The Jacksonville Daily News has finally recognized that the Third Congressional District (NC-03) race is going to be interesting to watch in an article that describes some of the differences between current Congressman Walter B. Jones, Jr. and his rivals (Republican [and Onslow County Commissioner] Joe McLaughlin and Democrat Marshall Adame). Craig Weber wasn’t mentioned in the article, but since his email “announcement” in November, he hasn’t been heard from and hasn’t updated his website, my guess is he flamed out.

The article, written by Jennifer Hlad, focuses on the key differences between McLaughlin, Adame, and Jones, Jr.

For McLaughlin, it’s a matter of Jones, Jr. not supporting President Bush and not being conservative enough, especially on the support for the continuing occupation of Iraq.

“On virtually every major national security vote on the War on Terror in the last year, he’s voted with the liberals,” McLaughlin said. “The man we sent to Washington in (1995) is no longer the conservative member (he was).”

Several issues separate Adame from Jones, Jr. and McLaughlin.

On Iraq, Adame is quoted:

“There is chaos in Iraq today, and there will be chaos when we leave. But until we leave, the beginning of the end of the chaos cannot start,”

“But I believe our combat troops need to come out,” he said. “We do owe something to the Iraqis, but we owe more to our own people. The best way to support the combat troops is to bring them home.”

Proving he’s no one-trick phony, he said:

“To get elected on one issue like Iraq, or any other issue, would be a little bit dishonest,”

And Adame has the right stances on the other issues. McLaughlin only claims to be an “authentic conservative” with no real policy positions (except to support President Bush, Vice President Cheney, and the Republican Party).

The article is quite good, and you should give it a read. And the reader-posted comments are quite entertaining.

Apparently the anti-McLaughlin group is more outspoken the supporters. And, just for a bonus, there’s a fellow that claims several of the separate anti-McLaughlin posters are the same person using separate names. I wonder if the Jacksonville Daily News crack tech-team can trace the IP addresses from those comments?

The Jacksonville-Onslow Council for the Arts is hosting their annual Holiday Reception on Saturday (December 8th) from 10am to 2pm. Come by the Council’s Baysden Gallery located at 826 New Bridge Street in Jacksonville and see the decorations and the gifts available for purchase.

The Onslow Outdoor Painters Society is having their third paint-out this Sunday (December 9th). The scene is an old farm off of Old 30, near the intersection with Piney Green Road in Jacksonville.

I’ve invited some photographers, and, if you’re a photographer or painter, feel free to come on out. You can find directions, and more information, here.

Vandalism at the Russell Marine and Family Services Center! Ruffians struck at the II MEF Family Readiness Office by covering the door in yellow wrapping paper. They completed their dastardly deed by taping plastic garland and a large red bow over the paper.

If you know anyone that may have information, please pass it on.

North Carolina’s Junior Senator, Richard Burr (R) lost his bid for the Republican Senate Conference Chairmanship to Senator Lamar Alexander from Tennessee.

The move marks a decidedly moderate shift in Republican Senatorial politics, as Alexander has pledged to make Senate Republicans more attractive to independent and unaffiliated voters (most of whom are more moderate than either Democrats or Republicans).

It’s also a continuing trend of North Carolinian Republicans losing authority within the Republican Party. Earlier this year Senator Elizabeth Dole was fired from the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee after failing to maintain a majority of Republicans in the Senate as well as leading the Campaign Committee deep into debt. Our Congressman, Walter B. Jones, Jr. has lost authority because of his stance against the occupation of Iraq, other Republican representatives have lost authority because the Republicans are in the Minority (and there’s no end in sight to their position).

It’s time to elect Democrats from North Carolina. For President, for the Senate, and for the House.

In an email today, Craig Weber tossed his hat into the ring for the nomination to challenge Republican Congressman Walter B. Jones, Jr. (’cuz, really, who thinks Holy Joe McLaughlin is going to win that primary?) in 2008.

