Lincoln Tribune |  |
- Happy Birthday Doug Parker!
- Debunking Voter Photo ID Myths
- UNICEF welcomes release of Palestinian child detainees from Israeli prisons
- During Holiday Festivities, Remember Safety
- The Extreme Home Makeover Crew Films at The Festival of Trees and Artists’ Market
| Posted: 19 Dec 2011 02:00 AM PST  Doug Parker and Bo. Photo contirbuted. LINCOLNTON – Happy 40th Birthday to Doug Parker! Tammy Ballard wrote us and wanted to give Doug Parker this Birthday message:
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| Debunking Voter Photo ID Myths Posted: 19 Dec 2011 01:30 AM PST
Who are the opponents of a voter ID requirement? If we rely only on mainstream media, we would believe that all minority groups, especially African Americans and registered Democrats, oppose any legislation requiring a voter to present photo ID in order to cast a vote. Consequently it may come as a surprise to learn that all segments of North Carolina’s voting population believe that a strong voter photo ID law would prevent voter fraud. The Civitas Institute has polled the voter ID question and consistently found that the overwhelming majority of voters agree that North Carolina should institute a voter ID law. The support is strong with approval across every demographic, including Democrats and African Americans. In fact, the opponents of voter ID are a small, but loud, alliance of Democratic leaders, ultra-liberal activists and the mainstream media. Across the country, groups like the ACLU, League of Women Voters, NAACP and AARP work together to form a powerful and well-funded coalition to stop voter ID legislation. As evidenced by these group's talking points and the heated exchanges during the debate on voter ID in North Carolina’s 2011 legislative session, voter ID detractors rely on accusations of racism to strengthen their position, knowing that calling someone a racist is the fastest way to halt debate on any subject. Therefore it is interesting to learn that there are cracks emerging in the “thin liberal line” in the voter ID debate. The most recent example is former Alabama Congressman Artur Davis. In an October op-ed in the Montgomery Advisor which ran after Alabama passed a new voter ID law, Mr. Davis categorically admits that while an elected official, he was on the wrong side of the voter ID fight. He writes, "When I was a congressman, I took the path of least resistance on this subject for an African American politician. Without any evidence to back it up, I lapsed into the rhetoric of various partisans and activists who contend that requiring photo identification to vote is a suppression tactic aimed at thwarting black voter participation." Davis does not ignore Alabama’s history and discusses the reasons that some would oppose the legislation, especially in the African American community, and decries the fact that race is a “prohibitive indicator” of how the voters of Alabama vote. He discloses details of ongoing voter fraud that most politicians would vehemently deny: "Voting the names of the dead, and the nonexistent, and the too-mentally-impaired to function, cancels out the votes of citizens who are exercising their rights — that's suppression by any light. If you doubt it exists, I don't; I've heard the peddlers of these ballots brag about it, I've been asked to provide the funds for it, and I am confident it has changed at least a few close local election results.” It takes real courage to stand against one's party and contemporaries on such a polarizing issue. However, Mr. Davis is not alone. Rhode Island passed a voter ID law this year and one of the legislation's chief backers, State Senator Harold Metts, is African American, a Democrat and a senior citizen. It is worth noting that Democrats control Rhode Island’s legislature, the governor is an Independent and the State’s Democratic Attorney General was the leader of the push for voter ID. Though the North Carolina legislature failed in their attempt to enact voter ID legislation due to Gov. Bev Perdue’s veto pen, 2011 proved to be a good year for other states that proposed similar legislation. At least eight states either passed new laws or voted in favor of a constitutional amendment requiring a voter ID. Voters in Alabama, Rhode Island, Tennessee, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Kansas, Texas and Mississippi will now be required to present an ID to cast a ballot. Voter photo ID supporters in North Carolina's legislature should find inspiration in former Congressman Davis’ story and should push again for voter ID legislation in the 2012 short session, irrespective of Gov. Perdue's ultimate veto. Given that more than 77 percent of North Carolina voters support voter photo ID, the governor’s re-election campaign will be an ideal time to revisit the issue. Susan Myrick is an elections analyst at the Civitas Institute in Raleigh (nccivitas.org)
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| UNICEF welcomes release of Palestinian child detainees from Israeli prisons Posted: 19 Dec 2011 01:16 AM PST JERUSALEM (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Monday welcomed the release of more than 50 Palestinian children from Israeli jails as part of Sunday's prisoner swap agreement with Hamas. The 55 released children are between the ages of 14 and 17. "We welcome this release of children by the Israeli authorities and we look forward to further progress on the issue of child detainees," said Jean Gough, UNICEF Special Representative in the occupied Palestinian territory. The children were released as part of the second phase of a prisoner swap agreement with Hamas. Under the agreement, Israel agreed to free 1,027 prisoners in exchange for the release of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit who had been held in Hamas captivity in Gaza for almost six years. During the first phase in October, Israel released 477 Palestinian prisoners, including participants in some of the bloodiest terrorist attacks of the last decade. All prisoners released as part of the deal were forced to sign a document in which they pledge not to engage in terrorist activity in the future. Israeli officials previously said they will hunt down any released prisoners if they are found to have engaged in terrorism again. According to UNICEF, a total of 161 Palestinians under 18 years of age were in Israeli military detention as of December 1. At least 106 Palestinian children remain in Israeli jails following Sunday's release. (Copyright 2011 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)
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| During Holiday Festivities, Remember Safety Posted: 19 Dec 2011 01:00 AM PST  Amy Wadsworth By Amy Wadsworth | Public Information Coordinator Partnership for Children of Lincoln & Gaston Counties Have a fire safe holiday season! According to the U.S. Fire Administration, (FEMA), many home fires in the winter season occur from Christmas trees and holiday lights. Your Christmas tree needs to be well watered and should not be placed next to a heat source, including a heat vent or fireplace. Heat will dry out the tree causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, sparks or flame. The tree stand should be filled with water at all times. December is also the peak month for candles fires with Christmas being the peak day. Candles should never be put on your tree! Keep them out of reach of children and pets. You should never leave the house with candles burning. Once gifts are opened, dispose of wrapping paper in the trash. Never put it in the fireplace as this can result in a large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks that could result in a chimney fire. Synthia Kearney, Captain of the Gastonia Fire Department agrees that people need to be extra careful this Holiday season. "Decorations, candle use and dry trees all can contribute to greater fire potential," she said. "Additionally decorations and live greenery can present choking hazards for small children and poisoning hazards for pets and small children." Here are some other tips from FEMA to keep your Christmas tree safe:
Want to learn more about The Partnership for Children?
The Partnership for Children of Lincoln & Gaston Counties is your local Smart Start agency. Our vision is a community where young children will reach their health and educational potential. For more information about The Partnership for Children of Lincoln & Gaston Counties and our programs call us at 704-922-0900 or visit us online at www.pfclg.com.
Connect with us: http://www.pfclg.com http://www.facebook.com/pfclg Flickr, www.flickr.com/pfclg Twitter: Ready4School
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| The Extreme Home Makeover Crew Films at The Festival of Trees and Artists’ Market Posted: 19 Dec 2011 01:00 AM PST  Ty Pennington films at the Festival of Trees in Lincolnton. LINCOLNTON – On December 12, 2011, the Festival of Trees and Artists' Market which is located at 200 Gamble Drive was used to film the introduction of the 2012 Extreme Home Makeover Christmas Special. The Extreme Home Makeover Special features the Friday family of Lincolnton, a much deserving family. Ty Pennington and the Home Makeover Crew searched Lincolnton for a Christmas sight and chose the Arts Council of Lincoln County 2011 Festival of Trees. The filming took 4 hours and featured a variety of trees that are on display. The Festival of Trees is open to the public December 16-18, 2011 from 5:00PM-9:00PM and December 19, 2011 from 1:00PM-5:00PM. The last day is December 23, 2011. Admission is $5.00 adults and children 12 years old. There is a $2.00 admission for children younger than 12 and senior citizens as well.
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