May 2005 archives

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Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Backroads blessing: The sweet scent of spring

As you ride through the backroads of eastern North Carolina — and it is recommended that you do so during spring — slow down, turn off your air conditioning and roll your windows down. You will be rewarded not just...

Monday, May 30, 2005

We remember: A grateful nation pauses to reflect on price of freedom

On Memorial Day, we remember those men and women who through the years and across several wars are giving and have given their lives in defense of their nation and freedom. Placing flags on their graves and remembering what they...

Sunday, May 29, 2005

Mindful of heroesRemember the reason for this holiday weekendMindful of heroesRemember the reason for this holiday weekendMindful of heroes: Remember the reason for this holiday season

It is hard to imagine what it must have been like on that beach in Normandy. A young man, barely old enough to vote, waits, tense. He fingers a trigger and glances over at a buddy. They both exchange glances...

Saturday, May 28, 2005

Mindful of heroes: Remember the reason for this holiday weekend

It is hard to imagine what it must have been like on that beach in Normandy. A young man, barely old enough to vote, waits, tense. He fingers a trigger and glances over at a buddy. They both exchange glances...

Mindful of heroes

It is hard to imagine what it must have been like on that beach in Normandy. A young man, barely old enough to vote, waits, tense. He fingers a trigger and glances over at a buddy. They both exchange glances...

Friday, May 27, 2005

Making us proud: Valedictorian takes time to show appreciation

When Ashlyn James stood in front of the Dillard/Goldsboro Alumni scholarship reception Thursday night, she could have said plenty about herself. She has earned offers of more than $360,000, and she is this year’s valedictorian at Goldsboro High School....

Thursday, May 26, 2005

Historical gem: Waynesborough deserves community’s support

Sometimes when you have lived in a community all your life, you don’t always appreciate its treasures. You know your county has history, but you are too busy with your own life to really think about the impact of that...

Wednesday, May 25, 2005

Killer stories: Flush out those ‘reliable sources’?

Newsweek magazine first apologized — and later retracted — a story that triggered violence in Afghanistan that left scores dead and injured. The Newsweek story written by Michael Isikoff and John Barry quoted a “high government official” as saying U.S....

Tuesday, May 24, 2005

Cut funding: Getting attention of United Nations

A bill in the U.S. House of Representatives would invoke a weapon of proven effectiveness at home in our country’s dealing with the United Nations. It would reduce U.S. financial support of the U.N. if it continues to appoint human-rights...

Monday, May 23, 2005

Academic freedom: North Carolina Wesleyan needs to draw the line

The main campus of North Carolina Wesleyan College, just north of Rocky Mount, is an attractive grouping of buildings set among pines and hardwoods. A majestic curving brick fence separates it from its neighbors. It is also separated —...

Saturday, May 21, 2005

Valedictorians, salutatorians augur well for future

No generation ever thinks the next one coming along has anywhere near the expertise or talent to offer that the previous ones did. That’s just the way it goes. And although we promise ourselves while we are listening to others...

Friday, May 20, 2005

Speak up: Public hearings are where civic concerns have impact

Not too many people showed up at the Goldsboro City Council’s budget hearing this week to complain about a proposed 5-cent increase in property taxes or to challenge anything else in the city’s 2005-06 proposal. In fact, the only...

Thursday, May 19, 2005

Judging justice: Celebrity trials raise question of fairness

Some people might wonder why celebrity trials get so much attention these days. Part of the reason is the celebrity him or herself. Americans have a fascination with the misteps and misdeeds of the rich and famous. But there is...

Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Pride — and relief: Community’s relationship with air base left intact

You have seen the marquees all over Wayne County: “Congratulations SJAFB.” “We appreciate Seymour Johnson.” “Glad you are still here SJAFB.” The presentation might vary, but the sentiment remains the same: This county is really glad its Air Force base...

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Floyd Lupton: A great example for the No. 2’s

For the most part, members of Congress from North Carolina have been blessed with dedicated, efficient administrative aides. They are the individuals who handle each day’s mail and phone calls from constituents. This enables the elected senators and representatives to...

Monday, May 16, 2005

Believe in life: At cancer-fighting rally, Wayne County shows it cares

Jack and Sandra Castle know what it is like to live with cancer. There are ups and downs, good news and bad and a whole bunch of times when you just have to believe. And they are not alone....

Sunday, May 15, 2005

Clean Water Trust board is with us

Trustees of the North Carolina Clean Water Management Trust Fund are meeting at Wayne Community College today and tomorrow. In Goldsboro and Wayne County — and among our military citizens at Seymour Johnson AFB — the trustees will find themselves...

Friday, May 13, 2005

Churches and politics: Mountain church says take religion to the polls

An old proverb says it is wise to keep one’s enemy in view. That didn’t come from the Bible, but most Christian churches abide by it, in a sense. They like for the lost to stay in the church where...

Thursday, May 12, 2005

Incredible! Ultimate in pilot irresponsibility

In these times of widespread concern over terrorist attacks, it is incredible that a certified flight instructor — or even a student pilot — would have ignored clearly designated no-fly zones and flown within three miles of the White...

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

Shelter’s gloom: Animals’ surroundings don’t facilitate adoptions

The pictures tell the story — damp and musty conditions, crowding and cracked concrete. The Wayne County Animal Shelter is definitely not one of this county’s showplaces, and those who are calling for its replacement are right on target. There...

Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Caring early: Community has a stake in direction of children’s lives

You see them every day, in every county and town across America. They are adult results of youths who have lost their way. Some are unemployed. Some are underemployed. Some have no high school diploma, and some have already become...

Monday, May 9, 2005

Bracing for BRAC: Panel soon to reveal stance on air base’s future

This is the week. At least, that’s what everyone says. Although there are several different dates prophesied, the Base Realignment and Closure committee is set to announce this week its recommendations for maintaining, eliminating or changing military bases. Seymour Johnson...

Saturday, May 7, 2005

Today we reflect on one of life’s toughest jobs

During the week, there is plenty of time to talk about politics, bad decisions and every other newsy sort of issue that touches writers’ and readers’ “can you believe they did that” buttons. But today is Mother’s Day. So, rather...

Friday, May 6, 2005

General Griffin: Community and Guard honored

Brigadier General Ralph R. (Ronnie) Griffin has retired as deputy adjutant general of the North Carolina National Guard. Ceremonies were held last weekend at the National Guard Center in Raleigh. In civilian life, General Griffin is president of Griffin Auto...

Thursday, May 5, 2005

Too brash? Senate should approve tough-talking diplomat

President Bush sees serious problems in the United Nations and he thinks it needs to be reformed. He believes the best person to represent the United States in the U.N. is John Bolton. Bolton is a tough-talking critic of the...

Wednesday, May 4, 2005

We are as one: Admirer from abroad sees what keeps Americans united

When the country is yours, you are much quicker to point out its flaws and to minimize its attributes. You understand how lucky you are to live there, but sometimes you can’t express the reasons why. You are quick to...

Tuesday, May 3, 2005

Defend prison jobs: Community can have impact on federal camp’s future

The Federal Prison Camp at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is in the sights of the Bureau of Prisons. When you hear that anything is on a government bureaucracy’s target list, you usually don’t waste too much time pondering a...

Monday, May 2, 2005

Angel unaware? Just passing through, stranger starts something

Cindy is not the real name of the younger waitress, and Peggy is not the real name of the older one. They are real people, though. So is the Cindy’s “angel,” a man from New Bern. No one knows...