Says Weber in the email to many of Eastern North Carolina’s Democratic politicos:

I have been asked by members of different groups and areas within the district and out, for that matter; and, by members of John Edwards’ Campaign; along with, two Marine Corps Generals and two Colonels, and veterans, telling me and ’strongly urging’ me to run again for Congress. There are others, including members of the Press from here to D.C. It looks like there will be a “Primary” for the Democrat Party.

I’m highly interested in these “endorsements” from the military, the media, and (most interestingly) the Edwards campaign.

I’m also interested in Weber’s identification of the Democratic Party as “the Democrat Party.” Is he now taking pages from Karl Rove’s playbook?

How will Weber differ from long-time candidate Marshall Adame? Who will be the better choice and why? These are questions we have to answer before May 2008, friends and neighbors.

Stay tuned, friends. Eastern NC just got a heckuva lot more interesting.

I apologize as I’ve been remiss from posting this video from the Young Democrats Day at the USO.

Marshall knows the importance Young Democrats (and young people in general) play in our communities. He knows the value of the sacrifices that young members of the military are making in Iraq and Afghanistan. He knows first hand the losses we face as a society because of the continued occupation of Iraq. Two of his children have been in Iraq: One was wounded in combat and the other is currently deployed.

Neither Joe McLaughlin nor Congressman Walter B. Jones, Jr. know a fraction of Marshall’s sacrifice or the sacrifice of his family.

Related Posts:

Marshall Adame. Walter B. Jones, Jr. Joe McLaughlin. Young Democrats.

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After a conversation with with J.B. Thomas (Editorial Assistant at the Jacksonville Daily News), I’ve been freed from the blacklist.

The explanations for why none of my letters were printed are varied…Here’s the quick list:

• Regarding my letter on Marshall Adame, his campaign for North Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District, and the Jacksonville Daily News’ lack of coverage (which could be called “intentional oversight”, so I did), Mr. Thomas said that he had spoken with Marshall several times the week prior and that there was no mention of a congressional campaign. To that I say: Very well. Maybe Marshall didn’t mention it and, if not, shame on him. However, that doesn’t reduce the Jacksonville Daily News responsibility to investigate. My letter declared that the newspaper was ignoring the campaign. I based that on the lack of reporting, even after emails to the Managing Editor, Cyndi Brown, and reporter, Antonio Velarde. (I received no response from either.) If there was doubt to the validity of my claims, they could easily be cleared up with a telephone call to myself or Marshall or even a frickin’ Google search.
• Regarding my letter to Senator Dole and our one year anniversary, Mr. Thomas said that it was not the editorial policy to print letters as a third party. That’s a valid policy, one that I support, even. It would be helpful, though, if that policy was available online (right along with the events policy). Most papers, I’ve come to learn, call the writers of letters such as mine to discuss re-writing and resubmission. I received no such call.
• Regarding my letter on NC House (4th District) Representative George Cleveland’s bad vote against fire-safe cigarettes, Mr. Thomas said it was simply oversight on his part and that he did intend to contact me, but that perhaps the telephone number on the facsimile print out cut off the end of my telephone number. Interesting development, as I don’t recall ever faxing a letter to them. All is well, though, as Mr. Thomas said they will be printing it shortly, as it is still relevant.

Today, they printed this letter.

So, bully for me: It’s a red letter day!

Related Posts:

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The Jacksonville Daily News has finally reported on Marshall Adame’s run for Congress.

Today’s edition has a report on Marshall’s successful efforts to sponsor an Iraqi couple’s entrance to the United States.

Says the JDNews on the matter:

Adame, a consultant to several defense contractors and a congressional hopeful running for Rep. Walter B. Jones’ 3rd District seat, was a few years ago a vice president for aviation development for The Sandi Group in Baghdad

Very nice.

So, from the article, we know two things about Marshall Adame:

• He’s served in Iraq as a civilian contractor
• He’s done something to help Iraqis.

What’ve you done to help anyone, Mr. McLaughlin?

Related Posts:

Marshall Adame.

Joe McLaughlin.

Jacksonville Daily News.

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Technorati Tags: Marshall Adame , Joe McLaughlin , NC-03 , Iraqi Refugee , Jacksonville Daily News

Remember this? 

