NC: The numbers tell an interesting tale - Amendment One

There are folks on the anti-gay conservative side touting "61 percent of North Carolinians" voted for Amendment One.

But that's an inaccurate statement. Check this out:

Voter turnout was only 34% of registered voters (6,296,759 total voters participated). Sixty-six percent of registered voters did not participate.

The number of "yes" votes for the amendment only comes to 20.7% of all registered voters. This did account for 61% of those voting, but not 61% of all North Carolinians.

Repeat - only 20% of all registered voters in North Carolina were able to act as a "majority" yesterday in North Carolina.

The next time you think about voting, consider that fact.

See the full set of numbers here.

President Bartlet on "cherry-picking" from the Bible

On this day after North Carolina voted to write discrimination into their state constitution based, in great part, on "cherry-picking" from the Bible, I felt a need to clear my palate.

Thanks to Martin Sheen's brilliant delivery, and to Aaron Sorkin for the always "direct to the heart of the matter" language.

Nazis celebrate North Carolina passing Amendment One

The neo-Nazi group World-Wide White Pride today celebrated the passage of Amendment One by posting a Fox News story and photo showing the bill's backers as they triumphantly shared a lavish wedding cake.

Because gay people don't deserve civil rights OR cake.
(via JMG)

North Carolina passes Amendment One, writes discrimination into state constitution

North Carolina has voted to constitutionally prohibit any domestic union other than a marriage between a man and a woman, the AP reports.

In doing so, voters have also banned civil unions and stripped same-sex couples of domestic partnership benefits. Voters have eliminated health care, prescription drug coverage and other benefits for public employees and children receiving benefits through domestic partnerships.

ABC News:

With a little over 43 percent of precincts reporting, support for the amendment was strong- with about 61 percent of North Carolina voters casting their ballots in favor of the amendment, and roughly 39 percent voting against it.

North Carolina is now the 30th state with a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

(source)

Sarah supports Amendment One

Please stop and listen to this.  OMG - THIS is who is voting gay families' rights away!

I love that she's a "good christian" but she can't answer why God's son Jesus Christ never said a word about homosexuality...  It's fabulous.

People - this is what the "majority" is in North Carolina taking away the rights of gay and lesbian families.  I don't mean to laugh but it's gotten to the point of being laughable.

The rights of the minority should never be put to the vote of the majority.  Ask the black community if they think the Civil Rights Act of 1964 would have passed if put to a popular vote in the 60s.

Sad day for North Carolina and sadder for the LGBT community.  Please note that folks like "Sarah" are taking away the rights of others.  Her life will continue on unchanged tomorrow, but LGBT families across North Carolina will be changed for the worse.

Thanks to the Brad & Britt Show for the clip.  You guys rock.

From the 05/07/12 Brad & Britt Show:

The Brad & Britt Show NOW airs afternoons 3-6 on The Triad's News Radio AM 600 WSJS (streaming at WSJS.com) and 3-7 on Talk Radio 850 WPTF (streaming at http://wptf.com/listenlive850AM.html) Also available via the TuneIn app (http://tunein.com) Podcasts: http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/brad-britt-show/id397558929

(via JMG)

NC: Dr. William J. Barber rebukes the media for asking the wrong questions about Amendment One

In a press conference held in Greensboro, North Carolina, clergy from around the state gathered together to pray for the wisdom of it's citizens regarding the May 8th vote on Amendment One.

In that conference, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber took the time to rebuke the media for asking the wrong questions regarding the amendment.

Voting happens today in North Carolina. Polls show the anti-gay Amendment One passing. But polls also show that when the law is explained to people they oppose it.

If you live in North Carolina or know folks there, please vote AGAINST Amendment One or tell people you know there to make sure they know exactly what the law will do.

Thank you Dr. Barber for your words and clarity here.

Thank you Dr. Barber for being the kind of leader this country needs.

NC: Final ad opposing anti-gay Amendment One

Rise Up Against Amendment One

From the YouTube page: A chorus of voices have arisen over the past few months to warn North Carolinians of the harms of Amendment One.

Watch this video, share it, and vote AGAINST Amendment One on Tuesday, May 8th.

Polls aren't looking good. When people understand exactly what the amendment does more oppose it than support it, but not enough folks seem to know all the facts. Ugh.

NC: President Clinton speaks out against Amendment 1

The full message, via Coalition to Protect NC Families:

"Hello, this is President Bill Clinton. I'm calling to urge you to vote against Amendment One on Tuesday May 8. If it passes, it won't change North Carolina's law on marriage. What it will change is North Carolina's ability to keep good businesses, attract new jobs, and attract and keep talented entrepreneurs. If it passes, your ability to keep those businesses, get those jobs, and get those talented entrepreneurs will be weakened. And losing even one job to Amendment One is too big of a risk."

"It's passage will also take away health insurance from children and could even take away domestic violence protections from women."

