A 2008 view of the leading edge of the Larsen B ice shelf, extending into the northwest part of the Weddell Sea. Huge, floating ice shelves that line the Antarctic coast help hold back sheets of ice that cover land. 

March 26, 2015
By Christopher Joyce

The Antarctic (click here) is far away, freezing and buried under a patchwork of ice sheets and glaciers. But a warming climate is altering that mosaic in unpredictable ways — research published Thursday shows that the pace of change in parts of the Antarctic is accelerating....

Remember this?

Pope Francis understands the 'condition' of the faith he emulates. A little birdie told him.

CHAPTER TWO

THE GOSPEL OF CREATION 

62. Why should this document, addressed to all people of good will, include a chapter dealing with the convictions of believers? I am well aware that in the areas of politics and philosophy there are those who firmly reject the idea of a Creator, or consider it irrelevant, and consequently dismiss as irrational the rich contribution which religions can make towards an integral ecology and the full development of humanity. Others view religions simply as a subculture to be tolerated. Nonetheless, science and religion, with their distinctive approaches to understanding reality, can enter into an intense dialogue fruitful for both.

Pope Francis does not abandon the concrete world of reality to adhere to his religious devotions. He has room for the world as it is today and the need for it to recognize the BENEFITS of faith. He is not demanding allegiance to every word as a ruling authority, so much as a partner.


I. THE LIGHT OFFERED BY FAITH


63. Given the complexity of the ecological crisis and its multiple causes, we need to realize that the solutions will not emerge from just one way of interpreting and transforming reality. Respect must also be shown for the various cultural riches of different peoples, their art and poetry, their interior life and spirituality. If we are truly concerned to develop an ecology capable of remedying the damage we have done, no branch of the sciences and no form of wisdom can be left out, and that includes religion and the language particular to it. The Catholic Church is open to dialogue with philosophical thought; this has enabled her to produce various syntheses between faith and reason. The development of the Church’s social teaching represents such a synthesis with regard to social issues; this teaching is called to be enriched by taking up new challenges.

Is religion wisdom? Are the lessons in the Bible wisdom? Are the actors in the Bible human and translating their reality into the thoughts they understood?


64. Furthermore, although this Encyclical welcomes dialogue with everyone so that together we can seek paths of liberation, I would like from the outset to show how faith convictions can offer Christians, and some other believers as well, ample motivation to care for nature and for the most vulnerable of their brothers and sisters. If the simple fact of being human moves people to care for the environment of which they are a part, Christians in their turn “realize that their responsibility within creation, and their duty towards nature and the Creator, are an essential part of their faith”.[36] It is good for humanity and the world at large when we believers better recognize the ecological commitments which stem from our convictions.

Pope Francis is stating the natural world provides for all when it is viewed as one system rather than many systems that end at a country's sovereign border. Faith is inclusive of all faithful, not selective to those with residence in either powerful or vulnerable countries. 

If faith views Earth as a single system, did it's creation, be it defined in science or theology, not dictate the same? 

Northern hemisphere hot and southern hemisphere cold.

The percentage areas (click here) of the contiguous United States are computed based on the U.S. Climate Divisional Dataset. Those climate divisions having the monthly average temperature/total precipitation in the top ten percent (> 90^th percentile) of their historical distribution are very warm/wet and those in the bottom ten percent (< 10^th percentile) are very cold/dry.

The diagram above show the imbalance as it developed during the Industrial Revolution. It is damning. The very warm measurements in June of the 21st century far out ranks any very cold percentages. 

Monday, July 13, 2015
 
It might (click here) be called the Sunshine State but Queenslanders are shivering with Victoria and New South Wales thanks to the icy cold snap swirling across southeast Australia.

The blast of Antarctic air has already stirred strong winds in parts of Victoria and NSW and caused the temperature in Melbourne to drop to 7.7C on Saturday. The temperature in Brisbane was expected to dip to a low of 11C yesterday and 7C today and tomorrow.

For the first time in two years, parts of Queensland are anticipating snow....

VII. A VARIETY OF OPINIONS


60. Finally, we need to acknowledge that different approaches and lines of thought have emerged regarding this situation and its possible solutions. At one extreme, we find those who doggedly uphold the myth of progress and tell us that ecological problems will solve themselves simply with the application of new technology and without any need for ethical considerations or deep change. At the other extreme are those who view men and women and all their interventions as no more than a threat, jeopardizing the global ecosystem, and consequently the presence of human beings on the planet should be reduced and all forms of intervention prohibited. Viable future scenarios will have to be generated between these extremes, since there is no one path to a solution. This makes a variety of proposals possible, all capable of entering into dialogue with a view to developing comprehensive solutions.


