Shame on the likes of Franklin Graham using his religious organization and the name of his father to promote an American theocracy while preaching against the Golden Rule.
I want no part of his religion of bigotry and anti freedom right wing politics.
Thanks to the people of Watauga County who choose freedom, liberty and humanity.
Can we please secede from this backwoods hick driven bible thumping ignorant bigoted discriminatory state? I am ashamed to be a North Carolinian tonight. The democratic process should never be used by the majority to restrict the rights of the minority. The classic tyranny of the majority - you ****ing tyrants.
This sounds like a bunch of whiners. Accept it. It was brought to a vote and the people have spoken. Thank God for a democracy and a state and country where we have that freedom.
Anonymous said "Thanks to your ASU, your warped lies, and a bunch of brainwashed ASU students."
Wow. Bitter much? Sounds like you're one of those people who think that ASU students shouldn't be able to vote. Calling those who disagree with you "brainwashed" is the first step in denying them their rights. Classy.
What you, Dan Soucek, Franklin Graham and Deborah Greene don't understand is other people's freedom, religion, liberty, civil rights and basic human right should not for you to vote on.
What give you that right in a free society.
People like you will wave flags, display red white and blue bumper stickers with the word freedon on it but that's it. When it comes to people practicing real freedom you go AWOL and oppose it as you did here.
Greene...we smell your scent from a mile away. Students aren't going to let you take away their right to vote. The 2012 Primary was a preview of what you and your cronies are going to get in November.
Happily Married: Get over it! You are one bitter and jealous person who only knows to respond (excuse me, react)with angry and bitter words. Marriage is between a man and a woman and the state has spoken. Reaction as opposed to response shows your lack of maturity and depth.
No one is taking any rights away from you or your precious students or whoever. NC citizens are just reinforcing what already exist as many other states have done.
For many years, the immediate Boone area and ASU students have had more than equal opportunities to vote on whatever, which is a considerable advantage over the rural people. And you know this fact very well and have enjoyed this unfair advantage for too long.
We have no qualms about NC students voting on NC issues. But in too many instances in the recent past, there has been exclusively local issues that were voted on by students, with more than ample opportunities, who were not from here and would soon leave this area. This practice is very unfair to the local people.
And the ugly and illegal behavior of some over the last few weeks re: signs and property is totally reprehensible and is unacceptable in a free society that you and your kind so disingenuously scream about.
Happily Married's post was not bitter or jealous. He/She made a valid point that marriage is a state-sanctioned contract that requires NO religious content at all. The bitter people are the ones who voted for this monstrosity.
Once again, for the benefit of inept and the deliberately unknowing, you can do anything with a personal contract that you can with a marriage. No one is harmed.
OBAMA: I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married.
A profile in courage; hallelujah, a message of good to overcome hate.
You have no idea who I am or my maturity or depth. I react to the absurd. Just because a majority of NC did not understand the ramifications of the vote and are entrenched in a selectively interpreted bible coma does not mean it was right or that I will get over it. Please tell me how my words were angry and bitter as opposed to factual. I was responding to a query. Funny how my factual statement has not been responded to. And finally:"Once again, for the benefit of inept and the deliberately unknowing, you can do anything with a personal contract that you can with a marriage. No one is harmed." I guess I am inept or unknowing, but if I approach the State of NC with a contract between me and my partner, you mean they will grant me the same benefits they grant a married couple? Please explain that given the wording of the amendment. If I have a contract granting rights of survivor ship, the state will honor it now? If I am in the hospital, will visitation be granted to my partner with this contract? Please enlighten the inept and the unknowing and tell us where you got your law degree while you are at it.
I've heard a lot of people saying that those of us who opposed the amendment shouldn't be "bitter" and should "get over it". Interesting choice of words.
First, being disappointed and ashamed of this outcome isn't being "bitter". It's being disappointed and ashamed - natural reactions both. And thank goodness those fighting for civil rights in the 1950s and 60s didn't just "get over it" when handed setbacks at the hands of a majority acting on ignorance and prejudice.
Sorry, but we won't "get over it" when "it" is using misguided religious arguments, twisted logic and untruths to deny equal rights to all American citizens.
