Just got word of this. It is being hosted by the Libertarian Party of Mecklenburg County and has a really impressive list of panelists:
Charlotte, NC – On Tuesday August 21st, in honor of Pride Week, LPMeck will hold a forum addressing LGBT issues in North Carolina. A special guest panel has been invited to weigh in on these issues and hold an open discussion on the current political landscape in North Carolina and how it relates to members of the LGBT community.
The event will begin at 7:00pm in the upstairs banquet room at Fox & Hound uptown. The discussion will be moderated by LPMeck Chairman, Tim Doran.
"A California church says 'sorry' to people in North Carolina after the state passed Amendment One, recognizing marriage as only between a man and a woman.
The billboard, sponsored by the Missiongathering Christian Church in San Diego, appeared for the first time on Wednesday.
The church apologizes for what it calls 'the narrow-minded, judgmental, deceptive, manipulative actions of those who denied rights and equality to so many in the Name of God.' "
This is very interesting. To have Christian churches not only be tolerant of Same Sex Marriage, but actually outspoken in its defense and against its religious detractors is a sign that the tide may have turned for good. Let us hope.
"When some people are denied freedom, no one is truly free. Please join us, as we and others shred their North Carolina marriage licenses in front of the General Assembly on Jones Street in Raleigh NC on Tuesday, May 29th at 11am."
Howe is the current Libertarian candidate for North Carolina Governor, winning the LPNC nomination uncontested. Recently, in 2012, she ran for NC House District 32(receiving 23% of the vote.)
She has served 4 terms as Chair of the Libertarian Party of North Carolina and is an avid activist for La Leche League and against unnecessary NC licensing requirements for midwifes.
"Gay marriage equality is not a trick question, and we shouldn’t be getting trick answers from the President of the United States. Gay Americans deserve better than a President who winks and nods and tries to convince them that he will protect their rights, but refuses to emerge from the closet and support one of the most basic rights – the right to equal access to marriage. And frankly, even opponents of gay marriage deserve the truth from the White House. Is the President for it or against it? Right now, the Administration is trying to have it both ways."
Gary Johnson - Libertarian Party Nominee for President
Gary Johnson is a two-term governor from New Mexico who is a vocal advocate of marriage equality, ending Marijuana Prohibition, responsible Immigration reform, and responsible, efficient government. He won the Presidential nomination of the Libertarian Party with 70% of the vote on the first ballot.
I know that we should be focusing on getting Amendment 1 overturned in the courts, or working to elect politicians that will help the repeal of this amendment next year, but, damnit, I feel like shaming people for a little while.
I had an idea and wanted to see if anyone else thought it was worthwhile.
I thought we could try to run a "Shame Campaign"
Start a website - something like ShameOnNC.org and fill it with all the reasons that Amendment One was an awful thing and should never have been passed. We can also solicit donations for court challenges, update people on ways it is harming people etc.
As a Libertarian, I don't believe in collective guilt or responsibility. It is individuals that act and they deserve the blame or credit for their actions. However, after the disappointing results of the Amendment One vote, I find myself wanting to apologize to the LGBT community and everybody who will be affected by this amendment on behalf of North Carolina.
That is not right.
One person cannot apologize for another. Plus, that would be ignoring an important fact about this fight - many people voted against this horrible initiative and still others worked very hard to defeat this amendment (canvassing, calling, speaking in public, writing op-eds, educating, etc) and they have nothing to apologize for. While I won't apologize for other people, I will apologize for myself. That I CAN do.
I apologize that I didn't walk up to 5 more house while canvassing or call 3 more numbers while phone banking.
"Tom Campbell, producer and moderator of the blog NC SPIN, will host a panel about Amendment 1 on Monday, April 30, 5–7 p.m., in Bay 7 at the American Tobacco Campus in Durham. Panelists include state Rep. Deborah K. Ross, UNC law professor Maxine Eichner and the Rev. Patrick L. Wooden Sr., Pastor of the Upper Room Church of God in Christ."
Read about this and other Amendment one panels and forums at The DOMA Monitor:
If you have never read about or heard Barry Goldwater, you are missing out. He was a Republican Senator in Arizona and the Republican Presidential nominee in 1964. Nicknamed "Mr. Conservative", he represents what the Republican Party should have been before selling out to the Religious Right - a party dedicated to small constitutional government, equal opportunity for all, free markets and individual liberty. He has become a libertarian hero for his dedication to these principles even as the Republican Party moved closer to the Evangelicals and abandoned its core mission to keep our citizens as free from the constraints of government as possible. Here are some quotes I think you will enjoy.
Tonight, the Libertarian Party will get some much deserved attention! Tonight, (Monday, 1/2/12) Stephen Colbert of The Colbert Report will have Governor Gary Johnson as a guest on his show! The Colbert Report airs at 11:30PM ET on Comedy Central. http://www.colbertnation.com/
Gov. Johnson is running to be the Libertarian Party Presidential nominee. While there are many great candidates in the LP race, none can boast the executive experience, electoral success and national popularity of Gov. Johnson, whose record as Governor of New Mexico would make any libertarian proud. He will appear on the popular cable show to make his case that he is the best man for both the LP nomination and for President.
Romney vs Obama. I know, i know. Doesn't really get you excited, huh?
Could it be because Obama has punted on closing down Guantanamo Bay?
Continued the Drug war, especially on Medical Marijuana distributors in states where they are certified and legal?
Started yet another war without congressional approval and by overstepping the constitutional limitations of the presidency?
Ramped up non-violent illegal immigrant deportations?
Signed the NDAA giving himself and future presidents the ability to arrest anyone at anytime in any country (even the US) by simply declaring them a terrorist or enemy combatant?
Supported an extension of the Patriot Act?
Declared the President has the ability to assassinate American Citizens without trial?
And Romney...well, I don't think I need to say much about that.
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