I Wanna Hold Your Hand

And her point is....
I must admit I've asked myself, what was this all about ... Anastasia Pittman is her name. She is a Oklahoma State Senator. I understand compassion. I understand forgiveness. I get reaching out across the aisle to help another...but this, I'm not so sure about.

I watched the 'breaking news' story yesterday about Levi Pettit making a statement or rather reading one, apologizing for his role in that infamous chant heard around the world. You know the one.

I didn't bother to listen to the apology in its entirety. It seemed a bit disingenuous. Michael Eric Dyson's  captured my sentiments on spot when he called it choreographed. Yep. That's exactly what it was. The question is ...why so?
 

zM

Photo Source: Internet Images

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The Double-Edged Sword - Freedom Has A Price

It was an exuberant time back in September 2014, just six months ago in Robeson County when two men were exonerated from a 30 year ordeal that wrongly accused them of rape and murder. Ironically, it just so happened, they were half brothers. Henry McCollum and Leon Brown.

Thirty years is a long time. Being on death row even longer. The NC Innocence Inquiry commission took on this project and a judge declared the men had nothing to do with the rape and murder of the young girl Sabrina Buie. He ordered their immediate release.

The double edged sword ...  freedom without compensation is still incarceration of a different kind. This story is hardly over though it's disappeared from the headlines. Since their release, McCollum & Brown received $45 each from the State of North Carolina. Nothing more. Nothing less. That was six months ago. Ask yourself, could you do that. Live your life on $45 bucks for six months.

Governor Pat McCrory hasn't come forth to grant them an official pardon though it's been noted he's said it's a 'top priority.'  Ah, Governor McCrory, can we get a more definitive deadline for this transaction to occur, Sir. We know you know a pardon would allow them compensation fully due them for the three decades they served time and were denied an opportunity to earn a living for themselves. Only with the help of family, friends and charity from the community have they been able to minimally exist since their release. Don't you think 30 years is long enough to pay for a crime they did not commit and yet robbed them as well.

C'mon Governor, we're all waiting for an official pardon, removal of the convictions from their records and a clean slate with restitution to financially provide for themselves. These men truly deserve more than the minimum requirement the state is obligated. The pardon would allow them to get $750,000 in compensation each from the state. Do the right thing.

A Pardon. Compensation & Restitution. Clean & Clear Slates.

Photo Source: Internet Images

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It Ain't Closed Yet

That won't come until June of this year. There's a planned expansion of Wilson's 'Chick Fil A' in the works, so all you 'Chick fans' have time to prepare your mind and body for the forthcoming withdrawal of your favorite meal.

The Wilson Times recently printed an article detailing the upcoming closing.

You can read that story here. If you get desperate for some nuggets or a sandwich Rocky Mount is just twenty miles away ... depending on how you go.

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Info You Need To Know - Small Business Seminar

Wilson Community College Small Business Center presents “The Realities of Owning & Operating a Small Business,” featuring Christy Proctor, owner of the local Chick Fil A along with Paul Farris, retired owner of Farris Motors in Rocky Mount.

The seminar is scheduled for Monday, March 30th from 6 to 8 p.m. in Building G, room # G240 on the college campus.

Proctor also serves on the Wilson Chamber of Commerce board, BB&T advisory board, Wilson 20/20 and the Wilson Education Partnership.

Paul Farris is the Wilson County ABC Board Chair and serves on the N.C. ABC advisory board.

Interested individuals are encouraged to attend. This event is free.
 For more information contact call 246-1232

To register for the class, Follow the Link -  www.wilsoncc.edu/coned/sbc.cfm or www.facebook.com/wcc.sbc.

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Info You Need To Know - Scholarship Application

The Darden High School Alumni Association, Inc. has placed scholarship applications in all the three area high schools, Beddingfield, Fike, Hunt and Wilson Early College.

The application deadline is April 21. Applications may also be picked up at the Darden Alumni Center, 1600 Lipscomb Road. For more information, call Faye Winstead at 245-2183.

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Fike High School Under Siege

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED !!!

