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Pro-Life Students Attacked by UNC Charlotte Faculty Member

Written by Campus Reform

The Students for Life at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC-C) were nine days into the 40 Days For Life Vigil when the left started to create difficulties for the group.

The group did everything correctly: they reserved the location of the event for the entire forty days, held eye-catching signs, and passed out information about their cause. But the left will go to any extent to silence opposing viewpoints.

Kristen Giseler, president of the group, tells the events of the day in her own words (emphasis added):

"While I was handing out pregnancy resource packets this afternoon, a pro-abortion nursing faculty [member] was offered a packet... Instead of simply refusing, she shouted 'I am PRO CHOICE.' Being a peaceful group, we smiled and acknowledged her as pro-abortion. From across the street she shouted, 'GET A LIFE, Protect women's rights.'

"We are certain this woman called the campus police.

"About 10 till 1, just before the vigil's close, campus police arrived to escort us away from the student union. [Students for Life had] the space outside reserved and approved the entire 40 Days.

"I am very proud of my team for talking politely to the police, and verifying that we do have permission to be at the vigil."

This kind of overreaction and excessively vehement opposition to conservative student activism on campus is unfortunately not uncommon. In fact, left-leaning student groups and faculty members often try to shut down events held by those they disagree with -- no matter how innocuous the event may be.

This was originally posted on the CampusReform.org blog by Amanda Prevette, a North Carolina native who is now the Campus Services Coordinator for the state.

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NC Freedom Republican Congressional 2nd 4th 13th District Candidate Debate Mar 20th

United States House of Representatives
Candidate Debates
March 20th, 2010

Lighthouse Convention Center
326 Tryon Road
Raleigh, NC 27603

Agenda

Noon: Doors Open

12:45 PM: National Anthem and Opening Prayer

1:00 PM:   North Carolina 2nd District Candidates
                     Frank Deatrich
                     Renee Ellmers
                     Todd Gailas

3:00 PM:   North Carolina 4th District Candidates
                     David Burnett
                     BJ Lawson
                     Frank Roche

5:00 PM:   North Carolina 13th District Candidates
                    Dan Huffman
                    Frank Hurley
                    Bill Randall
                    Bernie Reeves

7:00 PM:   Eddie Burks
                    Republican candidate for United States Senate
                    Question and Answer Session

If you want information about NC Freedom, click here.

Contact Information:

David DeGerolamo This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Chatham County NC Seeks to Change Counties Direction

http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/ad235/RandysRight/IMG_2961.jpg?t=1267728384

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StrengthenCharlotte Publishes First Formal Opinion

StrengthenCharlotte Publishes First Formal Opinion

Nonpartisan group provides stance, alternatives, and plan of action for Streetcar grant for city of Charlotte

Today, StrengthenCharlotte released its formal opinion on the Streetcar project undertaken by the Charlotte City Council. The group, a nonpartisan advocate, held its kickoff meeting on January 13 at Dilworth Neighborhood Grille. “This is a ‘what we’ve been doing’ statement from StrengthenCharlotte to the public at large” said President and Founder Tariq Scott Bokhari. “We had an incredibly successful opening debate, based on the facts, where each of our City Council Committee members provided their view of the Streetcar project and grant.”

StrengthenCharlotte features subcommittees, each tasked with a local board to follow, debate, and hold accountable on local issues. The Streetcar debate was the first launched by the group’s City Council Committee, which was led by co-chairs Ben Lassiter and Darrin Rankin. The open thread allowed for a running conversation on facts about the Streetcar, the actions taken by the City Council, and the opinions/recommended next steps from the committee members on all sides of the issue.

Finally, on Monday, March 15 the School Board Committee will launch their first open thread. The School Board Committee features co-chairs Susan Walker and Aaron Pomis. Coming later in March the County Commission Committee, featuring co-chairs Andy McGee and Mike Love, will launch their first open thread as well. The Technology/Viral Marketing/Operations Committee, led by co-chairs Matt Mercer and Blake Narr, continue building the infrastructure for the group’s future.

