Cartoon
Opinion
Public debate suffers when media caricature conservatives’ concerns
It's hard for the public to make fair assessments of conservative education reforms when all they read and hear is misguided spin.
Opinion
The librarians are not okay. It’s their own fault
About a month ago, The Atlantic, now a very left-leaning magazine, published a piece by Xochitl Gonzalez titled, “The Librarians Are Not Okay.” The piece, a screed really, was featured in “One Story to Read,” a newsletter that the left-leaning editors there recommend as a “must-read” from The Atlantic. Now, granted, I have written in...
Cartoon
Afghan withdrawal
Opinion
Suburban surge drove GOP success
North Carolina has long been a political battleground — but the shape of that battlefield has changed significantly over time. Fifteen years ago, for example, Democrat Mike Easley was completing his last year as our state’s governor. He’d cruised to reelection in 2004 with roughly 56% of the vote. Democrats were firmly in charge of...
Opinion
With print newspapers waning, it’s time to allow online public notices
As an elected senator, I strongly believe that government transparency is a fundamental pillar of a healthy democracy. Public notices are an essential tool for keeping citizens informed about important government activities and decisions, but the current system of posting them as paid advertisements in newspapers is outdated, costly, and inefficient. That’s why I filed...
Opinion
Outrageous story of the week: One man’s protestor, another’s outlaw
Protesting, rioting, harassment, speech, vandalism: what’s in a word? This week, the ACLU, a left-wing legal group, filed a lawsuit challenging the new bipartisan anti-rioting law passed by the North Carolina General Assembly. The ACLU said they worried that those participating in legitimate protest could get swept up by the police just because others in...
Cartoon
Everyone’s tired
Opinion
When NC’s courts prioritize race-matching, foster children lose
For over 20 years, federal law has made it illegal to determine a foster child’s placement on the basis of race. Last week a Newsweek article focused a national spotlight on the family courts in Guilford County, North Carolina, for doing just that. Naomi Schaeffer Riley, who wrote No Way To Treat A Child; and...
Opinion
What NC can learn from Brazil on energy policy
Brazil is far from being a perfect country, as severe issues of urban violence, systemic poverty, and government corruption plague the country. Nonetheless, the South American giant also has many positive aspects that should serve as inspiration around the world — including North Carolina. With the advantage of spending a significant portion of my life...
Cartoon
Jury of peers?
Opinion
Repealing pistol purchase permits was a big win. Next NC should pass constitutional carry
Recently, North Carolinians were handed a major Second Amendment victory: the General Assembly repealed pistol purchase permits; and rightfully so. The Jim Crow-era law was a stain on our great state, and it deserves to be relegated to the trash bins of history. That said, the General Assembly can and should do more. It is...
