NC DEMOCRATS GRAPPLE WITH HISTORY
Kudos to NC Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek for leading the party to remember and to deal with its racist past: "The N.C. Democratic Party is expected to apologize later this week for its role in the 1898 white supremacy campaign and Wilmington race riot."
If you don't know that history, you should. If you don't know how reversed the two major parties were in those days, you should. White mountain Republicans, especially, were allied with their black brethren against a race-baiting Democratic Party.
That history partially explains why Harvey Gantt had such a daunting time in 1990 against Jesse Helms. But also why Gantt's accomplishment in carrying Watauga County by over a thousand votes that year was historically significant and maybe not all that surprising.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Sunday, January 14, 2007
PATRICK McHENRY BLASTED ON CONSERVATIVE WEBSITE
He's pursuing "self gain," has hung a "for sale" sign over his Congressional nameplate, and lived with a man ... says this writer on "North Carolina Conservative."
Oh my.
He's pursuing "self gain," has hung a "for sale" sign over his Congressional nameplate, and lived with a man ... says this writer on "North Carolina Conservative."
Oh my.
SIGN OF THE TIMES
Foreclosure filings reach record high in N.C.
The Charlotte Observer examined foreclosure statistics for 2003 through 2006 and found:So goes George W. Bush's "ownership society."• More than 80 percent of foreclosures involve homes valued at $150,000 or less.
• Most foreclosures cluster on [Mecklenburg] county's west, north and east sides, where houses and land often carry lower price tags.
The newspaper also ... found dozens of relatively new, starter-home neighborhoods with high concentrations of failed mortgage loans. Those foreclosure clusters drove down home values in whole neighborhoods, even hurting owners who made their payments on time.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
SUBTLETY
Fri., Jan. 5th -- Heath Shuler (D, NC-11) said he didn't think escalation in Iraq was "the solution" but would consider it if "that's what our military leaders said."
Wed., Jan. 10th -- Heath Shuler spokesman Andrew Whalen said the freshman congressman hadn't decided yet how he would vote on the stem cell bill. Hours later, there was no change. "It's still being discussed," Whalen said as night fell. U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, chief deputy whip for the Democrats, said this week that the party would be more lenient on this issue than others in its 100-hour agenda. "Some of our members are struggling with it, not necessarily for political reasons, but from their conscience," said Butterfield, of Wilson. "We're not going to whip on this vote with a heavy hand." Whalen said that as far as he knew, Shuler had not received any pressure about the vote. "He's not voting with the Democrats," he said. "He's voting his conscience."
Thurs., Jan. 11th -- About 100 Moveon.org members staged a rally outside Heath Shuler's office on Biltmore Avenue in Asheville. "As a progressive, I'm always shopping for someone who is fully progressive, but one has to realize the reality of the situation and pick and choose your fights," said John Russell, a member of the local Moveon.org group.
Also on the 11th (scroll down) -- Shuler said he received no party pressure about his vote. "I think that's what's been so great about this leadership," Shuler said.
Fri., Jan. 12th -- Representative Heath Shuler announced today that he has been chosen to serve as a Deputy At-Large Whip in the 110th Congress by House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC). Majority Whip Jim Clyburn said of adding Shuler to his whip team, "When I visited Heath Shuler this fall in North Carolina I saw in him the leadership and dedication needed for an effective whip organization. But even more important is the perspective he brings to our Caucus and to my leadership team."
Fri., Jan. 5th -- Heath Shuler (D, NC-11) said he didn't think escalation in Iraq was "the solution" but would consider it if "that's what our military leaders said."
Wed., Jan. 10th -- Heath Shuler spokesman Andrew Whalen said the freshman congressman hadn't decided yet how he would vote on the stem cell bill. Hours later, there was no change. "It's still being discussed," Whalen said as night fell. U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, chief deputy whip for the Democrats, said this week that the party would be more lenient on this issue than others in its 100-hour agenda. "Some of our members are struggling with it, not necessarily for political reasons, but from their conscience," said Butterfield, of Wilson. "We're not going to whip on this vote with a heavy hand." Whalen said that as far as he knew, Shuler had not received any pressure about the vote. "He's not voting with the Democrats," he said. "He's voting his conscience."
Thurs., Jan. 11th -- About 100 Moveon.org members staged a rally outside Heath Shuler's office on Biltmore Avenue in Asheville. "As a progressive, I'm always shopping for someone who is fully progressive, but one has to realize the reality of the situation and pick and choose your fights," said John Russell, a member of the local Moveon.org group.
Also on the 11th (scroll down) -- Shuler said he received no party pressure about his vote. "I think that's what's been so great about this leadership," Shuler said.
