Mediaboss Marketing

A bipartisan state Senate bill would ban use of hand-held cellphones and other wireless devices while driving.

Senate Bill 20, titled "Hands Free NC," was introduced Wednesday. The bill, if signed into law by Gov. Roy Cooper, would go into effect July 1.

It has as primary sponsors Republicans Jim Burgin of Johnson County and Kevin Corbin of Cherokee County, and Democrat Mike Woodard of Durham County. Republican Sen. Vickie Sawyer of Yadkin County is a co-sponsor.

Burgin said the bill contains several elements from House Bill 144 from 2019, also titled Hands Free NC, as well as language from a similar bill that passed the Republican-controlled Georgia legislature.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 25 states have bans on hand-held cellphone use, also including Tennessee and Virginia.

North Carolina is among 48 states that already bans texting while driving. That law went into effect in 2009.

Burgin said SB20 is needed as a public-health safety measure akin to when seat belts were made mandatory. The bill's primary sponsors plan to hold a press conference on the legislation in early February.

"Using a wireless communication device not only affects you, but a lot of other people when you are distracted while driving," said Burgin, who describes himself as a Libertarian on most social regulatory issues.

Burgin agrees with the legislature conference's assessment that at least 80% of all drivers have used their wireless communications device while operating their vehicle.

"With the technology in most new cars, you don't need to touch your phone to use it," Burgin said.

"A prohibition on holding a device while driving is enforceable because it's observable by law enforcement, and it does address one of the most common forms of districted driving."

Second attempt

HB144 cleared the state House by a 91-24 vote in May 2019, only to stall in a Senate committee.

The bill reached the House floor only after a failed attempt to broaden what would have been considered a violation of the proposed law, including driving while eating or applying cosmetics.

Even though HB144 was approved by a wide margin, there was impassioned discussion about the effectiveness of the potential legislation, particularly whether it represented overreach or the penalties were too weak.

SB20 restores the penalties, which include fines of between $100 and $200 and between one and two insurance points for multiple offenses.

The bill would prohibit driving while using a wireless communication device that is held in the driver's hand. It also prohibits using such a device if it is supported somewhere on the driver's body unless it is part of wearable technology that does not require physical support.

The bill also reinforces the ban on texting and also bans driving while watching a video, movie or communication via video.

There are exceptions for first-responders, law enforcement and emergency medical personnel.

The bill would prevent individuals under age 18 from driving while using a wireless communication device.

A school bus driver violating the law could be charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor, which carries a jail sentence of between 1 and 60 days, and $1,000 fine.

The bill does not allow for law enforcement to seize the driver's wireless communications device.

Distracted driving data

According to a 2019 N.C. Transportation Department report on vehicle accidents, 20% or 55,000, were caused by distracted driving. Those accidents resulted in 24,000 injuries and 154 deaths.

There's support from the N.C. Sheriffs' Association and N.C. Chiefs of Police, a key sign-on since they would be responsible for enforcing the law.

A Meredith College poll in February 2019 found that 83.1% of respondents supported enactment of a hands-free law.

"North Carolinians believe that distracted driving needs to be treated like other traffic offenses, such as speeding, with similar punishments," said David McLennan, the poll's director.

The Meredith poll found that 56.6% of survey participants think that a $100 fine for first-time offenders is appropriate. Just more than half said a fine is sufficient punishment, while 36.8% say insurance should be affected.

"We support the concept of combating distracted driving, which has become an epidemic on our roads," AAA Carolinas spokeswoman Tiffany Wright said.

The Independent Insurance Agents of N.C. is a supporter of SB20.

Mike Causey, the state's insurance commissioner, has warned that "unless we do something the growing number of distracted driving accidents and injuries could force auto insurance rates up for everyone."

Causey has made a YouTube video expressing his support for the bill.

Local deaths cited

Former Rep. Derwin Montgomery, D-Forsyth, pointed to the deaths of Daryl Baucum, 15, and Isaiah Reynolds, 11, in stating his support for HB144.

May 2010 that Jayne Perkins was talking on a cellphone while driving her tractor-trailer on Interstate 40 near the Freeman Mill Road exit in Greensboro, authorities said.

Perkins collided into the rear of a vehicle in which the brothers were backseat passengers.

Daryl, a freshman at Reynolds High School, died that day. Isaiah, a sixth-grader at Downtown Middle School, died two days later. Their mother, Janet Baucum Reynolds Payne, and their stepbrother, Jared Baucum, were also injured.

In February 2011, Perkins pleaded guilty and received a 75-day jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to pay a $750 fine.

