Nc Politics

We'll start with a chain of causality:

“We need to quit treating ‘union’ like it’s a four-letter word. And folks, I am not just talking about... http://t.co/1ExSkOuUwO

— NC State AFL-CIO (@NCStateAFLCIO) March 3, 2014

Prejudice against unions in North Carolina is both persistent and illogical. What has being the least-unionized state in the country brought us? Better and more secure jobs? Oh, hell no:

We'll start with an unfortunate truth:

Where are the women in North Carolina politics? http://t.co/hu7dkmulLP (via @newsobserver) #ncpol

— Women AdvaNCe (@WomenAdvanceNC) February 25, 2014

The short answer? North Carolina's outdated yet persistent patriarchal society is well-represented in our business community, and those wealthy (white) men are loath to give up their dominance by nominating or supporting women candidates for office. Aside from the sexist angle, these men fear the variables that would result, like the propensity for doing the right thing. Don't like that opinion? Prove me wrong. Please.

Everybody's a critic:

@JamesProtzman But #BlueNC seems more interested in preaching to choir than in being effective, making change or elevating the dialogue.

— ModernSouth (@TheModernSouth) February 16, 2014

If by "elevating the dialogue" you mean ignoring all but the worst examples of prejudicial human behaviors, and/or trying to carry on an intelligent conversation with somebody who would conceal their bigotry by spinning a convoluted argument that employs slippery-slopes that don't exist and red herrings marrying bluefin tuna (or is it tunas?), then no. We won't be elevating the dialogue anytime soon.

Chavis tells AP: "I support and share the leadership vision" of Voller, NC Dems. Won't say if he's next ED. http://t.co/e7t9shH8sQ #ncpol

— Gary Robertson (@garydrobertson) February 11, 2014

And...what is that vision? To keep everybody guessing as to what may happen next?

More details on Duke Energy's coal ash spill:

50,000 to 82,000 tons of coal ash have spilled into Dan River from broken pipe at closed Duke Energy plant http://t.co/wkw0IZ3QaS #ncpol

— The Carolina Mercury (@NCMercury) February 4, 2014

Note to reporters: this is not just a "North Carolina river", it originates in Virginia and crosses the state line a couple of times before ending back in Virginia. And this contamination is headed for downtown Danville as we speak, if it hasn't already arrived. Not one of our finest hours.

Raleigh, NC — As the future of fracking in North Carolina hangs in the balance, residents in Pennsylvania, where drillers are already running roughshod, recounted their stories of illness, water contamination, and damage to their livelihoods from fracking and drilling operations. Environment North Carolina Research & Policy Center released “Shalefield Stories” as the latest evidence that the controversial drilling practice should be kept far away from our water and communities.

“We’ve seen the environmental devastation of fracking add up across the country. But beneath the numbers are real people like Judy from Bradford County whose tap water became contaminated with barium and arsenic after the drillers started fracking on her land,” said Liz Kazal, field associate from Environment North Carolina Research & Policy Center. “These are their stories, and it is our responsibility to heed their words of warning on fracking.”

We'll begin with a head-scratcher:

SEANC is applying pressure to the State Treasurer's office bc the retirement fund is poorly managed via @richardswarr http://t.co/1UghC3CZ8r

— SEANC (@SEANC2008) January 26, 2014

If you want to talk about "poorly managed", I'd say allowing an out-of-state company who disguises massive interest rates by selling people appliances at nearly twice their retail value would be a good place to start. As to a pension plan that has performed well above average, quoting a dubious study with laughable observations like this:

As the GOP's misguided tax "reform" package begins to kick in, the debate of such ensues on Twitter:

@RepDavidRLewis you should have your kids explain effective tax rates to you: http://t.co/hsx2jIdB7u or is that "willful ignorance?" #ncpol

— casey (@antipyrine) January 21, 2014

And when the Legislature's own researchers tell the truth:

A little civic action to warm up your day:

#RT Action Alert Stand against polluters & defend #nhc permit for heavy industries https://t.co/FBIuW0d26c @NCCoastalfed @SierraClubNC

— Stop Titan (@stoptitan) January 7, 2014

And here's why you should:

Not sure I really want to look back, but here we go:

most clicked #NCPOL stories in Under the Dome (kind of sums up the year in NC politics) http://t.co/cge94Hg2Ik h/t @PostReid #NCGA

— Jonathan Kappler (@jonathankappler) December 31, 2013

Should have been #1: