James Protzman's blog

I don't care what they say, I ain't movin' to England.

The Dome reports today that Karl Rove, who masterminded the decline and fall of American civilization, thinks our own Senator Burr should be the new face of the Republican Party. I have to say, I love this idea. A sitting Senator who recently gushed all over Governor Sarah Palin at a campaign rally, introducing her to adoring fans as a "gun totin' mama"? What could be better than that? Dick Burr seems to be the perfect figurehead to showcase the intellectual void of the right wing fringe.

Greensboro editors say, "People just have to extend more common courtesies to one another, putting the Golden Rule into everyday practice." Duh.

Carter Wrenn wonders what's wrong with this picture.

The Asheville paper says budget cuts shouldn't gut mental health - again.

Jack Betts has a typo in his ode to Ferrel Guillory.

Fayetteville editors like gleaning.

Or at least tries too. Here's the story, from public editor Ted Vaden.

Sup.

I guess it's officially holiday season? Our freshman daughter has been home for four days and heads back to college tomorrow. It's been really fun having her home. She'll be back in less than three weeks for Christmas break.

I'm increasingly of the opinion that life is either completely filled (you're alive) or not (you're dead). The real question is ... filled with what?

That raises a dilemma though, because it requires asking "Is life a zero sum game?" That is, if you fill life with X, does that mean you don't get to fill it with Y, Z, R and whatever? Or is it more likely the case that you can fill it with anything and everything you want?

I honestly don't know what I'm searching for here, but if you find it, let me know.

As you can see, we're still under construction, so traffic is low and slow. Soon we'll have a new -and-improved BlueNC ... for which we can all thank Betsy Muse! In the meantime, may your days be blessed and happy.

James

This one from Rob Schofield ... ripped off in its entirety without permission.

An open letter to the Governor-elect

Dear Governor-elect Perdue:

It's been pretty crazy around here the last three weeks. What with the economic meltdown, the dramatic change in Washington and then the state budget shortfall and all of the news surrounding your soon-to-be administration here in Raleigh, some of us progressives have forgotten our manners.

We launched right into a series of critiques of your campaign and your initial statements and actions after the election without even taking a step back and saying some basic things that need to be said. Sorry about that. This can happen when you care a lot - or as one conservative Republican lawmaker told us the other day in a rather strange email, "have such hatred in your heart." (We don't actually, and will try to take the attack as a compliment).

Anyway, we never congratulated you on your victory. You beat two formidable and accomplished politicians in a pair of tough, hard fought campaigns. In a year that everyone agreed was about "change" you figured out a way to win as a familiar figure running on a statewide ballot for the third consecutive election.

Friday funnies at the Puppetshow, courtesy of Sir Jack the Hawke.

I hate to be meeting like this, but hey, a guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do to be noticed. Right?

NC Republican woman say lay off Sarah Palin. Hilarous!

As part of my book marketing plan, I'm getting some static-cling bumper stickers created. Every book will come with one.

I'd love to get your feedback about which is your favorite ... if any.

For all the talk about energy savings in today's political environment, effective actions are few and far between. So when a simple opportunity to save millions of dollars in energy costs comes along, we should take advantage of it. North Carolina should abandon the outdated and misguided practice of Daylight Savings Time.