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Religion
Islam and Christian Conflicts
In recent years, the rise of Nationalism and the Secular Challenges to Religious Identity have reduced the priority of religion in national politics. Christianity saw a great split within itself as did Islam. We have many factions of both, some of which reach across borders. With the exception of the Crusades, it is not accurate to claim all these wars are religious wars. The 100-Year Wars in Europe between Catholics and Protestants were also as much about power and conquest as religion....
Public Policy
It’s a Mixed Bag
The current U.S. Economy has solid, but uncertain growth, persistent inflation, a tight but cooling labor market, and the prolonged government shutdown. The administration has been criticized for its focus on foreign affairs, with extensive travel abroad. Domestic affairs, such as the government layoffs and higher costs of living, have created a worried public.
The overall impact of the Trump tariffs resulted in a net negative impact on the economy....
Politics
“No Kings” Protests
The two massive “No Kings” protests on June 14 and October 18 represented a significant benchmark in US political culture. The most recent one mobilized 7 million people in all 50 states, and the movement emerged as a cohesive, sustained national resistance against the policies and authoritarian actions of the 2nd Trump Administration. The non-partisan resistance of “We the People” against a dictatorial regime marked the institutionalization of a highly organized resistance capable of exerting sustained pressure on a sustained basis....
LGBTQ+
LGBTQ+ Communities in NC
Although most Pride Parades and Festivals occur during the summer, a few still are on the calendar. Several of the smaller communities in the Triangle had events in addition to Raleigh. September events are lined up in Greensboro, Durham, Statesville, and Asheville. Wake Forest and Union County are on the calendar for October....
Travel
Fall Foliage in the Triangle
The mountains are better known for their colorful trees in October. Depending upon the weather, the season, the peak periods are usually over by the end of October. November is when the peak period usually occurs in the Triangle....
General
All Saints Day
The commercial development of Halloween has caused it to dominate the Christian holidays. The three days - October 31 (All Hallows’ Eve, Halloween), November 1 (All Saints’ Day), and November 2 (All Souls’ Day) were special Holy Days in the Roman Catholic Church. The Day of the Dead is a further complication of these holidays. It traces its origins back to Pre-Columbian Times....