"So the real effect of the law is not to keep the traditional definition of marriage, you've already done that. The real effect of the law will be to hurt families and drive away jobs. North Carolina can do better. Again, this is Bill Clinton asking you to please vote against Amendment One. Thanks."

Crossing my fingers this isn't coming too late. The polls show an uphill climb for the good guys here. But I'm still thinking good thoughts.

NC: Woman charged with contributing to delinquency of a minor and stealing signs

A woman in Moore County, North Carolina, has been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and removing three lawfully placed political signs after she was seen last month removing signs against a Amendment One in North Carolina.

Heidi Thompson, 44, of West End, was arrested Wednesday, after a motorist reported seeing a woman and her daughter pulling up the signs April 18 on Morganton Road in front of the Country Club of North Carolina.

Thompson said Thursday that she was driving home after picking up her 13-year-old daughter from school and removed them after signs supporting the marriage measure had disappeared from her yard at least two dozen times.

"I didn't feel like I was stealing signs at the time," she said. "I just looked at it as picking up trash along the side of the road."

"I know it's making me look like a bad parent, but we've taught that it's not right for men to be married to men and women to be married to women, so we stopped and picked them up," Thompson said. "Had I known it would be such a political issue, I wouldn't have done it."

Pinehurst Police Chief Earl Phipps said the delinquency of a minor charge was the result of Thompson's daughter, who was not charged, removing signs at the direction of her mother.
(source)

NC: Chelsea Clinton opposes Amendment One

"I believe that everyone must stand up for what is right, whenever possible, wherever possible. I also believe that when the civil rights of any one American or group of Americans in one place are questioned, all Americans, everywhere, should care that the answer is the right one. Those are lessons I learned at a young age from my parents and they are guiding principles in my life.

"That is why I am joining you in opposing Amendment One in North Carolina. Amendment One unfairly targets women, children and families, gay and straight, who fall outside of the narrow definition of family articulated by those who drafted the legislation. It is our duty to join the fight on behalf of both the gay and lesbian North Carolinians who were the original targets of the amendment and the tens of thousands of straight male and female North Carolinians who will be collateral damage if the amendment passes next Tuesday." - Chelsea Clinton.

Here's a link to where you can donate to help in North Carolina.

Every1Against1 - May 1, 2012

Simply put, Amendment One is an unnecessary, thinly veiled attack on civil rights — a gross injustice to North Carolina’s unmarried couples, children, families, seniors, women and businesses.

If Amendment One passes, what’s next? It would mark the first time the North Carolina constitution was amended in order to discriminate against specific individuals. This flies in the face of the state’s tradition of amending the constitution to increase equality.

Make history - don't repeat it. Vote NO on Amendment One in North Carolina May 8th.

More info at every1against1.com

NC: A man, a rifle and a defenseless sign

Funny how proud & cool this guy thinks he is for shooting a sign.

Yep - he really took care of things.
(via JMG)

UPDATE - May 1, 2012: Cabarrus County deputies spent more than an hour at the teen’s home after learning about the video. They believe the 17-year-old Jonathan Wiles took the sign from an intersection and set it up in his backyard where he recorded himself firing several shots at it.

County officials said its investigation is not over. There is a county ordinance that deals with using firearms near other homes. Officials are also looking into the possibility of additional charges.

More here.

NC: Amendment One - Every1Against1

Same-sex marriage is already illegal in North Carolina. Which means voting AGAINST Amendment One is not a vote to legalize same-sex marriage.

Amendment One (SB514) is a proposed change to Article 14 of the North Carolina State Constitution that will appear before the voters on the May 8, 2012 primary ballot across North Carolina. Amendment One is not only an ideological assault on the civil rights of LGBT North Carolinians, it’s also a poorly written law that will have serious negative, unintended and harmful consequences on North Carolina’s children, families, seniors, women and businesses.

Stating that, “Marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State,” Amendment One aims to turn all unmarried couples — whether same-sex or opposite-sex — into second-class citizens unworthy of basic dignity and fair treatment.

Vote NO on Amendment One in North Carolina on May 8th.

More info here.

How you can help - click here.

NC: A few of the folks who are "for" Amendment One

Please notice how many of these "man on the street" interviews uses the exact same phrases and terminology.

Think they were handed talking points...?

NC: Sen. Kay Hagan Speaks Out Against Amendment One

NC: Gov. Bev Purdue Speaks Out Against Amendment One

For more information, please visit www.protectallncfamilies.org

NC: The facts about Amendment One

Vote NO on Amendment One

Please watch, then share this page on your Facebook and Twitter.

See the Share button in blue right under this? Hit that.

:)

North Carolina Gov. Perdue tweets opposition to anti-gay Amendment One

North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue (D) has expressed her opposition to Amendment One, which bans all same-sex marriages, civil unions, and domestic partnerships: