Cyndi Lauper Forces Fans To Donate To Gay Rights Group Via Ticket Purchase

Posted on June 1, 2016 by A.P. Dillon

Fan of Cyndi Lauper?

Reuters via Breitbart

Want to see her at Durham Energy Performing Arts Center on June 4th?  Then you must pay the gay rights group, Equality NC.

That’s right, she’s allegedly donating all the proceeds to Equality NC to help try to repeal HB 2. Therefore, your ticket purchase is going to that end.

Over this past weekend, the Ticketmaster site required you select the specially priced tickets in order to make the purchase.

You needed a code to obtain the tickets, which wasn’t available on the Ticketmaster page for the show, but only available in an special email from Equality NC.

The ‘special sale’ was supposed to run through June 1st, but the standard ticket purchase selection is back up this morning. ‘Special sale’ tickets or standard, the proceeds are going to the same place.

Here’s the text via Duke Energy Performing Arts Center page:

“In the dark haze of such oppression, people and companies are stepping up to fight back against this unjust law and ensure that all North Carolinians are treated with dignity and respect, especially the transgender community. I have seen time and time again what can happen when people join together to do what is fair and the effort to repeal HB2 is the right and fair thing to do.
I am hopeful that all of the current efforts to repeal HB2 will be successful and the True Colors Fund and I will continue to do all that we can to help. In that vein, the best way I know how to make a difference is what I have strived to do my whole life and that is show up for my family, friends, and fans in the LGBT community. So, for that reason I think the best way I can do my part is to turn my show in Raleigh on June 4th into an entire day to build public support to repeal HB2. I will be donating all of the profits from the show to Equality NC‘s efforts to repeal HB2 and I am proud of my manager and agent for joining me in this effort by donating their commissions from the show to this vital effort.
I look forward to coming to North Carolina and standing up for equality and fairness. If we truly want an inclusive society, we all have to include ourselves in the effort to make that happen. This is the best way I know how to include myself and urge you to join me in the best way you know how.”

Dear Ms. Lauper,

It’s one thing for you to want to give to a charity, but it’s quite another to force fans who may or may not disagree with you to be the ones paying that charity.

You say you want equality for all people, yet you’ve made it mandatory that a fan paying for a ticket subsidize your personal beliefs. There is no regular ticket option. Only an agenda tied one.  You are a hypocrite.

You’re also a liar.  The promo says you’re donating 100% to Equality NC, yet the ticket selection tool on Ticketmaster over the weekend says it is the “HRC and ENC promo”.  HRC is Human Rights Campaign, which is a financial juggernaut whose combined revenue was over $52 million in 2014.

Ms. Lauper, you’ve just sided with a group (HRC) whose ultimate goal in repealing HB2 is to force women and young girls to share facilities that should be private with any given male who says the magic words, “I identify as female”.   Tell me, is your dressing room gender neutral? Do you allow your male staff to change next to you there?

Congrats. You’re an official HRC useful idiot.

PS. If you want to be “taken seriously“, perhaps dying your hair pink, styling it as if a 4 year old attacked you with scissors and then dressing up in Madonna and Lady Gaga’s discards might not be the way to go for a 63 year old.

Posted in A.P. Dillon (LL1885), LGBTQ Issues | Tagged | 1 Comment

WCPSS Board’s ShortFall Translates To HardFall For Staff, Parents, Students

Posted on June 1, 2016 by A.P. Dillon

Yesterday there was a lot of discussion about the Wake County Schools (WCPSS) budget ‘shortfall’. That shortfall has a price tag of $16.8 million.

Given that WCPSS has over a billion dollar budget, what transpired yesterday should have parents questioning how the board spends their money.

Even the News and Observer’s Ed columnist thinks it’s a big deal:

 

How does the WCPSS board plan to make up the shortfall? By cutting services and raising taxes.

