Jesse Helms and the zoo

North Carolina has a wonderful zoo, in Asheboro. My next door neighbor was there last week and reported that, despite an active donor group, some of the exhibits are being closed because the NC government isn't providing adequate funding.

This isn't the first time there's been a challenge in getting money for the zoo. When the initial appropriation was being discussed some years ago, the late Jesse Helms (he became "late" today) delivered what is probably his most famous quote: "Why build a zoo when we can just put up a fence around Chapel Hill?"

For a quick look at Chapel Hill, which has more Ph.D's per capital than anywhere else in the US, look at this article from the New York Times.

A Tar Heel T-shirt

Between the Democratic primary and Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina is sure making headlines these days. I'm sorely tempted to buy this T-shirt.

The 82nd Airborne

I live in North Carolina, not far from Ft. Bragg. When you drive into North Carolina from, let's say, Tennessee, you're likely to see a billboard proclaiming ours as the most "military friendly" state in the nation. And it's true. Many of the people who serve our country at the various bases across this state come to love the TarHeel state, and stay here after their military service. They become part of our community, and everyone knows a few of them.

So even though I have never had any contact with the military when I lived up North, I've begun to take a sense of pride that the 82nd Airborne is based here. They have a remarkable history; their members have been, over the years, true heroes.

This morning we hear that nine members of the 82nd have been killed in a massive explosion in Iraq. The circumstances of their death were probably unavoidable. The direct cause was the placement of US forces in small outposts, making them more vulnerable to terrorists tactics. In this case it was two trucks loaded with tons of explosives, strong enough not only to kill people, but to destroy some of the walls of the compound. These young men never had a chance.

If this serves any useful purpose, I can't imagine what it is. I just listened to Joe Biden imploring the president to wake up and face the reality of Iraq, that we are mired in the chaos of a civil war which we are powerless to affect.

Enough already. This must stop.