61. On many concrete questions, the Church has no reason to offer a definitive opinion; she knows that honest debate must be encouraged among experts, while respecting divergent views. But we need only take a frank look at the facts to see that our common home is falling into serious disrepair. Hope would have us recognize that there is always a way out, that we can always redirect our steps, that we can always do something to solve our problems. Still, we can see signs that things are now reaching a breaking point, due to the rapid pace of change and degradation; these are evident in large-scale natural disasters as well as social and even financial crises, for the world’s problems cannot be analyzed or explained in isolation. There are regions now at high risk and, aside from all doomsday predictions, the present world system is certainly unsustainable from a number of points of view, for we have stopped thinking about the goals of human activity. “If we scan the regions of our planet, we immediately see that humanity has disappointed God’s expectations”.[35]

Pope Francis and his predecessors are not passive observers simply heralding a call to pay attention to God's law. Pope Francis and his predecessors are not reclining back to allow God to take care of everything enacted through only prayer. Pope Francis and his predecessors are active leaders in the call for action in humanity and the reality we have a responsibility to protect the common home provided to us.

Pope Francis didn't write this to pass the time of day. There is purpose in all his actions and there is a call to responsibility to God's order of the natural world including Earth's atmospheres.

Atmospheric CO2 for June 2015 is 402.80.

Mauna Loa CO2 Board (click here)

The Keeling Curve (click here)

The Mauna Loa (click here) carbon dioxide (CO₂) record, also known as the “Keeling Curve,” is the world’s longest unbroken record of atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations.  




The Hockey Stick

In 2015, communities and not individuality will bring together efforts to correct the path to protect Earth.

58. In some countries, there are positive examples of environmental improvement: rivers, polluted for decades, have been cleaned up; native woodlands have been restored; landscapes have been beautified thanks to environmental renewal projects; beautiful buildings have been erected; advances have been made in the production of non-polluting energy and in the improvement of public transportation. These achievements do not solve global problems, but they do show that men and women are still capable of intervening positively. For all our limitations, gestures of generosity, solidarity and care cannot but well up within us, since we were made for love.

Published 7/12/2015 (click here)
Wild Rivers Coast Forest Collaborative: WRCFC hosts forest management forum

The Wild Rivers Coast Forest Collaborative (WRCFC)has been working the past several years to provide a means for agencies, individuals, company’s and land owners to work together towards successful habitat restoration activities that provide ecological and economical benefits.

The group hosted an Ecosystem Services workshop on June 10 - 11 that culminated in a public review and discussion of proposed oak woodland restoration efforts in the Shasta/Agness planning area.

The restoration priorities the WRCFC has identified center around unique habitat resources, aquatic habitats, and increasing and enhancing recreational opportunities. Discussions between the WRCFC and the Forest Service found the Shasta/Agness project to be a great fit for both entities....

Community Gardens are a reality in the USA. Gardens begun in May are now getting ready for harvest. When people come together for a common activity, they become their own food cooperative and pick fresh fruits and vegetables for free.

Small efforts can create common interests, friends and ultimately a larger effort.


59. At the same time we can note the rise of a false or superficial ecology which bolsters complacency and a cheerful recklessness. As often occurs in periods of deep crisis which require bold decisions, we are tempted to think that what is happening is not entirely clear. Superficially, apart from a few obvious signs of pollution and deterioration, things do not look that serious, and the planet could continue as it is for some time. Such evasiveness serves as a licence to carrying on with our present lifestyles and models of production and consumption. This is the way human beings contrive to feed their self-destructive vices: trying not to see them, trying not to acknowledge them, delaying the important decisions and pretending that nothing will happen.

While the USA moves forward to protect Earth, will trade agreements demand it ?

July 6, 2015

Regulation will reduce GHG emissions, incentivize the use of greener refrigerants (click here)

The EPA has finalized a rule to reduce the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases that are commonly used in air conditioning and refrigeration. The new regulation will move certain HFCs and HFC-containing blends from being listed as acceptable alternatives to unacceptable for specific uses under the EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Plan.

In addition to moving the potentially harmful refrigerants off of the list of acceptable alternatives, the EPA will also approve several new alternatives that are designed to provide good refrigeration performance without harming the ozone layer or the climate. According to EPA estimates, the new rule’s implementation will reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 54-64 million metric tons by 2025, a significant reduction compared to the expected doubling of HFC emissions by 2020.

“This rule will not only reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions, but also encourage greater use and development of the next generation of safer HFC alternatives,” says EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy.

