Off the Recordtag:blog.news-record.com,2008:/staff/offtherecord/122008-07-19T11:05:03ZA forum for an exchange of opinions managed by editorial writer Doug Clark.Movable Type 3.34Good coffee, good causetag:blog.news-record.com,2008:/staff/offtherecord//12.261562008-07-19T11:00:08Z2008-07-19T11:05:03ZThere are argument for buying local ... ... and arguments against. You can't find home-grown coffee. Besides, what's wrong with helping growers who really need the business -- no matter where they are in the world? This is my coffee...Doug Clarkhttp://www.news-record.com
coffee source.]]>
HPU keeps building its reputationtag:blog.news-record.com,2008:/staff/offtherecord//12.261702008-07-18T23:30:18Z2008-07-18T23:35:05ZI've been prompting my 16-year-old niece in Michigan to include High Point University on her college list, and national publicity like this isn't hurting my case....Doug Clarkhttp://www.news-record.com
High Point University on her college list, and national publicity like this isn't hurting my case.]]>
Bless his hearttag:blog.news-record.com,2008:/staff/offtherecord//12.261662008-07-18T15:45:11Z2008-07-18T16:07:33ZNancy Pelosi hammered President Bush in an interview with Wolf Blitzer, but she threw in an expression typically used by Southerners to soften an otherwise unkind remark: "Well, you know, God bless him, bless his heart, the president of the...Doug Clarkhttp://www.news-record.com
hammered President Bush in an interview with Wolf Blitzer, but she threw in an expression typically used by Southerners to soften an otherwise unkind remark:
"Well, you know, God bless him, bless his heart, the president of the United States, a total failure, losing all credibility with the American people on the economy, on the war, on energy, you name the subject."
I'll leave it to another day to discuss whether Bush has been a "total failure" as president (the record doesn't look good, but "total" is a hard assessment to back up).
More interesting for today is Pelosi's sugar-coating of her insulting comment. Her terminology is very familiar to those of us in this part of the country.
An entry on the online Urban Dictionary explains.
Ed Cone wrote about the expression in his N&R column a few years back:
"Another insult, although velveted and used by the sweetest-sounding ladies, is 'bless his heart,' meaning, 'I agree with the unkind thing you have just said but do not wish to say so myself.'
"Example: 'That newspaper columnist is as dumb as a box of rocks,' he said. 'Bless his heart,' she replied."
Bluegrass artist Sam Bush recorded a song called "Bless his heart."
The late, great son of the South, Lewis Grizzard, made liberal use of the phrase, as in:
"For years, I thought drive-in theaters were for watching movies out-of-doors. Then I went to one with Kathy Sue Loudermilk, bless her heart. She was a lovely child and a legend before her sixteenth birthday. She was twenty-one, however, before she knew an automobile had a front seat."
It surprised me to hear the term coming from San Francisco resident Pelosi. Then I remembered Pelosi was born and raised in Baltimore, close enough to the South to absorb some of its language and manners. She can lay claim to the kindly, cutting expression, and she used it deftly.
Bless her heart.
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Lay off Obama? Not in Americatag:blog.news-record.com,2008:/staff/offtherecord//12.261632008-07-18T13:15:35Z2008-07-18T13:59:32ZGoog grief. Just when you think the uproar over The New Yorker's satirical cover illustration of the Obamas could not get worse, here comes the NAACP. The civil rights organization denounced the parody as "tasteless, Islam-a-phobic, mean spirited and racially...Doug Clarkhttp://www.news-record.com
denounced the parody as "tasteless, Islam-a-phobic, mean spirited and racially offensive."
Unbelievable. The depiction was a lampoon of the idiots who spread malicious misconceptions about Barack and Michelle Obama. Although The New Yorker is regarded as sophisticated, this was not subtle satire. It should have been simple enough for anyone to get, except possibly for those who are determined to see the Obamas in the worst possible light ...
... and of course, humorless, hypersensitive organizations like the Council for American Islamic Relations.
Now I suppose we have to put the NAACP in the same category (if it wasn't already).
I don't figure the NAACP is so dense that it didn't understand the message conveyed by the magazine's cover. So it must mean something else by its condemnation of an obvious defense of the Obamas, not an attack on them.
My guess: It's warning the media that Obama can't be treated like other U.S. politicians. A different standard applies to him. Even those who are on his side, politically, have to show proper respect.
The trouble is, presidents have been lampooned and even mocked for ages. Civil-war era cartoonists often presented unflattering depictions of Lincoln, and I doubt any president has been spared since.
Comedians have joined the act. Remember Chevy Chase's portrayals of a bumbling Gerald Ford on "Saturday Night Live"?
