February 3, 2012

Rep. Allen West Suspicious About Positive Job Numbers

Rep. Allen West (R-FL) struck a suspicious note about today's positive job numbers. He put up the following on his official Facebook wall:

"Can someone tell me how employment in the black community has improved at a rate three times the national average in just a few months?? With numbers like today, urban communities should be well on their way to economic recovery then! There is something suspicious about the job numbers released today and it has me very concerned. Sept/2011 Black unemployment: 15.9 %, Americans overall: 9.0 %. Jan/2012 Black unemployment: 13.6 %, Americans overall: 8.3%. Is this dramatic supposed decrease in black unemployment a result of job creation or is someone playing around with the census numbers?? Americans need truth, not these number games."

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/rep-allen-west-suspicious-about-positive-job-numbers

February 2, 2012

Former Rep. Bob Etheridge to run for governor

Former Rep. Bob Etheridge announced Thursday that he is running for the Democratic nomination for governor. '

Etheridge was defeated by political newcomer Renee Ellmers in Nov. 2010 in a close race in the 2nd Congressional District.

In a statement Thursday, Etheridge said: "After considerable thought and a whole lot of encouragement, I am announcing today, my candidacy for the Democratic Party nomination for Governor.

"My life's work has been about improving the public education system in North Carolina. As we move forward, we must ensure we are making the key investments in public education, community colleges and the university system.

More here:

http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/politics&id=8529264

February 2, 2012

Intelligence Study Links Low I.Q. To Prejudice, Racism, Conservatism

Are racists dumb? Do conservatives tend to be less intelligent than liberals? A provocative new study from Brock University in Ontario suggests the answer to both questions may be a qualified yes.

The study, published in Psychological Science, showed that people who score low on I.Q. tests in childhood are more likely to develop prejudiced beliefs and socially conservative politics in adulthood.

I.Q., or intelligence quotient, is a score determined by standardized tests, but whether the tests truly reveal intelligence remains a topic of hot debate among psychologists.


More here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/27/intelligence-study-links-prejudice_n_1237796.html



I apologize for posting this in the Breaking News section. I am still learning the ropes of this site. Please forgive me...

February 1, 2012

Erskine Bowles weighing bid for NC governor

RALEIGH, N.C. — Erskine Bowles served as chief of staff in Bill Clinton's White House, led the prestigious University of North Carolina system and headed a bipartisan commission that recommended tough choices to reduce the U.S. deficit.

The Charlotte investment banker is being asked to consider public service again — this time by fellow Democrats in his home state who want him to run for governor after incumbent Beverly Perdue shocked many last week by announcing she wouldn't seek re-election.

While two Democrats have already gotten in, other notables are waiting for Bowles to decide in a race that could have implications for a presidential swing state that is hosting the Democratic convention.

More here:

http://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/story/10674511/

January 27, 2012

Etheridge Eyeing Return to N.C. Politics

Yesterday’s earthquake in North Carolina Democratic politics opened a lot of doors for politicians aspiring to higher office. Enter stage right: former Rep. Bob Etheridge (D), who lost a close race to freshman Rep. Renee Ellmers (R) in 2010.

In a telephone interview with Roll Call this morning, Etheridge, who twice ran successfully for statewide office, said he is considering three options: a run for governor, another bid for the House of Representatives, or going to the private sector.

“For me, it’s about what is good for my state,” he said. “I care very deeply. Ever since I was a county commissioner, state legislator and state superintendent, and in Congress, my one, single, lodestar.. has been a focus on education.”

Given his passion about education, it sounded like he was most seriously considering running to succeed retiring Gov. Beverly Perdue (D).

More here:

http://atr.rollcall.com/etheridge-eying-a-return-to-n-c-politics/

January 26, 2012

North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue won’t seek second term, sources say

North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue (D) is set to announce today that she will not seek reelection in 2012, according to two sources familiar with her plans.

Perdue, who turned 65 earlier this month, was set for a rematch of her 2008 race with former Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory (R), but she has been plagued by low approval ratings and faced some tough odds this year.

Sources say she has labored over her decision about whether to seek a second term. One source said she plans to announce she will step aside in a statement this afternoon.

Perdue’s office did not immediately response to a request for comment.

More here:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/north-carolina-gov-bev-perdue-wont-seek-second-term-sources-say/2012/01/26/gIQAbwekSQ_blog.html

January 20, 2012

Pro-Internet censorship lobbyist Chris Dodd once opposed suppression of speech

Sorry if anyone out there is offended, but I saw this tool on CNN yesterday spit-shining the shoes of the MPAA. I guess his mind changed after he took a lobbying job with the Hollywood elite.

This is the only video that I could find on YouTube of him talking with Brooke Burke of CNN.

January 19, 2012

Human rights group calls on state to probe alleged 'torture flights'

Smithfield, N.C. — A North Carolina human rights group is calling on state officials to investigate and stop alleged CIA missions originating in Johnston County that involve illegal torture.

North Carolina Stop Torture Now delivered a University of North Carolina School of Law report Wednesday to the governor, attorney general and others that claims the Central Intelligence Agency relies on Smithfield-based Aero Contractors Ltd. to provide planes and pilots to transport prisoners overseas from the Johnston County Airport for secret interrogation using torture techniques.

The 67-page report says the so-called "rendition flights" by the company and its employees violate laws against torture by aiding and abetting.


More here: http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/10620411/


PDF: 'The North Carolina Connection to
Extraordinary Rendition and Torture' report: http://www.ncstoptorturenow.org/Rendition%20Report%20for%20Jan%2019%202012_Redactedv.1-12-12.pdf


NORTH CAROLINA STOP TORTURE NOW website: http://www.ncstoptorturenow.org/

December 24, 2011

Pyongyang residents given fish in memory of Kim Jong-il

&feature=youtu.be

I could be wrong, but the girl @ the 2:00 part of this video looks as if she is reading a prepared cue card statement. It's sad to see these people brainwashed by the thuggish North Korean government.

Btw... Did you get a good look at the fish?

My goodness!! Hoping that these weren't found floating in the Fukushima waters of the Pacific.

December 24, 2011

Interview: Al Franken at the closing of the Winterland Ballroom 1978

Since I am new to this site I thought I would offer up (to the political junkies and gods) this video from an old VHS tape that I found a few weeks ago. This interview is interesting b/c Franken pretends like he is on the Democratic Convention floor in 1968. It's hard to say if he is high or not. Near the end it sounds like he says "acid". And when the video cuts to the floor at the end, you can hear him apologizing to Norm and Glenn.

A little more background about this video:

Winterland Ballroom was the site of many great concerts. This happened to be its last show. The Grateful Dead performed the final show on this night. Their opening act were The Blues Brothers.

Thanks DU for such a cool site. I plan on feeding my political obsession with this site and its users.

Thanks,

David