Archive for May 2006
The TTA Strikes Again
Triangle Transit Authority (TTA) officials have finally admitted they cannot meet the federal standards to get money from Washington to build their lite-rail project. But are they going to pitch their tent and save the taxpayers the millions they are pouring into the TTA each year? Well, no. According to the News and Observer (News…
Read MoreJim Black Attacks Art Pope
Art Pope must be tickled to death. Last month he lead a campaign to defeat five Republican legislators – saying they were really pawns of Democratic House Speaker Jim Black – because three years ago they voted for a coalition that elected Republican Richard Morgan and Democrat Black Co-Speakers of the House. Of course, the…
Read MoreRare Agreement in Congress
Normally all we hear about is the partisanship in Congress. That Democrats and Republicans are totally embittered toward each other. That they are unable to work together on any issue. But that changed this week. Both sides of the aisle rose as one. They stood together, liberals and conservatives. They took a brave bipartisan stand…
Read MoreIndictments Galore
The indictment of Kevin Geddings in the lottery scandal has opened a unique window on Democratic politics in North Carolina. There are probably only two dozen Democratic consultants and strategists in North Carolina. They live in a small world. They are friends, acquaintances and rivals. A year ago, many of them were swept up in…
Read MoreToday’s Bush Joke
This one is circulating on the Internet: Donald Rumsfeld briefed the President this morning. He told Bush that three Brazilian soldiers were killed in Iraq. To everyone’s amazement, all of the color ran from Bush’s face. Then he collapsed onto his desk, head in hands, visibly shaken, almost whimpering. Finally, he composed himself and asked…
Read MoreOutfoxing the Tax-and-Spend Dog
Last week on this blog, Carter did that voodoo he does so well: attack tax-and-spend Democrats. His target was Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker Here was the money punch: “From 1992 to 2001, under Republican mayors, Raleigh never raised property taxes. Now, under Mayor Meeker we are staring at the second tax increase in three years.…
Read MoreOutfoxing the Tax-and-Spend Dog
Last week on this blog, Carter did that voodoo he does so well: attack tax-and-spend Democrats. His target was Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker Here was the money punch: “From 1992 to 2001, under Republican mayors, Raleigh never raised property taxes. Now, under Mayor Meeker we are staring at the second tax increase in three years.…
Read MoreBush makes Cheney Look Good
George Bush’s moral standards are as low as his poll ratings. Witness his gay-baiting politics. Do I sound like a typical carping little liberal? Well, how about Laura Bush, Dick Cheney and Cheney’s daughter Mary? Over the past few weeks: Laura Bush called on Republicans not to use the Family Marriage Amendment as an issue;…
Read MoreEye Exams and Video Poker
You have to give Jim Black credit he doesn’t scare easy or at all. Earlier this year, Speaker Black, his optometrist allies and his video poker supporters testified at State Board of Elections hearings investigating allegations of corruption growing out of the ‘pay to play’ scandals. There were revelations of blank checks (without the recipients…
Read MoreThe School Superintendent Speaks Out
Wake County School Superintendent Bill McNeal told the News and Observer, (5/16/06) he could never recommend a measly $625 million School Bond. McNeal said he couldn’t put kids in schools with adequate heating, air-conditioning and a roof that doesn’t leak for $625 million. Huh? The superintendent is saying if he doesn’t get a billion dollar…
Read More