Jim Seaman – web log

Today Raleigh steps back in time some 25 years as it reopens Fayetteville Street to vehicular traffic. The downtown street had been converted to a pedestrian mall some 25 years ago when the now demolished civic center was built. The mall was supposed to make the downtown area more attractive to shoppers and such … didn’t work. So now, the newly reopened street is being passed off as a drawing point for downtown. Go figure!

Anyway … a big party is planned. This morning, Marysol Castro of the ABC news program, Good Morning America was there at the WTVD studios on the former mall. Gabino and I went down early before the heat set in and caught the event. Gabino managed to pose for a photo with Marysol Castro.

A vocal minority in this country has the President’s ear and today he vetoed a bill that offered great hope to uncounted thousands of people who suffer from various diseases. President Bush vetoed the stem cell research bill that was passed by majorities of both the House and Senate and is supported by a majority of Americans. THIS IS WRONG!

The stem cell research will take place without the President’s signature but it will take place at a slower pace and in other countries. Other countries who will develop these new medical technologies. Other countries that will take the lead in research and siphon off our best scientists.

The benefits of this new technology will be enjoyed by Americans eventually. But at what cost?

Well I couldn’t turn down an offer of free tickets and a parking pass to go see Chicago along with Huey Lewis and the News at the Alltel Pavilion here in Raleigh.
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30 years ago I was attending East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. During that time I purchased a new sound system … and it wasn’t just any sound system! It was built around a Marantz 2270 receiver which I still have as the core of my sound system!

There have been lots of changes in my system over the years, a new turntable, several new cassette decks, a couple of CD players and a couple of sets of speakers. But through it all there has been the Marantz 2270 running the show.
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