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What can I say about Freddy Cole, who performed with the Carolina Pops at War Memorial Auditorium last night?

The 76-year-old brother of legendary vocalist Nat "King" Cole delivered a mellow, easy-listening show featuring songs from an earlier era. This was your father's New Year's Eve party. His play list covered some of Nat "King" Cole's standards, including "Mona Lisa" and "Unforgettable," but he added a little number that insisted he's his own artist.

Freddy Cole has a pleasant voice, and he displayed a darn good hand at the piano. He's personable, friendly and sentimental, dedicating one song to his wife of 48 years. At times, I could detect some vocal similarities to you-know-who. But a wicked thought kept entering my mind: With his slightly stooped posture and somewhat unsteady gait, Freddy Cole struck me as an odd blend of Nat "King" Cole and Redd Roxx's Fred Sanford.

High Point officials reported yesterday that weekend rains filled Oak Hollow and City lakes to 96 percent of capacity, only 6 inches below full.

Amazing. But City Lake looked higher than that to me today as I jogged along the Bicentennial Greenway from the Piedmont Environmental Center to Gallimore Dairy Road. Much of the route traces the Deep River as it flows toward City Lake.

The river was rushing along, with strong currents producing whitewater where the elevation dropped.

After months of drought, December produced normal rainfall and suddenly High Point's reservoirs are back to normal. It shows that these man-made lakes drain a wide area, multiplying the impact of any rain.

By no means do I think High Point residents should resume wasting water as usual. Those old habits will bring us trouble in the future -- not because our climate will be drier but because growth means we have to share our supplies with more people.

Consumption decreases during the winter, so if rainfall approaches normal in the months ahead we'll avoid the need to impose mandatory restrictions for quite a while, at least. But everyone should practice conservation to help make sure we're always flush with water.

My column today:

Smithsonian magazine's current edition features "28 places to see before you die."

With only one to my credit so far -- the Serengeti -- there's no way I'll visit all of the world's greatest attractions. But it inspired me to create a more attainable list: places North Carolinians should see within their home state. The selections include natural wonders and sites of historic and cultural significance. Here goes:

* Cape Hatteras National Seashore. This natural treasure offers miles of beautiful, unspoiled beaches along the Outer Banks. Ocracoke Island is a favorite destination.

* Mount Mitchell State Park. The peak rises to 6,684 feet above sea level, highest in the Eastern United States.

* Grandfather Mountain. This private park combines scenic grandeur with easy access to a nature center and other attractions, including the famous mile-high swinging bridge.

* Chimney Rock State Park. The unique formation provides a spectacular view of lovely Lake Lure.

* Wright Brothers National Memorial. North Carolina earned "First in Flight" status at Kitty Hawk in 1903.

* Blue Ridge Parkway. This is simply the best drive in North Carolina.

* Old Salem. The historic Moravian community is alive and well.

* Tryon Palace. North Carolina's colonial capitol, located in New Bern, it once entertained George Washington.

* The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The nation's first state university remains one of its best and most attractive.

* Duke Chapel. An awe-inspiring neo-Gothic cathedral on the Duke campus.

* Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke University. College basketball is huge in North Carolina, and the Cameron Crazy environment turns it on full force.

* Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. Where the tide turned against the British in 1781.

* Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The nation's most visited national park.

* The High Point Market. The world's leading furniture event turns High Point into an international city twice a year.

* The North Carolina State Capitol. Completed in 1840, the stately structure still holds the governor's offices.

* The Biltmore House. The majestic Asheville estate built by the Vanderbilt family ranks among the finest mansions in the world.

* Lexington barbecue. The state's favorite food tastes best in Davidson County.

* Cherokee. Don't miss the museum, restored village and "Unto These Hills." The casino is optional.

* Lowe's Motor Speedway. North Carolinians love racin', and this is where it happens.

* The North Carolina Pottery Center in Seagrove. The heart of the art in Randolph County.

* The North Carolina Zoo. An exceptional zoo, one of the first to display animals in spacious natural-looking exhibits.

* Pisgah National Forest. Try Sliding Rock on a hot day.

* The State Fair. The 10-day show each October draws more than 800,000 people.

* USS Battleship North Carolina Memorial. Tied up in Wilmington, she's one impressive boat.

* Calabash. The waterfront town that's synonymous with seafood.

* N.C. Museum of Art. Works by Raphael, Rubens, Monet and many other masters are housed here.

* N.C. Museum of History. All you need to know about our state.

* Pinehurst No. 2. For golfers, it doesn't get better than this famous 101-year-old Donald Ross course.

* Uptown Charlotte. Bright lights, night life, culture, sports and light rail add up to a vibrant big-city scene.

* Nantahala River. Tops for white-water rafting.

* Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. For old-fashioned highland excursions.

* Hart Square. This private collection of restored and furnished 1840s-era log buildings in Catawba County opens to the public only on the fourth Saturday of October.

Those are my picks, and I'll confess I still haven't seen them all. What else have I missed?

Contact Doug Clark at dgclark@news-record.com or 373-7039.

"Near-surface warming in the Arctic has been almost twice as large as the global average over recent decades -- a phenomenon that is known as the 'Arctic amplification'. The underlying causes of this temperature amplification remain uncertain."

So begins an article in the current edition of Nature -- another apparent repudiation of the "science is settled" mantra.

Associated Press story here.

The study reportedly doesn't contradict global warming consensus or dispute a human influence but indicates what's happening is much more complex, and less understood, than we're generally led to believe.

It reinforces my skepticism about efforts to stop or reverse global warming. If there are powerful natural forces at work -- as obviously there always have been through the planet's earlier warming and cooling episodes -- how much really can be done to make any difference?

I certainly support efforts to conserve energy and reduce pollution. It's logical to conclude that we should stop doing whatever may be harmful. But I remain leery of costly and potentially economically ruinous remedies that ultimately will have little beneficial impact.

It may be that it's more practical to seek ways to adapt to changes in climate than to attempt to change climate.

For the second time in less than two months, a Greensboro resident has been shot and killed by police in Durham.

What's going on with that?

The circumstances are strangely similar.

We reported the first incident Nov. 8:

"The incident started about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday when undercover officers saw an attempted armed robbery near Holloway Street and Guthrie Avenue in Durham, according to a news release. The officers followed the vehicle -- a 2007 Jeep Commander -- and called for backup.

"Patrol officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver refused to stop. Officers chased the vehicle for about 10 minutes in eastern Durham before getting on Holloway Street, where one of the Jeep's tires blew out. The Jeep turned on to Oakwood Avenue and then began going the wrong way on Liberty Street.

