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Op/Ed
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Book explores why Herbert Hoover failed
| | CHAPEL HILL — “But as it happened, the banks took the taxpayer money and just sat on it.” (Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009)
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What do you know?
| | Our weekly news quiz (Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009)
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A program worthy only of junk yard
| | RALEIGH – The General Assembly's program-evaluation division has just recommended an end to North Carolina's system of mandatory safety inspections and emissions tests for automobiles. If lawmakers actually implement the recommendation, it would earn program evaluators on Jones Street the undying admiration of motorists across the state. (Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009)
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Numbers, the good and the bad
| | It is very telling that when I want to escape the world, I do it with my little friends from my childhood, numbers. Whether philosophical or just in need of knowing that I am with something that understands me, I can spend hours in games and puzzles that manipulate, turn, contort and generally give life to the 10 little digits. (Friday, Jan. 2, 2009)
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Looking back at Stallings in 2008
| | Highlights of 2008 for Stallings include the opening of Stallings Elementary School, Spring Hill Project 365, continued “Green Initiatives,” and implementation of the long awaited Granicus program. Stormwater fees were cut in half and the property tax rate was reduced to .2136 per hundred. That means a home valued at $200,000 paid $72.80 less than with the previous rate of .25. With the slowdown in development, council was also able to focus attention on development of needed policy and infrastructure plans. (Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008)
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World is poorer place with passing of pair
| | In the finest tradition of Auld Lange Zyne I've long used my last column of the year to lift up the life of someone special who passed on during the year. This year I have the unusual circumstance of featuring two- Mr. Delmer Wiles and Mr. Robert Black. Two of the finest men I've ever known. (Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008)
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Local churches do good things
| | MATTHEWS — A church congregation functioning at its best is a beautiful thing to experience. I was recently reminded of this while attending a funeral service. (Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2008)
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Anonymous letter revealed a lot
| | Last week, we ran a story about the challenges of being a religious minority in our county. (Monday, Dec. 29, 2008)
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A preview of 2009
| | Once again, as media outlets take a “special look back” at events that shaped the previous year - really an opportunity for journalists to write a bucket-load of year-in-review stories in advance and spend a week or two polishing their resumes and looking for a more inviting career path, like bomb-disposal technician - I instead choose to use my super powers to predict what lies ahead in 2009. (Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008)
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Technology transforms free expression
| | Welcome to 2009 — and to the era of First Amendment 3.0. First Amendment 1.0 was the time of origination, when the Founders debated, discussed and eventually created in 1791 a statement — the first 45 words in the Bill of Rights — that both declared and protected freedom of religion, speech and press, and the rights of assembly and petition. (Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008)
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What do you know?
| | Take our weekly current events quiz and find out what you missed in the news. (Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008)
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Prepare for fiscal downpour
| | RALEIGH – In the week leading up to Christmas, North Carolinians saw gray skies and dodged a steady drizzle – not exactly the makings of a merry holiday. Turning from the literal to the figurative, unfortunately, the signs of an impending storm were even more ominous. (Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008)
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Do banks need a backup?
| | Banks have lost billions of dollars in the past year and cut thousands of employees. At the same time, the federal government - which really means you and me as taxpayers - has put billions of dollars into the banking system to limit losses and prevent a widespread banking collapse. (Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008)
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Take a moment to remember volunteers
| | It was an unusual gift to say the least and came as a complete surprise. (Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008)
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What is hope worth?
| | CHAPEL HILL — In late September, according to a story floating around this Christmas season, an ardent Democrat was on his knees in prayer. (Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008)
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Top monkey stories of 2008
| | I wish I had a nickel for every time someone said, “Scott, what were the top monkey-related stories of the year?” (Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008)
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A right for one is a right for all
| | Just when I thought the Christmas wars couldn't get more ridiculous or hostile, along comes the uproar over dueling holiday displays in the rotunda of Washington's state Capitol. (Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008)
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Letters to the Editor
| | In an editorial on a recent Saturday, columnist John Hood touted the success of two old style charter schools that use “phonics-based methods” and a “broad, classical curriculum.” Noting that charter schools are forced to manage with lower budgets that public schools, he brags that the students in these two schools score higher than those in public schools on end-of-grade tests. This pattern holds true for students in all socio-economic groups, whether affluent or poor. Mr. Hood's point is that competing schools with conservative traditional curricula provide more “bang for the buck” than public schools. These conservative schools take on students from equally advantaged or disadvantaged backgrounds as the public schools and whip the public schools in every group. (Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008)
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What do you know?
| | Test your knowledge of news and current events in our weekly quiz. (Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008)
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Probation system is a mess
| RALEIGH - Who does Mike Easley think he's fooling?
I suppose it's possible that the governor doesn't really think he's fooling anybody, or doesn't much care one way or the other. By next month, he'll be former Gov. Easley. (Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008)
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Now is time to help, not to blame
| | A wise minister once said that our prayers are answered faster when we are in the darkest places and still hold gratitude in our hearts. At times, that can be a Herculean task. (Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008)
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Lowering standards is not the answer
| | INDIAN TRAIL - It's been a rough couple of weeks for education in our region. If we don't get a hold of this thing, the consequences could be severe. We might even end up with an entire generation that finds it acceptable to use the word “Metrolina.” It's not their fault; they won't know any better. (Friday, Dec. 19, 2008)
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Be careful about wishing for white Christmas
| | For all you Northern Yankee persons and other foreigners new to this part of the country who are at home this very minute dreaming of a white Christmas here's the deal. It ain't gonna happen here. And even if it did, you wouldn't want it too. (Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008)
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Rational decisions; Don't bet on it
| Last week the New York Times released its list of "100 notable" books of 2008.
Two North Carolina books made the list. (Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008)
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Teachers and Facebook
| | School board members David Scholl and Laura Minsk and I are Facebook friends. I think you ought to know that up front. (Monday, Dec. 15, 2008)
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The Clooney Factor
| | Fifty-seven percent of us are sexy, or so we American men believe. (Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008)
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The press on anniversary of First Amendment
| | As the First Amendment marks its 217th anniversary on Dec. 15, here's a quick look at where our basic freedoms stand — starting with a free press: (Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008)
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Weekly News Quiz
| | So many new names for Congress and the White House ... bailouts ... economic ups and, mostly, downs ... and juicy rumors. Are you keeping up with the latest from Washington? Test yourself with our weekly political pop quiz. Remember, what you do not know can hurt you. Good luck! (Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008)
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Charters deliver for at-risk kids
| | RALEIGH -- In a revealing example of Alexander Pope's observation that “a little learning is a dangerous thing,” some left-wing politicians and activists in North Carolina seem to believe that because family structure and income exhibit a persistent correlation with student achievement, significant education progress is impossible without massive social programs or income redistribution. (Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008)
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Should we view our homes differently?
| | My wife Mary and I have begun a home remodeling project. (Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008)
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There is no War on Christmas
| | Our Christmas tree is beautiful this year. Technically, I have two Christmas trees this year; one is beautiful and the other is nonexistent. But it will be up and glowing soon. (Friday, Dec. 12, 2008)
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Exciting times ahead for Waxhaw
| | Democracy works best when the citizens are actively engaged in their government.” (Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008)
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Miracles and miracle-miracles
| | Do miracles happen today? “Well…maybe,” you say. “Maybe overseas…where they are needed.” (Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008)
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Dec. 8 was my own day of infamy
| | This week we paused to remember and reflect on December 7, 1941. The day that for all Americans will live forever in infamy. (Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008)
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One barbecue controversy resolved
| | CHAPEL HILL — There is one great question that North Carolina politicians have argued about for generations. The views of the protagonists are intractable and held with passion. (Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008)
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Genius or a sucker bet?
| Is Maurice Ewing totally brilliant, or Union County's personal P.T. Barnum?
