CRYSTAL COAST TEA PARTY PATRIOTS
MEETING MINUTES OF
12 FEBRUARY 2013

Meeting held at Golden Corral in Morehead City, NC
Meeting called to order at 6:00pm by Chairman BOB CAVANAUGH
Pledge of Allegiance by BOB CAVANAUGH
Invocation by ROSE THOMPSON
Attendance – 20

BOB told about his and KEN LANG’s trip to Raleigh to hear Dr. John Dros’ presentation to the legislators.  He gave the presentation but only about 3 or 4 legislators showed up.  There may have been about 60 people in attendance.  The lecture was ‘Science Under Assault’.  It was basically going down the litany of how a lot of science was being reported and the way they have skewed the statistics.  What really stuck out in his mind was they sent out a questionnaire to like 10,000 scientists around the country.  It was about climate change, global warming, etc and out of the 10,000, only 3,000 responded, and out of those 3,000, 77 answered the question about whether they thought global warming was manmade, and 75 of those 77 answered in the affirmative.  So what got reported was 97% of all scientists believed global warming was manmade.  That is what is being passed up and down by the media.  HOWARD said he thought if a scientist did not get on the global warming bandwagon he doesn’t get all these grants.  BOB said he agreed but what about the 7,000 who didn’t even bother to answer the questionnaire.  Anyway Dr. Dros lecture is on the web.  It is a slide presentation.  They were there about an hour and a half.  He had shortened the lecture down to perhaps 100 slides.  Everything he showed was just packed with information, check out slideshare.netJohnDrospresesntation.  KEN said he would put it on the web page also.  He and KEN both thought it was very informative.  KEN said he thought it was a good presentation and he had told John later that he thought there were some places where he could streamline it a little bit.  It was long and got a little bit boring for some people.  John said he would appreciate any feedback.  KEN has posted a whole series of comments on the website after his lecture.  The most important one was in the News and Observer where some guy came out and basically called John Dros a ‘climate skeptic’, and other kinds of negative things to say about him, so KEN wrote a letter to the editor of the N&O and John did also.  John pointed out to them all the places where they were factually incorrect and told them he felt they should retract the article.  KEN also documented several areas where the guy was incorrect also.  He doesn’t think the N&O will do anything about it or print a retraction.  In that letter that KEN had written to the N&O, the guy had quoted a fellow that Dros had commented on during his presentation and he had said that the fellow used to be a skeptic like
Dros is but he had changed his mind in 2010.  KEN looked the guy up on the internet and in fact he has been documented as a global warming proponent since the year 2000.  He was involved in a controversy in the global warming community about a scientific study that became known as the hockey stick which is where a warming period occurred during the medieval period and it was proven that that data was faulty.  Then that guy came out in the New York Times in 2010 claiming that he was a converted skeptic and was now a global warming(ist), which was a lie, because there is documentation that he was already on the other side of the issue as far back as the year 2000.  Then he found out from another site that there was a link in this article and he went back in that site and he heads up a group in Berkley, California at the university of Berkley, which is a surface temperature monitoring group that in 2011 got $635,000 to study temperature monitoring stations that have been used in the whole global warming thing.  So he is making money off of this, so you have to follow the money.  The guy in the N&O takes this guy and says he was a skeptic and has been converted to global warming, which is a total lie, and you can easily document it by going back on the internet.  Like Dros said in his presentation, ‘Facts don’t lie’.

BOB said ‘along the same line, he thinks it was on Carolina Journal, you remember the Sea Level Rise thing?  Well, they are getting ready to start a whole new study at the behest of the Legislative decisions made about a year ago when they had put this off until they could be studied more scientifically.  Now they are going to call it a Sea Level Change instead of a “Rise”.  The guy chairing the panel or commission, his comments basically lead you to believe they are just going to regurgitate the same as what they did last time and try to sell it off.  The whole sea level rise issue has not gone away.  The Legislature has just been able to put off making any decisions for a year while they did some further studies.  Certainly Dr. Dros is one of the points of the spear trying to put this whole issue to (phone ringing, could not hear what BOB said but think it meant to kill the issue).

BOB said he talked to TOM AUSTIN last week and he had been very encouraged that the TEA Party in Onslow County was probably going to make a big move during this cycle of the County Convention to take over the GOP down there, because the Vice Chair of the GOP wanted to get rid of the lady in charge, so TOM and some of the members of his group met with this Vice Chair and he said the meeting did not go any where that he was thinking about.  She wants to get rid of the Chairman but does not want the chair but wants to be in on all the decisions made, so she wants to pull all the strings.  She wants to run it but not be responsible.  TOM said the whole idea of the Tea Party taking over the GOP in Onslow County is not going to happen.  It probably will be at least a year or more now before any movement is made.  The powers that be in the GOP down there don’t get along and each wants their own little thing going and it is pretty chaotic down there.  He is getting some blow back from some of the TEA Party members there that want more of a rigid type meeting utilizing the Roberts Rules of Order.  Several said ‘that is not going to work’.  Our meetings need to be loose so everyone feels free to speak their minds.

