Blogs

A PSA from Internationalist Books and Community Center:

April 5 -- Join members of the League of Pissed Off Voters to discuss their
new book, celebrate political activism and collaborate on swinging the 2004
presidential election. Responding to the current political stupidity
(perpetrated by Stupid White Men of all races, genders and IQ scores), 12
ingenious young political artists and organizers have created a book, How
to Get Stupid White Men Out of Office, that could tip the balance in 2004.
It shows how young people who don't do electoral politics can play the game
-- on their own terms.

Monday, April 5, 6:30 PM at Nightlight, 405 1/2 W. Rosemary St, Chapel Hill.

I've always been perplexed that people think of the media as liberal, especially after the coverage of the war, local gay civil rights issues, and free trade have all been decidedly right of center over the past few years. That's why it's refreshing to hear that there is a new unabashedly progressive voice on the radio: Air America. This radio community includes shows with Al Franken and Janeane Garofalo, two faves among progressives. It will debut at noon today, so be sure to log on and be one of the first to hear.

The question is, when will we get this programming on local stations? WCHL apparently thought about including these shows, but then bailed. Who will step up to the plate to make sure that we have progressive voices in with the mix of right wing and centrist voices on our airwaves locally?

The Herald reports that the Carrboro Board of Alermen discussed whether to allow a payment option for developers to meet their affordable housing obligation. We have debated this issue on the Chapel Hill Planning Board as well. So far we have come out against it every time, but there are also some compelling arguments for it.

Developers in Chapel Hill and Carrboro are currently required to include either a certain number of small (< 1,350 & 1,100 square feet) or affordable (<80% of area median income) homes in all residential developments over a certain size. Payment-in-lieu of housing would allow developers to make a financial contribution instead.

What do you all think? Are we missing a chance to support municipal housing efforts, or would we be letting them off the hook too easily and allowing further economic segregation of housing?