John Hood’s
Daily Journal

2.08.10
Probing the Prevention Myth

CJ Ticker

• Prosecutors want trial of ex-Easley lawyer to begin in mid-May, N&O reports.
• U.S. Education Secretary Duncan, Minn. Gov. Pawlenty among speakers at Institute for Emerging Issues forum in Raleigh today and tomorrow.
• Mike McIntyre's opponent says he should return "tainted" donations from Lanny Wilson, others.
• Perdue responds to Mike Easley's secret "Nick Danger" e-mail account.
• Andrew Young found in contempt over withholding of Edwards sex tape.
• U.S. Justice Department to investigate Wayne County schools.
• Seven-term Democratic State Sen. Larry Shaw announces he won't seek re-election.
• TV appearance: JLF's Terry Stoops on Fox News at 6 p.m. discussing the N.C. public school curriculum.

Other Opinions

2.08.10
You can speak up now

JLF’s Daren Bakst says that at its core, the First Amendment’s free speech protections were designed to protect political speech. Yet, its political speech has been under attack.

2.08.10
Probation gaps persist

The Greensboro News & Record says that since the murder nearly two years ago of Eve Carson, there’s been an alarming lack of progress in efforts to reform the state’s probation system.

2.08.10
Open records

The public records law requires governors to be willing to be held up to public scrutiny. Mike Easley, it turns out, wasn't up to the job says the Charlotte Observer.

2.05.10
Charter-school fumble

The Winston-Salem Journal says that North Carolina’s stubborn refusal to add charter schools could sting the very people who have supported the 100-school limit.

2.05.10
Nick Danger

The Greensboro News & Record writes that North Carolinians knew their governor from 2001 to 2009 as Mike Easley. Few could have suspected the governor had a secret identity.

Media Mangle

2.06.10
MSM: Fetal homicide and abortion aren‘t the same thing

The juxtaposition of stories on abortion and fetal homicide show the mainstream media doesn't see a connection.

2.06.10
The mainstream media and the Tea Party Movement

There's only one reason the media is suddenly interested in the Tea Party movement, and it's not because it's newsworthy.

1.19.10
MSM giving good imitation of Inspector Clouseau

Mainstream media never seems to notice outrageous comments and hate speech coming from the left.

Carolina Beat

2.05.10
Can Republicans Cash in on the Massachusetts Miracle?

Lead Story

State Lawmaker Calls for Offshore Drilling, End to Global Warming Commission

February 08, 2010, By Donna Martinez

Headlines

2.08.10 - N.C. Democrats dealing with an election year mass exodus

WILMINGTON — At the Grammys, Oscars and other annual award shows, there’s always a clip showing which big industry stars have departed over the previous year. Forgive voters, especially Democrats, if they feel like they need to watch one of those “dearly departed” clips when they go to the polls in May and November. Because the story this year might not be who is running for elected office, but who isn't. As candidate filing season starts on Monday, seven Democratic state senators have already left or announced that this will be their last year in office.

2.08.10 - Report to be basis for ABC change debate

WILMINGTON — State leaders plan to use a year-old evaluation report as the starting point for discussions on reforming the N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control system. The December 2008 report from the legislature’s Program Evaluation Division recommends a number of reforms for the alcohol system – which the report called “outdated” – and suggests the state explore other options for handling liquor, including privatization. But officials say that would be a complex undertaking that shouldn’t be rushed.

2.08.10 - N.C. examining cig stamps again to deter smuggling

RALEIGH — For years, buying low-tax North Carolina cigarettes and selling them on the black market in a high-tax state up north has been an easy way to make big money for criminal enterprises. Load up a van of Camels or Marlboros and reap a $100,000 profit to sell them if the destination is New York City, which has a $1.50-per-pack excise tax in addition to the $2.75 state cigarette tax.

2.08.10 - Sweepstakes cafes on the rise in Rocky Mount

ROCKY MOUNT — Rocky Mount planning officials are taking aim at gaming parlors that have swept through the city in recent months as state courts and lawmakers continue debating the legality and legitimacy of the businesses. The shops, often called Internet sweepstakes cafes, sell customers phone cards or Internet time that also allows them to play sweepstakes games — mostly slots and card games. Customers can win prizes, more playing time or cash.

2.08.10 - Triangle struggles to regain lost jobs

DURHAM — This recession has affected workers of all kinds, from the corporate manager with decades of experience to temp workers barely scraping by. Some of those workers have gone back to school and launched their own businesses, charted a new path for themselves that they hope will lead to more stable work. Others have sought and received help from organizations with new federally funded programs. But where are the jobs?

2.08.10 - Charlotte wins fast-train funds

RALEIGH — Federal railroad officials plan to spend more than $100 million to create a railroad superhighway through Charlotte. The money will build a bridge and redesign tracks uptown, clearing the way for both high-speed passenger rail and a future CATS commuter rail line. Plus, it will uncork the path for freight trains. “It’s a win, win, win,” said Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, “not only for Charlotte but the entire state.”

2.08.10 - Donations to universities plunge

RALEIGH — The sour economy has eaten into charitable contributions to colleges and universities across the Triangle, stalling construction projects at some and cutting the amount of money available for scholarships. The downturn mirrors a national trend, with gift-giving down an average 11.9 percent, according to a report released this week by the Council for Aid To Education. That’s the sharp est fall in at least three decades, the report said.

2.08.10 - Embattled sheriff goes to trial today

LINCOLNTON — For months, controversy has swirled around Lincoln County’s first-term sheriff Tim Daugherty. He testified at the September trial of his chief deputy, Barry Taylor, who was later convicted of misdemeanor obstruction of justice and fired. Now, it’s Daugherty's turn to stand trial. Accused of interfering with a drunken-driving investigation, he’s been charged with two felony counts of obstruction of justice and a misdemeanor of making a false report to another officer. Jury selection starts today.

2.08.10 - Forsyth board won’t appeal court order

WINSTON-SALEM — The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners will have a moment of silence during its Monday meeting instead of a public prayer. Judge James A. Beaty Jr. of U.S. District Court recently ruled that the county cannot allow prayers with sectarian content before meetings. Beaty said that the county could choose to have no prayer or a nonsectarian prayer instead. “I will ask for a moment of silence and then ask a member of the board of commissioners to proceed with the Pledge of Allegiance,” said Commissioner Dave Plyler, the chairman of the board.

2.08.10 - Cumberland commissioners criticize Fayetteville, chamber

FAYETTEVILLE — Retreat was hardly the word to describe Saturday’s special meeting of Cumberland County commissioners. Attack was more like it. The commissioners set aside the minutiae of every day governance to focus their annual retreat at the Crown Coliseum on the big-picture issues of 2010. With deep budget cuts and election challengers lurking, however, they viewed the coming months dourly.