Archive for April 2006
History Repeats Itself
Before Iraq, there was Vietnam. Before America got bogged down in a war in the Middle East, we got bogged down in a war in Asia. Before America had a President trying to prove he is tougher than his father, we had a President trying to prove he was tougher than his predecessor. Before America…
Read MoreGary Praises the President
Brace yourself. I have something good to say about George W. Bush. But I’ll probably end up taking it back. Bush went to Orange County, California, Monday. He talked about immigration. And he spoke out clearly against the anti-immigrant demagogues in his own party: “I know this is an emotional debate…but one thing we cannot…
Read MoreBad Signs for Bush
How much trouble does President Bush think he is in over Iraq? A lot. Witness three news items: Bush’s photo op in California eating with GIs and their families. A clear response to the generals’ criticism of Rumsfeld. James Baker heading up a high-level group of review Iraq policy. Which Condi Rice reportedly resisted. I…
Read MoreDemonizing Immigrants
I’ve posted several items about anti-immigration politics. And immigrant-bashing clearly is the strategy of at least one wing of the Republican Party. It may work. Enough voters may be xenophobic enough – or even racist enough – to buy it. But here is a history prediction: In decades to come (maybe even sooner), Republicans will…
Read MorePolitics and Impact Fees
Someone once quipped the two greatest lies are ‘the checks in the mail,’ and ‘I’ll still love you in the morning.’ He might have added, ‘We’ll tax someone else.’ The great debate over ‘Impact Fees’ is underway in the Raleigh City Council. The smallest amount being considered to increase this tax is 72%. Even that…
Read MoreGovernor 2008: Money Talks
There are two ways to keep score in politics: polls and money. By the money measure, Democrat Richard Moore and Republican Bill Graham should be the leading candidates for Governor in 2008. Moore has raised $1.3 million to Beverly Perdue’s $1 million and Roy Cooper’s $760,000. Graham reportedly is spending $1 million of his own…
Read MoreWalter Jones
Whether or not you agree with Congressman Walter Jones you have to admit he has a rare trait among politicians. There are many elected officials who are clever, intelligent or articulate – but there are not many whose courage matches their other skills. Congressman Jones have has stood up and disagreed with his own President,…
Read MoreState Legislature Races – Coronations not Choices
The Charlotte Observer reports (3-9-06) there will be no election at all in almost half the 170 races for State House and Senate this fall. In addition, in the races all but a handful of the races that are contested, practically, if not legally, the outcome is all but decided. Because of how legislators have…
Read MoreGOP Looks for a Star
My old friend and adversary Jack Hawke sponsored a conservative gripe-a-thon in Durham last week.“It is a travesty that North Carolina is controlled by the Democrats,” U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx told the N.C. Conservative Leadership Conference.I disagree, of course. I believe it’s a credit to the good judgment of North Carolinians that Democrats hold the…
Read MoreParking Deck – Another $45 Million
The Raleigh City Council has approved Mayor Meeker’s new underground parking deck – to go with his downtown Hotel and Convention Center. This $45 million parking deck brings the total cost of Mayor Meeker’s Center/Hotel complex to over $250 million.What would taxpayers have saved if the Mayor had decided to build an above ground parking…
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