These letters did not make the final cut for the print edition.

The N&O’s former cartoonist just couldn’t sit out this legislative session, not with all the fun things to draw. He’ll be offering his view every Sunday in The N&O during the session. Here’s this week’s cartoon.

The NC National Guard has issued a statement about Memorial Day:

Let us pause for a moment of reflection this Memorial Day. It is a simple request made on behalf of so many who have given their last, full measure of devotion to the state and nation they called home.

Their lives were given in the purest of spirit as they went into battle to defend the ideals and values of a nation that most inhabitants of our world can only wish, hope, pray and strive for.

During these last, many years of persistent conflict, we have presented our nation’s flag to the grief-stricken families of our fallen. They received them with stoic pride amidst the streaming tears. Twenty-nine have fallen while serving in the N.C. National Guard around our globe. They now lay among many, many more fallen whose ultimate sacrifice either gave birth to our nation, defended our democratic ideals from global fanaticism, stood firm against communism during the Cold War or secured our American Way of Life in the face of terrorism. We will enjoy the traditional beginning of our summer vacation season because of the very freedoms and securities they provided for us through their service.

Let us be reminded that the families of our nation’s heroes will have a void around their picnic blankets this Memorial Day as they have and will have every other day. Let us reach out to them, pay our respects and express our solemn gratitude for the patriotic sacrifices they will forever endure. Let them know that we will never forget them; neither will we ever forget their loved ones who no longer walk among us.

A brief moment to pause and read the names on the tombstones that mark the final resting place of our fallen is a simple, yet, pure gesture of reflection and tribute. It reconnects us to the true purpose of this holiday. It is but a simple request made on behalf of so many.

Your turn to write the caption! Charlotte Observer cartoonist Kevin Siers has a weekly contest. Here's the cartoon. Go here to write a caption. You have till noon tomorrow.

The N&O’s former cartoonist just couldn’t sit out this legislative session, not with all the fun things to draw. He’ll be offering his view every Sunday in The N&O during the session. Here’s this week’s cartoon.

On Monday, a legislative committee is supposed to act on House Bill 628, Protect/Promote NC Lumber, which mandates that state government construction projects adopt a building code that treats timber equally, which would put more North Carolina timber to use in the state. Former Lt. Gov. Bob Jordan write about that means in a piece we received too late to print before Monday.

The N&O’s former cartoonist just couldn’t sit out this legislative session, not with all the fun things to draw. He’ll be offering his view every Sunday in The N&O during the session. Here’s this week’s cartoon (click it to enlarge it).

These letters got overrun by other issues and did not make the paper.

We have a rule against publishing Points of View submissions from elected officials, so you won't find this in the paper. But here's a look at the reasons four lawmakers – two Democrats and two Republicans – sponsored House Bill 944 or the Opportunity Scholarship Act.

Gotten a bzillion Point of View submissions this week. Here's a Mother's Day piece from a Goldsboro mom offering her view of what's wrong with this country. Deborah Nowachek, the wife of an ob-gyn, retired from her 15-year career as an attorney-mediator to adopt, stay at home and homeschool her two children. Discuss among yourselves.