Endorsements, please!

We have a big primary in North Carolina this year. I'm overseas and will be voting as soon as I get that ballot in hand. So, please share your endorsements here! Especially for the local and state offices; I'm already pretty clear on the presidential primary.

Editor's note: Joan wrote this a month ago, when many of us hadn't made up our minds. I think now people will have more to say. Consider this an official special rules thread. That is: You may only mention candidates that you are endorsing, please do not discuss people you don't support or why you don't support them. Comments that don't follow these guidelines will be removed. Thanks. =Ruby

Issues: 

Comments

I support the Sierra Club endorsees in all applicable races, which include Dan Besse for Lt. Governor, Janet Cowell for Treasurer, local Representatives Joe Hackney and Verla Insko, Senator Ellie Kinnaird, County Commissioner Candidate Bernadette Pelissier, and Commissioner Candidates Pam Hemminger and Valerie Foushee (though they won't be appearing on the ballot, lacking opposition).

Outside of those races, I'm voting for Page Vernon for District Court 15-B, because lacking other criteria to base a vote for judge on, she has what to me appears to be the most extensive background and service record, though I think Glenn Gerding would do a great job too.

Since this is a local site, I won't comment on my endorsements in other state races, but I have posted my preferences elsewhere.

Last, but certainly not least, I'm voting strongly in favor of the Land Transfer Tax. Rather than give you an unnecessarily long diatribe here, I'll point you to a website I've set up on behalf of Orange Citizens for Schools and Parks which hopefully will help to make the case that the LTT is the least regressive of available options.

I just got my ballot about ten minutes ago, so this timing is perfect (it was mailed March 20). Thanks, all, for your endorsements.

She has been the most effective State Senator in N.C. history when it comes to progressive issues. Despite the overall conservative, tunnel-visioned legislature down through the years, she has managed to secure leadership positions, advanced key environmental, social, educational, and health issues, shepherded an astounding number of her positions into law, and remained true to her progressive roots despite the constant pressure to "go-along, get-along" in the legislative club.

We cannot afford to squander the gains she has made in overall effectivenss as a legislator and leadership positioning in the Senate by not sending her back for another term.  

 

Neloa Jones, a strong articulate advocate and activist for her community, has proven that she would be a tremendous positive force on the BOCC, bringing a level of integrity, critical and independent thinking that is sorely needed. Along with being fiercely intelligent and independent she thoroughly educates herself on any issue before offering an opinion. It is also obvious that along with her analytical talents she displays great empathy for all people and would base her advocacies on the citizen's interests and not special interests or her own political career.

DTH published an interview with Neloa Jones that is worth reading.: http://media.www.dailytarheel.com/media/storage/paper885/news/2008/04/18/City/Jones.Highlights.Activism-3334659.shtml

Neloa desearves support from all residents of Orange County.

Dave, I appreciate the information. One thought for you, though: "articulate" seems only to be used in American politics when describing an African American person. It's a bit of a loaded term, racially. You may want to consider not using that term. And it certainly wouldn't weaken your endorsement to leave it out. 
It saddens me to think that calling someone articulate might be considered racist in some way.  Many white American politicians, from Adlai Stevenson to Bill Clinton have been described as "articulate."  I don't see a problem calling someone black "articulate" unless you're simultaneously implying that most black people are inarticulate--which was clearly not the case in Dave's endorsement.

Take note, though, Jim, that Joan didn't call anyone racist.  She's just pointing out that the word can be loaded.  And give both Joan and Dave credit for the fact that neither of them went off the deep end on the issue.  They are just discussing it.

 

Notice this however, I ran two google searches:

 "Hillary Clinton" articulate - I got 147,000 hits

"Barack Obama" articulate - I got 578,000 hits

What is that about if not the issue that Joan and Dave are discussing?

Mark, please note that I was not chastising Joan in any way.  Indeed, I applaud both Joan and Dave for being so respectful (and articulate).  Also note that I have no doubt that some people have used the word "articulate" to describe Obama in such a way that implies that most black people are not articulate.  I condemn such speech.  But it doesn't make Obama or others any less articulate.

