Opinion

Kevin Siers

Siers Cartoon Slideshow: 2016, the year in review

Opinion

Editorials

An embarrassment of riches this year for Observer’s Pulitzer-winning cartoonist

Talk about a kid in a candy store. With the news that 2016 brought, Observer editorial cartoonist Kevin Siers had an embarrassment of riches from which to choose as he sharpened his pencil each morning. All the things that marred your year sweetened his, or at least made his job easier.

Letters to the Editor

Dismay over Trump has resulted in a call to action, not a meltdown

Observer readers comment on Donald Trump, dismay, call to action, political correctness, HB2, N.C. legislature, Charlotte City Council, N.C. tourism, nonreligious, atheist, humanist, Israel, President Obama, West Bank, Benjamin Netanyahu, vendetta, Charlotte, green space, developers, diversity, SouthEnd, Common Market, Double Door Inn, and bland architecture.

Viewpoint

They made Charlotte better in 2016

Each year, the Observer’s editorial board searches for the heroes among us who made our region better. This year, we’ve found people who provided blankets for children with cancer – and financial assistance for their families. We’ve found people who’ve helped job seekers and people who gave their time, their passion – and their blood. For all they do, we say thank you!

Opinion

North Carolina is no longer classified as a democracy

In the just released EIP report, North Carolina’s overall electoral integrity score of 58/100 for the 2016 election places us alongside authoritarian states and pseudo-democracies like Cuba, Indonesia and Sierra Leone. If it were a nation state, North Carolina would rank right in the middle of the global league table – a deeply flawed, partly-free, democracy that is only slightly ahead of the failed democracies that constitute much of the developing world.

Opinion

Trump’s pledge of unity: Quit complaining and unify around me

President-elect Donald Trump, in his victory speech, pledged to be “president for all Americans,” but his actions show that it’s up to everyone else to unify around him.

Editorials

What we said about an extraordinary year

A divisive U.S. presidential election ended with a divided popular and electoral college vote. A controversial North Carolina law, HB2, brought economic boycotts and ridicule. A Charlotte police shooting prompted violent protest and introspection about who we are as a city.

Opinion

2016 the worst ever? History professors disagree: Try the Plague, or WWII

Josh Shaffer asked Triangle history professors for their picks for all-time worst years. 2016 did not make the list.

Opinion

Americans took Trump literally. That could hurt him if lofty promises aren’t kept

The Consumer Confidence Index, which has gauged the economic outlook for five decades, saw a spike after Trump won the White House. That’s because Americans anticipate more jobs, higher pay and a stronger business climate. That confidence appears to stem from his campaign promises - and they’re lofty.

Opinion

Stop saying that 2016 was the 'worst year'

Americans almost always think that the year coming to a close is the worst.

Editorials

Charlotte’s new recycling rule could backfire

City’s new cardboard rules could deter some residents from helping reduce waste.

Kevin Siers

Siers cartoon: Happy New Year . . .?

Viewpoint

Looking for common ground in these troubled times? It’s right outside your door

Wherever we fall on the political and cultural spectrum, most of us can agree than 2016 was an emotionally exhausting year.

Viewpoint

Law over politics

From an editorial Wednesday in the Fayetteville Observer:

Editorials

Charlotte School of Law students deserved better

Charlotte School of Law leaders have made some big mistakes, it seems. Unfortunately, the people paying for those mistakes are hundreds of innocent law school students.

Viewpoint

N.C. coach: How to achieve those 2017 resolutions

North Carolina leadership coach has five steps for “micro-actions”

Letters to the Editor

Dismissive attitude some Dems display could earn Trump a second term

Observer readers comment on Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Oprah, Ivanka Trump, Democrats, Gen. Michael Flynn, Fethullah Gulen, Anis Amri, Berlin, Christmas market, border security, N.C. GOP, N.C. Democrats, Electoral College, Google Fiber, AT&T, cut gas lines, burying power lines, Charlotte utilities, and the Empty Stocking Fund.

Kevin Siers

Siers cartoon: HB2 suckers

Kevin Siers

Siers cartoon: That HB2 compromise, redux

You Write the Caption

You Write the Caption returns Jan. 6, 2017. Happy New Year to all.

Because of special holiday content running on our opinion pages this week, You Write the Caption will be on break. We’ll return online on Jan. 6, and in the print editions on Jan. 9. Thanks, and Happy New Year.

Blogs & Columns

You Write the Caption

You Write the Caption returns Jan. 6, 2017. Happy New Year to all.

You Write the Caption

You Write the Caption holiday break

You Write the Caption

Your new caption contest challenge: Dec. 19, 2016

Eric Frazier

A strong charter school shows the way

Editorials

Troubling questions about the new CMS superintendent

Charlotte Things To Do

Videos

Not A Toll Man (Parody of the Blues Brothers' Soul Man) from Charlotte Squawks 12

Charlotte Squawks is an annual stage show poking fun at politics, pop culture and sports through satire and musical parodies. Produced by the Blumenthal and featuring Mike Collins of WFAE’s Charlotte Talks, the show runs every June in the Booth Theater and just finished its 12th season.
Charlotte Squawks
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Not A Toll Man (Parody of the Blues Brothers' Soul Man) from Charlotte Squawks 12

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Dan DiMicco is Trump trade adviser

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UNC students react to Berger's claim that Democrats outnumber Republicans 12:1 in faculty positions

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Limo Protest Video

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