This landed in my email inbox. I’ve shortened it some.
Ronald Reagan Building
Washington, D.C.
May 18, 2012, 10:08 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much [...] We were originally going to convene, along with the G8, in Chicago. But since we’re not doing this in my hometown, I wanted to bring a little bit of Chicago to Washington. (Laughter.) It is wonderful to see all of you. It is great to see quite a few young people here as well. And I want to acknowledge a good friend. We were just talking backstage — he was my inspiration for singing at the Apollo — (laughter) — Bono is here, and it is good to see him. (Applause.)
Now, this weekend at the G8, we’ll be represented by many of the world’s largest economies. We face urgent challenges — creating jobs, addressing the situation in the eurozone, sustaining the global economic recovery. But even as we deal with these issues, I felt it was also important, also critical to focus on the urgent challenge that confronts some 1 billion men, women and children around the world — the injustice of chronic hunger; the need for long-term food security.
So tomorrow at the G8, we’re going to devote a special session to this challenge. We’re launching a major new partnership to reduce hunger and lift tens of millions of people from poverty. And we’ll be joined by leaders from across Africa, including the first three nations to undertake this effort and who join us here today — I want to acknowledge them: Prime Minister Meles of Ethiopia — (applause) — President Mills of Ghana — (applause) — and President Kikwete of Tanzania. (Applause.) Welcome.
Pat McCrory’s Ethics and Transparency Under Fire
By · CommentsRepublican candidate for Governor, Pat McCrory, is being taken to task over his financial relationship with a mortgage lender. The news report below investigates the claims and then goes one further, scrutinizing McCrory’s unwillingness to release his tax records. It’s all very fishy. Kudos to WTVD for doing the legwork to actually investigate rather than just doing a he said-he said story.
‘But I Stand By What I Said Whatever It Was’
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Friday Open Thread
By · CommentsOne year ago today at ScruHoo, “Moffitt Bill Passes”:
You will get to vote for only three of the newly expanded seven member County Commission. Your voting rights have been successfully attacked and taken from you without your consent.
Here’s your thread. You can use it to rant, woolgather, opine, castigate, or any number of things. Your comments will create exactly as many jobs as Rep. Moffitt has with his bills to seize Asheville’s water, divide our county, and slash education funding.
All of that aside, it’s shaping up to be a beautiful weekend. I’m going to be a part of a panel on permaculture tomorrow at 11am at the Rev. Wesley Grant Center, and then I’m thinking of attending the ribbon cutting for the new 18-hole disc golf course at Enka High School. You?
Asheville City Council Agenda 5.22.12
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Wait. That's not us. Ignore this picture altogether.
The Consent Agenda usually has items A through G or I or J. This week we’re going to O.
We’re going to hear about the APD Evidence Room Management Plan. There will be five public hearings including the 2012-2013 budget and whether to ban future billboards in Asheville. We’ll also vote on outside agency grants. Big doin’s. Please leave your questions, suggestions, requests, and concerns in the comments.
The TED Talk You Weren’t Supposed To See
By · CommentsSo says Adam Mordecai:
Nick Hanauer, self-described “super-rich” entrepreneur, gave a pretty compelling TED Talk about how the middle class—not the super-rich—are the real job creators. But TED, which has released over 100 different political videos in the past, thought this one was too partisan and chose not to release it.
Under pressure, they eventually did. Here it is anyway. Enjoy.
The Queen of Disco is Gone
By · CommentsSadly, Donna Summer passed away today at age 63. She will be remembered by many of us fondly forever — or at least those of us old enough to remember polyester shirts and platform shoes, like Tom Sullivan.
Now, here’s Miss Donna Summer with one of the greatest songs of all time, Hot Stuff from 1979:
WE DO video: What happened across NC last week
By · CommentsCheck out this new video about stage 3 of the WE DO Campaign, which took place across North Carolina – including Asheville, Bakersville and Marshall – from May 9th to May 15th.
In 8 towns and cities across North Carolina, 38 LGBT couples and hundreds of supporters stood up calling for full equality under federal law. Together, we made it clear that Amendment One’s passage was not the end of the story. In fact, we’re just getting started with this movement calling for full equality under federal law.
Priorities
By · CommentsYour North Carolina General Assembly is back for their short session. You can see Nelda Holder’s preview of the session here. These headlines jumped off the page yesterday and today:
In North Carolina, the GOP is intent on maintaining short-sighted cuts to our children’s education system, but increasing revenue for roads is a-ok. WRAL:
“My guess is it’s (gas tax) going to be something that’s focused on freezing at whatever rate that it’s projected to go down to in July and then freezing it.” Current plans, he said, call for freezing the gas tax for one year and then rewriting the gas tax law as part of a comprehensive tax reform plan the GOP wants to roll out next year. “We have inadequate money going to road projects,” Tillis added. “We’ve got to think about how tolls, gas tax, and other sources of revenue can help us overcome that gap.”
James O’Keefe made a video to bolster the case for NC Voter ID laws. O’Keefe has become notorious for his disinformation campaigns in efforts to further restrict voting. Think Progress:
