On Christmas evening, a political program focused exclusively on North Carolina aired its last show. The show completed a 22-year run that day. The moderator, Tom Campbell, decided to retire, and with his retirement came the end of NC SPIN.
All in Columns
Kristy Bock: When words are the downfall of communication
Words have power, and the lack of personal accountability throughout social media has segregated humans into categories that are all-encompassing. The division forced readers and posters to assume sides instead of attempting to find a middle ground. If there are no repercussions for inflammatory or sensationalized media forums, blatant lies and half-truths will masquerade as fact that influences humans who believe what they read without independent verification.
Reece Gardner: Let's talk politics
Let's talk politics, first on the State level (Georgia) and then on the national scene. In the Georgia election, which was held yesterday, it is reported that the GOP recruited over 8,000 volunteers to watch the polls in the counting of votes in the two races for the U.S. Senate.
Mike Parker: 2020 saw an epidemic of uncivil discourse
The year 2020 will go down as one of the more challenging times in recent memory for our nation. Of course, the biggest story has been the COVID-19 pandemic. But other stories – a host of elections, endless negative campaigning, executive orders by the bushel baskets, and a vague dread of the impending loss of individual liberty – have also caused our collective vision to blur.
Kristy Bock: My 2020 lesson is the weight and power of words
The most important lesson I learned in 2020 was the weight and power that words carry. There were times throughout the year that I did not use the voice God gave me and I paid for my silence.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Happy New Year holiday appetizers!
Bring in the New Year with your “bubble” of friends and family with some delicious and mostly healthy Holiday appetizers. Your guests will scoop up these tasty starters to give you energy to make to the ball drop!
John Hood: Five political questions for 2021
After getting many political predictions wrong in 2016, including but not limited to the results of the presidential election, I threw my long-cherished crystal ball out and started building a new one.
Reece Gardner: Happy New Year!
I am sure that having the Covid-19 to deal with for most of the year 2020, we are all going to see a lot of relief coming in 2021.
Mike Parker: Carols are one of the chief blessings of the Christmas season
I realize Christmas Day was actually last Friday, but we are close enough to the day to pause to rejoice in the music that makes Christmas so special. Traditional Christmas carols are one of my greatest joys during the Christmas season. At the church I attend, we sing carols as congregational hymns every Sunday in December.
John Hood: NC SPIN reaches its end
May I tell you a bit about the pioneering Campbells of eastern North Carolina?
The patriarch of the family, minister James Archibald Campbell, founded a school in Buies Creek in 1887 that we now know as Campbell University. In the early days, privation and bad luck sometimes forced “Jim Arch” to keep institution alive through sheer force of will.
John Hood: Christmas gifts aren’t wasteful
Among the pagan-inspired customs of the Christmas season, there has come to be the ritualistic burning of the straw man. Specifically, I refer to the traditional seasonal column by a sly journalist or political analyst asserting that the exchange of Christmas gifts is a major lose-lose for the economy.
Dr. Travis Towne: Teaching History during a pandemic…What’s my motivation?
I am often asked what I teach when I tell someone my job and when I say “history”, I sometimes get the response, “I wish I would have paid more attention to my history class when I was in school.” Sadly, just like many of my students are now realizing how much they actually miss and crave the socialization found within a school environment, our society often belatedly realizes how vital an understanding of the social sciences are to their everyday lives.
Reece Gardner: Christmas - it's all about love
Well, here we are into another Christmas week, and I hope It will be a really great one for you! I have the pleasure this week of spending some time with my Precious children and grandchildren, which for me is one of life's greatest blessings. I hope this will also be a wonderful time for you.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Holiday Brunch!
Celebrate the Holiday season with those in your “quarantine bubble” by enjoying a special leisurely brunch featuring classic and seasonal dishes. Pick the perfect recipes to share with your family and friends.
Who was the real St. Nicholas?
At this time of year, we are bombarded by images and music that celebrate the Christmas season. One of those images appears in the form of a rotund man with a long white beard who is dressed in a fur-trimmed red suit. We call him Santa Claus.
Reece Gardner: US Supreme Court decision based on jurisdiction, not merit
The ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court denying Texas' motion to file a Bill of Complaint alleging voting irregularities by the states of Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin was based mainly on the claim that "Texas did not demonstrate a judicially recognizable interest in the matter." So this ruling by SCOTUS was apparently based on the jurisdiction and not the merits of the case, which may embolden the challengers to continue their efforts.
Mike Parker: The real vote for President takes place today
Despite all the hoopla and caterwauling that surrounded the Nov. 3 General Election, the real election for U.S. President takes place today when electors gather in their specific states to cast ballots for our nation’s highest office.
John Hood: Let candidates control their message
When U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis narrowly won reelection against Cal Cunningham, the two candidates had collectively spent $78 million. That’s a large number. But it was dwarfed by the $221 million spent on the race by groups other than the two campaigns.
Cooking with Tammy Kelly: Cranberries aren’t just for sauce and garland!
It’s not a secret that berries are really good for us, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, are all packed with fiber, antioxidants and many other super nutrients. Often overlooked until Holiday season are cranberries, nope they aren’t just for cranberry sauce and garland!!
Travis Towne: Fueled by faith and the C.A.R.S. program
In the summer of 2019, Billy Jarrell felt a call to start a new ministry focused on bringing automotive technicians and other “car geeks” together in a way that not only made spiritual connections but also allowed them the opportunity to serve others with their talents. The C.A.R.S. mission focus is to live out Colossians 3:17 “and whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”