Posts by Gary Pearce
See-Nothing SEANC
For years, Dana Cope and the State Employees Association of North Carolina have pursued a vendetta against State Treasurer Janet Cowell. They didn’t like the way she manages the state’s pension fund. They’re the ones to talk. Cope and SEANC demanded more answers and more transparency from the Treasurer’s Office. But, to them,…
Read MoreBubba Dump
UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham seems determined to (pardon the expression) tar the Heels’ image. When he paid $27,000 and change for the damages UNC’s football team did to Duke’s practice facility turf and visitor’s locker room last year, Bubba should have just said: “Coach Fedora and I apologize to Duke University for our…
Read MoreAnchors Away
Walter Cronkite was “the most trusted man in America.” Brian Williams became the least trusted man in America overnight and had to leave the set. The same day, Jon Stewart, who had become the new most trusted man in news to many, left on his own terms. Just days before, WTVD anchor Larry Stogner, whose…
Read MoreGrief
A few days ago, Chapel Hill was the focus of mourning and remembrance for an extraordinary coach who lived a long, full life of service and leadership. Today, and sadly for a long time to come, it’s the focus of grieving and remembrance for three extraordinary young people who seemed headed for long, full…
Read MoreCan’t Cope
Sunday morning, Joe Neff’s story ran on Page 1A of the N&O. Tuesday at 2 pm, Dana Cope held a 90-second news conference (no questions, please) to resign. As WRAL’s Laura Leslie said on Facebook, “Well, that was quick.” Maybe Cope decided his legal problems dwarf his political problems. Or maybe it would…
Read MoreFor It Before They Were Against It
Uncovering hypocrisy by politicians is as easy as finding sand at the beach. But the turnabout by Republicans on redistricting reform is noteworthy for its cynicism. Here’s what four key GOP Senators say now and did then. “God bless ’em, I can’t wait to get it over here. It’s dead. It’s not going anywhere.”…
Read MoreHands Off
Senator Tillis, we’d like to discuss your intriguing idea about not requiring restaurant employees to wash their hands before serving our food, but we’re due back on Planet Earth. Besides, who could top Barry Saunders’ skewering in the N&O? Especially this: “Repeated efforts to get a comment from the Senator’s office or from Starbucks’…
Read MoreA Speech for the Ages
A TAPster offers this view of the State of the State – and the GOP’s mindset: Governor McCrory’s weepy, exhausting speech for the ages (it sure seemed like it lasted that long) Wednesday night highlights again the philosophical mess entangling today’s modern Republicans. McCrory proposes to address some of the state’s challenges with…
Read MoreGame of Groans
When your speech goes on for an hour and 20 minutes, you need either a clearer vision or a new speechwriter. Viewers desperately needed some diversion. Twitter to the rescue! Featuring a special guest appearance by Tony Tata, the DOT Secretary who apparently is our answer to Tom Clancy and a monster on Twitter!…
Read MoreParty Time
When people ask, “What are we going to do about the North Carolina Democratic Party?” there’s a temptation to say, “Not a damned thing. Let those people fight each other while the rest of us fight the Republicans.” But Thomas Mills, publisher of the estimable blog PoliticsNC, offers a more thoughtful and insightful viewpoint,…
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