which of Edwards' two americas does this house fit into? http://carolinajournal.com/exclusives/display_exclusive.html?id=3848 [rquoter]Edwards Home County's Largest The 28,200-square-foot home also Orange County's most valuable By Don Carrington January 26, 2007 Story photo RALEIGH — Presidential candidate John Edwards and his family recently moved into what county tax officials say is the most valuable home in Orange County. The house, which includes a recreational building attached to the main living quarters, also is probably the largest in the county. “The Edwardses’ residential property will likely have the highest tax value in the county,” Orange County Tax Assessor John Smith told Carolina Journal. He estimated that the tax value will exceed $6 million when the facility is completed. The rambling structure sits in the middle of a 102-acre estate on Old Greensboro Road west of Chapel Hill. The heavily wooded site and winding driveway ensure that the home is not visible from the road. “No Trespassing” signs discourage passersby from venturing past the gate. Don Knight, Orange County building plans examiner, told CJ that, including the recreational building, the Edwardses’ home would be one of the largest in Orange County. Knight approved the building plans that showed the Edwards home totaling 28,200 square feet of connected space. The main house is 10,400 square feet and has two garages. The recreation building, a red, barn-like building containing 15,600 square feet, is connected to the house by a closed-in and roofed structure of varying widths and elevations that totals 2,200 square feet. The main house is all on one level except for a 600-square-foot bedroom and bath area above the guest garage. The recreation building contains a basketball court, a squash court, two stages, a bedroom, kitchen, bathrooms, swimming pool, a four-story tower, and a room designated “John’s Lounge.” Edwards was the Democratic candidate for vice president in 2004 and a former N.C. senator. Thursday afternoon, the Edwards for President press office was unable to provide information on any additional buildings planned for the estate.[/rquoter]
basso, I never thought you would be against people creating wealth. Also, look at all those taxes he's paying that the Repubs can now spend
I take it that the theme of this thread is the idea that the only people who should be allowed to talk about the accelerating transfer of wealth and power away from the powerless and towards the powerful are the powerless themselves, and that the powerful should just quietly retire, accept their fortunate lot in life , or else themselves become powerless if they wish to change things. That of course perpetuates a nice catch-22, a great, convenient, wonderful set of circumstances. By this logic- basso since you're comparatively poor don't you need to STFU about wealth?
I think he's pointing out the hypocrisy of Edwards trying to identify himself with the "have-nots" of America while living in such a place. Imagine if George Bush said that "there are two Americas under Bill Clinton" when running for President while living his luxurious life. I have a feeling the same type of thread would've come up. No proof, of course because it's hypothetical but people on this board are nothing if not predictable, myself included.
If I had a home like that, I would call the entire recreational building "professorjay's lounge". Or maybe I'd use my real name, you get the idea.
Edwards grew up poor. I think he has a better idea of the "have nots" then most people here. D&D. To Have and Have Not.
I'm entirely aware of that. That's what I'm trying to explore: the underlying assumption is that "haves" are not allowed to speak for "have-nots" without subjecting themselves to claims of ridicule. My points are two fold: 1. If only "have-nots" are allowed to speak for themselves, by definition the impact of what they say (and their audience, etc) will be quite limited and simply perpetuate the supremacy of the "haves" considering that they "have not" the access to power to change circumstances (or even reach an audience). 2. why is a "have-not" like basso allowed to make fun of a "have" like Edwards, for going against his interest/circumstance, and presumably voice support of the perpeutation of "haves" without similarly being exposed to claims of ridicule, as Edwards is? If you can answer either of those questions, I might give you a dollar. Maybe.
If Edwards wasn't a hypocrite, shouldn't he be giving money to the poor, to combat the Two Americas problem? Why is he instead diverting that money into a lavish house? The fact that his house was financed by outrageous personal injury trial settlements makes it all the more egregious. The guy is a lying, hypocritical leech on society.
Would you build an indoor basketball court modeled after the Toyota Center or come up with your own logo for center court?
i don't have any particular problem with edwards' wealth; the image of the house, and it's size, seems ironic given the use of katrina-ravaged NOLA for the announcement of his candidacy.
Unlike you, Trader_J, who plays the part of the lying, hypocritical leech in D&D. Egregious! D&D. Egregious!
I'd take a rich guy that tries to help poor people over a rich guy that ****s on poor people. Not that I'm going to vote for the guy but at least he is trying to help others.
Good question. Perhaps 1/2 would be TC, the other half University of Florida. The Rockets logo and Gators logo would be in the two, respective free throw circles. The main, tipoff circle would be the Autobots logo or something. I'm immature, I know. As for basso's logic, I guess it's better to be wealthy and totally ignore issues regarding lower to middle income families than to be wealthy and focus on them.
Mt. Vernon Monticello The Hermitage Hyde Park Kennedy Compound, Hyannisport LBJ Ranch Hickory Hill (RFK) San Clemente Kennebunkport
