








proud moment if you’re a socialist


why work when its free.

 
 
 
 socialism on the rise.......


& yet government expanded. Of course..... it takes more idiots to do the work of 1

who is going to pay for the food stamps, health care, illegal immigrants, and the rest of the free stuff ?


HOW CAN YOU HELP?


Share these statistics with at least two other people. 100 would be even better.

If it’s not killing a baby, why the serious consideration?

Posted on June 29, 2013


Abortion is murder.

Check it out:

So, according to Planned Parenthood, abortion is a constitutionally guaranteed right.

But the question still remains: WHY does no woman make the decision to have an abortion “lightly” if it isn’t something far more than Planned Parenthood asserts?

Why does Planned Parenthood offer plenty of sex ed and condoms, but no ultrasounds that might very well inform women of a human life in the womb?

The truth is, all women have the right to choose–but that choice comes when faced with the option of having sex outside of a relationship, such as marriage. The choice is a decision for moral and disciplined behavior, a decision which will ultimately display self-respect and self-worth.

Alexis McGill Johnson may say “no one is pro-abortion”, but she and Planned Parenthood fight for abortion rights day-in and day-out. Sure sounds pro-abortion: no one fights for years and years for a “right” that they are not “pro.”


All of the Planned Parenthood rhetoric advocates to keep abortion legal at any and all stages of pregnancy. Planned Parenthood claims concern for women, and yet promotes sexual activity, distributes contraceptives, then destroys the babies that may result from the natural consequence of unrestrained sexual activity.

VIDEO AND MORE: http://conservativebyte.com/2013/06/if-its-not-killing-a-baby-why-the-serious-consideration/#ixzz2XjdeTsKR

Gun-Rights Group Plans Nation’s First ‘Open Carry’ Run

Posted on 

This could be a lot of fun.


Check it out:

Running with scissors is generally considered a risky endeavor, but one group of Utah residents says running with a gun isn’t.

Organizers of the “Run 4 Guns” planned for this fall in Spanish Fork, Utah, are touting the event as the nation’s first open carry run.

The group is inviting runners to bring not only their tennis shoes and water bottles, but their gun holsters, as well.

Organizer Macgregor Whiting of Mapleton said the September 5K race, which was first reported by Salt Lake City Weekly, aims to celebrate Second Amendment rights and show that gun owners are responsible, normal people. In addition to the 3.1 mile race, they’ll have a half-mile “armed dash.”


Read more:  http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/06/30/utah-gun-rights-group-plans-open-carry-5k/?test=latestnews

Obama Readies US Marines to Assist in Egypt… But Wouldn’t Send US Marines to Benghazi

30 June 2013

The Obama Administration put the US Marines were on alert in southern Europe today as a precaution in advance of massive protests expected in Egypt.


But the Obama Administration wouldn’t send US Marines in Europe to assist the US Ambassador in Benghazi on 9-11.

Four Americans were killed in the Benghazi terrorist attacks on 9-11 including the US ambassador.

Four Americans were killed in the Benghazi terrorist attacks on 9-11 including the US ambassador.


CNN reported:

U.S. Marines stationed in southern Europe have been put on alert as a precaution in advance of expected large demonstrations and potential unrest in Egypt this weekend, CNN has learned.

About 200 combat capable Marines in Sigonella, Italy, and Moron, Spain, have been told to be ready to be airborne within 60 minutes of getting orders to deploy, according to two administration officials.

The units have several V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft that would carry troops and infantry weapons to Egypt to protect the U.S. Embassy and American government personnel and citizens if violence broke out against Americans.


Read more:  http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2013/06/obama-readies-us-marines-to-assist-in-egypt-but-wouldnt-send-marines-to-benghazi-on-9-11/

Independence Celebration Picnic July 6!


CCTA invites  you to an old fashinoned neighborhood celebration of our American Independence...


INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION PICNIC
Saturday, July 6, 2013--4:00 pm Until ?

HIGHLAND PARK CHRISTIAN CHURCH
905 Carolina Avenue, Trent Woods, NC
(take Trent Road to Highland Avenue, go 1 block and turn left on Park)

MENU
Hot Dogs and Hamburgers, with all the Trimmings!
Potato Salad, Macaroni Salad, Cole Slaw and Baked Beans
Assorted yummy sweets

CHILDERN'S GAMES WITH PRIZES
BB Gun Turkey Shoot, Watermelon Eating Contest and Egg Race

ADDITIONAL CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES

MUSIC
Tom's Tunes with Darlin' and Guest Singers

OTHER FUN STUFF
Senator Norman Sanderson and Representative Michael Speciale
and their families will be our guests.
Rep. Speciale will read the Declaration of Independence

PLEASE NOTE:
Tickets will be sold for meals and games with prizes.  All prices will be family friendly.

CALL FOR MORE INFO:  252-649-0525

Time is running out as World War III looms on the horizon

As detailed by well known Erwin W. Lutzer in his book “When a Nation Forgets God,” an unidentified Christian pastor shared a story with him of someone living in Germany during the Nazi takeover. The person sharing the story was a churchgoing Christian and a member of a small church located adjacent to railroad tracks.

Every Sunday morning, according to this eyewitness, the congregation could hear the whistle of the train in the distance, the noise of the wheels over the tracks, and as the train passed, the cries coming from inside the train. The cries were those of the Jews being transported to concentration camps, a process that occurred with regularity each Sunday morning during their worship service.



According to this eyewitness, week after week the whistle would blow and the church members dreaded the sounds they heard. The screams tormented them. So, what did they do? As the train approached and in anticipation of the screams from the Jews, herded like cattle into the train cars, the Christians sang louder to drown out the screams. Soon, they heard them no more.


The eyewitness ended his account by describing the torment of hearing the train whistle in his sleep, and pleaded for forgiveness for not only himself, but for all of those who called themselves Christians but did nothing to intervene.


Regardless of your faith or station in life, chances are great that you are exactly like that eyewitness, and equally, if not more accountable for the actions of our government today. What is coming is going to be far worse than the world has ever seen, and is going to blindside many. Don’t be one of them.


World War III is looming like the train whistle in the distance   A global war of unimaginable atrocities is being planned as I write this. It has been in the works for some time, yet few will want to read what I have written. Rather, most will instead choose to “sing louder” to drown out the screams of innocents, except this time, the screams will be too loud, too frequent, and too many.


The United States of America has been overtaken from within by a group of heartless and soulless individuals with designs on reshaping the world into a state of global governance. They are members of both political parties, and part of their plans include reshaping the Middle East at any cost, including the inevitable and incalculable cost of human life. Currently at the helm is Barack Hussein Obama, although his way was paved by the majority of his predecessors and elected officials of both parties.


