Here are 10 sets of questions that may help us think this practice through and through. Let me close with a musing from John Donne. Please imagine the cloner absorbing these thoughts from her patient. Muse not that by thy mind my body’s ledFor by thy mind my mind’s distempered. So thy cares live long, […]
Human Cloning – What could possibly go wrong?
October 16th, 2025 by SkipWords Matter: The good, bad, and ugly of DEI. Part 3: The ugly
September 16th, 2025 by Skip“DEI” is commonly and carelessly used as if its three components were equivalent. They are not the same. This three-part series of essays explains and distinguishes among the three terms: diversity, equity, and inclusion. These terms would never have been used if there were not some sense in which each has a positive meaning. This first […]
Words Matter: The good, bad, and ugly of DEI. Part 2: The bad
September 10th, 2025 by Skip“DEI” is commonly and carelessly used as if its three components were equivalent. They are not the same. This three-part series of essays explains and distinguishes among the three terms: diversity, equity, and inclusion. These terms would never have been used if there were not some sense in which each has a positive meaning. This first […]
Words Matter: The good, bad, and ugly of DEI. Part 1: The good
September 3rd, 2025 by Skip“DEI” is commonly and carelessly used as if its three components were equivalent. They are not the same. This three-part series of essays explains and distinguishes among the three terms: diversity, equity, and inclusion. These terms would never have been used if there were not some sense in which each has a positive meaning. This […]
What makes an illegal immigrant a criminal alien?
August 7th, 2025 by SkipI have been confused about the details of immigration and deportation. What makes an “illegal alien” a “criminal illegal alien”? I recently read a helpful article in the Deseret News, entitled, “Is it a crime to be in the country illegally? We answer your questions.” It discusses many categories of those who are here illegally. The […]
A Surprising Understanding of “Be Perfect”
July 18th, 2025 by SkipMatthew 5 and Job 31 ESVWake County CLS – July 18, 2025 What does it really mean when Jesus says, “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect”? This teaching explores the surprising depth of that command through the lens of Matthew 5 and Job 31. Far from demanding sinless perfection, Scripture paints a picture […]
Words Matter, Part VI: Honor, Privilege
July 8th, 2025 by SkipIn 1799, Napoleon seized power from the French Directory, a five-member governing body, through a coup d’état known as the Coup of 18 Brumaire. Following this, Napoleon made himself Emperor Napoleon I, in 1804. Legend has it that during his coronation, he took the crown from Pope Pius VII and crowned himself, demonstrating his rejection of any authority […]
Conference on 2025-2027 Budget
July 1st, 2025 by SkipThe following is the full text of a letter written by Paul Stam to several members of the North Carolina General Assembly. The letter was addressed to State Representatives Donny Lambeth, Dean Arp, Larry Strickland, Kyle Hall, Erin Paré, Hugh Blackwell, and William Brisson, as well as State Senators Brent Jackson, Ralph Hise, and Michael […]
Words Matter, Part V: Politically Motivated, A Fraction Of, Decimate
June 18th, 2025 by SkipDo we talk past each other because we use different language, even when we all use English? The same sound may have four different meanings in Chinese — depending on the tone of voice. In English a “sound” may have different meanings, depending on the context or the spelling. We should use words in ways […]
Words Matter, Part IV: Treason, Gaming, Amnesty
May 9th, 2025 by SkipThe same sound may have four different meanings in Chinese — depending on the tone of voice. In English a “sound” may have different meanings, depending on the context or the spelling. We should use words in ways that are understandable and fair. Do we talk past each other because we use different language, even […]
What Process is Due to Whom, When, Why?
May 1st, 2025 by SkipIn the days of Robin Hood, Friar Tuck, Maid Marian, and the Sheriff of Nottingham, there was a very bad English King. He took charge while his brother was off to the Crusades. So naturally the question came up: WHAT PROCESS IS DUE TO WHOM, WHEN, WHY? Magna Carta (1215 AD) was a deal between […]
How Many Impossible Things Can You Believe Before Breakfast?
April 21st, 2025 by SkipAlice laughed. ‘There’s no use trying,’ she said. ‘One can’t believe impossible things.’ I daresay you haven’t had much practice,’ said the Queen. ‘When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast – Lewis Carroll King Canute of England […]
Words Matter, Part III: Forgive, Mandate, Fascism, Marxism
March 27th, 2025 by SkipWe often talk past each other because we use different language, even if we all use English. In Chinese the same sounds may have at least four different meanings — depending on the tone of voice. In English a “sound” may have different meanings, depending on the context or the spelling. Pundits and politicians should […]
Words Matter, Part II: Nonprofit, Bipartisan, Democracy, Republic
February 28th, 2025 by SkipIn Chinese the same “word” may have four different meanings – depending on the tone of voice. In English a “sound” may have different meanings, depending on the context or the spelling. Pundits, and politicians should use words in ways that are understandable and fair. We often talk past each other because we use different […]
Words Matter, Part I: Corruption, Liberal, Conservative, Progressive, Legalize, Decriminalize
February 7th, 2025 by SkipIn Chinese the same “word” may have four different meanings – depending on the tone of voice. In English a “sound” may have different meanings, depending on the context or the spelling. Fair-minded reporters, pundits, and politicians should use words and phrases in ways that are understandable and fair. We often talk past each other […]
How Justice Allison Riggs took the lead in the vote count
January 8th, 2025 by SkipWe are waiting for protests to be determined on the State Supreme Court election. It is time to remind ourselves how Justice Riggs ran 2% ahead of the three statewide Court of Appeals Democratic candidates who lost. Justice Riggs also ran ahead of Justice Sam Ervin IV and Judge Lucy Inman in 2022. They also […]
2024 Elections – State and National
January 2nd, 2025 by SkipHere is the big picture at the local, state, and national level. For 2020 and 2022, I provided a similar scorecard. Local level. Before the election, Republicans controlled 67 county commissions. The GOP now controls 71 county commissions. Republicans flipped Martin, Perquimans, Scotland, and Watauga counties. Democrats control 24 counties, five have no majority. Democrats […]

