After Senator Allen finished speaking, he left. Then those who had not gotten dinner yet were served. This made for rather odd tables because those at our table figured we were just out of luck and we were eating the bread and our desserts. But, we got food finally and were treated to the honor of hearing Sue Myrick, Congresswoman from the 9th district of North Carolina speak.

Sue Myrick was more focused on North Carolina. She has been in politics for many years now, but she somehow manages to (most of the time) remember that she's there to represent voters. Heck, I know her chief of staff, Hal, and he's been with her for 12 years now. That's impressive.

Sue was not running for president, so she didn't need to impress the people at the conference. She was focused. She had ONE topic, and I think she knew it was one that a lot of people at the conference were interested in: illegal immigration.
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On Saturday evening at the North Carolina Conservative Leadership Conference, we had the Honorable Senator Allen from Virginia as the featured speaker. He was there at approximately 6:30, which was when the dinner was expected to start. This seemed rather odd to me, because most people, when they reach that level of "importance" in government, simply do not have time to sit down and eat with people -- especially people who cannot vote for them (at least not this year).

The room was completely full -- not a single empty seat. There were about 300 people there, with a few even standing along the walls.

But first, a word about the dinner. For this meal, I was truly honored to be seated with not one, but SEVEN lovely ladies (for those who think that conservatives are nothing but stodgy old white men, well, this should prove they're not). They all knew one another and in fact had come to the conference together, and appeared to have really enjoyed their time there.

Thank you so much Louise, Ruthy, Michelle, Aleshia, Tiana, and Elizabeth for your lovely company and conversation during dinner (even if Michelle did get a little bored)!
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If this is your first visit to this blog, this is the part you need to read! I know there's at least a few new readers out there who aren't real familiar with how blogs work and how to find their way around this particular blog.

First, I'll explain the concept of a blog. I blog is a place on the internet that isn't printed anywhere else (normally) where you'll find information, news, and opinions. On this particular blog, you'll find mostly news and opinion regarding North Carolina politics and government, especially at the state level. You'll also often find some lighter post in the afternoons and on Fridays.

Here's how it works: At various times throughout the day, primarily between the hours of 6am and 3pm ET, new posts will appear. Some days it's as few as 3, some days as many as 10. The first post of the day is almost always about North Carolina government.

The main page shows the title of the post and a very brief description about the post. Simply click on the title of the post to take you to a page like this one you are reading to see and read the entire post.

At the end of each post, you'll see comments people have about the post. If no one has posted a comment on that topic, you can add your own comment (please do!). Please do feel completely free to comment on any post at any time!

As the day goes on and more topics are posted, the posts will move down the screen -- so if you leave a comment and want to see what others are saying, just scroll down and you'll find the topic. The last 7 days worth of topics normally stay on the main page.

Down the left column, you'll find a few ads and other miscellaneous links to fun places. Down the right side you'll find my "blogrolls" -- these are lists of links to other blogs that I am associated with in some way. Below that, again, more links to some other places I've found and like for some reason.

So, feel free to read away and add comments any time you like. I only ask that you attempt to remain civil in your comments. I will not normally delete or modify your comments unless you are uncivil or rude. If you have any questions, just add a comment to this post, or send me an email -- the email link is over there in the navigation section.

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(MUCH more to come tomorrow, including piles of pictures.)

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An update from the late afternoon:

Live blogging is almost over. We're on a break until dinner, which is scheduled for 6:30 with featured speakers of NC Congresswoman Sue Myrick and Virginia Senator George Allen. I won't be live blogging the dinner because that just seems too rude to me. Heck, I'm not really comfortable walking around and taking pictures...

So I'll attend the dinner, I'll get some pictures, and I'll take notes about what is said. I imagine the dinner will run until at least 8:30pm EST. After that I've got a 2-1/2 hour ride home. Then I'll be sleeping (hopefully not BEFORE I get home).

I will try and post a quick update immediately after the dinner with more notes, details and descriptions first thing tomorrow morning.
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This forum is titled "How to be a Good Conservative." There's a number of panelists that plan to tell about things that conservative citizens in North Carolina can do to help advance the conservative cause in North Carolina.

Ryan Francis DeLuca, NC State Director of Americans for Prosperity is the moderator (and a U.S. Marine). To speak are Steve Noble, Chairman of Called2Action; Ryan Irisik, Representative of the NC Grassroots NRA; Dan Page, former NC Legislator; and Frank Rouse, former NC GOP Chairman.