He was purposely selected as the man for the job to insure that the inappropriately celebrated Arab Spring that swept North Africa and the Middle East was conducted as planned. It was a staged and orchestrated event by the globalists and those in power in the U.S. and elsewhere. Using your tax dollars and in your name, the United States has been providing funding and operational support to the groups toppling governments in favor of radical Islamic control. Such control is nothing but a necessary means to an end. While many correctly decry the brutality of Islam, few realize that is a tool of the globalists. They are not thinking big enough. The lie is bigger than you have been told   CONTINUED:  http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/56239?utm_source=CFP+Mailout&utm_campaign=bfcd19a9a0-Call_to_Champions&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d8f503f036-bfcd19a9a0-291132961

Inside Common Core: This Is Nothing New

JUNE 30, 2013

Roughly every 10 years, the federal government unveils a “new” plan to increase and further centralize control over the public schools, always in the name of standards. The latest scheme is called COMMON CORE, but this initiative is representative of an agenda that is as old as the Federal Department of Education itself.

WATCH THE VIDEO:  http://libertycrier.com/education/inside-common-core-this-is-nothing-new/?utm_source=The+Liberty+Crier&utm_campaign=1247d33fce-The_Liberty_Crier_Daily_News_6_30_2013&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_600843dec4-1247d33fce-284870777

Time to Chose: Government or God

Posted  on Tea Party Nation by David DeGerolamo on June 28, 2013

  Our country has now reached the final line in the sand. We have talked (and talked) about how our government has crossed lines in the past over specific issues. And we did nothing at each loss of our freedom to tyranny. At the success of each "nudge" by the government, it became even more emboldened to the point where we now find our president declaring that we must fund abortion regardless of our religious tenets concerning the sanctity of life.

We now have to decide if we will pay a tax to kill babies? We were never meant to be ruled by dictators and pretenders in DC (I no longer associate the good name of George Washington with our nation's capital). And make no mistake: being forced to murder babies is a heinous crime against humanity and our Judeo/Christian foundation.

We all knew that the time was coming when we would have to decide between morality and subservience to rulers. We never thought that the decision would be so clear. We must NEVER surrender our Liberty and our children's lives to men who have no honor. There is no gray area anymore. Standing up against the federal government is no longer treason to our country. Domestic enemies have usurped our freedom and it is time to stand. Period.

David DeGerolamo
 
OBAMA'S FINAL WORD: CATHOLICS MUST BUY/PROVIDE
COVERAGE FOR ABORTION DRUGS

The Department of Health and Human Services today released the final text of the final adjustments to the Obamacare regulation that requires virtually all health-care plans to provide cost-free coverage for sterilizations, contraceptives and abortion-inducing drugs.

Catholics and Evangelical Christians have objected to the regulation, arguing that it violates their First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion. The Catholic Church teaches that sterilization, contraception and abortion are all intrinsically immoral. Evangelical Christians believe that abortion takes an innocent human life and is thus wrong.

More...http://cnsnews.com/news/article/obamas-final-word-catholics-must-buyprovide-coverage-abortion-drugs

For Tillis and his donors, an interest in bills

Moments before the N.C. House began debating a contentious abortion-related bill last week, Speaker Thom Tillis exited for the campaign trail.


The leading Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate traveled to Charlotte for a campaign fundraiser where donors paid as much as $2,600 to meet him.

Tillis entered the race in May, vowing to stay focused on his job. But just weeks later, he finds himself pulled in competing directions and raising money from donors interested in legislation.

As a legislator, Tillis is prohibited under state law from raising money from lobbyists or companies and organizations with lobbyists during the lawmaking session.

The ban, however, doesn’t apply to federal candidates – meaning Tillis can solicit U.S. Senate campaign cash even as he influences major state legislation, such as a tax overhaul, the state budget and industry regulations. As speaker, Tillis sets the House agenda, deciding in large part which bills live and which die.

Running parallel to the campaign effort, a super PAC supporting Tillis’ candidacy, Grow NC Strong, is soliciting checks not subject to federal donation limits.

The Tillis campaign’s fundraising strategist, Jonathan Brooks of Macon Consulting, is also collecting money for the super PAC. Under federal rules, the two entities aren’t permitted to coordinate messages and strategy, but they can blend the fundraising operations, campaign attorney Roger Knight said.

Ahead of Sunday’s fundraising period deadline – the first for Tillis to show he is a viable candidate – the campaign put an emphasis on banking donors with three events last week in three cities over a three-day span. The events were hosted by more than 30 of the state’s most prominent Republican donors.

The Raleigh hosts included Bob Ingram, former chief executive of GlaxoSmithKline, John Kane, who developed North Hills, and builder John Coley.

The hosts for all three events combined to give an estimated $125,000, according to invitations. With a $250 minimum donation for the event, the total haul likely will total much more.

Interested in legislation

A number of the top donors are advocating for legislation this session. Royce Everette, a co-host for the Greenville event, is one the state’s largest consumer finance lenders. He helped direct $1.8 million for lobbying and campaign donations in an effort to convince lawmakers to approve legislation that increases profits for the industry, the Associated Press reported.

The fundraiser came days after the industry’s bill to raise loan interest rates and fees won legislative approval and Gov. Pat McCrory signed it into law.

Everette said his donation was not directly tied to the legislation, adding that he has supported Tillis for years. “If you have a person who you think is a good person, you try to support them,” Everette told the AP. “That’s the way it goes. Thom Tillis is a good person. Did he help us? Yes. So I support him.”

Everette’s mother, Gail Blanton, another lending industry executive, hosted a fundraiser for Tillis’ legislative campaign in 2011 that brought in $30,000, campaign finance reports show.

Even though federal fundraising during session is legal, Bob Phillips at Common Cause, a Raleigh nonprofit that advocates for diminishing the role of money in politics, said it looks bad for Tillis to raise money from people with an interest in state legislation.

“I’m not saying (Tillis) is leveraging his office for more money, but it creates a perception out there that some folks are getting an advantage,” he said.

Tillis was not available for comment. But his political consultant, Paul Shumaker, dismissed concerns about Tillis soliciting donors who have interests pending in the legislature.

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/06/29/2998621/for-tillis-and-his-donors-an-interest.html#emlnl=Politics#storylink=cpy

Saturday, June 29, 2013

LOOPHOLES MEAN AMNESTY BEFORE BORDER SECURITY

'Gang of 8' Senate bill contains many unreported exceptions.

There are significant unreported loopholes and exceptions in the immigration-reform bill that could allow illegal immigrants to achieve permanent status before the border security portions of the legislation are executed, WND has learned.

One of the key selling points repeatedly cited by the bill’s “Gang of Eight” sponsors has been that illegal aliens will not be eligible for permanency until after the border-security provisions of the legislation are implemented.


However, a WND review of the latest text of the bill, with the new Republican “border surge” amendment included, finds multiple possibilities for full immigration reform before the required border arrangements are in place.


