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
Race, bias and privilege
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
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
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
Preserving the rich history of two schools under redistricting
Monday night the Alamance-Burlington Board of Education unanimously endorsed the concept of a bold plan for new school districts. Some of the stickier details are still to be worked out, bonds for a new school and renovations at others approved and there is some consternation over aspects of the new alignment by board members. Still, … Continue reading Preserving the rich history of two schools under redistricting
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 