NC Marriage Amendment On Ballot In May

Dems Worried It Will Pass

A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

North Carolina has a republican controlled legislature, the first since the War Between the States.  And it is driving the democrats wild.

NC’s current governor, a democrat, is not seeking reelection after having observed the “handwriting on the wall,” and it now seems certain the GOP will take the Governor’s office, as well, in November.

One of the items driving the NC dems mad is the proposed “Marriage Amendment” to the NC state constitution.  Basically, it says marriage between one man and one woman is the ONLY kind of marriage to be recognized in North Carolina.

Understand that same-sex marriage is already banned in North Carolina by law or statute.  Problem is, an activist judge can overturn a statute (or law).  But a judge cannot overturn a constitutional amendment. 

It will appear on the NC ballot on May 8^th.  The text of the measure reads as follows:

“Constitutional amendment to provide that marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State.”

Now. If the measure passes it will add an additional section to Article 14 of the North Carolina State Constitution:  Section 6 will read thusly:

“Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this State. This section does not prohibit a private party from entering into contracts with another private party; nor does this section prohibit courts from adjudicating the rights of private parties pursuant to such contracts.”

“Supporters of gay rights and same-sex marriage argue that the amendment should not be added to the state constitution. They also argue that the subject - "rights of a minority" - should not be up for a vote. Others argue that the proposed amendment may lead to more bullying of gay youth and invalidate domestic violence protections for unmarried couples.

Some lawmakers argue that the proposed amendment will hurt employment in the state. Rep. Larry Hall said, "Instead of creating an environment where we can create employment, attract entrepreneurs (and) attract talent, we're going to try to put a sign up to say, 'You are not welcome if you want to contribute to our society.”   (SOURCE).
A handful of the mainline Christian denominations in North Carolina are opposing the amendment.  And President Obama has voiced his dislike of the bill.  No surprise there.


Now, here’s the problem for democrats in North Carolina May 8^th.   The problem, at first glance, may not register with you, but stay with me.


North Carolina’s black voters are expected to turn out, in droves, to vote for Obama in November.  But -- the Democratic Party desperately needs them to turn out for the May primary, as well.  If the “get out the vote” drive in the black community is successful, then it could very well result in passage of the Marriage Amendment. 
   
Now, here’s where it gets interesting:  Black voters in North Carolina, by and large, do not support same-sex marriage.  Blacks attend church in North Carolina, and like many of their white brothers and sisters who also attend church; they believe the teachings of the scriptures from which their pastors preach on Sundays.

As uncomfortable as it may be for some, the scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, speak out loud and long -- and as clear as crystal -- that homosexuality is a sin.  Conservative Christians, both black and white, in North Carolina believe that.  It is an integral part of their faith, their religion.


Public Policy Polling, which is based in Raleigh, North Carolina, released the results of a survey on Thursday March 29^th in which they found there is, indeed, strong support for the proposed amendment to the North Carolina constitution.


P.P.P. surveyed 1,191 North Carolinians who stated they were likely to vote in the May 8^th Primary.  The Marriage Amendment proposal will be on the primary ballot as a statewide referendum.

P.P.P. found that 58% of those polled said they would vote in favor of the amendment.  Only 38% told them they opposed the amendment.
 
Breaking the survey down a bit wore we find that roughly 76% of Republicans surveyed said they support the amendment while 48% of Democrats (who were surveyed) also support the amendment -- and -- 47% of Democrats, in the same survey, oppose the amendment.
 
But here is the part of the survey that has NC Democrats concerned:  The survey found that among black voters 61% are in favor of the amendment while only 30% oppose it.

You can now see how the heavy black voter turnout in May is more than a little worrisome for those who oppose the Marriage Amendment in North Carolina.  It is a something of a conundrum for the folks on the political left. 
   
The supporters of same-sex marriage, in order to convince blacks to vote against the measure, have mounted a campaign to convince NC voters that denying same-sex marriages is “discrimination.”   They’re claiming it is a civil rights issue. A portion of NC black folk will have none of it. In fact, they resent it.  Frankly, it also riles the white folk in Tar Heel country, too.   Also, it deeply irritates white Tar Heel voters when those opposing the Marriage Amendment accuse them of hate. 
       
In my opinion, the measure will be passed and the NC Constitution will be amended – because the people of North Carolina believe it is the right thing to do.

J.D. Longstreet

North Carolina’s Illegal Immigration Law

North Carolina’s Illegal Immigration Law.
US - DOJ Goes After Arizona – But Not NC. Why?
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

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Here in North Carolina, if you are arrested, charged, and incarcerated for impaired driving, or any felony, you will be asked to prove you are a citizen of the United States. If you cannot, ICE (or Homeland Security) will be contacted and queried concerning your case. That’s the law in the Tar Heel state. It has been for some time now.

Once the Feds have been contacted, and they determine that you are, indeed, an illegal alien, we can only hope (IF the Feds do their job,) you will be deported forthwith.

