Dubai, Bill, and Hillary

Dubai is one of the seven princedoms of United Arab Emirates (UAE). It bars Israeli citizens from setting food in its country. It “bans all products made in Israel and even ones with parts made in Israel.” Half the 9/11 hijackers flew to the United States from Dubai. And $234,500 of the $300,000 wired to…

Read More

“Home Tax” or “Developers Pay”

An interesting fight is shaping up over real estate transfer taxes. It has implications for a lot of municipal elections this year, including Raleigh’s. Opponents – Realtors and homebuilders – label the idea the “home tax.” Their website – http://www.itsabadidea.org/ – says: “Bills now being considered in the State Legislature would force the home sellers…

Read More

Hoist by Their Own Petard

For an interesting story on a newspaper being covered by a newspaper, go to the Independent Weekly’s story about ongoing changes at The News & Observer. Here’s the link: http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A48019 The N&O editors sound just like government or corporate officials sound when they’re caught in an uncomfortable situation they have a hard time explaining. If…

Read More

Ahab and the Whale

Obsessions can be two-edged swords, like Ahab’s pursuit of the white whale. Mayor Meeker’s obsession is unusual. He’s fixated on downtown. His current goal is to transform Hillsborough Street into an enclave of wide-sidewalks, English-style round-abouts and strolling pedestrians. But he has one problem. The ‘head shops’ and tattoo parlors along Hillsborough Street are not…

Read More

Will Money Decide the Race?

Conventional Wisdom says the 2008 Presidential nominations will be decided by money. Especially with a de facto nationwide primary looming in early February. CW (that’s “conventional wisdom,” not Carter Wrenn) says a campaign will have to raise $100 million this year to be viable next year. CW says this Saturday, March 31, is a critical…

Read More

Cooking the Books – Again

David Stockman lied to the American people about the federal budget a quarter-century ago. This week, he got indicted for doing essentially the same thing to investors. As Ronald Reagan’s budget director, Stockman promised that we could cut taxes and balance the budget. It didn’t turn out that way. Stockman later admitted to a reporter:…

Read More

The Edwards Prognosis

Cancer is cruel. Politics is cruel. John and Elizabeth Edwards now must live at the intersection of both. Much of the reaction to her cancer falls along predictable political lines. Supporters see admirable courage and determination. Opponents see breathtaking ambition and denial. The most misguided criticism is that John Edwards is pressing ahead because of…

Read More

Playing Politics With Justice

President Bush says there was “nothing improper” about the U.S. Attorney firings. Strictly speaking, he’s right. U.S. Attorneys come and go with every administration. Karl Rove says of the whole flap: “It’s all a lot of politics.” He’s right: A lot of politics by the Bush Administration. Bush likes to pose as the principled leader…

Read More

A Giuliani Sweep?

Rudy Giuliani continues his own version of a surge, widening his lead over John McCain again in the latest polls. A Republican frontrunner who supports tax-funded abortion and gay rights is unusual – it’s a little like waking up and finding the red states have taken on a bluish tinge – and a lot of…

Read More

Hollywood and the Second Coming

With great ballyhoo (and a keen eye for the fast buck) Hollywood has announced it has discovered Jesus’ tomb. It has also found Jesus’ wife and son – who didn’t exist until now except in fiction. But just as Hollywood was getting up a head of steam Good Morning America (3-6-07) did them one better.…

Read More