October 2005 archives

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Monday, October 31, 2005

Sensible measure: Protecting innocent from frivolous suits

The U. S. House of Representatives acted with common sense when it approved a measure protecting firearms manufacturers and dealers from being sued because weapons they made or sold had been used in crimes. Some municipalities, including the District of...

Sensible measure: Protecting innocent from frivolous suits

The U. S. House of Representatives acted with common sense when it approved a measure protecting firearms manufacturers and dealers from being sued because weapons they made or sold had been used in crimes. Some municipalities, including the District of...

Saturday, October 29, 2005

Expand dialogue to include issues affecting entire city

There won’t be another neighborhood meeting in the city of Goldsboro until after the first of the year, but that does not mean residents should wait that long if they have something to say to city officials about the future...

Friday, October 28, 2005

A sullied process: The quest for dirt deters good public servants

There has been plenty of discussion concerning Harriet Miers and her qualifications to serve as a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. And some of the discussion has been, to put it mildly, less than polite. So, it is not...

Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Look out! 'Revising tax code' means one thing

Within a few days, a bipartisan panel is expected to present President Bush recommendations on revising the nation’s tax code. Ostensibly, it will offer guidelines to assure fairness in taxation. We often hear claims of the wealthiest people and corporate...

Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Rosa Lee Parks: Civil rights surge started with her

Even to those among us who lived during that time, it seems incredulous that just 50 years ago we had separate water fountains for blacks and whites in America. That black people were not allowed in most “white” restaurants —...

Monday, October 24, 2005

Fighting back: Citizens have more power to deter crime than they realize

There are some people who would have scolded the workers from the Wayne County Health Department who decided to chase after a purse-snatching suspect earlier this month. After all, the women did not know whom they were chasing, or if...

Saturday, October 22, 2005

Voter participation is vital to making democracy work

Early, one-stop voting is off and running in North Carolina this week, with the actual Election Day still more than a week and a half away. And while there won’t be many issues or races on the ballot Nov. 8,...

Friday, October 21, 2005

Armed citizens: Are they safer, or in greater danger?

There are two sides to the issue of whether guns in homes provide a greater measure of safety — or increase the danger to the residents, especially to children. Loaded weapons readily available to children or anyone not familiar with...

Thursday, October 20, 2005

Monumental: Tribute honors service of 230th Support Battalion

The members of the 230th Support Battalion are just a few of the heroes and heroines who have served their country overseas as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. These men and women of the Army National Guard gave up time...

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Simplify: Panel should find ways to make tax code less onerous

A tax panel created by President George W. Bush is currently trying to figure out what to do with what has become a cumbersome and increasingly confusing tax code. Basically, the gist of their findings so far is to cut...

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Suicide? Hands of victim tied behind him

That is one strange “suicide” case down in Carteret County. The body of Danny Noe was found in his home office one morning last April. He had a plastic bag tied over his head. His wrists were fastened behind him...

Monday, October 17, 2005

Heroes among us: Appreciation need not wait until emergencies strike

Pageant director Shari Stewart said something before Saturday’s crowning of the Wayne County Fire Princess that should make all of us stop, think and remember that heroes are often hardest to see when they are close to home. She said...

Heroes among us: Appreciation need not wait until emergencies strike

Pageant director Shari Stewart said something before Saturday’s crowning of the Wayne County Fire Princess that should make all of us stop, think and remember that heroes are often hardest to see when they are close to home. She said...

Saturday, October 15, 2005

People of Wayne County help Katrina victims begin again

More than $122,000 to the Red Cross alone for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Hundreds of units of blood packed and ready to assist those who lives were threatened by injuries caused during the storm or its aftermath. And that is...

Friday, October 14, 2005

Oprah Winfrey: Project adds luster to a shining image

Oprah Winfrey is one of the most admired, respected — and loved — women in America. Make that one of the most admired, respected and loved individuals in the whole world today. Her programs and her actions on and off...

Thursday, October 13, 2005

No mere ripple: State should not ignore impact of gasoline prices

A group of Republican lawmakers is asking Gov. Mike Easley to consider a possible cut in the amount of gas tax drivers are paying to fill their tanks in North Carolina. The dollars and cents result of the tax is...

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Certifications: Other states’ proven teachers could help N.C. schools

There is nothing wrong with demanding higher standards for North Carolina’s students. So, on the surface, Gov. Mike Easley’s stand against easing licensing requirements for out-of-state teachers to lead classrooms in North Carolina schools is a good one. But the...

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Gas pump drama: Couple digs in against pressure

State Attorney General Roy Cooper might have a tough case to win. But the public at large probably is fully on his side — and that of a little convenience market service station in Durham. Steve Grover and his wife...

Monday, October 10, 2005

A prize-winner: Fair organizers should be proud of this year’s event

When there is a bad end to a good week, there is a tendency to forget all the positive news that has already been entered into the record books. The hundreds of volunteers, fair staff and committee members who worked...

Saturday, October 8, 2005

First chance: At lottery’s outset, N.C. must ensure honesty

One of the most tiresome parts of listening to politicians is trying to figure out who really has a commitment to one position over the other and who is simply trying to tell you what you want to hear. In...

Friday, October 7, 2005

Ideal choice: Erskine Bowles has much to offer

North Carolina is fortunate that Erskine Bowles agreed to serve as president of the University of North Carolina system. The Board of Governors voted unanimously this week to hire him for that position. And he responded with an enthusiasm board...

Thursday, October 6, 2005

Tradition: Agricultural fair rooted in county’s earliest days

You might not think there is much reason to head to the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair other than fair food and rides. And, if you have never been there, that would be a reasonable observation. But the county fair represents...

Wednesday, October 5, 2005

Think again: Governor needs to consider reducing gasoline tax

When your city or state is on a list of high prices and California is actually below you in the rankings, you ought to know that you have a problem. And if Gov. Mike Easley thinks that having North Carolina...

Tuesday, October 4, 2005

Anniversary: ‘Daily Bread’ began 60 years ago today

It began Oct. 4, 1945 — 60 years ago today. A new column appeared in the Stars & Stripes. It was called “Daily Bread.” And was written by A. Purnell Bailey, who was serving as General Douglas MacArthur’s chaplain in...

Monday, October 3, 2005

Lawyer jailed: Judge Duke demands order in the court

A Greenville lawyer apparently picked the wrong time and place to try to verbally take control of the court from a judge. As a result, he spent 72 hours in jail and was fined $1,000 for contempt. Lawyer Roddey Brown...

Saturday, October 1, 2005

Conservation provides some leverage on fuel prices

There is something fishy going on at the pumps. It is not surprising that prices are going up. They always do. What makes the situation seem a little bit more like dealer profit-taking and a little less like supply...