Raines : The Devil is in the Details

First a little humor… Remember when banks used to offer little “perks” or teaser gifts if you opened a new savings or checking account with them? Today a friend sent me a “Super Saver” coupon supposedly from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. It features four toasters for $19.99 each. But wait! With each toaster purchase, you get a coupon for a free bank. Some of the coupons are for Bear Stearns, Countrywide, and Freddie Mac, you get the idea. Limit one per customer.

Seriously, though, it seems that the White House,Democrats, and Republicans have finally realized what most of us already knew – that the housing crisis is what most Americans think is our most pressing economic problem and we should fix it right away. This is encouraging news. Now, if we could just get them to agree on how to do this it would be great.

Steinburg : Job Bill a Fraud

Many Americans are frustrated with the $819 billion stimulus bill the U.S. House of Representatives recently sent to the Senate. Any effort to produce significant job growth for the long haul deserves serious consideration from our representatives in Washington.

But many of us back home are beginning to recognize that this bill is nothing more than a typical Congressional rip-off, laden with pork and other special interest giveaways. In fact, not one single Republican voted for it. In addition 11 conservative Democrats joined them in opposition in attempt to stop what amounts to nothing more than a job stimulus fraud.

Steinburg : Will Caroline “inherit” NY Senate seat?

A Conservative’s Viewpoint
by Bob Steinburg
bob@aconservativesviewpoint.com
In the fall of 1966, Sen. Bobby Kennedy (D-NY) paid a visit to our college campus in upstate New York. Those who gathered to meet him were captivated by his presence. The famous younger brother of the late President John Kennedy had been elected to the U. S. Senate in November [...]

Adieu, Kind Friend …

The Board of Commissioners meeting held Monday, December 1st marked many historical milestones.
The last meeting to convene a 5 member board, the first meeting to see a 7 member board, and the last meeting for veteran board member Ernie Bowden.
Bowden holds the distinction as one of Currituck County’s longest serving commissioners - serving six terms total - four of those consecutively from 1992 through 2008.

Raines : Funny Money

Last week we were talking about the “Big Three” auto bailout. Since then, it appears that congress is balking at giving Chrysler and GM $15 billion as a “bridge loan” so they can avoid bankruptcy for a few weeks or months. The senate refused to pass the bill, then the Bush White House said they were going to furnish some sort of aid. So far, they have failed to do so. Could it be that they are coming around to “Country Boy Logic”?

Steinburg : Prejudice could use a little Christmas

The late Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne wrote the music and lyrics to “The Christmas Waltz,” which celebrates in song the wonder, joy, awe and love of this very special time of year. “It’s that time of year when the world falls in love, every song you hear seems to say, Merry Christmas ….” The magic of the season is everywhere, allowing most of us to place our problems, fears, and even our prejudices on hold until after the New Year.

Steinburg : Politics - America’s Cesspool

Recently federal authorities arrested Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich of Illinois on charges that he shamelessly conspired to sell or trade to the highest bidder the open Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama. He was seeking personal benefits for himself and his wife. Blagojevich was overheard on court-authorized wiretaps saying, “I’m going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain.” He added that the seat was “a valuable thing-you just don’t give it away for nothing.”

Raines : Country Boy Logic

I have a friend who loves to discuss things, especially politics. He and I are a lot like Bubba and LeRoy in the “Good Ol’ Boys Gone Bad” column of “The Independent” newspaper. I was going to title this “Redneck Logic”, but I only consider myself a borderline redneck, and he’s more like a “redneck country gentleman”. Rednecks generally don’t think much, and think even less “outside the box.” My friend, whom I’ll call “Bill” looks like a redneck, but enjoys and practices critical thinking and sometimes takes a contrarian viewpoint just for the sake of argument.

Steinburg: Courts Repress Free Speech

Freedom of speech in America may not be dead. But if you live in an area that falls under the jurisdiction of the U. S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals headquartered in Richmond, Va., which includes the Eastern District of North Carolina, you could reasonably conclude justice is hemorrhaging.
December 1st the U. S. Supreme Court [...]

Raines : I told you so…

A Liberal’s View Point
by Mike Raines
Email : raines@nencnews.com
     Most stories like this start off with some variation of “I hate to say I told you so, BUT…” I suppose I’m no exception, but I want to assure you that the reason I hate it is I wish we could have prevented it. Well, guess [...]

Immigration: Melting Pot vs. Boiling Pot

A Conservative’s Viewpoint
     On March 18, 1903, the double-stacked Italian steamer Nord America sailed into New York Harbor with her cargo of Italian immigrants, most of who were traveling in steerage. It was a beautiful day with temperatures in the 50’s. Can you imagine the excitement and visualize the scene as these new arrivals crowded the [...]

Raines : Broken Government

Last week I shared that while I was researching the “Separation Of Powers” doctrine that is one of the underpinnings of our government, I discovered that John Dean has written books titled “Bush-Cheney Presidency: Worse Than Watergate” and “Conservatives without Conscience“. (John Dean was White House Counsel to Richard Nixon.) You may recall that last weeks article dealt with the three branches of government and how the Bush/Cheney presidency has been warping their protective boundaries. If you missed it you can find it and all past articles at: http://liberalviewpoint.home.mchsi.com/home.html. This week I went online to Amazon.com, a convenient, cheap way to buy books, and found his latest book, “Broken Government”, $29.95, Viking Press, 2007. The subtitle is “How Republican Rule Destroyed the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches”. I was shocked – here was a prominent Republican saying almost the same things I had just written about. I immediately ordered it second-day shipping.

Soapbox : Good Jobs

Of late, whenever our county officials bring forward a prospective industry desiring to locate in Currituck, the first words out of our official’s collective mouths is, “[insert this week's candidate] will bring good jobs to Currituck.”
Upon delving deeper beneath the surface of the prospect of good jobs, one is quick to find that the jobs [...]

Soapbox : Just Jokin’

Far too often than not, people explain away public comments with the phrase: “just jokin’”. The reality is that speaking without thinking - shooting off at the mouth - can often get us into trouble.
Your editor can attest to this through first hand experience: after making “off the cuff” comments at a county Airport Board [...]