Dear Muslim Republicans, 

I share your outrage and hurt at Donald Trump’s recent comments and policy suggestions about Muslims. I share your outrage and hurt that he still is polling well among Republicans. I share your outrage and hurt that we should even have to discuss such matters. But obviously we do. 

Freedom of religion is one of our most sacred American values, protected by our Constitution. Never should someone be disparaged, profiled, or have their rights infringed upon because of their religious faith. Republicans like to talk a good game about our Constitution but, clearly, many are making an exception when it comes to religious liberty. This is quite sad and it is this kind of double standard that has caused so many liberty-loving people to leave the Republican Party and find a better home in the Libertarian Party. 

Read more at LP.org

The Libertarian Party of North Carolina will host the only presidential debate scheduled in North Carolina. It is set for March 7 from 9 to 10:30 p.m. EST and will be webcast on Google Hangouts On Air. The debate will feature candidates for the Libertarian presidential nomination. 

Carolina Journal Associate Editor Barry Smith will moderate the debate from a location in Raleigh. Candidate will participate from locations across the nation. 

“We're excited to be hosting a virtual debate with our candidates for president so that the public can see and hear their views on the critical issues neither the Democrats nor Republican candidates and parties will address,” said J.J. Summerell, state party chair. 

“We especially encourage the 25 percent of North Carolina voters registered unaffiliated to watch, as well as independents across this nation,” he added. “National polls show that a vast majority of Americans want a choice outside the old parties. The Libertarian Party offers that choice.” 

The debate will be held one week prior to North Carolina's March 15 Presidential Primary. Participants in the debate will be selected by online poll conducted by the LPNC from a list of a candidates who will appear on the March 15 Presidential Primary ballot. 

The Libertarian Party may have to shut down its petition drive in Oklahoma because of “thuggish behavior” by law enforcement. 

“Thuggish behavior by police and security in Oklahoma has prevented our petitioners from getting access to public places to collect signatures,”said Wes Benedict, Libertarian Party executive director. 

“Even the Oklahoma A.C.L.U. has been trying, but so far, failing, to help us get the police to stop harassing our petitioners and threatening to arrest them, even when we are petitioning legally on constitutionally protected places like public sidewalks near universities and art fairs.” 

The LP urgently needs donations and petitioners soon, otherwise it will have to shut down the drive. Petitions will be paid $2.50 per signature. 

For more information or to donate, go here.

More than a dozen state legislators, some of them long serving members who generally run unopposed, may be feeling the disaffection of voters with the dysfunctional government endemic to the "two-party" system. They're deciding to "retire," either resigning to take more lucrative (read lobbying) jobs in the "private sector" or announcing they won't run for re-election.

To date, 13 legislators have or will step down, including eight who've run in historically unopposed districts. The most prominent so far is Sen. Rob Rucho of Matthews (R-39) He's been a key player in the Republican leadership, credited with being the architect of major legislation, from tax cuts to redistricting.

This presents another opportunity for Libertarian candidates to introduce ideas and viewpoints not presented, or avoided by, the establishment parties in a campaign.

If you're interested in running for office as a Libertarian, time is getting short. The filing period is Dec. 1-21. Go here for more information.