• Group Says Gay • Caucus Disagrees Seminar Illegal, P. 4 with Black, P. 5

Governor’s Priorities, P. 9 Bible in Schools, P. 8

Statewide Edition A Monthly Journal of News, Analysis, and Opinion from April 2006 • Vol. 15, No. 4 the John Locke Foundation www.CarolinaJournal.com www.JohnLocke.org Easley Didn’t Disclose Before Marina Vote By DON CARRINGTON commissioner. By law, the council is Executive Editor required to approve or deny state real RALEIGH estate transactions. ov. Mike Easley failed to disclose The 46-acre marina property, under a personal business relationship control of the N.C. State Ports Authority, — a $150,000 home-remodeling had been leased to Southport Marina, Gcontract — with Wilmington developer Inc. to operate the facility. Raleigh busi- Charles “Nick” Garrett, Jr. before Ea- nessmen Cliff Benson, Jr. and John F. sley called for a Council of State vote Phillips owned that company but later to approve a lease of the state-owned sold it to new owners. Southport Marina to Garrett and his A story in the Triangle Business associates. Journal in August 2005 reported Cary de- Garrett’s development company velopers Tim Smith and Julian “Bubba” remodeled Easley’s Southport home Rawl “provided financial backing for shortly after Easley became governor Wilmington home builder Nick Garrett’s in January 2001. July purchase of Southport Marina Inc.” In an apparent attempt to down- The story also reported that Smith’s and play Easley’s potential conflict of inter- Rawl’s only involvement was to help est, an Easley spokeswoman said that he Garrett finance the purchase. “We don’t did not vote on the marina deal and that want to be managing it. We don’t know Garrett is not a principal in the project. anything about running marinas,” Smith In addition to involvement in the Gov. Mike Easley’s home in Southport (arrow points to it in photo above) was remodeled told the newspaper. marina and the remodeling of Easley’s by someone who was a principal in a company later involved in the Southport Marina The Council of State made the new Southport home, Garrett got a plum lease deal. (CJ Photo by Don Carrington) marina lease contingent on the sale of automobile license tag franchise in the franchise. comprised of the governor and the Southport Marina Inc. to the new own- Wilmington from the N.C. Department The vote on a new marina lease other nine independently elected state of Transportation despite a recommen- came at the monthly Council of State officials, such as the state treasurer, dation by a DOT official against granting meeting January 2006. The council is lieutenant governor, and agriculture Continued as “Easley” Page 2 Northeast Partnership Ends Contract of CEO Rick Watson

By PAUL CHESSER Pasquotank County who helped develop of his deals, will serve as the interim yesterday had no comment. Associate Editor recommendations for organizational director. Jack Runion, chairman of the RALEIGH changes to the Northeast Economic According to Mort Hurst, chair- board of both the Northeast Partnership he board of the North Carolina’s Development Commission and the man of the Martin County Board of and the Northeastern North Carolina Northeast Partnership termi- partnership, said Watson’s termination Commissioners, Watson’s contract was Economic Development Commission, nated the contract of its president was retroactive to March 1, and that he ended because a state audit — not yet from which the partnership was spun, Tand CEO, Rick Watson, on March 20, would receive a one-year salary sever- released — determined that Watson’s confirmed Watson’s termination. after a longtime disagreement among ance, amounting to $165,000. relationship with country music en- “We are in the process of adjust- the partnership’s county members about Vann Rogerson, a Department tertainer Randy Parton presented a ment due to the relieving of the CEO/ his contract and his personal business of Commerce employee who worked conflict of interest with his duties for dealings. out of the Partnership’s Edenton office the Northeast Partnership. Representa- Randy Keaton, the manager for and helped Watson negotiate many tives of State Auditor Les Merritt’s office Continued as “Northeast” Page 3

