Meet our Sponsors

BlueNC is fortunate enough to have four sponsors and with server space and possible future design needs, I know the powers that be are happy that these folks saw fit to place some of their ad dollars here at Blue. It's a slow news day, so I think it would be nice to visit with them a bit. I imagine you recognize the candidates, but let's highlight them again to help them get the most bang for their buck.

Ed Ridpath
Ed is running for the NC House in District 37. From his campaign site:

We deserve effective and competent government that delivers public services fairly. We want focus on the basics: roads and schools; public health and safety; trust and ethics – all severely broken now. We are fed up with political agendas, hot-button issues, rank partisanship, and shameful corruption getting in the way.

I am a “Main Street” candidate, unafraid to listen respectfully to everyone, regardless of their politics. I work hard and fight hard, not to tear us apart, but to pull us back together. This constructive approach is the foundation of our campaign and is the right way to serve our communities in the North Carolina House.

Ed is a regular BlueNC visitor and we've had plenty of opportunities to get to know him. He would make a wonderful addition in Raleigh, so if you get the chance attend his fall fundraiser or his first canvass of the election cycle. Both held after the November elections out of respect for municipal candidates.

The fall fundraiser is on November 15 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at the Goodwin House, 220 Hillsborough St. in Raleigh. On Saturday, November 17th at 10:00 AM Ed and volunteers will meet at Bushiban Coffee in the Harris Teeter center at the corner of US Hwy 401 and Ten Ten Road, just few miles south of Raleigh and just north of Wake Tech. I'm sure he would appreciate your support at both of these events.

Pat Smathers
Pat Smathers is one of our Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor. He is a favorite among many BlueNCers. His ad is announcing a very cool fundraising tour.

As Mayor Pat Smathers has traveled across North Carolina, spreading his message of local leadership, statewide, he has heard the same refrain from citizens everywhere frustrated by the concentration of power in Raleigh: Pat's ideas just make sence. Now one of the state's most talented musicians has lent his voice to the chorus. Join us as we celebrate David Holt's mountain music and Pat's vision for a better, stronger state.

Concert Dates:

October 17th - Winston-Salem
823Reynolda, Winston-Salem, NC 7pm

October 19th - Durham
Durham Arts Center, Durham, NC 7pm

October 22nd - Charlotte
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center,
Charlotte, NC 7pm

January 9th - Greenville

January 10th - Wilmington

February 20th - Asheville

Nosubstitutes.org

Sign the petition to keep gender identity in the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Discrimination isn't sweet. Congress has the chance to pass HR 2015, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would protect Americans from workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Now a substitute bill has been introduced as HR 3685, which would not stop discrimination based on gender identity. Removing gender identity from ENDA would leave an artificial aftertaste. Not only would the substitute bill leave some working Americans behind, it would also create divisions among Democrats and fair-minded advocates.

Isn't it nice how some people think they can pick and choose the people they want to discriminate against? < /snark >

Media Matters
Media Matters has taken the lead to counteract the lies spun from the right as the corporate media swallows it whole. Don't miss their action plan to fight Rush Limbaugh in his campaign to discredit service men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.