Dare not pull something like that on Obama, the NAACP says. It would be "racially offensive."
The irony is that gag writers already are having a tough time with Obama, The New York Times reported this week. One reason cited is that the earnest Illinois senator isn't "buffoonish" in any way. Another is that audiences seem resistant to jokes about him.
Obviously, he's a serious man running for an important job. In some ways, Americans probably have become too irreverent toward their leaders.
But let's not head too far in the other direction. We're a people who like to laugh at ourselves -- and our leaders aren't immune.
Heaven help us if any barbs directed at Obama are going to be labeled as racially offensive just because he's black. (And, let's not forget, The New Yorker wasn't even skewering Obama.)
Come on, NAACP. Get serious ... about humor.]]>
Bully bill requires snitchingtag:blog.news-record.com,2008:/staff/offtherecord//12.261232008-07-17T13:46:52Z2008-07-17T14:17:57ZThe bully bill being debated in Raleigh has been much reported, but one little provision hasn't been mentioned much: "A school employee, student, or volunteer who has witnessed or has reliable information that a student or school employee has been...Doug Clarkhttp://www.news-record.com
bully bill being debated in Raleigh has been much reported, but one little provision hasn't been mentioned much:
"A school employee, student, or volunteer who has witnessed or has reliable information that a student or school employee has been subject to any act of bullying or harassing behavior shall report the incident to the appropriate school official."
Focus on "student ... shall report ..."
Your kid is required to snitch.
But first, I suppose, he's got to determine whether he actually has witnessed or received "reliable information" of the prohibited behavior.
Most kids know what bullying is, but "harassing behavior" is harder to define. The bill says it's a pattern of gestures or written, electronic or verbal communications that does or is certain to create a hostile environment that can impair a student's educational performance, opportunities or benefits.
Quite a bit for, say, a third-grader to chew on.
So, Johnny hears that Tommy's passing around another nasty note about Susie. The last one said she had hairy legs, this one says she has cooties. He hasn't seen the note, but Frankie told him about it, and Frankie usually knows what's going on. Johnny thinks Susie will be very upset if she finds out and probably won't do well in the third-grade spelling bee on Friday. Does Johnny have to tell on Tommy? If he does, Tommy, who can be a bully, almost certainly will beat him up after school.
I know it's bad when kids call each other mean names. When it happened to us, our moms always gave us the "sticks and stones ..." advice. Or, "That's life, kid. You've got to roll with the punches."
Now it's, "Tell the teacher if Tommy sticks out his tongue at you. That's harassment. The law says so."]]>
Father makes a difference for Lowe IItag:blog.news-record.com,2008:/staff/offtherecord//12.260922008-07-16T15:52:40Z2008-07-16T16:06:40ZI believe Sidney Lowe II was granted almost unheard of leniency for serious crimes not only because of who his father is but because of where his father was yesterday ... ... in court with his son. Yes, the senior...Doug Clarkhttp://www.news-record.com
almost unheard of leniency for serious crimes not only because of who his father is but because of where his father was yesterday ...
... in court with his son.
Yes, the senior Lowe's status as N.C. State basketball coach and his financial assets assured that he could hire the best defense attorneys for his son. An ordinary defendant, lacking those advantages, likely would have been given at least the minimum term called for by structured sentencing guidelines.
Judge Henry Frye Jr. found extraordinary mitigating circumstances to justify a term of 15 months at the minimum-security Guilford County prison farm. The young Lowe completed drug treatment, apologized and promised to make something great of his life.
Anyone could do that.
What really seems to separate him from so many other young men pulled into the criminal-justice system is his strong support system including a mother and father, as well as other family members.
Maybe they should have done more to keep Sidney II out of trouble in the first place, but it's reasonable to expect they'll do everything possible to keep him out of trouble again after he finishes his 15 months of easy time.
He'lll have a better chance than many other defendants who never had a supportive family, let alone a father to embrace him and declare, "I feel I have my son back." ]]>
Law should recognize fetal homicidestag:blog.news-record.com,2008:/staff/offtherecord//12.260752008-07-16T08:00:58Z2008-07-16T08:03:32ZIn North Carolina, a murder victim has to breathe before being killed. Hence the macabre exercise by state and military investigators earlier this year to determine whether the lungs of slain Marine Maria Lauterbach’s fetus contained traces of oxygen at...Doug Clarkhttp://www.news-record.com
House and Senate versions have been buried in committees since they were introduced last year.