Do you feel things in N.C. are 80headed in the right direction? The John Locke Foundation NONPROFIT ORG. Contents 200 W. Morgan St., #200 U.S. POSTAGE Raleigh, NC 27601 PAID RALEIGH, NC State Government 3 PERMIT NO. 1766 Washington 6 Education 8 Higher Education 12 Right direction 40 % Local Government 16 Wrong track 41 % Books & the Arts 20 Not Sure 19 % Opinion 24 Parting Shot 28 John William Pope Civitas Institute Poll, March 2006 CAROLINA C a r o l i n a North Carolina JOURNAL Journal Easley Didn’t Disclose Before Urging Marina Vote Richard Wagner Continued from Page 1 Editor ers. The council awarded a new 15-year Don Carrington lease with extensions that would tie up Executive Editor the property through 2040. On March 10, Easley spokeswom- Paul Chesser, Michael Lowrey an Sherri Johnson said, “The governor Donna Martinez did not vote to approve the lease. The Associate Editors governor only votes in the event of a tie, and did not vote on this matter.” Chad Adams, Shannon Blosser, Johnson also said that Garrett is Andrew Cline, Roy Cordato, not a principal in Southport Marina, Inc. Paige Holland Hamp, David Hartgen, Sam A. Hieb, Lindalyn Kakadelis, Her statement contradicts news reports Mitch Kokai, George Leef, that for several months have referred Maximilian Longley, Rick Martinez, to Garrett as one of the new owners of Karen Palasek, Marc Rotterman, Southport Marina, Inc. In addition to Mike Rouse, R.E. Smith Jr., the Triangle Business Journal, The News & Jack Sommer, John Staddon, Observer of Raleigh, The State Port Pilot of Jim Stegall, George Stephens, Southport, and the Wilmington Star-News Jeff Taylor, Michael Walden, all have reported Garrett’s involvement Karen Welsh, Hal Young with the company, and Garrett has never Contributing Editors said anything publicly to the contrary. The Southport Marina, which was leased to a private company after a vote of members of Johnson did not reveal the source of her the Council of State at the urging of Gov. Mike Easley. (CJ Photo by Don Carrington) Richard Carney, Travis Fisher, information. Guillermo Peña, Brent Lucas, If Garrett’s role in the project has transactions “shall be subject to prior ing the possible sale of the property.” Jenna Ashley Robinson, changed, a letter obtained by CJ indi- review by the Governor and Council of Shortly after that news story appeared, Matt Stephenson State, and shall become effective only CJ contacted Stewart and asked him to Editorial Interns cates the change was recent. “As you all know by now, investors Tim Smith, after the same has been approved by identify the person from Easley’s of- the Governor and Council of State.” So fice who had called him. He refused to Published by Julian ’Bubba’ Rawl and Nick Garrett purchased Southport Marina as of Janu- if Easley didn’t vote or specifically ap- identify the person. The John Locke Foundation On Aug. 4 Easley released a state- 200 W. Morgan St., # 200 ary 2006 and subsequently assumed the prove of the transaction, the lease may ment declaring that “the state marina at Raleigh, N.C. 27601 property lease from the North Carolina not be valid. Southport is not for sale.” In December (919) 828-3876 • Fax: 821-5117 State Ports Authority,” said the Feb. 28 The council vote angered a group 2005 the City of Southport offered $6 mil- www.JohnLocke.org letter from Southport Marina, Inc. to all of Southport residents who traveled to lion for the property. The Star-News re- marina slip holders. Raleigh to attend the meeting. “That ported that “if given the chance” Garrett Jon Ham Garrett has built luxury condo- council is extremely ethically and mor- “would beat the city’s offer.” The Ports Vice President & Publisher miniums across the street from the ally bankrupt — the group personifies Authority rejected the city’s offer. marina and has been trying to acquire that,” said Southport resident Woody John Hood The port deal comes amid state additional adjacent property. He tried to Wilson as reported by the Star-News. Chairman & President elections board hearings and legisla- buy the marina property in 2005. Wilson and other opponents told CJ they tive concern over the ethics of state State Auditor Les Merritt, when thought the agreement was a sweetheart Bruce Babcock, Herb Berkowitz, officials. told about Easley’s business relation- deal for the developers who were buying James Culbertson, Jim Fulghum, CJ has tried to interview Garrett ship with Garrett, said it was not im- Southport Marina, Inc. “There was no Bill Graham, Robert Luddy, about his role in Southport Marina Inc., portant whether Easley voted on the doubt that the governor was pushing for Assad Meymandi, Baker A. Mitchell, but he has not returned phone calls. Jr., Carl