WHEN REASONED ARGUMENT FAILS, TRY INTIMIDATION
There was a big nasty show of force last night down south of here in Jackson County, where the County Commission is considering a moratorium on growth while ordinances are written to regulate steep-slope development and other problems.
From 1990 to 2000 the population of Jackson County increased 23 percent -- almost double the national average. The population is expected to increase 17 percent between 2000 and 2010.
Don't you DARE tell us to stop selling concrete and cutting into banks, cried developers and their henchmen.
"We didn't come to cause trouble," said Randy Dillard, manager of Toxaway Concrete, thus naming their intent while denying it.
We'll be interested in how this plays out on March 8th, when the Jackson County Commission will vote on the proposed moratorium.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
DON'T BE A DICK
Sen. Dick Burr received more tobacco money than any federal candidate except President Bush in the 2004 election cycle.
Sen. Dick Burr says he will throw himself naked into a snow bank before he allows the U.S. Senate to consider a law that would move tobacco under the regulatory thumb of the Food and Drug Administration.
Sen. Dick Burr has pledged to use "every legislative tool at my disposal" to stall the bill.
What a Dick.
Sen. Dick Burr received more tobacco money than any federal candidate except President Bush in the 2004 election cycle.
Sen. Dick Burr says he will throw himself naked into a snow bank before he allows the U.S. Senate to consider a law that would move tobacco under the regulatory thumb of the Food and Drug Administration.
Sen. Dick Burr has pledged to use "every legislative tool at my disposal" to stall the bill.
What a Dick.
Monday, February 26, 2007
BLOGGING THE BIBLE
For months I've enjoyed a regular feature in Slate magazine, "Blogging the Bible," written by "non-observant Jew" David Plotz. He's funny and irreverent and notices stuff. His most recent post covers the last of the "minor prophets."
Just this minute came across an interview with Plotz here that explains so much about him and about his project and makes me appreciate what he's doing even more.
For months I've enjoyed a regular feature in Slate magazine, "Blogging the Bible," written by "non-observant Jew" David Plotz. He's funny and irreverent and notices stuff. His most recent post covers the last of the "minor prophets."
Just this minute came across an interview with Plotz here that explains so much about him and about his project and makes me appreciate what he's doing even more.
SO MUCH BAD KARMA, SO LITTLE TIME
Congresswoman Virginia Foxx attended the grand opening of the new Wilkes Senior Center in North Wilkesboro yesterday, and in her remarks she chose to hit a highly inappropriate and discordant partisan note by saying that she'd like to spend more time in the 5th District, but that Nancy Pelosi keeps her in Washington five days a week to do two days' worth of work.
In Wilkes County parlance, this is known as laying a turd in the punch bowl.
Tsk, tsk, Madam, such whining, coming from the woman who always claims that it's the Democrats who are partisan, not she.
After she finished her remarks, the Congresswoman busied herself in her seat checking off names on a donor database, too busy evidently to extend even a smidgen of common courtesy to the other speakers, some of whom were actually Democrats (and one of whom, incidentally, now occupies her old NC Senate seat).
But that's nothing. She was shown extensively on local cable Channel 18 lecturing 2nd graders in a Watauga County elementary school about why Nancy Pelosi is an evil witch for flying on a jet plane to California, instead of using her broom.
Apparently, eight-year-olds are deemed a wholly appropriate audience by Watauga County educators for the sort of paint-stripper that Virginia Foxx dishes out.
Congresswoman Virginia Foxx attended the grand opening of the new Wilkes Senior Center in North Wilkesboro yesterday, and in her remarks she chose to hit a highly inappropriate and discordant partisan note by saying that she'd like to spend more time in the 5th District, but that Nancy Pelosi keeps her in Washington five days a week to do two days' worth of work.
In Wilkes County parlance, this is known as laying a turd in the punch bowl.
Tsk, tsk, Madam, such whining, coming from the woman who always claims that it's the Democrats who are partisan, not she.
After she finished her remarks, the Congresswoman busied herself in her seat checking off names on a donor database, too busy evidently to extend even a smidgen of common courtesy to the other speakers, some of whom were actually Democrats (and one of whom, incidentally, now occupies her old NC Senate seat).
But that's nothing. She was shown extensively on local cable Channel 18 lecturing 2nd graders in a Watauga County elementary school about why Nancy Pelosi is an evil witch for flying on a jet plane to California, instead of using her broom.
Apparently, eight-year-olds are deemed a wholly appropriate audience by Watauga County educators for the sort of paint-stripper that Virginia Foxx dishes out.
HE GIVETH WHO ALSO TAKETH AWAY
Referencing The Guv's appointment of Edward Finley to the NC Utilities Commission (discussed down-column), the N&O says today that Easley is reacting to the negative press about Finley by "balancing" that appointment with one that might seem more friendly to the environment ... Sam J. "Jimmy" Ervin IV, Senator Sam's grandson.
Referencing The Guv's appointment of Edward Finley to the NC Utilities Commission (discussed down-column), the N&O says today that Easley is reacting to the negative press about Finley by "balancing" that appointment with one that might seem more friendly to the environment ... Sam J. "Jimmy" Ervin IV, Senator Sam's grandson.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
HISPANICS ESSENTIAL FOR ECONOMIC HEALTH?
