Okay, so I'm a teacher and I've begun setting up my classroom and have been very busy getting prepared for the new school year.  I'm very excited about it!

However, Tuesday night I received a local call and answered it and it was a volunteer for Barack Obama wanting to know if I could give some time to come into the office and volunteer.  Part of me was a little nervous because I didn't know how or what to do - especially canvassing, that really scares me.  So, I gave the line that I was very busy with the new school year (which is mainly true) and my time was limited.

Some very creative people in Charlotte created a very funny comic story of what really goes on in the world of giant banks.

So that is really what happens to pension funds and mortgages.   Hopefully not.

The Charlotte Observer, North Carolina's largest newspaper, has endorsed Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination for president.

Do the Democrats need a restoration of the past, or is it time for a change? We think it's time for a change. We recommend a vote for Barack Obama in Tuesday's primary.

So if you're planning to come to NC this weekend, and specifically the Charlotte area, why not check out a wonderful event just fifteen short miles from downtown, in beautiful Weddington?  drumSTRONG, a 26-hour drum-a-thon, will be held in the pastures of Misty Meadows Farm on Providence Road, beginning at 1:00 PM Saturday, May 3rd (although other activities begin at 11:00 AM).  And just what's the point of all this drumming?

drumSTRONG™ is an event that encourages people of all ages to focus attention on cancer awareness, education, support and funding for cancer concerns.

One-half of the funds raised will benefit the Levine Children’s Hospital - Hematology/Oncology Center at Carolinas Medical Center. The other half will go to the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

Today, BET founder, Clinton supporter, and Charlotte Bobcats owner Bob Johnson said this about Geraldine Ferraro's comments:

Geraldine Ferraro said it right. The problem is Geraldine Ferraro is white. This campaign has such a hair trigger on anything racial. It is almost impossible for anybody to say anything.

Well, I'm a Bobcats season ticketholder and I cannot hold my tongue anymore.  Mr. Johnson has made some egregious comments during the election (comparing Obama to Sidney Poitier in 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner'), and was one of the people who signed that infamous letter to Nancy Pelosi.

Enough is enough.

I don't think my provocative headline is too out of line given the facts of this story:

Charlotte Teen Dies After Taser Shock At Work
Posted by: Cami  Marshall, Web Producer     10 hrs ago (3/21/2008 8:08:47 AM)

A 17-year-old was killed by a police taser after a confrontation with his manager at the grocery store where he works.

Charlotte, NC -- A Charlotte teenager has died after being shocked with a Taser during a confrontation with police at the grocery store where he worked.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said 17-year-old Darryl Wayne died Thursday. An autopsy is pending.

The Charlotte Observer reported Friday that officers responded to a call at a Food Lion and saw Turner throwing something at a store manager.

Police said Turner appeared agitated, refused their commands and advanced toward an officer before the Taser was used.

Turner's mother, Tammy Fontenot, said her son told her earlier in the day that he had stolen Hot Pockets from the store and feared disciplinary action. Fontenot said she told him to go back to the store to face what happened.

Source: Associated Press

Good morning.  I was able to attend the Obama town hall in Charlotte yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon.  A couple of thoughts on the event below the fold...

According to mapquest.com, it is approximately 99 miles from my doorstep to the Grady Cole Center in Charlotte.  I know this because two days ago I reserved a ticket to the Barack Obama Town Hall being held there.  

Today was going to be a big day for me.  I asked for the day off, filled the car up with gas and packed some snacks to get through what I was sure to be a long wait in line.  Last night I set my alarm clock for 7:15, intending to wake up and be in Charlotte by 9am at the latest.

It was the chance to see Barack the day after his "More Perfect Union" speech, and the rarity of NC having anything to do with a national election only made it better.  So when the alarm clock went off this morning, I hurried up and got ready, putting on the outfit I had set aside the night before.  I made sure that I had my ticket, along with the Mapquest directions, and I headed out the door.

It was already warm outside, though the sky foretold of storms later to come.  I had bought a large golf umbrella the night before, just in case, and I was prepared.  I made my way out to my car, opening it with the keyless entry and sat down in the driver's seat.