"The Jeep stopped on Liberty Street by the Durham County Library and three of the four male occupants jumped out and ran, according to police. One of the teens ran to the front of the Jeep and then turned and pointed a gun toward officers, police stated in a news release.

"Durham Police Officer B.D. Opitz fired at the person, striking him in the torso. The teen, Samuel Reyes Uscanga, 16, of 2814 Kilbourne Drive in Greensboro, died at Duke University Hospital."

And today's story:

"Durham police shot a Greensboro man who they say drove into a police officer while fleeing after an armed robbery.

"Raul Riva Aldamo, 34, died from the gunshot wound on Saturday, police said Wednesday in a news release. Officers shot at the car Aldamo was driving after it struck an officer responding to an armed break-in, police said."

Are we exporting our crime problems to Durham, which has enough of its own? I doubt police over there appreciate the extra work.

I'm not impressed by Mike Huckabee's so-called big win in the Iowa caucuses tonight.

Nor by the whole Iowa experience.

I think Iowa will be forgotten in, oh, about a week.

The real story among Republicans may be Mitt Romney's poor showing after spending so much money. He should have joined Rudy Giuliani in ignoring this insignificant state, concentrating instead on primaries in more representative places. But he has time to recover and blow off this minor setback.

The Democrats, meanwhile, seem to be heading for a three-way tie, more or less, among Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards.

Meaning, none of them wins or loses. So, on to the next stop, and the next and the next.

Iowa attracts way too much attention and signifies very little.

Revision, Friday morning: After I wrote last night, the late-reporting, and therefore larger, Iowa precincts pushed Obama to a big win. That is significant and memorable. He's suddenly the man to beat in New Hampshire, South Carolina and other states. Clinton will have to fight hard to respond. Edwards is in a tough spot.

On the Republican side, I still don't see Huckabee's victory, though impressive, carrying much weight.

John Edwards should ponder what winner Barack Obama said after last night's Iowa caucuses:

"We are choosing hope over fear; we are choosing unity over division."

That almost could have come from Edwards four years ago.

What's the difference between Edwards and Obama in 2008? Both are youthful, charismatic men with comparable political experience. But Obama suddenly has surged out front in the Democratic race while Edwards looks to be in serious trouble.

Could it be that, this time, Edwards' rhetoric seems to emphasize fear over hope, division over unity? That Edwards is appealing to anger and envy, trying to build resentment against "those people" in Washington or wherever who supposedly are holding ordinary Americans down?

Some voters are bound to be stirred by demagoguery, and Edwards is good at it -- even though the message contradicts his own lavish lifestyle and support from hedge-fund associates and wealthy trial lawyers. But enough to overcome Obama? Not likely. I think Americans are more inclined to vote for a leader who makes them feel hopeful about their country rather than someone who merely works up a lather.

True, Edwards was the sunny candidate in 2004 and lost the nomination to John Kerry. But Kerry's credentials were just so superior to Edwards' that Democrats supported him almost out of a sense of obligation. Some may feel that way about Hillary Clinton now. But, at this moment, more seem to be happily enthusiastic about Obama.

If Edwards had stuck with his 2004 demeanor, he might be in that position.

The question now is whether he'll turn negative against Obama as he did against Clinton. If he does, it won't serve him well.

Mark Bowden is a sick man.

The Philadelphia Inquirer columnist, author of "Blackhawk Down" and "Guests of the Ayatollah," recently wrote a defense of waterboarding (reprinted on our Second Opinion page today).

Bowden claims that a minute's worth of rough treatment during the interrogation of al-Qaida operative Abu Zubaydah in 2002 was justified for the life-saving information it yielded.

Which puts Bowden in the same class of barbarian as Dick Cheney.

Bowden's own summary of events details the many violations of Mr. Zubaydah's constitutional rights:

* Zubaydah was overheard on the phone plotting to blow up hotels in Jordan filled with American and Israeli tourists. There is no mention of a legal order authorizing this intrusion into the subject's private conversations.

* Bowden calls Zubaydah a "career mass murderer" for his suspected role in the 9/11 terrorist attacks and other acts of terrorism. Excuse me, has Mr. Zubaydah been convicted in a court of law?

* Bowden claims, not only that Zubaydah spat up useful information about terrorist operations, but that waterboarding and other fear-provoking interrogation techniques are often effective, even though everyone knows that's rubbish. Bowden's example of a German police chief's success in inducing a captured kidnapper to reveal the location of a child buried alive is merely anecdotal evidence. Besides, saving an innocent child's life isn't worth breaking the rules of civilized society.

* Bowden reports that Zubaydah today is being held at Guantanamo, another outrage. The man should be released immediately from this illegal detention center -- and he probably has good grounds for a lawsuit.

Bowden's books and reporting from the Middle East make it appear that he understands terrorists and the means necessary to defeat them. In fact, in only one sentence of his long article does he actually hit on the truth: "Most often, prisoners can be induced to cooperate by being nice to them." If Zubaydah was a "hard case," on account of being a mass murderer and all, interrogators probably just weren't nice enough to him.

Maybe it's Bowden who should take a plunge on the waterboard. Then saving other people's lives might not seem so important to him.

I'm not endorsing any candidate for governor (yet), but I will give credit to those who vow to take on corruption in state government.

That will be something new.

Yesterday, Richard Moore, a Democrat, issued a call for transportation reform.

He wants to end "legislative slush funds (that) have been used to spend millions of taxpayer dollars on pet projects, political favors and to benefit insiders with little or no accountability to taxpayers."

The next governor should have the courage to take on the wasteful and self-serving practices of the legislature. But he'll also have to police his own administration. To that end, Moore promises to stop political fundraising by Board of Transportation members.

He should go a step further and vow not to appoint anyone to the board who already has made campaign contributions to the sitting governor (meaning himself). An appointment should not be a reward for past support.

Moore also proposes establishing "metrics that measure the need for and effectiveness of new (transportation) projects. The results of this analysis should be publicly available and politicians must have a greatly reduced role in deciding the priority of projects."

Amen. Transportation dollars are needed too badly to be doled out on the basis of political clout. North Carolina must have leaders who will deliver honest and effective government.

I don't know if Moore would make good on these pronouncements, but putting these issues out there is the way to get started.

Update, Jan. 9: In speaking to reporters yesterday, Gov. Easley brushed off Moore's suggestions, citing the squirrel defense to explain why banning DOT board members from making political contributions won't work. "If people want to participate, they'll find a way, just like the squirrel into the bird feeder."

There you have it from our governor: can't stop squirrels, can't stop political corruption. Nuts!

Who has been North Carolina's most influential U.S. senator of the last half-century?