I've been puzzling over this question for a few weeks, ever since Ewing stepped into the center ring, tipped his top hat and suggested that we really need to build a 5,000-acre, mixed-use industrial park on the far eastern border of the county. (Monday, Dec. 8, 2008)
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Customer assistance on Aisle Three
| | I was where I did not want to be: standing in a big discount store late on a Sunday afternoon smack dab in the middle of shopping season waiting on customer assistance that would never come. (Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008)
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Readers speak out on gay marriage dispute
| | Last time out, I addressed the fallout from the passage of Proposition 8, a ballot initiative that bans same-sex marriage in California. Both sides, I argued, need to rethink their strategy of harsh attacks before the clash escalates out of control. (Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008)
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Current Events Quiz
| | So many new names for Congress and the White House ... bailouts ... economic ups and, mostly, downs ... and juicy rumors. Are you keeping up with the latest from Washington? (Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008)
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Is North Carolina in a recession?
| | Most economists now have come to the conclusion the nation's economy is in a recession. (Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008)
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Connect with new book on economy
| | RALEIGH -- N.C. State University economist and Carolina Journal columnist Mike Walden is one of North Carolina's most-influential public intellectuals. (Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008)
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Black Friday has whole new meaning
| | Black Friday may have a new definition. In a surprising and appalling event over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, all of us got to see just how entrenched the idea of American entitlement has become. (Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008)
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County has best poultry farmers
| | The turkey is gone, finally. (Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008)
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An amazing election victory
| | CHAPEL HILL —Excitement and anticipation reigned everywhere as a young black man campaigning on a promise of change won a groundbreaking election victory. (Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008)
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Get ready for change
| | If I were a betting woman — and, let's face it, I am — I would put money on former Marvin Village Councilman Lanny Openshaw becoming the next chairman of the Union County Board of Commissioners tomorrow night. (Monday, Dec. 1, 2008)
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Letter of the Day
| | Unlike most of the readers of the Enquirer, I neither ignore columnist Mr. Moore's musings nor get enraged by them. I understand why the Enquirer publishes his viewpoints. (Monday, Dec. 1, 2008)
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Support free speech when others don't
| | At first glance, the racy Web site “JuicyCampus.com” and a small, anti-gay group organized as the Westboro Baptist Church seem to have little in common. (Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008)
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It's time to monkey around again
| | It's heartening to know during the holiday season, when I need to knock out a column as quickly as possible to spend at least a little time with my dysfunctional family, that monkeys are still doing their part to make this world a better place. (Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008)
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Do you know the news?
| | Test yourself with our weekly political pop quiz. Remember, what you do not know can hurt you. Good luck! (Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008)
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Allowing failure cultivates success
| | There are a lot of great thinkers who are putting their heads together right now trying to figure out how to get the economy going again. (Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008)
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Bevery Perdue's interesting interview
| | RALEIGH -- Is Beverly Perdue thinking big? Really big? (Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008)
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Between Sisters: A Eulogy
| | When rumor became reality that Between Sisters in downtown Monroe was closing, I reacted in the typical fashion appropriate for such news: I grieved. (Friday, Nov. 28, 2008)
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Happy Thanksgiving
| | This Thanksgiving is a little different from years past due to the economic climate. (Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008)
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Lessons of the Depression are lost in time
| | Growing up on a small farm with a father who thought of himself as more of a drill sergeant than an enlightened mentor, we learned to pay attention to the task at hand in the middle of any storm. (Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008)
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Letter of the Day
| Commissioners wasted thousands
Caption misrepresented my views (Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008)
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Thanksgiving and happiness
| | Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. (Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008)
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Obama's pop quiz dashed my hopes
| | As much as I admire President-Elect Barack Obama, I'm reconsidering my offer to serve in his administration. It's not because of ideological differences, it's because I wasn't aware of the written exam. (Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008)
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When marriage debate turns ugly, no one wins
| | Since Election Day, the Mormon church has been the target of demonstrations protesting the passage of Proposition 8, the ballot initiative that outlawed same-sex marriage in California. (Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008)
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The Current Events Quiz
| | So many candidates ... so-called debates ... celebrity endorsements ... campaign promises ... juicy rumors. Are you keeping up with the latest from Washington and the campaign trail? Test yourself with our weekly political pop quiz. Remember, what you do not know can hurt you. Good luck! (Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008)
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Close state's freedom deficit
| | RALEIGH – Just as a worldwide economic crisis manifests itself in local communities from the mountains to the coast, there's new evidence that North Carolina politicians have spent the past several years steadily weakening the economic freedom that once helped our state prosper. (Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008)
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NC hits 70% turnout of registered voters
| | Obama, Hagan and Perdue each led after Early Voting, then lost on Election Day (Friday, Nov. 21, 2008)
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So just when does citizenship begin?
