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Today's Opinions

  • We expect elected leaders to follow all laws

    Just 25 days after North Carolina Governor Mike Easley proclaimed March 20, 2008 “Sunshine Day” in North Carolina, nine media organizations filed a lawsuit against him for refusing to comply with public records law.

    Sunshine Day is part of the nationwide celebration of “Sunshine Week,” a week that highlights citizens’ rights to public records.

    The Sunshine Laws and North Carolina Public Records Laws exist to ensure the public has the right to access government documents.

    Click here to read more...
  • Earth Day pays tribute to whole wide world

    All you had to do to know it was Earth Day was log onto Google on Tuesday.

    There it was on Google’s “classic” home Web page—an idyllic mountain-and-waterfall scene in vivid blue and green. All it lacked was the sound effects of a gurgling brook and chirping birds.

    Normally, my daily iGoogle page features a cute cartoon frog and ladybug as they go through their day, drinking coffee in the morning (probably in recyclable Google cups).

    Then they play outdoor games such as croquet, also in an idyllic, blue-and-green spring setting.

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  • Readers respond to Darby's last column

    The heading of Michael Darby’s column on April 17 was "Providing assistance to those in need is compassion, not socialism.”

    I would agree with that; however, when the government provides that assistance, it is by definition socialism.

    It may come as a surprise to many in our country, but the government does not give a dollar to someone without first taking that dollar from someone else. That is redistribution of wealth, which is socialism.

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  • Collectivism is the proper term

    To the editor: Micheal Darby’s last column raises some interesting questions.

    Defining isms today seems to be a game of “gotcha” and makes little sense.

    Michael says, “Believing in needed government assistance doesn’t make a person a socialist.” Needed is an interesting word there. Who gets to decide what’s needed—the recipient or the source of the largess?

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  • Rental costs are skyrocketing

    To the editor: We started visiting and renting homes two and three times a year at Holden Beach almost a dozen years ago and have watched as rentals prices, taxes and fees have skyrocketed to the point where we thought twice about renting anything this year.

    I am curious to know if the huge jump in rental fees and other fees has caused a decline in seasonal rentals on Holden?

    The taxes have become outrageous and that, along with the so-called trip insurance, can nearly double the cost of a rental.

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  • Support public access to hospice

    To the editor: There are many in our communities who have received the benefits of hospice care over the past 30 years; yet there are so many who have never had the opportunity to utilize their guaranteed Medicare Hospice benefit.

    Up until recently, the growth of small hospices have been rising thanks to the efforts of the many caring health professionals within our communities.

    That growth, and that care, is now being threatened by a complex and confusing issue now before Congress known as the Medicare Hospice Cap.

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  • Big difference between games and crime scenes

    To the editor: This letter is in reference Mr. Halberstadt’s letter to the editor dated April 17.

    I am not taking sides about Sheriff Hewett, but in reference to: “Oh my gosh! He took his son to a crime scene! I played basketball. Had I had sons I would have taken them to basketball games.”

    The word is “crime scene” not game. A crime scene could turn into a firefight.

    Mr. Halberstadt, have you ever been in a firefight? It is deadly. People get killed; sometimes the bystanders are killed, not just the crooks.

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  • Swartz is the man for the job

    To the editor: The primary and General Election are nearly here, especially the primary, which will take place May 6.

    Every vote counts, and I’ll be casting mine for Paul Swartz for county commissioner, Brunswick County 4th District, who is running as a Democratic candidate.

    Click here to read more...

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