April 2013 archives

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Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Debate: Conversations end in vitriol in this new world

What happened to the days when civilized discussion accompanied disagreements between people? When was the exact date that polarizing, vitriolic arguments took the place of rational exchanges of differing viewpoints? No one knows when, but they are sure aware...

Monday, April 29, 2013

Pickled green: Festival organizers deserve credit for well-run show

It is not easy being in charge of a community festival. From the logistics of getting it organized in the first place to making sure things run smoothly the day of, lots of hours went into making the N.C....

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Keep out: Change in leadership in schools not invitation for commission

You can almost see it if you squint hard enough: A few county commissioners sitting around talking -- just enough to get around the open meetings rule, and without the benefit of anyone there to hear them or to offer...

Friday, April 26, 2013

Almost 'Ready': Survivors' stories put event's mission in clear perspective

Their stories make you think -- the men, women and children who are guests each year at the Relay for Life Survivors' Banquet. They talk of struggles and victories. They talk of hopelessness and fear that is often supplanted...

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Budget savvy: Facilities planning needs to have a defined goal

There are two certainties in politics. The first, politicians like to tell taxpayers they are spending hawks zealously guarding their tax dollars from free-spending bureaucrats. (Well, at least some politicians like to say that.) The second is that politicians are...

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

War on poor? Testing for drug use allows for chance to change lives

It is not really all that surprising that NAACP president the Rev. William Barber is running around the state presenting the position that certain pieces of legislation before the General Assembly have "declared war on the poor." It is...

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Fond farewell: The Wall That Heals' visit a proud moment for county

It is not really possible to thank everyone who helped make The Wall That Heals' visit to Goldsboro possible -- and such a success. The members of the Veterans and Patriots Coalition, along with the many other volunteers and...

Monday, April 22, 2013

Manning up: Goldsboro Fire Explorers are role models for how to choose a path

It is not easy being one of the good guys. It takes courage. It takes commitment, and it requires a belief that it is OK to expect more for yourself and for your future. The members of the Goldsboro...

Fox-like hens: It's been proven over and over. Government cannot police itself.

You kind of always wonder if they really think it as you watch those you elected to office ignore the instructions you sent along with them to the statehouse, county commission office, the governor's mansion or the halls of Congress....

Friday, April 19, 2013

Don't miss roll: Today or tomorrow, this is the moment when we remember

Rain could cause a delay, but either this evening or Saturday, the roll of the names of men from this area who lost their lives in Vietnam will be read. It will be touching. It will be hard to...

Thursday, April 18, 2013

What kind of 'no': Gun control rejection was about lack of trust in government

Wednesday's vote against gun control was not about people wanting willy nilly, unregulated gun buying or for irresponsible owners to have free access to guns. It also was not a "no" to taking measures to decrease violence in this...

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Welcome home: Wall's arrival a chance to give veterans tribute they missed

Nearly 40 years ago, there were no cheering, flag-waving crowds lining the streets when those who served in Vietnam came home for the last time. No tributes to their heroism -- or public memorials to the comrades they lost. Tears...

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Still strong: Our enemies (foreign and domestic) keep forgetting our resolve.

Sure, there was fear as two bombs exploded Monday at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. And there will be plenty of tears as the nation's hearts hurt for those who lost their lives and for those whose...

Monday, April 15, 2013

Cat concern: City Council is right to take up issue, but cause remains

The root cause of the cat overpopulation in Wayne County is ... humans. Irresponsible pet owners and those who simply have no heart are what create the feral cat colonies that roam around the city. Goldsboro City Council is right...

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Nickel, dime: Look closely at president's budget. You know Congress won't.

Remember the debacle that surrounded President Barack Obama's health care bill? Remember the thousands of pages full of twists and turns and promises? Remember how many of those who voted for the plan said they did not even read...

Friday, April 12, 2013

Learning place: Community libraries are vital as county moves forward

Let's be honest. There is not a government anywhere -- except, it seems, in Washington -- that is not dealing with the realities of shrinking budgets. So, it makes sense to pay attention to how much things cost. But the...

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Park move: Really? All you have to do is tell city employees 'no'?

Set aside the arguments over where the best place is to locate a restroom in Stoney Creek Park. Acknowledge that perhaps there could be a debate about whether such a structure might not be the best addition to a residential...

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Too close: President's Hollywood/music ties starting to smell a bit fishy

Put on your critic's hat for a minute and review the facts. Jay-Z and Beyonce are photographed on a trip to Cuba -- which is prohibited by the U.S. government because of a long-standing embargo. The pictures hit the...

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

A real solution: Public pronouncements sound good, but do they solve problem?

Another day and another rally in Newtown, Conn., as the president continues his campaign to change gun laws. All President Barack Obama says he is asking is for the nation to make it harder for criminals to get guns...

Saturday, April 6, 2013

In the balance: Just how far can the federal government intrude on states' rights?

More and more people are talking about states' rights. The subject comes up in all sorts of ways -- gay marriage, Obamacare, school policies, you name it and someone has thought of it. So when you hear it, understand...

Friday, April 5, 2013

Care to vote?: Having a responsible electorate isn't too much to ask

Stop the spin. Stop the baloney. Stop the pretense. It is time that someone, somewhere calls the protests against limiting early voting and the statements that requiring identification to vote is racist what they are. Partisanship. The new rule in...

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Basic econ: Create disincentives for business and our entire nation suffers

There is a principle of economics that not too many people understand these days. There is only a finite supply of money, and if you give it all away, there will be none left. The other truth is that if...

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Perception: Downtown has an image problem. What can we do about it?

Crime. It is a concern. Politicians don't like to talk about it. Law enforcement often gets the blame for not stopping it. But who is responsible? And what really can be done to make sure this community is safe? As...

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Solid structure: School brick-and-mortar authority should stay with board of education

There is always going to be a discussion about how to "fix" schools. Some of it comes from the fact that most people, no matter what their political persuasion, want what's best for their children -- and all children....

Monday, April 1, 2013

Spender in chief: On first family's lavish lifestyle, president spares no expense

With the busy lives most families lead, a vacation is a much-anticipated relief from the stresses of daily life. It just hasn't been as easy to take one for many people in middle America these days. When you are worried...