Perkins, of Arkansas, pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, and careless and reckless driving, Under state sentencing laws at that time, Perkins could not have been sentenced to active jail time because she had no criminal record.

Soon after his sons' deaths, Daryl Reynolds lobbied state legislators to pass a law to ban cellphone use while driving.

More problems than resolutions?

Banning the use of wireless communication devices has its detractors.

During the debate on HB144, some legislators expressed concerns that it would create more problems than it resolves.

For example, Rep. Pat McElraft, R-Carteret, said that pulling off to the side of a two-lane road to answer the phone "may be more dangerous than holding a cellphone to your ear," especially for young drivers.

Some legislators complained about the bill being another extension of "nanny state" efforts that take away individual freedoms.

Other legislators asked if the bill requires law enforcement officers to prove that someone was driving in a distracted manner, whether while using an electronic device or eating, if the item is not in the driver's hand when they are stopped.

Some expressed concerns that these kinds of traffic stops could lead to unintended uncomfortable conversations as the law-enforcement officer attempts to prove illegal behavior.

Government's role

Mitch Kokai, senior policy analyst with Libertarian think tank John Locke Foundation, said SB20 "is unlikely to face a vocal, organized opposition.

"Instead, it could face behind-the-scenes skepticism from lawmakers who believe it's not the government's proper role to put this type of restriction in place.

"Satisfaction with the status quo has been this legislation's biggest obstacle over the years. Perhaps that has changed in 2021," Kokai said. "But history suggests the bill will face an uphill battle."

Burgin said his answer to concerns about overreach is providing more education about the necessity of SB20.

"I think the bill is very timely, and we can explain the benefits to society," Burgin said.

"I'm about as conservative as you can be and I don't like the government telling me how to live my life.

"This is one of those bills that can save some lives, property damages, and long-term pain and suffering," Burgin said.

[emailprotected]

Read more from the original source:
Bill Would Ban Use Of Hand-Held Cellphones While Driving In NC - Insurance News Net

Rep. Deb Haaland has yet to be confirmed as President Joe Biden's new secretary of the interior, but already plenty of people want her old job assuming the senate gives her the OK.According to records filed with the Federal Election Commission, nine candidates eight Democrats and one Independent have indicated they are raising money to try to win her seat.Three of the candidates have reported receipts of about $333,000 combined. But the majority of these candidates will not actually appear on any ballot.Ultimately, a relatively small group of people both in the Democratic and Republican and Libertarian side are going to make the choice of who their nominee will be, KOAT political expert Brian Sanderoff said.So who is in this group?Each county's party sends people to represent them to the state central committee. They decide who gets to be put on the ballot for the special election. But it is only those members who live in the that are represented by Haaland's congressional seat who get to decide.That's as many as 200 Republicans and Democrats making the decision."Right now the primary objective is just to get the support of the central committee members of each party, Sanderoff said.That committee then decides whose name will appear on a ballot for a special election that is likely to happen a few months after Haaland is confirmed.So why are people trying to raise money now before we even know if there will be a special election?"Different candidates will use different approaches to demonstrate to the central committee members that they have the clout and strength among the party faithful to be considered for the nomination, Sanderoff said.Special elections dont happen often in the Land of Enchainment. The last time New Mexico had a special election was 24 years ago.

Rep. Deb Haaland has yet to be confirmed as President Joe Biden's new secretary of the interior, but already plenty of people want her old job assuming the senate gives her the OK.

According to records filed with the Federal Election Commission, nine candidates eight Democrats and one Independent have indicated they are raising money to try to win her seat.

Three of the candidates have reported receipts of about $333,000 combined. But the majority of these candidates will not actually appear on any ballot.

Ultimately, a relatively small group of people both in the Democratic and Republican and Libertarian side are going to make the choice of who their nominee will be, KOAT political expert Brian Sanderoff said.

So who is in this group?

Each county's party sends people to represent them to the state central committee. They decide who gets to be put on the ballot for the special election.

But it is only those members who live in the that are represented by Haaland's congressional seat who get to decide.

That's as many as 200 Republicans and Democrats making the decision.

"Right now the primary objective is just to get the support of the central committee members of each party, Sanderoff said.

That committee then decides whose name will appear on a ballot for a special election that is likely to happen a few months after Haaland is confirmed.

So why are people trying to raise money now before we even know if there will be a special election?

"Different candidates will use different approaches to demonstrate to the central committee members that they have the clout and strength among the party faithful to be considered for the nomination, Sanderoff said.

Special elections dont happen often in the Land of Enchainment. The last time New Mexico had a special election was 24 years ago.