Further, even the new border amendment leaves the possibility of gaps in the proposed pedestrian fence to be constructed along the border with Mexico.

The updated bill calls for over $40 billion in new border security provisions, including the stationing of 38,405 U.S. Border Patrol agents along the southern border as well as the construction of a 700-mile pedestrian fence along the 1,954 mile border.

The new Republican amendment to the bill contains a laundry list of new surveillance equipment to be installed, from cameras to seismic instruments, plus the construction of new integrated watch towers.

However, the bill contains language that would allow illegal aliens to achieve permanent status after 10 years before any or all of the new border security requirements are fulfilled.

The bill specifically states the Secretary shall permit registered provisional immigrants to apply for an adjustment to lawful permanent resident status” after 10 years following the bill’s passage if litigation or a force majeure have prevented the fulfillment of the border security requirements, the implementation of a work visa program or electronic exit system.

Further, illegal immigrants can receive permanent resident status if the border requirements, the work visa program or the new electronic exit system has been declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.


In one of many possible future scenarios, if claims are brought to district courts that tie up construction of the border fence, illegal aliens still can achieve permanent status after 10 years.

CONTINUED:  http://www.wnd.com/2013/06/loopholes-mean-amnesty-before-border-security/#oZy1Y1RvCkfMypWd.99

Friday, June 28, 2013

The American Way: the Common Core

Somewhere in Moscow’s international terminal, an American freedom fighter or domestic terrorist, his exact epitaph yet to be written by the federal powers-that-be, is hiding in between the Starbucks and duty free shop. Edward Snowden’s purported destination from Moscow is Ecuador, and whether he is able to live off-the-grid for the rest of his days (doubtful) or if he is found by the men in black, the ex-CIA employee’s resounding entrance into the public arena is simply the predictable sound of a twelve year old shoe dropping after being suspended in mid-air by paralysis at the federal level of government, a lack of political conviction, and public apathy and disinterest. The debate which surrounds the legality, morality, and consequences of the Patriot Act of 2001 is a serious conversation that Snowden’s shoe hitting the public floor has, perhaps, re-ignited. The new Wiki-Leaks flag-holder is a freedom fighter. He is a criminal. His revelations about the privacy that the American public do (or do not) enjoy are covered by the Constitution. Or they are not. The United States is a country that protects personal liberties. Or it is not. The actions of a 30 year old are helping to revive the fundamentally American practice of questioning, debating, and challenging legislation and policies that give the federal government more power than is intended by the people. Regrettably for Mr. Snowden, the awakening of the American people to the sound of the Patriot Act shoe falling may be twelve years too late–a reflection of the apathy and disinterest in political affairs that has become the new American way.

CONTINUED:  http://eaglerising.com/437/the-american-way-the-common-core/

Obama Spends $53M On Voter ID Cards In Kenya, But Voter ID in US is Racists

As President Obama and his family continue their tour of Africa, the White House put out a Fact Sheet entitled “U.S. Support for Strengthening Democratic Institutions, Rule of Law, and Human Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa.” One of the first items highlighted by the White House is a $53 million program in Kenya that helps young people ”obtain National identification cards, a prerequisite to voter registration.”


Civil society and independent media play a critical role in any vibrant democracy. Across sub-Saharan Africa, the United States supports efforts to ensure civil society organizations and independent media can organize, advocate, and raise awareness with governments and the private sector to improve political processes, transparency, and government performance. Examples include:

In Kenya, the $53 million Yes Youth Can program empowers nearly one million Kenyan youth to use their voices for advocacy in national and local policy-making, while also creating economic opportunities. In advance of Kenya’s March 2013 general elections, Yes Youth Can’s “My ID My Life” campaign helped 500,000 youth obtain National identification cards, a prerequisite to voter registration, and carried out a successful nationwide campaign with Kenyan civic organizations to elicit peace pledges from all presidential aspirants. [emphasis added]

Keep reading...http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/wh-touts-kenyan-program-obtain-national-id-cards-voter-registration_737990.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Ted Cruz Exposes Amnesty Bill: $5000 Penalty For Hiring Citizens Over Legalized Aliens

We can’t possibly expect our Senators to read a 1200 page bill before voting on it. Can we? Well Thank God Ted Cruz read it. Not only did Cruz read it but he schooled anyone who would listen from the Senate floor on Tuesday. Cruz found a loophole that actually penalizes an employer $5000 for hiring a citizen over a legalized alien. Seriously. You can’t make this stuff up. Senator Cruz was quoted as saying:


“I filed an amendment that would have corrected one of the most egregious aspects of the gang of eight bill as it intersects with Obamacare legislation, namely a penalty imposed on U.S. employers for hiring U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents. This bill says if an employer hires a citizen or a legal immigrant, the IRS can impose a $5,000 penalty on that employer. But if the employer instead hires someone with RPI status, that penalty will go away. That is utterly and completely indefensible.”

“Nobody in this body wants to see African-American unemployment go up. Nobody wants to see Hispanic unemployment go up, youth unemployment go up, union household unemployment go up, legal immigrant unemployment go up. Yet every one of those will happen if this Gang of Eight bill passes without fixing this problem. If that happens, all 100 members of the U.S. Senate will be accountable to our constituents for explaining why we voted to put a federal penalty on hiring U.S. citizens and hiring legal immigrants. I hope this body will choose to pass my amendment and fix this grave defect in the Gang of Eight legislation.”

It would be very interesting to know whose hand was responsible for slipping this into the bill but it surely won’t be the only surprise that comes from a 1200 page bill that has not been scrutinized by the majority of those who voted to pass it.


VIDEO AND MORE!  http://freedomoutpost.com/2013/06/ted-cruz-exposes-amnesty-bill-5000-penalty-for-hiring-citizens-over-legalized-aliens/#ixzz2XWN8yCs7

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Top Democrat Pushing For 'One Child Only' Population Control In America

One of the most foul things in China is the “one-child policy.” Initially enacted because China feared its population would outrun its resources, it’s led to infanticide, forced abortions and sterilizations, rampant corruption, and the disappearance of at least 100 million girls who would have been born but for the fact that their parents didn’t want their legal “one-child” to be female. Now, a Florida Democrat wants to bring Chinese ideas about population control to America.


Michael E. Arth, who ran for Florida governor in 2010, is now advocating for America to adopt its own one-child policy in order to fight what Arth sees as dangerously large population growth. In an interview with Vice, this Leftist visionary states his vision for America, one that values “the environment” more than he does human life:

CONTINUED:  http://www.mrconservative.com/2013/06/19857-top-democrat-pushing-for-one-child-population-control-in-america/


American Thinker: The Victims of Immigration Reform

June 27, 2013


The Victims of Immigration Reform

By Steve McCann

In virtually all recent polls the overriding concern facing the people of the United States is the moribund economy. Per the Rasmussen survey out of 15 issues 80% of all respondents listed the economy as the most important followed by: 2) health care, 3) job creation, 4) government ethics and corruption and, 5) government spending. The least important were: 1) war in Afghanistan, 2) environment, 3) energy, 4) national security and, 5) immigration. ()


Naturally the thrust of the administration and its allies in Congress is so-called "comprehensive" immigration reform, and for the Obama regime it is to impose by fiat onerous regulations on energy production and usage as a sop to the radical environmental movement. Both drastically and negatively impact the top issue on the list: the economy.

