Opinion (250)
In the January 1953 edition of the magazine If: Worlds of Science Fiction, a fan of the genre from Texas, Marilyn Venable, made her debut as an author. “Time Enough at Last,” Venable’s story of a bookish man who survives a nuclear holocaust, made such an impression that Twilight Zone creator Rod Serling chose it as the first story not written by himself to be adapted for the initial season of his pioneering television series.
It is the time of year that brings a fond remembrance for folks of my generation and those from the generations slightly before. When we were younger, we were not blessed with the internet. We had no Amazon or eBay from which to compile our list of Christmas wants and wishes. My brother and I would fight to see who could pick out what we wanted from Santa Claus. We would wrestle that great book from each others hands and go page by page, methodically creating our Christmas list. The book I am talking about is the Sears Christmas Wish Book.
COLUMN: Harvard study shows the dangers of early school enrollment
Written by Kerry McDonald
Every parent knows the difference a year makes in the development and maturity of a young child. A one-year-old is barely walking while a two-year-old gleefully sprints away from you. A four-year-old is always moving, always imagining, always asking why, while a five-year-old may start to sit and listen for longer stretches.
COLUMN: To a nation of snowflakes, Christmas has become yet another trigger word
Written by John W. Whitehead
To a nation of snowflakes, Christmas has become yet another trigger word.
COLUMN: GOP's new definition of election projection
Written by Thomas Mills
Watching Republicans yell “But the Democrats!” on Twitter in response to the election fraud in the 9th Congressional District race has been very entertaining. It’s also given new meaning to the term "election projection." The twitter warrior who goes by the handle Sister Toldjah has been “documenting” the history of election misconduct in Bladen County, always pointing to Democrats’ culpability in the process. Raleigh Attorney Brent Woodcox who serves as special counsel to the Republicans in the General Assembly has been desperately trying to point fingers at Roy Cooper’s 2016 campaign.
In response to the toppling in August of the Confederate Monument at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chancellor Carol Folt and other UNC leaders have proposed a controversial solution: a new $5.3 million building on campus that will cost $800,000 a year to operate.
Some are outraged that Silent Sam will be returning to UNC at all, as one of the exhibits in the new University History and Education Center. Others, inclined to defend the state’s Civil War heritage, dislike the idea of relocating the monument to a less-traveled corner of the campus. And taxpayers across the political spectrum are aghast at the multi-million-dollar cost.
COLUMN: Why I am grateful to George Herbert Walker Bush
Written by Thomas L. Knapp
Unless you live under a rock (and probably even if you do), you've noticed the death of George Herbert Walker Bush, 41st President of the United States, on Nov. 30, at age 94.
You've probably also suffered through multiple personal remembrances of the man and his presidency — some positive, some negative, some mixed. Mine, which you may read below if you're not already worn out on the topic, is of the latter variety.
COLUMN: The ACLU is quietly abandoning civil liberties
Written by Brittany Hunter
Since 1920, the American Civil Liberties Union has generally upheld its mission to “defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States."
Of all the protections guaranteed in the Constitution, the right to due process is among the most sacred. It is this right that protects each of us from being held legally accountable should we be arbitrarily accused of a crime.
I know this is probably going to result in a “well, duh!” moment from a lot of you. I guess it's time for me to finally accept my title of Master Of The Obvious, and I will gladly do so. I'm okay with that, so I figured I would cut off the inevitable comments at the proverbial pass. What, you ask, may I be thinking that is so obvious? Well, I have drawn out the suspense as long as I could, and as long as I could get away with padding the first paragraph of this column with nonsense without you noticing. I am convinced that fast-food giants are trying to kill us. See? I told you it would be obvious.
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GUEST EDITORIAL: Free speech suit could discourage unlawful arrests
Written by Wilson Times
By making it easier to sue for retaliatory arrests, Supreme Court justices could pump the brakes on “contempt of cop” cases where citizens’ cross words and surly attitudes lead to low-level criminal charges.
COLUMN: Redistributing income isn't investment
Written by John Hood
Whether your frame of reference is a country, a government, a business, or your own household, being better off in the long run requires patience and discipline in the short run. To have more income tomorrow, you must deny some immediate gratification today. You must save and invest.
Letter to the Editor: Bryan Till asks for community support ahead of Richmond's third-round playoff game
Written by Bryan Till
Richmond County citizens,
It has been a pleasure the be the head coach for the Richmond Raiders football team for the last two seasons. Our young men have worked extremely hard for the better part of 11 months (since February) to prepare for this time of year.
COLUMN: Doing justice to Trump's 'invasion' claim
Written by Thomas L. Knapp
On Oct. 29, U.S. President Donald Trump took to Twitter, warning that a migrant "caravan" approaching the US-Mexico border was "an invasion of our Country and our Military is waiting for you!" On Nov. 18, as the caravan reached Tijuana — and the border — he reiterated the "invasion" claim: "[T]he U.S. is ill-prepared for this invasion, and will not stand for it."
As a popular conservative radio host frequently reminds us, "words mean things."
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