Anon 9:38 and 2:45, you want language from the Constitution discussing rights? Here you go, from the 14th Amendment, Section 1:
"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
Dem 12 go back and read many of his/her reactions to about any thing that opposes his/her narrow minded self. He/She is one bitter person. Go look on facebook and see who is bitter. Read the pages of this blog and see who is bitter. Enough said.
Very glad that Obama took the stand he did, we know we will not make it second time around.
That must be what the conservatives are calling it these days.... the Deceleration of Independence. They are certainly trying to stop all progress and take us back to the 19th century!
Anonymous, I'm pretty certain the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution had the same author. I seem to remember something about the "pursuit of happiness" being an unalienable right as well.
Marie, they are not the same document and do not do the same thing. Even if you know no history, you should understand that. For instance Roe versus Wade and the Heller decision had were "authored" by the same entity, but are far from the same thing.
" Liberal POV, personally I do not want any of your left wing politics."
What part do you disagree with? Justice, Freedom? Liberty? Fairness? Human Rights?
What you, Dan Soucek, Franklin Graham and Deborah Greene don't seem to understand is other people's freedom, religion, liberty, civil rights and basic human right should not be for you to vote on.
What gives you that right in a free society?
Your kind would have never voted to end slavery, allowed interracial marriage or integrate public schools.
Dan Soucek should understand, he is to serve all of the citizens, not just fundamentalist Christian citizens.
Anonymous said: "No one is taking any rights away from you or your precious students or whoever."
Oh come on, Anonymous - you're really not Anonymous, are you? Anyone who has read this blog for very long knows exactly who you are. You really have a stick up your ass about ASU students, don't you? It must a very sad place in your bitter little world.
Freedom comes with a price. Choices that we make can take away that freedom.
Someone please tell me what this Amendment does to someone's freedom. What has Franklin Graham or Dan Soucek done to take away freedom. They are doing what they believe is right. I would have been disappointed in the Billy Graham Association if they had not taken a stand of this. Why is it okay for President Clinton to take and stand and send out dialer calls but it is not okay for Franklin Graham to take a stand? Dan Soucek and Franklin Graham are two men I have high regard for. Why is it okay for High Country United Church of Christ to take a stand against this amendment but not okay for Franklin Graham?
I think it is simple, narrow and closed minds, that you blame the conservatives for.
Don't you think it is time for deal with the real issues: economy, high unemployment, etc etc?
If people want to repeal something, then repeal Obama's poor healthcare plan that was forced on us.
That is all I am going to say. I think we all have beat this one to death
"Someone please tell me what this Amendment does to someone's freedom. What has Franklin Graham or Dan Soucek done to take away freedom. "
This person fails to understand the Golden Rule, The Separation of Church and State or America's Freedom of Religion, Basic human rights and Civil rights. Freedom to this person is a red white and blue bumper sticker with the word freedom on it but they oppose the practice of real freedom.
This amendment writes discrimination into the NC constitution.
Gay couple pose no threat to straight married couples what so ever and their freedom and liberty take nothing from you. Graham Soucek and local ministers worked to hype bigotry as did the local and state GOP for political reasons not to protect marriage.
"Don't you think it is time for deal with the real issues: economy, high unemployment, etc etc?"
Absolutely! So why did Dan Soucek and the GOP put this amendment on the ballet to create such bad press and feelings among NC citizens?
" I think we all have beat this one to death" No you have stained North Carolina and you church with bigotry that must now be cleaned up.
"Why is it okay for High Country United Church of Christ to take a stand against this amendment but not okay for Franklin Graham?"
High Country United Church of Christ was working for Justice and fairness not bigotry as Graham and Soucek were.
High Country United Church of Christ were working to increase freedom and liberty not deny freedom and liberty.
"If people want to repeal something, then repeal Obama's poor healthcare plan that was forced on us." I would bet you're on Medicare receiving government health care.
Anonymous said... "Once again, for the benefit of inept and the deliberately unknowing, you can do anything with a personal contract that you can with a marriage. No one is harmed."
I posted this on another thread, but it bears repeating here as well: You are either living in fantasy-land or you are being deliberately obtuse. Yes, any two people can draw up a contract that spells out how they will act in regard to each other, but you can't give yourself state or federal benefits in a personal contract. Here's a quick example: married people can give each other unlimited amounts of money without it being subject to a gift tax. Gay partners could never give themselves that same right in a personal contract. There is absolutely no way that a "contract" could work the same as a marriage's automatic rights.
