Carter Wrenn
Gary Pearce
A Maverick
Last year, Congressman Walter Jones was met with a firestorm of criticism – much of it from fellow Republicans – when he spoke his mind about Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld’s handling of the Iraq War. You may or may not agree with Congressman Jones – but you have to admit he has one attribute…
Iraq – A New Strategy?
In 1940, the British had a debate about sowing mines in the Rhine River. Opponents of the plan said, No, because mines could harm innocent civilians.’ Three years later, the British and Americans were firebombing German cities; we decided we had to destroy the Germans’ ability to fight in order to destroy their armies. Last…
A Taxing Question for Wake Democrats
The November 7 election could be a big win for Wake County Democrats. And it could dump a big problem into their laps. Assume two things: The school bond issue loses. Democrats take control of the county commissioners. First task for the Democrats will be figuring how to pay for more schools. The Democrats I…
YouTube Politics
I didn’t know what YouTube was until my wife and children introduced me to it. Now, my 17-year-old, James, uses it to keep me current on what’s really happening in politics. Once again, the potential power of the Internet amazes me. Go to this link and you’ll see what I mean: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE-S1bA_Rsc It’s a clip…
Jim Black: Dodging Hand Grenades
In an odd sort of way it’s a tribute to House Speaker Jim Black that after the Video Poker scandal, the Optometrists scandal, the Lottery scandal and Representative Mike Decker’s bribery conviction, he has survived. But, in fact, the Speaker has more than survived. He has retained power without a single serious challenge. Kevin Geddings…
A Fumble
The non-profit foundation that sponsored the North Carolina A & T “Aggie” vs. North Carolina Central University “Eagle” football classic has fallen on hard times. Attendance at Carter-Finley stadium fell in 2005 when the game was moved to Monday, to avoid a conflict with NC State’s first home game and the foundation ended up in…
More Year-Round Schools Coming
Parents who oppose mandatory year-round schools also oppose the Wake County school bonds. But they may be the biggest losers if the bonds lose. Especially if you look deeper into the WRAL/News & Observer poll on the bonds. The bonds are losing 54-35, the poll says. But the internal numbers are even more interesting: Most…
UNC Health Care Pays Big Bonuses
Last month, the News and Observer reported the UNC Health Care system filed a lean on a man’s home when he was unable to pay his bill, after being struck by a crippling disease. Now, the newspaper reports the UNC system has paid executives $2.5 million in bonuses. Its CEO received a bonus of $110,000…
The D’Amato Strategy
In New York, they used to say of Senator Alfonse D’Amato, one of the legendary pork-barrellers, ‘He’s a crook, but he’s our crook.’ In other words it wasn’t the scandals it was the pork that mattered. After House Speaker Jim Black’s debate with opponent, Hal Jordan, Black told the press, “This is not about Kevin…