You cannot blame anybody who is against the "bailout." Personally, I'm on the fence and very happy I do not have to make a decision. But, today I read the most compelling argument I have seen so far to support this measure.
It comes from the New York Times. Op-ed columnist Nicholas D. Kristof writes that while you may be mad that we are helping so many people who are wealthy, we do not have a choice. He uses Japan as a model. I'm not sure I agree, you cannot compare one country to another and have that be your only argument because cultures are so different, but it is interesting.
(Check it out)
Rabbit
Thursday, October 2, 2008
We Vote for That?
Today's Charlotte Observer published a story on the race for the Attorney General of North Carolina. While, the United States Attorney General is appointed by the President, we get to vote for ours in this state.
That's pretty cool, so you should read the story.
(Their Target: Corruption)
Rabbit
That's pretty cool, so you should read the story.
(Their Target: Corruption)
Rabbit
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Toss Us Up
North Carolina is a "Toss Up" state, according to Real Clear Politics, in the race for the Presidency.
(See for yourself)
This means we get to experience a real campaign. This may not be exciting to you, but I'm thrilled. It also means that issues that are important to North Carolinians, will be important to the candidates.
It also means that this election could become a landslide. I think the overall popular vote will only have a difference of about 5 percent, the electoral vote will be much larger if states like North Carolina swing to Obama.
The Senate race is also a toss up. Incumbent Elizabeth Dole is in the fight of her political life against Kay Hagan. (Polls)
Bottom Line? North Carolina politics looks to be entering a new era.
Rabbit
(See for yourself)
This means we get to experience a real campaign. This may not be exciting to you, but I'm thrilled. It also means that issues that are important to North Carolinians, will be important to the candidates.
It also means that this election could become a landslide. I think the overall popular vote will only have a difference of about 5 percent, the electoral vote will be much larger if states like North Carolina swing to Obama.
The Senate race is also a toss up. Incumbent Elizabeth Dole is in the fight of her political life against Kay Hagan. (Polls)
Bottom Line? North Carolina politics looks to be entering a new era.
Rabbit
Monday, September 29, 2008
Getting Close to E
There's a gas shortage in Charlotte.
Here's my problem with that.
I live in Charlotte.
Most people are blaming somebody else for this problem and that's absolutely the wrong attitude to have. You must attempt to conserve during a shortage and last weekend, I drove to Boone. Had I not, I would not be getting close to empty.
This applies to everybody, some more than others. But, here is the fact. The Charlotte area got a bigger shipment of gas than normal on Friday. So why are many stations out of gas?
Because we bought it all, moron.
I try to avoid making ad hominem attacks. But, sometimes that shoe fits. The Charlotte Observer obviously is covering this event and the individual they interviewed for a story points out the problem. Now, he doesn't say what the problem is, he represents the problem. This individual came to Charlotte from Columbia, SC to visit for the weekend and ran out of gas. Then, he complained that he had to walk to a gas station.
If we are going to continue to use gas when we do not need it and then complain about walking, we will never solve this problem.
There is one person I believe who deserves to be commended in all of this. That is Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory. Many have criticized him for not doing more in this situation. But, there is only one thing a mayor can do in this situation, give good advice. He has done that. He told people not top off almost full tanks, not to fill up gas cans, and to conserve as much as possible. Its not his fault if you don't listen. He also has worked hard to bring a better mass transit system to Charlotte. The light rail can alleviate a lot of this problem. It can help more, as it gets expanded.
I do have two issues with the mayor however. First, is his criticism of the media. Its true that the Charlotte media may have facilitated a panic mode but, they did their job. Gas stations running out of gas is a huge story so, they reported on it. That is not irresponsible. Irresponsible, are the people who panic.
Second, McCrory has used this issue to encourage more off-shore drilling. The shortage began as a result of a hurricane. A hurricane that hit what? Off-shore oil rigs and the refineries on the coast. How will relying more on off-shore oil help us? It'll only cripple us further during hurricane season.
Bottom Line? I actually do need gas, either today or tomorrow, so wish me luck. Also, I may vote for Pat McCrory for governor, because I believe this off-shore oil issue is just an election year stunt and will never lead to actual drilling. But, my mind isn't made up, more on that later.
Rabbit
Here's my problem with that.
I live in Charlotte.
Most people are blaming somebody else for this problem and that's absolutely the wrong attitude to have. You must attempt to conserve during a shortage and last weekend, I drove to Boone. Had I not, I would not be getting close to empty.
This applies to everybody, some more than others. But, here is the fact. The Charlotte area got a bigger shipment of gas than normal on Friday. So why are many stations out of gas?
Because we bought it all, moron.
I try to avoid making ad hominem attacks. But, sometimes that shoe fits. The Charlotte Observer obviously is covering this event and the individual they interviewed for a story points out the problem. Now, he doesn't say what the problem is, he represents the problem. This individual came to Charlotte from Columbia, SC to visit for the weekend and ran out of gas. Then, he complained that he had to walk to a gas station.
If we are going to continue to use gas when we do not need it and then complain about walking, we will never solve this problem.
There is one person I believe who deserves to be commended in all of this. That is Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory. Many have criticized him for not doing more in this situation. But, there is only one thing a mayor can do in this situation, give good advice. He has done that. He told people not top off almost full tanks, not to fill up gas cans, and to conserve as much as possible. Its not his fault if you don't listen. He also has worked hard to bring a better mass transit system to Charlotte. The light rail can alleviate a lot of this problem. It can help more, as it gets expanded.
I do have two issues with the mayor however. First, is his criticism of the media. Its true that the Charlotte media may have facilitated a panic mode but, they did their job. Gas stations running out of gas is a huge story so, they reported on it. That is not irresponsible. Irresponsible, are the people who panic.
Second, McCrory has used this issue to encourage more off-shore drilling. The shortage began as a result of a hurricane. A hurricane that hit what? Off-shore oil rigs and the refineries on the coast. How will relying more on off-shore oil help us? It'll only cripple us further during hurricane season.
Bottom Line? I actually do need gas, either today or tomorrow, so wish me luck. Also, I may vote for Pat McCrory for governor, because I believe this off-shore oil issue is just an election year stunt and will never lead to actual drilling. But, my mind isn't made up, more on that later.
Rabbit
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