If someone is using the word "articulate" in such a way that seems to have racist implications or overtones, we should call them on it.  But it doesn't mean that "articulate" has to be a loaded word.

I tried your Google searches and got rather different results:

 "Barack Obama" articulate: 164,000 hits

"Hillary Clinton" articulate: 146,000 hits

I get the same results that you do.  Not sure what I did differently yesterday. 

 

Good points all round about the dialogue.

Obama really is a lot more articulate than Hillary Clinton.  You could put the guys face in the dictionary next to the word.  He's just a great speaker.  But that said, I definitely get why some people would be suspicious of possible subtext behind that word in reference to an African American.  It's something to consider.

For more on this issue, well known within the black community, I offer up some recent analysis of the overuse of "articulate" to describe Barack Obama.
For those of you who do not quite understand what is so problematic about the word “articulate” being used on Barack Obama, it would do you well to talk to a group of educated black Americans to understand how this seemingly harmless compliment can be perceived as something entirely different than a positive characterization of one’s oratory abilities. Or, you can always enter in the phrase “you speak so well” +black into a Google search query to see what I’m talking about.
Check out the whole article, "Barack Obama is AWB: Articulate While Black," by Philip Arthur Moore, along with the interesting comments, at Racialicious: http://www.racialicious.com/2007/01/25/barack-obama-is-awb-articulate-while-black/ Here's Eugene Robinson from the Washington Post on the same topic:
Articulate is really a shorthand way of describing a black person who isn't too black -- or, rather, who comports with white America's notion of how a black person should come across. Whatever the intention, expressing one's astonishment that such individuals exist is no compliment. Just come out and say it: Gee, he doesn't sound black at all.
The full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/01/AR2007020101495.html

Joan, I appreciate your comments. I am usually sensitive to words, given the makeup of my family. My wife keeps a baseball bat handy in case I get out of line.

However, given the state of our primary and secondary education system as most professors and employers will tell you, being inarticulate is shared by folks of all ethnic backgrounds. Having been in the position of interviewing potential employees, noting that a candidate was articulate or not was part of the evaluation. It was not surprising that some college graduates could not write a complete sentence.

In fact, we have to look no further than our current president, which as Mark pointed out is in direct contrast to his predecessor. Personally, I have my own problems getting out my ideas and am always impressed by those who seem to have the skills. And Neloa's presentation to the all governements meeting was impressive.

I wonder if texting will become the new standard. OMG.

It really gets wearisome having to keep up with all the manners in which thin skinned peoples of all races, cultures, ethnicities, genders, political bents, religions, languages and toenail lengths can come up with to take offense when none is intended. Will we ever grow past the politics of assuming victim status whenever it's politically expedient?

I believe that giving in to this growing list of politically correct and politically incorrect speech is a very vile form of racism and in some cases sexism in and of itself.

 

 

Joan is not being "politically correct". What ever that is. (IMHO That phrase is just conservative talk to bash Liberals and to protect their hate speech.) Its easy not to understand the subtlety of language when race is involved. To accuse people of the very thing that folks like Joan are commenting AGAINST is a serious form of ignorance. Its Rovian doublespeak ala 1984! It does such harm to ignore the concern of anti-racists like Joan. The very dismissal of her comments is just disgusting!

We will may get over racist speech when black and brown folks have more justice in this world. Go ask people what they think about the ignorant slip that davepr made... My guess is many of the folks who come to the polls May 6 are doing so because racial equality in the US doesn't exist as it should!

To tell the truth I don't think Joan has any "politically expedient" reason to comment. She's not a political ally of Nola's, as far as I know. Not everyone who comments on here has some agenda against your position.

Brian, I keep trying to awake from my ignorance. It is a life long struggle.
Davepr, I intend no disrespect towards you. I learn a lot every day too and am glad for it. Peace.

Even though we may be selling our home soon, I am probably voting YES on the LTT.  It just seems like the right thing to do, even though I don't make much money and could use the extra equity, but hey!