Fri., Jan. 12th -- Representative Heath Shuler announced today that he has been chosen to serve as a Deputy At-Large Whip in the 110th Congress by House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn (D-SC). Majority Whip Jim Clyburn said of adding Shuler to his whip team, "When I visited Heath Shuler this fall in North Carolina I saw in him the leadership and dedication needed for an effective whip organization. But even more important is the perspective he brings to our Caucus and to my leadership team."
EVERYTHING'S BIGGER AND BETTER AT DUKE
Dr. Brian Meehan, the forensic expert hired by Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong, has admitted to "60 Minutes" a "big error" in judgment by not stating that the only DNA he found on the "exotic dancer"/accuser was from several men who were not on the Duke lacrosse team.
Meehan told Nifong about the other DNA for the first time in mid-April 2006.
Later that same month, Nifong indicted the three Duke lacrosse players anyway.
Nifong took six months to tell the players' defense attorneys about the other DNA ... potentially "exculpatory" evidence. In fact, Nifong filed a court motion that stated he was not aware of any potentially exculpatory evidence. Which is why he's under investigation by the state bar.
Meehan now says that Nifong's behavior "irks" him.
Pause ... while we consider Nifong's potentially unethical and illegal behavior and before we get to the righteous mothers in this case ... but it might be important to point out that Meehan's story does NOT mean that the indicted lacrosse players' DNA wasn't found on the accuser. It was. But it was there along with that of other males unknown ... as we read and understand the "60 Minutes" story.
But Nifong is damned to everylasting hell by vengeful goddesses seeking retribution: Rae Evans, the mother of indicted player David Evans, says, "I would say with a smile on my face, 'Mr. Nifong, you've picked on the wrong families … and you will pay every day for the rest of your life.' "
Whoa, dude!
And maybe he will. Certainly seems like he willfully misbehaved.
But what WAS going on in that frat house that night?
...it was probably thought best to avoid making Nemesis angry.According to CBS News, RE the Duke lacrosse players in the notorious Durham, NC, rape case:
Loggia.com, definition of "Nemesis"
Dr. Brian Meehan, the forensic expert hired by Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong, has admitted to "60 Minutes" a "big error" in judgment by not stating that the only DNA he found on the "exotic dancer"/accuser was from several men who were not on the Duke lacrosse team.
Meehan told Nifong about the other DNA for the first time in mid-April 2006.
Later that same month, Nifong indicted the three Duke lacrosse players anyway.
Nifong took six months to tell the players' defense attorneys about the other DNA ... potentially "exculpatory" evidence. In fact, Nifong filed a court motion that stated he was not aware of any potentially exculpatory evidence. Which is why he's under investigation by the state bar.
Meehan now says that Nifong's behavior "irks" him.
Pause ... while we consider Nifong's potentially unethical and illegal behavior and before we get to the righteous mothers in this case ... but it might be important to point out that Meehan's story does NOT mean that the indicted lacrosse players' DNA wasn't found on the accuser. It was. But it was there along with that of other males unknown ... as we read and understand the "60 Minutes" story.
But Nifong is damned to everylasting hell by vengeful goddesses seeking retribution: Rae Evans, the mother of indicted player David Evans, says, "I would say with a smile on my face, 'Mr. Nifong, you've picked on the wrong families … and you will pay every day for the rest of your life.' "
Whoa, dude!
And maybe he will. Certainly seems like he willfully misbehaved.
But what WAS going on in that frat house that night?
CULLIE TARLETON SWORN IN
Just came from an uplifting and energizing swearing-in ceremony for Watauga & Ashe counties' newest member of the NC House, Cullie Tarleton. What a great crowd of people (including several Republicans, nervous as cats that they might be photographed and have their cover blown with their local brethren)!
Cullie in his remarks after the ceremony announced that he (and Rep. Ray Warren, who was present and also newly elected from Alexander County) had supported Rep. Joe Hackney for House Speaker in the House Caucus from the very first vote. "From the get-go," Tarleton said. And then joked, "I'm hoping for some committee assignments."
"When I receive a constituent request, I won't be asking 'What's your party affiliation?' I'll ask 'How can I help?' " he said.
The politicking during the reception following the ceremony was intense, with speculation swirling around a certain person who seems very close to announcing his candidacy to challenge Virginia Foxx in '08. And Winston-Salem City Councilman Dan Besse was there, handing out cards announcing that he's a candidate for Lieutenant Governor in '08.
After today, we're fresh out of newly elected Democrats waiting to take their oaths of office. We've had a perfect swarm of ceremonies and receptions, and we'll miss the fellowship.
Just came from an uplifting and energizing swearing-in ceremony for Watauga & Ashe counties' newest member of the NC House, Cullie Tarleton. What a great crowd of people (including several Republicans, nervous as cats that they might be photographed and have their cover blown with their local brethren)!
