Posts by Gary Pearce
Democratic Hypocrisy in the Pews
Jerry Meek, Chairman of the State Democratic Party, denounced the N.C. Republican Party for seeking church membership lists. Jerry said churches are “sacred” places that should be free of politics. As a Democrat, I know how heavily Democratic candidates have depended on African-American pastors and their churches at election time. Will Jerry now call on…
Read MoreTorching Free Speech
Should Western newspapers act “responsibly” – as the Bush Administration has suggested – in deciding whether to publish cartoons portraying Muhammad? My opinion: absolutely not. In fact, it downright angers me that so many Western political leaders are so intimidated by violent Muslim protests against the cartoons – and that some papers have fired editors…
Read MoreCan’t Debate This?
It is one thing for President Bush to claim the executive power to spy on Americans without a court order or Congressional approval. It is another thing for him to claim that the American people – and their elected representatives – shouldn’t debate the issue. But that is what I understand him to say. According…
Read MoreA Challenge to Meeker From the Left?
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…
Read MoreWhat Is Cheney Hiding?
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…
Read MoreDeadeye Dick is a Sitting Duck
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.…
Read MoreTough Sell on Taxes
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…
Read MoreMy Big-Bang Government Theory
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…
Read MoreWho Will Speak for the Democrats?
Wednesday’s New York Times has a front-page story about the problem I’ve blogged about: national Democrats’ ineptitude at challenging governmentally inept but politically skilled Republicans. In the article, numerous Democrats concede the party has missed a golden opportunity while Bush & Co. fumbled and stumbled the past few months. And they blame the party’s current…
Read MoreA Wanna-Be Governor’s Priorities
Bill Graham, the Republican John Edwards wanna-be, says he will spend $40,000 a week on TV ads opposing the 2.7-cent state gas tax increase. I wonder if he will run ads attacking ExxonMobil for making $36 billion in profits last year – by raising the price of gas a bit more than 2.7 cents a…
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