In case you can't remember them all:

Sam Ervin Jr., 1954-74
B. Everette Jordan, 1958-73
Jesse Helms, 1973-2003
Robert Morgan, 1975-81
John East, 1981-86
James Broyhill, 1986
Terry Sanford, 1986-93
Lauch Faircloth, 1993-99
John Edwards, 1999-2005
Elizabeth Dole, 2003-
Richard Burr, 2005-

The fondest in memory may be "Senator Sam," who played a significant role in Senate Watergate investigations during the Nixon presidency.

But in terms of impact on the state and national scene, Helms is the champion by far. He was a force in North Carolina politics and a leading figure in the rise of Southern Republicanism.

Of course, many people disliked him intensely. He never won elections by big margins. But he won, even knocking off Jim Hunt at a time when the popular two-term governor was a potential player on the national stage for the Democratic Party.

I wasn't a fan of Helms, whose politics were angry and divisive. His world view was narrow, he was a regressive embarrassment on race-relations issues, and he hated my university. But every once in a while he'd stand up and fight ferociously for a righteous cause.

Which makes the title of a new biography perfectly apt: "Righteous Warrior: Jesse Helms and the Rise of Modern Conservatism" by former UNCG historian William A. Link.

From Link's introduction:

"This book represents an attempt to see Helms as something more than
a 'cardboard cutout.' Perhaps because of the tendency to view Helms in
ideological terms, he has been widely underestimated, misunderstood, and
even ignored by journalists and historians. During his career and after, there
has been a tendency to dismiss him as an ineffective right-wing crank. In a
gross misunderstanding, many of his opponents have ignored his facility
with language and clever argumentation -- though they have done so at their
peril. I hope to avoid the ideologically charged caricatures of the right and
left, and instead to understand and assess the impact of Helms during the
last third of the twentieth century. As such, this biography enjoys the approval
of neither side of the polarized political environment. Many of my
colleagues are astounded that anyone could abide writing such a book. On
the other hand, this book has been written without the approval of Helms
and his supporters; as mentioned, about the time that I started work on it in
earnest, his dementia prevented him from granting any interviews, nor have
I have ever met Helms."

"Righteous Warrior" seems to be getting some good reviews. I look forward to reading this biography of North Carolina's most influential U.S. senator of my lifetime.

My column today:

The last High Point resident to serve in the state Senate could be the answer to a political trivia question.

Bruce Davis was at a loss when I spoke with him Monday. He's more focused on the next: himself, he hopes.

Davis, a county commissioner and former chairman, says he'll run against Sen. Katie Dorsett in District 28. Both are Democrats.

The race will put a challenger from High Point against an incumbent from Greensboro -- a match that never seems to favor High Point. That can change this year, said Davis. It's time "for High Point to step up and take a leadership position in the Senate."

It's been a while. The answer to the trivia question is Richard Chalk, a Republican elected in 1988 and defeated by Democrat Mary Seymour from Greensboro in 1990.

(Chalk later moved to South Carolina and now serves in that state's House of Representatives.)

But the matter isn't trivial to many in High Point, which for years was stuck at the tail end of legislative districts dominated by Greensboro. Then something happened in 2003: The General Assembly shifted the lines and handed High Point an opportunity. The city claims nearly half of Senate District 28 voters, compared to about 40 percent who live in south and east Greensboro. Most of the rest are in Jamestown and the Pleasant Garden area.

Davis said he's had his eye on the seat for a couple of years but decided to wait until Dorsett, who's 75, retired. He thought that would be this year. But when Greensboro political insiders began promoting state Rep. Alma Adams of Greensboro as Dorsett's eventual successor, he resolved to go ahead -- despite Dorsett's announcement last week that she's seeking another term.

Davis professed the "utmost respect" for Dorsett, a retired A&T professor and former Greensboro city councilwoman, county commissioner and member of Gov. Jim Hunt's cabinet. He offered no criticism of her record. Instead, he said he represents a "different generation" and "fresh, new leadership."

Davis is 50. Is he playing the age issue? "Absolutely not," he said, adding: "I don't know if it's good to stay in office too long. You become a part of the system."

Dorsett was amused when I related those comments to her later Monday. She's beginning her sixth year in the Senate -- the same as Davis' county commissioners' tenure.

"Is it time for him to turn over? I don't think he's going to give up his seat."

"We don't have term limits," she said, adding that she doesn't plan to serve forever.

Age doesn't matter "if you work hard and do what people think is an effective job."

Geography might. Davis cites the furniture market as a High Point cause that ought to receive more state support. Dorsett answers that she worked from the beginning of her Senate service to channel state funding to the market, and she's been attentive to other High Point concerns.

If he's elected, Davis also will have to look out for Greensboro interests, she pointed out.

Davis says he's done that as a commissioner, especially during his year as chairman.
"All in all, it was about Guilford County," he said.

As a voter living in the High Point portion of this district, I feel Davis' call for hometown representation. A city of nearly 100,000 people ought to have a voice of its own.

At the same time, Senate District 28 is more than High Point or Greensboro. As Davis said of his commissioners' work, it's about Guilford County. And North Carolina.

The good thing about this race is that voters get a choice between two experienced leaders. Davis deserves credit for making that happen; some politicians are afraid or too deferential to take on incumbents in their own party.

Before the May primary, we'll see how well Davis draws contrasts based on political views, age or fresh ideas. So far, the most intriguing angle is address: High Point or Greensboro?

After 18 years, the Richard Chalk trivia question is getting old.

Contact Doug Clark at dgclark@news-record.com and 373-7039

The High Point medical community has suffered another blow with yesterday's death of ophthalmologist Dr. James Errico.

Errico was a gem of a man, gentle, genial, generous. He had a winsome smile and warm greeting, "Good to see you, my friend."

He was my eye doctor, but I really got to know him and enjoy his company when we both belonged to a men's book club years ago.

I don't have full accounts about his death except it was completely unexpected, occurring from complications after surgery. Errico was 68 and still practicing.

It's the second shocking death in the High Point medical community in less than two weeks. Dr. David Ross, an orthopedic surgeon, was killed in an auto accident Dec. 27.

This is very sad news. My prayers go to the Errico family.

* The achievement gap that really matters is the difference between how well a student does in school and how well he ought to do. What's race got to do with that?

* Ed Cone says a realtor friend reports a glut of $500,000-$1 million houses on the market in the northwest Guilford County area. When will battered homeowners demand a federal bailout?

* John Edwards was third in New Hampshire but first to South Carolina, the (Columbia) State reports. Nevertheless, polls say he's way behind in his native state. Is South Carolina his last chance? Definitely, I'd say.