Hello all.  Wanted to share this piece of good news with everyone.  It's actually great news. Charlotte, NC has finally adopted an Anti Bullying Policy

Bush critic to run for Congress

"I have never felt more ashamed of, nor more frightened, by my leadership in Washington, including the presidency," Harry Taylor proceeded to tell the president. "And I would hope from time to time that you have the humility and the grace to be ashamed of yourself." - Charlotte observer

Harry was the tipping point. He was the first person to publically question the authority of the president. He paved the way; took the risk; spoke the truth to power. Now he is running for congress and seeks your support.

Do the right thing. Give what you can. Dare to question.

http://www.actblue.com/...

Vets helping Vets and themselves. Nothing new there, that's what happens when Veterans return from conflicts especially.

The last show they talked about a number of things but most on their agenda is fighting for educational benefits for the returning Veterans of these present day conflicts.

In the last show they showed their feelings, especially about Iraq. This show is no differant they go after the truth!

Remember The Smallpox Hoax on the plane in Charlotte ? A drunk on a plane claimed to have smallpox, and shut the airport down.

Now you'd think the person who did this would be up for heavy jailtime. After all People have been shot dead on the mere suspicion of having a bomb. So surely a person who commited a hoax like this would be in some serious trouble.

All charges have been dropped and the investigation has been closed. The U.S. Attorney in Charlotte will not file charges for disruption of the flight, nor any terroristic threat charges.

Not suprising when you find out that the person who made this threat is Rear Adm. Brian Brannman of the U.S. Navy, who is the Director of the Navy Medical Service Corps.

This week's print column is a bit of a round up starting with anouther round of voting machine changes triggered by screwed up votes and a new report.
Here's the link to the exile on jones street (cruise around, have fun).
Here's the text:

Touch-screen machines get a big 'No' vote

Touch-screen voting machines suck, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology. While I'm paraphrasing a bit, the federal agency has compiled a draft report that says touch-screen machines without a verifiable paper trail "in practical terms cannot be secure." The report, headed to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, also says that it is not feasible to make touch-screen machines verifiable. Draw your own conclusions to what that means (be sure to use a pen and paper if you want it to last).

Verified vote backers agree with the institute study and in North Carolina are pushing for low-tech solutions like optical scanners, which blend electronic tabulation with a paper ballot that can be reviewed in event of a discrepancy or challenge.

Mahesh Chavda is pastor of one of the Charlotte area's more prominent charismatic churches, All Nations Church.  Even though he barely registers as a blip on the Charlotte religious scene, he's very well-known in charismatic circles.  I actually liked the guy--until I checked out one of his books, Watch of the Lord (named for his Friday-night prayer and praise sessions) and happened to read this:

Visit the Charlotte Greens Site

Charlotte Rally for Impeachment

Charlotte area organizations are joining forces to protest the illegal and un-American actions of President Bush and Vice President Cheney. Civil rights leaders, anti-war activists, Iraq War veterans, legal experts, musicians and Americans of all stripes who believe in defending the Constitution will rally to call on the U.S. House of Representatives to launch impeachment hearings. This important regional event will be held in Freedom Park on September 30, 2006 at 1:00 PM.

Read the article excerpts below:

Last month, WBT in Charlotte got a new local talk-radio right-wing nutjob.  Jason Lewis returned to his old station in the Twin Cities in August.  His replacement?  Jeff Katz, late of KGO in San Francisco.  While on a drive, I happened to tune in Katz' show, and while he was announcing plans to be at the Pentagon on Monday for the five-year anniversary of 9-11, he basically said that al-Qaeda and the like aren't dying for a religion--they're dying for Islam.

I nearly ran off the road--maybe because I'm not used to listening to wingnut radio on a regular basis, but I couldn't believe what I'd just heard.  I apologize to Katz and WBT in advance if I heard wrong, but if I didn't, Katz has only taken a month here to cross the line.

Albemarle is the county seat of Stanly County, recently sharing the spotlight with the American Idol star, Kelly Pickler.  Albemarle was formed in 1842 when the Hearne family donated their land and it was divided up into plots for the new town. Too many people only know of the Albemarle along 24/27, the Albemarle Road to Charlotte.  Get off the beaten path and go downtown and you will find a pretty little town that seems to have made all the right planning choices.  Their streets are wide with minimal traffic.  There is plenty of parking and the shops that line the streets are locally owned.