Archive for 2011
The Oldest Profession
Over in the State House Republicans hurrahed when five Democrats voted for Speaker Thom Tillis’ budget – at last it looked like Tillis had the votes to override one of Governor Perdue’s vetoes. But flowers bloom then quickly fade. Before the sun set the five Democrats made it perfectly clear to the press…
Read MoreThe WakeMed Wars
Back in the salad days of the Roman Republic every now and then an absolutely vicious war would break out between the Roman Aristocrats and the Plebes and it looks like we’ve got a similar tussle on our hands here in Wake County. Between two hospitals. Heart surgeries are among the most profitable…
Read MoreDangerous Business
We now have clear evidence that political blogging is hazardous to the health of the body politic. Under the Dome led this morning with my blog speculating that the legislature would be in session until December. It was a joke. I was being facetious. (Well, partly facetious. I was serious about legislators being…
Read MoreThe Terror of Winning…
Bev Perdue and Phil Berger are beginning to sound a bit like a couple whose marriage is on the rocks – she says she’s “disgusted” with him and he’s hunkered down like a harassed husband grumbling she’s done nothing but say, “Do it my way – that’s the only way that I’ll accept.” What…
Read MoreA Reese Hart Story
Back in the 1970s, the AP had a legislative reporter in Raleigh named Reese Hart. In those days, AP, UPI and all the major newspapers generated a flood of stories about daily legislative developments. The N&O, where I worked, had a couple of pages every day devoted to the minutiae of bill introductions, committee meetings…
Read MoreThe Obama Poll Bump
Dick Morris was quick to dismiss the AP poll showing President Obama’s approval rating at 60 percent. The sample was “too Democratic,” he said. Indeed. Well, if Dick’s squawking, Republicans must be squirming. Especially given the pitiful weakness of their presidential field so far. Now, I’ve cautioned Democrats about a post-bin Laden “bump”…
Read MoreOff Track Again
First it was protecting us against Shariah law. Then it was protecting our right to carry guns to parks and workplaces. Then it was designing roads. Now it’s dictating medical procedures to women and their doctors. Republicans in the legislature are determined to do everything – but address North Carolina’s economic problems. And…
Read MoreWrong Turn
Once again Republicans in the legislature have focused on an issue that apparently is more urgent than creating jobs and balancing the budget: They’ve gone into the road-designing business. Bruce Siceloff reports in the N&O that “the Senate is scheduled to vote today on a proposal to rip out part of an Asheville road,…
Read MoreA Quirk of History
I’m fascinated by odd coincidences in history – like John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both dying on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after the Declaration of Independence. What are the odds? What are the odds that a terrorist named Osama would be killed in a military operation ordered by a President named…
Read MoreWarning: Non-PC Jokes Ahead
Last week, I received a couple of definitely non-politically correct Osama jokes from TAPsters. I wasn’t sure whether to post them, especially given all the angst about killing Osama, the raucous celebrations, releasing the death photos, etc., etc. Then I decided: What does this blog stand for if it’s not for offending some people?…
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