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Re: Group pushes for better online budget

CitizenOpinionated — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:40:03 -0500

Protzman would rather we strike the term "grassroots" and opt for the oh-so popular "community organizer." I am sure Protzman would rather the funding to come from the Golden Leaf Foundation.

And by "Puppetshow" comment, are you referring to Gov.-elect Perdue, Sen. Basnight, Sen. Rand, etc.? If so, then yes I concur that "there is nothing the Puppetshow does that is not partisan, no matter how many winks and nods they offer when challenged on that claim." As was the case when the looming study on Offshore Drilling was announced by Sen. Basnight...all the while the legislation will never see the light of day. Only costing the taxpayers of NC a meager $100,000.

The term grassroots simply refers to reaching the individual citizenry. A website is a tool that is easily utilized by the individual citizen, thus the phrasing is appropriate in this situation.

As for transparency of their website... It is a new organization, so be patient...regardless there is a fundamental difference. We elect the governmental officials; therefore, they are beholden to our wishes...lest we forget this notion. My wish, as should be every citizens', is that I know where, how much and when my taxpaying dollars are being spent. This organization is a private group of citizens...plus is what they are calling for that bad...?

Why are liberals so angry right now? They have their leaders in place...

Transparency?

RobSchofield — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:34:13 -0500

It might also be nice if a group dedicated to "transparency" included a little more info on its website -- like who who started it, who's on the board, and who belongs to the "coalition," etc...

Grass roots?

James_Protzman — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:28:11 -0500

But Onorio said the group aims to be bipartisan. "We want to get anyone and everyone who supports this on board," she said. "This is not a partisan issue whatsoever."

Really? Then why is this so called "grass roots" organization being funded by Art Pope, the knight of the right with a 527 group dedicated to creating a Republican Legislative Majority? In my experience, there is nothing the Puppetshow does that is not partisan, no matter how many winks and nods they offer when challenged on that claim.

Please stop using the term "grass roots" just because an organization claims that descriptor.

Re: Think tank targets recent spending

scharrison — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:54:54 -0500

"He said the think tank will also argue for higher user fees on budget items such as the N.C. Zoo, the N.C. Symphony and college tuition."

Of course it will, because its virulent anti-elitism can't be contained by common sense, and will likely produce the exact opposite of what JLF intends. Increasing fees in these areas will reduce the number of lower income folks taking part in these State-sponsored operations, which will make them more elitist in nature.

The last time I took my three kids to the zoo (all over 12 yo), the entire day ended up costing around $75, and that's only because I cheaped out and hurried them through the gift shop. Symphony tickets are a steal at $15 a pop for some shows. And even though some parents are willing to take out a second mortgage to purchase Hannah Montana tickets, fifteen bucks is fifteen bucks, and if we ever want to get to the place where a Bach Vivace concerto is washing over the cars at a stoplight...

(that's for Joe Coletti: relax, dude)

...as opposed to sustaining traumatic brain injury from the bass in Fitty Cents' newest beer ad, we need to keep them ticket prices reasonable.

And take it from somebody with two kids in the UNC system: tuition is already astronomically, not-a-lot-of-oxygen-up-here, go-into-debt-until-the-second-coming level. My kids are already on the Ramen Noodle Diet; please don't turn that into a luxury.

"...a research campus in Kannapolis..."

If I'm not mistaken, the State's share of the funding is a fraction of what David Murdock is putting up. You cut this off, and the phrase, "dollar waiting on a dime" comes to mind. You want to cut, and I understand that. But cutting public funding that results in losing much larger matching funding from the private sector is foolishness.

Higher "user fees" and Dick Spangler

cornbread — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:00:18 -0500

I wonder what the children of the Depression think about higher "user fees" for education?

"User fees" translates into education/transportation/opportunity/services for the rich only.

A poor boy from Cleveland County, North Carolina grows up to become one of the state wealthiest men AND the president of the UNC system.

Current UNC System President Erskine Bowles knows Spangler's history and sees former president Spangler's portrait every day he's in the UNC General Administration building in Chapel Hill.

Spangler had it painted to forever send the message of free education from NC's constitution.

Now the Locke Foundation, the UNC-CH Board of Trustees and others want to increase tuition during a recession.

Where is Dick Spangler when we need him?

Erskine, look around the office. The children of the Depression who made this state great are speaking to you.

Re: Small business names Down East

borg_31 — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:54:35 -0500

Sorry, folks. Mr. Tursi is correct.

"Down East" does not start until you cross the North River bridge. In other words, it is east of Beaufort, in Carteret County.

Re: What's Perdue's first name?

AwakeReader — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:27:25 -0400

What would we do without the wise members of our press? How could we ever decide who to elect Governor if we did'nt know the nick name issue? Thanks N&O.

Re: What's Perdue's first name?

Proctor — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 21:12:04 -0400

Now if the Lieutenant Governor were to add an initial at the front of her name--let's see, picking one out of the air, how about "I."--then she could be I. Beverly Perdue and maybe pick up some votes from admirers of I. Beverly Lake Jr.

Re: A rose by any other name......

domewatcher — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 20:17:45 -0400

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."

Juliet

Re: What's Perdue's first name?

FFC1304 — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:41:29 -0400

Love the new Charles Barkley Quote being sent around the Internets...

"Poor people have been voting for democrats for 50 years...and they're STILL POOR!!!"

classic! LOL...

Re: What's Perdue's first name?

FFC1304 — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:38:12 -0400

We all call her 'Sugar Dumplin' cause she's so sickeningly 'sweet' to the point of making us vomit...

Beverly Perdue = MORE CORRUPTION WITHOUT INTERRUPTION! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Re: Hagan's Google Ad

FFC1304 — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:55:10 -0400

HOW does a democrat 'stand up to special interests?'...

Re: Another Moore GoogleAd

FSUNoles46 — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 11:47:22 -0500

I can't understand how Moore seems to be doing better in polls as he continues to run attack ads.

Re: Perdue's Google AdWords

FFC1304 — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 13:59:25 -0500

Thankfully you will have a good choice of NC Republicans to vote for...

Orr, Graham and Smith are all good choices for the people...lets hope that NC citizens have awakened to the total mess democrats have put us into since the days of the vile Jim Hunt...strive to be smarter than a democrat!

Re: Perdue's Google AdWords

j1c2kp — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 11:38:57 -0500

Way too much nastiness from Bev Perdue and Richard Moore for this democrat. Why must campaigns sink so low and start slinging mud worse than a souped-up truck with big tires at a mud bog? Such mean-spiritedness and then they get before a camera and flash those heartfelt smiles.

Peace on earth goodwill toward men.