I didn't run away. I posted another reply to that message. This is typical of you... if you can't contribute to the discussion you deflect it to something else or you throw in an underhanded insult. Fact remains: a contract can't give all the rights of marriage to a couple.
No one has really responded to Anonagain's point, other than to scream at him/her. Tell us, geniuses, how a gay couple can give themselves state- or federal- level rights in a private contract? Here's another example: a straight couple who gets married after they've known each other 2 weeks can file joint income taxes. A gay couple who have been together for 40 years cannot, no matter how many contracts they have.
My, I must have struck a nerve. That happens when the truth comes out. The tactic of telling a lie over and over in hopes people will start to believe it is an old one, but it is less effective if people bring attention to the fact you are doing it.
J.W. Williamson was the founding editor in 1972 of the Appalachian Journal: A Regional Studies Review, which he edited until July of 2000. He has taught college classes in Appalachian history, cultural politics, and literature, and he has lectured widely on the pop-culture history of "Appalachia" in the American consciousness. His books include Interviewing Appalachia, Southern Mountaineers in Silent Films, and Hillbillyland: What the Mountains Did to the Movies and What the Movies Did to the Mountains. He has won the Thomas Wolfe Award given by the Western North Carolina Historical Society, the Laurel Leaves Award given by the Appalachian Consortium, a special Weatherford Award given by Berea College, and the Cratis Williams-James Brown Award given by the Appalachian Studies Association.
The views expressed on WataugaWatch are solely those of J.W. Williamson or individual contributors and are not necessarily shared nor endorsed by the Watauga County Democratic Party nor by any other adults of sound mind in this or any other universe.
46 comments:
Yes, by the hair of your chin, JW.
Thanks to your ASU, your warped lies, and a bunch of brainwashed ASU students.
But it will carry across the state.
Freedom wins at least in Watauga County.
Shame on the likes of Franklin Graham using his religious organization and the name of his father to promote an American theocracy while preaching against the Golden Rule.
I want no part of his religion of bigotry and anti freedom right wing politics.
Thanks to the people of Watauga County who choose freedom, liberty and humanity.
Can we please secede from this backwoods hick driven bible thumping ignorant bigoted discriminatory state? I am ashamed to be a North Carolinian tonight. The democratic process should never be used by the majority to restrict the rights of the minority. The classic tyranny of the majority - you ****ing tyrants.
By less than 1 point. It passed with 60% statewide as per the radio.
This sounds like a bunch of whiners. Accept it. It was brought to a vote and the people have spoken. Thank God for a democracy and a state and country where we have that freedom.
Look on the bright side: we can still legally marry our first cousins
Greene handed you this one.
It's a day of shame not to be forgotten...
people with whom I disagree totally just amended the document that guides us all.
Majority trumps the minority...
clearly against the U.S. Constitution
To vote or not to vote should never have been this question
Yet, I and others will carry this shame
because
proponents of this travesty are not capable of doing so.
Deborah Greene's religious crusade ruined the local Republican Party for the November elections. Just look at School Board results.
Anonymous said "Thanks to your ASU, your warped lies, and a bunch of brainwashed ASU students."
Wow. Bitter much? Sounds like you're one of those people who think that ASU students shouldn't be able to vote. Calling those who disagree with you "brainwashed" is the first step in denying them their rights. Classy.
Anonymous
What you, Dan Soucek, Franklin Graham and Deborah Greene don't understand is other people's freedom, religion, liberty, civil rights and basic human right should not for you to vote on.
What give you that right in a free society.
People like you will wave flags, display red white and blue bumper stickers with the word freedon on it but that's it. When it comes to people practicing real freedom you go AWOL and oppose it as you did here.
Anonymous, what rights are you talking about? Please post a link to where the constitution of the state or federal government talk about them.
How about "all men are created equal."
Anon 9:38
The right to a state sanctioned and benefited marriage as described by state statute. If any have the right then all should have the right - period.
Greene...we smell your scent from a mile away. Students aren't going to let you take away their right to vote. The 2012 Primary was a preview of what you and your cronies are going to get in November.
Happily Married: Get over it! You are one bitter and jealous person who only knows to respond (excuse me, react)with angry and bitter words. Marriage is between a man and a woman and the state has spoken. Reaction as opposed to response shows your lack of maturity and depth.
