Madison Taylor

In the spirit of peace and goodwill toward men and women (not to mention cats, dogs, antelopes, jackals and the occasional amoeba) the Jolt took a break over the holidays.
But break time’s over.

THUMB’S UP to the Gentlemen of Alamance, an organization largely off the radar screen for most in the community. This group of black men first started 50 years ago as a social club when those kinds of options were few for black men. The organization led to generations of black leaders for five decades with many occupying important firsts in the area.

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THUMB’S DOWN to news that the jobless rate around the nation has hit a two-year high. In December government and private businesses added the fewest new jobs to their payrolls in four years. As a result, the jobless rate hit 5 percent, a sign that this could be a key issue when the presidential races get tight — as they are just about ready to do in New Hampshire Tuesday. Let’s say it together now, “It’s the economy stupid.”
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And speaking of politics a huge THUMB’S UP to more seats for North Carolina in Congress, something that’s projected to occur when the 2010 census figures are in. That not only means a greater voice in Washington but more electoral clout in future presidential elections. But an even bigger THUMB’S UP goes to the news that New York, Ohio, New Jersey, Massachusetts and California will lose a few seats. Couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch of folks.

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THUMB’S UP to quite a dad. Doug Fairchild of Burlington wanted to bring the snowfalls of his youth home to his 5-year-old daughter Hailey. Sort of tired of waiting on Mother Nature to do the job the way it used to (hey, I think it snowed more long ago, too, Fairchild, like the fictional Tim the Toolman Taylor, constructed his own snow gun (not the Binford 5000 surely) and made up a batch himself. The result, 5 inches of the white stuff on his back yard. No word yet, though, on whether the creation was suitable for snow cream. Mom always said the first snow was too early.

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