Wednesday, May 31, 2006
The rankings: Sen. Kerr stays in the top 10
Not surprisingly, Sen. John Kerr III again has ranked among the top 10 members of the North Carolina Senate. That was the rating given him for the 2005 session by fellow legislators, lobbyists, lead agency legislative liaisons and the Capital...Published: May 31, 2006 10:52 AM Full Editorial
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
A bill done right: Most Americans want rules for immigrants to be same for all
It seems hard to believe that so many members of Congress do not get why so many of their constituents don’t want to see a candy-coated immigration bill. In fact, these same lawmakers seem shocked when polls indicate that Americans...Published: May 30, 2006 10:56 AM Full Editorial
Monday, May 29, 2006
Next generation: Heroes are those who answer call even when danger looms
There are two kinds of heroes. The first are those who distinguish themselves on the battlefield — often oblivious to the personal danger they face. Some of these heroes lose their lives in the process. They are the men and...Published: May 29, 2006 10:48 AM Full Editorial
Saturday, May 27, 2006
A day in honor: Profound sacrifices form foundation of nation’s freedom
Tomorrow is really the day when we remember. Or, at least, when we are supposed to remember. Across the nation, millions of Americans will spend Monday enjoying picnics, reuniting with their families and celebrating the fact that they do not...Published: May 27, 2006 11:21 PM Full Editorial
Friday, May 26, 2006
63 million — ‘American Idol’ voting sad comparison to election turnout
It is hard to believe that more than 63 million people cared enough about the outcome of the Fox Network’s show “American Idol” to make sure they got their votes in Tuesday night. Nothing against the show itself, but compare...Published: May 26, 2006 11:02 AM Full Editorial
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Welcome home: Seymour Johnson AFB airmen have served country well
They got in this afternoon after the time that was reasonable to put their welcome home party on the front page of today’s edition. So, you will have to wait until tomorrow to see the faces of the men and...Published: May 25, 2006 10:41 AM Full Editorial
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Raising the bar: County’s efforts for Relay for Life will make a difference
If you know anyone who lives outside Wayne County who has been involved with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and you tell them this county raised more than $550,000 last year, they will be astonished at the figure....Published: May 24, 2006 11:08 AM Full Editorial
Published: May 24, 2006 11:06 AM Full Editorial
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Intriguing: $50 million publicizing the Thunderbirds?
The Associated Press reports from Washington that the FBI is investigating a matter involving a $50 million contract awarded a private company to publicize the Air Force Thunderbirds. According to the report, the Air Force had awarded the contract to...Published: May 23, 2006 10:01 AM Full Editorial
Monday, May 22, 2006
SUBTLE, BUT: ‘Public’ service ads can be self-serving
The General Assembly is moving on an ethics bill that would increase restrictions on favors and funds that might be used to influence legislators. Lobbyists play an important role in the legislative process. And political action committees (PACs) have been...Published: May 22, 2006 12:00 PM Full Editorial
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Here’s the report: The facilities analysis is in; now it’s time to do the budget
After multiple delays, the Wayne County Board of Commissioners finally has the long-awaited consultant’s report on school facilities needs and the county’s ability to pay for them. Contained in the report is information the commissioners said they needed before they...Published: May 20, 2006 11:42 PM Full Editorial
Friday, May 19, 2006
Courage shines: Weekend’s Relay for Life a chance to see what matters
If you go to this weekend’s Relay for Life event at Wayne Community College, you might not ever really know just how those will meet have been affected by cancer. They might have lost a mother, a sister, a daughter...Published: May 19, 2006 10:15 AM Full Editorial
Thursday, May 18, 2006
‘Wally’ Kornegay: An institution at Seymour Johnson
Wing commanders came and went for years at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. But for almost three decades, one thing didn’t change in the office of the commanders. Walena Smith Kornegay was always there. For 26 of her 31 years...Published: May 18, 2006 10:46 AM Full Editorial
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Measure twice, then spend: Legislature should be careful with newly discovered surplus
Boy, it sure did not take long for the members of the North Carolina Legislature and interest groups from every nook and cranny of the state to come up with a thousand ways to spend the state’s first budget surplus...Published: May 17, 2006 10:55 AM Full Editorial
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Unwelcome? Let’s accommodate South Korean protesters