More here:
Candidates are raising money to try to win Haaland's seat - KOAT New Mexico

AUSTIN (KXAN) A variety of groups from around Texas who mainly described themselves as libertarian held a demonstration outside the closed-off Texas Capitol on Sunday afternoon. The demonstration Sunday was not violent and consisted of dozens of people many openly carrying semiautomatic weapons, rifles, and knives standing outside the capitol grounds and talking with each other. Within four hours, everyone in the group left the demonstration.

On Saturday, a smaller group demonstrated outside the Texas Capitol as well. While the Texas Department of Public Safety has closed off the capitol grounds through Wednesday following concerns over violent extremists, a spokesperson for the department described the demonstration Sunday as uneventful and said there had been no arrests at the Texas Capitol all weekend.

On Friday, Texas DPS Director Steven McCraw said in a press release that the Texas Department of Public Safety is aware of armed protests planned at the Texas State Capitol this week and violent extremists who may seek to exploit constitutionally protected events to conduct criminal acts.

Individuals present at the demonstration at the Texas Capitol Sunday told KXAN they took these concerns from DPS into account, walking around the capitol grounds in plain clothes and with concealed weapons beforehand to see if any provocateurs had shown up to co-opt the event.

The big worry was we were gonna have tons of MAGA, QAnon people here to come and disrupt it but it hasnt been the case, said Stephen Hunt, who had traveled from the Abilene area to attend this event.

Hunt arrived to the event with a group, but said he didnt want to identify the group because its one of those things where people naturally come and find it.

He shared that he was not a Biden supporter or a Trump supporter in the presidential election and commented that hopefully this election has proven to people we need some change in our election laws.

Groups present on Sunday who spoke to KXAN said they came to Austin from different parts of the state. Several individuals present told KXAN that planning for the event Sunday began in October before the election happened as a rally to bring together libertarian groups express support for the protection of First and Second Amendment rights.

The gathering comes as all 50 state capitols are being watched for possible unrest leading up to the Inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.

The possibility of violence comes on the heels of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6 widely considered to be incited by President Donald Trump.

The photos below show what the Texas Capitol has looked like this weekend:

On Friday, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced the Capitol would close through Wednesday, after the presidential Inauguration.

Texas DPS says it will have extra personnel and resources at the Capitol and is working with the FBI and the Austin Police Department in monitoring events.

The Capitol was closed after armed protesters showed up on Tuesday as state lawmakers returned for the first day of the legislative session.

Markie Martin, a NewsNation correspondent, reported receiving a courtesy letter from her hotel in downtown Austin on Saturday morning. The letter warned guests to use caution when leaving the hotel and regularly check the local news and official city sources.

Some armed demonstrators Sunday were wearing patches which referenced the Boogaloo movement which the Anti-Defamation League describes as an anti-government extremist group. But attendees emphasized they came from several different groups.

Kris Hunter, who traveled to Austin from McLennan County as part of the Centrex Quick Reactionary Force, described the demonstration as just an event for a lot of us to come together, meet each other.

A lot of us have been in correspondence for a long time, [we want to] show support for the First Amendment, Second amendment and on down the list, we are big advocates for the Bill of Rights, Hunter continued. He noted his group has marched alongside Black Lives Matter demonstrations and Anti-mask/anti-lockdown demonstrations.

Hunter added that this event was part of a larger, national effort organizing at capitols across the country.

We correspond with each other, there was a meeting of all of us that are involved in these groups in Kentucky, Hunter said, noting he drove fifteen hours to attend that two-hour meeting in Kentucky to plan Sundays event. The entire point of the event was to not attach any particular group to it, this was supposed to be a uniting type event, all of us that are worried about our rights being trampled on, like I said, First Amendment, Third Fourth Fifth, the Bill of Rights, we wanted everyone to come out together.

Many demonstrators wanted to make clear that they dont agree with the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol more than a week ago.

Unfortunately last week in Washington D.C. there were some things that happened that we absolutely disagree with, we condemned the actions of those who breached the Capitol and it seemed like, this event got lumped in or was being paralleled with what happened in D.C., thats not the case at all, said Kris Hunter, who was present at the Capitol Sunday. We are mostly libertarians, we dont care about Republican or Democratic politics.

As people left the event for the day, they told KXAN they dont plan to have any other events at the Capitol in the week to come.

A DPS spokesperson said as of Sunday afternoon, no arrests had been made at the Texas capitol the entire weekend.

