The new Democrat choice for House Speaker, Joe Hackney, just inherited his first scandal. Two years ago Ms. Ann Lassiter, who headed the House page program, landed in hot water. First, in a lapse of judgment she has apologized for, she had the page program pay her son rent (so pages could live in his…
Read MoreIt’s the season for hard hits – both in football and politics. Two political hits, in particular: A Washington Post story that John Edwards sold his D.C. mansion for $5.2 million to Paul and Terry Klaassen, “wealthy founders of the nation’s largest chain of assisted-living housing for seniors” who are “currently cooperating with a government…
Read MoreThe City Council has sent a wish-list of programs it wants the federal government to fund to Raleigh’s Congressional delegation. (News and Observer; 1-18-07). Let’s classify the six projects the newspaper reported three ways: Necessary Projects, Nice Projects (but not immediately necessary) and Luxuries. Necessary Projects $5.6 Million – in “homeland security grants to upgrade…
Read MoreThere is not much, politically, I see eye to eye on with defense attorney Joe Cheshire. But, years ago, Joe and I worked together when one of my clients hired him as their legal counsel. At a hearing before the State Board of Elections he gave the final argument. Instead of theatrics, he made a…
Read MoreAs if the President didn’t face enough problems with Congress over the war in Iraq – now he has the Iraqi government sniping at his plan too. Or, at least, a crucial part of it. It appears Iraq’s Shiite government isn’t anxious to crack down equally on Shiite and Sunni terrorists. So Prime Minister Nouri…
Read MoreMayor Meeker’s plan to put a series of charming English-type traffic circles on Hillsborough Street – just sank like the Titanic. The Mayor, for several years, has been pushing to transform Hillsborough Street by widening the sidewalks, putting a seven foot median down the center of the street, and reducing the traffic from four to…
Read MoreBefore the election the Democrats had a lot to say about cleaning-up the corruption in Congress – which was a good thing because Congress is past due for a little housecleaning. One of the items to be cleaned is Congressmen’s spouses working as lobbyists. Republican Senator David Vitter of Louisiana – not a state known…
Read MoreThe Democratic leaders in Congress – such as Speaker Pelosi – made it clear during the election they believe President Bush is sacrificing the lives of young men in Iraq for no good purpose. So it comes as a shock when President Bush asserted he can send more troops to Iraq without Congress’ approval, by…
Read MoreA year ago, Governor Easley’s critics called his purchase of a lot near the beach in Carteret County a “sweetheart deal.” The press also reported Governor “Easley’s broker, the project’s developer and the man who helped finance the development are all friends and contributors whom the Governor had appointed to high-profile state boards. One appointment…
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