D.G. Martin, Author at Chapelboro.com

Discarding unelectable candidates, but holding on to their supporters’ enthusiasm

Posted by D.G. Martin | Feb 9, 2016 | D.G. Martin

The trick to winning elections, old political warhorses say, is to rally the enthusiasm of the young, the idealistic, and the angry crazies, without getting stuck with a presidential candidate who cannot be stomached by the...

Coughs and sneezes about campus monuments and names

Posted by D.G. Martin | Feb 2, 2016 | D.G. Martin

“When America catches a cold, Britain sneezes — eventually.” Writing in The New York Times, Matthew d’Ancona, a graduate of Britain’s Oxford University and columnist for British papers, The Guardian and The Daily Evening...

Cultural Competency not just for journalists

Posted by D.G. Martin | Jan 26, 2016 | D.G. Martin

Last week, as the story of African American protests over the absence of black nominees for Academy Awards was developing, Sam Fulwood explained what he learned reporting the 1992 Los Angeles riots that broke out after a jury...

Yard signs and State of the Union speeches: Wasted efforts?

Posted by D.G. Martin | Jan 19, 2016 | D.G. Martin

They are a waste of time, don’t change anybody’s mind, and have little or no impact on the outcome of elections or the support of a politician. Does this comment describe the impact of political yard signs on elections or the...

Help me explain my love for homecooking eateries

Posted by D.G. Martin | Jan 12, 2016 | D.G. Martin

My upcoming book about local, home cooking places near North Carolina’s Interstate highways has a title, “North Carolina’s Roadside Eateries: A Traveler’s Guide to Local Restaurants, Diners, and Barbecue Joints.” And, it has a...

European history lessons for North Carolinians

Posted by D.G. Martin | Jan 5, 2016 | D.G. Martin

What does a new 800-page history of 20th Century Europe have to do with North Carolina politics of the 21st Century? First, a few words about the book itself, “Out of Ashes: A New History of Europe in the Twentieth Century,” by...

New Bookwatch season—off to a great start

Posted by D.G. Martin | Dec 29, 2015 | D.G. Martin

One thing about the New Year is for sure, and I am celebrating it. A new season of UNC-TV’s North Carolina Bookwatch begins January 10. The first six programs of the new season include three that feature North Carolina writers...

This Season: How Do We Bring it all Together?

Posted by D.G. Martin | Dec 23, 2015 | D.G. Martin

How do we put it all together at this time every year? Christmas. That is what I am thinking about. We are used to it of course. It almost seems natural. But it is not. We have just done it this way forever. We are on...

Remembering our own Christmas ghosts

Posted by D.G. Martin | Dec 22, 2015 | D.G. Martin

I am haunted by the ghosts of Christmas past. And they are good ghosts. Mostly. These ghosts are memories that come back each season. Some are wrapped around Santa Claus. Others are centered on the baby Jesus and the miracle of...

Remembering the Pro and Anti Santa Church Factions

Posted by D.G. Martin | Dec 18, 2015 | D.G. Martin

It is hard to make sense of Christmas if you try to explain it in one dimension. It is so many things these days. It is a religious holy day, of course–but so much more. Or so much less, depending on how you look at it. A...

D.G. Martin

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