Republican budget leads to 2,000 jobs cut in the Triangle

Press Release
For Immediate Release
August 2, 2011
Contact:  Kerra Bolton, (919) 821-2777 ext. 217

MCCRORY STORIES – WHEN HE SAID JOBS, JOBS, AND MORE JOBS HE MEANT LOSING THEM
Republican budget leads to 2,000 jobs cut in the Triangle

RALEIGH – It’s a cruel irony that Republicans were bankrolled into office by the shadowy 527 Real Jobs NC and yet their agenda since taking office has hurt real people and killed jobs.

Just today, the Raleigh News & Observer reported that “in June the biggest source of ‘job depletion’ in the Triangle was the loss of more than 2,000 public-sector jobs.”

These job losses were the direct result of Pat McCrory and his fellow Republicans desperately clinging to a right-wing agenda that deprives working families and a stubborn refusal to keep a penny sales tax that would have saved thousands of jobs and continued our progress in education. 

“A job is a job,” said North Carolina Democratic Party Executive Director Jay Parmley. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s a public school teacher or a police officer, or a person working in the private sector. From outrageous gerrymandering to pushing restrictive voter ID policies, it’s clear that the only jobs Republicans care about protecting are their own.” 

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GOP Rep: Being associated with Obama is ‘like touching a tar baby’

GOP Rep: Being associated with Obama is ‘like touching a tar baby’ “Now I don’t even want to have to be associated with [Obama], it’s like touching a tar baby and you’re stuck, you’re part of the problem now. You can’t get away.” —Colorado Republican Congressman Doug Lamborn

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Servicemembers Legal Defense Network to Host Live Twitter Chat on Wednesday, August 3

(Washington, D.C.)  Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) today announced its first-ever Twitter chat, hosted by Legal Director David McKean, who will answer questions about LGBT military service and SLDN’s continued fight to advance military equality following repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) on September 20, 2011. 

What:                  SLDN Live Twitter Chat w/Legal Director David McKean

When:                 Wednesday, August 3, 2011, from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. EDT

Where:                Online at www.twitter.com via SLDN’s Twitter handle, @freedomtoserve

How:                    Those wishing to tweet their questions and comments should use the hashtag #SLDNchat.

“It’s our hope that this live Twitter opportunity will provide service members and those who support them an additional avenue forgetting their questions answered and their concerns addressed about the post-‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ military environment,” said SLDN Legal Director David McKean.

Wednesday’s Twitter chat comes on the heels of last week’s release of a new comprehensive legal guide for LGBT service members, veterans, future recruits, and their families, creating a first-of-its-kind overview of laws and policies related to military service following the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

“The legal guide is designed to help service members, prospective service members, their families, and friends make informed decisions about how to serve successfully as we move beyond ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’  It will also assist them in understanding how to protectthemselves when necessary and how to respond if they are targeted in any way for their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity,” said McKean.

In addition to outlining SLDN’s legal services, the new guide and web site cover a myriad of issues including standards of conduct, benefits for spouses and families of service members, discharge upgrades, and veterans benefits.  The new guidance becomes  effective upon repeal of DADT on Tuesday, September 20, 2011.Until then, those seeking information or assistance should consult the SLDN Survival Guide, outlining issues related to serving under DADT.

Army Veteran and SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis reiterated today that the organization will continue its fight for full equality for LGB troops who are serving today, as well as for those qualified Americans who wish to join, after the repeal of DADT takes place on September 20, 2011.

“The work of advancing military equality marches forward after repeal. At SLDN, we will fight alongside those who may face harassment or discrimination as we oversee implementation; when necessary and timely, litigate in the courts to bring about full LGBT equality in America’s military; advocate for legally married service members to receive the same benefits as their straight counterparts; and assist veterans to correct or upgrade their discharge paperwork,” said Sarvis.

To download Freedom to Serve: The Definitive Guide to LGBT Military Service, click here: http://sldn.3cdn.net/1545237c39b42f6e95_hrm6bw1gx.pdf

For immediate release:

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Contact:

Zeke Stokes: (803) 479-0439 (cell) / (202) 621-5406 (office) or zeke@sldn.org

Paul DeMiglio: (202) 621-5408 (office) or paul@sldn.org

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Arrests made in The House Gallery

Protesters arrested outside the House gallery for chanting "Boehner Boehner get a clue, it's about revenue."