No one is taking any rights away from you or your precious students or whoever. NC citizens are just reinforcing what already exist as many other states have done.
For many years, the immediate Boone area and ASU students have had more than equal opportunities to vote on whatever, which is a considerable advantage over the rural people. And you know this fact very well and have enjoyed this unfair advantage for too long.
We have no qualms about NC students voting on NC issues. But in too many instances in the recent past, there has been exclusively local issues that were voted on by students, with more than ample opportunities, who were not from here and would soon leave this area. This practice is very unfair to the local people.
And the ugly and illegal behavior of some over the last few weeks re: signs and property is totally reprehensible and is unacceptable in a free society that you and your kind so disingenuously scream about.
Happily Married's post was not bitter or jealous. He/She made a valid point that marriage is a state-sanctioned contract that requires NO religious content at all. The bitter people are the ones who voted for this monstrosity.
Once again, for the benefit of inept and the deliberately unknowing, you can do anything with a personal contract that you can with a marriage. No one is harmed.
OBAMA: I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married.
A profile in courage; hallelujah, a message of good to overcome hate.
The phrase "all men are created equal" is in the Deceleration of Independence, not the Constitution.
Try again.
"you and your kind," ANON 1:46
wow, just wow..."you and your kind."
Anon 1:25
You have no idea who I am or my maturity or depth. I react to the absurd. Just because a majority of NC did not understand the ramifications of the vote and are entrenched in a selectively interpreted bible coma does not mean it was right or that I will get over it. Please tell me how my words were angry and bitter as opposed to factual. I was responding to a query. Funny how my factual statement has not been responded to. And finally:"Once again, for the benefit of inept and the deliberately unknowing, you can do anything with a personal contract that you can with a marriage. No one is harmed." I guess I am inept or unknowing, but if I approach the State of NC with a contract between me and my partner, you mean they will grant me the same benefits they grant a married couple? Please explain that given the wording of the amendment. If I have a contract granting rights of survivor ship, the state will honor it now? If I am in the hospital, will visitation be granted to my partner with this contract? Please enlighten the inept and the unknowing and tell us where you got your law degree while you are at it.
I've heard a lot of people saying that those of us who opposed the amendment shouldn't be "bitter" and should "get over it". Interesting choice of words.
First, being disappointed and ashamed of this outcome isn't being "bitter". It's being disappointed and ashamed - natural reactions both. And thank goodness those fighting for civil rights in the 1950s and 60s didn't just "get over it" when handed setbacks at the hands of a majority acting on ignorance and prejudice.
Sorry, but we won't "get over it" when "it" is using misguided religious arguments, twisted logic and untruths to deny equal rights to all American citizens.
Anon 9:38 and 2:45, you want language from the Constitution discussing rights? Here you go, from the 14th Amendment, Section 1:
"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
Dem 12 go back and read many of his/her reactions to about any thing that opposes his/her narrow minded self. He/She is one bitter person. Go look on facebook and see who is bitter. Read the pages of this blog and see who is bitter. Enough said.
Very glad that Obama took the stand he did, we know we will not make it second time around.
Liberal POV, personally I do not want any of your left wing politics.
That must be what the conservatives are calling it these days.... the Deceleration of Independence. They are certainly trying to stop all progress and take us back to the 19th century!
Anonymous, I'm pretty certain the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution had the same author. I seem to remember something about the "pursuit of happiness" being an unalienable right as well.
Marie, they are not the same document and do not do the same thing. Even if you know no history, you should understand that. For instance Roe versus Wade and the Heller decision had were "authored" by the same entity, but are far from the same thing.
Wasn't it Jefferson for the Declaration and Madison for the Constitution?
By the way, Oooooh. ROFL.
Anonymous 6:52PM and 8:57PM
" Liberal POV, personally I do not want any of your left wing politics."
What part do you disagree with? Justice, Freedom? Liberty? Fairness? Human Rights?
What you, Dan Soucek, Franklin Graham and Deborah Greene don't seem to understand is other people's freedom, religion, liberty, civil rights and basic human right should not be for you to vote on.
What gives you that right in a free society?
Your kind would have never voted to end slavery, allowed interracial marriage or integrate public schools.
Dan Soucek should understand, he is to serve all of the citizens, not just fundamentalist Christian citizens.
Anonymous said: "No one is taking any rights away from you or your precious students or whoever."
