Archive for Action
Eliminate Corporate Personhood
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A resolution calling for a Constitutional Amendment to invalidate the 2010 Supreme Court’s Citizen United decision will be on the February 14th agenda of Asheville City Council. I’d intended to sponsor it onto an agenda using our regular process with Council members Pelly and Bothwell co-sponsoring it. However, during the free-for-all regarding Occupy Asheville at the January 24th meeting, the notion was brought up, and Council agreed to bring the measure forward at the February meeting.
I was approached a couple of months ago by the local chapter of Move To Amend about introducing this resolution. Normally I don’t entertain resolutions that have a national political context. I think national issues can create unnecessary schisms among Council members, when we ought to be focused on working together to solve Asheville’s problems. The more I thought about it, the more I acknowledged that our small community is vulnerable to the issues raised by the Citizens United decision. I think it’s important for Asheville’s elected officials to take a stand against abuses to our electoral system.
Then after seeing the Asheville Grown Business Alliance list it as one of their Big Ideas for 2012, I realized that even our business community is ready to recognize the inherent dangers of unchecked corporate power and money in our political process. Below you’ll find the text of the proposed resolution.
2012 Buncombe County Campaign Volunteer/Job Fair
Posted by: | CommentsFrom Parker Sloan with the Buncombe County Young Democrats:
If you would like to work or volunteer for a Democratic campaign in 2012 come out to the Bar of Soap on Merrimon Ave. near UNC Asheville on Monday, Jan. 30 at 7pm. This event will focus on State and local races in 2012. We know you’re going to be engaged in the Congressional and Presidential races, but we want to make sure these local candidates get the people they need. We’ve seen how important new leadership is in Raleigh, and the new formation of our County Commission means we’ve got more races to run and win right here in Buncombe County. Click here for the location and more information (FB link).
There will be District maps, lists of races (with declared candidates), and lots of room to discuss how to help folks find the work they want in the various campaigns this season. All of our local candidates are invited to attend as well and will hopefully be there to talk with you.
Thank You to City Councilman Gordon Smith and Party Chairman Emmet Carney for putting this event together.
We’ve got a lot of work to do to ensure that our County Commission and local legislative delegation have quality folks serving the people of Buncombe County. There are too many who would have Raleigh ride roughshod over our best interests or who would turn the clock backwards on County Government. We’re going to have to take a stand and win some elections this May and this November.
Come out, meet the candidates, and get on board.
Water System: Decision Makers and Perspective
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Agenda for today's 2pm Study Committee
You can listen to the audio broadcast of today’s meeting here.
There are lots of reasons for everyone to keep an eye on this process, and I hope that folks get very engaged. In order to most effectively advocate for your position, it’s important to recognize who holds the decision-making power and to tailor one’s advocacy to persuade those holding the reins.
Who’s calling the shots?
Rep. Moffitt started this entire process on his own, and he’s Chairing this Study Committee.
The other members are:
Rep. William Brawley
Rep. William D. Brisson
Rep. Chuck McGrady
Rep. Tom Murry
List of members’ email addresses: Tim.Moffitt@ncleg.net, Bill.Brawley@ncleg.net, William.Brisson@ncleg.net, Tom.Murry@ncleg.net, Chuck.McGrady@ncleg.net
The Study Committee will meet four times and then recommend something. Today’s 2pm meeting will be audio broadcasted here. A meeting will be held in Asheville in late February, and the public will reportedly be invited to offer comments.
We Do Campaign In South Carolina
Posted by: | CommentsThough all of the Republican Presidential candidates were invited to the Reconciliation Prayer Service held in Greenville, SC today, none attended. Three same-sex couples sought marriage licenses at the Greenville County Probate Court, and all three were denied pursuant to the laws of the state. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, leader of the Campaign for Southern Equality, told participants today, “Your love is holy. Your love is true. We are here today to stand up to laws that are unjust and to call for full equality for all LGBT people.”
On Wednesday, two more couples will seek marriage licenses. Then Thursday a Charleston couples will do the same in that city. Watch for some surprises along the way.
David Forbes at Mountain Xpress wrote an excellent story about CSE and the We Do campaign.
And here’s one of the excellent videos released as part of the We Do campaign.
WE DO Heads to South Carolina
Posted by: | CommentsPlease share this video and support the Campaign for Southern Equality in all the ways you can. CSE is headed to South Carolina in the midst of a pitched Presidential Primary season to make their case for full equality under the law.
CSE’s work is based upon Empathic Resistance, a new ethic which calls for 1) resisting persecuting systems by expressing the authentic self in persecuting environments; and 2) approaching those who oppose your rights with empathy.
Good Activists. Take A Cookie.
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From Chris Bowers, Campaign Director at the Great Orange Satan:
I am delighted to report that over the last two days, thanks to dedicated people like yourself, we’ve won two important victories:
—On Thursday, the bill that would have allowed telemarketers to robocall your cell phone was completely defeated. The main sponsor of the bill said, “we’re driving a stake through its heart. Dead. Done. Buried.”
—And on Friday, the Stop Online Piracy Act, which threatens the very existence of the social internet, failed to pass the House Judiciary Committee. Recognizing the intensity of the opposition to this bill, its sponsors have agreed to delay it and explore further changes.
So to the more than 50,000 of you who took part in the Daily Kos actions to stop these bills, a big shout out: Good. Friggin’. Job.
You can sign up for action alerts from Chris and the Daily Kos community here. It’s more effective than you think.
Bids for the Kids
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This landed in my email inbox, and I hope you’ll come do a little shopping!
Area auctioneers are sponsoring a benefit auction to support five local agencies serving children in need. The auction will be held on December 14 at Brunk Auctions, 117 Tunnel Road in Asheville. Proceeds from the auction will be divided between Caring for Children, Eliada Home, Helpmate, Children First, and Mountain Area Child and Family Center. Representatives from the five agencies will be present at the auction to discuss their programs and highlight their current needs.
Generous donations from local merchants and individuals include vacation packages at the Britton Family Lodge in Highlands, and a lake house retreat; gift certificates at area restaurants including Stoney Knob, Hannah Flanagan’s, Clingman Café (catering for 25), and Blue Water Seafood; private concerts and garden parties; services including hair styling, interior decorating, guided hunting and fishing excursions, massage and acupuncture, and professional carpentry and painting services. Attendees can also bid on works of art, jewelry, truck loads of mulch and gravel, and live Christmas trees. Organizers of the auction are also seeking the donation of a car.
The auction and preview are open to the public. Preview will begin at 5:30 with a silent auction, and wine reception, the live auction beginning at 7 p.m.
For a detailed online listing of all goods and services, go to www.avlbidsforkids.org. For further information contact Brunk Auctions, 828-254-6846, or Wilson and Terry Auctions, 828-645-0695.