I fly the U.S. flag outside my front door, and I appreciate businesses (like the N&R) that display the colors.

I don't think government should police the way they do it.

Yet, that's exactly what the city of Asheville apparently intends to do. The City Council there has adopted an ordinance requiring displays of the flag by businesses to comply with the U.S. flag code, the Citizen-Times reports.

Fines of $100 per day can be imposed for violations.

The action was sparked by the alleged offenses of the owner of fireworks stands who, in the estimation of some, was using flags for advertising purposes. Doing so would run afoul of the code, which says: "The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever."

OK, but who decides what's an advertising purpose? That requires a very subjective judgment.

Then there are all the other details of the flag code, which frankly defy consistent enforcement unless you're going to employ a squadron of flag cops.

I treat my flag with respect, as most Americans do theirs. What I respect much more, however, is the freedom that living in this country affords. So, I figure people are free to put the flag in an advertising display if they want. If they want to deviate from the precise instructions written into the flag code, it's not a federal case in my view. It's their flag, it's a free country. What else do you need to know?

I think Asheville, usually regarded as a haven of liberalism in the North Carolina mountains, has run an ill-considered policy up its flagpole.

In memory of the great Sir Edmund Hillary, Andrew, Margaret and I were discussing famous New Zealanders. Using no reference materials or even phone-a-friend, we came up with a regrettably short list. This is not an indication of a scarcity of accomplished Kiwis, but rather because we Americans pay too little attention to happenings on the opposite side of the world.

This is inexcusable for Margaret, who studied for a year at the University of Auckland as a Rotary International Scholar. But that was a long time ago and she doesn't remember anyone famous from those days.

Nevertheless, she offered Kiri Te Kanawa, the marvelous soprano -- an excellent No. 2 behind Sir Edmund.

Andrew quickly claimed Peter Jackson, the director of the Lord of the Rings movies. He quite likely is in fact the world's most famous NZer at the moment, but I'm going to rank him below Sir Ed and Dame Kiri for lesser lasting fame and/or artistic merit.

I jumped in with sportsmen: golfer Michael Campbell and 1970s middle-distance runners John Walker and Rod Dixon, Walker especially. You remember he was the first to run a mile faster than 3:50, and he won the gold medal at 1,500 meters at the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

Andrew countered with other sports figures of his own: Formula 1 driver Bruce McLaren and the All Blacks rugby team. I disallowed the All Blacks because he couldn't name a single player.

So he came back with Flight of the Conchords, which is a two-man parody rock band on HBO. I suppose that counts, since he actually can name the duo from down under.

So, to review, our list of famous New Zealanders, ranked in order, is:

1. Edmund Hillary (deceased)
2. Kiri Te Kanawa
3. Peter Jackson
4. Michael Campbell
5. John Walker
6. Rod Dixon
7. Bruce McLaren (deceased)
8. Flight of the Conchords

Can you add to it?

Charlotte Observer cartoonist Kevin Siers portrays John Kerry's endorsement of Barack Obama as stabbing John Edwards in the back. I don't agree.

Kerry didn't owe Edwards an endorsement. Their 2004 partnership was a lot more beneficial to Edwards than to Kerry. Besides, that's history. Kerry and Obama are colleagues in the U.S. Senate. Kerry's real decision probably was whether to back Obama or Sen. Hillary Clinton. There was no reason for him to support Edwards.

Obama seems to be winning over quite a few senators, which could make a difference in the states they represent.

How well one is regarded by colleagues strikes me as an important consideration. Clinton should be concerned.

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation is soliciting nominations for its Profile in Courage Award.

"The award is given annually to a public official whose decision of conscience in the face of powerful opposing forces may serve as a model for American public service," Anne K. Aaron, director for the award, explained in a news release.

"Your nominee might be a city councilor, a state or federal legislator, a mayor, a governor or any other office holder, former or current, at any level of government, of any party affiliation (or no affiliation). Your nominee may have become unpopular, and perhaps unelectable, as a result of his or her actions."

OK. I'd like to nominate all those state representatives who stood up to former House Speaker Jim Black, refused his money and key committee assignments because they were sick of the sleazy way he kept his hold on power, who were willing to risk their own political careers to rid the legislature of the stain of corruption.

And I'd like to nominate the state senators who refused to go along with the shoddy way leader Marc Basnight slipped the lottery bill through, bringing the Senate back into session after he said he wouldn't just so he could call a quick vote when two opponents were absent; those resolute senators who insisted that legislation of such importance should only be considered in a fair and open way with everyone getting a chance to vote.

I'd like to nominate those representatives and senators for a Profile in Courage Award. Unfortunately, things didn't happen the way they should.

So, I'll leave it to you. Whom would you nominate?

My column today:

Edinburgh's St. Giles' Cathedral won't ever feel cozy, but on a wintry Sunday morning six years ago it was cold and cavernous.

It might have seemed warmer had it been filled with worshippers, but the congregation was only a fraction the size of what visitors from High Point would have seen in their church at home.

St. Giles is a spiritually cooler place today than it was when reformer John Knox poured fiery sermons from the pulpit in the 1560s.

Commentators say Europe has entered a post-Christian era, marked by declining church attendance and rapid gains in non-Christian populations in some countries. The great cathedrals stand as marvels of medieval architecture, historical landmarks, museums. Their grandeur was meant to give glory to God and demonstrate the devotion of their builders. From a more cynical modern perspective, however, they indict the monopolist state churches of centuries past for their greed and self-absorption. If the church in Europe has fallen, critics might say, it's because people refuse to pay for it anymore.

The story is different on this side of the Atlantic. Despite complaints from the overly sensitive that Christianity is under assault in this country, churches continue to thrive. In Southern cities like Greensboro and High Point, especially, many congregations are healthy and growing.

A sign of that, obviously, is when new churches are built or old ones add to their facilities. Every expansion project, small or large, represents expectations of a brighter future.

Not only Christian churches. Congregations of other faiths also mark their progress through building.

Yet, what excites and inspires some people strikes others as foolish and wasteful. I have no doubt that when skeptics hear of a multimillion-dollar church-building project, they wonder about motives and priorities.

Is this church building a monument to its own importance? Is it constructing a shiny edifice for no other reason than to attract more members and their pledges? Couldn't it find a better way to spend so much money?

Those questions shouldn't be taken as church-bashing. In fact, the church should ask them of itself before it draws plans or raises the first dollar. If the answers aren't right, the enterprise should halt.

The right answers are seen in churches throughout our communities. Churches that feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, provide recreation for children, launch missions, change lives and transform neighborhoods. Facilities that enable those kinds of programs are worth building -- and people inspired by faith will dig deep into their pockets to pay for them.

