January 2006 archives

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Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Hamas? We’d be fools to send money

To the surprise of many, including the United States, Hamas won an overwhelming victory in the Palestinian elections. Hamas is an unabashed supporter of terrorism and has been unwavering in its insistence that Israel has no right to exist. For...

Monday, January 30, 2006

A child’s example: 11-year-old demonstrates leadership on animal shelter

A few hundred thousand dollars for a new animal shelter might seem like a bit of an extravagance for a community facing a pretty substantial bill simply to get work done in its schools. So, there might be more than...

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Share the joy: Parent-child stories serve a valuable purpose

There are lots of people talking about how to make our schools better — and how to help our students score higher on standardized tests. We worry about the quality of education our children are receiving, and then we look...

Friday, January 27, 2006

Accomplishments: General’s observations counteract political platitudes

Gen. Duncan McNabb, the commander of the Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, wants you to know that the men and women who are serving in the U.S. Air Force understand the weight of the responsibility that has been...

Thursday, January 26, 2006

TV doesn’t get it: Viewers need to speak out about offensive programming

Some television executives and the producer of the show seem to be absolutely flabbergasted as to why Americans are not ecstatic about NBC’s newest show, “The Book of Daniel.” The show is based on the story of an Episcopal priest...

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Problem abated: Council is right to eliminate parking in downtown median

There might be a reason to look further into available parking and safety issues downtown in the future, but for right now, the Goldsboro City Council absolutely made the right decision by restricting out-of-bounds parking on Center Street. Council decided...

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Independent counsel: A noble idea, but it didn’t work

The costly ineffectiveness of the independent counsel approach to investigations was graphically illustrated by the Henry G. Cisneros case. The investigation went on so long most people probably have forgotten who Cisneros is. For the record, he was Housing Secretary...

Monday, January 23, 2006

Worthwhile read: Wiesel’s book can inspire meaningful discussion

There are many reasons why Wayne County residents should take the time over the next month to pick up Elie Wiesel’s book “Night,” this year’s Wayne County Reads selection. First, there is the community aspect. This is a project that...

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Journalist’s ordeal becomes part of the Iraq story

Those who think that the war against terrorism is going to be ended through negotiations and increased understanding between the West and the militants in the Middle East have only to look at the case of American hostage Jill Carroll....

Friday, January 20, 2006

Appropriate: Chili finger couple going to prison

A judge out in San Jose, Calif., has sentenced a woman and her husband to long prison terms for a hoax that cost Wendy’s millions in lost sales. A co-worker of Jaime Plascencia lost a finger in a workplace accident....

Thursday, January 19, 2006

With gratitude: We can let airmen, families know they are appreciated

The sound of freedom. That is what many Wayne County residents say when they are referring to the roar of jet engines that often resonates through the skies here. And early this morning, we heard that roar again as aircrews...

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Promising: Positive signs in energy crisis

Interesting developments are unfolding. Virginia approves, within specified safeguards, offshore explorations for natural gas and potential oil deposits. Increased drilling to determine existence and extent of oil deposits in Alaska could be forthcoming. There has been an upsurge in interest...

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Let us resolve: Demand substance rather than political posturing

Perhaps, since it is the new year, and we are all thinking about our New Year’s resolutions, we should make a vow right now. No matter how much they try to draw us in, and no matter how much posturing,...

Monday, January 16, 2006

A living dream: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s principles resonate today

“I have a dream.” Those words will live on forever. Even nearly 38 years after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lost his life to an assassin’s bullet, his message of freedom still resonates among Americans of all races. Dr. King...

Saturday, January 14, 2006

William Dees Jr. — A truly great citizen among us

In every generation, there are outstanding citizens. In Goldsboro and in North Carolina, William A. Dees Jr. was far more than that. He was, by any measure, a truly great citizen. He died last Monday at the age of 85....

Friday, January 13, 2006

A goal achieved: United Way’s success will help to transform lives

The results are in — and after a long and extended campaign — Wayne County individuals and businesses have pulled through and helped the United Way achieve its 2005-06 fundraising goal. The going wasn’t easy this year. There were many,...

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Combined effort: Solving inner city problems requires a united approach

Nobody really likes to talk about what children who live in the inner city face each day. No one wants to think about a little girl or boy who must worry about walking home through a dangerous neighborhood, or about...

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

An inspiration! Finding reasons to do nothing

The attorneys and the bureaucracy over in Apex have provided an inspirational and creative example of finding reasons not to do something good. When Hurricane Katrina smashed into the Gulf Coast in August, the fire department in Waveland, Miss., lost...

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

THE BRIGHT SIDE: Most politicians, lobbyists are good

“Lobbyists.” “Politicians.” Increasingly in recent years, the words have tended to spawn public suspicion, disfavor. Even repugnance. But so has the word “media.” Let’s pause to reflect and examine. There are, indeed, as recent headlines proclaim, some lobbyists and politicians...

Monday, January 9, 2006

Cruel comment from Robertson : Sharon invited God’s wrath

Pat Robertson can be credited for the sincerity of his deep religious beliefs. And certainly he has a right to express his convictions on his “700 Club” television program, which has a strong following among Christians across the country. But...

Saturday, January 7, 2006

Protect the process: Abramoff scandal points to need for vigilance

It shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that there have been a whole bunch of questions about campaign finances in recent years. In fact, when most Americans read the saga of Jack Abramoff and his shady dealings with...

Friday, January 6, 2006

A nice place: Proposed park will enhance entire community

The proposal for the new Stoney Creek Park is the first step in creating more than just another nice place for residents to use in the city of Goldsboro. And although the park will feature a whole lot of really...

Thursday, January 5, 2006

Poignant loss: Miners who perished will be remembered for how they lived

There is something about the story about the 12 miners who lost their lives this week in a West Virginia coal mine that has touched the hearts of many people across this country. It is not just the horror that...

Wednesday, January 4, 2006

Miners found, lost: Care must be taken when handling information

There could nothing more horrifying than hearing what you thought was good news about loved ones trapped in a mine, only to find out a couple hours later that your father, brother, uncle or son lost his life there instead....

Tuesday, January 3, 2006

Douglas Joyner: Exemplary life in and out of uniform

Commander Douglas Joyner folded his earthly wings for the final time five days before Christmas. He was accorded full military honors at his graveside two days later. For many years, William Douglas Joyner probably was best known to the public...

Monday, January 2, 2006

Richard Burr: Promising beginning for junior senator

North Carolina’s freshman U.S. senator hit the ground running — but not running his mouth — during his first year in the upper chamber. Sen. Richard Burr already had five terms in the U.S. House of Representatives under his belt...