City Council Committee – Think Tank Thread:

Each of the Strengthen Charlotte Committees will have one or more open ‘think-tank’ based threads. As it is the committees that drive the actions of SC, these will enable us to determine the actual facts of the issue, the committee’s position and ideas for solutions. The executive summary below outlines the pilot ‘thread’ that StrengthenCharlotte has been working on over the last month behind the scenes.

The Streetcar Grant - The Executive Summary

While understanding the critical needs of these areas of our city, StrengthenCharlotte does not support the plan to spend $12MM of local money to build a leg of the Streetcar ahead of schedule. StrengthenCharlotte feels there are opportunities for better projects that will have substantially more impact to the city.

StrengthenCharlotte came to this conclusion through a comprehensive debate focused on only the facts. For extensive detail on the facts and debate of the City Council Committee on the Streetcar issue, see the StrengthenCharlotte website atwww.strengthencharlotte.com.

StrengthenCharlotte acknowledges that the Federal Grant will pay for part of this project, but determined that the $12 Million is too large a sum for the City of Charlotte to pay during these tough economic times. We believe that the $12 Million could be used more effectively to accommodate more pressing needs such as crime, roads, and sidewalks in the streetcar areas. StrengthenCharlotte feels this would improve the job environment, and promote economic development. SC recommends as an alternative, that a portion of this money instead be developed into an East/West Charlotte crime/roads/sidewalks-focused plan by staff during the upcoming budget cycle, while using the remaining money to reduce taxes if possible.

Plan of Action

1,000 Emails/Calls Supporting City Council in Tough Decisions – StrengthenCharlotte will launch a city-wide campaign to build awareness on their recent debate, and encourage citizens to call and email their wishes to City Council members (goal of 1,000) leading up to the next voting decision points of:
- May - 5/24 public hearing on City Council voting the $12MM budget line items, and
- June - City Council voting to accept or decline the federal grant

To learn more or join this effort, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or visit our website and find us on Facebook atwww.strengthencharlotte.com

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Pay to Play – Basnight Contributors Receive Grants from Agencies with Basnight Appointees

The companies of Hobbs Upchurch and Atlantic Corp are two of Marc Basnight’s biggest contributors. Atlantic Packaging Corp, based in Wilmington, is owned by Rusty Carter. His son Wes Carter works for Hobbs Upchurch & Associates, an Engineering firm based in Southern Pines. Rusty Carter, if you remember, is a friend of Mike Easley and was subpoenaed to the Board of Elections in connection with his contributions to Easley.

In 2008, the employees and family members of these two companies contributed $120,000 to Basnight’s campaign. What is odd is that extraordinary contributions are made by ordinary people with ordinary jobs. For instance, the Survey Manager of Hobbs Upchurch donated $8000 to Basnight in 2008 and he has been a regular contributor since 2000. According to Basnight’s BOE filings, Gary Culp, donated $8000 in 2000, $4000 in 2002, $2000 in 2004 and $8000 in 2008. Culp is listed in 2008 as living in Raeford. The average salary in Raeford is $36000. When contacted by phone and asked what compels him to contribute so heavily to Basnight, Culp responded “

“Well, we’ve been friends for awhile uh and and, uh, when we go out there, uh I try to frequent his restaurant. But that’s just that. That’s what we got.”

$8000 because he likes his restaurant? Friend helping a friend?

Hobbs Upchurch website states that they have secured more than $540,000,000 in grants for their projects. Some of these grants come from agencies in which Basnight has appointed Board Members such as Clean Water Management Trust Fund. Over $20,000,000 in grants was awarded to Hobbs Upchurch from the CWMTF, according to their website. Many of the other agencies listed are interconnected, receiving grants from each other such as Golden Leaf the NC Rural Center and several of them have Basnight appointees on their Board.

The cronyism in Raleigh is absolutely sickening. Our money is manipulated and shared among political donors, appointees and other self-important people who think they know better how to spend our money than we do. I, for one, have had enough. It is time for Basnight to go.

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