Fracking in North Carolina? Death by a thousand pins

Oh, North Carolina, the short-sighted greed and lust for money that has come to roost on this beautiful state’s lawmakers will be sufered on all without lobbiests.

We, the earth and nonmillionaire humans, are left without voice. Our common natural heritage (assets), such as clean water in streams, rivers, lakes, clear skies, even the quiet of the woods, has been reduced to the highest bidder. Forget the castle/home notion. That was before.

Fracking bedrock to release methane is now law in North Carolina. The extracting of chemical liquids used (in addition to millions of gallons of fresh public water per well) are exempt from disclosure and the Clean Water Act. Nicknamed the Haliburton Loophole, the effect of this exemption means a homeowner can never claim the leaking wells (average 30 percent) damaged their land, water or health. What a deal for the same old, same old.

The current debilitating scheme, when put in context, has one objective: exploit the present paradigm of energy sources at any cost to our earth, common property and our future.

Suppression of free energy machines and their inventors, wars without reason, pesticide extremism, pharmacological exploitation, social intolerance, intentional splitting of the family and native people from their cultures: this is planned, folks, a conspiracy, yes; or maybe it is just that we little simple people don’t know enough to understand. Time will tell.

By the way, if your doctor determines your sickness is from a fracking operation near your home or work, she or he cannot tell you, the hospital or anyone else what chemicals are making you sick; corporate rules law. Death by a thousand pins.

If you care, become informed. Films such as “The Ethics of Fracking” or “Gaslands II” at www.topdocumentaryfilm.org will explain much. 

For me, our earth is sacred and deserves the love of our mother. Do you wonder why our media does not report on Fukushima....? Curious, that.

Parade of lies advances on the campaign trail 

 Here we go again with the parade of lies on the campaign trail.

 First from Senator Kay Hagan and now from Brian Turner, Representative Tim Moffitt’s opponent in his re-election bid from District 116.

 They both have said in campaign ads that the North Carolina General Assembly “cut $500 million from public education.”

 That’s simply untrue. The Washington Post knows it. They gave that canard two “Pinocchios.”

 FactCheck.org and PolitiFact.com know it. They flat out debunked the oft-repeated falsehood on their websites too.

 Even WLOS-TV has finally had enough. They recently broadcast a story that set the record straight. In his report, anchor Frank Fraboni said, “For viewers and voters, the deception is disturbing.” (http://goo.gl/GqRAfw)

Sarah Curry of the John Locke Foundation pulled the relevant numbers from the state Fiscal Research Division and determined that the legislature actually increased spending on public education this year by $302 million.

In fact, over the last four years, education spending increased by nearly a billion dollars. What’s more, in the final two years of Democrat control, $610 million were cut from public education.

So, there you have it: the current General Assembly did NOT “cut $500 million from public education.”

Van Duyn’s compassion, kindness triggers backing

My husband and I are many times a house divided in our political opinions. However, we certainly agree on Senator Terry Van Duyn!

Politicians come and go and some seem to be motivated for the interest of only a select few. As we have come to know Terry Van Duyn over the years we realize she truly serves her constituents regardless of their economic status. We have always been aware of the countless hours she has donated to so many here in North Carolina. 

We have witnessed that she genuinely cares about all of us and our struggles. Not only have we taken notice of Terry’s dedication and commitment  we have listened to other peoples testaments as to how she has cared for them too!

Senator Terry Van Duyn is an amazingly kind and compassionate woman with a brilliant mind. North Carolina has a real chance to be great with Senator Terry Van Duyn in office.

Merrill’s conservative view termed needed on board

I have the pleasure to tell the conservative and moderate voters why we need to elect Christina Kelley Merrill, District 2 Buncombe County Commission.

Christina’s main concern is that our current Board is truly failing our most vulnerable citizens, our seniors on fixed incomes, the young families who grew up in the area but cannot afford to live here and the underemployed.  Increased real estate taxes approved by this board hurt many but those mentioned even more.  Her opponent, Ellen Frost is “PROUD” of the bloated $360 million budget approved by her and the TWO RAISES she has received as a Commissioner.

As our Commissioner Christina says she will work hard for core services education, public safety, health and human services.  She will NOT push for personal projects and agendas as her opponent does.

As a mother of three who attended Buncombe County Schools Christina realizes the challenges of the parents, teachers and students face.

Christina will be the CONSERVATIVE voice for District 2.  In 2012 Christina was announced the winner election night of District 2 only to have it taken away by 200 QUESTIONABLE votes.  

Waldrop lambasted as political clone of husband

Nancy Waldrop, wife of Commissioner David King who lost his primary for reelection to District 3, stated at the CIBO debate on July 30 that she was “your independent voice.”

Her husband David was elected by Republicans in 2012 to represent them.  His voting record is exclusively with the Democrats.

So no surprise that Nancy is supported almost exclusively by the liberals.  Nancy is paired with liberal and progressive Democrat Brian Turner as guest speakers at an upcoming event.  Of the 25 host names on the announcement, almost two thirds (15) are registered Democrats.   Four are unaffiliated and a mere two are Republicans.  The final four are not registered to vote in Buncombe County.

Republican Miranda DeBruhl’s walloping defeat of King with her 63 to 37 percent of the votes in May’s primary sent a loud and clear message from conservative voters in District 3. No more liberal David King politics!  Now Nancy wants to take his place.

District 3 voters, we do not need a David King clone on the commission.  A vote for his wife will continue  liberal and progressive decisions.  Do not be conned by the 

“Unaffiliated voice” rhetoric. Waldrop is in no way an independent candidate.

DeBruhl touted as offering a leveling of playing field  

I am supporting Miranda DeBruhl because of her commitment to fiscal responsibility, local small business, and private property rights.

A native of Buncombe County, Miranda lives in Leicester with her husband, Kelly, and their two young children.  Miranda is a registered nurse and a small business owner.   She knows that money spent by the government comes from hard-working people many of whom are struggling to make ends meet while working and raising a family. 

Miranda will work to eliminate spending that benefits only a handful of connected people.  She will do everything she can to provide a level playing field so that local small business can compete and thrive.  And, she will protect the rights of private property owners.

Early voting starts Oct. 23.  If you want a commissioner who will represent the hard-working citizens of Buncombe County, cast your ballot for Miranda DeBruhl.