Republican idiocy

Only impaired leaders would prefer impaired waters:

Senate currently debating rolling back Jordan Lake clean up rules #ncga

— SierraClubNC (@SierraClubNC) May 14, 2013

As I've mentioned before (ad nauseum), this is NOT a state issue, it's a Federal one. We have a certain degree of flexibility in the construction of rules (such as Jordan Lake's), but we do not have the authority to not implement such rules. Here's a little more for the skeptics:

You have the right to remain silent:

Except as prohibited by federal law, unless a parent or legal guardian or legal custodian of an unemancipated minor is present with the unemancipated minor and gives 24 consent, no health care provider duly licensed in the State of North Carolina, or agent thereof, 25 shall provide health care services for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of (i) sexually 26 transmitted diseases, including Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency 27 Syndrome, (ii) abuse of controlled substances or alcohol, (iii) mental illness, or (iv) pregnancy 28 unless the health care provider or agent thereof, or another health care provider or agent 29 thereof, first obtains the written consent of the minor and the notarized written consent of any 30 one of the following:

It's not enough to force teens to involve their parents in a process that should just be patient/doctor. Oh no. We've got to have a notary public become part of the "treatment team". I realize that many thumpers in the Republican Party hold to the old (17th Century) method of "shaming" people into compliance with arbitrary social morality codes. But when those codes become dangerous and costly, it's important to shame them right back:

Speaking of power grabs:

Peter Walz @peterwalz
Didnt know they held veto MT @NCPW_LegisWatch Halliburton nixes NC’s fracking chemical disclosure rule ow.ly/kFAna #ncpol #ncga

In any sane world, disclosure of what chemicals a private company wants to inject into the ground would be a "no brainer" requirement. But in the world of fracking, and especially in the now free-market-fantasy State of North Carolina, corporate board room decisions trump those of the people:

Like I mentioned before, when big money is at stake, the fossil fuel industry doesn't give up:

JeanneBonds4NC 9:07am via Twitter for iPhone #ALEC intent on messing in #NC Policy
Still trying to repeal #renewableenergy standards. Wed calendar #ncga House Public Utilities #ncpol

This is what they're trying to stop:

If something works, break it:

Republican Gov. Pat McCrory’s proposed budget calls for cutting funds for the BioAgriculture Center at Robeson Community College, a move that could stymie agricultural programs focusing on workforce development, job creation and business recruitment — and eliminate existing jobs. The budget proposed by the governor eliminates about $600,000 for the North Carolina Community College BioNetwork’s Mobile Launch Pad for Careers — which is not administered through the center at RCC — and the BioAgriculture Center on RCC’s campus. Built in 2004, the BioAgriculture Center is one of seven centers statewide that make up the North Carolina Community College BioNetwork, a network of centers that focus on biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and industries related to the life sciences.

I think the key word is that last one: "sciences". Forget about all the success our community college network has had in forming a bridge between education and entrepreneurship, between public and private innovation and job growth. If you're not putting taxpayer money directly into the pockets of businessmen, you're wasting time and encouraging intellectual meddling. The GOP crazy train is stuck in reverse, and building up speed.