Looking to improve your building’s refrigeration efficiency? Check out this guide that can help you cut costs as well!

Implementing the 2015-2019 Phasedown Step (click here)

VI. WEAK RESPONSES (click here)

53. These situations have caused sister earth, along with all the abandoned of our world, to cry out, pleading that we take another course. Never have we so hurt and mistreated our common home as we have in the last two hundred years. Yet we are called to be instruments of God our Father, so that our planet might be what he desired when he created it and correspond with his plan for peace, beauty and fullness. The problem is that we still lack the culture needed to confront this crisis. We lack leadership capable of striking out on new paths and meeting the needs of the present with concern for all and without prejudice towards coming generations. The establishment of a legal framework which can set clear boundaries and ensure the protection of ecosystems has become indispensable; otherwise, the new power structures based on the techno-economic paradigm may overwhelm not only our politics but also freedom and justice.

54. It is remarkable how weak international political responses have been. The failure of global summits on the environment make it plain that our politics are subject to technology and finance. There are too many special interests, and economic interests easily end up trumping the common good and manipulating information so that their own plans will not be affected. The Aparecida Document (click here) urges that “the interests of economic groups which irrationally demolish sources of life should not prevail in dealing with natural resources”.[32] The alliance between the economy and technology ends up sidelining anything unrelated to its immediate interests. Consequently the most one can expect is superficial rhetoric, sporadic acts of philanthropy and perfunctory expressions of concern for the environment, whereas any genuine attempt by groups within society to introduce change is viewed as a nuisance based on romantic illusions or an obstacle to be circumvented.

55. Some countries are gradually making significant progress, developing more effective controls and working to combat corruption. People may well have a growing ecological sensitivity but it has not succeeded in changing their harmful habits of consumption which, rather than decreasing, appear to be growing all the more. A simple example is the increasing use and power of air-conditioning. The markets, which immediately benefit from sales, stimulate ever greater demand. An outsider looking at our world would be amazed at such behaviour, which at times appears self-destructive.

This article is from The New York Times. It clearly illustrates the ravage ignorance of growing use of technology. The First World was once in this space, now there are billions of people in India and China yet to learn about the importance of protecting Earth.

Oh, you thought the Pope was making a funny? No. Serious business.

June 20, 2012

By Elisabeth Rosenthal and Andrew W. Lehren 

In the ramshackle (click here) apartment blocks and sooty concrete homes that line the dusty roads of urban India, there is a new status symbol on proud display. An air-conditioner has become a sign of middle-class status in developing nations, a must-have dowry item.

It is cheaper than a car, and arguably more life-changing in steamy regions, where cooling can make it easier for a child to study or a worker to sleep....

... Air-conditioning gases are regulated primarily though a 1987 treaty called the Montreal Protocol, created to protect the ozone layer. It has reduced damage to that vital shield, which blocks cancer-causing ultraviolet rays, by mandating the use of progressively more benign gases. The oldest CFC coolants, which are highly damaging to the ozone layer, have been largely eliminated from use; and the newest ones, used widely in industrialized nations, have little or no effect on it....

56. In the meantime, economic powers continue to justify the current global system where priority tends to be given to speculation and the pursuit of financial gain, which fail to take the context into account, let alone the effects on human dignity and the natural environment. Here we see how environmental deterioration and human and ethical degradation are closely linked. Many people will deny doing anything wrong because distractions constantly dull our consciousness of just how limited and finite our world really is. As a result, “whatever is fragile, like the environment, is defenceless before the interests of a deified market, which become the only rule”.[33]


57. It is foreseeable that, once certain resources have been depleted, the scene will be set for new wars, albeit under the guise of noble claims. War always does grave harm to the environment and to the cultural riches of peoples, risks which are magnified when one considers nuclear arms and biological weapons. “Despite the international agreements which prohibit chemical, bacteriological and biological warfare, the fact is that laboratory research continues to develop new offensive weapons capable of altering the balance of nature”.[34] Politics must pay greater attention to foreseeing new conflicts and addressing the causes which can lead to them. But powerful financial interests prove most resistant to this effort, and political planning tends to lack breadth of vision. What would induce anyone, at this stage, to hold on to power only to be remembered for their inability to take action when it was urgent and necessary to do so?

"It's Sunday Night"

Dogs go to heaven, too.

"Heaveny" by Mariah Carey (click here for official website)

Folks will taking advantage of you because
They believe you're too weak to speak up for yourself
You don't have to speak up for yourself
Be still and let God fight your battles
Somebody come and go with me, Amen!