The American people, unlike those in the well-heeled bubble that is Washington D.C., have and are still experiencing under Barack Obama the worst period of economic growth since the Great Depression. Additionally, not since then have the American people experienced more difficulty in finding work.

There are fewer people employed today than there were seven years ago. By May of 2006, George W. Bush had coped with a recession already begun upon his assuming office in January of 2001, the devastation of September 11, 2001, and in September of 2005, the overwhelming economic impact of Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters. Despite those factors the unemployment rate was 4.6%, thanks to policies polar opposite to those pursued by Obama.


In May of 2006 144.0 million Americans were employed; in May of 2013 there are143.9 million. Yet in 2006, 228.4 million people were counted in the civilian noninstitutional population; in 2013, 245.4 -- or a growth in the working age population of 17 million with 100 thousand fewer jobs. Never, over any seven year period since the Great Depression era, has this nation experienced such a dramatic and devastating economic track record.

[For those determined to blame Bush for all of Obama's failures: in December of 2008, 143.3 million were employed as compared to 143.9 today after nearly four and half years of the Obama presidency.]

Into this landscape the Congress and the President propose to dump up to 20 million illegal immigrants into the labor force, thus allowing them to compete for whatever jobs are available. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the impact of undocumented immigrants on their statistics:

It is likely that both surveys [household and establishment] include at least some undocumented immigrants. Therefore, it is not possible to determine how many are counted in either survey.


Assuming there are 15 million illegal immigrants in the country and 80% (12 million) would be a net of of working age and that 20% of that group are currently counted in the BLS statistics, therefore, 9.6 million more people would be added to the published working age population -- if the current legislation is signed into law. The overall current working age population of 245.4 million would therefore increase to 255.0 potential job seekers available for 143.9 million jobs. (a shortfall of 111.1 million). Per the current method of calculating the unemployment rate the current published rate of 7.6% would immediately increase to 9.1%.

CONTINUED:  http://www.americanthinker.com/2013/06/the_victims_of_immigration_reform.html?utm_source=06-27-13&utm_campaign=AT+Newsletter+06-27-13&utm_medium=email#ixzz2XTUJXLa5

WATCHDOG REPORT FOR NEW BERN BOARD OF ALDERMEN

CCTA WATCHDOG REPORT FOR NEW BERN BOARD OF ALDERMEN
REGULAR MEETING OF 25 JUNE 2013

1. Meeting opened by Mayor Lee Wilson Bettis, Jr. Prayer assigned to Alderman Taylor who yielded to Pastor Loretta Williams. Pledge of Allegiance.

2. All Board members were present except for Alderman Bucher who arrived at7:25pm.

Alderman Bengel asked to change the agenda to accommodate the students from the Epiphany School of Global Studies. They were attending in support of Agenda item #6.

Agenda item # 6. Adopt Resolution to Designate and Appropriate the Bryan-Fordham Cemetery Located on Queen Street.

(Ward 1) In 2006, a group of sixth grade students from The Epiphany School of Global Studies initiated a project to restore the abandoned Bryan-Fordham Cemetery located on Queen Street. Under the leadership of their teacher, Cille Griffith, the group, self-named the Pepsi Cola Kids History Club, were involved with grant writing and funding raising, public presentations and soliciting funds. Thanks to the New Bern Preservation Foundation and the Swiss Bear Downtown Development, the "Kids" were able to raise enough funds to make the brick cemetery walls safer and restore the historical appearance of the cemetery. Over a five-year period, the students completed a major restoration of the cemetery. The resolution recognizes the students' efforts and contributions and also reflects that the City will assume control over the cemetery since all owners have either died or are unknown. Student participants were: Mary Kate Amerson, Chase Ballenger, Ian Chiles, Austin Ferreira, Morgan Gerdes, Zane James, John Mayo, Alex McCunn, Dana McLaughlin, Ford Parson, Kristin Peed, Madison Propst, Morgan Qualkinbush, Holly Radford, Zulay Romero, and Savannah Tart. Alderman Bengel remarked how this was another great representation of a public-private partnership and encouraged other schools and groups to participate in similar projects in the city.

Resolution passed unanimously.

Agenda item #3. Presentation from Muscular Dystrophy Association for the Fill-the-Boot Drive and Proclamation to New Bern Firefighters.

"Each year the New Bern Firefighters participate in the annual Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Fill-the-Boot Drive. Over a period of 11 years, they have raised over $85,850. Christine Bender, District Director, will be present to give a short presentation on the impact the New Bern Firefighters provide in helping the MDA reach their goals. A proclamation will also be read by the Mayor."

Agenda item #4. Presentation of Program for 4th of July Celebration 2013.

Thurman Hardison, Director of Parks and Recreation, outlined the events that are scheduled for the 2013 4th of July Celebration at Lawson Creek Park. Ratio Theatre Company will read the Declaration of Independence beginning at 5pm. From 6:30pm - 9pm the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) Band will perform. Mr. Hardison said it had to be booked one year in advance due to high demand and the city feels privileged to have secured the band for these festivities. Fireworks begin appx 9:15pm. There will be food vendors offering pizza, burgers, hotdogs and sweets. Feel free to bring lawn chairs, coolers (no alcohol or glass), and blankets. The City also prohibits pets, weapons, and personal fireworks of any kind. Bicycles are allowed but they must be walked once one enters the park. For more info call (252)639-2901 or 639-2902. Alderman Taylor has a question regarding boaters. SInce boaters are required to be in by 3pm, what happens if a boater does not come in at that time. The answer was that the boater must wait until after the fireworks show is over, at appx 10pm.

Agenda item #5. Presentation of Police Department's Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) Award.

"The Police Department was awarded an accreditation certificate on March 23, 2013 at the conference of Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Chief Toussaint Summers and Mary Trude, Accreditation Manager, will present the certificate." NBPD was first accredited in 2003.

Agenda item #7. Adopt Budget Ordinance for FY2013-14 Budget.

"A public hearing on the proposed budget was held at the June 11, 2013 Board meeting. Changes have been made to the proposed budget as outlined in the memo from Keith Fiaschetti." Passed unanimously. Alderman White remarked that if he had been present at the June 11th meeting when this came up, he would have voted to approve the budget then, despite the fact that there is always some work that can be done on it, he said. Mayor Bettis stated, "The City is doing excellent financially. A lot of it has to do with Keith (Finance Dir) and Mr. Epperson." Alderman Bengel thanked Keith for spending lots of time with her to explain her concerns with the budget and answer her questions as well as those of several citizens that had requests. Alderman Kinsey said he admired Keith for putting the city first and complimented his staff for their hard work.

