I love that description of all of us proclaimed by Allen McIntosh that we are walking, talking, living breathing miracles, born in the Image of God, and bound for the Promised Land."
All in Columns
John Hood: Federal bailout will punish our state
Now that Democrats control the White House and both chambers of Congress (however narrowly), they will probably approve a new round of federal borrowing to bail out state and local governments with shaky finances. In other words, Washington will punish North Carolina and other prudently governed states by saddling us with the cost of other states’ mistakes.
Mike Parker: COVID has taken a serious toll on K-12 students
The wife of one of my former students wrote these words recently:
“I am not one to usually post things like this BUT having to sit here this morning and comfort my girl as I watch tears roll down her cheeks over virtual schooling is NOT okay… her exact words: ‘I just want to be back in school mommy, how long is this going to last?’
John Hood: COVID immunity Is too far off
As of January 18, North Carolina has received about a million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. Nearly 330,000 of those doses have been injected into the arms of North Carolinians. That may sound like a big number. But it’s not nearly big enough.
Reece Gardner: It's time to "Accentuate the Positive, Eliminate the Negative'"
It's time to "Accentuate the Positive, Eliminate the Negative'" and hopefully we are headed in that direction. I will briefly comment on some recent news on the political front, and then I want to recall the words from some beautiful old hymns about things that REALLY matter.
Mike Parker: Before we promote ‘social justice,’ shouldn’t we know what it is?
I was watching an NFL football game one recent evening, and one of the sports figures came on during a commercial to promote “social justice.” Social justice sounds like a laudable term, but just what does it mean?
Reece Gardner: Just what happened in D.C. on January 6?
“Would it really benefit Conservatives and the MAGA Movement to essentially threaten the Legislators inside who were seemingly heading toward a conclusion they were seeking? The answer has to be a resounding "No!" And the same people who called it a "Myth" when Antifa and others were actually burning, looting, and rioting all summer long, are now quick to denounce a mostly peaceful protest as violent, and to demand that President Trump resign immediately.”
John Hood: Trashed Capitol should revolt us all
Led into the building and encouraged by a cadre of alt-right provocateurs, the mob also produced priceless propaganda for the enemies of our country. “The celebration of democracy is over,” one Russian official wrote. “America no longer forges that path, and consequently has lost its right to define it. Much less force it on others.” A state-run Chinese newspaper headlined its coverage this way: “An iconic humiliation! The madness of the Capitol has dragged the U.S.’s standing into its Waterloo!”
Mike Parker: ‘Balanced debate for the Old North State’ ends 22-year run
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.
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.