It's being called "Art Pope Exposed, a community teach-in," and scheduled for Tuesday night in downtown Raleigh.The event is sponsored by the Institute for Southern Studies and includes a panel with representatives from Democracy North Carolina and the N.C. AFL-CIO.
"Want to know what all the Art Pope buzz is about?" a press release asks. "Curious to know more about his political network and its influence on everything from cuts to North Carolina schools to the state's anti-gay marriage amendment?"
Pope is a wealthy Raleigh retailer who has helped bankroll conservative causes and candidates throughout the state to the tune of $40 million according to one study. In October, the New Yorker ran a lengthy profile of him headlined, "State for Sale."
The story brought national attention on Pope, who had already become a sort of public enemy to liberal groups throughout the state. He's become a target of Occupy groups, who wave signs bearing slogans like "Say Nope to Art Pope." The North Carolina Association of Educators has called on shoppers to boycott stores in his Variety Wholesalers retail chain.
Pope knows about Tuesday's teach-in.
"I haven't been invited but maybe I'll go, I don't know," he says.
"First of all, I would point out that these are 501(c)3 organizations funded by the Reynolds Foundation and George Soros Open Society Institute, which are attacking me because I support Republican candidates and conservative causes. And that is not proper use of charitable dollars which are supposed to be used for educational purposes.”
He also said the groups didn't attack two men implicated in campaign finance violations because they're Democrats.
But Democracy North Carolina, through its own investigations into campaign finance violations, helped build cases against several Democrats. Among them: former House Speaker Jim Black of Matthews, who went on to serve time in federal prison.
"We’ve gone after many Democrats,” said Bob Hall of Democracy North Carolina. "He shouldn't feel so picked upon."
22 comments:
If there is a God, and His commandments expressed via His Son in the New Testament are to be believed, then there is a special place in Hell reserved for Art Pope, the Koch brothers, and all the other conservative icons who seek to obstruct social justice and twist the American economy into a machine that enriches only them and their kind. I applaud any individuals or groups that have the courage to oppose him and his goals. Good for them, and good for us. Thank God there are people willing to fight the good fight.
"Social justice"... blah blah blah.
Just admit that you abhor anyone with conservative leanings and the ability (not to mention the backbone) to "put their money where their mouth is" and be done with it.
Short of that, your posturing is comical, at the very best.
Yes there is a God, and he is very pleased that people like Art Pope support people who don't pander, and who understand its about the individual person, not people who want to steal money from sucessful citizens and give it to lazy people who do nothing put pull our country down.
It truly is amazing how so many liberals who are supposed to be so "open minded" to other perspectives are so CLOSED-minded when presented with conservative ideals and perspectives. Isn't it ironic??
Archiguy, there is indeed God, and his Son. And you are a blasphemous imbecile. How dare you use our Savior to attack Mr.Pope and Mr. Koch!
art pope = flea bag sorry fleas
art pope = flea bag sorry fleas
the AFL-CIO is on a panel discussing what someone else is doing to hinder Democracy? Now that IS funny stuff!
Unions are among the most corrupt anti-Democratic institutions in America. They are having a field day under Obama funnelling taxpayer money in the form of "stimulus" money back into the coffers of the Democratic Party. They do the same thing with union members who are forced to pay each month to even work. The outrageous salary and benefits and early retirement afforded public employee unions are responsible for much of the fiscal problems of our states and municipalities. Unions are also responsible for many of the decisions to locate jobs over seas.
Unions more than any other single enity are responsible for the political corruption and economic problems of this country. Having them on such a panel is like having the fox in charge of hen house security.
the AFL-CIO is on a panel discussing what someone else is doing to hinder Democracy? Now that IS funny stuff!
Unions are among the most corrupt anti-Democratic institutions in America. They are having a field day under Obama funnelling taxpayer money in the form of "stimulus" money back into the coffers of the Democratic Party. They do the same thing with union members who are forced to pay each month to even work. The outrageous salary and benefits and early retirement afforded public employee unions are responsible for much of the fiscal problems of our states and municipalities. Unions are also responsible for many of the decisions to locate jobs over seas.