We’ll be at the USO in Jacksonville from 10am to 2pm and would like to see you there.

If you’d like to bring supplies, check the YDNC site for the recommended list.

Cash/check donations are also welcome.

Marshall Adame (Democratic candidate for NC-03) will be present and will be happy to talk about his candidacy and campaign.

Please come on out!

And remember, mention the blog, get a surprise!

If any of you read this blog and the Jacksonville Daily News, you’ve probably noticed something: They don’t print my letters to the editor. I knew this and figured that my criticism would result in it.

I didn’t know that they would refuse to print my submissions to the Area Happenings section.

Apparently, I should’ve. Last Friday I delivered the following:

Please add to the Area Happenings section for Monday (Sep 3), Tuesday (Sep 4), Wednesday (Sep 5), Thursday (Sep 6), Friday (Sep 7) and Saturday (Sep editions.

Contact Thomas Brock at (910) 546-0769 for questions or additional information.

Support the troops at the USO on September 8^th from 10am to 2pm by making rack packs to send to deployed Marines and Sailors. Meet with Democratic Candidate for Congress, Marshall Adame and have a free lunch and get a free T-shirt. This event is sponsored by Young Democrats of NC with Young Democrats of Onslow County. Visit www.ydnc.org or call Thomas Brock at (910) 546-0769 for more information.

The announcement hasn’t been in the section for Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. Any bets for Thursday?

Who knew they’d be so petty?

Today’s edition of the Jacksonville Daily News had an interesting article about a presidential-hopeful with local roots.

No, it’s not John Edwards, Hilary Clinton, Barack Obama, or Fred Thompson. Instead, it’s Lanakila Washington and he’s the front-runner candidate in the Humanistic Party (a Party Mr. Washington seems to have created himself) for President of the United States.

“I’m not going to play by their rules, I’m not going to move with the machine,” said Washington…”I’m going in a totally different direction.”

Indeed, a different direction: Washington is using his candidacy to boost sales in some sort of Compact Disc.

A spoken word CD he is selling titled “The State of This Nation” contains a 27-minute speech that gives listeners who have never met him a chance to get to know the presidential hopeful and his views, he said.

Isn’t it nice of the Jacksonville Daily News to give Mr. Washington some free press and advertisement for his disc?

If only they’d pass some of that attention to Marshall Adame, the best candidate currently running for Congress in NC’s Third Congressional District.

Onslow Commissioner, and Republican Congressional candidate, Joe McLaughlin writes a “Monday Morning Memo” each week. This week, McLaughlin takes aim at Congressman Walter B. Jones, Jr.’s vote on the “Protect America Act” or Senate Bill 1927.

Says McLaughlin in his Monday Morning Memo:

Late Saturday night, Jones was one of only two Republicans in the House to vote against the Protect America Act.

Surely, something called the “Protect America Act” can’t be all that bad, right? Let’s take a gander.

McLaughlin says that the Protect America Act will:

The Protect America Act establishes legal guidelines on how the United States can conduct surveillance against foreign nationals and is loaded with checks and balances to make sure it is not abused.

The Act does establish legal guidelines, but whether it’s “loaded with checks and balances” is a different story.

For example, the chief “check and balance” is that the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence must authorize the surveillance. The Attorney General and Director of National Intelligence must certify that the subjects of such surveillance are “reasonably believed to be outside of the United States” which is a pretty vague standard. Judicial review is reduced under this legislation and reporting to Congress is nearly non-existent.

My biggest concern, though, is that the “Protect America Act” doesn’t. Or, rather, doesn’t protect Americans.

Says the WaPo:

It will be able to monitor phone calls and e-mails of U.S. citizens or residents without warrants — unless the subject is the “primary target” of the surveillance.

That, to me, is a frightening prospect.

It’s even more frightening that McLaughlin would so easily give away Americans’ privacy for the appearance of “protecting America.”

Consider Marshall Adame for Congress. He won’t give in to the politics of fear as McLaughlin has and he won’t give in to the political winds as Jones, Jr. has.