This forum has a full house, with almost 100 people in attendance. more...

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Next up with the live blogging, an issues forum about eminent domain. This is the least attended forum that I've seen here so far. Every other forum was absolutely packed to nearly overflowing. This forum has only about 30 people.

Scheduled to speak are Thomas Smith, VP of the Civitas Institute (current member of the Durham city council); Daren Bakst, Legal and Regulatory Policy Analyst for the John Locke Foundataion; Scott Bullock, Senior Attorney at the Institute for Justice (one who argued in Kelo v. New London); and Chris Sinclair, President of the Triangle Community Coalition.

More and more people have been arriving late, perhaps because lunch went a little long...the room is about full now -- about 40-45 people.
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David Keene addressed about 320 people at the Conservative Leadership Conference Lunch.

I had the pleasure of sharing my table with Jason Lewis (yes, the Jason Lewis who is on WBT1110 each afternoon from 3-6pm); Dr. David Hartgen, William Maready, Wes Atkins, and Brett Mitchell. Thank you all for wonderful company for the noontime meal.

I also must mention that while each meal at the conference has been started with the Pledge of Allegiance and a blessing; this meal we were treated to a wonderful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, a Capella by none other than the aforementioned Brett Mitchell. It was a very impressive voice and singing. Thank you again, Brett, for a great and inspiring job.
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Next up today: Lunch

Scheduled to speak is American Conservative Union Chairman David Keene.

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First issue forum attended by Ogre today is the Education forum. There's five panelists and I'll be adding to this post as they are speaking. Isn't live blogging fun? This post will update throughout the morning until after the forum, which will end at approximately 11:30am EST.

This forum promises to provide information about the (very broken) education system in North Carolina. People on the panel include George Leef, Director of the John William Pope Center for Higher Education Policy; Terry Stoops, Policy Analyst, John Locke Foundation; Jason Bennett, Policy Analyst at the Civitas Institute; Lindalyn Kakadelis, Director of the North Carolina Education Alliance; and Bob Luddy, Founder, Franklin Academy & St. Thomas More Academy. more...

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Another day, more conservatism! Today we had a breakfast that featured as a guest speaker Virginia Foxx, first-term Congressional Representative from North Carolina -- who was recently rated as the "most conservative" member of North Carolina's delegation.

Once again, I had the honor of meeting a number of additional conservatives, everyday people like yourselves, that are interested in conservative positions. With me were Tom and Lindalyn Kakadelis, John and Wanda Conway (John is running for election to the NC House -- I'm still working on links), Laney Funderbunk, and two college Republican volunteers who were helping out this weekend, Chad Hilton and Randy Costa. Thank you all for the excellent company and conversation during breakfast.
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As previously mentioned, an absolutely outstanding speech by J.D. Hayworth. He's recently written a book called "Whatever it Takes." He re-affirmed the conservative position by saying:

We understand that the Constitution Means what it says

A brief aside before the great details of the dinner -- I had the honor of having dinner with a number of Conservatives -- just regular people who want the government to work with the conservative principles of freedom first:

Marilyn Avila, candidate for election to the North Carolina House, Michael Dodson, Eleanor Quick, Alex, Andy Wright, Marc Conaghan, and Jason Wells. Thank you all for your attendance and your excellent company at the dinner speech. more...

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J.D. Hayworth at the NCCLC

J.D Hayworth, distinguished Congressman from Arizona's 5th district was the featured speaker at first evening dinner of the North Carolina Conservative Leadership Conference. He is serving in his 6th term in Congress.

Congressman Hayworth's speech was entertaining and informative. He made Tom Tancredo look soft on immigration. He started out with

The first and most basic purpose of government is to protect our citizens

It is a time for choosing

I've got lots more, but I want to get this first post up now as I write the next part.

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I'm on a short break now. After the rather contentious ending to the illegal immigration discussion panel (at least no one tried to call them "undocumented"), I've a break before heading to dinner. I've checked into the rather luxurious room here at the Sheraton Imperial, and am trying out their wireless. So far, so good.

Good rousing discussion and debate about the conservative position. If you're a conservative and you're not here, I think you're missing some really good stuff. There are a number of legislators, elected officials, and candidate here. I'll try and meet as many of them as I can and report back that they were here, perhaps indicating who are actual conservatives.