West End Ministries in High Point makes the point. Three struggling churches in a downtrodden part of town turned themselves around when they devoted their facilities to meeting community needs. They haven't built any cathedrals in High Point's West End, but they are housing a women's shelter, food pantry, clothes closet, feeding program for kids and Boys and Girls Club.

Some of the city's largest churches are embarking on big things, too. But they'll really only count if they make a difference in people's lives, and that's not measured in square feet.

The New Testament's Book of Acts contains a wise saying by a rabbi named Gamaliel. When the ruling council was considering a crackdown on the early church, he advised leaving the Christians alone. If their efforts are of men, he said, they'll fail. But if God's behind them, they can't be stopped.

I don't know why the church in Europe lost its vitality. I consider it a tragedy. Maybe it never was as stout as stone towers made it appear. After all, it largely was a creation of the state and became entangled in the human madness of empires and kings.

The Gospel is still preached, hymns still sung and communion still served at St. Giles'. It's a lovely experience to take part in it, but also something like melding into a museum.

A church, even a cathedral, that doesn't offer more than that will fade into history.

Contact Doug Clark at dgclark@news-record.com or 373-7039.

* Pat McCrory's announcement yesterday in Jamestown drew good coverage in our paper but nothing like the play in the High Point Enterprise. Its front-page, above-the-fold headline proclaimed "McCrory for governor," an apparent endorsement right off the bat.

* I wrote here the other day about support for Barack Obama from fellow senators, but I had missed last month's endorsement of Republican John McCain by Joe Lieberman. Good for Joe. He was re-elected in 2006 as an independent but aligns with the Democratic caucus in the Senate. Clearly, however, he still calls 'em as he sees 'em, without regard to partisan priorities. If McCain wins the presidency, I hope he finds an important place for Lieberman in his administration -- maybe as attorney general. Lieberman once served as Connecticut's AG.

* The Charlotte Observer reports more details of irregularities in Democratic Party balloting for Mecklenberg County sheriff. They're worse than I thought. It seems that several precincts don't have chairs and co-chairs of opposite genders as required by Democratic Party rules. What a terrible offense. But I wonder whether the party makes allowances for transgendered precinct officers.

A big, fast UFO sighted near Stephenville, Texas, last week is getting national media attention ...

and local, where the Stephenville Empire-Tribune reports a $5,000 reward is offered for video.

Why is Dennis Kucinich the only presidential candidate addressing this?

Here's the original Empire-Tribune news story, which appeared Jan. 10.

Since federal authorities cracked a high-priced prostitution ring in Charlotte, there's been speculation about its client list. Now it looks like the questions will be answered.

Madam Sallie Saxon cut a deal with prosecutors that may include full disclosure, the Observer reports.

All the details of who paid how much for what could become part of the public record.

Or at least information about those clients dumb enough to give their names.

It's ironic that when presidential candidates and members of Congress of both parties and the White House are suggesting tax cuts or rebates to stave off a possible recession, local government leaders talk about raising taxes.

At least when it comes to bonds or a new sales tax, the voters get to decide. That's not the case when regular operating budgets include higher property taxes, as they do most years.

I understand the need for new schools, a jail, community college facilities and other improvements.

But, let's face it. If it's good policy on one level to put more money into taxpayers' pockets, it can't be good policy on another level to take money out of their pockets.

An economic slowdown isn't the best time to ask people to pay more taxes. Their incomes aren't increasing, and may in fact be declining in real terms. How can they afford tax hikes? And, if they do have to hand over more to government, who gets less? The private economy, which determines employment levels and paychecks.

It's quite a quandary, and it will force taxpayers to make hard decisions if they vote on costly local initiatives in May.

Maybe a federal tax rebate will help ... if it doesn't go straight to state and local tax collectors.

Give Mary Rakestraw credit for the best reaction to the infamous "black book," a copy of which City Council members finally were allowed to look at the other day:

"I still feel that something is missing," she told Margaret Banks. "I can't put my finger on it."

Could it be context? Attorney Seth Cohen says so.

He offers to fill in the gaps. City Council members should take him up on it.

Sometime soon afterward, they should hold that town meeting Mayor Yvonne Johnson talked about and lead a public discussion about the whole David Wray affair.

It's time to clear the air, then move on. There are new police issues to address.

Sure, there are pending trials of former officers Scott Sanders and Tom Fox on obstruction of justice charges. Deputy Attorney General Jim Coman opposed release of the black book, saying it's evidence. Cohen, representing Sanders, says the charges against his client have nothing to do with the black book. Indeed, the black book didn't seem to figure into the original indictments against Sanders or Fox. But it's possible Coman has a surprise up his sleeve.

Then there are all the EEOC discrimination complaints filed by black police officers. The black book may figure into those cases.

City Council members should look into it. Rakestraw was right that something was missing from what they were first shown. They all should try to put their finger on it, tell the public what they can but also make sure they focus on moving forward.

I like county commissioners' Solomonic solution of dividing the school bonds into two packages: $45 million for Eastern Guilford and $412 million for everything else.

And, yes, I know Solomon didn't really cut the baby in half. He just threatened to as a way of determining which claimant showed a mother's true love.

But commissioners' action importantly recognizes the difference between Eastern and the other projects. Paying for a replacement high school is an absolute, promised obligation. Let's assume voters recognize that and will support the $45 million funding plan. If they don't, the county will have to come up with the money in some other way.

A sense of obligation for Eastern should not compel support for another $412 million, however. Linking them on one referendum item would be unfair to voters.

"Why didn't they just break them all down?" Superintendent Terry Grier asked critically.

I wouldn't do that. At the same time, giving voters more options would be a good idea. What if they want to provide some bond money for schools but not a whopping $457 million? What would be wrong with letting voters choose whether to authorize $200 million, $300 million or $400 million?

After all, when you look to buy a house, your choices aren't limited to a mansion or nothing.

I'm pretty tired of the "Barack HUSSEIN Obama" treatment the Democratic presidential candidate gets from some people.

What's the point? That the Illinois senator's name doesn't sound American enough? Or Christian? Or that he might be related to Saddam Hussein?

Give it up.

Obama doesn't routinely use his middle name; nor do the other presidential candidates. Hillary Rodham Clinton does sometimes, although Rodham is her maiden name, not a middle name.

Actually, it's interesting to track presidential middle names or initials.

We started out with the formal, yet simple: George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson. James Madison, James Monroe. Not Jim, Jim, Tom, Jack and, well, what do you do with George? No middle names. Why? They didn't have middle names.

