Four waste disposal companies propose to build mega-dumps in North Carolina and haul, literally, mountains of garbage from New York, Massachusetts and other states here and dispose of it. Democratic strategist Joe Sinsheimer has filed a complaint with the State Board of Elections against Representative Thomas Wright, which gives a glimpse of how the ‘backstage…
Read MoreContributions to political campaigns are not bribes, because the money is not personal income to elected officials. But what if a Congressman puts his wife or a relative on his campaign payroll? Technically, that’s perfectly legal, too. But it’s harder to argue a Congressman has no personal benefit when his wife is on his campaign…
Read MoreThe Washington-focused national press corps has anointed Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama as front-runners in the Democratic presidential race. They’re making a mistake overlooking John Edwards. Here’s what Edwards has going for him: Strong labor ties, which are important in the early Iowa and Nevada contests; A good glow left in Iowa from 2004, when…
Read MoreMayor Meeker’s said some unkind things about developers (especially when it comes to higher impact fees) in the past, but, now, the Mayor’s about to try his hand at the development business himself. He’s gotten the green light from the City Council to proceed with his plan to spend $40 million (most of it from…
Read MoreNow that we seem to have started down the path of getting out of Iraq, letâs ask âwhat ifâ the worst happens. We won the military war in Iraq in a matter of weeks. But we lost the âpost-war peaceâ to the terrorists. Why? According to one analysis recently declassified documents show British Prime Minister…
Read MoreThe City of Raleigh’s passed so many new regulations (it now regulates everything from hot dog stands to newspaper boxes) the Council is considering exemptions – but not for everyone. It seems City Hall has discovered regulations are driving up housing costs, so the Council is looking at giving a special exemption from storm water,…
Read MoreIn an odd way Conservative Republicans may be looking at Democrats with something like envy. Because Democrats have so many viable candidates for President. The Moderates have Evan Bayh and John Edwards. The Liberals have Hillary, John Kerry, Al Gore and John Edwards (who’s trying to appeal to everyone). But what about conservative Republicans? Right…
Read MoreThe Jim Baker report on Iraq is a stunning indictment of George Bush’s Iraq war. For that, I’m thankful. But it’s a dishwater-weak response. The report is like too many bipartisan, blue-ribbon reports: mush. The strategy it proposes doesn’t rise to the crisis it describes: “The situation in Iraq is grave and deteriorating. There is…
Read MoreOrganized labor was a big winner in the 2006 elections. Not that it was on the ballot. But it strongly supported Democrats. And it will play a major role in the 2008 presidential race – as shown by John Edwards’ recruitment of David Bonior of Michigan to lead his campaign. Unions could also play a…
Read More