News and Observer has a partial list:

  • Increase class sizes, clean schools one fewer day a week, spend less on instructional supplies and adjust school thermometers by one degree.
  • Eliminate the use of after-school activity buses and delay planned raises for teachers who do extra duties such as coaching athletic teams.
  • Increase student parking fees, require students to pay a fee to participate in extracurricular activities such as athletics, and increase employees’ dental premiums.
  • The school system also is looking at increasing the fees charged to community groups to rent facilities and freezing the local salary supplement that teachers receive.

Imagine a Republican majority school board doing this. Imagine the outrage.

Keep imagining, because there will likely be no outrage from the vocal Left leaning non-profits and protest groups.

2010 WBOE Protest with Barber - Evans SingingDon’t expect Rev. Barber to protest this board over cutting anything either, he’s too busy being upset that legislators want to keep tuition and fee hikes from hitting students in the UNC system.

Going back to that list of cuts — Did you notice the second part of the last item on the list above?

“Freezing the local salary supplement teachers receive.”

WCPSS already boosted teacher supplemental pay. WCPSS’s supplemental pay was already one of the top 3 largest in the state before the boost.  The board made a huge production out of it too. Now, due to their arguable lack of planning in other areas, they are proposing freezing it.  Hey, it’s a book out of Governor Perdue’s  freezing Teacher Pay playbook!

Good on the News and Observer for including the ‘blame shifting’ this board is trying to pull with these proposed cuts.  Maybe if this board was half as invested in cutting their administrative bloat, social justice warrior infused positions and pandering to special interest groups, we might see a different budget story.

Don’t forget, this board wants yet another Bond too.

Keep scrolling down the News and Observer article and you see the punchline: Board approves $1.98 billion building program.

That new building plan spans 7 years, multiple miscellaneous items, 14 schools and 11 new projects.  All of this to accommodate growth; a growth rate which this board has inaccurately estimated in the past.  The real growth in Wake county comes from homeschooling and charter schools.

Posted in A.P. Dillon (LL1885), EDUCATION, Reverend Barber, Wake County School Board | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Wake Cty Poll Worker Offered All Ballots But One To Unaffiliated Voters

Posted on May 31, 2016 by A.P. Dillon

The Voter Integrity Project (VIP) has reported that a poll worker in Wake County attempted to suppress the votes of several unaffiliated voters last week during the start of early voting for the special June 7th primary election.

Via VIP:

On May 26, 2016, the first day of early voting Jack Spence (a retired US Marine and an airline pilot) and his wife, Bea, voted at the Wake County BOE headquarters and the check-in desk employee, a life-long registered Democrat, named Jan Torrey, incorrectly told the couple they could only have either a Democrat ballot or a Nonpartisan ballot. As a result, both took ballots that prevented them from voting in the congressional primary candidates, which was their right. After elevating the problem to a Help Desk and then to the site Supervisor, Bea was given a new ballot, since she had not yet cast her original one, and Jack, who had already cast his ballot, was allowed to cast a provisional ballot. Hear their account of the incident by clicking this link.

The first couple might have been a fluke, but she repeated the pattern. Keep reading.

The head of VIP, Jay DeLancy, decided to verify this couple’s account himself. He headed into the polling area and encountered the same woman who served the couple. She pulled the same thing on DeLancy by skipping the Republican ballot choice entirely.  He finally got her to give him one after questioning her a bit.

DeLancy recorded the encounter on his cell phone.

Watch: 

DeLancy: “So, which ballots can I get? I’m confused now.”

Torrey: “You can get the Democratic, the Libertarian or the Nonpartisan. The three of them are the same, because there’s not a candidate for Congress. The District 4 Democratic [sic] have David Price and no one has challenged him.” [Fact: Price has two Republican challengers.]

DeLancy: “Okay, um, those are my choices huh? Okay.”

Torrey; (While pointing towards the entry way,) “Uh huh. (nodding). If you want to look at the ballots, they’re [unintelligible]. The, uh, ones that are the non-affiliated only have the Judges.”

