The Triangle Business Journal is reporting that Wachovia had to break off a relationship with a bank based in the Middle East because of allegations that the bank was laundering money for Hezbollah. At this point, I do not know how to comment on the issue. I was thinking: it is a small world, or isn't it nice how global the modern world is. But to be fair, it seems that Wachovia had no involvement and behaved in the appropriate way in cutting off the relationship. I guess this is just one of those

I started this as a comment to SD's new "hearts and halo" photoshop post. My "comment" took on a life of it's own - flowing uncontrollably out my fingers - and soon it was no longer a comment. It was a blog post. Some thoughts here echo what's been touched on by Robert P., momo and others. [AND ... at the end, there's an invitation to join us today at the Johnston County Democratic Party headquarters in Clayton.]

This, the week of the Photoshop flames at bluenc, with the Edwards pics and "Dear John," letters from SD has been amazing to watch - in a GOOD way. Seriously. I've seen more new posters at bluenc in the past week than I have since I started reading here.

More below the fold ... much more. :)

I searched the BlueNC posts for this week and one unifying theme stood out - ethics. Gregflynn has done an excellent job keeping us current on the attempts at ethics reform by our legislators in Raleigh and I hope to find some political cartoons from some of our NC papers that address ethics reform. I'm sure they are out there.

How, how could I tie in ethics with Saturday Morning Funnies? After a moment it struck me that a visit to Scrutiny Hooligans would help answer that question. Screwy's answer to my question? Charles Taylor, one of the most ethically-challenged congressmen in Washington. And, with that I give you pork. Ohhhhhh yeeeaaaahhhh.

I just knew you wouldn't let me down. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw you had left Larry Kissell off the list. I was certain it was an oversight but my good friend Anglico called your staffer and was assured it was not.

I'm sure you can imagine how that made me feel, right? That may be one of the shortest breakups in history. I'm glad we're back together. Thanks for adding Larry to the list.

Now, you go on out there and fight poverty big guy and I'll just sit myself down and draw more hearts on your pictures.

There has been much ado here today about John Edwards. Mostly from folks that are not familiar with the site and don't understand the backstory. Much ado about nothing in my opinion. So, let me give you a link to the John Edwards speech at Gnomedex 6, which gives you an idea of what John Edwards will sound like in 2006, 2007, and 2008 - a Progressive.

My favorite quote after the break.

Greg has done an excellent job keeping everyone informed about the ethics/lobbying efforts. I felt that needed a new home. From the N&O:

All together, the new rules would:

* Eliminate many perks of privilege -- ACC tickets, expensive dinners and golf trips provided by lobbyists and their clients.

* Stop the practice of spending campaign money on cars, computers or cash to family members.

* Limit the influence of lobbyists on raising campaign money for lawmakers and top state officials.

* Impose new criminal penalties for those who break the rules: Lie about your financial interests on a public disclosure form and face a felony. Hide them and face a misdemeanor.

The election is still more than three months away and a lot can happen. Still, it's hard for Democrats not to feel optimistic. And the Bush Administration appears to be working their way through the stages of grief over the prospect of a Democratic Congress.

They've gotten to stage three: bargaining.

One of the first tasks of a Democratic Congress is to correct the utter failure in the constitutional duty of oversight of the Bush Administration. Oh, where would we start--the intelligence used to justify the invasion of Iraq, wiretapping without warrant by the National Security Administration, the use of "signing statements" to let the President pick and choose which laws he obeys, the intimidation of scientists and the censoring of federally-funded scientific research (a favorite of mine), the response to Katrina (another favorite).

Jerry Meek is Chair of the NC Democratic Party

You’ve probably heard a lot about the DNC’s “50 State Strategy” lately.

When Gov. Dean ran for National Chairman, I voted for him in part because he promised that Democrats wouldn’t give up in any State and that State Parties would be true partners with the DNC. He’s keeping his promise, and it’s paying off right here in North Carolina.

After his election, Gov. Dean sent a team to North Carolina to find out what we needed as a State Party. Ours was the first State in the nation to which a team was sent. And, as a result of this assessment, North Carolina now has three new regional political directors – paid for by the DNC, but managed by the State Party – who are traveling the State, training local party leaders and helping to build local organizations.

This is the mill Robin Hayes closed.

This is the mill Robin Hayes closed.
This is the man who worked all his life
weaving cloth in the mill Robin Hayes closed.

This is the bill the man couldn't pay
when he lost the job he'd had all his life
weaving cloth in the mill Robin Hayes closed.

The N&O offers a handy (and perhaps also dandy?) summary of important legislative action. Included under "didn't happen:"

Billboard owners watched their push to cut more trees so drivers can stare longer at the ads fall short.

Great! Thanks to all who sent emails on this topic.

There's also a Cheers and Jeers for legislators.