BOB said RUTH PARKER and ERIC BROYLES are at the meeting tonight on the Arendell Street median.  BOB said that was something that he and KEN had brought up during their visit in Raleigh with Sen. Norman Sanderson and Rep. Pat McElraft after the presentation by Dr. Dros.  Sen. Sanderson said his phone had been ringing off the hook on this subject.  Discussion on thoughts about the median followed, statistics being used, letters to the editor that had been written on the subject and what we felt the outcome might be.  BOB said the Republican party was always talking about increasing their membership and he feels that if the party came out in support of the local businesses and their opposition to the median it would be of great benefit to the party.  For example: a letter to the editor from GOP Chairman Greg Lewis advocating this support of the local businesses would do a world of good for the party.  They would be stating, “Well, good, the politicians are finally listening to us”.  BOB said there have been a number of issues where the county GOP should have been very, very, verbally/vocally been involved.  The sea level rise, the whole time that was going on; the sulfur deal at the port for example.  HOWARD said if the Republican Party would get behind these issues, that would give more ammunition to Pat and Norman in Raleigh.  KEN said that is essentially what Pat told them when they met with her in Raleigh.  BOB said the GOP was trying to show the people that they are for the people but they let opportunities like those slip right on by without a peep.

BOB said he got a link from TOM AUSTIN about an article about border seizures.  Apparently the Department of  Homeland Security, and this idea originated under the Bush administration, whereas if you are within or near the border crossing they can seize your laptop, your telephone, your camera, and go through all the contents.  Being near the border is being defined as within 100 miles.  Now Bush decided not to implement that cause they felt it was like a violation of the 4th amendment, which is prohibition against search and seizure.  But Obama’s administration resurrected it.  They have been pursuing it since like 2005.  Can’t remember the exact statistics, but it seems like 6500 or 65,000 computers, telephones, and stuff like that have been seized and searched by Homeland Security folks.  It is warrant less and there doesn’t have to be any provocation.  GLADYS wanted to know which border he was referring to.  BOB said national borders between Mexico and also Canada.  He thought that was interesting.

BOB introduced and welcomed new attendee – Julia Brown, coach for the East Carteret Debate Team.

BOB said Senator Harry Brown from Onslow County sent him a Legislative update which he thought was really informational.  He said he had been pressing Norman to do one.  KEN said he did, but he sent it to the Craven County folks and Lynn Childs sent it out to her mailing list.  BOB told KEN if he got anymore from Lynn to send it out to our group.  KEN said he thought Norman was compiling an email list to send the update to.  He asked HOWARD that since he talked to ‘Linda’ every week, how about getting his and BOB’s names on their listing.  HOWARD said he had intended to tell her today that he thought that was a good idea to send that out and he forgot it.  KEN told him to write himself a note.  HOWARD said only problem there is he loses the notes.

BOB went on to discuss Sen. Brown’s update on the Legislature:
Senate Bill 4.  No NC Exchange/No Medicaid Expansion, exempts NC from establishing a state based health insurance exchange or a state-federal partnership exchange.  It directs the NC Department of Insurance to return unspent taxpayer funds awarded by the federal government earlier this month to create a state-federal partnership exchange.  A state exchange would give the state no control while costing the people of NC $100 million a year.  Since the federal government chose to mandate health exchanges, it should pay for them.  This bill also rules out expansion of the NC Medicaid program.  Costs for NC’s existing Medicaid program have increased significantly in recent years.  In 2012, the General Assembly had to fill a surprise Medicaid shortfall that totaled more that $500 million.  Federal changes to Medicaid would cost NC close to a billion dollars through 2019.  Further confirmation of challenges to this program was revealed in an audit released last week that shows shortfalls totaling approximately $1.4 billion over the last three years.  This bill passed in the Senate and is now headed to the House.

KEN said it is now in the House and there are reports that Thom Tillis is slowing it down because McCrory wants to figure out how to keep some $40 million dollars that came from the federal government.  I don’t think he has figured out yet, that if he keeps any of it, that there are strings attached.  HOWARD said he heard something today that McCrory is beginning to weaken on that some.  KEN said Carolina Journal came out today saying that Tillis had said ‘no, no, we are not trying to slow it down, we are trying to work with Gov. McCrory to explain the pros and cons of trying to hold on to that money.”  KEN thinks Tillis is trying to convince McCrory that if he holds on to that money that there are things we will be forced to do that we do not want to do.  So you are just going to have to bite the bullet and give it back.  He thinks Tillis is going to go ahead and bring it to the floor by the end of this week.  DAVID COX wanted to know if anyone knew how many states have opted out of the Medicare – 26 or 27 were the numbers bandied about.  BOB said it is more that half and it is creating a real problem for the federal government because they have not budgeted any money because they did not think the states would stand up to them and say no.

Another bill that has raised a lot of attention is Senate Bill 10 –
Government Reorganization and Efficiency Act, allows the new Governor to establish a new direction and to set priorities for the new administration by eliminating state boards and commissions that have not recently met, are duplicative, or are not deemed critical to government operations.  A fiscal note by the nonpartisan Fiscal Research Division shows that about $2 million per year in savings to the State would be realized if this bill becomes law.

Senate Bill 14 – Increase Access to Career/Technical Education.
This bill directs the State Board of Education to develop new curriculums focused on career and technical education.  Beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, high school graduates will receive diplomas designating that they are ‘career ready’, ‘college ready’, or both.  The bill also revises licensing requirements for vocational instructors, allowing trade specialists with real-world experience to bring their expertise directly to the classroom.  Finally, the bill directs the State Board of Education and State Board of Community Colleges to develop strategies to prepare students for occupations that are in high demand, such as engineering.  High schools and community colleges will share resources such as instructors, facilities, and equipment to help meet this objective.  It passed in the Senate and is now headed for the House.

KEN said he understands that this bill is a big passion of Sen. Brown.  He owns several car dealerships and has found it almost impossible to find people who can work on cars.  He has basically said all along that the reason is, because the schools are not preparing the kids who don’t want to go to college for the jobs that they can actually do – like be a mechanic.  It is obvious that it will impact vocational training on a larger basis than just that.  HOWARD said the man that was teaching auto mechanics at West Carteret retired a year or so ago, and it is near about impossible to get someone else qualified by state rules to teach auto mechanics.  That is ridiculous.  BOB said hopefully this law will rectify that.  HOWARD said you can have all the education in the world and not be a suitable mechanic.  BOB said the big question is who qualifies this expert with all the field experience as acceptable to teach the course.  You can get some people who can not complete and entire sentence correctly but are outstanding mechanics.  STEVE BEST said another problem is getting someone who is a great mechanic but does not want to take a pay reduction to teach.

KEN had to leave to go to the Republican Party meeting but wanted to remind everyone that this coming Monday night is the County Commissioners Meeting in the courthouse in Beaufort.  Jennifer Hudson has asked that everyone who is able to please attend.  She plans to speak on Gun Control and the 2nd amendment.  He said Pat McElraft had told him that it would be real helpful if the counties passed resolutions like Beaufort and Pitts counties so they could get something through the State Legislature as well.  There may be other counties now that have done so.  It is not even on the agenda for our county even though he gave several of them a heads up on it.  If you have counties like ours, right now, who have not even thought about it and are just sitting by and not doing anything, then it is not sending a very positive message to the legislature to encourage them to do anything.  Counties need to take note of this and Jennifer will probably point this out.  We hope to have a good turnout at the Commissioners’ meeting which starts at 6:00.  If you want to speak, you need to get there early and get on the list.  They will give you 3 minutes to speak.  He continued to remind us that next Tuesday’s TEA Party meeting here has been cancelled.  The majority of the members voted to go to New Bern to the Coastal Carolina  Tax Payer Association meeting at the BridgePointe Hotel in New Bern at 7-9 pm.  That’s Tuesday, February 19th.  They ask that you come early for their bake sale.  Guest Speakers are the Sheriff of Craven County, other Law Enforcement Officers, a few gun store owners (Sportsman’s Toy Store in New Bern).  It should be a very interesting and lively meeting.  KEN said his group that meets at Rucker Johns in Emerald Isle voted to hold their usual meeting that night.  So if you don’t plan to go to New Bern Tuesday night, come on to our meeting.  That meeting starts at 7:00pm.  If you have any questions about the meeting in New Bern, please call GLADYS SUESSLE at 728-2118.

BOB brought the meeting back to the discussion on the various Senate bills and their progress.

Senate Bill 58 – Increase funding for dredging.
Establishes a dedicated funding stream for the dredging of shallow inlets essential for commercial and recreational fishing.  The schedule of fees will be based on the length of a vessel.  It is estimated that these fees will generate about $6 million a year in dedicated funding for the dredging of shallow inlets.  This not only helps recreational and commercial fishing but the tourism industry as well.  This bill is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Agriculture/
Environment/Natural Resource Committee.

Senate Bill 25 – Hunting and Fishing/Active Duty Military which will allow active duty members of our military to be considered residents for certain hunting and fishing licenses.  This bill is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources Committee.