Also, for Lt. Governor, I am endorsing Hampton Dellinger because I am a volunteer for him for the following reasons: he is extremely intelligent, progressive, experienced in the governor's office, and will always do the right thing.  These groups/folks feel the same way:

Dr. John Hope Franklin
NC AFL-CIO
Al Gore
NARAL Pro-Choice North Crolina
American Federation of Teachers

Mecklenburg Black Caucus
North Carolina Police Benevolent Association
Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People
Communications Workers of America (CWA)

United Transportation (UTU) Union

Eastern North Carolina Civic League
People's Alliance of Durham

 

 

Does anyone have any insite into the candidates for District 2 BOCC?  I have to agree with the Sierra Club so far...I cannot find a candidate in this race I care to vote for :(  I don't want to "not vote" but .........

Leo is far and away the best choice, he has been involved in a number of projects in the Efland area, he has been on the planning board as well as a number of others. See his website, www.leoallison.com

 

Leo will not "go along to get along" but he will be collegial and with a larger board, this is even more important.

 

Let me also put in a good word for Dan Besse for Lt. Gov. I have never seen a harder working candidate than Dan and combined with his experience in environmental issues and his service on the W-S city council, he is the best choice.

Mr. Falduto, I support Leo Allison as well. I don't recall serving with him but I have seen Mr. Allison in a number of meetings and he strikes me as an even handed leader who will listen to others before expressing his opinion. I hope I get the opportunity to vote for Mr. Allison in November.

Patrick Mulkey

Let me remind you there are special rules on this thread. Please don't discuss (especially negatively) any candidates who you are not endorsing or supporting.  Thanks.
I’m supporting Steve Yuhasz District 2 Commissioner.  Steve is a surveyor and attorney whose company, ENT Land Surveys, has been based in Hillsborough close to twenty years. He served on the county’s planning board for six years and the economic development commission for three years. Now that a majority of the commissioners are committed to bringing the county’s three economic development districts online, I believe the board would be well served by Steve’s experience in navigating the county’s project approval and permitting procedures and his goal of increasing the county’s non-residential tax base. And for those who believe in expedited review for projects that meet county goals like affordable housing and economic development, Steve’s experience should prove invaluable in implementing streamlined procedures. 

In addition, I think his success being a small business owner and a graduate of NCCU’s night law school indicates he will be able to sustain the commitment needed to be an effective county commissioner.

Allan Rosen

OK, I just voted and I had to make some hard decisions. There were two races where I liked both candidates so much that my choice was nearly arbitrary. Those are the ones with the slash (/).

Democratic ballot (front):
Obama, Neal, Perdue, Besse
Wood, Goodwin, Donnan, Atkinson, Cowell
Kinnaird, Pelissier/Jones

Nonpartisan ballot (back):
Wynn, Ruth, Gerding/Vernon
FOR the land transfer tax

Go vote!

anybody have input on these?:

Governor: Moore or Perdue? (I'm leaning towards just skipping this one)

Lt. Gov: Dellinger or Besse? (I'm leaning Dellinger)

Commissioner of Labor: M.F. Donnan or R. Anderson?

Superintendent of Public Instruction: E. Davis or J.S.C. Atkinson?

 

From http://www.theroot.com/id/47264 : 

"A tone-deaf white person who refers to a successful black person as 'articulate' is called a condescending racist, when the person either spoke without thinking of the connotation or was unaware of it. If a white person is called out for saying something insensitive, the clichéd response is: 'Well, I can't be racist; I mean, I have black friends!'"

the fact is we've spent the past 8 years under a president who butchers the English language. While some white folks may use "articulate" as an insult in the language of condescending racism, others could mean it as praise in the language of comparative politics.

Terri and Catherine, I don't mean to imply anything by providing the link.  It just seemed relevant to the prior discussion.   It's a semantic discussion, but that doesn't mean it is unimportant.

Okay Mark, I'll take you up on this.  I've had many rich and discouraging conversations during the past month with Southern white Obama supporters like myself who outspokenly fear the influence/impact of deep-seated racism on this election.  We've had a taste of it already, with all the press about Reverend Wright, that misguided New Yorker cover, and jokes on the Daily Show.  We have three months to wrestle this issue to the ground before the November election.  No more cliches.  This is the real deal! 
I think the less offensive word is "eloquent" which is not technically a synoym for "articulate." 
 

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