There will be mountains that I will have to climb
And there will be battles that I will have to fight
But victory or defeat, it's up to me to decide
But how can I expect to win if I never try?

I just can't give up now
Come too far from where I started from
Nobody told me the road would be easy
And I don't believe He brought me this far to leave me

Never said there wouldn't be trials
Never said I wouldn't fall
Never said that everything would go
The way I want it to go
But when my back is against the wall
And I feel all hope is gone
I'll just lift my head up to the sky
And say, "Help me to be strong"

I just can't give up now
I've come too far from where I started from
Nobody told me the road would be easy
He's brought me this far to leave me

No you didn't bring me out here to leave me lonely
Even when I can't see clearly
I know that you are with me, so I can't

Oh, I just can't give up now
'Cause I've come too far from where I started from
Nobody told me (nobody told me that the road would be easy)
And I don't believe (don't believe)
He brought me this far to leave me

And I can't give up now
Yeah, just can't, oh
Can't give up now
Said I've come too far from where I started from
Nobody told me (nobody told me that the road would be easy)
And I don't believe (don't believe)
He's brought me this far to leave me

I just can't give up now
I've come too far from where I started from
Nobody told me the road would be easy (it's been a little rough but I don't believe)
Don't believe, he's brought me this far to leave me (no no, no no)

I can't give up now!
I just can't give up now
Said I've come too far
Come too far from where I started from
No one said it would be easy
Nobody told me the road would be easy
And I don't believe
He's brought me this far to leave me

I don't feel no waste time
(Be still and let God fight your battles)
I don't believe he's brought me this far
I don't believe he's brought me this far
I don't believe he's brought me this far
I don't believe he's brought me this far
I don't believe he's brought me this far
I don't believe he's brought me this far
I don't believe he's brought me this far
I don't believe he's brought me this far

Does the Coast Guard have munittions experts? Please no more accidental injuries for anyone including responding investigative teams.

No earthquake activity near Narragansett, Rhode Island. USGS monitoring is very accurate. (click here)

There are a few oil companies in the area of Narragansett, RI. But, the location of the disruption was really specific. If it were an oil holding tank or some sort of similar incident more people would have been effected.

This sounds right to me.

July 12, 2015

...One press report claims (click here) that the explosion may be tied to a unexploded 4th of July firework that may have detonated.

This story is developing....

If there were July 4th fireworks over the water there is always a chance one didn't explode and landed on or near the beach. I'd be curious if there are any more unexploded fireworks under the water, etc. I think an explosive expert needs to consider that possibility and how to safety look for any more rockets.

A three year old can teach the world a lession about identity.

July 4, 2015
By Eric Westervelt

..."It was May 15, 2014, (click here) and I remember the date because Jackie was out of school that day," she says. "We drove to drop her older sister off at kindergarten. And normally Jackie is quite happy and content to hang out with me and play."
Jackie was 3 then, and she was called Jack. Glancing into the backseat of her car, Mary noticed something different....

Sexual identity is huge.

Every one of these stories I read, regardless of the age of the child have one common denominator; the child is elated with big, wide smiles at the instant the parent(s) realize their current gender identity is false.

Parents play an incredibly intricate part of identity issues. Identity can be directly related to love. A child understands love as a matter of acceptance to the family. Love is also a gigantic trust relationship with a parent. So, parents have to be attentive to their children when they are significantly unhappy in an ongoing basis. 

As if young parents don't have enough to deal with including their own adjustments; now, the gender identity of their children can be a call to awareness of a parent's power.

This is from Purdue University.

Researchers (click here) who have observed how children begin to understand gender agree that children begin this process at a very early age. Children seem to have an understanding of gender by about age 7, but there are several stages they go through along the way.  It is important to have realistic expectations about gender related issues and to understand typical development and when to get more help.

The following outline describes how children understand gender at different ages.

7 months
Infants can begin to tell the difference between male and female voices. Infants can tell the difference between their mother’s and their father’s voices. They will often turn their heads toward mother or father when he or she is talking.

12 months
Infants begin to tell the difference between male and female faces. Infants will also spend more time looking at their mother and/or father than other less familiar people. At this age, infants will turn to a woman’s face if they hear a woman speaking. They will look at a man’s face if they hear a man talking.

2 years
Toddlers begin to use gender stereotypes in their play. Young girls begin to play with “female toys,” and young boys play with “male toys.” Parents also may treat their children differently. Many young girls are dressed in “pretty” clothing and treated very delicately. Young boys are often dressed in “cute” clothes that are easy to move around in. Boys are often encouraged to be active and strong.

