February 17, 2012

There were 3 posts published on February 17, 2012 (this is page 1 of 1).

End of the week relief

It’s been a challenging week for me, with work issues heating up, two city board retreats I’m having to plan, yesterday evening’s Parks board meeting, early release day from school for the kids, and helping coach the kids’ basketball teams.

When I was feeling down yesterday, I was cheered for a bit by N.C. State’s success against Duke during their visit to Cameron Indoor Stadium but they couldn’t protect their 20 point lead in the second half and wound up losing by 5. I went to bed anxious.

Work went better for me today, the kids kept themselves busy during Early Release, and I got to help coach Hallie’s basketball team tonight. Unfortunately, our team lost by two points in a tough-fought game. Rather than hang our heads, though, we went out for a very fun dinner with our friends Joe and Toddi.

Tomorrow morning I spend four hours facilitating the RCAC retreat. Then less than half an hour later, I’m off to Chavis Park for the carousel building groundbreaking. Then, as soon as that’s done, I’m off to Travis’s basketball game. Once that’s done, I fly solo with the kids again while Kelly goes to a PTA planning meeting.

Good grief, life is busy lately.

Shame on Thom Tillis

NC House Speaker Thom Tillis kicks the people out of the second floor of the North Carolina General Assembly but lets his buddies from the Big Telco Mafia continue to hang out and buy votes. What’s he afraid of? That folks will see how Tillis is selling off our future to whichever corporation is the highest bidder?

Thom Tillis should be ashamed of himself. Is it any wonder the public takes such a dim view of our state legislators as a whole?

The protesters entered the building, forfeiting signs larger than 25 square inches, per the rules, and climbed the stairs to the second floor where they quietly lined the hallway from the speaker’s office to the House chamber. They said they wanted to make their presence known after few people witnessed last month’s impromptu late-night session.

Police greeted them on the second floor and cited the rule adopted Nov. 18, 1987, by the Legislative Services Commission, a now-defunct body. (The rule’s purpose is "to make visitors feel welcome and at the same time make it possible for the General Assembly to function effectively.")

Adam Sotak, the demonstration’s organizer, appeared baffled. "I’ve been coming here since 2000. I have never been told I can’t walk around the second floor," he told the police officer.

A group of suited men with Time Warner Cable badges clustered in front of Tillis’ door moments before the crowd arrived.

via Little-known House rule limits access to chamber – State – NewsObserver.com.