August 2013 archives

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Friday, August 30, 2013

Can-do drive: Reader's idea is perfect plan for Sunday services

Sometimes the best ideas come from people who are just sitting around thinking. And that is exactly what happened when Theresa English sat down to think about the need for food at the Salvation Army food pantry. She came...

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Miley shock: An awful lot of people are talking about ex-Disney star's bizarre act

If you didn't see it, you did not miss much. Just think back to the attention-getting garbage that Britney Spears tried more than a few years ago -- and add a few teddy bears. It even looked like a...

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

More dreams: Historic memory should spark modern re-examination

It is not possible to listen to Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech without getting a knot in your throat. It was a courageous call for all Americans -- black and white -- to be better...

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Syria scare: The delicate balance is reason to tread carefully here.

Instability. It is the most critical word when it comes to relations in the Middle East in general and the United States' concerns and interest in the region in particular. That's why so many people are so worried about what...

Monday, August 26, 2013

Back to work: Schools need community to make education work

It would be great if there were some magic class that teachers could take that would make them absolutely certain that every child they come across would learn, grow and succeed. But there isn't. Some public officials like to point...

Saturday, August 24, 2013

This one's for the kids ... A few thoughts about going back to school ... and the future

Back to school. It can be lots of fun, but a little scary, too. We have been there, too. (Eons ago when dinosaurs walked the Earth.) But there are some truths you should know as you head back to...

Friday, August 23, 2013

Politics? Yes. Voting rights battle interesting because of hypocrisy

It is still hard to believe that there is still a hoopla over asking people to show identification -- you can't even buy cold medicine these days without it -- to vote. Or that the thought that a college student...

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Teachers: There are many of them in county making a difference every day.

Teachers take a lot of potshots -- especially from politicians who have never been in a classroom and from those looking for a scapegoat when state scores dip. But the truth is there are many who make a difference...

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Egypt watch: Trouble in Middle East is never good for U.S. interests

Why in the world should you care about the fighting, the bloodshed and the unrest that has become a regular story out of Egypt during the past few weeks? Sure, you can feel for the people and wonder about the...

Monday, August 19, 2013

Time to care: United Way's effort begins this week

It doesn't have to be a big production. Offer a helping hand to a neighbor, pick up trash at the local park, donate some food to a food pantry or simply join in on one of the many service...

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Obamacare: There are some givens that should go along with new law

Perhaps you have heard the chorus of complaints from around government -- and around union halls -- about the impending introduction of the new Affordable Care Act. It seems there are a bunch of federal workers who do not...

Friday, August 16, 2013

Earnings watch: Forget the rosy economic talk

If we had a dollar for every government mouthpiece who proclaims that the economy is better and Americans are more confident, it would be and they would be. But the truth is that this week's revised outlooks and less-than-solid profits...

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Goose, gander: Parties' arguments seem to always miss the point

One of the more interesting aspects of working with political parties is watching how easily they point fingers, but how slow they are to look in the mirror. Such is the case with the arguments over voting rights in North...

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

A thought ... Ever wonder why there are no documented cases of voter fraud?

It doesn't require much space to talk about, but you won't hear much discussion about the validity of one of the key complaints of those who are up in arms about North Carolina's new voter identification law. What you...

Monday, August 12, 2013

Enough humility: World has become keenly aware of our government's lack of resolve

There is a fundamental truth behind any negotiation. If the person with whom you are negotiating does not respect you, or does not think you have any power to wield, they are likely to not be very receptive to...

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Be heard: At every level of government, your opinion matters

We never believe that our voice makes a difference. How often do you hear someone say -- "It doesn't matter what we say. They are going to do what they want to do." Or, this oldie but goodie: "Why...

Friday, August 9, 2013

A lesson plan: It's time to confront reality of what holds students back

Education. It is what everyone is talking about these days. Everyone has a theory. Everyone has a comment. Few people have real solutions. The new attack plan includes pronouncements. "Every third-grader will know how to read before he or...

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Smart money: Spend where it lifts N.C. quality of life, cut where it doesn't

There is a reason that the term "bureaucracy" has such a negative connotation. It is what happens when organizations that began with a real purpose and mission become mazes of inefficiency for the public they were meant to serve...

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

A new start: County commission turns over new leaf

It is never easy to admit that you were wrong privately, let alone to stand up before a group of people and say it. So there is reason today to acknowledge a commissioner who did just that -- and...

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Sad day: The proper action was to protect the game's integrity

There will be some who will whisk away the story about the 13 Major League Baseball players who will face suspensions because of their alleged use of performance enhancing drugs. They will pull a Lance Armstrong and say that...

Monday, August 5, 2013

Days of Caring: Register now to be part of communitywide effort

In this busy world, we don't always take the time to seek out ways to be part of the community, to help others in need. And in so doing, we miss the chance to gain something that we all...

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Starting over: The rules show what you say comes back to bite you

There are rules that go along with human interaction. Observe them and there is potential for cooperation that can lead to bigger and better things. Break them and the road is rocky and full of pitfalls and distrust. And that...

Friday, August 2, 2013

There's still time: Couldn't join us today? You can still help a child.

It is something most of us don't think about. After all, we might assume, doesn't every child have what he or she needs to start school right? But the truth is that getting school clothes and supplies is an expense...