Monday, December 31, 2012
Danger in deal: Avoiding cliff has its merits, but more arguing looms.
The United States government does not have a tax problem. It has a spending problem. This is likely not the first time you have heard that phrase -- and it will not be the last, especially since a last-minute...Published: Dec 31, 2012 1:29 PM Full Editorial
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Resolutions: There are lots of 'to-dos' ahead for local, state and national leaders
When you sit down and think about it, it is staggering just how much should be on the "to-do" lists of leaders at the local, state and national levels in the coming year. From the economy to simply finding a...Published: Dec 29, 2012 10:59 PM Full Editorial
Friday, December 28, 2012
A humble hero: Gen. Schwarzkopf leaves a legacy that will continue to inspire
Retired Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf did not seek the limelight of a political career after he led coalition troops in Kuwait and directed the first Gulf War. He would pop up periodically to comment on the events in the Middle...Published: Dec 28, 2012 10:35 AM Full Editorial
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Grim saga: Latest statistics offer not-so-good read on a basic skill
The numbers are in, and the discussion seems remarkably appropriate in light of the fact that so many youngsters likely unwrapped gadgets, games and other electronic devices this holiday season. Once again, reading scores are going down -- and,...Published: Dec 27, 2012 10:25 AM Full Editorial
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Spirit of giving: Charitable donations help the community -- and yourself as well
Granted, it is not the safest time of the year to be thinking of dropping just a few more dollars, especially since we have put our fiscal future in the hands of the Washington malfunction junction. Who knows what Jan....Published: Dec 26, 2012 11:01 AM Full Editorial
Monday, December 24, 2012
Comfort, joy: Holiday brings out our best
It is easy to talk about what Christmas means -- and what it should represent. Despite what some say, it is a religious holiday designed to honor a significant event of love, faith and hope -- the birth of...Published: Dec 24, 2012 10:32 AM Full Editorial
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Cliff No. 2: Even if fiscal cliff is avoided there is another little problem ...
We have been distracted this week with something sad, important and life-changing, so following the shenanigans in Washington has not been our top priority. And that is as it should be. However, there is something that must be said as...Published: Dec 22, 2012 11:04 PM Full Editorial
Friday, December 21, 2012
Sad memory: A week later -- still sorrow
It seems hard to believe that it was just one week ago that 26 people lost their lives in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. What is even harder to comprehend is that this latest tragedy comes on the...Published: Dec 21, 2012 1:56 PM Full Editorial
Thursday, December 20, 2012
26 kindnesses: Social media effort a good way to remember victims
You could call it a social media sensation -- the call for people to do 26 acts of kindness in memory of those who lost their lives in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. The efforts have been grand...Published: Dec 20, 2012 11:07 AM Full Editorial
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Budget truths: No matter what happens with fiscal cliff, reality looms
Watching the ping pong match that has become the discussion over the remedy to avoid the fiscal cliff is nothing short of exhausting. And listening to the power brokers in Washington, you almost have to wonder if any of...Published: Dec 19, 2012 10:56 AM Full Editorial
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
A gentleman: Former commissioner really did put people of Wayne County first
There are some people who can be described as "all heart." Their greetings are warm and effusive -- and real. They do not know a stranger and someone who disagrees with them remains a friend. They care about others...Published: Dec 18, 2012 11:13 AM Full Editorial
Monday, December 17, 2012
Time to talk: There's more than one subject, but it is a discussion we need
No one who watched the horror of Friday's shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut could possibly come away with anything except extreme sorrow -- and a determination to do anything in our power to make sure it does not...Published: Dec 17, 2012 10:54 AM Full Editorial
Saturday, December 15, 2012
No words: Connecticut parents' tragedy puts other issues into focus
There is nothing that we can write to make you feel any better after hearing that 26 people -- 20 of them children -- lost their lives in a Connecticut school Friday. We know because we have stopped and...Published: Dec 15, 2012 11:12 PM Full Editorial
Friday, December 14, 2012
Sign of times? Committee's recommendation a little bit extreme, but ...
The fact that the state is considering requiring a prescription to buy cold medicine should not really surprise anyone. The continuing problems with methamphetamines -- and the tragic results when the production of those drugs mixes with families --...Published: Dec 14, 2012 11:03 AM Full Editorial
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Secret force: Local volunteers add much to this community
There are many of them out there, but you see them only sporadically. The people in this county who give their time to charitable organizations are numerous -- but publicity is the last thing they seek. They are volunteering...Published: Dec 13, 2012 10:42 AM Full Editorial
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Immigrants: In discussions, we need to remember those who do it right
Not everyone who is in the English as a Second Language classes at Wayne Community College wants to become an American citizen. Some of them simply want to learn the language of the nation they are temporarily calling home, understanding,...Published: Dec 12, 2012 10:55 AM Full Editorial
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Careful takeover: McCrory seems to be taking time to do it right
There is always a danger when a new administration takes over. There is a tendency to believe one's own press and to come in like a bull in a china shop, ignoring the possibility that your election has not,...Published: Dec 11, 2012 11:06 AM Full Editorial
Monday, December 10, 2012
Fiscal cliff deal: It might be the best idea now, but it's not what we need
There is going to be a deal. The worries over what is next with regard to tax cuts and budgets might soon be over as Republicans realize that, for now, they are likely going to have to do it...Published: Dec 10, 2012 10:29 AM Full Editorial
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Warm hearts: Community has helped make Christmas dreams come true.
We wish you could have been there with us Saturday morning. You would have been surprised how many people in Wayne County need help this Christmas -- and how grateful they were to receive it. You would be humbled to...Published: Dec 8, 2012 11:48 PM Full Editorial
Friday, December 7, 2012
DeMint's task: Senator says he wants to be part of changing Republican party's future
It is being touted as a herculean task, the charge that Sen. Jim DeMint says is the reason he is resigning his Senate seat and taking the job as the leader of the Heritage Foundation. His goal is to...Published: Dec 7, 2012 11:00 AM Full Editorial
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Good for goose: So much for standards when there is no re-election in the offing
There are more than a few disappointments that can be associated with the administration of outgoing Gov. Beverly Perdue. However, the most recent example is not unique to her. It is the type of double standard that drives constituents...Published: Dec 6, 2012 10:46 AM Full Editorial
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Blame game: Who is at fault in Kansas City? The man who pulled the trigger.
The bottom line is that the Kansas City Chiefs football player who took his girlfriend's life -- and then his own -- is responsible for the horror that took place this past weekend. It is not the NRA's stand...Published: Dec 5, 2012 10:58 AM Full Editorial
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Standing firm: Supreme Court justice correct in staying on redistricting case
Every once in a while a group takes a stand and you wonder -- how do they do it with a straight face? That is the case in the trumped up challenge filed by the NAACP claiming that newly re-elected...Published: Dec 4, 2012 11:22 AM Full Editorial
Monday, December 3, 2012
Fiscal cliff: Deadline looms, but divide still remains
If you don't want to worry about the state of the economy, ignore the commentary accompanying the discussion of the looming fiscal cliff. If you listen to that, you will wonder if it is even possible for Congress and the...Published: Dec 3, 2012 10:55 AM Full Editorial
Saturday, December 1, 2012
United, we win: It has been a tough year for many. Giving wisely is important.
A day does not go by in most of our lives when we do not receive a call to donate to something. A local effort, a needy family, even a charity to benefit a local historical landmark, there are plenty...Published: Dec 1, 2012 10:34 PM Full Editorial