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Another $555 Million – Not Being Spent on Schools

By Carter Wrenn February 21, 2006

The News and Observer reports, “Raleigh-Durham Airport officials just approved a $257.6 million contract to replace the red-roofed Terminal C,” and the total cost of the project is “expected to reach $555 million.” So we have taxpayers funding: • $555 million for a terminal at the airport;• $215 million (and still rising) for the downtown…

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A Challenge to Meeker From the Left?

By Gary Pearce February 20, 2006

If Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker runs for reelection next year, he might face a challenge from a Democrat to his left. Like maybe Thomas Crowder. Meeker and other Council members aren’t happy with Crowder putting the issue of Marriott Hotel stucco on the front page. Not a team player, you know. And word is The…

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What Is Cheney Hiding?

By Gary Pearce February 17, 2006

I’m sorry, but I just can’t let go of the Cheney shooting accident. And here’s why. When a person acts like they’re hiding something, they’re usually hiding something. And I think Cheney is hiding something: drinking. In his Fox interview Wednesday, “Shooter” (as opposed to his old aide Scooter) was asked if anybody in his…

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No Lack of Money

By Carter Wrenn February 16, 2006

The price of Mayor Meeker’s downtown Convention Center just soared again: to $215 million. The City Council just approved spending another $23 million on the Convention Center without a blink or hardly a nay vote. In fact, every County Commissioner and every City Councilman but one – Councilman Tommy Craven – voted for the increase.…

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Deadeye Dick is a Sitting Duck

By Gary Pearce February 14, 2006

How easy is it to make fun of Dick Cheney shooting a fellow hunter? Here are just a few of the jokes and one-liners I’ve heard since his hunting mishap: • The White House says it wants to make up with Hillary Clinton. So they’re inviting her on a hunting trip with the Vice President.…

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Tough Sell on Taxes

By Gary Pearce February 14, 2006

The News & Observer recently called my old boss, Jim Hunt, the closest thing North Carolina has to a “policy Pope.” (I assume they meant Benedict of Rome, not John and Art of Raleigh.) Unfortunately, I’m afraid Pope Jim has taken on a tough crusade with tax reform. The Institute for Emerging Issues that Governor…

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The Downtown Hotel

By Carter Wrenn February 14, 2006

The downtown hotel has hit a stumbling block – but not because City leaders decided it was a mistake to stick taxpayers with a $20 million bill to build a Marriott Hotel. Instead, the problem is stucco. That’s right, stucco. Councilman Thomas Crowder is raising all sorts of cain because the builders want to put…

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Bush and Spying

By Carter Wrenn February 11, 2006

When I first heard about President Bush ‘wire taping’ calls (from U.S. citizens to overseas) I thought that sounded pretty bad – that the President shouldn’t just have the power to go out and wiretap calls made by American citizens anytime he wants to. Then I thought about the pictures on the Internet of hooded…

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My Big-Bang Government Theory

By Gary Pearce February 9, 2006

Ever wonder why the MBA presidency of George Bush seems so incompetent when it comes to managing government? I’ve got a theory. But first, let’s review the evidence: • “Heckuva job, Brownie” of FEMA and Katrina fame; • The lack of armor for American troops in Iraq; • The mess in the Medicare drug benefit…

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Two Pieces

By Carter Wrenn January 30, 2025

When the smoke cleared – after Jesse Helms’ second campaign – we’d raised more money than…

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Mish-Mash

By Carter Wrenn January 29, 2025

Tim Waltz posted a photo of himself standing outside in a snowstorm wearing a flannel shirt…

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By Gary Pearce January 28, 2025

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