Interest stirs occasionally, usually after a pregnant woman is murdered. The latest is Megan Lynn Touma, another military woman. The Fort Bragg soldier, seven months pregnant, was found dead June 21 in Fayetteville. No arrest has been made.
Last year, a Durham woman was shot to death near her home eight months into pregnancy, and the alleged father was charged with her murder.
Also last year, a Wake County woman delivering USA Today newspapers to earn extra money for her family was stabbed to death.
“Instead of celebrating the birth of a baby boy who was due Sunday, the family will hold a candlelight vigil tonight near the North Carolina Capitol to call attention to the deaths of Jennifer Nielsen and her 8-month-old fetus, who would have been named Ethen,” USA Today reported.
“We’re trying to show these legislators that my grandson died and they’re not even acknowledging his existence,” Nielsen’s father told the newspaper.
That’s not quite true. Current law does provide that a person who, in commission of a felony against a woman he knows to be pregnant, causes an injury that results in a miscarriage or stillbirth can be charged with a felony “one class higher” than the felony committed.
Of course, in the case of first-degree murder, there is no higher felony. So there’s no additional penalty for killing a pregnant woman.
Most states have much stronger laws than that on their books, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. In Virginia, for example, the conference notes, a 2004 statute “declares that any person who unlawfully, willfully, deliberately, maliciously and with premeditation kills a fetus is guilty of a Class 2 felony.” The penalty is five to 40 years in prison.
The North Carolina proposal would create a separate offense for killing a pregnant woman and causing the death of “an unborn child.” That term isn’t defined. No evidence would be required to show the accused knew the woman was pregnant or intended to harm the fetus.
Opposition to this measure has been quietly effective. Pro-choice advocates see it as a threat, and Democratic legislators clearly don’t want to undermine the foundation of legalized abortion by extending legal recognition to any “unborn child.”
I suspect that’s exactly what some proponents of the fetal homicide bill have in mind.
Nevertheless, the measure includes language explicitly stating it does not apply to an abortion conducted with the consent of the pregnant woman. That should satisfy people worried about the reach of this initiative.
In fact, rather than reject legal protection for a fetus, champions of “choice” should embrace the idea. When a woman chooses to carry a baby to term, she’s assigned the highest value to the developing life within her. Denying the humanity of that person prior to its birth devalues the mother’s decision. How can one be pro-choice but contend the object of choice shouldn’t hold legal status until it appears in the delivery room?
Those of us who haven’t experienced the tragedy of losing a loved one to violence can’t understand the horror or anguish, but surely we’d feel a double loss if the victim were carrying a longed-for child.
What difference whether it ever drew a breath?
Thanks for reading. You can contact me at dgclark@news-record.com or 373-7039. Better yet, post a comment here.]]>
Two guns = one gun violation, court saystag:blog.news-record.com,2008:/staff/offtherecord//12.260842008-07-15T22:29:26Z2008-07-15T22:39:59ZIs a felon caught with two guns guilty of two offenses of illegal possession of a firearm, or only one? The state Court of Appeals, in a case of first impression for North Carolina, chooses the more lenient option. The...Doug Clarkhttp://www.news-record.com
opinion was delivered today.
It was written by Judge Douglas McCullough and joined by Judges John Tyson and Donna Stroud.
The case stems from a March 2006 wild-west shootout between the gun-toting bad guy and Thomasville police officers.
The cops got the better of the exchange, but defendant Darrell Lugene Garris won a small victory in court today.
But only one. He was also convicted at trial of attempted first-degree murder, communicating threats and possession of marijuana.
Dropping one of two weapons charges won't spare him much prison time.]]>
Becky Smothers is good to gotag:blog.news-record.com,2008:/staff/offtherecord//12.260682008-07-15T15:28:02Z2008-07-15T16:10:26Z"Go ahead and run," Becky Smothers' doctor told her last week. So High Point's mayor is off and running for a third straight term and sixth overall. At the moment, Smothers has the field to herself. Any potential challengers out...Doug Clarkhttp://www.news-record.com
here. ]]>
" ... we don't need me in Washington."tag:blog.news-record.com,2008:/staff/offtherecord//12.260582008-07-14T21:52:09Z2008-07-14T21:58:01ZRepublican 11th District congressional candidate Carl Mumpower suspends his campaign: "Job one for me is to get my party back to its principles. Without that foundation, we don't need me in Washington." Wouldn't it be great if more congressional candidates...Doug Clarkhttp://www.news-record.com
Carl Mumpower suspends his campaign:
"Job one for me is to get my party back to its principles. Without that foundation, we don't need me in Washington."
Wouldn't it be great if more congressional candidates took the same stand?