Per Finance Dir Fiaschetti's memo, the changes are as follows:

Under the General Fund...

> Governing Board - increased Allies for Cherry Point's Tomorrow (ACT) (Acct #76102) budget from $4,123 to $14,200. This was offset by a reduction in the Contingency organization budget by $10,077.

> Fire Dept - Merged the Volunteers' organization budget of $43,560 into the Fire Dept, broken down into the following line item accounts: Salaries part-time $12,000 (acct #61151) plus related Fringe Benefits of $2,366; added a Fire Volunteers line item (acct #74954) with the balance of $29,194.

> Sanitation - Decreased the annual debt service $2,661 (accts #77101 & 77201). This was offset by an increase in the Contingency budget.

Under the Electric Fund...

> Debt Service - Increased annual debt service $60,331 to reflect the new Series 2013 revenue bond and revenue refunding bond loan amortization schedules. This was offset by a reduction in the COntingency organization budget.

Under the Water Fund...

> Water Distribution Maintenance - Reduced Kale Road Rent (acct #73115 from $81,798 to $40,899 to properly reflect the systems allocated share of rent. This was offset by a $40,899 reduction to the systems Revenues - Fund balance appropriated (acct #81310).

> Debt Service - Reduced annual debt service $28,845 to reflect the new Series 2013 revenue bond and revenue refunding bond loan amortization schedules. This was offset be a reduction in the systems Revenues - Fund balance appropriated (acct #81310).

Under the Sewer Fund...

> Collection System Maintenance - Increased Kale Road Rent (#73115) from $0 to $40,899 to properly fund the systems allocated share of rent. This was offset by an increase of the systems Revenues - Fund balance appropriated (acct #81310).

> Debt Service - Decreased annual Debt Service $349,958 to reflect the new Series 2013 revenue refunding bond loan amortization schedules. This was offset by a reduction of the systems Revenues - Fund balance appropriated (acct #81310).

Agenda item #8. Adopt Ordinance to Amend and Close Out the Highway 17 South Sewer Improvements Project.

"The Highway 17 South Sewer Improvements Project is complete. The total spending was $23,129 under budget. This amendment will close the project fund and adjust the budgets to the final activity totals."

Passed by unanimous vote.

Agenda item #9. Adopt Ordinance to Amend and Close Out the Neuse Boulevard Water Project.

"The Neuse Boulevard Water Project is complete according to the City Engineer", Jordan Hughes, "and all accounting is finished. This amendment closes out the project fund and adjusts the budget to the final activity totals. Unspent debt proceeds of $553,258 will be used to partially fund the Neuse Boulevard Phase II Water Project." Passed by unanimous vote.

Agenda item #10. Adopt Ordinance to Amend the Neuse Boulevard Phase II Water Project.

"The Neuse Boulevard Phase II Water Project was funded entirely with a transfer from the Water Systems fund balance. As indicated in the explanation for the previous item, there are unspent debt proceeds from Phase I of the project in the amount of $553,258. This budget amendment recognizes those proceeds and will reduce the amount of transfer made from the Water Fund balance." Passed by unanimous vote.

Agenda item #11. Adopt FY2012-13 Final Budget Ordinance Amendment.

"The Final Budget Ordinance Amendment allows for final budget revisions for FY2012-13 to ensure all projected expenditures have sufficient budget and to realign the revenues to equal the appropriations."

Passed by unanimous vote.

Agenda item #12. Adopt Resolution Closing Lee's Drive to Main Street and Main Street to West Street on June 29, 2013 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for United Missionary Baptist Church's End-of-School Event.

"(Ward 1) United Missionary Baptist Church will be hosting an out-of-school event on Saturday, June 29, 2013 and has requested Lee's Drive to Main Street and Main Street to West Street be closed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m."

Passed by unanimous vote.

Agenda item #13. Adopt Resolution Closing the 1900 Block of St. John Street from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. for the St. John Street Residents' 4th of JulyCelebration.

"(Ward 2) The residents of St. John Street will be holding a 4th of JulyCelebration and have requested the 1900 block of St. John Street between New Bern Avenue and McKinley Avenue be closed on July 4, 2013 from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m."

Passed by unanimous vote.

Agenda item #14. Adopt Resolution to Close Lawson Creek Park Boat Launch #2 on July 4, 2013 in support of the 4th of July Celebration at Lawson Creek Park.

"(Ward 3) The backside of Lawson Creek Park is hosting the 4th of July events. It is requested boat launch #2 be closed from 11 p.m. on July 3, 2013 to 11 p.m. onJuly 4, 2013. Boat launch #1 as well as the adjacent parking lot will be open from6 a.m. to 3 p.m." As Alderman Taylor brought up in the previous agenda item # 4, if your boat is not brought in by 3pm, you can wait until after the fireworks program. Alderman Outlaw asked to ensure that the proper signage would be posted to show alternate routes and to make the public aware of these closings; he was told "yes". Passed by unanimous vote.

Agenda item #15. Adopt Resolution Accepting 2012 CDBG NC Catalyst Grant and Authorizing the Mayor to Sign Grant Agreement and Funding Approval.

"(Wards 1, 2 and 4) The City has been selected to receive a 2012 CDBG NC Catalyst Grant in the amount of $500,000. The grant will be used to rehabilitate three owner-occupied dwellings, clear and reconstruct three owner-occupied dwellings, and install green infrastructure practices on Third Avenue and K Street. The funding includes $500,000 in grant funds, a $105,000 local commitment, and a $20,000 match from the Coastal Community Action's Single Family Rehab program. This resolution accepts the grant and authorizes the Mayor to sign associated documents."

From the CCA website, the SFA program..."The goal of the Single Family Rehabilitation Program (SFR) is to make a long-term positive impact on the state's stock of standard affordable housing by encouraging the comprehensive rehabilitation of existing, moderately-deteriorated owner-occupied units, occupied by households with one or more elderly and/or disabled fulltime household members or owner-occupied units with lead hazards and a child 6 years old or younger. The funds allow work to be completed on the homes which will bring them up to current code standards thus allowing residents to remain in their homes for a longer period of time. Applicants with household incomes below 80% of the area median income are eligible to apply. Renovation costs up to $56,000 may be completed on any one unit, depending on additional qualifying factors such as lead based paint in the unit. "

The point person for this was Mr. Mike Barnette from David & Associates. Ald Bengel asked if the dwelling at 817 N Craven was a rehab? Mr. Barnette did not know. She reminded that since it is in the Historic District it needed to be rehabbed in accordance with the HPC guidelines. Ald White asked how much money was being spent redoing and how much on demolishing and was the house at 936 Main St the big 2-story house? Mr. Barnette did not know. Mr. Barnette stated that New Bern was one of 14 receivers of this grant out of 64 applicants. Alderman Bengel asked if the local committment was from private source funding or city? City Mgr Epperson replied that there was a city match. When Alderman White asked how the 14 grant receivers were picked, Mr. Barnette told him that the amount of city committment figured signficantly in the awarding. Passed by unanimous vote. The other addresses that will be aided by this grant are 2203 Wake Ave, 1004 Colony Dr, 827 Clark Ave and 613 First Ave.

