Cheeseburgers in paradise?

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:44:13 -0400

How much is a cheeseburger in Europe?

At a press conference this morning, Gov. Mike Easley argued that a cheeseburger and onion rings cost $60 overseas. It's not clear which country he meant, but he was talking about his trip to Italy at the time.

"Let's be honest about it, a cheeseburger and onion rings is $60 over there," he said. "The dollar is very, very weak now."

According to this thread, a cheeseburger at McDonald's currently costs 6.5 Euros in Italy. At today's exchange rates, that's about $10.25.

Meantime, The Insider notes in its afternoon update that a Big Mac costs about 4.9 Euros in Paris, or $7.74 at current exchange rates.

"Of course, those Paris waiters, even at McDonald's, can get pretty pushy about their tips," they write.

Another explanation on Dalton spending

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 29 May 2008 16:42:59 -0400

The Insider has another explanation of state Sen. Walter Dalton's spending bills.

The N.C. Republican Party's recently compared Dalton's $76 million in requested appropriations to his Republican rival for lieutenant governor, former Sen. Robert Pittenger, who requested just $1.9 million.

The Republican chairwoman said it showed a clear contrast on the issue of fiscal responsibility. The Insider, an e-mail newsletter owned by the N&O, noted that Dalton is a longtime senator who advises the state budget.

"Some might say the totals reflect another stark contrast: the difference in the two men's power," notes the e-mail newsletter's afternoon report.