The inaugural presidential middle name belonged to John Quincy Adams. I like that middle name, which adds a musical note to the drab John Adams. It also distinguished JQ from his dad, saving future Americans much confusion. We use a similar device to tell George W. Bush from George H.W. Bush.

The next departure from the norm was Martin Van Buren, whose Van wasn't a middle name but part of his last name: Van Buren.

So that brings us to William Henry Harrison. The name has a brave cadence, appropriate for a military man; unfortunately, it had barely echoed off the Capitol's cold columns on inauguration day 1841 before he passed away of the chills.

Then there was native North Carolinian James Knox Polk, sometimes shortened to James K., ushering in the tradition of the middle initial.

This was practiced by Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes and Chester A. Arthur.

In Arthur's case, the A. served as a welcome buffer between two names that otherwise would have thudded together. Say Chester Arthur aloud to see what I mean.

Grover Cleveland was the president. Grover Cleveland Alexander was the baseball player (although he was played by a president-to-be, Ronald Reagan, in a movie -- "The Winning Team," 1952).

A throwback to an earlier era, Theodore Roosevelt (Jr.) lacked a middle name. But he became the first president commonly known by a nickname: Teddy. He also was often referred to as TR. Bully.

His successor was William Howard Taft, which has a fittingly ponderous sound to it (lower your voice when you pronounce Taft).

Warren G. Harding was an initial guy, and so was the second Roosevelt: Franklin D. But sometimes all three names were employed: Franklin Delano Roosevelt. That's eight syllables in all, a presidential record. (Even George Herbert Walker Bush is only six.) But if you said FDR, everyone would know who you meant.

Next we come to the most interesting middle initial: Harry Truman's S. It didn't stand for anything. Apparently old Give 'em Hell Harry wasn't given a middle name but decided he should have at least an initial. So he picked S. I like the S because it slips off the tongue very easily, causing no stumbling for the speaker who's hurrying from Harry to Truman. He chose well.

Initials remained in vogue through Dwight D. Eisenhower (although Americans liked to say Ike), John F. Kennedy (also JFK) and Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ).

Richard Nixon was rarely Richard M., and more rarely Richard Milous. Often he was plain Dick Nixon, or Tricky Dick when detractors wanted to kick him around. Or out.

Gerald Ford didn't bother with his middle name much (Rudolph), for good reason. You could get by with calling him Jerry.

James Earl Carter insisted everybody call him Jimmy. He was the first president to prefer a nickname for all occasions -- even his inauguration.

Only Nancy called Ronald Reagan Ronnie. But he wasn't pretentious enough to use his middle name (Wilson) or initial.

We've already discussed the Bushes. William Jefferson Clinton went by Bill, except on formal occasions. Which brings us to the present.

Among other 2008 candidates, John Edwards is a Jimmy Carter opposite. His full given name is Johnny Reid Edwards. He grew out of Johnny a long time ago.

Mike Huckabee is Michael Dale Huckabee.

Mitt Romney is Willard Mitt Romney, the only leading contender who's skipping his first name altogether. I think we'll have to let him get away with that.

John McCain is John Sidney McCain III (thankfully not called Trey). Sid McCain would work as well as John.

Put Fred Thompson in the same category as "Johnny" Edwards: He was born Freddie Dalton Thompson. Is it a Southern thing?

Finally, we consider Rudy Giuliani: Rudolph W. Giuliani. If you can discover what the W stands for, you're a more determined researcher than I. It must be pretty shocking whatever it is. I just wonder whether his three names together would overtake FDR's eight syllables. Not that Rudy is likely to end up in the White House, anyway.

How Barack Obama presents his name is a matter of personal choice, the same as it's been for other politicians through the ages. If he takes the oath of office one year from tomorrow, he's entitled to intone, "I, Barack Obama, do solemnly swear ...", leaving out Hussein.

It's more important for Americans to figure out whether he's the right man for the job than if he has the right sort of name.

The first thing Richard Thompson fans need to know about his "1000 Years of Popular Music" tour, in his own words, is: "This isn't about me. That's a different show."

That explanation quickly cut off requests for RT favorites as he and his supporting players, Judith Owen and Debra Dobkin, returned to the McGlohon Theatre stage for their encore in Charlotte last night.

Thompson really was a troubadour through time, covering tunes from the 12th century up to modern day during his two-hour program. Although he's a prolific songwriter, none of the offerings was his own.

Some in the audience seemed bewildered but soon got into the spirit of things and shared in the fun. And what's not entertaining about an evening that fits madrigals and Jerry Lee Lewis on the same card? It turned out to be a good format for Thompson to display his quirky-English sense of humor with wry commentary about his selections, as well as his very serious artistry with guitar and rich baritone vocals.

Owen was a surprising bonus, a captivating songstress who took the lead on several numbers, from a haunting Irish ballad to Cole Porter's "Night and Day." She added keyboards as well.

Dobkin complemented the fine cast, deftly handling percussion and backup vocals.

The McGlohon, in uptown's Spirit Square, provided an intimate setting for this offbeat performance. I'm looking forward to the next 1,000 years.

What a great day for football in Green Bay.

Hey, you Packers fans watching at home: Don't you want to share the feeling, at least a little bit, of being at Lambeau Field?

Drag that TV into the back yard. Take off your shirt. Rub some snow on your chest. Jump up and down and yell like a maniac.

Now you're into it. Enjoy the game.

Go, Packers!

A Las Vegas Review-Journal poll released Friday showed John Edwards with a dismal 14 percent support in Nevada.

But that was a lot better than what he actually ended up with in Saturday's Democratic caucuses: 3.75 percent.

What happened?

A statement from his campaign manager portrays Edwards as the underdog facing two $100 million opponents.

Indeed, Edwards might not have enough money to compete anymore. But he had enough money to attract some following in Nevada. He campaigned there. Yet it slipped away.

Caucus procedures probably hurt him. My guess is that, at the gatherings themselves, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama supporters talked the Edwards people into defecting with the argument that it's time to back a more likely winner. When all was said and done, Edwards was left with a faithful few.

In South Carolina Saturday, Democrats can vote their conscience on a secret ballot. Edwards will get a true reading of his popularity in a state where he should do well. If he loses badly again, it will be clear indication that he's not the candidate his party wants.

Meanwhile, the Republican picture is clearing up a little. In losing South Carolina to John McCain, Iowa winner Mike Huckabee looks more like a one-hit wonder. Mitt Romney takes Nevada. Unless Rudy Giuliani really has some brilliant late-surge strategy that no one has seen yet, this may turn into a two-man race before long.

The church cancellation notices began streaming across TV screens by late Saturday afternoon as wet snow began sticking on the ground, although not paved surfaces.