Agenda item #16. Adopt Resolution Approving and Adopting the Program Plans and Policies for the 2012/2013 CDBG Programs.

"(Wards 1, 2 and 4) Community Development Block Grant regulations require local governments to adopt certain plans and policies for its CDBG programs. The plans and policies are specific to the program year or, in the case of the Residential Anti-Displacement Plan and Relocation Assistance Plan, to the grant. In March of this year, a set of plans and policies were approved by the Board. Due to a need to amend the format to add a summary of the obstacles to affirmatively furthering Fair Housing and the procedure to resolve housing discrimination complaints, the attached set plans and procedures is updated to include the Recipient's Plan to Further Fair Housing." Alderman Outlaw asked for the official definition and clarification of the HUD Community Act of 1974 Section 104(d). Mr. Barnette explained that it meant that the city won't be left having displaced occupants as a result of executing the mission of the CDBG Programs. Passed by unanimous vote.

Agenda item #17. Approve Minutes.

Minutes from the May 28, 2013 board meeting were approved.

Agenda item #18. Appointment(s).

Alderman Bengel appointed Jerry Walter to the Historic Preservation Commission; reappointed Dorothea White to the Planning & Zoning Board; reappointed Kenneth (Kip) Peregoy to the Planning & Zoning Board; and, appointed Peter Adolph to fill the unexpired term of Phil Urich due to resignation.

Alderman Bucher appointed Pat Schibal (sp?) to the Historic Preservation Commission.

Alderman Outlaw reappointed Jeffrey Midgette, Barry Evans and Renee Murphy to the Board of Adjustments.

City Clerk Veronica Mattocks informed the board via memo regarding the following appointments to the Police Civil Service Board:

j) Alderman White is requested to nominate a replacement to fill Lois Jamison's term, which will expire on July 1, 2013;

k) Alderman Bengel is requested to nominate a replacement to fill Rodney Knowles' term which will expire on July 1, 2013; and

l) Alderman Kinsey is requested to nominate a replacement to fill Norman Smith's term, which will expire on July 1, 2013.

19. Attorney's Report. None

20. City Manager's Report. None

21. Announcements. Of the several announcements that were made, this reporter felt this to be the most important. Alderman Taylor requested Public Works Dir Mark Stephens to come to the podium. He asked him what was the meaning of the red flags his department staff left at the curb where a citizen would place their refuse. Mr. Stephens answered that it was his department's proactive effort for the purpose of educating residents who had those red flags posted at their curb as to what refuse was accepted by the city for pickup and what was not. He further explained that there was a check-off sheet on that flagged stake for staff to mark why the resident's refuse was not picked up. Alderman Taylor asked what were citizens to do about disposal of computers and televisions? Mr. Stephens stated they were to be taken to Monette's Grocery in James City. He said these regulations were outlined on the city's website.

22. Closed Session. Ald Bengel called for the closed session to discuss the suit that former alderman Robert Raynor brought against the city over this board's rescinding the 2003 healthcare ordinance that was available to elected officials who served 16 years or more.

23. Adjourned at 8:16pm.

Afterward, City Attorney Scott Davis announced the closed session pursuant to the appropriate NC Gen Statutes for: the Agenda item #22 matter, above; another attorney-client priviledge matter; and 2 potential acquisitions of property issues (could one be the downtown marina?!).

Mayor Bettis asked for the matters other than that of Mr. Raynor's lawsuit be handled first as he didn't have a dog in this fight with Raynor (this is not the first time he has made this remark). This reporter finds that interesting because Mayor Bettis was the prime instigator of rescinding the ordinance that Mr. Raynor is contesting (that the city would provide healthcare to elected officials after 16 years of service). In fact, it was the linchpin of the campaign platform of most members of this current board during the 2009 campaigns. However, at the time that issue was brought before this Board, Mr. Bettis had not yet been granted a vote in all matters before the board by the NC Gen Assembly; i.e., he was not allowed/did not register a vote on this matter. I wonder if the other Board members realized that they would stand alone in defense of their actions on this? A city source has informed me that this litigation by a Raleigh attorney has thus far cost the city appx $20,000.00. This is the 5th case that I know of during this administration wherein the taxpayers have needed to pay for an out-of-town attorney while we also pay the designated city attorney $203,364.00 per year: (Duke-Progress merger intervention: consultation for discussions with ElectriCities and case litigation at the FERC by firms Whitfield Russell and Duncan & Allen; Raleigh, NC attorneys/lobbyists Deans & Miner for Duke-Progress merger matters/electric rate matters at NC Gen Assembly; Raleigh, NC attorney to rep New Bern in Raynor v City of New Bern; and, Raleigh attorney for the Board of Adjustments special called meeting of June 3, 2013) equals at minimum $587,000.00 of taxpayer money.

Rhonda Taylor
CCTA Watchdog Reporter for NB Bd of Aldermen
New Bern, NC  Ward 6

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

A Nation Turning Into Hell

“For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.” –Isaiah 60:12


If it’s not this unconstitutional and godless administration advocating criminal activity in one form or another (Amnesty for illegals, IRS scandal, NSA spying, Benghazi, Obamacare, abortion, homosexuality, Fast and Furious,etc.),then they are funding the crime through taxpayer money.   Read that line again.

In some ways,it is not so much what the American people are sowing, but it is what they are letting this godless administration sow by force into a field they want everyone to harvest with them – like it or not. And if the American people are to stand back and allow this totalitarianism,then they are guilty of perpetuating this evil by refusing to stand against it.

Let me give you an analogy, taken from D.L. Moody’s book “Sowing and Reaping”:

One day,the master of Lukman,an Eastern fabulist,said to him,“Go into such a field,and sow barley.” Lukman sowed oats instead. At the time of harvest,his master went to the place and,seeing the green oats springing up,asked him:

“Did I not tell you to sow barley here? Why,then,have you sown oats?”   “Did I not tell you to sow barley here? Why,then,have you sown oats?”

He answered,“I sowed oats in the hope that barley would grow up.”

His master said,“What foolish idea is this? Have you ever heard of the like?”

