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gpearce
 
Administrator
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354
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Raleigh, NC
Gary Pearce
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The North Carolina House vote for a (revised) public-smoking ban conjures up memories of Jimmy Green.
When the chain-smoking Green was Speaker of the House in the 70s, he had a regular routine that passed for high comedy in the legislature. Every day, he would recognize a member who would move to suspend the House rule against smoking. Green would call for the ayes and nays, the members would laughingly shout nay and Green would slam down his gavel and rule that the motion had passed. Then he and the members would light up.
Green – and anybody else in politics in those days – could not have imagined the day would come in North Carolina when the legislature would even think of banning smoking anywhere.
The late Bob Scott was the first politician with enough guts to take on King Tobacco. He proposed the first tax on tobacco to pay for schools and kindergartens. Scott paid a price when he ran against Jim Hunt in 1980; we pounded him on his tax in rural North Carolina. And Hunt won all 100 counties in the primary.
Then-Senators Jesse Helms and John East voted for a federal tobacco tax in the early 1980s, under heavy pressure from a Reagan White House trying to balance the budget. We got the Democratic Party to run ads attacking them as “The Tobacco Tax Twins.”
Jim Hunt never smoked, but he was always tobacco’s friend. He grew up on a tobacco farm. As a grad student at State, he wrote a prize-winning thesis on the tobacco price-support program. As governor, he defended tobacco as the key to the survival of small farmers, because they could make so much more money on an acre of tobacco than any other crop.
In the 90s, during his second stint as governor, Hunt appointed his old friend – and tobacco-farm owner – Phil Carlton to help then-AG Mike Easley negotiate an end to the multi-state lawsuit against tobacco.
That suit put an end to North Carolina’s short life as a battleground state in presidential races. We were one of Bill Clinton’s top 10 target states in 1992. He lost by a hair, the only target state he lost. Then Clinton and Hillary – at Dick Morris’ behest – took on Big Tobacco. In 1996, North Carolina was never in play.
The changing politics of tobacco reflect the deep, fundamental and remarkable transformation that took place in North Carolina at the end of the 20th Century. We went from a poor, rural, segregated state to a prosperous, urbanizing and increasingly sophisticated state.
Everybody used to smoke. I remember going to family gatherings as a boy and gagging on the smoke. Now, anyone who smokes is looked upon as a weak-willed, unhealthy pariah.
Ironically, there may be as much tobacco grown in North Carolina today as ever before, now that production isn’t limited by the federal government.
But, politically, the King is dead.
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Huh?
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Great story. I remember in High School, even though I didn't smoke I got my parents to sign the permission form to smoke so I could hang out in the smoking area. Winstons, and Salams everywhere, probably shaved a couple of years off my life.
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Huh?
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edited repeat
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Huh?
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dap916
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Huh? said :
Great story. I remember in High School, even though I didn't smoke I got my parents to sign the permission form to smoke so I could hang out in the smoking area. Winstons, and Salams everywhere, probably shaved a couple of years off my life.
Kissy..Kissy...smooch...smooch.
"Great Story"....hahahaha...YEAH, RIGHT.
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Anonymous
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dap916 said :
Huh? said :
Great story. I remember in High School, even though I didn't smoke I got my parents to sign the permission form to smoke so I could hang out in the smoking area. Winstons, and Salams everywhere, probably shaved a couple of years off my life.
Kissy..Kissy...smooch...smooch.
"Great Story"....hahahaha...YEAH, RIGHT.
Dang Dap that was a kind of weird comment.
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Huh?
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dap916 said :
Huh? said :
Great story. I remember in High School, even though I didn't smoke I got my parents to sign the permission form to smoke so I could hang out in the smoking area. Winstons, and Salams everywhere, probably shaved a couple of years off my life.
Kissy..Kissy...smooch...smooch.
"Great Story"....hahahaha...YEAH, RIGHT.
Maybe I'm off base here but I was under the impression that the purpose of this site was to present political stories and opinions from two of our state's most noted political insiders. Then we the viewers of the site would utilize these observations as a springboard for our own thoughts and observations. Did I miss something here?
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dap916
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Huh? said :
dap916 said :
Huh? said :
Great story. I remember in High School, even though I didn't smoke I got my parents to sign the permission form to smoke so I could hang out in the smoking area. Winstons, and Salams everywhere, probably shaved a couple of years off my life.
Kissy..Kissy...smooch...smooch.
"Great Story"....hahahaha...YEAH, RIGHT.
Maybe I'm off base here but I was under the impression that the purpose of this site was to present political stories and opinions from two of our state's most noted political insiders. Then we the viewers of the site would utilize these observations as a springboard for our own thoughts and observations. Did I miss something here?
So, you follow that in all cases, right?
Look, Huh? You can try all you want to make me less a poster than you or anyone else here with your remarks, but, alas, that only impresses people that are like-minded as you. Kissy, Kissy is all about you trying your best to be agreeable to Gary. You know that...and so does Gary if he's as intelligent as you and I believe he is.
This IS a venue to discuss our opinions and feelings on a myriad of political issues. I post the "Kissy" posts here because I want you to know that I know how I feel about your "attaboys" and "agree totally" and "great post, Gary" (with exceptions that you put here so you can say "hey look, I disagreed with Gary on this issue").
Discuss the issues without tricks, playing on words and misinterpreting and having a convenient misunderstanding of what is said. It makes it sooo much more professional.
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Huh?
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dap916 said :
Huh? said :
dap916 said :
Huh? said :
Great story. I remember in High School, even though I didn't smoke I got my parents to sign the permission form to smoke so I could hang out in the smoking area. Winstons, and Salams everywhere, probably shaved a couple of years off my life.
Kissy..Kissy...smooch...smooch.
"Great Story"....hahahaha...YEAH, RIGHT.
Maybe I'm off base here but I was under the impression that the purpose of this site was to present political stories and opinions from two of our state's most noted political insiders. Then we the viewers of the site would utilize these observations as a springboard for our own thoughts and observations. Did I miss something here?
So, you follow that in all cases, right?
Look, Huh? You can try all you want to make me less a poster than you or anyone else here with your remarks, but, alas, that only impresses people that are like-minded as you. Kissy, Kissy is all about you trying your best to be agreeable to Gary. You know that...and so does Gary if he's as intelligent as you and I believe he is.
This IS a venue to discuss our opinions and feelings on a myriad of political issues. I post the "Kissy" posts here because I want you to know that I know how I feel about your "attaboys" and "agree totally" and "great post, Gary" (with exceptions that you put here so you can say "hey look, I disagreed with Gary on this issue").
Discuss the issues without tricks, playing on words and misinterpreting and having a convenient misunderstanding of what is said. It makes it sooo much more professional.
Good grief Dap the post was a humorous story about smoking in the GA not an idological debate about policy. I liked the story cause I like stories about stuff like that. It is beyond me how posting that I liked the story and relating a personal experience to it could possibly be a trick, playing with words or anything else. Frankly Dap I think you are just over thinking this whole thing. You read things into posts that simply aren't there sometimes. Also when anything posted on this (or any for that matter) blog other than those of the hosts (Pierce and Wrenn) is considered "professional" quality we are in big trouble. The deep end of the pool this is not!
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dap916
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Huh? said :
dap916 said :
Huh? said :
dap916 said :
Huh? said :
Great story. I remember in High School, even though I didn't smoke I got my parents to sign the permission form to smoke so I could hang out in the smoking area. Winstons, and Salams everywhere, probably shaved a couple of years off my life.
Kissy..Kissy...smooch...smooch.
"Great Story"....hahahaha...YEAH, RIGHT.
Maybe I'm off base here but I was under the impression that the purpose of this site was to present political stories and opinions from two of our state's most noted political insiders. Then we the viewers of the site would utilize these observations as a springboard for our own thoughts and observations. Did I miss something here?
So, you follow that in all cases, right?
