(Note: Reworked as of 1:58 p.m. to more clearly reflect Peres’ remarks.)
This has to be a quick post, as I’m buried in other matters today.
I caught up with Mark Peres yesterday. Peres is the founder/editor/publisher of Charlotte Viewpoint, a nonprofit online magazine that aims to offer intellectual discourse about Charlotte, especially center city.
“I’m optimistic about the current pessimism,” Peres said. (Or words to that effect. I wasn’t taking notes.) Um, why? Because, said Peres, maybe the current pessimistic scenarios — including but not limited to Wachovia’s problems, although like most of us he doesn’t wish more harm to befall one of the city’s two Big Banks — might tamp down on speculation and “get us back to more sound management principles.”
Interesting point. But is there really any pessimism around here? Charlotte’s relentless optimism, or some might say boosterism, is as deeply rooted and unquenchable as kudzu.
So feel free to start commenting on optimism/pessimism/boosterism or even kudzu. (I remember reading about one farmer who kept his cattle alive during a horrible drought when he learned they’d eat kudzu.)
Finally, feel free to keep jawing to one another about NoDa, as the comments are fun. But warning: I’m deleting comments that insult others or use words I decide are outside the bounds of polite discourse.