Bits and Pieces of 2008

CheneyCare

The National Nurses Organizing Committee is calling for "CheneyCare" for all Americans. The nurses note that the vice president is a survivor of four heart attacks, quadruple bypass surgery, angioplasty, an implanted defibrillator and an emergency procedure to treat his irregular heartbeat. Yet all his medical treatment costs Cheney little out of his own pocket, and he doesn't have to worry about being turned away for pre-existing conditions or being "denied coverage for what an insurance company labels ‘experimental treatments.' "

But, can you imagine such health-care coverage for all Americans at government cost? Absolutely not. That kind of "socialized medicine" is reserved only for people who oppose big government. (Jan. 12)

Reining them in

The news that officials on Bald Head Island are considering contraceptives to limit the deer population has led to the consideration of more than a few jokes.

We'll resist humor in a vulgar vein. Being in the editorial department, we'll keep it self-righteous: Has anybody first tried preaching abstinence to these creatures? (March 1)

Remembering Sgt. Plouff

It's been more than a year now since Sgt. Howard Plouff was killed in the line of duty. For his family and fellow officers, the pain will never go away -- nor will the strong memories of that fine man.

That was evident Thursday afternoon when a crowd gathered at the Winston-Salem Police Department to honor Plouff as the department's Officer of the Year for 2007. His fellow officers remembered him as a friendly man they were glad to follow, one who put his wife and two daughters first. His wife, Joyce Plouff, had some of the strongest words: "Howard served with courage, loyalty, integrity, dedication and honor," she said.

Indeed. With no trial date yet set for the man charged with shooting Plouff, any sense of closure is a long way off. But Plouff's friends and family can take comfort in his legacy. (July 26)

Sweet diplomacy

Winston-Salem's Krispy Kreme could help itself and America with its franchise agreement for stores in Istanbul, Turkey. If those irresistible doughnuts can't finally establish a friendly American presence in the Middle East, we're sunk. (Aug. 2)

Real men

We always knew we have a lot of real men around here, and the story this week of David Hayes of Wilkes County reeling in that record-breaking channel catfish with his granddaughter's pink Barbie rod was further confirmation.

Any guy tough enough to tell that story puts all the Ken-doll types out there to shame. Cheers, David. (Aug. 23)

Farewell to a soldier

The war in Afghanistan took another of this country's best this week when Capt. Ritchie Cliff, a Green Beret, was killed.

Cliff, a graduate of Appalachian State University, was on combat reconnaissance patrol when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device, The Post and Courier of Charleston, S.C., reported.

Two other soldiers were also killed in the explosion. Cliff, a decorated soldier who'd also served in Iraq, was a Charleston native who met his wife, Stacy, at Appalachian. She's an Ashe County native. Last month, she gave birth to their son.

"It hurt him a lot to leave that baby, but he knew it was his duty, and he was proud of it," Richie Cliff's father, Rich Cliff, told the Charleston newspaper.

For Capt. Cliff's family and friends, the hurt won't end. And neither will Capt. Cliff's proud legacy. (Oct. 4)

Eating Christmas trees?

Cheers to Ashe County's River Ridge Tree Farms for carrying on what's becoming a North Carolina tradition -- supplying beautiful Christmas trees for the White House. This is a tradition destined to continue through economic booms and busts.

If the economic crunch ever hits the White House, the First Family can burn the trees to stay warm and cook their food. By the time that happens, the rest of us will be down to eating trees. (Oct. 25)

Give her a Cheerwine

In lashing out at critics questioning campaign expenditures on her clothes, former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin said last week that "I never asked for anything more than a Diet Dr. Pepper once in a while."

No wonder she and John McCain didn't carry North Carolina: She should have been drinking our Diet Cheerwine. (Nov. 15)

Sail on, Citigroup

If Wachovia can't be independent anymore, we knew it would be better for Wells Fargo to buy it than Citigroup. And this week, when Citigroup announced it's cutting 53,000 jobs, that point was driven home.

If Citigroup had bought out Wachovia, our hopes and prayers for holding onto the 2,900 Wachovia jobs in Forsyth County wouldn't have stood a chance. (Nov. 22)

Talk not cheap

A report on National Public Radio Thursday noted an increase in people telling their therapists about economic worries.

We've got one question: Who can afford a therapist? (Nov. 22)

Biden's barker

Vice President Joe Biden has beaten his boss to the punch by selecting his own dog for his new Washington digs. A police canine expert will handle most of the German shepherd's training, according to The Associated Press. But Biden will teach the dog how to put its paw in its mouth. (Dec. 20.)