I admit I'm surprised, though. I thought any politician who'd march in the Coon Dog Day parade in Saluda was a serious contender.
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Tony Snow's faith in the face of deathtag:blog.news-record.com,2008:/staff/offtherecord//12.260442008-07-14T18:44:38Z2008-07-14T18:48:41ZWorth re-reading: Tony Snow's article in ChristianityToday a year ago. "Blessings arrive in unexpected packages — in my case, cancer"....Doug Clarkhttp://www.news-record.com
Tony Snow's article in ChristianityToday a year ago.
"Blessings arrive in unexpected packages — in my case, cancer".
]]>
More reporting on deadly battle in Afghanistan neededtag:blog.news-record.com,2008:/staff/offtherecord//12.260402008-07-14T16:00:21Z2008-07-14T16:09:19ZNobody ever even erroneously declared major combat operations over in Afghanistan. We need more detailed reporting on this battle over there yesterday. Our troops are fighting an intense war, and their stories should be told. Here's an update from cnn.com....Doug Clarkhttp://www.news-record.com
this battle over there yesterday. Our troops are fighting an intense war, and their stories should be told.
Here's an update from cnn.com.]]>
There's no Iran war resolutiontag:blog.news-record.com,2008:/staff/offtherecord//12.260022008-07-11T13:32:59Z2008-07-11T14:14:48ZLetter writer Dusty Schoch is all worked up over congressional resolutions that he contends are devised by "neocon-Zionists" to provide authorization for pre-emptive war against Iran. Maybe he missed this part of S. Res. 580: "nothing in this resolution shall...Doug Clarkhttp://www.news-record.com
Letter writer Dusty Schoch is all worked up over congressional resolutions that he contends are devised by "neocon-Zionists" to provide authorization for pre-emptive war against Iran.
Maybe he missed this part of S. Res. 580: "nothing in this resolution shall be construed to authorize the use of force against Iran."H. Con. Res. 362 makes a similar statement.
Oh, and in addition to Elizabeth Dole, whom Schoch names as the co-sponsor, the Senate measure is supported by 17 Republicans, 14 Democrats, including primary sponsor Evan Bayh, and independent Joe Lieberman.
Here's the bipartisan list of 222 co-sponsors of the House resolution. These are not Bush administration initiatives.
The Senate resolution urges the president to use existing economic, political and diplomatic authority, and to lead an international effort, to pressure Iran against the development of nuclear weapons.
Iran has a nuclear program -- to what end isn't clear. Its president has expressed a desire to wipe Israel off the map. Iran supports terrorist groups. This week, Iran test-fired missiles that may have the capability of reaching Israel.
But to some people, you're a "neocon Zionist" if any of that worries you.
Those same people seem to trust the good intentions of Iran's Islamic revolutionary government more than they trust the intentions of the democratically elected Congress of the United States.]]>
Idiot of the week: close calltag:blog.news-record.com,2008:/staff/offtherecord//12.260002008-07-11T13:23:36Z2008-07-11T20:57:25ZWho's stupider: Phil Gramm or Jesse Jackson? Update: Cartoonist Mike Lukovich on Jackson. He's done a good one on Gramm, too, but it isn't posted at the link above yet (4 p.m.). It may pop up there anytime....Doug Clarkhttp://www.news-record.com
Phil Gramm or Jesse Jackson?
Update: Cartoonist Mike Lukovich on Jackson.
He's done a good one on Gramm, too, but it isn't posted at the link above yet (4 p.m.). It may pop up there anytime.]]>
Coulthard case updatetag:blog.news-record.com,2008:/staff/offtherecord//12.259922008-07-10T21:58:16Z2008-07-10T22:08:54ZA brief update on the case of Rob Coulthard, who's up for parole review 20 years after his conviction in High Point of first-degree murder (please see my column if you missed it last week): The family of victim Sandra...Doug Clarkhttp://www.news-record.com
Rob Coulthard, who's up for parole review 20 years after his conviction in High Point of first-degree murder (please see my column if you missed it last week):
The family of victim Sandra Coulthard met with a parole commissioner this week and felt things went well, her brother Steve Coles informed me in an email today.
They learned that the commission has received hundreds of letters expressing opposition to parole. A decision should be made in about a month.
I'll follow up.
My opinion is that Rob Coulthard does not deserve to be released from prison. Unfortunately, his "life" sentence allowed the opportunity for parole after 20 years according to sentencing guidelines in force at the time. If he is denied this year, his case will be reviewed again next year, and every year until he dies or is let out.
His victim's family will have to mount its opposition all over again each time -- a sad annual reminder of the pain and heartache they've suffered.]]>