WILSON COUNTY SCHOOLS ASSAILANT TRAINING EXERCISE
APRIL 9th - Wilson NC - 8 am - 12 noon

FIKE HIGH SCHOOL will undergo a transformation the likes this community has never seen. The Wilson Police Department will host a mock assailant drill on April 9th, 2015. Volunteers are needed to help out in the process. Students and staff will be on spring break during this time. Applications are being accepted until the end of the month. You must be at least 21 years old. There is an application on the school's website for those interested in volunteering.

The school system is collaborating with law enforcement, emergency management, EMS, fire, rescue and 911 to create this training scenario. It's an opportunity to gauge our community response in the event a real life event occurred. Volunteers are needed to serve as actors and play the role of teachers, students and victims.

If you want to participate sign up here - WCS Active Assailant Training Exercise Form

Follow the link for more information at www.wilsonschoolsnc.net under the school news section.

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That Tweet Did It

THIS is Mo'ne Davis

Her bio states she was born in 2001. Do the math. That means she's somewhere between 13-14 years old. She gained worldwide attention last year when she was one of two girls who played in the 2014 Little League World Series. They call her by her nickname 'Mo'.

According to wikipedia, she is the 18th girl overall to play, the sixth to get a hit, and the first African-American girl to play in the Little League World Series. She is also the first Little League baseball player to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a Little League player.

She's a kid superstar and a great baseball player!



THIS is Joey Casselberry.

He's a junior in college and attends Bloomberg University. He was in the baseball team, but just got kicked off because of a derogatory tweet about the kid superstar that he evidently envied.

THIS is the tweet ... 

THIS is what Mo'ne said ...

"Everyone makes mistakes and everyone needs a second chance,”  She asks Bloomberg University to reinstate Casselberry in spite of what he said and how he treated her.

A Kid Superstar in her 'league'. You Go Girl !

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Good News After All

S.C. State University is NOT closing after all due to budget cuts. That's great news !

Amid concerns about the future of South Carolina State University, a state senator said recent troubles surrounding the institution are on the path to correction.

“The future of this institution is good,” said Sen. John W. Matthews Jr. during a Monday panel on campus. “It will not be closed; we’ve made that decision and I think the House has concurred.”
Matthews’ comments came as an assurance to many who have been outraged over the Feb. 11 vote by a House panel to close the campus for at least three semesters; a move the state Senate never supported.

Alumni, faculty, friends and leaders gathered on campus for a town hall meeting called by conservative political pundit and SCSU alum Armstrong Williams to discuss the future of the institution.

Keep Reading, Follow the link.

Source: Diverse - Issues in Higher Education

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Thom Tillis is showing ALL of America

What An Asshole ... he really is.

Every once in a while you've just gotta cut one loose. 'Cause, you'll bust a gut holding that shi'diggity in. And it ain't worth that contamination in your system.

Thom Tillis is one prejudice jerk ... Yeah, I know. And there is nothing honorable about what he's doing either. And for those of you who certified him by casting your vote for him, you reap what you sow. 

There's no logical reason for Tillis not supporting a native daughter of North Carolina for a prestigious position in Washington, DC. His ass ain't even from here himself...BUT it's ok for him to represent this State as a US Senator, BUT NOT ok for Loretta Lynch to represent as the US Attorney General. Considering the platform he's putting forth.

So, Thom Tilly (as the lady called you back during the general elections), who's really committed fraud when announcing to the public in 2013 that the NC Voter ID Law REALLY didn't have too much to do with fraud at all. Remember, YOU SAID THAT back on MSNBC. Look, Remember.

And then, Thom Tilly, had the nerve to say he'd pass legislation where restaurant workers didn't need to wash their hands. Oh, REALLY! You remember saying that Ole Thommy-Boy. You gotta, you just recently said it and Jon Stewart has now bequeathed you a new name... Senator Dung-Hands von Fecal-Fingers. Now, ain't that some shi'diggity.

