North Carolina – Republicans
Abortion 2024
MAGA Mark Robinson said he’s “tired” of talking about abortion. Maybe he’d rather make fun of school-shooting survivors (see link below). North Carolina Republicans hope the abortion issue will go away by next year’s elections. Democrats won’t let it go. Governor Cooper’s veto will put heat on Republican legislators who promised not to do this.…
Read MoreSowing the Wind
Politicians with too much power always go too far. In less than 24 hours, North Carolina House Republicans rammed through a far-reaching abortion ban. It’s 46 pages long, and we barely grasp its consequences. It’s a radical, right-wing assault on women. It criminalizes health-care professionals. It outlaws safe, sound and responsible medical care. Thank Tricia…
Read MoreNo Small Thing
My doctor used to be in a family practice owned by doctors. Then, I’m not sure how, the practice became part of UNC Health Care. It was like they told my doctor, You have to see a patient every twenty minutes. Now, wham, bam, thank you ma’am – you’re in and out. I told a…
Read MoreDefund the Schools?
The legislature’s expansion of private-school vouchers fulfills a nearly 70-year-old dream of North Carolina’s far-right. Ever since the U.S. Supreme Court declared segregated schools unconstitutional in 1954, ultra-conservatives here have wanted to replace integrated public schools with all-white private schools. Leading the charge back then were avowed segregationists I. Beverly Lake (pictured) and Tom Ellis.…
Read More4,000 Kids Killed by Guns
Nearly 4,000 children and teens are killed by guns every year in America. 15,000 more are shot and injured, according to Everytown Research & Policy. Guns are the leading cause of death for children and teens. In 2021–2022, there were 193 incidents of gunfire at preschools and K–12 schools. Over the last two decades, more…
Read MoreI don’t care
The Tricia Cotham soap opera doesn’t interest me. Were Democrats mean to her? I don’t care. Did PAC donations play a part? I don’t care. Will a once-pro-abortion progressive find peace, love and joy in the Republican caucus? I don’t care. Things I do care about: the public-school crisis, the behavioral-health crisis, the gun crisis,…
Read MoreJosh and Mark
Years ago when Ronald Reagan ran for president against Gerald Ford most GOP party officials were unhappy – they didn’t like Reagan. That didn’t turn out to make much difference in the primary. Republican voters liked Reagan – so he beat Ford in NC’s primary. The other day I read an article in the newspaper…
Read MoreBlue Wolves, Red Wolves
Voice frail staring into TV cameras Democrat state legislator Tricia Cotham painted a grim picture of her fellow Democrats the day she switched parties: When she didn’t toe the party-line, she said, blue wolves attacked bullying her, branding her a traitor; when she posted memes of an American flag, a pair of folded praying hands,…
Read MoreParty Pooper
NC Rep. Tricia Cotham managed to make big news the same day Donald Trump was hauled into a criminal courtroom. She joined a list of prominent, if not distinguished, North Carolina Democrats who switched parties – or loyalties. They all say it’s about principle, but it’s always more about pique, personal ambition and a power…
Read MoreSchools, Politics and AR-15s
A Raleigh mother said, “my 13-year-old just asked if she could lie in bed with me tonight for a while because she is scared about the school shootings and drills they have to practice.” A teacher told me she and her colleagues are ready to put themselves in front of their students if a shooter…
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