A reminder about the Newport Pig Pickin’..  We have the cooks, cooker, tent, so now all we need is volunteers to man the table passing out information on the TEA Party and talk to the people wandering around the area about the TEA Party.   Please put that on you agenda to help.  BELVA MANN said if you come, you need to bring a chair.  That they do not provide.  Also the people who are doing the cooking normally start breaking down their area after the judging and the pigs are collected, usually around 12:00.  We will still have the space if we want to stay a while longer.

JULIA asked a question on unemployment taxes.  It appeared to her that the businesses were paying twice.  BOB said money that was paid in was rapidly depleted and they borrowed more money from the feds and they have to pay that back.  Discussion followed.  Historically NC pays a higher rate of unemployment than the surrounding states and pays for longer periods of time. Someone said if we had no say in borrowing the money then why do we have to pay.  We didn’t make the decision, doesn’t seem fair.  BOB said you will have to take that up with Beverly Perdue; she made the decision.  HOWARD said ’it is kinda like the Italian said about the Pope ruling on birth control – he no playa the game, why he maka the rules!’  (Big laugh)

VERNE THOMPSON said he saw something on the internet about holding constitutional conventions for the purpose of considering a single amendment to the constitution.  GLADYS asked if it was to put one on or take one off.  VERNE said the constitution provides two ways for a constitutional amendment.  One way is someone proposes it before congress.  Congress has to pass with a 2/3 majority in both houses.  Then that goes to all the states and ¾ of the states have to ratify it before it becomes part of the constitution.  The other way is you have a constitutional convention and that can be instigated either by resolution by Congress (2/3 majority) or ¾ of the majority of the states.  The reason he brought this up is before the equal rights amendment was proposed this issue was debated.  The vast majority ….all you have to do is read it in Article 5 of the constitution.  It specifies what I just said about how you can have a constitutional convention.  Law professors are pretty much unanimous that you can not confine the constitutional convention to the consideration of just one amendment and should be open to proposals from anybody.  That is why the proponents of the equal rights amendment eventually focused on Congress because it was not just one single amendment and the states can just say yes or no.
This guy claims he has found a loophole and the states could propose conventions solely to consider the amendment.  I’m not sure he is right about that.  BOB said that is why he has always been opposed to that because if you do you can kick the barn doors wide open and every lunatic and strange group is going to be down there lobbying and politicking.  It is hard enough to maintain what we have right now.  VERNE said the left is very frustrated with the provisions that are in the constitution for passing amendments.  Having to have a 2/3 majority in both houses in Congress and ¾ of the states is something that is difficult to do.  They would like to have it a lot easier.  That is why they focus on the courts…cause all they have to do is get a majority and they are home free.  After the equal rights they realized it would be folly to have a constitutional convention.  BOB said one of the ways we can turn back liberalism is by paying attention to the judge elections as we did this last time.  We need to really look at who the judges are not just the legislature.  The big fear in NC was if Newby wasn’t reelected to the Supreme Court it didn’t matter what the Republican Legislature and Governor passed it could be challenged in the courts before some liberal judge who could find some loopholes and declare it unconstitutional.  So judge elections are absolutely critical.  HOWARD said it looks like they are going back to putting the ‘R’ and ‘D’ by their names on the ballots.  You still have those RINOs and have potential problems.  BOB said that is where we come in vetting the candidates because the Republican party doesn’t vet them.  GLADYS wanted to know why there is not a Conservative Party in NC.  BOB said because most people think the Republican Party is the Conservative Party except for us, the TEA Party.  GLADYS said in New York there is the Republican, Democrat and Conservative parties.  BOB said it is a matter of getting enough to sign up to legitimize yourself as a real political party to get registered in the state and appear on the ballots.
He has a good friend up in New Jersey who says the GOP has effectively blocked any way for the TEA Party to infiltrate and take over the GOP …all kinds of rule changes and different things and even if you got selected as a precinct captain, your vote does not count as l vote.  It only counts as a partial vote….the leaders of the GOP carry the rest of your vote.  Any way the movement in NJ and some other areas is evolving into a Constitutional Party.  BOB told him, based on what he had told him, BOB did not see any other out but to go a third party even if it hands the elections over to the Democrats in NJ for the next 10 or 15 years, the Republicans have got to learn the lesson.  They are not going to get elected without  the conservative vote.  We’ll have to wait and see how that plays out farther down the road.

Don’t forget the GOP Precinct Meeting on the 23rd.  We need to get out and get involved.  It is supposed to be advertised at least 10 days prior to the meeting.  It was noted that tomorrow is the deadline for advertising.  The Reagan Day Dinner is coming up this Saturday at the Senior Center.  Tickets are $20.00 each.  HOWARD said Norman and Linda are planning to be there.

Meeting adjourned at 7:12pm.
Minutes submitted by Secretary PEGGY GARNER.