December 2008 archives

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Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Governor's coup: Illinois governor's latest scheme should be undone

As you review the pluses and minuses for the year gone by, count one big one when making your list. You don't live in Illinois. The saga that has become the filling of President-elect Barack Obama's seat rivals any...

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Designate safety: Plan now to prevent 2009 from starting with a tragedy

A little more than 24 hours from now, there will be a big celebration as the world watches 2008 melt into 2009. But before the acorn drops in Raleigh or the ball in New York City, plenty of Americans...

Monday, December 29, 2008

In good faith: U.S. counts on Obama now to uphold nation's honor

When President-elect Barack Obama was elected, one of the first messages he sent was to those who did not vote for him, telling his political doubters that he would work to earn their trust and, subsequently, their future votes....

Friday, December 26, 2008

Ethics and honor: Elected folk should expect to be held to a higher standard

There is a Christmas gift that needs to go to every man and woman who has decided that he or she will represent constituents in some form in 2009 and beyond.Many of them probably did not find this gift under...

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

The real Santa: Kindness is the real spirit behind Christmas

We read the stories every year -- hustling and bustling shoppers trying to find the latest gadgets, the best bargains, the perfect Christmas present.And we get caught up ourselves, too, trying to create the perfect family Christmas, the best holiday...

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

The rest of us: When is the bailout coming for families, other businesses?

Struggling banks -- check. Failing automakers -- check. The mortgage industry -- in process. Now that the first three items are done-- or almost done -- on the economic recovery list, it is time to think about a few...

Monday, December 22, 2008

Palin-esque? Is Caroline Kennedy getting same treatment -- no way

It's coming any day, right? Pretty soon Americans are going to start seeing parodies of Caroline Kennedy and her unwillingness to answer any sort of questions as to her qualifications to be a U.S. senator. There will be a...

Friday, December 19, 2008

Park plans: Community-based project not such a bad idea

The facts are that Goldsboro residents see no real need for another park or for spending more than $1 million to create one -- not now, especially.So the fact that the Stoney Creek Alliance is considering cutting back on its...

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Just folks: Caroline Kennedy should start from bottom like rest of us

It is nice that Caroline Kennedy wants to serve her country -- and that she has done so much work for charitable causes over the years.It is even nicer that she continues to lend her family name to a variety...

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Wishes come true: Generosity of spirit brings Christmas to less fortunate

The next time someone suggests that perhaps Wayne County isn't the greatest place in the world to live, take him aside and show him this article. And, together, we will tell him what happened when in the middle of...

Friday, December 12, 2008

Time to get serious: Penalties for child abuse should be toughened

No more. It is time for a change in how we deal with people who mistreat, neglect or otherwise have no business parenting children. This week, we got yet another story to add to the anecdotal evidence that something...

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Caring example: Wayne Country Day teens show what holiday is about

It was all the money they had raised in their pie sale, yet somehow, the seventh- and eighth-graders at Wayne Country Day School did not think they had done enough. After thinking about the future and what they wanted...

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Scary leaders: Illinois governor hopefully just one of the dumb ones

Nothing destroys the public's confidence in the men and women in public office more than hearing stories like the sad tale of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.The governor -- soon-to-be inmate, hopefully -- decided that he would peddle the recently vacated...

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Hometown reward: Want to know why you should consider buying local?

It is not going to be a particularly easy Christmas season for retailers this year. With many people spooked about the economy and where we are going as a country, there aren't too many shoppers rushing out to buy...

Monday, December 8, 2008

Don't help ... please: Latest wrinkle in bailout saga -- government wants oversight

As if it couldn't get any worse, now members of Congress are calling for changes in the personnel at the automobile manufacturers they are considering bailing out. There haven't been any specifics yet, but some are suggesting there would...

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Call Campaign: Tell the ACLU how you really feel about 'Happy Holidays'

Tired of hearing people say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas?"Completely puzzled as to why we need to offer equal time to atheists at Christmas if we want to place a nativity scene in a government building -- or,...

Friday, December 5, 2008

Almost there: United Way total ... so far ... proves this community 'rocks'

It might not seem much like a victory -- $1.32 million, with more than $90,000 still to collect to reach 100 percent. But the United Way of Wayne County 2008 campaign is an example of what a community can...

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Teens lost: Johnston County effort would help Wayne teens, too

With more than two dozen Johnston County teens lost in car accidents over the last few years, officials in that community decided to do something. So, they created a teen education program designed to make sure young people are...

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Self-fulfilling: Economy's not good, but how much of it is in the mind?

Stocks are not the sure bet they used to be. Jobs are getting harder to find -- and keep. Consumers are spending less -- even for gasoline -- and more and more businesses are deciding it might be cheaper...

Monday, December 1, 2008

No fooling: No fancy talking will keep us from knowing the truth

What is it about politicians that makes them think that their constituents are really dumb enough to fall for the alternative realities they create? That is what seems to be happening to Speaker of the House Rep. Nancy Pelosi...