2-3 years
At this age, young children are developing “gender identity.” This means that they begin to label themselves and others as male or female. They can use words to label friends, family, and themselves as a boy or a girl.

3-4 years
Children at this age begin to use “gender typing.” They like putting things in categories, and gender is one way to do that. For example, a three-year-old child may think that trucks are male toys, because boys usually play with trucks....

Cruz vs NY Times

The New York Times is a private sector company, end of discussion. The NY Times validates its facts in a manner that is not prescribed by any government.

Cruz is an elected Senator not allowed his own facts.

When asked (click here) about its omission of Cruz’s book, the Times replied cryptically: “We have uniform standards that we apply to our best seller list, which includes an analysis of book sales that goes beyond simply the number of books sold.” Later, after the paper came under attack for its apparent political bias, it added a more specific charge: “In the case of this book, the overwhelming preponderance of evidence was that sales were limited to strategic bulk purchases.”

The use of books by political campaigns can easily move a book to the best seller list of any list. ie: Sarah Palin PAC.

A best seller list tells the reader it is a very worthy book to read. That means the political leanings of Ted Cruz is a very valid truth and worthy by a majority of readers of books. It is not a logical conclusion. 

As a matter of fact, it is fraud(ulent). 

Senator Corker is a man that makes up his own facts. ie: Volkswagen election of union.

One other thing. 

Voting is a right.

Driving is a privilege.

How can any state government demand a RIGHT be validated by a PRIVILEGE?

A voter registration is not a privilege. Think about it. 

This entire 'idea' is based in validating driver's licenses in a different paradigm. 

THINK PRECEDENT.

Greece is the next Ukraine.

July 12, 2015

Moscow (click here) is considering direct energy supplies to Greece, Russia's Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak has said, adding that the country wants to help Greek recovery by expanding economic cooperation.

“Russia intends to support the recovery of the Greek economy by increasing cooperation in the energy sector. Therefore we are looking into options for facilitating direct energy supplies to Greece in the near future," the minister said. 

According to Novak, the Russian Energy Ministry is planning to come to an agreement on energy supplies to Greece “within weeks.”...

North Carolina bill Voter Information Verification Act 589

Voter Information Verification Act (click here) 

The election of 2014 was the last election before this law will be instituted. The Act 589 bounces between it's own words and that of G.S. 163-166.9. So here is G.S. 163-166.9. 

§ 163-166.9.  (Effective until January 1, 2016) (click here) Curbside voting.

In any election or referendum, if any qualified voter is able to travel to the voting place, but because of age or physical disability and physical barriers encountered at the voting place is unable to enter the voting enclosure to vote in person without physical assistance, that voter shall be allowed to vote either in the vehicle conveying that voter or in the immediate proximity of the voting place. The State Board of Elections shall promulgate rules for the administration of this section. (2001-460, s. 3.)...

Okay, the bill's length is very lengthy. That is status quo for Republican oppression. The legislation is meant to fatigue it's reader. Unless of course it is an anti-ballistic treaty with Russia, then it is exceptionally short so "W" could understand it.

(b)        Any qualified voter voting under this section shall comply with G.S. 163-166.13(a) by one of the following means:
(1)        Presenting photo identification in accordance with G.S. 163-166.13.
(2)        Presenting a copy of a document listed in G.S. 163-166.12(a)(2).
(c)        The State Board of Elections shall adopt rules for the administration of this section.  (2001-460, s. 3; 2013-381, s. 2.6.) 

§ 163-166.12.  Requirements for certain voters who registerby mail. (click here)

(a)        Voting in Person. - An individual who has registered to vote by mail on or after January 1, 2003, and has not previously voted in an election that includes a ballot item for federal office in North Carolina, shall present to a local election official at a voting place before voting there one of the following:
(1)        A current and valid photo identification.
(2)        A copy of one of the following documents that shows the name and address of the voter: a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document. (birth certificate) 

This form of ID is to facilitate voter registration without added cost to the person to register. These IDs are used by many government activities as a proof of residence.

The thing about voting rights is also the recognition the government still does not guarantee every citizen can write or read. Some citizens in the USA still sign with an "X." That is a failure of the function of governing. This graph is from 2003.

The understanding of EMPOWERING citizens with a low education component in their life, is to remove hurdles. Why? Because the simplest of hurdles prevent those people from voting to ENACT CHANGE. How are the illiterate going to become literate if they can't elect people that will dedicate the government to improve their lives.

