Yes, something really important happened yesterday affecting North Carolina  besides that to-do about someone that vaguely looks like the Joker not seeking reelection. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey, presented the outlines of impending large defense cuts: reducing the Army by 100,000 troops, eliminating 20,000 Marines, plus significant cuts to the Navy and Air Force. And the Pentagon will push for an addition round or rounds of base closings.