Update Via the Raw Story,

Twenty-two protesters were arrested Monday and charged with disruption of Congress after shouting chants against Speaker John Boehner from a House of Representatives gallery, according to the Washington Post.

The protesters, including members of the National People’s Action, Vocal New York, and Community Voices Heard, unveiled a large black banner. They chanted, "Hey, Boehner, get a clue, it's about revenue" and, "Boehner, get off it, it’s time to tax corporate profits" before Capitol Police removed them from the one of the galleries overlooking the chamber.

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Matt Damon: Stop The War On Teachers

Surf on over to Think Progress and read this great article. Click here

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Catlin makes NC House run

"After a great deal of contemplation, I have made the decision to run for the North Carolina House of Representatives in hopes of continuing my service to the citizens of New Hanover County," Catlin said in a statement Monday. "I am confident that I can be a strong, effective, respected voice in the Legislature, and I will use that voice to work to insure that the unique needs and concerns of my neighbors and friends in this special part of the state are heard and are appropriately addressed."

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U.S. Chamber Urges Congress to Quickly Pass Bipartisan Compromise Bill on Debt Ceiling

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue issued the following statement on the bipartisan agreement to raise the debt ceiling and reduce spending:

“We strongly urge the House and Senate to quickly pass this bipartisan compromise bill that would increase the debt ceiling, avert default, reduce spending, and start the process of getting our fiscal house in order.

“This agreement would cut spending by more than the increase in the debt ceiling, provide a workable, enforceable mechanism to ensure that the cuts actually take place, allow for a vote on significant reform to the budget process, and avoid a default by the U.S. government that would create enormous economic harm and destroy jobs.

“Returning to business as usual in Washington is not an option if we want to restore economic growth, reduce spending, and create millions of new jobs. Lawmakers must remain sharply focused on sensibly reforming entitlements, overhauling our tax code to increase revenues without raising rates, and creating a regulatory environment that fosters growth, spurs entrepreneurism, encourages legitimate risk taking, and creates jobs.

“We have a great deal of hard work ahead of us to restore our economy and put our nation’s finances on a sounder footing. This agreement takes us a step in the right direction and is the right thing to do.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

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Berger: Respect my Authoritah

Berger knows Best: Republican broke agreement and drew Guilford/Mecklenburg maps without local input http://t.co/zPDypY4

Berger is just one power hunger republicans who think he can do just about anything he wishes. Berger and his corrupt minions in the NCGA, by their own actions have told the citizens of Guilford/Mecklenburg that they county commissioners don’t know how to do their jobs.

After Commissioners of Guilford County held public meeting and spend a great time redrawing their county line, Berger broke is word and decided that he knew better and at last minute had the house and Senate decide the lines for the Guilford/Mecklenburg Counties.

Yes the Legislature has the authority to create county districts, but have left the task to the local officials for years. Could this be payback for what the Democratic-legislature did back in 1991?

Berger and his associates clearly weren't interested in public opinion and made no effort to hear from residents of Guilford County. Berger did say he intervened because of reports -- from unnamed people -- that the Democratic-majority Board of Commissioners wasn't going to pass a fair plan.

So better to ram through an unfair Republican plan than risk seeing an unfair Democratic plan adopted. And the Republican plan is unfair. It's not only grossly gerrymandered, it includes a mischievous provision that effectively blocks Commissioners Paul Gibson and John Parks, both Democrats, from running for re-election in an at-large seat when their terms end next year. From December 2012 until December 2014, no at-large seat will exist under this new plan. The reason obviously is to eliminate a seat likely to be held by a Democrat.

Just  who was this unnamed person? If there was one in the first place! Berger is a Politician, which mean in essences he is Liar by trade.

The legislature took the additional and unusual step of prohibiting Guilford commissioners from proposing new districts, which they would have to submit to a referendum, prior to July 2017. Berger and his associates really intend for the people and elected leaders of Guilford County to have no say in this matter for the next six years. They don't want their double cross undone.

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