Politics

Politics

There are 1,056 posts filed in Politics (this is page 66 of 106).

About those solar panels

Raleigh's going solar

I spent some time Friday at a dedication ceremony for the City of Raleigh Parks Department’s new greenhouse. One might think that a greenhouse wouldn’t be exciting but this is no ordinary greenhouse. It’s got energy-efficient features, it’s fully automated, and for the first time it provides the City the ability to grow any type of plant during any season. Raleigh’s parks, streets, and highways look so sharp because of the work of the Parks and Recreation Department’s horticulture and landscaping teams, who keep Raleigh looking beautiful through the careful stewardship of our trees, plants, and flowers.
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St. Aug’s stadium

This afternoon, the Raleigh City Council unanimously approved St. Augustine’s College’s special use permit for a 2,500 seat stadium. While some neighbors continued to oppose the stadium, I had concluded that the conditions the school was applying to the permit mitigated most of the impact the stadium would have on the community. My home is very near the main entrance to the parking area, so I am one of those who would be most affected by traffic and parking.

One thing that bothered me (and still does) is the way school president Dr. Suber played the victim card in her mailing to supporters. There’s no way a 144-year-old college could possibly be bullied by the neighbors, yet she made it sound that way in her appeal for support:
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Retail follows rooftops

Earlier this week I had to make a trip up to the car dealership to pick up a part for my car. This used to be an easier trip for me but the dealer recently moved a few miles further up Capital Boulevard, adding about 10 more minutes to the trip. As I drifted through traffic heading up Capital, I wondered what sense it made for the dealer to move farther away from the city center.

Was it because of the need for more land? Not likely, it seemed. Capital Boulevard is littered with plenty of former dealerships surrounded by plenty of available expansion space.
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Parks Board chair

Tonight my fellow boardmembers elected me chair of Raleigh’s Parks, Recreation, and Greenway Advisory Board. It’s an honor and a privilege to serve in this capacity. I am indebted to outgoing chair Jimmy Thiem for his leadership and mentoring. He’s a hard act to follow but I’m looking forward to the challenge.

What should the White House do? Panic!

Here’s a CNN op-ed by James Carville. I think he’s on to something.

As I watch the Republican debates, I realize that we are on the brink of a crazy person running our nation. I sit in front of the television and shudder at the thought of one of these creationism-loving, global-warming-denying, immigration-bashing, Social-Security-cutting, clean-air-hating, mortality-fascinated, Wall-Street-protecting Republicans running my country.

The course we are on is not working. The hour is late, and the need is great. Fire. Indict. Fight.

via What should the White House do? Panic! – CNN.com.

Obama at N.C. State

Obama visits N.C. State


Well, any doubt I had about enthusiasm for Obama was answered today when Obama spoke in N.C. State’s Reynolds Coliseum. Actually, those doubts were allayed yesterday when I saw thousands of people waiting to get tickets for today’s speech.

I drove to N.C. State’s McKimmon Center around 9:30 and soon ran into my friend Alan Porter and his daughter, Audrey. We rode the shuttle to campus and waited in line together. Audrey was a wonderful companion, talking with me the whole time. I know she and my daughter Hallie would hit it off.
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Job creation reminder at the NCGA

Since I don’t have a job I thought I would head over to the North Carolina General Assembly and remind the bozos in charge that their job is to create jobs. Shawn Rocco of the N&O snapped my picture.

How does this get me a job?

I might not have a job yet but at least my marriage is now safer from teh gays.

Update 9:39 AM Tuesday: My photo ran prominently at the top of page 6A of today’s paper. Maybe I’ll get my question answered, after all!

In all seriousness, I really, really do want the NCGA leadership to explain what this issue has to do with creating jobs. And they were wise not to take public comment yesterday because I would’ve given them an earful. My expression in this photo is one of legitimate frustration.

Democrats Fret Aloud Over Obama’s Chances

If Obama doesn’t stop arrogantly brushing aside the concerns of his grassroots, he’ll soon be handing the White House keys over to President Romney. If there’s any “unity and enthusiasm” over Obama right now, I’m sure not seeing it.

At a gathering of the Democratic National Committee in Chicago this weekend, some party leaders sounded upbeat after they toured the Obama campaign headquarters. But others expressed anxiety that Mr. Obama’s accomplishments were not being conveyed loudly enough to ordinary people, that Republican lawmakers were making it impossible for him to get more done, and that Mr. Obama’s conciliatory approach might be translating to some voters as weakness.

“Now that they’re slapping him in the side of the face, he’s coming back,” said William George, a committee member from Pennsylvania. “He needs to start stomping his foot and pounding the desk.” At the White House and at Mr. Obama’s campaign headquarters in Chicago, officials bristled at the critiques, which they dismissed as familiar intraparty carping and second-guessing that would give way to unity and enthusiasm once the nation is facing a clear choice between the president and the Republican nominee.

via Democrats Fret Aloud Over Obama’s Chances – NYTimes.com.