Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Stay calm: Most important job right now? Don't overreact.
Easier said than done, right? The Dow Industrial Average drops a record 777 points and you actually dared to take a look at your 401(k). It would be easy to justify a run to the bank. But although Monday's drop...Published: Sep 30, 2008 11:03 AM Full Editorial
Monday, September 29, 2008
Trust not earned: Why is it that most don't get the 'no confidence' vote?
Somehow we should all feel better that the bailout plan seems to be on its way toward passage and the financial markets might actually simmer down. And there is no question that many Americans will breathe easier knowing that something...Published: Sep 29, 2008 10:48 AM Full Editorial
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Keys to the jail: Until root factors are addressed, we all end up paying
The Wayne County Jail is full. In fact, it is overflowing. Big news, right? Like this is the first time we have heard this lament. So why this time is it more important than ever to pay closer attention? The...Published: Sep 27, 2008 10:56 PM Full Editorial
Friday, September 26, 2008
Diversion: National troubles keep radar off local, state contenders
Is anyone really listening to the bickering and mudslinging in the U.S. Senate and North Carolina governor's races? And while the Wayne County commission and school board battles are finally heating up -- as are some of the legislative contests...Published: Sep 26, 2008 10:51 AM Full Editorial
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Despicable: No one should have to deal with threats in dog case
There is a part of the Mount Olive dog shooting case that has not been heard yet -- and it is one that should result in immediate action if the perpetrators can be traced. Colby Mangum, the young woman whose...Published: Sep 25, 2008 11:04 AM Full Editorial
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
It's a trust thing: Reality is Americans not sure who to trust with economy
Want to know why the presidential polls are bouncing around and most Americans aren't sure what to think about the recent financial crisis and what to do next? The answer is simple really. We don't trust anybody. To think that...Published: Sep 24, 2008 10:58 AM Full Editorial
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
A badge and gun: With great power comes great responsibility
This community has always supported law enforcement officers and their efforts to keep this county safe. There is no disputing that. But with that support comes a trust -- an understanding that these are men and women who not only...Published: Sep 23, 2008 10:55 AM Full Editorial
Monday, September 22, 2008
Bad judgment: Training is minimum that needs to happen in town
Durham should have been in his pen. And had he been there, the sad story from Mount Olive would not have happened at all. To honestly address Thursday's shooting death of the beloved family pet, that is the first thing...Published: Sep 22, 2008 11:08 AM Full Editorial
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Politically putrid: The deeper it gets, the more campaigns' garbage smells
Have you noticed that nothing in politics is ever anyone's fault? No matter what the problem, there is always someone else to blame. And this extends all the way from local government up to the highest levels in Washington, D.C....Published: Sep 20, 2008 11:07 PM Full Editorial
Friday, September 19, 2008
Don't panic: It is easy to say, but it is critical in handling economy
Watching the Dow Industrial Average jump up and down like a yo-yo can't be easy -- especially if you are close to retirement or have a family member who depends on stock income to survive. And knowing that your house...Published: Sep 19, 2008 10:43 AM Full Editorial
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Still time to care: Days of Caring offers chance to do good -- with little effort
There are lots of ways Wayne County residents contribute to making their community a better place to live every day. They volunteer. They donate. They take time out to look after their neighbors, their neighborhoods and their families. And their...Published: Sep 18, 2008 11:06 AM Full Editorial
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Good first step: City officials make smart decision on South John Street
What do you do when an area of your community has an image problem and people are starting to doubt the good work that is being accomplished there? First, you try to find out why they feel that way --...Published: Sep 16, 2008 12:27 PM Full Editorial
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Distracted again: War of the words doesn't help schools
The debate over school funding in Duplin County is not really over. The $4.8 million verdict in the case brought by the school district against the county commission is only one step in a continuing battle over how much money...Published: Sep 13, 2008 11:56 PM Full Editorial
Friday, September 12, 2008
Gas inquiry: Voters will need information to make energy decision
There might be a good reason -- a logical explanation for why gas prices are jumping around more than a cat on a hot tin roof. And as the candidates continue to talk about the future of energy policy in...Published: Sep 12, 2008 11:15 AM Full Editorial
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Don't ever forget: Services might stop some day, but we need to remember
On Sept. 11, 2001, this nation took a deep breath and decided that it would not let terrorists steal its pride, its unity and its way of life. We are stronger than that, we said. We also vowed we would...Published: Sep 11, 2008 11:08 AM Full Editorial
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Mute button: Silence should be golden for some campaigns
Don't you sometimes wish you had a mute button that would allow you to only listen to relevant and pertinent comments from those who have been put in charge of managing presidential campaigns? That would mean that some of the...Published: Sep 10, 2008 11:15 AM Full Editorial
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
A hero's farewell: Col. Steve Kwast was a part of this community, too
There is a reason the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base community will be so sorry to see Col. Steve Kwast go -- even though they will be proud of where is going. The mark of a true leader is a...Published: Sep 9, 2008 11:13 AM Full Editorial
Monday, September 8, 2008
Don't let your girls ... grow up to be Britney Spears or any other pop teen idol
As beneficial as a black president would be for young black youths to look up to, so, too, would a female vice president. Why? Look around. America's young girls are still obsessed with celebrity -- and now, Britney Spears is...Published: Sep 8, 2008 10:55 AM Full Editorial
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Speak now, or ... : With redistricting on the table, public should have its say
Uh oh. It's back. You can almost see the bickering waiting to explode again -- or at least another round of back and forth comments on who really knows what is right for the county's schools. And it was going...Published: Sep 6, 2008 10:45 PM Full Editorial
Friday, September 5, 2008
Take it seriously: Don't panic, but don't be stupid this weekend either
Let's face it, everybody thinks he or she is a weather forecaster. And as the news keeps changing about Hanna and Ike, many people will dismiss warnings because they "have a feeling it isn't going to be that bad." And...Published: Sep 5, 2008 11:05 AM Full Editorial
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Real economy: Sometimes hype more of a danger than the facts
Many national experts have said that half the problem with the economy is the people who are commenting on it and those who are listening. And while there are economic indicators that suggest that there is reason to be concerned...Published: Sep 4, 2008 10:42 AM Full Editorial
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Country first: Too many people have forgotten that mantra
The idea of putting your country first was not actually coined by the Republican Party -- even though it is the Republicans' campaign theme this year. Many great leaders throughout the decades -- including John F. Kennedy -- have come...Published: Sep 3, 2008 11:14 AM Full Editorial
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
A little brave, too: Take a look at Sarah Palin's daughter from a different view
It wasn't like anyone really thought it wasn't going to come out at some point. Gov. Sarah Palin's 17-year-old daughter had to know when her mother started being asked about the possibility of becoming vice president that her pregnancy would...Published: Sep 2, 2008 10:59 AM Full Editorial