Tuesday Open Line


Welcome to 2012 everyone.  How many people have New Years Resolutions?  If you were Vance County or Henderson, what would be your New Years Resolution?  What if you were the city council or board of commissioners?  Police Chief, Sheriff, Economic Developer?  What do you think the area should accomplish this year?  How has it worked out so far?


In the Weekly Address, the last one of 2011, President Obama tells the American people that, by joining together, we can move past the tough debates and help to create jobs and grow the economy in the new year.


Also released is the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that’s happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, they take a look back at the President’s third year in office, highlighting behind-the-scenes footage and some of our favorite presidential moments. That’s January 1st to December 31st or “Best of the West (Wing Week).


Also published is the top 10 videos picked by interns at the White House.  After much debate, the interns in the White House Office of Digital Strategy have decided on their 10 must-see videos of 2011. These funny, memorable, inspirational—and even quirky—videos highlight the best behind-the-scenes moments at the White House and feature sensational musical performances, holiday preparations, civil rights leaders, impressive young Americans, and more.  I wont put them all here because you can just view the page yourself with all 10 videos but they include hits like “Smart Youngsters Saving the World: Google Science Fair”, “The First Lady Rocks to Beyonce”, “An Inside Look at the White House Movie Theater”, and “Lions, and Tigers, and Spiderman, Oh My!”.  I will put the #1 recommended video here though for your enjoyment.  Yes, this is an official White House video.

Finally, they also released the top 10 photo’s as well.  Including a pic of Obama and staffers during the Bin Laden raid, Obama at the new 9/11 memorial, Obama and the Dalai Lama, even the Veteran Day basketball game between UNC and Michigan State University on board an aircraft carrier.


We’ve listed our top stories for 2011, and it’s not much surprise that crime stories are  quite popular.  We’ve posted today the 911 call also from the December 29th home invasion in which a teenager defended his home, killing an intruder.  The FBI released information also that December  was the highest ever number of background checks on customers requested by gun dealers.  Over 1.5 million background checks with nearly 500,000 of those in the week before Christmas.  It was the highest number ever in a single month, surpassing the previous record set in November.

The NRA said people are concerned with self defense in response to police officer numbers declining.  A spokesman said: “I think there’s an increased realisation that when something bad occurs it’s going to be between them and the criminal.”   (read more)

Discuss and more on the first 2012 Open Lines!