Look, Huh? You can try all you want to make me less a poster than you or anyone else here with your remarks, but, alas, that only impresses people that are like-minded as you. Kissy, Kissy is all about you trying your best to be agreeable to Gary. You know that...and so does Gary if he's as intelligent as you and I believe he is.
This IS a venue to discuss our opinions and feelings on a myriad of political issues. I post the "Kissy" posts here because I want you to know that I know how I feel about your "attaboys" and "agree totally" and "great post, Gary" (with exceptions that you put here so you can say "hey look, I disagreed with Gary on this issue").
Discuss the issues without tricks, playing on words and misinterpreting and having a convenient misunderstanding of what is said. It makes it sooo much more professional.
Good grief Dap the post was a humorous story about smoking in the GA not an idological debate about policy. I liked the story cause I like stories about stuff like that. It is beyond me how posting that I liked the story and relating a personal experience to it could possibly be a trick, playing with words or anything else. Frankly Dap I think you are just over thinking this whole thing. You read things into posts that simply aren't there sometimes. Also when anything posted on this (or any for that matter) blog other than those of the hosts (Pierce and Wrenn) is considered "professional" quality we are in big trouble. The deep end of the pool this is not!
Hmmmm...when people question your posts....that "it was only a joke" thing just gets so old. You're good at rhetoric...you've done a good job in many posts saying someone is misinterpretating your presentations and you really work hard at defending not kissing ass here.
But, at the end of the day, it's just empty.
Say all you want...be good at how you post...means squat to me.
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Huh?
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1481
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dap916 said :
Huh? said :
dap916 said :
Huh? said :
dap916 said :
Huh? said :
Great story. I remember in High School, even though I didn't smoke I got my parents to sign the permission form to smoke so I could hang out in the smoking area. Winstons, and Salams everywhere, probably shaved a couple of years off my life.
Kissy..Kissy...smooch...smooch.
"Great Story"....hahahaha...YEAH, RIGHT.
Maybe I'm off base here but I was under the impression that the purpose of this site was to present political stories and opinions from two of our state's most noted political insiders. Then we the viewers of the site would utilize these observations as a springboard for our own thoughts and observations. Did I miss something here?
So, you follow that in all cases, right?
Look, Huh? You can try all you want to make me less a poster than you or anyone else here with your remarks, but, alas, that only impresses people that are like-minded as you. Kissy, Kissy is all about you trying your best to be agreeable to Gary. You know that...and so does Gary if he's as intelligent as you and I believe he is.
This IS a venue to discuss our opinions and feelings on a myriad of political issues. I post the "Kissy" posts here because I want you to know that I know how I feel about your "attaboys" and "agree totally" and "great post, Gary" (with exceptions that you put here so you can say "hey look, I disagreed with Gary on this issue").
Discuss the issues without tricks, playing on words and misinterpreting and having a convenient misunderstanding of what is said. It makes it sooo much more professional.
Good grief Dap the post was a humorous story about smoking in the GA not an idological debate about policy. I liked the story cause I like stories about stuff like that. It is beyond me how posting that I liked the story and relating a personal experience to it could possibly be a trick, playing with words or anything else. Frankly Dap I think you are just over thinking this whole thing. You read things into posts that simply aren't there sometimes. Also when anything posted on this (or any for that matter) blog other than those of the hosts (Pierce and Wrenn) is considered "professional" quality we are in big trouble. The deep end of the pool this is not!
Hmmmm...when people question your posts....that "it was only a joke" thing just gets so old. You're good at rhetoric...you've done a good job in many posts saying someone is misinterpretating your presentations and you really work hard at defending not kissing ass here.
But, at the end of the day, it's just empty.
Say all you want...be good at how you post...means squat to me.
Maybe it would be best if you and I didn't acknowledge one another's posts. It seems counterproductive to the flow of ideas on this blog. After all it's not about you or me it's about a discussion of ideas and opinions. You have my e-mail address and I have yours. Just send your retorts that involve personal aspects of my posts directly to me if you like and I'll do the same. There's no need to bog down this blog with this nonsense.
