Columns

A Closer Look: The political lynching of Harry Reid
[Jan. 16, 2010] When Barack Obama was neck-in-neck with Hillary Clinton racing for the Democratic nomination for president, one of his earliest supporters, Senator Harry Reid of Nevada said in a private conversation that Obama could win the presidency. One of his reasons was that Obama was “light skinned” and "with no Negro dialect unless he wanted to have one." By Wallace Kaufman

$300 million of wasteful spending in North Carolina's 2009-10 budget
[Aug. 13, 2009] In spite of House Speaker Joe Hackney’s (D-Orange) bold statement that “there is no pork in this budget,” the Civitas Institute has identified nearly $300 million in questionable appropriations for the fiscal year 2009-10 state budget. By Chris Hayes

Ride for the Land comes to Chatham County on July 11
[Jul. 4, 2009] Triangle Land Conservancy's annual bicycle tour, Ride for the Land, comes to Chatham County on July 11. This year Ride for the Land highlights TLC's work to conserve Chatham's beautiful farms, which is why we subtitled this year's ride the "Freewheeling Farmland Frolic." By Doug Nicholas

Beware of free ice cream
[Aug. 24, 2008] A company called Southeast Community Care called and wanted to serve ice cream at both our senior centers. Said they work with seniors, etc. Southeast Community Care sounds friendly enough, right? By Angel Dennison

Voters overwhelmingly reject local tax hikes
[May 9, 2008] Sixty-six percent of North Carolina voters rejected local tax increases Tuesday, sending 22 of 24 proposed tax hikes to defeat. Those results send a message that local governments should avoid pursuing sales and land-transfer tax increases in the future, said John Locke Foundation President John Hood.

A great teacher
[Apr. 7, 2008] A Great Teacher is one who has the disposition that can teach every child to reach their potential and believes that every child has interests and talents that can be developed to reach greatness. By Margaret Evans Gayle

Elon University Poll: Land transfer taxes lack support
[Oct. 3, 2007] Sixty-seven percent of North Carolinians oppose proposals for land transfer taxes as a way for local governments to raise money, according to results from the latest Elon University Poll, which comes as voters in more than a dozen counties across the state consider such a measure on ballots this fall.

Biodiesel damnfoolery
[Jul. 19, 2007] I watched the news last night and the greed and stupidity of some people never fails to amaze me especially on a city level. I am referring to the idiots in High Point that effectively shut down a biodiesel refinery and distribution business the ran safely and profitably since 2004 supplying good economical and environmentally safe fuel till last week. I feel someone responsible for the mess needs a size 14 boot stuck up their, umm, neither regions. By Mark Stinson

Townsends workers focus on wage and hour irregularities
[Apr. 30, 2007] Townsends workers fighting for better conditions at Siler City and Pittsboro plants have begun investigating widespread worker claims of underpayment for time worked and other violations of federal wage and hour laws. Townsends workers have been working to organize a union with the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW).
Also: UFCW

The lottery lunacy continues
[Apr. 19, 2007] The lottery lunacy continues this week. First comes the announcement that lottery tickets will be sold in vending machines, mostly in grocery stores. That’s a good idea, making the tickets available to anyone with a dollar to throw away, regardless of their age. By Chris Fitzsimon

"We are Virginia Tech"
[Apr. 18, 2007] A poet's words silenced the room on a topic that silenced the nation. Famous poet Nikki Giovanni was at Tuesday’s Virginia Tech memorial service helping soothe the hearts of a university community and a nation coming to grips with the deadliest mass shooting in modern history.
Also: "We are Virginia Tech" video

BOE member responds about Northwood track concerns
[Mar. 30, 2007] Both my daughters ran track at Jordan-Matthews and I have argued for new tracks since my oldest was a freshman (she is now a senior at UNC). All three high schools have tracks that are pretty much in the same condition and none can host conference meets. No other schools in either conference still have asphalt tracks and they aren't used in conference meets because they lead to more injuries to runners.

My husband, my hero, the flying squirrel catcher - Part II
[Mar. 23, 2007] Does anyone have an owl I can borrow or possibly a really hungry feral cat? Five just wasn't my lucky number. There had to be additional varmints for only one evening of mayhem in my household didn't hold true to my previous fate with unwanted critters, and I knew it. By Monica Howell

4-H changed my life
[Mar. 23, 2007] I want to chime in about 4-H. My participation in 4-H, from elementary school age into college, quite literally changed my life, and also brought my family closer together. My sister was just as involved, and both my parents were leaders. I had dozens of projects and, as a suburban kid, not a single animal except for our dog. By Duncan Murrell