Oh come on, Anonymous - you're really not Anonymous, are you? Anyone who has read this blog for very long knows exactly who you are. You really have a stick up your ass about ASU students, don't you? It must a very sad place in your bitter little world.
Freedom comes with a price. Choices that we make can take away that freedom.
Someone please tell me what this Amendment does to someone's freedom. What has Franklin Graham or Dan Soucek done to take away freedom. They are doing what they believe is right. I would have been disappointed in the Billy Graham Association if they had not taken a stand of this. Why is it okay for President Clinton to take and stand and send out dialer calls but it is not okay for Franklin Graham to take a stand? Dan Soucek and Franklin Graham are two men I have high regard for. Why is it okay for High Country United Church of Christ to take a stand against this amendment but not okay for Franklin Graham?
I think it is simple, narrow and closed minds, that you blame the conservatives for.
Don't you think it is time for deal with the real issues: economy, high unemployment, etc etc?
If people want to repeal something, then repeal Obama's poor healthcare plan that was forced on us.
That is all I am going to say. I think we all have beat this one to death
Anonymous 4:42PM
What a sad post!
"Someone please tell me what this Amendment does to someone's freedom. What has Franklin Graham or Dan Soucek done to take away freedom. "
This person fails to understand the Golden Rule, The Separation of Church and State or America's Freedom of Religion, Basic human rights and Civil rights. Freedom to this person is a red white and blue bumper sticker with the word freedom on it but they oppose the practice of real freedom.
This amendment writes discrimination into the NC constitution.
Gay couple pose no threat to straight married couples what so ever and their freedom and liberty take nothing from you. Graham Soucek and local ministers worked to hype bigotry as did the local and state GOP for political reasons not to protect marriage.
"Don't you think it is time for deal with the real issues: economy, high unemployment, etc etc?"
Absolutely! So why did Dan Soucek and the GOP put this amendment on the ballet to create such bad press and feelings among NC citizens?
" I think we all have beat this one to death" No you have stained North Carolina and you church with bigotry that must now be cleaned up.
"Why is it okay for High Country United Church of Christ to take a stand against this amendment but not okay for Franklin Graham?"
High Country United Church of Christ was working for Justice and fairness not bigotry as Graham and Soucek were.
High Country United Church of Christ were working to increase freedom and liberty not deny freedom and liberty.
"If people want to repeal something, then repeal Obama's poor healthcare plan that was forced on us." I would bet you're on Medicare receiving government health care.
I would bet you're on Medicare receiving government health care.
I hope he is not. Obama cut funding for that program.
Anonymous said...
"Once again, for the benefit of inept and the deliberately unknowing, you can do anything with a personal contract that you can with a marriage. No one is harmed."
I posted this on another thread, but it bears repeating here as well:
You are either living in fantasy-land or you are being deliberately obtuse. Yes, any two people can draw up a contract that spells out how they will act in regard to each other, but you can't give yourself state or federal benefits in a personal contract. Here's a quick example: married people can give each other unlimited amounts of money without it being subject to a gift tax. Gay partners could never give themselves that same right in a personal contract. There is absolutely no way that a "contract" could work the same as a marriage's automatic rights.
You were answered on the other thread before you ran away.
I didn't run away. I posted another reply to that message. This is typical of you... if you can't contribute to the discussion you deflect it to something else or you throw in an underhanded insult. Fact remains: a contract can't give all the rights of marriage to a couple.
Why repost what has already been covered?
Have you no new lies?
It's not a lie.
It's a free country. I can post anything that I damn well please. There's no law that says you have to read it and comment on it.
No one has really responded to Anonagain's point, other than to scream at him/her. Tell us, geniuses, how a gay couple can give themselves state- or federal- level rights in a private contract? Here's another example: a straight couple who gets married after they've known each other 2 weeks can file joint income taxes. A gay couple who have been together for 40 years cannot, no matter how many contracts they have.
My, I must have struck a nerve. That happens when the truth comes out. The tactic of telling a lie over and over in hopes people will start to believe it is an old one, but it is less effective if people bring attention to the fact you are doing it.
You just proved the point. Once again, you had no answer, so you just call it a lie. You're doing exactly what you're accusing others of doing.
Read the original series of posts.
I have read every post on this thread. You haven't offered a shred of evidence. All you do is tell everyone else that they're lying.
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