Lukman replied,“You yourself are constantly sowing in the field of the world the seeds of evil,and yet expect to reap in the resurrection day the fruits of virtue. Therefore I thought,also,I might get barley by sowing oats.”

The master was abashed at the reply and set Lukman free.

Oh how history will repeat itself if we do not learn from it.

Past history

What has become of the monarchies and empires of the world? What brought ruin on Babylon? Her king and people would not obey God,and ruin came upon them. What has become of Greece and all her powers? She once ruled the world.

Look at the history of America. With an open Bible,our forefathers planted slavery;but judgment came at last. In the Civil War,there was not a family North or South that didn’t mourn over someone taken from them.

Take the case of France. It is said that in the 1700s,men were spending millions every year in France in the publication and distribution of infidel literature. What was the harvest? Has France not reaped? Mark the result:The Bible was suppressed. God was denied. Hell broke loose – more than a million people were beheaded,shot,or drowned between September 1792 and December 1795.

From that time, France had 13 revolutions in 80 years;and in the republic,there was an oveturn of power on an average of once every nine months. One-third of the births in Paris were illegitimate;10,000 newborn infants had been fished out at the outlet of the city sewers in a single year;the native population of France decreased;the percentage of suicides were greater in Paris than in any city in Christendom;and after the French Revolution,there were enough French men and women slaughtered in the streets of Paris in the various insurrections to average more than 2,500 each year!

Let’s take a look at present America and see if she is making the same mistakes that others failed to learn from:  VIDEO http://www.exposeobama.com/2013/06/26/a-nation-turning-into-hell/

Passage of the Amnesty Bill Will Spell the End of Our Republic

American Thinker--James Simpson
June 26, 2013

On Monday, June 24, 2013, the U.S. Senate passed a cloture motion (which ends debate) on the Schumer-Corker-Hoeven Amendment to the Gang of Eight's horrifying illegal alien amnesty bill - mislabeled "immigration reform."


The true purpose of this amnesty proposal is to capture future votes for the Democratic Party. Those who do not acknowledge that blatantly obvious fact either suffer from some debilitating mental illness or are working for the other side.

On rare occasions, even the Left admit the objective. Eliseo Medina, the honorary Chair of the Democratic Socialists of America, and International Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), said in 2008:

...If we reform the immigration laws, it puts 12 million people on the path to citizenship and eventually voters. Can you imagine if we have ...even two out of three, if we get 8 million new voters... we will create a governing coalition for the long term, not just for an election cycle.


The "governing coalition for the long term" refers of course to the "permanent progressive majority" Democrats have fantasized about for decades.

The number of illegals in this country is repeatedly cited as 11 million. This is almost certainly an underestimate. In reality the number is 20 to 30 million or more, according to a 2007 study in Social Contract. Bear Stearns estimated about 20 million in 2005. When amnesty passed in 1986, official estimates were 1.2 million illegals. There were actually 2.7 million - more than double. Within ten years, INS estimated the illegal population had grown to 10 million. It is delusional to believe the number has only increased by another 1 million in the 17 years since. Furthermore, when amnesty passes, the newly-legal aliens will invite their relatives to come, further inflating that number through chain migration.

Herein lies the real reason Democrats are slavering for this amnesty bill to pass and are tickling themselves pink that there are Republicans stupid and gullible, (or corrupt) enough to help them realize their dream. And make no mistake, an increase of 30 million in the Democrat Party voter base will guarantee Democrat majorities in the U.S. House, Senate and Presidency for the foreseeable future.

Despite the impossibly bizarre belief by some Republicans that amnesty will make illegals "like us," a high level Congressional source recently acknowledged to me that passage of this bill will spell the end of our Republic and that we literally have only weeks to stop it. Despite House Speaker John Boehner's somewhat ambiguous assurances, this bill is likely to get a vote in the House.

The original Gang-of-Eight bill was really bad, as became readily apparent quite quickly. The overtly fraudulent Schumer-Corker-Hoeven Amendment was offered as a fig leaf to reassure fools that the original bill -- which already promised in-and-of-itself to enhance border security - would actually enhance border security. But in reality it makes things worse. The amendment:
  • Legitimizes illegal immigration: Section 2302 says if you overstay your visa in the future you can still apply for a green card and become a citizen. It is permanent lawlessness... They cannot do that legally under current law!
  • Has no requirement to deploy technologies: The Corker amendment would give the Secretary of Homeland Security full discretion as to how technology would be deployed, or whether it would be deployed at all.
  • Has no fencing requirement: Similarly, building a fence is left to the discretion of DHS. (Note: since a fencing law, with money attached, passed years ago, and has been blithely ignored by the Obama administration, the amendment simply codifies Obama's open defiance of current law.)
  • Increases fees on visas for legal immigrants, but keeps the same low fees and fines for those applying for amnesty - favoring illegal over legal immigrants.
  • Under the Schumer-Corker-Hoeven amendment, the American taxpayers are on the hook for $38 billion. (The Gang-of-Eight claims the bill is fully funded by immigrant fees).
  • Delays promised hiring of 20,000 new Border Patrol agents until somewhere between 2017 and 2021.
Read more: http://www.americanthinker.com/2013/06/passage_of_the_amnesty_bill_will_spell_the_end_of_our_republic.html?utm_source=06-26-13&utm_campaign=AT+Newsletter+06-26-13&utm_medium=email#ixzz2XM1u8MvE

Morning Bell: Things That Will Cost More Under Obama's Climate Change Plan

Things That Will Cost More Under Obama's Climate Change Plan


06/26/2013

President Obama doesn’t “have time for a meeting of the flat-Earth society.” And he probably considers you a member if you disagree with him on his crushing regulatory approach to climate change.

The heck of it is, the policies he advocates actually would not help the Earth.

Before Obama’s speech yesterday, Heritage’s Herbert and Joyce Morgan Fellow, Nicolas Loris, explained the President’s dilemma:

But let’s pretend we were able to stop emitting all carbon immediately. Forget the electricity to cool our homes in the summer months. Shut down the power plants. Stop driving our cars. No talking. The Science and Public Policy Institute found that the global temperature would decrease by 0.17 degrees Celsius—by 2100. These regulations are all pain no gain.   That’s what President Obama’s climate change plan would not do.

What President Obama’s climate change plan would do: increase the price of just about everything.

Whether it’s regulating appliances or eliminating coal from the nation’s energy diet, Obama’s plan has the same effect: hiking the cost of living.

