Friday, July 31, 2009
The beer heard ... President Obama's summit ended
It was a photo opportunity, really, the meeting between Cambridge police Sgt. Joseph Crowley and Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.And the only reason it happened at all was that President Barack Obama really stuck his foot in his mouth...Published: Jul 31, 2009 2:00 PM Full Editorial
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Here's bottom line: Don't do the crime. Don't get the time.
When we talk about crime in America and what to do about it, there are lots of topics that come up -- from accusations of racial profiling to discussions of the social factors that influence why crimes are committed....Published: Jul 30, 2009 4:16 PM Full Editorial
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Economics 101: Perhaps president and N.C. General Assembly can share lesson
At long last, President Barack Obama is in Raleigh to enlighten North Carolinians about his plans to fix health care. It is not surprising that many people are not ready to buy what he is selling. Could it be because...Published: Jul 29, 2009 2:48 PM Full Editorial
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
No words: We can only promise never, ever to forget the price paid for freedom
There are no words that can take away the pain the families, friends and comrades in arms of Capt. Mark McDowell and Capt. Thomas Gramith must have felt as they remembered -- and mourned -- this morning.No words, no speeches,...Published: Jul 28, 2009 2:54 PM Full Editorial
Monday, July 27, 2009
Days off can wait: Legislature needs to stay at work until budget is completed
If you had a project that was due -- past due, really -- would your boss allow you to take the next day off? In fact, how long would you keep your job if, as the director of a project,...Published: Jul 27, 2009 2:51 PM Full Editorial
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Our 'thank you': Operation Blue Ribbon fund is chance for us to pay it forward
There are no shortage of times that Wayne County residents are asked to step up and share their good fortune with those who need them -- and they respond admirably with the open hearts that make this community so...Published: Jul 26, 2009 9:41 AM Full Editorial
Friday, July 24, 2009
Here we go again: Maybe state should give up on budget for 2009 and try for 2011
You would think there would be a lot to say about the latest news that the North Carolina General Assembly has hit another roadblock in the continuing soap opera that is the budget. But the words of Gov. Bev...Published: Jul 24, 2009 10:37 AM Full Editorial
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Inappropriate: President's comments did not belong in health care speech to nation
There is nothing wrong with President Barack Obama having an opinion. He did not give up that right when he took on the office of president of the United States. But his decision last night to speak on an...Published: Jul 23, 2009 11:00 AM Full Editorial
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Facts of life: If Democrats want to maintain control, they had better focus
There is an unavoidable fact about political life. If you are a politician, you have to get re-elected if you want to keep your job. And right now, the prospects are looking pretty grim for the Democrats who are...Published: Jul 22, 2009 10:50 AM Full Editorial
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Touchy? Sure. Questions need to be asked now about health care reform
It is not surprising that President Barack Obama and the supporters of his blindingly glitzy and expensive health care reform package would be a little on the touchy side. After all, all the talk about how much this plan...Published: Jul 21, 2009 10:40 AM Full Editorial
Sunday, July 19, 2009
With heavy hearts: It hurts the most when it is one -- or two -- of your own
When you are a military town, you know it is probably going to happen one day. You get the news that one of your own -- or maybe more -- has been lost. You mourn like the rest of...Published: Jul 19, 2009 12:06 AM Full Editorial
Friday, July 17, 2009
I-795 repeat? Quick approvals and inadequate checks make work expensive
There is a danger looming as more and more people start wondering whether or not the stimulus spending touted as the salvation for the nation's jobless concerns is really working. And that anxiousness will get even more acute as...Published: Jul 17, 2009 11:07 AM Full Editorial
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Justice hunt: Sotomayor or someone else ... who cares. We better.
Watching the confirmation hearings for Judge Sonia Sotomayor in her quest to become the next U.S. Supreme Court justice is about as exciting as having a front row seat to paint drying. Other than the sporatic gunfire of questioning...Published: Jul 16, 2009 10:37 AM Full Editorial
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Texting a no-no: Board of Education is right; keep cell phones, iPods for bus
Remember the good old days when if a parent wanted to get a message to a student, it had to go through the school office? Remember the days when you weren't able to bring anything that even resembled a...Published: Jul 15, 2009 11:00 AM Full Editorial
Monday, July 13, 2009
Heroes among us: Just look around
You probably saw the letter this past Sunday from Lt. C.J. Weaver of the Mount Olive Fire Department. In it, the lieutenant talked about some of the MOFD firefighters and other local rescue personnel -- and the extra effort...Published: Jul 13, 2009 10:59 AM Full Editorial
Friday, July 10, 2009
Sob story -- Legislature to people: We will work this weekend on budget
Get out your hankies. Prepare to be proud. Members of the North Carolina General Assembly have decided that they are going to work this weekend to try to come up with a final verdict on the state's spending plan...Published: Jul 10, 2009 11:18 AM Full Editorial
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Quiet kudos: Jack Best's secret contribution
Commissioner Jack Best is like a lightning rod. His comments are often the start of something when it comes to everything from finances to schools. But there is something few people know about Best -- a fact very worthy...Published: Jul 9, 2009 11:04 AM Full Editorial
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Jackson finale: King of Pop, OK, but there are more lessons to learn from star
Some commentators called it the "elephant in the room" at the blowout memorial service held Tuesday for pop icon Michael Jackson. They were talking about the circumstances that stained Jackson's life -- and the mystery surrounding his death. Now...Published: Jul 8, 2009 11:04 AM Full Editorial
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
In our thoughts: Church is mourning losses no one can make right
There isn't much that is going to make the congregation at The Lord's Table feel any better about the loss of their new and old friends during this weekend's horrific fireworks accident. There will be no comfort in the...Published: Jul 7, 2009 12:34 PM Full Editorial
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Grand old flag: It is -- still -- all about freedom
Holidays lose their true significance pretty quickly these days.So, for some of those who gathered to watch the fireworks this weekend in Wayne County, the real meaning behind the booms and bursts might not have been quite so easy to...Published: Jul 5, 2009 12:02 AM Full Editorial
Friday, July 3, 2009
The heroes: Four families mourn today as we prepare for holiday
We lost four heroes this week.They were not our own, although their hometowns were close by.The news that they are gone came as another announcement was made of a new, extensive assault in Afghanistan as U.S. Marines and others attacked...Published: Jul 3, 2009 11:01 AM Full Editorial
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Whom they fly for: Americans should not forget the men on the ground
Thanks to thousands of Marines on the ground in Afghanistan, the effort to keep America and the world safer has just taken another step forward. Operation "Strike of the Sword" is a massive effort to push the Taliban out...Published: Jul 2, 2009 11:17 AM Full Editorial
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Stopgap watch: They have the extension -- now all we have to do is stay calm
One of the most difficult parts to watch in the continuing budget saga in North Carolina is the astonishing lack of leadership from the governor's office. And Gov. Bev Perdue's silence on the issue is not the only part...Published: Jul 1, 2009 11:12 AM Full Editorial