Saturday, July 28, 2012

Rep. McComas rents out warehouse to TV crew. Looks suspicious, seems inappropriate. Probably is.

Verne Strickland / Blogmaster / July 29, 2012



 
Danny McComas

Third area legislator adds income from film industry. Oh, Danny Boy, we hardly knew ye! Good sleuth work, Pat Gannon!

Published: Thursday, July 26, 2012 at 3:59 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, July 26, 2012 at 3:59 p.m.
A warehouse on U.S. 421 owned by state Rep. Danny McComas has been converted into a studio for the new NBC TV series "Revolution," which recently began filming in the Wilmington area.
McComas is one of three area state lawmakers receiving money from the surge in the film and television industry in Southeastern North Carolina.

The legislators have all supported the state's film incentives package, which reimburses production companies for 25 percent of their expenses in North Carolina.
The state's incentives package is credited with an influx of new movies and TV shows in the past couple of years.
A longtime Republican member of the General Assembly who also sits on the N.C. Film Council, McComas said the warehouse building was listed for sale or lease with Cape Fear Commercial, which handled the deal with Bonanza Productions, the "Revolution" producer.
"They're the ones who made all the arrangements," he said of the real estate company. "They came to us with this and we said fine."
The 50,000-plus-square-foot warehouse at 3700 U.S. 421 North is owned by Buena Vista Sun LLC, which McComas owns and manages. The building, McComas said, was vacant for about six months. Bonanza Productions, he said, signed a one-year lease beginning this month. He declined to give the price.
Mike Brown, a broker with Cape Fear Commercial, also declined to discuss lease details but said: "It's not uncommon for movie scouts to call commercial real estate brokers and landlords if they have a need that can be filled."
According to online New Hanover County tax records, Buena Vista Sun purchased the building for $980,000 in September 2000. It is down the road from McComas' trucking business, MCO Transport.
McComas said the production company was also considering Atlanta or Vancouver, British Columbia, for filming but chose Wilmington instead. McComas has long been a supporter of the film industry in North Carolina. In this year's legislative session, he sponsored a measure extending the film incentives legislation for a year, from the end of 2013 to the end of 2014. That means productions that spend money in the state in 2014 can qualify for the tax incentives.
The StarNews previously reported that "Revolution" had inked a one-year deal to lease space in the former Coty cosmetics plant in Rocky Point. But Doug M. Faris of Charlotte-based Binswanger Co., which is marketing that space, said Thursday that the deal fell through when final terms couldn't be worked out.
"I hope the show's successful," he said.
J.J. Abrams, best known for ABC's hit series "Lost," is the executive producer of "Revolution," a sci-fi adventure series slated to air Mondays on NBC beginning this fall.
State Rep. Susi Hamilton, D-New Hanover, and state Sen. Bill Rabon, R-Brunswick, also are doing business with film companies. Hamilton is renting her house in downtown Wilmington to an employee of "We're the Millers," a New Line Cinema comedy starring Jennifer Aniston that is filming in the Port City. Hamilton's father, Jim Holladay, owns a company in Wilmington that rents equipment to the film industry.
Rabon is renting out a boat slip he owns on the waterfront in Southport to the company behind "Safe Haven," the movie based on the Nicholas Sparks book of the same name. The film is being shot in front of Rabon's house.
The company is renting about a half-dozen boat slips to use for the film. Rabon has said he has a contract for the slip rental that will pay him $50 a day for up to 82 days, or a maximum $4,100.
On Wednesday, Rabon's backyard was filled with filming equipment, including screens, lighting equipment, generators, crates and dollies. Rabon is also renting out his yard for $100 a day for about 18 days, he said Thursday.
Representatives from government watchdog groups have said they believe lawmakers benefiting from an industry they support in the Legislature is OK as long as they aren't getting the contracts largely because of their positions and as long as they aren't getting special deals or gaining benefits not available to the general public.
The lawmakers say their elected positions have nothing to do with their business with production companies.
Patrick Gannon: (919) 854-6115
On Twitter: @StarNewsPat

Olympics organizers and BBC disrespect Israel!


Olympics organizers and BBC disrespect Israel
From:Liberty Counsel <alert@libertyaction.org>
To:vernestrickland <vernestrickland@aol.com>
Date:Sat, Jul 28, 2012 2:18 pm
Mathew Staver, Founder and Chairman
Liberty Counsel

