UNCA chancellor thanks voters for OK’ing bond

Yesterday (March 15), the citizens of North Carolina went to the polls and voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Connect NC bond referendum. 

This important initiative will provide $980 million in funding for much needed infrastructure across the UNC system, including $21.1 million for the repair and renovation of Owen and Carmichael Halls here at UNC Asheville.

I want to thank all of you who contributed to this effort.

This investment in our state will be felt far into the future, helping UNC Asheville and the UNC system continue in our mission of educating the next generation of leaders, innovators and thinkers. The citizens of North Carolina have made a generous and wise choice.

Upcoming talk by security expert on Benghazi touted

I was thrilled to discover that Mr. Paronto “Tonto” from the CIA security team in Benghazi, Libya, is coming to Asheville to discuss the Sept. 11, 2012 attack on Ambassador Chris Stevens.

Internationally renowned, Mr. Paronto will speak at the Lincoln-Reagan Dinner (in Asheville and hosted by the Buncombe County GOP) on Saturday, April 9. 

Mr. Paronto is depicted in the book, “13 Hours,” by Mitchell Zuckoff and in the movie of the same name, providing a first-hand account of those tragic 13 hours.

Sensing serious trouble months earler, Ambassador Stevens had requested improved fortifications at the embassy, only to be denied by then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

During the attack, security teams were told to stand down, resulting in the senseless deaths of Stevens and other American heroes. Clinton blamed the event on the video.

An Army Ranger from the 2nd Battalion 75th Regiment and private security contractor, Mr. Paronto worked with the U.S. Global Response Staff, conduing low-profile security in high-threat environments worldwide. 

He reached the rank of sergeant, becoming a commissioned officer in 2003, and contracted for Blackwater Security Consulting.

Bernie Sanders touted by magical bird in poem

My poem, called “Please Listen to Bernie,” describes the magical Bernie and Bird scene:

Please Listen to Bernie

A small blessed creature, flew in through the door….

It landed near Bernie, it made the crowd roar!

Perhaps was a sparrow, or maybe a lark

And just for a moment, I saw a small spark…

I saw Bernie’s eyes, I saw Bernie’s smile….

The bird looked at Bernie… for more than awhile…

I don’t care what you call it, Mother Nature, God, Spirit….

We all witnessed something, I just hope you could hear it…

This nation of ours, has been falling down fast,

If we keep this up, there’s no way, we will last….

“Please listen to Bernie,” I heard the bird say….

Then looked at the crowd, and then he flew away…

“Feel the Bern” and vote for Bernie Sanders!

Vietnam veteran salutes U.S. boys who died in war

I wear a proud veteran ballcap because I am a proud veteran who proudly served in Vietnam.

I really, really, really appreciate it when the public thanks me for my service.

But it is not I who the public should thank — it is the nearly 60,000 American boys who made the ultimate sacrifce during the Vietnam War and returned home in body bags.

They didn’t have to serve in Vietnam. They could have avoided the Vietnam draft by going to Canada, or by going underground, or by claiming conscientious objector status.

But they answered the bugle call out of duty, honor and love of country. And they proudly served — and died for that effort.

And it is they who should be thanked for their service to their country.

The world can be a beautiful place — if you’re around to enjoy it. But all their tomorrows ... are yesterdays.

God bless them!