DeLancy: “So I can get a Democrat or a Non-affiliated…”

Torrey: (Interrupts) “Libertarian. The Republican or the Nonpartisan.”

DeLancy: “Okay, so I can get the Republican ballot?”

Torrey: “Yes. (Shaking her head, no.) Sorry. (Looking down at computer screen,) You may get that one.”
An incident report has been filed and there is a lot more detail in the VIP article, so go read the whole thing.  Voters should be made aware that they can look up their voter registration and see what ballots are available to them BEFORE going to the polls.

Posted in A.P. Dillon (LL1885), Video, Voting | Tagged | Comments Off on Wake Cty Poll Worker Offered All Ballots But One To Unaffiliated Voters

Donald Trump & Lima Beans

Posted on May 31, 2016 by Liberty Speaks

When I was young my Grandmother used an old world expression to get us to eat our vegetables.  She’d say “promise to eat your greens”.   I’d smile and nod because corn, broccoli, carrots, even spinach was just fine and dandy to my young palette.   All my “greens” were consumed with out fuss, or threat of sitting at the table til they were gone, or going hungry at least until I was 6 years old.

Then it all changed.   I hate Lima beans.

limabeans

I first encountered the legumes after being served Mixed Vegetables for the first time that included corn, green beans, carrots, peas and a food item I’d never seen.   The only description I can use after eating one was it tasted like sand and the tactile experience was equal to munching on grit…basically dirt in a shell.  I knew my only option was to separate the little suckers from my plate, keeping them away from the other veggies.  Lucky for me, my Grandmother also disliked them, so we came to an understanding.  I would eat everything else, except for the Lima’s.  Problem solved.

To this day, when a recipe calls for the mix, I still carefully pick them out and toss them to my dog.  The ironic thing is, I never fathomed my Lima bean experience would reflect our choices of whom should lead this nation and become President.

Keeping with the herbaceous analogy…

The Republican party has been accused in the past of having a diversity problem, but that changed in 2015.   A GOP field of 17 men and women, African-American, Latino & White, old and young, Business owners, Governors & Senators and a Neurosurgeon came together to create the ultimate mixed bag of vegetables.

I even heard a new version of “promise to eat your greens” during the first GOP debate in August when the question was asked “will you pledge to support the eventual nominee no matter who it is?”  I actually smiled and nodded at my TV, the way I would at my Grandmothers dinner table, in acknowledgement that I too would support the eventual GOP Nominee.  I was confident that the right choice would be made, so it wasn’t an issue.  Problem solved.

Starting after the first debate candidates were separated, picked and tossed to the side much like my Lima bean experience.  The electorate was acting like a vegan in a produce aisle, while some of the candidates acted like the very vegetables that were being perused.

cartoon_vegetables_expression_01_vector_181027

I mean seriously, tell me you don’t think of a boring piece cauliflower when Lindsey Graham speaks…but I digress.

There has never been an election cycle quite like this one, and I know I’m not alone in that thinking.  Early favorites were kicked from the table before the meal even started and the ones left were fighting to remain on the plate.  Well, all except one, and yes, he had to be my version of the Lima Bean.  As inexplicable as it is, the one candidate I didn’t like, and never believed had a chance, was soon to be the last at the table.  If someone told me this would happen back in August, I probably would have laughed in their face, and in case you haven’t figured out the analogy yet,  Donald Trump is to me the very dirt in a shell I had refused to eat years ago.

After Trump’s win in Indiana, and the suspension of the Cruz and Kasich campaigns, I realized I had two choices; Digest something I truly don’t like, or walk away from the table all together.

It was then my Grandmother’s words came back to haunt me.   Every candidate had been asked to promise support for the eventual nominee, much to their chagrin and mine, it turned out to be Trump.  I made a silent promise starring at the TV that August night, and I will keep my word.  I may not like what has been left on my plate, but I will not risk what Hillary Clinton may try to shove in front of me if she win’s.