Once again thousands of South Korean students and civic activists have taken to the streets demanding the withdrawal of United States troops from that nation. The latest demonstration was at Pyeongtaek where “more than 4,000” protesters scuffled with police, according...Published: May 16, 2006 10:27 AM Full Editorial
Monday, May 15, 2006
Perspective: Telephone data issue overblown
Intelligence shortcomings have been linked to miscalculations on Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction. The 9-11 airliner hijackings and disasters have been blamed in part on poor intelligence. Americans have demanded more of our intelligence agencies. They have been getting it...Published: May 15, 2006 11:45 AM Full Editorial
Saturday, May 13, 2006
The title role: For multifaceted achievement, acclaim goes to Mom
Today is the day that mothers all over America receive their due from grateful children. As they should. But as the country celebrates another Mother’s Day, there is a reason to remember that it takes more than simply the birth...Published: May 13, 2006 11:34 PM Full Editorial
Friday, May 12, 2006
Paramount hope: Donors and supporters restore viability to theater project
A group of anonymous donors and supporters has decided to take on the task of rebuilding the downtown landmark theater — but at a substantially reduced price tag. They say they already have some money earmarked — and that they...Published: May 12, 2006 10:53 AM Full Editorial
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Press on! Berry research is worthwhile
For years, efforts have been made at N.C. State University to develop a better strawberry. Not better from the standpoint of taste, but one that will bear longer and have a better shelf life. It is a good — but...Published: May 11, 2006 10:52 AM Full Editorial
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Familiar news: Big oil companies make record profits
“Big Oil” companies are making record profits — on top of record profits. And everyone in this country is paying through the nose to provide for those profits. What we pay at the pump when we fill our tanks is...Published: May 10, 2006 10:57 AM Full Editorial
Tuesday, May 9, 2006
The RINOs: Will they come in November?
The leadership of the Republican Party has succeeded in cleansing itself — at least partially and temporarily — of those it deemed guilty of overly fraternizing with their Democrat colleagues in the North Carolina General Assembly. The biggest “baby thrown...Published: May 9, 2006 10:33 AM Full Editorial
Monday, May 8, 2006
The real issue: Facing the facts first step in ‘fixing’ education
Nobody really wants to talk about what the real issues are in North Carolina’s education system. Government officials point to lack of leadership in the schools, while school leaders say money and lack of support from Raleigh and beyond are...Published: May 8, 2006 10:52 AM Full Editorial
Sunday, May 7, 2006
Impressive start: Community support puts Relay record within reach
With only a little less than three weeks to go, members of the Wayne County Relay for Life teams are close to another record-breaking fundraising year. They are currently 60 percent of the way to their $550,000 goal — even...Published: May 7, 2006 12:31 AM Full Editorial
Friday, May 5, 2006
Memorial fuss: Saving money is good idea, but there are better places
It is almost always nice to hear a congressman of either party suggest that someone should look a little closer at what a project will cost the taxpayers he or she represents — or the rest of the nation, for...Published: May 5, 2006 11:08 AM Full Editorial
Thursday, May 4, 2006
Sen. Basnight: Cherry Hospital a high priority
New Cherry Hospital facilities — virtually replacing all the old hospital treatment units at Goldsboro — will get high priority on the agenda of Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight in the coming session. Basnight will propose the issuance of...Published: May 4, 2006 10:39 AM Full Editorial
Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Prepare to choose: Primary is over; now it is time to start researching contenders
The primary election is over, and the slate has been set for the November contest. Congratulations are due to the winners. Also to be commended are those who did not capture their seats this time, but who threw their hats...Published: May 3, 2006 7:46 AM Full Editorial
Tuesday, May 2, 2006
Growing debate: Immigrants’ boycott only fueled immigration law fire
It seemed like a good idea on the surface — hold a national boycott day to show this country just how valuable immigrant labor, purchasing power and dollars are to the American economy. And, as you protest and rally, carry...Published: May 2, 2006 2:24 PM Full Editorial
Monday, May 1, 2006
Scott Crossfield: A great aviator dies in a crash
The timing would not have been of his choosing, of course. But Scott Crossfield probably went out the way he would have preferred — at the controls of an airplane. One of the original pilots with “the right stuff,” Crossfield...Published: May 1, 2006 9:46 AM Full Editorial