Friday this came across my Twitter feed. "Huh," I thought out loud to no one in particular. Is Bill Harrison saying what I think he's saying? Does he want to run for statewide office after his retirement as superintendent of the Alamance-Burlington School System starts in June? Really? So after mulling it over for, oh, … Continue reading Retiring superintendent is serious about possible political bid. Just do it
Politics, reluctantly
The reality of a world without newspapers
I had a depressing conversation with my mother on Sunday. It's not the first time. It won't be the last. The subject is a familiar one -- the slow demise of newspapers. My mom is 86 years old, a graduate of the School of Journalism at the University of North Carolina and a healthy consumer … Continue reading The reality of a world without newspapers
‘The Post’ and lessons about freedom of the press
It's almost impossible to view "The Post," Steven Spielberg's much-anticipated film chronicling a First Amendment fight in 1971 pitting two newspapers vs. the U.S. government over reporting classified Defense Department information. without also considering what happens later. Indeed the re-election of President Richard M. Nixon in 1972, the ensuing Watergate scandal initiated by Washington Post … Continue reading ‘The Post’ and lessons about freedom of the press
Still a sticking point
A couple of years ago I got a telephone call on Election Day from someone who would one day be among my colleagues in a new job outside newspapers or even journalism. Jon Dooley, now vice president for Student Life at Elon University, rang me up on the day of Burlington's municipal elections in November of … Continue reading Still a sticking point
Throwback Thursday: A reminder about the treachery of politicians
I wrote this in October, 2015 about something that impacted my home county. This still pisses me off to be blunt about it. Never forget what politicians are capable of doing -- ever. --- In Stokes County, where I was born and raised, a lot of good people I know very well fought the good … Continue reading Throwback Thursday: A reminder about the treachery of politicians
Reality crashes in America’s Land of Make Believe
I traveled to Las Vegas for the first time in August of 2001. I’ll always remember the date because approximately a month later I would learn that the bastard terrorists who commandeered jet airliners then used them as missiles on Sept. 11, 2001 were on the infamous Vegas Strip at roughly the same time we … Continue reading Reality crashes in America’s Land of Make Believe
In context: Still disconnected, by choice
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This post has been edited to reflect updated information available later on Wednesday. --- Do a Google search today for Alamance County Commissioner Tim Sutton. Make sure to add the Alamance County commissioner part in order to avoid confusion with the movie director of the same name. Here's what you find. He's famous. … Continue reading In context: Still disconnected, by choice
The disturbing disconnect of a county politician
Very little surprises me anymore. After all, I spent years upon years dealing with public officials of every kind: Small, medium and large; sober, drunk or stoned; and most frequently animal, vegetable or mineral. I spoke to hundreds, probably a few thousand, people on the phone who expressed variations of warped or circular logic. There … Continue reading The disturbing disconnect of a county politician
Throwback Thursday column: Son of a son of a son of a Confederate veteran
This is a newspaper column I wrote in the summer of 2014 when this issue of Southern heritage and Confederate flags and statues was raised. Yes, it comes up every so often and has for the past 120 years -- about the time the urge to put up Confederate statues began long after the Civil … Continue reading Throwback Thursday column: Son of a son of a son of a Confederate veteran
Enabling hate and racism: Another loss for human decency
Around the first of the year I heard from someone I met only casually during my newspaper days. He sent me a note online. His point of contention was the belief by vocal critics who oppose then brand new President Donald Trump that all Trump supporters are racists. I know this person a little – as … Continue reading Enabling hate and racism: Another loss for human decency
Madison's Avenue 