Free Republic

RALEIGH, N.C. -- On Wednesday morning, 23 people will gather in the grand jury room of the federal courthouse on New Bern Avenue. They are ordinary citizens, unremarkable except that their identities are confidential and their work is sealed by law. Behind closed doors, they will begin digging into one of the biggest political scandals to erupt in North Carolina recently: the election campaign of Agriculture Commissioner Meg Scott Phipps. The grand jury is likely to probe much deeper than the State Board of Elections, which in June fined the Phipps campaign $130,000 for "grossly negligent" violations of campaign law,...

<p>CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- A review of the town's rules on political signs sparked by a patriotic banner hung last year after Sept. 11 has ended with a Town Council vote to loosen restrictions.</p> <p>The 8-1 decision last week eliminates the size limit that tripped up Franklin Street restaurant owner Scott Maitland, who hung a banner proclaiming "God Bless America, Woe to Our Enemies."</p>

Primaries prove to be internal struggle for parties By DOUG JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer August 30, 2002   12:05 pm RALEIGH, N.C. -- For most of the past 100 years -- through the birth of aviation, the Depression and two world wars -- Democrats have controlled North Carolina's Legislature.Since 1900, the GOP has managed to claim a majority only in one chamber -- the House -- and only for four years in the 1990s.This year, analysts say, newly redrawn House and Senate districts threaten to end the Democratic reign. And after a century of playing the underdogs, Republicans may...

Aycock bars essay contest after parents complain 8-28-02 By JIM SCHLOSSER, Staff Writer News & Record GREENSBORO -- Aycock Middle School has told the Guilford United Daughters of the Confederacy that the chapter's annual essay contest is no longer welcomed at the school. Aycock history teacher Jean Botzis, in a letter to chapter President Margaret Carver, said that after an Aycock student won local and state UDC essay contests last spring, "I have come to understand more fully the philosophy and goals of the UDC and found them to be against the basic goals of Aycock Middle School." Botzis, who...

 POST-MEETING REPORT:The first meeting of the newly re-organized NC chapter took place at Howlin's house on Saturday, 08/24/2002.This chapter, called the "Old North State Freepers", has over 35 members.The following Freepers attended:Constitution DaymykdsmomHowlinOvertaxedncweaverRightOnlineRightOnlinesWifeFuture Snake EaterlafrosteAlso attending were:lafroste's wife Howlin's husband & mother Future Snake Eater's girlfriendOn the evening of Saturday, August 24, 2002, we all met at Howlin's house in Raleigh.I primarily intended this to be a meeting where we could all get acquainted with one another. Everyone brought an appetizer to eat, and everything was delicious! Some of us brought beer or wine, some did not, but we all...

<p>RALEIGH, N.C. -- A federal grand jury is preparing to investigate the 2000 campaign finances of Agriculture Commissioner Meg Scott Phipps, whose campaign already has been fined by state elections officials.</p> <p>Phipps spokesman Mike Blanton said Tuesday he received a subpoena to testify Sept. 4, as did Alan Foster, a former Phipps campaign aide who also works at the department.</p>

Cuckoo in Carolina By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN he ruckus being raised by conservative Christians over the University of North Carolina's decision to ask incoming students to read a book about the Koran — to stimulate a campus debate — surely has to be one of the most embarrassing moments for America since Sept. 11. Why? Because it exhibits such profound lack of understanding of what America is about, and it exhibits such a chilling mimicry of what the most repressive Arab Muslim states are about. Ask yourself this question: What would Osama bin Laden do if he found out that...

Flag patches on guard's uniform violates state policy The Associated Press August 28, 2002   1:57 am ASHEBORO, N.C. -- A prison guard says he was fired after he had United States and North Carolina flags sewn onto his light blue uniform shirt and refused to remove them.Hayes was fired last month as a corrections officer at the Randolph Correctional Center in Asheboro. He had been told to remove the patches from his state-issued uniform or turn it in."I'm a good officer -- or I was," said Hayes, who lives in Ramseur and worked for the state Department of...

In a 2002 race fraught with state budget, unemployment and agricultural woes, 1st Congressional District Republican candidate Greg Dority believes bringing new jobs to the district is crucial to its survival -- and he is already working on a plan to do it. If elected, Dority plans to create what he deems a win-win economic situation, utilizing empty shell buildings throughout the district in Beaufort, Martin, Pitt, Perquimans and Halifax counties for defense component manufacturing. "(In this race) every one of these politicians, Democrats and Republicans, stand up and they talk about 'We need jobs,' and 'we need economic development.'...