So Mr. Trump, I will eat my greens…You will have my vote.

e126251b-3e31-46fe-8f90-06e8bee87cb7_300

Problem solved.

 

Thank you to Doug Ross for Linking

Thank you Grumpy Opinions for Linking

Thank you to the Watcher with the Watcher’s Council for nominating Donald Trump & Lima Beans in the Watcher of Weasels weekly contest under Non-Council Member category.   I am very honored.

 

Posted in Campaign 2016, ELECTIONS, Liberty Speaks, OPINION, Poltical Correctness, Voting | Tagged | 4 Comments

Moral Monday Finds More Hate: Protecting In State College Students From Rate Hikes

Posted on May 31, 2016 by A.P. Dillon

Protecting students from tuition rate hikes, establishing a scholarship plan and reducing student fees in the UNC System is hateful, you guys.

SB 873 is just extremist! It’s hateful! It’s racist!

Even though this bill is about the UNC system specifically, Moron Monday says it’s an attack on HBCU’s (Historically Black Colleges and Universities).

The NC NAACP aka Moral Monday’s press release:

North Carolina NAACP
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 30, 2016
Contact: Tyler Swanson, Field Secretary, NC NAACP Youth and College Division, 336-317-3586,tjswanson93@gmail.com

North Carolina NAACP & North Carolina NAACP Youth & College Division Hold a Press Conference
Rejecting the Policies of Hate in S.B. 873

DURHAM, NC — Join Us on Tuesday May 31st, at the People’s House Press Room on Jones Street. We are grateful for Rep. Larry Hall for reserving the North Carolina General Assembly Press Room.

       “This bill is classic underdevelopment. Once again the extremists use a false label to cover up the truth. This bill is not about making college more affordable,” said Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, NC NAACP President. “Instead it is an attack on HBCUs and minority universities that will drain millions of dollars from them with no replacement revenue. Like the extremists’ voucher and voter suppression schemes, this is just another scheme to further the extremist agenda.”   “This Bill attacks People of Color directly,” Dr. Barber said. “The goal is clear. Disperse these centers of cultural, intellectual and political power for our small — but rapidly growing –leadership cadre. Disrupt the mission of HBCU’s by bankrupting them.

“The Youth and College Division will organize all summer long,” said Tyler Swanson, Field Secretary of the Division, “to stop the extremists’ new round of Hate Bills spewing out of our People’s House.”  The North Carolina NAACP, North Carolina NAACP Youth & College Division  and the Forward Together Moral Movement will Conduct News Conference at 11am at The North Carolina General Assembly Press Room

WHO: The NC NAACP, NC NAACP Youth & College Division, and the Forward Together Moral Movement.

WHAT: News Conference Against Senate Bill 873

WHEN: Tuesday May 31 at 11am 

WHERE: North Carolina General Assembly Press Room
Posted in A.P. Dillon (LL1885), EDUCATION, Higher Ed, Moral Monday, NC NAACP, NCGA | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Here’s The Video Of The Pastors Backing #HB2 The NC Media Didn’t Show You

Posted on May 28, 2016 by A.P. Dillon

On Tuesday, May 24th, a collection of over 50 pastors from across North Carolina held a press conference in Raleigh.

Many of these pastors were African-American and they came to voice their support HB 2. Many of these same pastors had been involved in the Civil Rights movement. This was a big deal.   I chronicled their remarks in my Storify Article.

Highlights:

“HB2 has nothing to do with Civil Rights.”
“Rev. Barber does not speak for us”
“Roy Cooper is more occupied with running for an election than standing for privacy & safety of our children.”
“The people are behind you (Gov. McCrory) on ‪#‎HB2‬.Those who oppose HB2 will never vote for you. We will!”

By the way, the same pastors are now demanding an apology from AG Loretta Lynch, President Obama and NC AG Roy Cooper.  The group explicitly calls out AG Cooper for not signing onto the lawsuit filed by 11 other states.

Excerpt via NC Capitol Connection:

“HB2 does not prevent a person who is not transgender from playing cards with a person who is,” he said. “HB2 does not prevent a transgendered person from attending the same hospital entrance as someone who is not transgendered. My point is, African Americans are due an apology. We should get an apology from Loretta Lynch, we should get an apology from Roy Cooper… There is no way that should be compared with what African Americans suffered in this country during the dehumanizing Jim Crow era. Our crime during Jim Crow was that we were born of a darker hue.”

There was a ton of media present at this event. They asked a lot of questions.  What did we see in the local that night and the next day? Next to nothing. The only major outlet who had anything up, was the News and Observer.

Thanks to Major Dave, we have video clips of the whole thing. They are all listed below with their link and description.  Share them, the media won’t.

Part 01 – https://youtu.be/Pb2nG-bAxRw
On May 24th, 2016, over 40 pastors from across the state gathered on the south lawn of the NC Capitol building in Raleigh to make a strong showing of rejection of the claims by the Obama Administration that the current push for recognition of gender identity and sexual orientation is a part of the civil rights movement for blacks in America. The press conference was moderated by John Amanchukwu, Executive Director of the Upper Room Christian Academy of Raleigh, NC.

Part 02 – https://youtu.be/XyZupNiOrYI
Dr. Patrick Wooden, Senior Pastor of The Upper Room Church of God in Christ of Raleigh has been at the forefront of the local African-American community in support of HB2 as “common sense” legislation. He offers his perspective on the connection between gender identity and the Civil Rights Movement.

Part 03 – https://youtu.be/h_6Z5B5b1TI
Clarence Henderson is Chairman of the North Carolina Martin Luther King Commission and was one of the four original sit-in demonstrators at the Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, NC in 1960. His long history of activism for true civil rights stands him in a unique position to speak to why the current controversy over sexual orientation and gender identity has nothing to do with the Civil Rights Movement in this country.

Part 04 – https://youtu.be/4YWN_fkTeJ4
Dr. Gabriel Rogers, Senior Pastor at Kingdom Christian Church in Charlotte, NC explains his perspective as a mental health professional on SOGI issues and how HB2 does not discriminate against people, but rather behavior.

Part 05 – https://youtu.be/kSW8zg2_qOw
Dr. Leon Threatt, Senior Pastor at Christian Faith Assembly in Charlotte, NC has been at the forefront of the fight against the Charlotte ordinance and explains his reasons for his involvement in helping to stop it from becoming law.

Part 06 – https://youtu.be/mErM5jUyDso
Pastor Kenneth Fontenot, Senior Pastor at Bethel Baptist Church in Wilson, NC offers a creative illustration of why calling something by a name other than what it is does not make it into something else.

Part 07 – https://youtu.be/Bmr7XcKvvdk
Pastor Jimmy Bention of the Metrolina Christian Center COGIC in Monroe, NC came to Raleigh to share his personal experiences and views on HB2 and to explain the disconnect between sexual orientation and the civil rights movement.

Part 08 – https://youtu.be/Eu3xd55dVUM
Pastor Olden Thornton of Raleigh’s International Church explains just what a eunuch is and how biblical explanations of sexual deviancy help define how we treat such individuals.

Part 09 – https://youtu.be/lJINE8kfcxo
John Amanchukwu offers a summary of what has been said and why they are there to stand up in defense of HB2, followed by Elder Raychon McKoy who offers the benedictory prayer.

Part 10 – https://youtu.be/GBoKqpTIx54
At the conclusion of prepared remarks, the Pastors took questions directly from the media in attendance, addressing the civil rights, mental health and public safety aspects of HB2.

Posted in A.P. Dillon (LL1885), EXCLUSIVE, LGBTQ Issues, Media Bias, Video | Tagged | 4 Comments