Israel | ...
7/28/2012
The Olympics opening ceremonies took place last night – yet intensifying controversies involving Britain, Israel, and the Middle-East are taking center stage! 
As Americans who appreciate how vital it is that we stand with Israel, we know this issue is OUR business, too. The fact is, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob promises great blessing for those who respect and affirm His chosen people!  Please see my important call to action below – Mat.
verne, 
The British Broadcasting Company’s (BBC) Olympic website intentionally omitted Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The Israeli page of the BBC 2012 Olympic website refers to Jerusalem as the “Seat of government, though most foreign embassies are in Tel Aviv.” 
Further, the website lists “East Jerusalem” as the “Intended seat of government” of “Palestine,” even though there is no nation in the world recognized as “Palestine.”
The BBC omission is blatant discrimination and the result of a wrongful political agenda that does not belong in the Olympic games and venues! 
Mark Regev, Foreign Press and Public Affairs Advisor to the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, called the omission “discrimination” in a letter to Paul Danahar, BBC Middle East Bureau Chief. 
Here’s what Regev said…
“Every country (and non-country) participating in the London 2012 games appears with its background information about the country, including mention of the capital city. Every country (and non-country), except Israel.
Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Israel, and, accordingly, we respectfully request the immediate rectification of this matter.”  
++Israel disrespected. Palestine praised!  
Prior to Israel’s protest, the BBC website listed Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine and clearly censored the fact that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. 
To increase the intentional insult, the photos in sections identifying the nations of Iran, Syria, and Libya as Olympic participants depict peaceful cultural scenes, while the picture for Israel shows an Israeli soldier confronting a protestor! 
Following several letters from Mr. Regev, the BBC modified the website to list Jerusalem as the “Seat of government” for Israel and Jerusalem as the “Intended seat of government” for “Palestine.” These changes still do not rise to the level of a courteous, decent treatment of Israel as a nation.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said… 
“We cannot accept those who deny our history, our sovereignty, and our right to determine our own capital… Irrespective of the BBC’s political agenda, Jerusalem is, was, and always will be the capital of Israel.”
Since King David made Jerusalem a capital city, the Holy City has played a key role in the government, culture, religion, and history of the Jewish nation. Jerusalem is Israel’s capital city! The BBC should list this fact on its Olympics website, like it has done for every other country. 
++The Olympics should transcend politics.
Liberty Counsel has developed a special “Stand with Israel” open letter that will be delivered to the BBC New York office; the International Olympic Committee (IOC) offices; the Israeli Embassy in Washington; and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington, D.C. 
This outrageous discrimination against the sovereign state of Israel cannot be tolerated!  Time is very limited for us to stand with Israel – and demand that this overt politicization of the Olympic games be rectified immediately
Click here to read and add your name to the open letter which will be delivered next week: 

Congressman Mike McIntyre D/NC7 PROJECT VOTE SMART: McIntyre refused to tell where he stands on the issues!

Verne Strickland Blogmaster July 29, 2012
PROJECT VOTE SMART: In which Congressman Mike McIntyre is caught wide-eyed like a deer caught in the voters' headlights! 

Douglas 'Mike' Carmichael McIntyre

Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Representative Douglas 'Mike' Carmichael McIntyre's Political Positions

Biographical

Douglas 'Mike' Carmichael McIntyre
Full Name: Douglas 'Mike' Carmichael McIntyre
Current Office: U.S. House - District 7, Democratic
First Elected: 11/05/1996
Last Elected: 11/02/2010
Next Election: 2012
On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for U.S. House - District 7
General Nov. 6, 2012
Gender: Male
Family: Wife: Dee; 2 Children: Joshua, Stephen
Birth Date: 08/06/1956
Birth Place: Lumberton, NC
Home City: Lumberton, NC
Religion: Presbyterian
Project Vote Smart does not permit the use of its name or programs in any campaign activity, including advertising, debates, and speeches.
Mike McIntyre refused to tell citizens where he stands on any of the issues addressed in the 2012 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart, national media, and prominent political leaders.
What is the Political Courage Test?
This candidate has demonstrated 0% courage during the test.
*Note: This percentage is calculated based on the number of issue areas addressed by the candidate on the Political Courage Test at the conclusion of the testing period. It does not indicate support or lack of support by Project Vote Smart.

Issue Positions

In response to the increasing unwillingness of candidates to answer issue questions, Project Vote Smart has researched Presidential and Congressional candidates' public records to determine candidates' likely responses on certain key issues. These are provided below as a courtesy to voters.
Pro-life Inferred Answer Abortion: Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation? View Citations
Yes Inferred Answer Afghanistan: Do you support United States' combat operations in Afghanistan? View Citations
No Inferred Answer Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending? View Citations
No Inferred Answer Budget: In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket? View Citations
Yes Inferred Answer Economy: Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth? View Citations
Yes Inferred Answer Economy: Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation? View Citations
Unknown Position Unknown Answer Education: Do you support requiring states to implement education reforms in order to be eligible for competitive federal grants? View Citations
Yes Inferred Answer Energy: Do you support reducing restrictions on offshore energy production? View Citations
Unknown Position Unknown Answer Environment: Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions? View Citations
No Inferred Answer Guns: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns? View Citations
Yes Inferred Answer Health Care: Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act? View Citations
Yes Inferred Answer Immigration: Do you support requiring illegal immigrants to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship? View Citations
No Inferred Answer Marriage: Do you support same-sex marriage? View Citations
Unknown Position Unknown Answer National Security: Do you support targeting suspected terrorists outside of official theaters of conflict? View Citations
No Inferred Answer Social Security: Do you support allowing individuals to divert a portion of their Social Security taxes into personal retirement accounts? View Citations

Key

Candidate Answer
Official Position: Candidate had the Political Courage to address this issue directly.
Inferred Answer
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue directly, but Project Vote Smart inferred this issue position based on the candidate's public statements, voting record, and evaluations from special interest groups.
Unknown Answer
Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue.
Project Vote Smart's Research: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position.

http://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/153/mike-mcintyre/

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Mitt Romney takes on NBC liberal Brian Williams -- and wins hands down!

Verne Strickland Blogmaster / July 26, 2012

I thoroughly enjoyed Brian Williams' interview with GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Know why? Because Romney beat the liberal NBC news troublemaker at his own game -- on every topic and on every nuanced question that Williams threw at him. The biggest and most satisfying score was when Brian Williams tried to pressure Romney into making a premature announcement of his 2012 running mate. Romney deftly turned the tables on the NBC glamour boy and sent him away empty-handed. It's well-known that what the interviewer really wants is to corner the subject and embarrass him. Williams came nowhere close. Romney beat him hands-down.

VIDEO: Entire Brian Williams interview with Mitt Romney

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