Posts by Gary Pearce
Real Democrats on Fire and Online
“Liberals hunt down heretics, while conservatives happily chase converts.” Michael Kinsley, as quoted by Joe Klein I don’t know whether Kinsley is right. It seems to me that right-wingers have spent a fair amount of time since 1964 hunting down heretics. But I’m only concerned with us liberals – or progressives, or whatever we’re supposed…
Read MoreRepublicans Find a Lifeline
Close counts in horseshoes, not politics. But it doesn’t bode well for immigrants. That’s my reading of the special election for Duke Cunningham’s congressional seat, left vacant when the Dukester admitted to some impressive bribe-taking. When the Republican candidate got in real trouble, he waved the bloody flag: keep out the immigrants. He even attacked…
Read MoreRisky Business for Raleigh Progressives
This was the headline in The News & Observer Monday: “Taxes, fees on the rise in Triangle.” This is why progressive Democrats need to look before they leap. The story added: “Raleigh gets a double whammy from the city and Wake County.” This is where polls can fool you. A quick-and-dirty poll could lead you…
Read MoreA Warning Blast for Democrats
The news that American troops killed terrorist leader al-Zarqawi in Iraq should be a wake-up call to those Democrats who are busy measuring new drapes for the Speaker’s Office in Washington. The lesson: Note that Bush went on national TV at 7:30 (the real prime time) to take credit. Remember that events happen fast. And…
Read MoreSigns of the Times
Raleigh’s Appearance Ayatollahs are at it again. Three companies that plan downtown office towers want to put their logos on the buildings. And, since the buildings are bigger, they want the city to allow bigger signs – 2.5 times the size allowed today. Sounds reasonable to me. After all, the city moved heaven and earth…
Read MoreWanted: Big Ears, Not Big Names
My despair deepens over the Wake County school bonds. I see no sign that county leaders understand the public-opinion mountain they have to climb to pass a $1 billion bond issue this fall. In fact, the signs are bad. Starting with the big announcement that two big names will head the campaign: Bill Atkinson, president…
Read MoreSupport Our Troops. Raise the Gas Tax.
That’s an idea from Ben Stein. You remember Ben: the boring teacher intoning “Bueller … Bueller … Bueller” in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Stein is also a funny, acerbic conservative writer who I enjoy reading and disagreeing with usually. But he has a good idea: Yes, raise the gas tax, as some environmentalists say. Maybe…
Read MoreGary hears from a Democratic Critic
Last week I got an email from an old friend who is active in Raleigh politics. He took issue with my recent analysis of city politics – and my warning that Mayor Meeker’s spending policies could present a problem for Raleigh Democrats. I’m not going to use my friend’s name, because he didn’t say whether…
Read MoreHugh Morton
Hugh Morton, who died this week, was one of the most maddeningly persistent men I ever met. He was also one of the sweetest souls I ever knew. Hugh about drove me crazy when he pushed and pushed to get Jim Hunt and Jesse Helms together to save the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. He got it…
Read MoreRare Agreement in Congress
Normally all we hear about is the partisanship in Congress. That Democrats and Republicans are totally embittered toward each other. That they are unable to work together on any issue. But that changed this week. Both sides of the aisle rose as one. They stood together, liberals and conservatives. They took a brave bipartisan stand…
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