Here is the exact wording from the North Carolina General Statutes:

§ 162‑62. Legal status of prisoners.
(a) When any person charged with a felony or an impaired driving offense is confined for any period in a county jail, local confinement facility, district confinement facility, or satellite jail/work release unit, the administrator or other person in charge of the facility shall attempt to determine if the prisoner is a legal resident of the United States by an inquiry of the prisoner, or by examination of any relevant documents, or both.
(b) If the administrator or other person in charge of the facility is unable to determine if that prisoner is a legal resident or citizen of the United States or its territories, the administrator or other person in charge of the facility holding the prisoner, where possible, shall make a query through the Division of Criminal Information (DCI) system to the Law Enforcement Support Center (LESC) of Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the United States Department of Homeland Security. If the LESC determines that the prisoner has not been lawfully admitted to the United States, the United States Department of Homeland Security will have been notified of the prisoner's status and confinement at the facility by its receipt of the DCI query from the facility.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to deny bond to a prisoner or to prevent a prisoner from being released from confinement when that prisoner is otherwise eligible for release.
(d) The administrator or other person in charge of the facility shall annually report the number of queries performed under subsection (b) of this section and the results of those queries to the Governor's Crime Commission of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety. The Governor's Crime Commission shall make the reports available to the public. (2007‑494, s. 1.)

It would appear the major difference between NC’s law and the Arizona law is that -- in NC a person must first be placed under arrest. In Arizona, if a police officer has legally stopped a person, the police officer MUST inquire as to that person’s immigration status. Here in NC, the law requires police officers to inquire as to the immigration status of ALL people who have been arrested and charged with a felony OR an impaired driving offense.


I have to ask: Why is the Obama Regime persecuting Arizona and not North Carolina, as well.

Ok, allow me to ask this: Is it because North Carolina’s female governor is an Obama Democrat and the North Carolina State Legislature is controlled, solidly, by Obama’s Democratic Party? Surely, I don’t have to answer that question – do I? If I do, then we are in worse shape that I thought.

Of COURSE, the correct answer is the latter. The US-DOJ under Obama appears very selective about who and what it prosecutes.

It has become clear that if you are a democrat and if your race is that which appears to be “preferred” today by the Obama Regime -- you are going to get “special” treatment, or even a pass. That is why, in our opinion, North Carolina can get away with an anti-illegal alien law, very similar to that of Arizona, while Arizona is being persecuted by the Obama Regime. It is as horrible – and yet -- as simply as that.

North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Edward Thomas Brady, in an article in the Fayetteville Observer (HERE) entitled: “ Our Immigration Law Flies Under The Radar,” says the following: “The law serves two purposes. First, it serves to protect the United States against attacks from within by illegal immigrants who may be a part of a terrorist organization. By requiring the person in charge of the confinement facility to inquire as to the immigration statuses of all those incarcerated after being charged with a felony or impaired driving offense, there is an excellent chance that if the person is on a terror watch list or is suspected of being a terrorist, the incarceration and interrogation can continue in the federal system. Second, the law serves to advance the anti-illegal immigration laws that we have in the federal law books.”

Justice Brady goes on to say: “ … Arizona offered a helping hand to a federal agency that clearly is not performing at the level expected by the American citizenry. I’m glad to see that the Old North State is lending a hand, as well.”

So, how long until the Obama Administration comes down hard on North Carolina? As we implied above, no need to hold your breath, because it isn’t going to happen. That is, so long as we have a chief executive of the state in Obama’s pocket and a die-hard democrat legislature.

One thing is for sure. The “Silent Invasion” continues apace, with no end in sight, as the Democrats AND the Republicans continue to stall any effort by the federal government -- or the states -- to stem it. As a result the entire make-up of America is being changed right before our eyes – not just the racial demographics, but our national politics as well.

As the illegal alien’s numbers swell in the US so does the amount of money they cost the taxpayers each year. The US is already broke and this added burden is ensuring that it will be generations before the country is able to recover – if ever.

All this while we hear reports that the Obama Regime is actively looking for a way to grant them amnesty by presidential executive order -- rather than going through Congress where the people have, at least, a nominal say in whether or not amnesty is granted to those who have already broken our laws and are, in fact, criminals.

It is, indeed, a strange world we live in today. Indeed, it is a strange America we live in today, an America many of its oldest citizens do not recognize. And judging from the number of Americans who are angrier at their government than I have ever known Americans to be the vast majority don’t like it – and -- have no intention of allowing this ungodly “Transformation of America” to continue.

We must begin taking our country back in our townships, our precincts, our towns, our cities, our counties, our states, and finally our nation. And we must do it quickly before we lose even the constitutional right to assemble. If we wait, “the iron fist of the Obama Regime” will make every effort to smash us and neutralize every single voice raised in protest.

For my generation, this is NOT the Free America in which we grew up. No. The America of today resembles more the European socialist states than it does the free America of only two or three decades ago.

When the states that created the Federal government (to act as an agent of those states) are now cudgeled by their creation, is it not time to consider either controlling the monster they created, or suing in the courts for relief by being allowed to leave the union.

Drastic? Yes, it is. Ask any of my Confederate ancestors. They paid the price for leaving the union and creating their own country -- even though there was no prohibition in the Constitution forbidding them to do so.

Is it an idea whose time has come – again? Many Americans think it has. I, myself, feel we have a ways to go before such drastic steps are taken. We must exhaust all avenues of relief such as the ballot box – FIRST. My Confederate ancestors had been wrestling with the all-powerful federal government for many decades before that first artillery volley aimed at Fort Sumter was fired.

Our first opportunity to make a heavy impact on the federal government is coming this November in the Mid-Term Election. We must RUN to the polls and cast a vote against those who currently rule over us. We must make a clear statement, one that cannot be misunderstood. We must make them understand that Americans WILL live free… period!

J. D. Longstreet