Media bias nothing new

By William R. Toler

The media bias on Rep. Ron Paul when it comes to the presidential election is not a new development. It’s been going on since the last election.

During the 2008 election I watched as Paul was constantly ignored and the networks failed to even mention he was a candidate…much like they’re doing now. I even recorded a video blog to address my concern.

Working for a local television station, I sometimes scan through scripts just to see if he gets a shout out. Usually, I’m disappointed.

It’s not just the “liberal” television news media either. FOX News and conservative talk radio hosts are just as guilty. Personalities like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity are loathe to mention Ron Paul. If they do, it’s usually a jab at his stances that don’t fit in with mainstream neo-con political thought.

What is it that draws the crowds and frightens the establishment?

Republican debate Round 1: And the winner is…

By James White

Last night was the first of many Republican debates, and it was worth mentioning for several reasons.

  Only five candidates showed for the event.  Ron Paul, Tim Pawlenty, Herman Cain, Rick Santorum, and Gary Johnson were the ones that made the trip to Greenville, South Carolina, and most of these contenders aren’t really considered to be the “heavyweights” of the Republican party.  Most notable by their absences were Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, and Michelle Bachman (whose performance I was especially looking forward to!).  Another aspect of the contest was that it was hosted by Fox News, which I’m sure is a surprise to everyone that they hosted the first Republican debate.  The best feature of this debate was that it gave the opportunity for candidates to be heard that would otherwise be drowned out during other debates and news cycles. 

The more things change…

By James White

It has been a while since I wrote one of these. I feel a little out of practice. What has happened since the last time I wrote? We have seen a new president elected, one that broke racial barriers and changed the direction of the country. We have seen the order signed to close Gitmo and the pledge to withdraw all combat troops from Iraq. We have seen several plans implemented to stabilize the nation’s economy. We have seen a true attempt at reforming healthcare. All good things, and this was all in 2008! So then what happened?

Gitmo was never closed and there are still troops in Iraq, Afganistan, and now Libya. Oh yes, we are fighting in a third middle Eastern country now. The stimulus plans, at best, held off a full-fledged depression but did not turn our country around. And healthcare reform? It became insurance reform, and was combined with a mandate that requires all Americans to purchase insurance. But don’t worry. If you choose not to, there really isn’t anything the government can do about it. Or at least that was the line we were sold along with the rest of the bullshit. This is on top of the various comments about cops acting stupidly, playing along with the birther movement, and not taking the lead on a single issue. The only real question here is, why have I not written before now?

Libertarians protest exclusion

By William R. Toler

While Sen. Richard Burr and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall were inside the studios of University of North Carolina Television trading accusations, a small group of

Matt Drew holds a sign signaling his discontent-Photo Courtesy Michael Shanklin

 people stood outside signaling their discontent.

They weren’t just expressing disapproval against the two candidates. They were outraged because of the absence of the third: Libertarian candidate Dr. Michael Beitler.

The grassroots protest was orgainzed by Michael Shanklin, who sent out invitations on the social networking site Facebook. More than 20 people showed for the event holding various signs.

“We did this in just two and half days,” said Shanklin, political director for the Libertarian Party of North Carolina.

“The rally was to display our concern for the fact that candidates and their parties, even after completing rigorous ballot access requirements and completing the huge task getting on the ballot, still cannot get their message heard through the media channels,” Shanklin added. “It was a form of ostracism to show our disgust with the actions taken to limit speech and dialogue that the voters deserve to hear.”

Media continues to shaft third parties

By William R. Toler

One thing that irks me working in the mainstream media is the omission of thrid party candidates.

My support for third parties goes all the way back to the sixth grade when I pulled for Ross Perot in a mock election in 1992.

The media continues to propogate the Republican/Democrat paradigm, making no mention of third party candidates in national and even local coverage.

As Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) made his way through the colonial capital tonight, the local media was there. In the coverage, Democratic opponent Elaine Marshall was mentioned, but Libertarian candidate Mike Beitler was left out. Although he appears on the ballot, you will not hear his name in any coverage of the race.

Ranting on the republic

By Andy King

Let me tell you how I feel about elections. They don’t matter. We are voting to make ourselves feel better. We are not solving problems based on our core belief systems by supporting a candidate who is our avatar in Washington. If you think you are, please take a go at Russian roulette with a semi-automatic.

If they in Washington were your avatar, how much would they make a year? Does an associate at Walmart get to retire after four years of poor performance and pull a pension? Every time I hear a candidate say they are for Joe the Plumber, I wonder how much of their salary or retirement will be diverted to support social programs.

History made in ’08 election

By William R. Toler

Just after 11 p.m., the Associated Press and all of the television networks declared Barack Obama the president of the United States. Obama is the first African-American president…well…that’s up for debate. Check back here for an update.

Shorlty after, Beverly Perdue was named the governor-elect of North Carolina, making her the first female executive in the state’s history.

Most Libertarians across the state recieved about 2 percent of the vote in their races. I.R. reader and contributor Richard C. Evey garnered 2.89 percent in Burke County for the N.C. Senate District 44 seat. Gubernatorial candidate Mike Munger had 2.84 percent.

 However, presidential candidate Bob Barr didn’t do as well. The Barr/Root ticket only picked up 25,051 votes. Now we’ll have to see what the state board of elections decides to do.

Speech stifled in Craven County

By William R. Toler

A Craven County man will get his coffin back.

Former county commissioner Bill Harper said deputies removed his coffin, a political tool he’s been using since 1992, from the early voting site at the Number Seven Township Fire Station on Old Cherry Point Road Oct. 31.

Harper had been camped out at the site for the past few days with his coffin dressed with signs relating to Joe the Plumber, being “Taxed to Death” and anti-Obama signs.

The Board of Elections said earlier this week that Harper and his coffin were fine as long as he stayed within the designated cut-off area for political material at the site.

Certificates sealed on Barry’s birth

By William R. Toler 

The controversial birth certificate of Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama was officially sealed by Hawaii’s governor, according to World Net Daily.

Gov. Linda Lingle (R-Hawaii) denied a written request last week from WND reporter Jerome Corsi and ordered the Department of Health not to release the document to the media under any circumstances.

Rock the vote, watch your wallet

By Corey Friedman

Whatever the outcome of next month’s presidential elections, one result is certain: Poll workers, candidates and commentators will bemoan voter turnout.

If poll numbers don’t take another vertiginous plunge, they’ll simply be stagnant. And even if more people vote this year than in the 2004 presidential race, election officials still would say it’s not enough.

Voting is our most underappreciated democratic right, and it’s one that more of us should exercise more often.

But forget for a moment this year’s showdown between Barack Obama and John McCain. Forget how we go about picking our senators and representatives, our commissioners and councilmen, our judges and sheriffs.

In some form or another, every American votes every day. You can’t avoid it.