Ukraine

ERICKSON: The certitude of ineptitude

I really am flummoxed by the ineptitude of President Joe Biden and his chief of staff, Ron Klain. Biden has been a Washington politician for half a century, including eight years as vice president and before that a senior senator. Klain is a consummate Washington insider, having worked for Janet Reno, Al Gore, Biden and others. How are they this inept? Last summer, the border got swamped with migrants. They sent Vice President Kamala Harris south of the border and the situation never improved. Activists accused border patrol agents of whipping refugees with horsewhips. The White House condemned the act.…
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Biden’s election year challenge: Blame GOP for nation’s woes

Biden’s election year challenge: Blame GOP for nation’s woes

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden has an election-year message for frustrated voters: At least he’s trying. For those who think he isn’t doing enough to help Ukraine fend off the Russian invasion, Biden announced $800 million in new military support last Thursday. To ease the pain of high gas prices, he’s tapped the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and reopened onshore sales of oil and natural gas leases on public land. And to address historic inflation, Biden has tried to smooth out supply chain-crimping bottlenecks at the nation’s ports. The president hopes the moves, which are being announced in near-daily rollouts…
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HUDSON: “I need ammunition, not a ride”

HUDSON: “I need ammunition, not a ride”

This statement from Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has become symbolic of Ukraine’s unwavering and inspiring courage in the face of overwhelming odds from Russia’s invasion. Zelenskyy reportedly made the comment last month as he rejected an offer to evacuate from Ukraine’s capital. So last week, I introduced a bill to help meet his call to action. I firmly believe the United States has a strategic and moral obligation to aid the Ukrainian people in their fight. While I do not support sending American troops to Ukraine, I have repeatedly called for increased lethal aid and humanitarian support. I’ve also been…
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Gas prices continue to rise

Gas prices continue to rise

Gas prices are advertised at $4.19 per gallon, Monday, March 7, 2022, in downtown Asheboro. (PJ WARD-BROWN/The North State Journal) ASHEBORO — Governors and state lawmakers across the U.S. are scrambling to provide relief from soaring prices at the gas pump. Gas prices were climbing before Russia invaded Ukraine. With Russian crude out of the energy mix in the U.S., fuel prices will likely continue to climb as inflation reaches new high across the U.S. economy. In Asheboro, regular unleaded gasoline topped $4.00 this week with prices as high as $4.19 on Monday. Diesel fuel exceeded $5.00. In announcing a…
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