The senior minister of my church was on a mission trip to Mississippi, leaving the associate in charge. She's from Michigan and was skeptical, to say the least, about calling off services on account of a low-powered winter storm.

Good thing. It was cold and clear Sunday morning but perfectly safe for getting around. Yet many churches were closed, missing opportunities for ministry, worship and fellowship. And you generally don't have make-up church on Monday.

A former minister at my church followed the rule that, if he could walk there -- less than a mile -- he'd hold services.

The problem there is that the faithful, those who show up whenever the church doors open, might endanger themselves. And not just on the streets. Sometimes the greatest hazard is trying to walk from parking lot to church door. If a church is open on a snowy or icy Sunday morning, someone has to clear the sidewalks.

This time, some churches were overly cautious. If this winter brings a few more brushes with frozen precipitation, I expect they'll become more reluctant to cancel activities.

Just arrived at the office from High Point ... passed a couple of wrecks and a spin-out on the way.

Also passed a couple of school buses pulled over with orders from Guilford County Schools to wait out the freezing rain.

Meanwhile, there were kids standing out in the cold drizzle who hadn't gotten the word.

I think it was right to stop the buses. There are a lot of slippery spots on the roads. A car right in front of me on Kivett Drive in High Point was fishtailing. Taking it slow and easy was the only way to go, even on I-85.

Yet, some drivers were zipping along -- maybe rushing toward an accident.

No sense risking school buses in that.

But, given that this was predicted, why not delay school for a couple of hours today?

My column today:

Pat McCrory changes the governor's race into a two-party contest.

Yes, I know there were three Republican candidates off and running before the Charlotte mayor joined the field with plenty of fanfare in Jamestown last week. But I didn't give any of them much of a chance to compete with either Democrat, Richard Moore or Beverly Perdue, in November.

Nothing against Fred Smith, Bill Graham or Bob Orr. They're all accomplished men.

I've never met Smith, a state senator from Clayton, or Graham, a Salisbury attorney. I do know Orr, a former state Supreme Court justice. He's thoughtful and refreshingly honest -- just what you'd hope from a career judge, and anything but a typical politician.

Still, it's an uphill fight for a Republican to win an election for governor in this state. Smith, Graham and Orr don't bring more firepower to the task than did Patrick Ballantine in 2004 or other GOP hopefuls since Jim Martin pulled it off twice in the 1980s.

McCrory, though, comes in at a different level. The Ragsdale High School graduate easily won re-election in November to his seventh term as mayor of the state's largest city -- quite an achievement considering the Democrat-tilt of his electorate.

Don't bother with the argument that North Carolina voters dislike Charlotte leaders. Sure, Richard Vinroot, Harvey Gantt and others have come up short in statewide elections. In different circumstances, they might have done better. But that's ancient history. Today's story is what's happening in uptown Charlotte, a dazzling landscape of culture, arts, professional sports, restaurants, bars, skyscrapers, light rail and urban enthusiasm. You can dispute how much credit the mayor for the past 12-plus years deserves, but he obviously hasn't stood in the way of some impressive progress.

The fact is, McCrory has a track record that stacks up well against those of Moore, the state treasurer, and Perdue, the lieutenant governor. Both Democrats have won statewide elections, which McCrory hasn't, but two factors can negate that advantage.

One is the negative nature of the Democrats' race. Moore and Perdue bash each other daily. Perdue informs voters that Moore is beholden to the Wall Street interests that have supplied him with so much campaign money, while Moore tags Perdue as a Raleigh insider who's gone along with business as usual.

And that's the second factor. After a long stretch of Democratic Party control of state government, North Carolina voters might listen to appeals for change. Despite the highest gas tax in the Southeast, the state keeps falling further behind in meeting transportation needs. Gains in public education are modest, at best. And political scandals point to a culture of corruption in Raleigh. Voters might believe an outsider can do better.

Conservatives can slight McCrory as a moderate, or worse. He's pushed for local tax increases to support Charlotte projects, like mass transportation. That may hurt him in the GOP primary, but if he gets the nomination, his pragmatic approach could attract independent voters. Martin did it, while more conservative Republican candidates couldn't.

McCrory's rivals discount his executive experience, noting that Charlotte has a "weak mayor" government. So do Greensboro and every other North Carolina city. But an effective mayor leads by articulating a vision and persuading others to follow -- just how a governor should operate.

The only other major candidate with executive experience in government is Moore. If Perdue wins the Democratic nomination, the issue will turn strongly in McCrory's favor because lieutenant governor is the ultimate "weak" job with hardly any significant duties at all.

It's very early in the campaign, but the picture has changed profoundly since last week. Before then, the Democratic primary looked like the decisive contest, while the Republicans appeared to be contending for the honor of losing to Moore or Perdue in November.

McCrory, if he wins the Republican primary, will face the Democratic candidate on equal footing or better.

Contact Doug Clark at dgclark@news-record.com or 373-7039.

"Following in the footsteps of an earlier study, government scientists on Tuesday said warmer oceans should translate to fewer Atlantic hurricanes striking the United States," the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.

Here's the abstract for "Global warming and United States landfalling hurricanes" by Chunzai Wang and Sang-Ki Lee in today's issue of Geophysical Research Letters.

Obviously, this study contradicts other predictions -- popularized by Al Gore -- that global warming will cause more frequent and intense storms, like Hurricane Katrina, to strike the United States.

Unlike the true believers, I've admitted to a lot of confusion over global warming forecasts. Those who have insisted that "the science is settled," it seemed to me, must not have known much about science, which isn't settled about a whole lot of things and certainly not about climate. As studies like this appear, it seems more reasonable to question not only the expected future impact of global warming, if indeed it continues, but also the policy recommendations based on science that may prove to be faulty.

Global warming is generally portrayed as an impending catastrophe of immense proportions. Intense tropical storm activity has been presented as one of the greatest threats. Everyone can understand the devastation of major hurricanes and has to heed warnings that they'll hit harder and more often unless something can be done to halt or reverse the conditions causing our world to heat up.

But wait a minute. Now some scientists are saying that ocean warming might have exactly the opposite effect, at least in terms of Atlantic storms? Doesn't that force us to stop and re-evaluate? Maybe we should continue to re-evaluate the science -- with open minds -- and reconsider the policy conclusions we've drawn so quickly. After all, the Al Gore scenario, if taken seriously, should cause us to radically change the way we live in coastal areas. But what if the danger is grossly exaggerated?

We might even ask a question that seems rarely considered: Might there be benefits to global warming? For example, just to be obvious, that winters might get a little warmer? Is that such a frightening possibility in places with frigid winter climates where people struggle to heat their homes?