During the 2014 general election, Thom Tilly, came to Wilson County and spent a couple days, meeting with his constituents and eating over at Amy Jo's Country Restaurant. Local GOP were elated having Tillis in town. Now, that he's been elected, Thom Tillis is currently thanking the citizens of Wilson who voted for him by sponsoring legislation that will nullify state municipal broadband laws. Right after the FCC ruled it was ok for Wilson to sell high speed internet outside the city limits. Giving Wilson the greenlight for its broadband project called GreenLight. Don't believe it. Read It.

Thom Tilly went to Washington and told Wilson, 

chew tobacco, chew tobacco, chew tobacco, Spit.

Dang, Senator, Dung . . . 

folks who voted for you back home really stepped in it, h'uh.

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Move Your Clock Up Tonight

HAPPENING TONIGHT

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When You Get Hungry Today

HAPPENING TODAY

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Attorneys on Call - WRAL

WRAL is hosting it's community project 

"Attorneys on Call"  

Get free information about topics 

including family, employment, housing and debt. 

Call 919-744-3861. 

Phone lines are open until 7 p.m.

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Forward Together Movement & NAACP

Going On Today in Raleigh

People's Grand Jury on Medicaid Expansion Part II

WHERE:

North Carolina General Assembly
16 W Jones St - Room 423
Raleigh, NC 27601

On Monday, February 16th, the NAACP heard the testimony of North Carolinians who are suffering the consequences of the NC Legislature's decision to deny Medicaid Expansion. One ofo the participants they listened to was a fast food worker, mother of 2 suffering from cervical cancer who falls in the Medicaid gap and cannot afford health insurance.

Today, the conversation resumes to determine if they will seek mitigation against the State of North Carolina on their failure to provide Medicaid Expansion to the citizens. In today's discussion they're expected to hear from healthcare providers and advocates.

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Gold Heist in Wilson County

Source: WRAL

$4M in gold stolen along I-95/ Wilson County

The FBI and Wilson County authorities are investigating the theft of an estimated $4 million worth of gold reportedly stolen during an armed robbery along Interstate 95 near Wilson Sunday evening, the sheriff's office says.

Two armed security guards told authorities that they were traveling from Miami to Massachusetts with a shipment of silver and gold when they pulled over at mile marker 114 after mechanical problems with their truck.

Read more follow this link to WRAL.

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Greenlight Under Scrutiny

If you live in Wilson, this Carolina Journal article may be of interest to you. 

Are you a Greenlight subscriber?

While most of the Internet-related headlines today will deal with the Federal Communications Commission’s ruling (along party lines) to treat Internet Service Providers like regulated utilities, another party-line ruling also hits close to home: The commission voted to overturn laws in North Carolina and other states limiting the ability of cities to expand broadband access beyond their jurisdictions. (Already-operating services such as Greenlight were exempted from some of the restrictions in the 2011 law but not allowed to operate outside their jurisdictions.)

The challenge to North Carolina’s law was brought by Wilson, which wanted to expand its government-owned Greenlight service beyond Wilson County limits. A law passed by the 2011 General Assembly banned cities from doing this, and from issuing debt to expand service unless first getting the approval of voters (muni broadband services previously could go into debt by using Certificates of Participation, which don’t require a vote of the people).


Previously in another post on the same subject ... FCC Could Overturn State Broadband Law

Excerpt - North Carolina’s law, passed in 2011, subjects approval of funding sources for new municipal broadband services to a public vote and limits Wilson’s Greenlight network from offering broadband services outside Wilson County.

Wilson borrowed $28 million to launch Greenlight using Certificates of Participation, which do not require a public vote.

Such a funding source for broadband bothered Rep. Marilyn Avila, R-Wake, a primary sponsor of House Bill 129.

“They didn’t ask their citizens if they wanted to pay for it, if they saw it as a core service,” Avila told reporters following final approval of the bill. “We have a lot of people in these cities whose voices have been muted. They do have a voice in the elections, but by then it’s too late. They’re committed to COPs for 15 to 20 years and there’s nothing they can do to get out of it.”

Wilson officials are “cautiously optimistic” that the FCC will rule in their favor so they can expand into surrounding counties where infrastructure is already in place.

Source: Carolina Journal

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