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dap916
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3161
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Huh? said :
dap916 said :
Huh? said :
dap916 said :
Huh? said :
dap916 said :
Huh? said :
Great story. I remember in High School, even though I didn't smoke I got my parents to sign the permission form to smoke so I could hang out in the smoking area. Winstons, and Salams everywhere, probably shaved a couple of years off my life.
Kissy..Kissy...smooch...smooch.
"Great Story"....hahahaha...YEAH, RIGHT.
Maybe I'm off base here but I was under the impression that the purpose of this site was to present political stories and opinions from two of our state's most noted political insiders. Then we the viewers of the site would utilize these observations as a springboard for our own thoughts and observations. Did I miss something here?
So, you follow that in all cases, right?
Look, Huh? You can try all you want to make me less a poster than you or anyone else here with your remarks, but, alas, that only impresses people that are like-minded as you. Kissy, Kissy is all about you trying your best to be agreeable to Gary. You know that...and so does Gary if he's as intelligent as you and I believe he is.
This IS a venue to discuss our opinions and feelings on a myriad of political issues. I post the "Kissy" posts here because I want you to know that I know how I feel about your "attaboys" and "agree totally" and "great post, Gary" (with exceptions that you put here so you can say "hey look, I disagreed with Gary on this issue").
Discuss the issues without tricks, playing on words and misinterpreting and having a convenient misunderstanding of what is said. It makes it sooo much more professional.
Good grief Dap the post was a humorous story about smoking in the GA not an idological debate about policy. I liked the story cause I like stories about stuff like that. It is beyond me how posting that I liked the story and relating a personal experience to it could possibly be a trick, playing with words or anything else. Frankly Dap I think you are just over thinking this whole thing. You read things into posts that simply aren't there sometimes. Also when anything posted on this (or any for that matter) blog other than those of the hosts (Pierce and Wrenn) is considered "professional" quality we are in big trouble. The deep end of the pool this is not!
Hmmmm...when people question your posts....that "it was only a joke" thing just gets so old. You're good at rhetoric...you've done a good job in many posts saying someone is misinterpretating your presentations and you really work hard at defending not kissing ass here.
But, at the end of the day, it's just empty.
Say all you want...be good at how you post...means squat to me.
Maybe it would be best if you and I didn't acknowledge one another's posts. It seems counterproductive to the flow of ideas on this blog. After all it's not about you or me it's about a discussion of ideas and opinions. You have my e-mail address and I have yours. Just send your retorts that involve personal aspects of my posts directly to me if you like and I'll do the same. There's no need to bog down this blog with this nonsense.
And, that was just absolutely super. You're just sooooo super at the "blame game". Look, if you post here, I'll keep you honest. I will respond to your idiocy and expose it. If you don't like it, don't post here.
Sorry you had to resort to this "go to my email if you disagree with me" thingy. But, not unexpected.
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Anonymous
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I have been reading this thread and many other threads. On every one there are differences of opinions. On every one there are people that question each others posts and people here question each other. I see this as part of the deal. Anyone that sees it differently just doesn't get it.
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dap916
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Anonymous said :
I have been reading this thread and many other threads. On every one there are differences of opinions. On every one there are people that question each others posts and people here question each other. I see this as part of the deal. Anyone that sees it differently just doesn't get it.
Yeah, well it gets a little "personal" sometimes here on TAP, especially between a few of us because of our dedication to our beliefs. It's that half-full/half-empty principle kinda. I want Obama to succeed but not at the cost of changing our entire government and not at the cost of putting enormous amounts of people on the public dole. Huh?, on the other hand, appears to believe what many people in America believe and that is that Obama isn't interested in reigning in spending and that the government can and should solve everyone's problems. I've been through a great deal of strife in my life and my wife and I have had to struggle a great deal. We came through it just as so many millions have also. It took hard work....not a government hand out. Maybe I'm wrong in what some of the posters put on here, I'm no perfect for sure. I think our "programs" have to be lean and mean and so far, all I'm seeing is creating more programs and increasing the size of existing programs to help those that seem not to be interested in helping themselves and in taking responsibility for their own actions.
I could be wrong. Who knows.
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