| | House Bill 263, the “fetal homicide law,” comes from the best intentions. It would be a shame to see it end in the worst consequences. (Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008)
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When a son follows his dad's footsteps
| | It was bound to happen sooner or later so I shouldn't have been surprised at all when it did. (Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008)
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Can new leaders lead to new economy?
| | The election is over, and now our newly elected (and re-elected) leaders face the task of governing. Clearly, economic issues were front and center during the political campaign, so it's understandable that voters will be expecting action on pocketbook issues. (Monday, Nov. 17, 2008)
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Village green has grown into village screen
| The village green has grown to include the village screen.
The 21st century dynamics of free press and free speech are an intriguing blend of traditional news media, new technology, personal messages and even entertainment programming. (Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008)
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How to get a cabinet position
| | As an objective journalist, it would be unethical for me to publicly lobby for a high-level cabinet position in the Obama administration. That's why I hired Cousin Junior, owner and operator of Cousin Junior's Small Engine Repair, Discount Taxidermy and Certified Lobbying Services, to do it for me. (Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008)
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Are you smarter than a senator?
| | So much news, so little time. Are you keeping up with the latest from Washington? Test yourself with our weekly political pop quiz. (Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008)
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Faith gives soldiers their courage
| | Dog tags: you know what they are, these little metal tags all soldiers wear. But did you ever notice what is printed on them? (Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008)
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In politics, we're back to 1993
| | RALEIGH – A useful way to think about the two Democratic wave elections of 2006 and 2008 is that they've taken America back to the status quo ante of 1993, though not all the way back in the case of North Carolina. (Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008)
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Understanding why soldiers serve
| | No soldier ever dies for nothing. (Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008)
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A handyman I have never been
| | Well, so far so far High Grass Manor ain't blown up from the gas logs I installed in the fireplace with the help of that adapter kit last week. Laurie, however, is still worried that they will. (Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008)
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N.C. owes Kansas again
| It was a bittersweet moment at the end of the presidential campaign last week when Barack Obama, speaking in North Carolina, tearfully acknowledged his debt to his Kansas-born and raised grandmother.
Obama got me thinking about Kansas. (Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008)
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Whiners and losers
| Will the puling infants please pipe down?
I'm talking to the angry loser who sent a lynching-referencing e-mail to my dad this week — an e-mail that really needed to come with the subject line “from the files of the KKK, circa 1958” rather than “re: Election 2008.” (Monday, Nov. 10, 2008)
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How I almost lost my finger
| | I found out which is my most important finger, and it wasn't the one I thought. (Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008)
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Beyond the election: E Pluribus Unum
| | Welcome to the new America. (Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008)
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On the Democratic triumph
| | RALEIGH – The 2008 elections are finally over, with Democrats enjoying a thrilling night of decisive wins and historic firsts. (Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008)
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Is red North Carolina turning blue?
| | WASHINGTON-North Carolina more than lived up to the battleground hype this year. But will it keep that swing state label in future presidential elections? (Friday, Nov. 7, 2008)
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