There is also the reality that some citizens are under achievers. There will always be a percentage of the country that are unable to over come barriers to what the country would consider 'ordinary' challenges. It is their reality and when there is empowerment needed at that achievement level it is important they are still able to participate in voting. They can be considered disabled and there should be people at the polls that can read the ballot to them and provide instruction in how to vote.

That is just the USA. We recognize those among us that can't surmount social demands. It is a part of quality of life to allow for handicaps of all kinds to exist among normal activity.

Another handicap that is grossly overlooked in the new Voter ID laws is the ability to be mobile. Our society is highly mobile. To accommodate this handicap there have been voting by church members on Sunday because they are at church because of 'the bus.' That bus, in turn, can transport citizens to polling places. This is an effort by private interests, basically churches, to bring about greater citizen involvement.

That is what is so audaciously cruel about these voter ID laws. The obstruction to voting is enforced to church going populations when the legislators boasts of being devoted to God. Excuse me?

Basically, the responsibility of governance is to overcome any and all obstacles to all citizens to assert their rights as a citizen. Limiting the days to vote and the lack of access via transportation to vote guarantees infractions in citizen rights.

(b)        Voting Mail-In Absentee. - An individual who has registered to vote by mail on or after January 1, 2003, and has not previously voted in an election that includes a ballot item for federal office in North Carolina, in order to cast a mail-in absentee vote, shall submit with the mailed-in absentee ballot one of the following: 

The elderly are chronically victimized. They are frequently of diminished health, especially mobility although they have been active voters since they first registered at 18 years old. They can't overcome hurdles to voting alone at the very time when Republicans are attacking SSI and Medicare. No voter that has an active interest in the issues of the day should be prevented from voting, while, excluding them is to be understood the USA is compassionate and would never hurt them. Excuse me? The elderly are to TRUST their children and grandchildren to protect them by casting THEIR votes. I don't think so. Every citizen has the right to assert THE RIGHT TO VOTE to protect THEIR OWN best interests. 

(b1)      Notation of Identification Proof. - The county board of elections shall note the type of identification proof submitted by the voter under the provisions of subsection (a) or (b) of this section and may dispose of the tendered copy of identification proof as soon as the type of proof is noted in the voter registration records. 

This aspect of the law in North Carolina is being completely eliminated. Now, let's get this part correct.

The voter now has to supply a photo ID. The burden to establish the right to vote now falls up on the voter. Voters have to spend monies to obtain a photo ID. In the past as this provision demonstrates, THE BURDEN of proof of voting rights is on the government. It is the way it should be. The voter is not a consumer of services on voting day. A voter is a vital part of the voting and it is the government that is suppose to shoulder the burden.

A photo ID is a burden even when the state supplies that free of change. What is the burden? Getting to the DMV to have the photo ID established. ALSO, the requirement demands the Voter ID to be current. So, let's say a senior member of a community has moved to a different living facility with structure that supports their age and the disability of age. Now, for this person to vote he or she has to sustain that expense of traveling to the DMV all over again.

Sure, sure people are always willing to help, but, the elderly aren't really up to all this mess, now are they?  Not only that, but, a person should not HAVE TO ACCEPT charity in order to vote. A Sunday Church Bus is not a luxury. A Sunday Church Bus is vital to many citizens to get to church and requires money be spent on the bus to purchase and maintain. Across the south there are many buses moving through the streets with this understanding alone. The church bus is not charity, it is a service paid for by donations of citizens to their church for the exact purpose of bringing their members to worship.

Additionally, the elderly wants to enjoy 'the moment' in life. It is their right to have quality of life on their terms. What is the likelihood of an 83 year old to have their birth certificate? Some, in 2015, are still recorded in a Bible. Demanding a certain type of documentation of another government function is simply doubling down on obstruction. Obtaining a birth certificate carries many burdens, ask President Obama.

A utility bill is current and easy to obtain. A paper copy can come in the mail. What is wrong with that as proof of residence?

There are laws to enforce if someone commits fraud. There has never been an instance of fraud in the USA that have changed the outcome to the election and that is THE KEY understanding of the importance of proof of residence. The ONLY instance where fraud has changed the election is 2000. An entire district in Florida was expunged from the voter rolls. That fraud was committed by the state government.

So, the individual carries brevity and the government should not obstruct any access to voting. The government is REQUIRED by the US Constitution to value the expression of preference in living by citizens in casting a vote. It is the government that should be shouldering this burden and NOT the citizen. The proof to voting is never the responsibility of the voter, it is the government and the redundancy of requiring government documentation to register is obstruction. Just that simple. 