Think through your day. Everything you buy, everything you eat, everything you wear… it was all produced using energy. Just a few of the things that will be more expensive under Obama’s plan:
  • Heating and cooling your home
  • Buying a car and driving—from your work commute to soccer practice and everywhere in between
  • Turning on the lights
  • Washing and drying clothes
But that’s not all. Think even bigger. What will it mean for President Obama’s war on coal to hike natural gas prices by 42 percent?
  CONTINUED:  http://blog.heritage.org/2013/06/26/morning-bell-things-that-will-cost-more-under-obamas-climate-change-plan/?roi=echo3-16080468091-13384451-db895401c1c05b8db1e32ef9be98d9b2&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Morning%2BBell

NSA Has Been Blackmailing Supreme Court Judges, Congress

NSA has been blackmailing Supreme Court judges, members of Congress...

http://ncrenegade.com/editorial/nsa-has-been-blackmailing-supreme-c...
p://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKyIil9OdF4

(NaturalNews) Ten days ago, I publicly stated my belief that the NSA had used its spy apparatus to gather dirt on Supreme Court Justice John Roberts, then used that leverage to force him to change his vote on Obamacare. See the original article here.

Five days later, I also predicted the NSA was using its spy powers to surveil members of Congress and the U.S. Senate. In an article published on June 16, 2013, I wrote, "There could already be countless cases of the NSA using its god-like powers to blackmail people in key positions in the U.S. Senate (which is full of pedophiles and perverts), the House of Representatives, the State Department or even the US Supreme Court. There are virtually no limits to the abuses of this power."

Suddenly, new revelations prove this to be true. Russ Tice, a Bush-era NSA analyst-turned-whistleblower has sounded the alarm on the true depth of the NSA's surveillance abuses. In an interview on the Boiling Frogs Podcast, Tice stated:

They went after -- and I know this because I had my hands literally on the paperwork for these sort of things -- they went after high-ranking military officers; they went after members of Congress, both Senate and the House, especially on the intelligence committees and on the armed services committees and some of the -- and judicial...   CONTINUED:  http://americac2c.com/profiles/blogs/nsa-has-been-blackmailing-supreme-court-judges-congress?xg_source=msg_mes_network

HOLD ON, DOMA WASN’T TOTALLY THROWN OUT:

HERE’S THE PROVISION THAT COULD LEAD TO ANOTHER GAY MARRIAGE BATTLE

  The Supreme Court’s historic rulings on gay marriage have people on both sides of the debate responding strongly. As TheBlaze previously reported, the majority of justices struck down a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) this morning — and subsequently also threw out the contentious Prop 8 appeal (read that decision here). As for DOMA, there may be some confusion surrounding what, exactly, was included in the original 1996 law and which parts of the legislation that was signed into law by Democratic President Bill Clinton have been axed.   To begin, the portion of the DOMA law that was ruled against in United States v. Windsor is a provision that denies benefits to legally-married gay couples. Same-sex couples, under federal law, will now, as a result of the ruling, be considered “married.” But before today, under Sec. 7 of the law, marriage was explicitly confined to unions between men and women.   CONTINUED:  http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/06/26/hold-on-doma-wasnt-totally-thrown-out-heres-the-provision-that-could-lead-to-another-gay-marriage-battle/

STOP IMMIGRATION REFORM NOW--Join us for the March on Washington July 15th


STOP IMMIGRATION REFORM NOW

Say 'No' to Amnesty

Join us for the March on Washington July 15th

Stop the Gang of 8 Amnesty Bill

Show opposition to the bill that will put millions of Americans out of work!

Join the Black American Leadership Alliance & Other Concerned American Citizens

Monday, July 15, 2013--March to the Capitol

Meet at 9:30 AM at Freedom Plaza in Washington, DC

Please come to support American workers and join us for speakers, music and more!

Freedom Plaza is located between 13th and 14th Streets, NW on Pennsylvania Avenue and is accessible by Metro: Metro Center (Red line), Federal Triangle (Orange and Blue lines) and McPherson Square (Orange and Blue lines).

For transportation, more information and to sign up visit us online at:

www.DCmarchforjobs.com or 202.349.0858

In Florida please contact Bill Landes for more information at 863-661-8255

FEMA Flood Maps and Insurance Premiums

Please go to and add your name to the Petition from Senator Cruz at: securebordersnow.com 

Dear CCTA Members and Friends,


I know we've all been working hard (and will continue to work hard next week) to try to stop the Immigration (Amnesty) Bill, and that's hugely important.


However, those of us who are homeownefrs in eastern North Carolina are about to be harmed by something FEMA has trumped up, and it's happening fast.


I emailed the Letter to the Editor printed below to the Sun Journal a few minutes ago. I am also mailing letters to Walter Jones, Richard Burr, and Kay Hagan asking for their help with this problem. I plan to follow up with phone calls to them next week. (I'll also make calls re "close the borders/no amnesty talk until it's done.")

If you can fit it in, please ask Jones, Burr, and Hagan for their help with this FEMA problem, too.

The Immigration (Amnesty) Bill will ruin our country.  FEMA's dastardly deeds will empty out our checkbooks. Both are awful !!!


We need to work hard. We've gotten into dangerous territory and need to work our way out.


Sincerely,
Raynor


To the Editor:


If something is not done quickly, homeowners in Craven County and all of eastern North Carolina will be hit hard by much higher flood insurance premiums, and a huge number of houses will be newly considered to be in a flood plane.

How can this be? Has the sea level risen significantly?


No it has not, but FEMA is basing its new flood plane maps on the assumption that the level of the sea has risen, or will rise, by 39 inches! Some scientists agree that the level of the sea is rising and could rise by that much in the foreseeable future. Many other scientists say this is poppycock.


Okay, let's just say it's a theory. It may be true, or it may not, but I can't see the water rising from my home, can you? Why doesn't everyone just stay calm and figure this out over time? That makes sense, doesn't it?


Well, that's not what's happening. FEMA is asking North Carolina counties (it'll be Craven County's turn soon) to sign off on the new flood maps for their area. If the county does not approve it, there will be no FEMA money for the county in the event of a hurricane or other flood event. As you can imagine, county commissioners feel caught between a rock and a hard place. Unless they agree, there'll be no FEMA money, but if they agree, flood insurance premiums for homeowners in these newly declared " flood prone areas" will go up - way up. Most (virtually all) lenders require flood insurance in order to get a mortgage, or for an existing mortgage to stay in good standing, in these areas.


As a result, many homeowners will not be able to afford the insurance, and will be in danger of having their mortgage in default. If they try to sell their homes, potential buyers are apt to take one look at the situation and run for the hills (literally). Pending sales have already fallen through in beach areas for this reason.


Can anything be done?


Obviously the U.S. Congress could override FEMA via legislation. Our member of the U.S. House of Representatives and our two North Carolina senators could come to our aid in this regard. There are committees in each body that could be asked to help craft a way to stop implementation until the facts can be sorted out. There's the House Natural Resources Committee, and in the Senate, there are the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Do you think it would be a good idea to ask our Representative and our Senators to get cracking on this? I surely do. Unless they do, a large number of us are going to find ourselves in very dire straights, and it will happen quickly. Please, join me in trying to prevent it.


Very truly yours,
Raynor James
New Bern, NC