Unions more than any other single enity are responsible for the political corruption and economic problems of this country. Having them on such a panel is like having the fox in charge of hen house security.
I just love how those with conservative leanings can heap scorn on all those with opposing views and set themselves up as the only ones who are right about anything. Looking at the above comments from so-called conservatives, I see no substance, only bully-speak.
To all the folks here that try to use God or Jesus Christ to justify your point of view I would walk softly when you bandy their names around so easily. Your time will come also to be judged - not by me or any other mortal but by them. To be Christian is to be Christ like - read these comments and based on the bible and what we know of Christ what do you think he would do? He was no respecter of persons, positions or power - we all need to read the Bible and understand what it is that Jesus was sent to us for and how we should live our life.
The New Yorker article is worth reading: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2011/10/10/111010fa_fact_mayer
This piece is foolishness, although I'm glad to find out about the teach-in. Maybe I'll go.
This guy is one of the reasons your vote doesn't seem to hold much weight anymore, and why politics seems beyond the pale corrupt these days.
There is a website called www.artpopeexposed.com inspired by the NYer article above, I think, to keep up with his shadowy maneuvering.
He's one of those guys nobody elected to anything who seems to weild more influence than voters.
Spending your own money to support causes in which you believe should be against the law. You should only be allowed to support causes in which you do not believe. Then the world would be a better place. A little confusing, maybe.
Since this has degraded into a theological argument, I would like to point out that the best way to learn Jesus' teachings is through the red-letter bible. If you read that, Jesus' teaching are definitely not about the individual person or "stealing from successful citizens to give it to lazy people". In fact, it's not even about homosexuality or abortion.
His message is first and foremost about LOVING your NEIGHBOR, which includes caring and providing for the poor, the sick, the imprisoned (see Beatitudes). It's about SHARING our resources for the benefit of ALL (see loaves and fishes parable).
His teachings most definitely are NOT this Darwinian dog-eat-dog world that conservatives want to impose on society. It's definitely NOT about cheering when prisoner executions and people dying from inadequate health care are brought up in debates. It's diametrically opposed to Ayn Rand and her vision of society that so many modern conservatives support.
How dare a private citizen spend his own money to support people and causes he believes in.
What is this country coming to?
The funniest thing about Art Pope is that he actually credits himself with his own wealth. Art Pope and his brother inherited a chain of retail stores founded by their grandfather, who was then succeeded by their father.
Even though Roses and Art's other stores had decades head starts on Walmart, Roses and other Variety stores remain are far less known and less profitable.
Art's wealth has been inspite of his clear ineptitude and lack of merit, not because of it. He truly represents the Republican ideal.
I just love how those with liberal leanings can heap scorn on all those with opposing views and set themselves up as the only ones who are right about anything. Looking at the above comments from so-called liberals, I see no substance, only bully-speak.
Archiguy:
I see now that this blog is a place where you can get condemned to a "special place in Hell." Could you let me know who else is going? Do you charge for this information or is it available free of charge?
I have sinned in my life but am trying to reach salvation. Am I too late to try or has a "special place in Hell" been reserved for me?
Also, when exactly am I making the trip?
Thanks, Archiguy, for the info.
JP328 wrote above:
"In fact, it's not even about homosexuality or abortion."
That is really interesting. So Christianity should not be involved in the issues of homosexuality or abortion. Absolutely amazing. What else are we banned from?
Tell me again Fox News how George Soros runs the world?
Interesting how Morrill missed this one:
http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/12/11/1702987/indicted-financier-raised-millions.html
Maybe we should have a type of literacy test when you go to vote. The test would ask which television, radio and newspaper ads influenced your vote. If the ad was paid for by money collected from anyone whom the opposing candidate objected, then that person would not be allowed to vote. That would also cut down on the cost of voting as not too many would be allowed to vote, if any at all.
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