Here they come

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Submitted by kmr on Thu, 05/15/2008 - 11:07am.

This is that time in the cycle (short session in a federal election year) when people run bills through the General Assembly for purely political purposes. Case in point: Sen. Robert Pittenger, who is running for Lt. Governor, has introduced the NC Citizen Protection Act. It includes about everything you'd think, most of which have already been ruled unconstitutional. I think a more accurate title might be the Permanent Exploited Underclass Act. It would probably criminalize most churches.
But it's a big bill and in some venue there'll be a discussion and the senator will have his campaign ad that talks about how he's protecting us from the hordes.
Stand by for more heroics.

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Jeez.

Submitted by Linda on Thu, 05/15/2008 - 11:25am.

I've read through this twice now. I don't think it will pass - he's grandstanding to try to get elected.

Besides saying that anyone who knowingly shelters an "illegal alien" is subject to prosecution (which is where the churches come in, I imagine), he also wants to empower

(d) Any person lawfully domiciled in this State may seek a writ of mandamus to compel any noncooperating municipality, State agency, or political subdivision to comply with this section."

That means that anyone who lives in NC could file a demand in court (basically) requiring a town like, say, Robbins, NC, which has a high population of Latinos, to enforce all of the provisions of the section that requires law enforcement officers in NC to become branches of Homeland Security. I don't know where on earth Pittenger expects municipalities to come up with the funds to do this.

He must be one of those tax and spend Republicants.

Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
Pointing at Naked Emperors

He's a loon

Submitted by Fredly on Thu, 05/15/2008 - 11:41am.

in addition to being an intolerant, divisive bigot, he's also a huge global warming skeptic in the mode of Sen. James Inhofe. He led the fight against Charlotte's light rail last year, even making commercials to oppose it, and lost badly...He's wrong on all the issues....and creepy.

Bye-bye North Carolina Agriculture, Sen. Pittenger kills you.

Submitted by Robert P. on Thu, 05/15/2008 - 11:42am.

"§ 14‑462. Unlawful transportation of an alien; penalty.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly transport or attempt to transport within this State any illegal alien that the person knows has entered or remained in the United States in violation of law for the purpose of avoiding discovery of the alien by persons or agencies authorized to enforce immigration laws. This section shall not apply to conduct permitted by federal law.

(b) Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of unlawful transportation of an illegal alien, which offense shall be punishable as a Class G felony.

"§ 14‑463. Unlawful concealment of an alien; penalty.

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly conceal or shelter from detection in any place, including any building or means of transportation, any illegal alien that the person knows has entered or remained in the United States in violation of law for the purpose of avoiding discovery of the alien by persons or agencies authorized to enforce immigration laws. This section shall not apply to conduct permitted by federal law.

(b) Any person who violates this section shall be guilty of unlawful transportation of an illegal alien, which offense shall be punishable as a Class G felony."

Migrant workers are gone, baby gone. Good luck getting those crops picked this year farmers.

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Farmers in and around Northern California are starting to feel the pinch from tighter border security and visa requirements, NBC11's Daniel Garza reported Monday.

Some farmers told Garza they expect some of their fields to remain unpicked. They said the illegal immigrant workers they have depended on to pick their fields are no longer crossing the border because of the tighter security at the border.

Some said they believe their fields will end up filled with rotting produce.

The Bush administration has learned of the possible loss of millions of dollars for thousands of farmers throughout the country, and is attempting to loosen visa requirements for workers.

However, farmers told Garza the attempt is "too little too late."

The Pittenger Paradox

Submitted by James Protzman on Thu, 05/15/2008 - 11:50am.

It's truly quite amazing. On one hand you have a hate-filled bigot with a history of shady real-estate deals and on the other hand ... a lawn-order Christianist. I guess we have a new standard for hypocrisy in North Carolina.

Pittenger is going to do for the Republican party in North Carolina what BushCo is doing nationally. The NCGOP is well on its way to becoming a laughingstock.

on its way?

Submitted by Linda on Thu, 05/15/2008 - 11:55am.

I thought Linda Daves had taken care of that with that ridiculous ad.

Be the change you wish to see in the world. --Gandhi
Pointing at Naked Emperors

True

Submitted by James Protzman on Thu, 05/15/2008 - 12:02pm.

I guess it's more like doubling down to showcase their ignorance and hate.

Getting your monies worth

Submitted by TrueMeckDem on Thu, 05/15/2008 - 12:25pm.

When Pittanger was first elected he ran against Fountain Odom, a well known politico here in Mecklenburg. Odom had been in Raleigh before and was a former county commissioner (and husband of Carmen Hooker Odom).

Between the two of them they spent $1,000,000 for an office that pays what, $15,000 a year, with Pittanger spending $600,000.

Well, Pittenger made his money back during his first term with some under the table laws that helped his development company so he definetly got his monies worth.

"jump in where you can and hang on"
Briscoe Darling to Sheriff Andy