<p>RALEIGH, N.C. -- Think the upcoming election would force state legislators to conclude their budget negotiations, adjourn and go home? Think again.</p> <p>With the Sept. 10 primaries just two weeks away, House and Senate negotiators haven't agreed on the most fundamental of prerequisites for a budget - how much money they have to spend.</p>

Good afternoon North Carolina FReepers!I sent out an e-mail to members of the Old North State Chapter back on August 10th.I only got a handful of responses and someone suggested I should post an announcement on the main board, as well.So, here are the particulars: WHAT: First chapter meeting of Old North State Chapter. WHERE: Howlin's house (see directions & Yahoo map link when you log into Freeper.org)YOUR FR SCREEN NAME /PASSWORD WILL NOT WORK UNLESS YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE FORUM! WHEN: 6:00 P.M. on Saturday, August 24th, 2002 WHY: Get-acquainted meeting, along w/ discussion of upcoming NC...

<p>RALEIGH, N.C. -- The focus of the lottery debate has shifted away from making big bucks and toward the politics of the November election.</p> <p>A lottery referendum has been pending before the N.C. full House for more than a month, but supporters of the lottery may get it on the November ballot.</p>

<p>RALEIGH, N.C. -- Supporters of a referendum on an educational lottery have refocused their campaign on the two or three House members whose votes are needed for the measure to pass.</p> <p>Petitions containing the names of 7,500 people who want to vote on an education lottery were hand-delivered to Triangle lawmakers on Tuesday.</p>

State treasurer's adviser to get up $250,000 a year The Associated Press August 20, 2002   12:23 pm RALEIGH, N.C. -- State Treasurer Richard Moore has agreed to pay a senior adviser as much as $250,000 year at a time when state workers aren't getting raises and in some cases, are losing their jobs.Moore says he must pay that much to retain Andy Silton, his senior investment adviser, because that salary is on par with the chief financial officers at other state pension plans. Silton will manage more than $60 billion in pension and other state investments."Now, more than...

Mon, August 19, 2002Edwards:Sept. 11 is not election issueVoters are focused on family, economy, education, he says THE ASSOCIATED PRESS DES MOINES, IowaThe looming anniversary of terrorist attacks in New York and Washington will do little to reshape the debate in this year's midterm election, Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., said yesterday."I don't think it will change anything," Edwards said. "We have already been focused on making sure we do what we need to do in the war on terrorism to protect the American people. I don't think that will change."Edwards spoke during an interview as he wrapped up a three-day...

Opinion NEW YORK, Aug 19, 2002 -- Moody's has downgraded the state of North Carolina's General Obligation rating to Aa1, from Aaa, affecting $3.5 billion of long-term debt. The rating change reflects the state's continued budget pressure, its reliance on non-recurring revenues, and its weakened balance sheet. The task of restoring structural budget balance and rebuilding reserves faces political and economic obstacles. The state is considering actions which over time could help to restore fiscal stability and rebuild reserves. Future rating considerations will take into account the state's economic and fiscal progress and the impact on future financial results. The...

Mandating the Koran When a state university requires students to immerse themselves in the study of a particular religion, it can expect trouble. That's exactly what the University of North Carolina got for its summer reading requirement that all incoming freshmen read portions of the Koran and commentary by a religious scholar. The school now faces a lawsuit from a group of students and alumni, charging violations of the First Amendment. This university exercise in compulsory religious study is strange enough. But no less so than the acquiescent response of those civil liberties watchdogs usually ever alert to the danger...

Woman admits to faking hate crime The Associated Press August 9, 2002   11:22 am CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A former Huntersville woman has admitted faking a hate crime at her home two years ago to collect insurance money.Jaelynn Sealey, 35, pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court, crying throughout the hearing. She will be sentenced in about two months and could face prison time.She will have to repay $2,225 given to her family by neighbors and others when they thought someone had burned the Sealeys' car and painted racial slurs on their garage.Within hours after Sealey called 911 on...

<p>RALEIGH, N.C. -- A college religion professor defended his book on the Quran on Thursday, a day after state legislators voted to ban public money for a freshman reading assignment centered on the text.</p> <p>Michael Sells' book "Approaching the Qur'an: The Early Revelations," is required reading for about 4,200 incoming freshmen and transfer students at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill this month. New students may decline to read the book and write essays explaining their decision.</p>

Slain Army wives wanted to leave marriages, newspaper reports Post review to look at how military deals with marital problems 08/05/2002 Associated Press FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Four Army wives who investigators say were killed by their husbands all wanted to get out of their marriages, a newspaper reported Sunday. The deaths at Fort Bragg in June and July have prompted post officials to promise a review that will include how the military deals with marital problems. Three of the husbands were special operations soldiers who had been deployed to Afghanistan, but investigators discounted a direct connection to wartime service....