I've said on more than one occasion that when I was a newspaper editor I wasn't much of an editorial writer. I didn't like that part of the job very much and even lobbied to get rid of the opinion pages entirely. Often the editorials didn't reflect my own views but the collective voice of … Continue reading Nixon in the rearview mirror: What happened then echoes today
Politics, reluctantly
Political aspirations . . . thanks but no thanks
A few weeks ago I had an exchange on Twitter. It came during the often contentious debate over public education funding in Alamance County, it was a fight the pro-education folks – let’s call them the “good guys” – lost by a whisker to forces that, well let’s face it, have a stake in forging … Continue reading Political aspirations . . . thanks but no thanks
A glimpse of a next generation of voters
Suddenly, I don’t feel so anxious about the long-term future of the nation. I’m in the second week now of a two-week volunteer morning gig with the Village Project summer camp at Elon. It’s a cliché to say I’ve learned as much from the 12 to 14 rising eighth and ninth-graders in our class as … Continue reading A glimpse of a next generation of voters
Throwback Thursday: 1968 revisited — only we elected George Wallace this time
I wrote this a year ago for the Times-News in Burlington, North Carolina when the nation was on fire -- shootings were rampant, political turmoil was everywhere and we seemed on the precipice on a major cultural shift. A year later here we are only in this reality America elected George Wallace. This is the … Continue reading Throwback Thursday: 1968 revisited — only we elected George Wallace this time
Profiles in Gutlessness: Racists among us
Some headlines this week: “Red Sox apologize for racial taunts toward Orioles player,” Burlington Times-News and a few hundred other newspapers and websites around the nation. “Sigma Phi Epsilon used racial slur towards black student, according to sources,” Elon News Network. “Racism prompts Elon professor to return to Canada,” Elon News Network. “Trump on Civil … Continue reading Profiles in Gutlessness: Racists among us
Sunshine Week: The public always deserves as many answers as possible
I left the newspaper business and journalism in November but I didn’t suddenly drop one of my lifelong interests in the process. Yeah, I still believe in open government and transparency at every level -- from the smallest town councils to the White House. It’s the least government and elected leaders can do: Operate where … Continue reading Sunshine Week: The public always deserves as many answers as possible
Bullying, burgers and politically rude BS: Some things never change
I thought my days of writing about Tim Sutton were over – and thankfully so. But as the oft-repeated line by Michael Corleone from the otherwise forgettable film “The Godfather III” goes: “Every time I think I’m out, they pull me back in.” In fact, one of the best perks of leaving the newspaper business … Continue reading Bullying, burgers and politically rude BS: Some things never change
The demise of satire in an Unlampoonable Age
Satire is nearly dead. Irony is roadkill. And sarcasm? Well, it decided to go drinking with friends and found it had none. Common sense, by the way, is on life support and not expected to make it. Such is life in a world diving headlong into shallow mockery as a standard. It's impossible to tell … Continue reading The demise of satire in an Unlampoonable Age
A moment in history: Attending the first Obama inauguration
UPDATE 2021: On the day the 45th president of the United States was inaugurated in 2017 I wrote about the first inaugural of Barack Obama, a historic day in January of 2009 we witnessed in the largest crowd and the coldest morning and afternoon imaginable. I reflected upon the moment in a peaceful and happy … Continue reading A moment in history: Attending the first Obama inauguration
Madison's Avenue 