Go here to read the rest:
Mostly libertarian demonstration gathered outside of closed, guarded Texas Capitol Sunday - WJTV

ArkLaTex Homepage Saturday Afternoon Forecast 1-23Weather / 16 hours ago

ArkLaTex Homepage Friday Afternoon Forecast 1-22Weather / 2 days ago

Dense fog and mist Friday morning, dry Saturday, widespread rain and storms Sunday and MondayWeather / 2 days ago

Rain will continue into Friday morning followed by a few strong storms late Sunday into Monday morningWeather / 3 days ago

Rain and fog Thursday morning, rain becomes widespread this afternoon, a few strong storms possible late in the weekendWeather / 3 days ago

The first of three disturbances to bring heavy rain starting Thursday, the weekend ends with a few thunderstormsWeather / 4 days ago

Cool and cloudy Wednesday, heavy rain possible Thursday into early Friday, thunderstorms late in the weekendWeather / 4 days ago

Rain chances decrease Wednesday with more heavy rain possible in the week aheadWeather / 5 days ago

Cold front to bring rain showers Tuesday, heavy rain possible late this week and again late in the weekendWeather / 5 days ago

Rain returns Tuesday with off and on chances continuing for the next weekWeather / 6 days ago

Sunny and pleasant Monday, rain returns tonight and tomorrow and stays for much of the weekWeather / 6 days ago

ArkLaTex Homepage Sunday Afternoon Forecast 1-17Weather / 7 days ago

Read more from the original source:
Groups across Texas head to Texas Capitol for "mostly libertarian" demonstration - ArkLaTexHomepage

The Boogaloo Bois is a recently formed decentralized armed movement comprised of loosely knit cells scattered throughout the United States. Boogaloo participants have also been involved in several attacks and plots, including the attempted kidnapping of Michigans governor, an attempt to sell weapons to Hamas, and a deadly attack on a federal security officer in northern California. The movement is centered on participants belief that the U.S. government has become excessively tyrannical. Participants, therefore, have concluded that a second civil war is unfortunate, but inevitable, in order to obtain true liberty. The movement refers to this idealized second civil war as the Boogaloo (Spotify [Buck Johsnon], July 2020). Occasionally, the word Boogaloo is exchanged for slang terms, however, such as the big luau, the Bungalow, or the Big Igloo.

Boogaloo, Internet Culture, and Black Lives Matter

Boogaloo cells contain a mix of civilians and former military personnel. These participants call themselves boojahideen, a linguistic spin-off of mujahideen (Liberty Actual, Boojahideen Shop). They have also been forced to utilize secondary online public forums like Reddit, Gab, and Parler because mainstream platforms like Facebook and Twitter have prohibited their content. (Reddit [RealRhettEBoogie]; Parler [Boojahideen Outfitters]). Despite this deplatforming, they are still able to circulate their ideology and connect with boojahideen in different regions of the United States.

This internet culture plays a key role in amplifying Boogaloos ideology. Many Boogaloo participants accordingly first connect with one another online (Sofrep.com, December 24, 2020). Similarly, a fundamental component of Boogaloo internet culture is utilizing memes, which became a method of propagandizing Boogaloo perspectives of civil war. One Boogaloo flag even has meme-based insurgency inscribed on it (Onlyfeds.com, January 2021). Boogaloo propaganda also enables a more violent ideology to become palatable and communicable to both existing boojahideen and the general public.

The Boogaloo movement is not, however, racialist. Instead, Boogaloo cells congregate around a libertarian political ideology that deviates from traditional right and left positions. Boogaloo cells across the United States have participated in and supported leftist-led Black Lives Matter rallies since the death of George Floyd (Youtube/Black Lives Matter757, August 10, 2020). Boogaloo participants believe Black Lives Matters is Disneyfied and its supporters consist of some Marxists and white Karens who are not supported by Boogaloo, but Boogaloo participants hope to win them to Boogaloo ideology and have Blacks and whites walk arm-in-arm against the feds (Spotify [Buck Johsnon], July 2020).

In some instances, Boogaloo cells have provided security for protesters during Black Lives Matter events. (Twitter.com/ryanteeter98, August 27, 2020) In addition, a Boogaloo participant, Ivan Hunter, was arrested for contributing to the burning down of a Minneapolis police precinct after George Floyds death and screaming Justice for George Floyd (startribune.com, October 24, 2020). Hunter was also affiliated with Steve Carillo, another Boogaloo participant who killed a California federal protective security officer after George Floyds death (justice.gov, October 23, 2020). However, Boogaloo is also a vociferous proponent of the typically right-leaning view that Americans are entitled to an entirely unrestrained second amendment right to bear arms, open carry, and form well-regulated militias.