(b2)   Voting When Identification Numbers Do Not Match. - Regardless of whether an individual has registered by mail or by another method, if the individual has provided with the registration form a drivers license number or last four digits of a Social Security number but the computer validation of the number as required by G.S. 163-82.12 did not result in a match, and the number has not been otherwise validated by the board of elections... 

Do utility bills have numbers? Do they have account numbers? Oh.

August 19, 2013 
Since the Supreme Court's 5-4 decision in Shelby County v. Holder (click here) in June, conservative governments in the South and elsewhere have raced to introduce new voting restrictions. Most prominent in the attacks is the comprehensive vote-restriction law passed by the Republican majority in the North Carolina legislature. The law cuts back early voting, restricts private groups from conducting voter-registration drives, eliminates election-day voter registration, and imposes the strictest voter ID rules in the country. There is evidence that Republican legislatures elsewhere will follow North Carolina's lead. 

Neither the American people nor the federal courts would tolerate restrictions of this sort if they were imposed on free speech, free assembly, freedom of religion, or freedom to petition government for redress of grievances. For that matter, many Southern states--and probably a majority of the Supreme Court--would reject far less onerous restrictions on the right to "keep and bear arms." Yet each of those rights is mentioned only once in the Constitution. The "right to vote" is mentioned five times--and yet the Court has brushed it aside as a privilege that states may observe at their convenience. Even an overwhelming majority of Congress--which is given the power 

This is a voter registration card. The voter registration card number in this example is 13060.

This voter registration card is legal tender. It can be presented for voting. It was printed because the voter presented proof of residence. This is not valid at the voting booth? What? If a voter has been expunged and has a voter registration card that places them within their rights, a provision ballot should immediately available to vote.

(c) The Right to Vote Provisionally. - If an individual is required under subsection (a), (b), or (b2) of this section to present identification in order to vote, but that individual does not present the required identification, that individual may vote a provisional official ballot....

It is the burden of the government to provide the RIGHT to vote.

This is Rep. Gohmert. He loves appearing on camera via C-Span. He is the one US Representative with a record number of appearances on the House floor. He is from District 1 of Texas. Rep. Gohmert was elected because of gerrymandering. Does District 1 have more than one polling district? Of course, it does.

From Wikipedia:

The 2012 redistricting process changed the district's northern section. All of Marion County, Cass County, and the majority of Upshur County were removed from the district. To compensate this loss, the eastern half of Wood County was added.

The point is a Voter Registration is vital to the voter because it states which district to vote and where to vote within that district. It is important. Yet, a voter registration is not legal tender to the new Voter ID laws. Does a Photo ID by the DMV show voter information? No. What would happen if the Voter Registration Card were eliminated as legal tender and only Photo ID were allowed? What information is lost to the voter on the day of voting?

This entire movement of requiring Photo ID is littered with gross injustice.

In North Carolina your driver's license (click here) is valid for a certain amount of years depending on your age, if you are between the ages of 18-53 your driver's license is valid for 8 years. However if you are 54 years of age or older, your driver's license is only valid for 5 years. Driving without a valid driver's license is illegal, so make sure you are aware of when you will need to replace your North Carolina driver's license.

Does a voter have the same physical appearance in eight years? Let's say a voter in his second year of his valid driver's license has lap band surgery. He/she has lost over one hundred pounds over the next year. Does his/her driver's license picture reflect an accurate ID? No. 

I was traveling by jet. I always used by Passport for positive ID for ticketing and boarding. In the last year of the passport the TSA agent looked at the passport picture and then at me and stated, "This doesn't look like you." I never thought about it once and neither did the TSA agents until that very moment. 

Now, you tell me, will a voter look the same in it's eight year as it did when it was issued? Why do Voter Registration cards eliminate pictures? 

This is the e-page of instructions to renew a North Carolina driver's license; below. It is complicated and time consuming and older citizens have to demonstration their abilities to operate a vehicle safely otherwise their license is not renewed.

Before (click here) your license expires, the DMV will mail you a reminder card explaining the number of years it will be valid. The reminder card is not required in order to renew and you may renew up to 6 months prior to expiration. 

Interesting. A reminder card is not required to renew. Yet, a photo ID issued by the state is required to vote. What is interesting? THE STATE RECOGNIZES the fact people don't always keep important documents and SEEKS TO REMOVE a hurdle to renewal of the driver's license. THE STATE understands the citizen is not prefect. That is what is interesting in that statement.

