Don’t look for anything too deep this week; it’s just a bunch of random thoughts off the top of the old ‘noggin.

Bury the Hatchet

As a Hertford County resident (and registered voter), I took great interest in last week’s Board of Education election.

There, in what could be hailed as a mild upset, former Hertford County Schools’ Superintendent Dennis Deloatch unseated incumbent Patrick Young.

For those who follow local politics, it was Rev. Young who joined board members Wendell Hall and David Shields in voting not to renew Deloatch’s contract this past summer.

In a related matter, incumbents John Horton and Ron Baker won their reelection bids last week. Both voted to extend Deloatch’s contract.

In December, Deloatch will be sworn-in on what appears to be a board with the balance of power in his favor. But that’s what is wrong about the make-up of that board. Power plays do not help educate our children; rather they tear apart an educational system already burdened with problems.

My suggestion? Please, bury the hatchet (preferably not in each other’s heads) and move in a positive direction to take Hertford County Public Schools to new heights.

Yes, you can peep over your shoulder because we will be watching.

Give Bobby a Break

Maybe the national sports media should follow the lead of the national news networks and go pick on a lightweight. I heard George W. Bush is still available.

The whole thing with Texas Tech coach Bob Knight on Monday night was, as usual, blown way out of whack by the national media.

The Hall of Fame coach, who has a history of wearing his emotions on his sleeve, was attempting to get a player’s attention during Tech’s game on Monday in Lubbock against Gardner-Webb.

Apparently, Michael Prince’s confidence had taken a nose dive, so Knight simply lifted his chin up with a sharp open-handed jab. Knight said Prince was hanging his head on the court, apparently upset with his own play.

Would this have been such a big deal if it was anyone but coach Knight? I think not. He was simply doing what he enjoys n coaching boys to become men, so lay off!

Just Wondering

If a person with multiple personalities threatens suicide, is that considered a hostage situation?

Just think how much deeper the ocean would be if sponges didn’t live there.

War doesn’t determine who’s right, just who’s left.

After eating, do amphibians need to wait an hour before getting out of the water?

Since light travels faster than sound, isn’t that why some people appear bright until you hear them speak?

Think about this one this winter…. If it’s zero degrees outside today and it’s supposed to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold is it going to be?

Why do banks charge you a &uot;non-sufficient funds fee&uot; on money they already know you don’t have?

Why do they call it the Department of Interior when they are in charge of everything outdoors?

Why is it when a door is open it’s ajar, but when a jar is open, it’s not a door?

Why do we wash bath towels? Aren’t we clean when we use them?

What do little birdies see when they get knocked unconscious?

Hibernation Time?

Of all the NCHSAA state football play-off games scheduled across the state on Friday night, none may be bigger than Rocky Mount High at Hertford County.

These two have developed quite a rivalry in just two short years. However, during that stretch, Rocky Mount appears to have Hertford County’s “number.” They defeated the Bears 30-21 in their first-ever meeting on the gridiron during the 2005 campaign and then rallied for a 24-22 non-conference win earlier this season.

This sounds like the old Wilson Hunt-Hertford County rivalry from years gone by. It took HCHS numerous tries to get that Wilson Hunt monkey off their backs.

For the simple reason that the Bears have yet to prove they beat the Gryphons, I’m picking Rocky Mount on Friday.

David whips Goliath

The NCAA said Monday it will not appeal a weekend court ruling ordering it to allow the University of North Dakota to host tournaments and fly the “Fighting Sioux” logo in postseason play.

In a politically correct effort, the NCAA launched a campaign a while back that required all of its institutions that bore mascots or logos linked to Native American history to come up with another team name.

Most all NCAA member institutions followed the mandate, including Chowan University who traded in the Braves for the Hawks. Other schools, namely Florida State, were able to keep their Native American link (the Seminoles in FSU’s case) due to cooperation with the affected tribe.

I had an issue with this right off the bat for the simple reason that the NCAA didn’t care one bit if a team bore an Indian mascot or logo during the regular season. Rather, they concerned themselves with post-season play.

My contention all along has been if it is offensive during the post-season, then why not during the regular season?

It sounded like the NCAA wanted to appease both sides of the issue, like they typically do.

Hooray to the University of North Dakota for standing up to the bully NCAA and telling them where to stick their mascot/logo suggestion.

Apparently, a North Dakota judge agreed. Grand Forks County District Court Judge Lawrence Jahnke granted a preliminary injunction, maintaining the status quo while the school’s lawsuit against the NCAA proceeds

The Fighting Sioux, with a 9-1 overall record and ranked 7th in the national poll, received a bid to the NCAA’s Division II football play-offs. Without the court injunction, North Dakota would, according to NCAA rules, be forced to cover-up the “offensive logos.” If they didn’t, the NCAA would have pulled the rug out from under their play-off spot.

Rather, North Dakota sued the NCAA and won. It appears that David can indeed beat Goliath.