Sorry I haven’t had time to blog today. May this post make up for it!
Some possible topics:
The surprise outcome in the Jimmy Metts case — A lot of folks were raising their eyebrows at the sweetness of the deal offered to the ex-sheriff, in light of the charges, but the judge in the case didn’t like the deal one bit, and tossed it out.
The smelly stuff that Bobby Harrell WASN’T charged with — Cindi Scoppe’s column tells a pretty sordid tale of undue legislative influence over state officials.
Sony actually canceling the opening of “The Interview” — My friend Bob McAlister opined on Facebook that this was “far more important than a silly movie. Just imagine what the Muslim world must be thinking as they see a major company relinquishing its constitutional right to free speech.” This was a rare case of Bob agreeing with The Guardian, which called it “North Korea’s stunningly effective fatwah…”
The political ramifications of Obama’s bold move on Cuba — Yesterday, I deliberately resisted giving into one of the more obnoxious habits of pundits — to analyze every policy move not on its merits, but in terms of its likely effect on the next election. As though policy served only as a electoral strategy, instead of the other way around (elections being our way of deciding policy directions). But pretty much no other journalist in America was so fastidious, so you’ve now heard a lot about it. I’d already heard Carl Hiaasen opining that Jeb Bush was the only Republican who could beat Hillary Clinton in Florida (sorry; I couldn’t find a link to that radio interview, for some reason). What, then, is the impact of this? Is Obama right to bet that American attitudes have changed, or is Marco Rubio smart to channel the rage of his elders?
Or, whatever y’all want to talk about.
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Bobby Harrell looked like Frank Underwood in the shot they used in the paper. Smelly is right. I mean, if you saw this on a TV show, you’d say, “C’mon, really?”
but pair that with the Metts plea nonacceptance, and maybe things are looking better around here.
If someone investigated all of the leaders in the State House, I bet they’d find similar details for all of them. They all play the good old boy power game. Anyone who thinks these guys are in it as a matter of civic duty is living in dreamland. It’s all about money and power.
All of them? I think certainly some, but all?
Wow. That’s a pretty dark view of things.
But I do believe it takes a certain kind of personality to run for and hold these offices. I mean, you have to raise money and go to countless goofy/tedious social events, and then you get to sit through the sessions. There are more efficient means to get rich. I think the power, or even the celebrity, feeds something in most of them.
So I take it you are NOT running, counselor?
Only if I have a personality reboot….
All of the leadership. Definitely. You pick the top five guys and I bet they are all as dirty as Harrell.
It’s not enough for Doug to hold the title of Most Cynical here on this blog. He’s just got to shoot for the state championship… 🙂
Do you believe the top 5 leaders in the State House could withstand an extensive audit of their activities? Do you think Hugh Leatherman is 100% clean? The rumors suggest otherwise.
And I’m not talking about a lower bar for politicians… if they have anything to do with nepotism, patronage, kickbacks from lobbyists, junkets on taxpayer dollars, sweetheart deals on government contracts, they are dirty. Give me the names of the leaders who you believe are 100% clean.
I would not be at all surprised to find out that the very top guys are not squeaky clean. Alan Wilson suggested as much to me back this fall.
But, Doug, who *do* you like/trust, in terms of politicians? Anybody?
1. It’s not an issue of “Freedom of Speech”; our government is not trying to stop them. I’m not sure that I like them caving to NK’s pressure, but it is arguable that this is something that can better be dealt with by our Nat’l gov.
2. I have been suspicious of Mr. Metz for a long time. He’s done some things that I like a lot. On the other hand, he hasn’t enforced some of the things he’s trumpeted doing. Let’s let a jury decide if there’s a crime involved here.
3. Go, Obama! He’s stopped our country’s continuing conformance to insanity, or at least silliness. There’s at least a chance now that something good can come from Cuba/US relations. We can always go back to where we were.
Not sure if serious or just talented troll: http://www.thestate.com/2014/12/20/3885678/the-buzz-a-sandy-hook-school-day.html?sp=/99/132/312/169/1084/#
Anything involving Alan Clemmons automatically goes -1 for troll talent, Silence.
He is the Lee Bright of the coast.