July 2007 archives

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Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Offensive play: Cruel pastime incompatible with civilized society

There will be some who do not understand why the recent charges that Atlanta Falcons football player Michael Vick ran a dogfighting kennel out of his back yard are so serious. They will recognize that an offense has occurred, but...

Monday, July 30, 2007

Limits of tolerance: In engaging the Middle East, U.S. must maintain caution

There is a lot ot talk these days about tolerance. The word is attached to a variety of topics — everything from race, religion and political philosophy to international relations. It is also the basis for this nation’s political correctness...

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Season of bluster: When campaign rhetoric swirls, take refuge in common sense

As the presidential nomination battles continue, it is going to get harder and harder to keep track of who said what, who voted for what and who really believes what he or she said this week, last week or five...

Friday, July 27, 2007

Fallen athletes: Like it or not, they are role models — and should be

Many years ago, basketball player Charles Barkley caused a stir when he stood up and told fans and the media that he should not be considered a role model — that he was merely a basketball player. His message was...

Thursday, July 26, 2007

No new waste: Maybe it is not the taxes, but what they do with them

It is just about a done deal — what had been a temporary sales tax hike is about to become permanent. Well, that is at least how it seems today. You never can tell what the N.C. General Assembly is...

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Lindsay’s saga: Young actress’s story is tragedy waiting to happen

It did not take long for Lindsay Lohan to be back in the news. This time, less than two weeks after being sprung from a California rehabilitation clinic, she was back in trouble again. This time, she was caught driving...

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Quality, quantity: Americans need to start valuing votes they have

Want to know why there is reason for concern about making it easier for just about anyone to cast a vote in this country? Want to guess why basing a debate on questions gleaned from basically an Internet chat room...

Monday, July 23, 2007

Filing to serve: 68 hopefuls add their names to municipal elections list

The filing period is closed, and the names are in. Now, all that is left is for residents across Wayne County to decide is whom they want to see leading their governments in the next couple of years. More than...

Saturday, July 21, 2007

In step with history: Community Building should accommodate past and future

Seeing an actual rendering of the proposed replacement for the burned-down Community Building is a positive sight, especially in light of the number of months that have gone into planning for the new construction. There is no question that a...

Friday, July 20, 2007

Reading secret? Harry Potter could be key to bringing back the book

The story of Hogwarts and the junior wizard Harry Potter is compelling — a young orphan with few prospects whose life changes when an owl arrives at his door and he finds his true destiny. Inspiring message, huh? But what...

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Message of safety: Little boy’s death reminds us to share gun safety rules

Andre Wilder’s family has a message for every little boy or girl in Wayne County who thinks a gun is a plaything, and that shooting someone is something you can undo. They want young people to know that if they...

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

All-nighter: Senators’ marathon session more about show than unity

Talk about posing for the cameras. All those who watched the pageantry and posturing that went along with the marathon session in the U.S. Senate Tuesday should know by now that this is less about an agreement and more about...

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Still asking: Black doesn’t seem to grasp that he did anything wrong

Perhaps Jim Black simply does not get the message. Or, maybe, we are learning a little bit more about how to handle disciplining politicians in the future. The point seems to be that this man doesn’t seem to understand that...

Saturday, July 14, 2007

In the balance: Community needs to be clear about its educational priorities

The priorities are in and soon, hopefully, there will be a facilities budget in place for the Wayne County schools. Then, what? Over the last few months, there has been much talk about where this community needs to spend the...

Friday, July 13, 2007

New black eye? N.C. legislature just might need another ethics review

As busy as North Carolina’s legislators have been over the last few days, it seems hard to believe that yet another one has a reason to resign — especially in the wake of the debacle involving former House Speaker Jim...

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Al-Qaida worry: Amassing danger something Americans shouldn’t ignore

Al-Qaida is not like any other enemy. These Islamic extremists are determined to defend their faith against those they see as mortal enemies. And, that’s us, by the way, and many other Western nations who do not follow the principles...

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

March with goals: Dealing with truth and facts a must to really stop funerals

More than 300 people gathered this weekend to show those who live in some of the neighborhoods in the downtown area that they are serious about a plan to clean up the city’s streets. The Stop the Funeral march included...

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Right to wait: Teen club needs to have its i’s dotted and t’s crossed first

It is nice to see a group of young people ready, willing and able to stand up to do something positive for their community and their fellow teenagers. The Boot proposal before the Goldsboro City Council Monday night is a...

Monday, July 9, 2007

Sheehan’s folly: Anti-war activist not credible or a force to be reckoned with

The more you hear from anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan, the more you wonder just what is the real motivation behind her seemingly constant need for attention. Now, the woman who has been one of the loudest — if not among...

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Hidden costs: Medicaid issue will affect futures of every citizen

Are you wondering why everyone is in such a tizzy over Medicaid costs, and who is going to pay for them? Are you even more concerned about how this is going to affect your tax bills in the future? You...