By no means am I suggesting that we shouldn't improve energy efficiency and reduce pollution. We owe succeeding generations a cleaner, healthier planet.

If we achieve that, how much will it help level off or pull down global temperatures? Unless I'm wrong, no one can say. I'm not convinced that anyone can say what's likely to happen to our climate in the decades and centuries to come (anymore than anyone can fully explain what caused past climate change), or what the side effects might be. The science is still unsettled.

Somehow I don't think Al Sharpton is going to help bring a happy solution to the Mecklenburg County sheriff's fiasco.

On the contrary. If there were a way to make matters worse ...

Sharpton will speak at a rally for Nick Mackey next week in Charlotte, the Observer reports.

So will William Barber, president of the NAACP in North Carolina.

Obviously, the racial aspect of this dispute is going to take center stage. It shouldn't. The outcome of the convoluted sheriff selection process should be determined according to the rules, not by protest or political pressure.

A special panel of the state Democratic Party will examine the evidence early next month. Sharpton, Barber and others shouldn't try to influence the proceedings.

Mackey, who is black, was chosen to replace former sheriff Jim Pendergraph by the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party in a process that sort of resembles the Iowa caucuses. Since then, there have been complaiints that many precincts were improperly organized. Some people have said they were signed up as precinct officials without their knowledge. This is what the state party has to look at.

Mackey's qualifications have been questioned. He was a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer who resigned under investigation for falsifying work hours, and he later filed for bankruptcy. The Mecklenburg County sheriff supervises more than 1,000 employees and manages a budget of more than $100 million.

If Sharpton claims this is a civil rights issue, he'll be wrong. He's just deflecting attention from the real issues. And, if it turns out that Mackey won by cheating, it will further erode Sharpton's credibility ... if that's possible.

One real issue is that the office of sheriff should be nonpartisan. It's crazy to let a political party pick a sheriff in backroom meetings that practically invite manipulation.

Becky Smothers drew laughs, Jerry Camp tears. Both were in the spotlight at today's annual meeting of the High Point Chamber of Commerce.

Mayor Smothers was surprised to be named the Chamber's Distinguished Citizen of the Year for 2007, but hardly speechless.

"Crap," she said. "I've worn the wrong color."

And, about her hair: "Between the chemo curl and the gray, it doesn't photograph well."

Smothers battled breast cancer last year but didn't let that diminish her formidable leadership skills.

Chamber President Tom Dayvault cited courage under tough circumstances as one reason Smothers earned the honor. Definitely.

The Chamber produced a nice video containing tributes from local notables -- including former Greensboro Mayor Keith Holliday, who graciously credited Smothers with showing him how to be a mayor.

Referring to past winners of this award, Smothers noted they were mostly people successful in business.

"The only person who's never had a good job is me, in terms of pay," said Smothers, who was once a social worker. "I'm the lowest-paid person you've ever honored."

But she called her job as mayor a treasure.

That fits. She's solid gold.

Camp provided another emotional moment. The owner of C&D Industrial Tools and Supplies in High Point began his term as chairman of the Chamber's Board of Directors -- the first African American to hold that position.

"I'm very honored. I'm very humbled," he said, dabbing at eyes moistoned by "a cold."

"Right now I'm trying to complete that dash in my life," he said, referring to what follows the year of birth, 1950 --

"I'm trying to make a difference in this community," he said, thanking the Chamber for "having the courage to give me this opportunity to serve you."

Camp has been spearheading High Point's workforce preparedness initiative, which this week announced the hiring of its first director, Michael A. Prioleau, who has been executive director of the Greensboro Education and Development Council for the past six years.

This marks a major effort in High Point to improve education and worker training aimed at fitting more residents into good-paying jobs.

Camp listed the initiative as one of his top priorities for 2008. Others mentioned are:

* Continue stressing regionalism and working cooperatively with the 21 other Chambers in the Triad.

* Focus on international business, particularly drawing more overseas companies to the furniture market.

* Develop new programs, including minority business development.

I'm happy to say Camp will be a panelist in our next One Guilford program, March 12 at UNCG, 4-6 p.m. The discussion will focus on how to better prepare Guilford County young people for success after high school.

Finally, I'm also pleased to report that the Chamber honored the News & Record for 100 years of service to High Point.

For the record, that's a lot longer than Becky Smothers has been mayor.

The first-degree murder indictment against Marine Cesar Laurean by an Onslow County grand jury precludes a possible death sentence, the Jacksonville Daily News reports.

He is accused of killing fellow Marine Maria Lauterbach and is thought to be in his native Mexico.

Onslow DA Dewey Hudson seemed regretful in announcing he could not seek a death penalty in the highly publicized case.

"The choices presented to me were either a possible life without parole sentence or (Laurean's) living in Mexico the rest of his life as a free man," he said.

That's because Mexico refuses to extradite criminal suspects who might face capital punishment.

I know that position isn't unusual in the international community. The U.S. has refused extradition in cases deemed political, like this one.

I still regard Mexico's stance as undue interference in U.S. judicial affairs. While I don't support the death penalty, it's a matter for the courts of North Carolina to determine under state law. The idea that Mexico might deny the cause of justice, and let a suspected murderer remain free, is outrageous.

Brad Woodhouse, sometimes called "the most prolific e-mailer in politics," ought to be ignored most of the time.

But I had to take notice of today's missive from the Democratic operative.

Whenever you can stick it to the opposition with a wicked sense of humor, you ought to get credit.

Woodhouse is running something called "The Bush Legacy Project," which at first glance looks like it supports the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Look again.

His group is distributing "I'm a Bush Republican" buttons to all GOP members of Congress and challenging them to pin them on for Monday night's State of the Union Address with the taunt:

"Your votes helped build his legacy; you should show your support for him by proudly declaring that you're a Bush Republican."

This reminds me of a time many years ago when I was covering something at the Legislative Building. It so happened that lobbyists for R.J. Reynolds were passing out "Pride in Tobacco" ballcaps.

I dropped in on a Guilford County legislator and found him in his office looking at his new cap and pondering what to do with it.

Let's see ... Tobacco is a cash cow for North Carolina ... tobacco lobbyists are nice to legislators ... but smoking is killing people ... my oh my oh my ...

So put yourself in the position of a Republican senator or representative who faces a tough re-election campaign with a lame-duck president whose low approval ratings could drag his whole party down.

Are you going to wear a button that says "I'm a Bush Republican" with the TV cameras likely to zoom in on you for the folks back home to see?

Are you going to not wear it and then explain why when Woodhouse tips your local media?

My oh my oh my.

That Brad Woodhouse is a nasty guy.