Cullie in his remarks after the ceremony announced that he (and Rep. Ray Warren, who was present and also newly elected from Alexander County) had supported Rep. Joe Hackney for House Speaker in the House Caucus from the very first vote. "From the get-go," Tarleton said. And then joked, "I'm hoping for some committee assignments."
"When I receive a constituent request, I won't be asking 'What's your party affiliation?' I'll ask 'How can I help?' " he said.
The politicking during the reception following the ceremony was intense, with speculation swirling around a certain person who seems very close to announcing his candidacy to challenge Virginia Foxx in '08. And Winston-Salem City Councilman Dan Besse was there, handing out cards announcing that he's a candidate for Lieutenant Governor in '08.
After today, we're fresh out of newly elected Democrats waiting to take their oaths of office. We've had a perfect swarm of ceremonies and receptions, and we'll miss the fellowship.
WHO WOULD JESUS OSTRACIZE?
The Southern Baptists -- the denomination I grew up in and one of whose colleges I attended in Texas -- continues to send unmistakable bulletins of exclusivity and intolerance to the rest of the world.
Rev. Tony Cartledge, 55, editor of the Biblical Recorder, a biweekly newspaper published by the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, is being ousted as too liberal.
"I stand by my conviction that unity in diversity is better than uniformity in doctrine, but that has become the minority view and some have considered my efforts divisive," he wrote on the paper's website.
According to the religion writer for the N&O, "The convention has increasingly taken a conservative bent, ostracizing churches that affiliate with more liberal Baptist groups and barring gay-friendly churches from membership."
Yowza! The way to win the world for the message of hope embodied in Christ is to constrict yourselves into a tiny ball so tight nobody "foreign" can get in and no squeak of light can escape.
The Southern Baptists -- the denomination I grew up in and one of whose colleges I attended in Texas -- continues to send unmistakable bulletins of exclusivity and intolerance to the rest of the world.
Rev. Tony Cartledge, 55, editor of the Biblical Recorder, a biweekly newspaper published by the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, is being ousted as too liberal.
"I stand by my conviction that unity in diversity is better than uniformity in doctrine, but that has become the minority view and some have considered my efforts divisive," he wrote on the paper's website.
According to the religion writer for the N&O, "The convention has increasingly taken a conservative bent, ostracizing churches that affiliate with more liberal Baptist groups and barring gay-friendly churches from membership."
Yowza! The way to win the world for the message of hope embodied in Christ is to constrict yourselves into a tiny ball so tight nobody "foreign" can get in and no squeak of light can escape.
Friday, January 12, 2007
SOME BACKGROUND ON JOE HACKNEY
There'll be more of this sort of profiling of the likely new speaker of the NC House -- and we can't vouch for the details in this -- but here's a start on learning about Mr. Joe Hackney.
There'll be more of this sort of profiling of the likely new speaker of the NC House -- and we can't vouch for the details in this -- but here's a start on learning about Mr. Joe Hackney.
HEARTBURN
We had been hearing (while in our Bell South-imposed Cone of Silence) that Jim Crawford, who came in second to Joe Hackney in the NC House Democratic caucus vote for House Speaker, was "upset" that he didn't win. He's been mentioned as the No. 1 candidate of NC "business interests."
Today's N&O gossip speculates that Crawford might strike a deal with the Republicans to take the speakership away from Hackney. That would be a seriously uncool thing to do, and we feel prayfully confident that Crawford won't.
Meanwhile, Heath Shuler is doing what he can to cause acid reflux in everywhich direction. At the link above, scoll all the way down to the last item. So can you tell the difference between Heath Shuler and Virginia Foxx so far? Said to me last Saturday at the Goss swearing in, by an activist who busted butt for Shuler: "Omigod, I think I woke up and found out I elected a jerk to Congress!"
We had been hearing (while in our Bell South-imposed Cone of Silence) that Jim Crawford, who came in second to Joe Hackney in the NC House Democratic caucus vote for House Speaker, was "upset" that he didn't win. He's been mentioned as the No. 1 candidate of NC "business interests."
Today's N&O gossip speculates that Crawford might strike a deal with the Republicans to take the speakership away from Hackney. That would be a seriously uncool thing to do, and we feel prayfully confident that Crawford won't.
Meanwhile, Heath Shuler is doing what he can to cause acid reflux in everywhich direction. At the link above, scoll all the way down to the last item. So can you tell the difference between Heath Shuler and Virginia Foxx so far? Said to me last Saturday at the Goss swearing in, by an activist who busted butt for Shuler: "Omigod, I think I woke up and found out I elected a jerk to Congress!"
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