Attending the first official meeting of the Charlotte’s new Airport Commission was a fascinating experience on many levels. The meeting itself provided a unique and authentic mix of suspense, drama, intrigue, irony and amusement – easily surpassing any of the current fare of orchestrated “reality” shows on TV. The cast of characters was equally compelling. […]
Back in June, I called for County Commission Vice Chair Kim Ratliff’s resignation after her overtly racist remarks calling for our new County Manager to be someone who is “not a white male.” – She refused to resign. I then called for her colleagues from BOTH political parties to censure Ratliff and remove her from […]
I am a Christian man of faith, but those who know me well, also know that I normally wear my religion in my heart, not on my sleeve. I love and respect people of different faiths, and those with no faith at all. In light of recent events, however, I feel the calling and need […]
If I wanted to apply for the job of Mecklenburg County Manager, the first thing I’d do is declare that I’m not a “white male” — and I’m really not! (I just checked in the mirror and I’m actually kind of beige, so I do hope that would help my chances.) Kim Ratliff endlessly called herself […]
Here in North Carolina, I’ve always been particularly proud that our state motto is “Esse quam Videri” – to be rather than to seem. If you think about it, that’s reason enough for the Charlotte Chamber and Regional Visitors’ Authority (CRVA) to finally adopt a truth-in-advertising campaign. And here’s a great starting suggestion: Welcome to […]
That Harry Jones was unceremoniously fired this week should surprise no one, least of all Mr. Jones himself. It might be considered ironic that the insular dynasty he systematically built up around himself over the last 13 years, designed to secure his position and power, wound up feeding a misplaced arrogance which ultimately led directly […]
I’m really torn about President Obama’s visit to Charlotte. On one hand, it’s exciting to host the President of the United States in your home town, no matter what bumper sticker you’ve got on your car. Just as it should be. (On the other hand, I’m resigned to the fact that this will be just […]
Oh, boy. Here we go again. The latest CRVA scandal has reached the all-too-familiar stage where we now hear our elected representatives start to publicly proclaim how “unsatisfied” they are or how they’re going to “give this a hard look” and demand some “answers.” We’ve been down this road before with so many past scandals […]
For years, I’ve been suspicious that they must be putting tranquilizers in our drinking water. How else can you explain the voters of Charlotte nodding off, election after election, while those entrusted to do the people’s business have been thumbing their noses at the public, lining their own pockets and pockets of their cronies, all […]
Spiders are truly amazing creatures. They feed by ensnaring their prey in a craftily, durably constructed, but largely invisible web. These stealthy arachnids then proceed to fatten themselves by methodically sucking the very lifeblood from their unsuspecting victims. In comparison, the modern era vampire legend of Dracula seems like a children’s bedtime story — perhaps […]
