“License Plates For Lawmakers” or “Why I Live at the DMV”

  As in most states, North Carolina’s Department of Motor Vehicles allows car owners to purchase a customized license plate and personalize it with individual text and numbers – as long as it is not already taken by another motorist or it is too inappropriate. Monies collected go to the state with a donation made … Continue reading “License Plates For Lawmakers” or “Why I Live at the DMV”

Governor McCrory, You are No “Eisenhower Republican”

Dear Governor, I have heard many national GOP candidates make mention of their affinity for President Reagan when addressing audiences. Simply channeling “The Gipper” has become almost a necessity to make a good impression especially on those who remember the two-term president from California. His calm voice, his presence, his speech on the Berlin Wall, … Continue reading Governor McCrory, You are No “Eisenhower Republican”

North Carolina’s Playbook to Dismantle Public Education

When the GOP won control of both houses in the North Carolina General Assembly in the elections of 2010, it was the first time that the Republicans had that sort of power since 1896. Add to that the election of Pat McCrory as governor in 2012, and the GOP has been able to run through … Continue reading North Carolina’s Playbook to Dismantle Public Education

What McCrory sent a friend of mine. Take a look.

A colleague of mine received the following entreaty from the governor today. I thought it worth posting and looking at. Here it is.   What can I say? Only that I'm deeply disappointed by what the ACLU, Roy Cooper and President Obama have done to force schools to allow boys and girls to share restrooms … Continue reading What McCrory sent a friend of mine. Take a look.

Hyperbole, North Carolina – On the Corner of Exaggeration Avenue and Understatement Boulevard

The North Carolina General Assembly began the 2016 short session today and there were many North Carolinians who were in our capitol to meet them. No doubt much of the rhetoric coming from those in power will be full of double-speak, subtle or severe spin, and void of straight-forward talk about real issues at hand … Continue reading Hyperbole, North Carolina – On the Corner of Exaggeration Avenue and Understatement Boulevard

Kicking or Kissing Butt, Taking Names, and Saving Face

Yes. This teacher wants a raise. I think that we deserve more compensation for the job that we as public school teachers do, especially in light that we rank very low in teacher pay compared to the surrounding states (or even the nation). Ever since the great recession hit and our pay scale was frozen … Continue reading Kicking or Kissing Butt, Taking Names, and Saving Face

McCrory’s Visit With Chuck Todd – The Art of the “Non-Answer” and Meeting the Reality

Gov. Pat McCrory finally tried to answer some questions on the HB2 bill on Sunday with Chuck Todd on NBC. Ironic that a man who has evaded all questions from the press concerning the HB2 bill actually went on a national show called Meet The Press.   However, when asked the very questions that many … Continue reading McCrory’s Visit With Chuck Todd – The Art of the “Non-Answer” and Meeting the Reality

My Bruce Springsteen Mixtape for Pat McCrory

Remember the 1980’s when you used to make mix tapes for people? They were the soundtracks for different facets of life. You put them in your cassette player and immersed yourself down a path of memories and emotions where only certain songs could lead you. When I found out that Bruce Springsteen was cancelling a … Continue reading My Bruce Springsteen Mixtape for Pat McCrory

Uncommon Nonsense and the Common Sense Fallacy

Now that North Carolina’s state government has officially named the red herring as its state fish, it is worth noting that other logical fallacies are at play in the explanation of recent legislation aimed at discriminating the LGBT community. Allow me to introduce to you the “common sense fallacy”. A double first cousin of the … Continue reading Uncommon Nonsense and the Common Sense Fallacy

Gov. McCrory’s Orwellian Freudian Slip

When Pat McCrory began his second gubernatorial election campaign, Charlotte Magazine ran a feature article in its April, 2013 issue entitled “Pat McCrory is the Right’s Man for the Job”. In it, Michael Cooper quoted, “He’s a fan of George Orwell’s 1984.” In a WRAL profile from January 14, 2008 (McCrory’s first campaign run for … Continue reading Gov. McCrory’s Orwellian Freudian Slip