(4)   An individual who is entitled to vote otherwise than in person under section 3(b)(2)(B)(ii) of the Voting Accessibility for theElderly and Handicapped Act. (click here)

North Carolina recognizes there are hurdles to achieving voting rights. What is the problem in enforcing the demands for increased voting days? What is the problem in validating a voter registration when agencies, some private, are recognized as having the ability to serve the elderly or handicapped voter? There is a state law that PROHIBITS discrimination by mental or physical status. The NC law that prohibits voting except with NC Photo ID is unconstitutional by the US Constitution, federal handicap laws AND North Carolina State Laws. 

I haven't check to see if the new bill removes these protections, but, even if it does, it is federally unconstitutional. The cases to the Supreme Court is about the legislation of photo ID. These litigation do not address the actual ID and the difficulty in providing VALID IDs without burden to the citizen.  

This is the new law. 

(2) For a registered voter who has a sincerely held religious objection to being photographed and has filed a declaration in accordance with G.S. 163 - 82.7A at least 25 days before the election in which that voter is voting in person, that voter shall not be required to provide photo identification

This would allow people that do not have birth certificates for find them a burden can provide the bible as proof of citizenship. The photocopy should not be necessary. A swearing before the registering person should be enough. A photocopy is a burden. 

This section of the law is ambivalent because of the wording, "25 days before the election in which that voter is voting in person," that raise a question as to the need to subject the voter to a repeat of this registration before each election.

(3) For a registered voter who is a victim of a natural disaster occurring within 60 days before election day... 

This entire provision about natural disasters is burdensome. It adds the idea of a special filing to voting. PROVISIONAL ballots already cover this.

(d) The local election official to whom the photo identification is presented shall determine if the photo identification bears any reasonable resemblance  to the voter presenting the photo identification. If it is determined that the photo identification does not bear any

This is the new law and requires the clerk at the polling place to determine correct ID before voting. That is unconstitutional and highly flawed. It is an enormous burden to the citizen.

(e) As used in this section, "photo identification" means any one of the following that contains a photograph of the registered voter. In addition, the photo identification shall have printed expiration date and shall be unexpired provided that any voter having attained the age of 70 years at the time of presentation at the voting place shall be permitted to present an expired form of any of the following that was unexpired on the voter's 70th birthday....

Section 2.1 (e) through , including (1) through (8), above is unconstitutional by federal and state law. The citizen has to keep their unexpired ID in order to vote after the age of 70. We already know North Carolina recognizes the citizen is not perfect, there is provisions for the handicapped and elderly. The laws regarding the elderly isn't defined by age 70 in this section. The laws are contradictory. There continues the issue of RECOGNITION by photo of the voter at the time of voting. It is all highly flawed and contradicts existing laws invoking age discrimination. Who is to say the citizen at 70 is anymore elderly with depleted ability than the citizen at 55 or 60 or 65? This age 70 is completely arbitrary and provides no validation in other state or federal law.

"§ 163-166.14. Evaluation of determination of nonreasonable resemblance of photo identification

Photo identification is an invalid form of ID to the RIGHT of voting. This entire section is unconstitutional and provides an obstruction to the rights of citizens in voting, as in all the previous statements of this entry. 

This section discusses 'judges of election.' HUH?

(f) Any local or State employee appointed to serve as a judge of election may hold that office in addition to the number permitted by G.S.128-1.1

The judges of election are not elected to the post. There are political discriminations in allowing ANY employee the authority over the vote. Employees in North Carolina can be very dependent on political standing. I don't feel comfortable with any of this. It states it favors the voter if the judges of elections are not unanimous in their DISCERNING the validity of the photo in the photo ID. It is all nonsense. There is huge human error throughout this process. The idea any person has to be scrutinized at the time they vote will prevent some voters from participating. Those that perceive racial discrimination and possible backlash will not go to the polls. People are not to be judged on polling day(s). That is up to the scrutiny of the efficacy of the balloting and potential fraud. 

Absolutely not!

Do we know racism exists in the USA? Damn right we do. 

This provision even provides for a CHIEF judge. So, there are varying degrees of authority within this process. 

Absolutely not!

(1) On election day, the chief judge and judges of election as appointed under Article 5 of this Chapter

The legislation even recognizes it's own corruption.

If the state demands the state is above scrutiny, the very best example is "Bush v. Gore." Wouldn't it have been great to even eliminate the Supreme Court to elect the POTUS. That would be really great, won't it?

The bill as I move through it provides more and more burden to the voter. Now there is a provision for a voter that refuses a photo due to religious purposes have to execute a declaration before an election official. 

This bill never ends to it's demands and burdens to the voter. It is unconstitutional in many ways on both the state and federal level. The Secretary of State holds enormous discretion over elections.

Absolutely not.