A business professor from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill told an all-white Chamber of Commerce audience in Lexington, N.C., that this state "needs its growing Hispanic population not only to compete in the global labor market but also to replace aging baby boomers in the work force."
He said these words shortly before being chased out of town by a pitchfork-wielding mob.
Don't know if the professor's demographics are correct, but if they're even remotely accurate, how will those facts mesh with the incipient racism of an NC Republican Party led by the likes of Virginia Foxx, Sue Myrick, et al., who want to energize their base against multiple "threats" from Hispanics?
Inquiring minds want to know.
A business professor from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill told an all-white Chamber of Commerce audience in Lexington, N.C., that this state "needs its growing Hispanic population not only to compete in the global labor market but also to replace aging baby boomers in the work force."
He said these words shortly before being chased out of town by a pitchfork-wielding mob.
Don't know if the professor's demographics are correct, but if they're even remotely accurate, how will those facts mesh with the incipient racism of an NC Republican Party led by the likes of Virginia Foxx, Sue Myrick, et al., who want to energize their base against multiple "threats" from Hispanics?
Inquiring minds want to know.
THE GUV'S A POET AND WE DIDN'T KNOW IT
Gov. Mike Easley has published a rhyming children's book, "Look Out College, Here I Come!" published by the National Education Association. It's illustrated by his younger sister Marie. The book promotes a higher education to kids who perhaps don't think that path's open to them.
Gov. Mike Easley has published a rhyming children's book, "Look Out College, Here I Come!" published by the National Education Association. It's illustrated by his younger sister Marie. The book promotes a higher education to kids who perhaps don't think that path's open to them.
Never be happy to be in the back.Dr. Seuss maybe he's not, but good for him.
Go to college and lead the whole pack.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS PROTEST EASLEY APPOINTMENT
On the face of it, The Guv's appointment of Edward S. Finley, a big-time industry lawyer, to the NC Utilities Commission, suggests that Easley is much more interested in rewarding his donor base than in nurturing the future of renewable energy in this state.
Finley, characterized in his own law firm's press release as a giant tool for fossil energy (see link above), must be confirmed by the state legislature and will be joining the commission at a critical time when the future of wind power, on the one hand, and two proposed new coal-burning power plants in Rutherford County, on the other, must be decided.
A group of 17 NC enviro groups, including Appalachian Voices and Western North Carolina Alliance, has written a letter to The Guv and all the members of the General Assembly about the disturbing message the Finley appointment seems to send about conflicts of interest and industry axe-grinding.
Let's hope a majority of legislators heed that warning.
On the face of it, The Guv's appointment of Edward S. Finley, a big-time industry lawyer, to the NC Utilities Commission, suggests that Easley is much more interested in rewarding his donor base than in nurturing the future of renewable energy in this state.
Finley, characterized in his own law firm's press release as a giant tool for fossil energy (see link above), must be confirmed by the state legislature and will be joining the commission at a critical time when the future of wind power, on the one hand, and two proposed new coal-burning power plants in Rutherford County, on the other, must be decided.
A group of 17 NC enviro groups, including Appalachian Voices and Western North Carolina Alliance, has written a letter to The Guv and all the members of the General Assembly about the disturbing message the Finley appointment seems to send about conflicts of interest and industry axe-grinding.
Let's hope a majority of legislators heed that warning.
THE DUTCHESS GETS RILED
Watching Hillary Clinton's flack, Howard Wolfson, try to handle Chris Matthews last night on Hardball made for a lot of grinding teeth at the dinner table, and it wasn't from eating raw vegetables. This flap was all over somebody -- David Geffen, a Hollywood suit -- who used to give money to the Clintons and is now giving money to Barak Obama (insult # 1), and who gave exceptionally good dish about the Clintons to Maureen Dowd of the NYTimes (insult # 2). Wolfson went on Hardball to lay down the law: "The Dutchess is mad as hell, and heads will roll!"
Gosh, it was embarrassing.
Like Hillary is some kind of brittle control freak who not only knows not how to apologize for the war vote but knows not how to laugh it off when a mere footman paints the roses white instead of red.
At times like this, the original Star Trek TV series offers perspective, if not consolation. "Ugly sacs of mostly water!" a long ago Trekkie alien correctly diagnosed human beings, and in that composition we all share alike, including senators from New York.
Watching Hillary Clinton's flack, Howard Wolfson, try to handle Chris Matthews last night on Hardball made for a lot of grinding teeth at the dinner table, and it wasn't from eating raw vegetables. This flap was all over somebody -- David Geffen, a Hollywood suit -- who used to give money to the Clintons and is now giving money to Barak Obama (insult # 1), and who gave exceptionally good dish about the Clintons to Maureen Dowd of the NYTimes (insult # 2). Wolfson went on Hardball to lay down the law: "The Dutchess is mad as hell, and heads will roll!"
Gosh, it was embarrassing.
Like Hillary is some kind of brittle control freak who not only knows not how to apologize for the war vote but knows not how to laugh it off when a mere footman paints the roses white instead of red.
At times like this, the original Star Trek TV series offers perspective, if not consolation. "Ugly sacs of mostly water!" a long ago Trekkie alien correctly diagnosed human beings, and in that composition we all share alike, including senators from New York.
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