Posts by Carter Wrenn
Barack Obama
The history of presidential elections is filled with âflash in the panâ candidates â charismatic, articulate young leaders who wanted to take the country in a new direction, enjoyed their fifteen minutes of fame and faded into oblivion. But none of them ever raised $25 million. Barack Obama has. In politics the golden rule is…
Read MoreMeeker’s Conflict of Interest?
It was just one line in a News and Observer article. But, as far as I can tell, it’s first time it’s been reported Mayor Meeker’s son, David, works for downtown developer. (News and Observer; 4-9-07). Meeker’s son’s employer, Empire Properties, is “one of the largest landlords in downtown Raleigh.” (News and Observer; 7-18-04). It…
Read MoreCharlotte Envy
I once thought deep in his heart Charles Meeker might be a Francophile, who secretly wanted to turn Fayetteville Street into the Champs-Elysées. But, Iâve decided the Mayor doesnât want to turn downtown Raleigh into Paris at all. He wants to turn it into Charlotte. For years, while people have moved out of downtowns (for…
Read MoreThe Governor and the Lottery
Governor Mike Easley’s the leader of the Democratic Party, which has a proud heritage of empathy for the poor, downtrodden and for working people. That’s why the Governor’s new lottery proposal sounds unusual. Governor Easley wants to spend more on prizes to entice people – primarily the poor and downtrodden – into buying more lottery…
Read MorePresident Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi, who has been redefining women’s roles in politics, is now also redefining the government. Even during the darkest days of the Cold War, when Ronald Reagan and ‘Tip’ O’Neil were fighting tooth and toenail, Speaker O’Neil didn’t go traipsing off to Moscow to negotiate his own foreign policy. In those days politics ended…
Read MoreMoore in the Soup
Gary wrote on Tuesday that State Treasurer Richard Moore faced a moment of truth. His first campaign crisis. Moore failed.Last month, Forbes Magazine revealed that Treasurer Moore has been shaking down the State’s Pension Fund managers who he hires for campaign contributions. Last week, the News and Observer (4-1-07) reported Moore’s also shaking down the…
Read MoreParents Argue: Year-Round Schools Cause Obesity
Eighteen Wake County parents, disgruntled about year-round schools, have filed affidavits criticizing the School Board. Here are examples of what they’re saying: “My son won’t be able to attend Roy Williams basketball camp.” “My two sons won’t be able to bond.” “We have to visit my mother in Pennsylvania; she has Alzheimer’s.” “Obesity is a…
Read MoreThe Great Pawnshop Hoax
Mayor Meeker’s Sancho Panza, Councilman Thomas Crowder, sees a new threat developing to Raleigh neighborhoods: Pawnshops. Crowder announced last week that he sees a trend. Pawnshops are moving into residential neighborhoods (News and Observer; 3-31-07). That seemed to puzzle Raleigh police detective Rich Bargfrede, who was testifying before Crowder’s committee. Barfrede – who is apparently…
Read MoreDubai, 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 MoreAhab and the Whale
Obsessions can be two-edged swords, like Ahabâs pursuit of the white whale. Mayor Meekerâs obsession is unusual. Heâs 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 âhead shopsâ and tattoo parlors along Hillsborough Street are not…
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