FBI Prevention of Boogaloo Attacks

Boojahideen insist they are not radicals, seek a peaceful revolution, and kick out any white supremacists on the margins of society if they try to participate (Spotify [Buck Johsnon], July 2020). However, multiple Boogaloo participants are facing serious charges following both attempted and executed attacks on law enforcement and public officials. The FBI has played a crucial role in deterring these boojahideen plots often through the use of inside informants and undercover officers infiltration of Boogaloo cells.

In September 2020, boojahideen Benjamin Teeter Michael Solomon, who were in the communication with Ivan Hunter, were charged with attempting to provide material weapons support to Hamas (justice.gov, September 4, 2020). Believing Hamas was a mutual enemy of the United States, these two boojahideen considered themselves to be in alignment with Hamas. They, therefore, offered to manufacture unmarked firearms and firearm accessories for Hamas.

Unbeknownst to Teeter and Harrison, they were, in fact, attempting to deal arms to one of the FBIs undercover informants. Following an initial meeting with the informant, these boojahideen later delivered five firearm suppressors and a drop in auto sear firearm converter to the undercover FBI agent who they believed to be a senior Hamas official. At that time, they even offered to provide automatic weapons to Hamas and work as Hamas mercenaries in the future. Their actions, however, resulted in prompt charges from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (justice.gov, September 4, 2020).

Multiple Boogaloo Bois are also facing charges in Michigan after plotting to kidnap the states Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, and lay siege to the state Capitol building (justice.gov, October 8, 2020; see Militant Leadership Monitor, January 5). While the militia responsible called itself Wolverine Watchmen, individuals within that militia referred to themselves as boojahideen. In addition, a leader of the Whitmer kidnapping plot, Joseph Morrison, used the online nickname Boogaloo Bunyan in digital forums (Michigan.gov, October 2020).

Morrison and other plot participants were interviewed by a local TV station prior to their arrest during a second amendment gun rights rally. In the interview, Morrison sported a trucker hat with the Boogaloo flag patch on the front. His co-conspirators also donned Hawaiian shirts, a fashion trademark of Boogaloo participants (Youtube/Target8News, October 9, 2020).

The kidnapping plot was launched in response to what the participants called government tyranny stemming from Whitmers COVID-19 lockdown orders. The cell had been developing detailed plans to kidnap Whitmer, try her for crimes, and lay siege to the Michigan state capitol building. Confidential FBI informants were able to leak plot information, meeting audios, and chat room conversations with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (Michigan.gov, October 2020). This collaboration led to the arrest of everyone involved in the plot.

Boogaloo Responses to the Biden Administration

With the Joseph R. Biden-Kamala Harris administration transitioning into the White House, new dynamics will emerge between the Boogaloo movement and the U.S. government. Some Boogaloo cells have a history of seeking unity and offering aid to peaceful Black Lives Matter protesters (Youtube/Black Lives Matter757, August 10, 2020; Youtube/UnicornRiot, August 26, 2020). The Biden-Harris administrations criminal justice policy is expected to address Black Lives Matter protesters demands (joebiden.com/justice, January 2021). Thus, it is likely the Boogaloo movement will support these agenda items.

However, Boogaloo participants still have a rigid stance that U.S. citizens must maintain unimpeded constitutional second amendment rights, including the right to carry firearms in all capacities (Youtube/MatthewRodier, October 17, 2020). The Biden-Harris administration, however, aims to eliminate the sale and import of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines (joebiden.com/gunsafety, January 2021). It is highly likely the Boogaloo movement will push back against these changes.

In the past, boojahideen have voiced their discontent with firearm restrictions. On August 18, 2020 in Richmond, Virginia, for example, a large group of Boogaloo participants marched in full tactical gear while open-carrying weapons. During the event, Boogaloo participant Mike Dunn read an open letter that stated any gun legislation proposed and passed will be seen as a direct act of war against the free people of Virginia. This includes any firearms ban and magazine capacity limitations (Youtube/News2Share, August 18, 2020). It is highly likely that the Biden administrations gun control laws will be viewed as a direct act of war in the eyes of the Boogaloo movement.

While the rallies Boogaloo militias have attended in 2020 remained peaceful, it is impossible to ignore the multiple terrorism-related incidents in which its participants have planned and participated. The attempted kidnapping of Governor Whitmer, attempt to provide material support to Hamas, and attack on federal building personnel display the willingness of boojahideen to attack government officials to advance their political agenda. While it is likely Boogaloo cells will support Joe Bidens decision to reform policing operations, the Biden administrations restrictions on select firearms will likely trigger rebellious activity from boojahideen nationwide.

More here:
American 'Boojahideen': The Boogaloo Bois' Blueprint for Extreme Libertarianism and Response to the Biden Administration - The Jamestown Foundation