Next up is a dinner with two speakers: Arizona Congressman J.D. Hayworth and C.C. Goldwater, Barry Goldwater's granddaughter. They haven't listed the topics of their talks, but I'm betting illegal immigration will get in there somewhere...

I'm think I'll not live blog from the dinner because it somehow seems rude to me. I'll take the camera and the notebook and report back later this evening on who said what, the best I can.

Posted by: Ogre at 09:43 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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1 Outstanding live bloging... keep up the good work.

Posted by: Michael at April 07, 2006 09:58 PM (wQrIi)

2 mmMMmmFOOD. Take a picture of the FOOD. And you. WE WANT TO SEE YOU. >

Posted by: Raven at April 07, 2006 11:02 PM (09WAX)

3 Thank you again. Tomorrow there will be lots more!

Posted by: Ogre at April 08, 2006 01:32 AM (BgVRV)

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Next up, from 3:30-4:45pm EST is another issues forum on Illegal Immigration. Quite a panel for this discussion:

Rick Martinez of the Raleigh News and Observer

Ron Woodard, Director of NC Listen

Jack Martin, Special Projects Director for Federation for American Immigration Reform

Steve Bizzell, Sheriff of Johnson County

Fern Shubert, former legislator and Republican candidate for governor of North Carolina.

About 100 or 110 people are attending this issues forum, but that's only because all the seats are completely full and there's about 15 people standing in the back to listen in. more...

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Lots of good facts getting revealed here that I'm sure most citizens in North Carolina do not realize, and I'd be the Democrats in the legislature don't want people to know. There are about 75-80 people in the room, listening to the conservative view on Budget and Taxes.
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All set up and running. After making a couple wrong turns trying to find the hotel (stupid Mapquest -- there IS no Emperor Blvd!) -- we're here. I don't have numbers yet, but there's people all over the first floor of the lovely Sheraton Imperial Hotel and Conference Center (Teach? I don't see you anywhere).

First up, at 2pm EST, is the first of 5 "Issues Forums." There's a number going on at a time, so participants pick one and attend it. First up for me is the "Budget and Taxes" forum. It's to be moderated by Tom Fetzer, former Mayor of Raleigh.

A few quotes from his introduction:

No matter what legislators say, it's where you spend your money that defines where you priorities are.

Why does government exist? To serve us -- to serve the people.

Linked to Woman Honor Thyself.

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For the next few hours I'll be driving towards Durham to join the North Carolina Conservative Leadership Conference. Be sure to check back this afternoon as I provide live updates!

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And no, it's not to "help" them kick the habit. New support has arisen for spending over half a million dollars to reduce the cost of doing drugs by giving them all free needles. Again the stupid arguments rear their ugly heads -- it's about helping them, it's about safety, etc., etc.

Look, if YOU "community activists" want to take YOUR money and buy needles, you just go right ahead. My problem is that you're taking MY cash, that I work for, and you're buying needles for people who do NOT work so they can inject themselves with drugs! This isn't about safety or anything else -- it's about keeping people hooked on drugs.

One of the head lunatics claims that those who oppose this utter waste of taxpayer money are "shortsided." No, Evelyn Foust, "state AIDS director with DHHS" (government bureaucrat whose salary I am paying), we're trying to stop government waste and make you and your job LESS important -- so I can see why you're opposed to me.

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I've seen this situation before, and it just absolutely amazes me that people simply do not care enough to do anything about it. Subjects Peons Scum Citizens of Wake County, do you know what your county commission is doing with your tax money? They're paying someone who you just voted out of the Legislature to lobby the NC Legislature to raise your taxes.

Seriously.

I just don't get it. I can understand free people and organizations deciding to spend their hard-earned money to promote their position to elected representatives, but other governments? Am I the only person who thinks this is total insanity and the opposite of representative government?

This fellow, David Miner, lost an election to the General Assembly. The people of the county did NOT want him to represent them. Now the County Commission has agreed to pay him $5,000 a month to represent THEM at the General Assembly.

Can someone please explain to me why the county government needs someone to represent them? Why can't the representatives in the legislature represent citizens, instead of governments? If government agencies need representatives in the legislature, why do we need people to vote for their own representatives?

If someone sets up a government that is run by the people and exists for the people, please let me know -- I'll move there in a minute.

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