You almost feel sorry for Bob Odom, the general manager of Titan Cement. He has the job of putting lipstick on a Titanic pig, and has found himself on the wrong side of the Southern Environmental Law Center.

If you don't know SELC, you should. They're one of the most effective environmental organizations in America, using the power of the law to kick butt and take names. In my view, they're brilliant.

This week, an attorney from SELC, Geoff Gisler, submitted a letter to the N.C. Division of Air Quality (DAQ), regarding Odom's recent statement about the ICF International Health Study on the proposed Titan Cement plant. Odom was making the case that the case against Titan is overstated and unreliable. Mr. Gisler begs to disagree.

"Each of Mr. Odom’s assertions fails to affect the findings of ICF International’s analysis,” says Gisler.

You can be sure SELC will not let Titan get away with doubletalk and obfuscation. Not now, not ever.

To read Gisler’s letter to DAQ and his full rebuttal, which includes a line-by-line response to Odom’s assertions, click the links below.

Who should be the next Governor of North Carolina? Take this quick survey or read the full post.

Thank Governor Perdue for her willingness to stand up to the far right over the past year. Sign the petition here or read the full post.

Join us at a protest rally near Charlotte this coming Monday night. Details here or read the full post.

Democrats for Equality is an exciting new project of the Young Democrats of North Carolina. We're launching this campaign because the Executive Committee of the Young Democrats of North Carolina voted unanimously to make defeating the pro-discrimination Constitutional Amendment our foremost priority during the primary season.

Anyone have any intel on Dalton's politics, history, background, etc.?

You know that feeling. The one you get when you go to thank a list of people and just know you're going to leave someone important out. I got that feeling yesterday in the mad rush to promote candidates to run for Governor.  We only have a few weeks before filing begins so the race was on to recruit candidates, promote facebook pages and buy up urls. In the rush I forgot some very important people - women.

Someone threw out Janet Cowell's name and I think Elaine Marshall's name came up, so the rest of you are off the hook. For me, there is absolutely no excuse. I'm the daughter of a female politician for heaven's sake! Today, please allow me to right my wrong. The Democratic Party of North Carolina has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to strong women prepared and qualified to serve this state and its people.

Everything you ever wanted to read about the Big News from yesterday, all below the fold.

Larry Pittman (R - Cabarrus) is so upset over comments from a crazy person on death row that he's ready to resurrect public hangings. So says an email he sent to every member of the North Carolina House.

Yo Larry. Why stop at doctors, dude? Why not execute all those murdering whores who have abortions as well? Seems only right.

A Cabarrus County (Republican) lawmaker wants to bring back public hangings in North Carolina as a deterrent to crime, and he says doctors who perform abortions should be in the line to the gallows.

Bold Progressives has jumped on the idea Brad Miller might consider a run for Governor if encouraged. They have already mailed out a link to their members in North Carolina and I'd like to promote it here.

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Rumors flying fast

North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue (D) is set to announce today that she will not seek reelection in 2012, according to two sources familiar with her plans.

Perdue, who turned 65 earlier this month, was set for a rematch of her 2008 race with former Charlotte mayor Pat McCrory (R), but she has been plagued by low approval ratings and faced some tough odds this year.

Sources say she has labored over her decision about whether to seek a second term. One source said she plans to announce she will step aside in a statement this afternoon.

Update: Please see the following statement from Governor Bev Perdue: