Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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4 MARCH 4-10, 2015 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM A few weeks ago I was talking with a young man who is a frequent voter. We often talk about political and social issues, but routinely disagree on how most matters should be addressed. During this last conversation, in order to make a point, I mentioned the danger of an $18 trillion national debt that is still increasing. His response was, "The national debt is a figment. It is not a problem." I almost broke down in tears because this is the kind of destructive thinking that is too prevalent among American voters. They think this way and vote accordingly. My struggle has been to understand how an individual can think in this fashion. A thoughtful 31-year-old lady explained it to me in a single statement. She said, "Many people operate in the 140 character limit of Twitter." That is, they see a headline, maybe read a few words beyond it, and conclude they have all the information needed for reaching an accurate conclusion. Because so many voters follow this pattern and politicians exploit it, I contend we are a nation experiencing "Death by 140 Characters." What happened in Congress this past week is a prime example of how this "Death by a 140 Characters" process plays out. For several years President Obama has been pressing for legislation that would allow illegal immigrants to stay in America. He and Congress have not been able to agree on legislation to address this matter. The primary roadblock to progress has been that many Republicans argue the first step in immigration reform should be to secure our borders. Given that the president has not been willing to take this first step, no legislative progress has been made. Yes, I know there are those who contend that the borders are more secure than ever. When after some time Congressional Republicans refused to pass immigration reform acceptable to him, Obama issued executive orders in November 2014 to protect about 4 million undocumented immigrants from deportation and allow them to work legally in the United States. The Republican-controlled House of Representatives reacted by passing legislation that would, except for dollars needed to carryout actions under the president's immigration executive orders, fund the Department of Homeland Security through Sept. 30. That legislation has not been acted on in the Senate because Democrats filibustered and prevented consideration or a vote. If DHS funding was not approved, the department would shut down except for essential personnel who would not be paid until funding is authorized. In the face of this prospect, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican) proposed legislation that would fully fund DHS. A separate bill would be considered that will stop implementation of President Obama's immigration executive orders. The first bill would pass the Senate with support from Democrats. I think there is no guarantee that the second would pass and it would be on the House to reject the funding legislation. In my estimation, McConnell and most Senate Republicans are caving again in the face of unreasonable and even unconstitutional actions by President Obama. (On Sat. Feb. 28, they voted for a one- week extension of funding.) When there are very legitimate reasons for stopping the president's immigration executive orders by refusing funding, why are Republicans caving? The answer is the "140 Characters" strategy. There is no way for Republicans to make their opposition case in a few words. On the other hand, Democrats are geniuses at working the "140 Characters" voter manipulation technique. Here is how they do it. Every day for the past week or so I have received emails like the ones below from some Democratic entity. They are paid for by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Note that these emails provide no details regarding the DHS funding situation ... make no reference to reasons for Republican objections or to Democrats' filibuster of the funding bill. They simply play to those who act on very little information: "Friend: This isn't good. The GOP is taking us closer and closer to a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security and they're trying to blame it on PRESIDENT OBAMA!! That isn't OK. The truth is pretty clearcut. They shut down the government in 2013 and now, Speaker Boehner is catering to the Tea Party and refusing to keep the Department of Homeland Security open. Here's how Boehner feels about his imminent shutdown: Boehner just doesn't care that his petty politics will cause the SECOND government shutdown in two years. That's EXACTLY what's wrong with these obstructionist Republicans. But here's the good news: more than 7,000 of you have stepped up to stop Boehner from shutting down Homeland Security. We're SO close to our $10,000 donation goal — but we can only count donations before tomorrow at midnight. " In the face of this shutdown bashing by Democrats, too many Congressional Republicans are afraid to take a stand even though the facts are on their side. Republicans are so afraid of being blamed for another shutdown and, thereby, possibly losing elections they are unable to lead in this demanding situation. Leading requires that there is no fear of failing. Against that backdrop, here are some solid considerations that support Republican opposition to President Obama's immigration executive orders: 1. They are unconstitutional 2. They are cost prohibitive 3. 26 States have filed suit because they have to 'bear the burden' of unauthorized migration; and a federal judge agrees. This listing could be continued substantially. The point is, Republicans in Congress have overwhelming justification for refusing to fund President Obama's immigration executive orders. I hope they will take a stand ... choose to show themselves as leaders. In spite of my hoping, my expectation is that they will yield to the "140 Characters Mentality" and to the fear of losing. Same old thing. STAFF Calendar ......................................14 Concert Connection ...................21 Free Wheelin' Feelin' ..................22 Horoscopes/Advice Goddess ....23 Classifieds ...................................24 Games .........................................26 INSIDE PUBLISHER'S PEN PUBLISHER Bill Bowman Bill@upandcomingweekly.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Janice Burton editor@upandcomingweekly.com EDITOR Stephanie Crider stephanie@upandcomingweekly. com ART DIRECTOR Sara Smith art@upandcomingweekly.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS D.G. Martin, Pitt Dickey, Margaret Dickson, John Hood, Erinn Crider, Jim Jones, Shanessa Fenner, Heather Griffiths DISTRIBUTION MANAGER/ OFFICE COORDINATOR Laurel Handforth laurel@upandcomingweekly.com ACCOUNTING Paulette Naylor accounting@upandcomingweekly. com MARKETING/SALES Linda McAlister Brown linda@upandcomingweekly.com Beverly Pone beverlypone@upandcomingweekly. com MARKETING ADMINISTRATOR Mandi Hawley Mandi@upandcomingweekly.com ––––––––––– Up & Coming Weekly www.upandcomingweekly.com 208 Rowan Street P.O. Box 53461 Fayetteville, NC 28305 PHONE: (910) 484-6200 FAX: (910) 484-9218 Up & Coming Weekly is a "Quality of Life" publication with local features, news and information on what's happening in and around the Fayetteville/Cumberland County community. Up & Coming Weekly is published weekly on Wednesdays. Up & Coming Weekly welcomes manuscripts, photographs and artwork for publication consideration, but assumes no responsibility for them. We cannot accept responsibility for the return of unsolicited manuscripts or material. Opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the publish- er. The publisher reserves the right to edit or reject copy submitted for publication. Up & Coming Weekly is free of charge and distributed at indoor and outdoor loca- tions throughout Fayetteville, Fort Bragg, Pope Air Force Base, Hope Mills and Spring Lake. Readers are limited to one copy per person. Subscriptions can be purchased for $30 for six months or $60 for 12 months, delivered weekly by first class mail. ©2007 by F&B Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial or advertisements without permission is strictly prohibited. Death by 140 Characters by KARL MERRITT Congress and the President are at a standoff concerning the President's Executive Order on immigration. Will the Republicans act or cave to the fear of 140 Characters? Karl Merritt, Contributor, UP & COM- ING WEEKLY. COMMENTS? BILL@upand- comingweekly.com. 910.484.6200.