Mumpower, Maria Ochoa, item. “Maybe he didn’t vote, but he was the Garrett group as the answer for the J. Arthur Pope, Tula Robbins, certainly involved in the discussion,” future of the marina,” Wilson said. Thomas A. Roberg, David Stover, Merritt said. Merritt and Labor Com- Several news reports indicate Eas- Ethics guidelines applicable Robert Stowe III, Andy Wells ley has been closely involved in discus- missioner Cherie Berry voted against “Our citizens have a right to de- Board of Directors sions over the future of the marina. In awarding the lease. mand and expect the highest ethical May 2005 the Ports Authority received Voting for the lease were Lt. Gov. conduct from their leaders,” Easley said Beverly Perdue, Insurance Commis- an unsolicited offer to purchase the 430- Carolina Journal is a monthly journal at a March 2 press conference announc- sioner Jim Long, Secretary of State Elaine slip marina for an undisclosed amount ing his appointment of retired Superior of news, analysis, and commentary on state of money. The Ports Authority never and local government and public policy issues Marshall, State Treasurer Richard Moore, Court Judge Robert Farmer as chairman disclosed who made the first offer. The in North Carolina. and Agriculture Commissioner Steve of the N.C. Board of Ethics. Easley has Troxler. Attorney General Roy Cooper authority decided to seek bids from also asked Farmer to make recommen- ©2005 by The John Locke Foundation and Superintendent of Public Instruction other parties. It received bids ranging dations to strengthen the state’s ethics Inc. All opinions expressed in bylined articles June Atkinson were absent. from $2.5 million to $16 million. Garrett law before the May legislative session. are those of the authors and do not necessarily “We all recognize that the previ- offered $5.1 million. The Ethics Board is the state’s primary reflect the views of the editors of CJ or the ous lease was a bad one, but all new Several local residents expressed conflict-of-interest watchdog for high- staff and board of the John Locke Foundation. people have come in. These are differ- concern that a private owner would level employees and appointees in the Material published herein may be reprinted as ent people you’re dealing with, though convert much of the land to condos and executive branch of state government. long as appropriate credit is given. Submis- the company name is the same,” Easley significantly raise the fees for renting a Ethics guidelines for all employees sions and letters are welcome and should be said, as reported by the Star-News. The boat slip. In the midst of those discus- under the control of the governor are directed to the editor. newspaper also reported that the vote sions on the future of the marina, Garrett outlined in Executive Order No. 1, which was 6-2, apparently including Easley as and his partners began negotiations to CJ readers wanting more information was issued by Easley on Jan. 12, 2001. a voting participant. buy Southport Marina, Inc., the company between monthly issues can call 919-828-3876 The guidelines state, “Officials should and ask for Carolina Journal Weekly Re- Even though Easley’s vote might that held the existing lease. be prepared to remove themselves port, delivered each weekend by e-mail, or visit be in dispute, a state law requires that On July 29, 2005 the Star-News immediately from decisions, votes, or CarolinaJournal.com for news, links, and ex- the governor specifically approve Ports reported that N.C. State Ports Authority processes where even the appearance clusive content updated each weekday. Those Authority real estate transactions. Board Chairman Carl Stewart “learned of a conflict of interest exists.” interested in education, higher education, or General Statue 143B-455 addresses the of the impending leaseholder change “My understanding is that the gov- local government should also ask to receive approval of acquisition and disposi- during a call from Gov. Mike Easley’s ernor is covered by the order. He files an weekly e-letters covering these issues. tion of real property controlled by the office late Wednesday. That call followed Ports Authority. It states that real estate a public hearing in Southport regard- Continued as “Easley,” on Page 3 CAROLINA April 2006 JOURNAL North Carolina  Easley Failed to Disclose Relationship Before Marina Vote

Continued from Page 2 Garrett’s father applied to be the contractor and was granted a contract to run the franchise at the same site. annual economic interest statement with our office,” DMV Commissioner George Tatum did not respond Ethics Board Executive Director Perry Newson said. to CJ attempts to interview him on the matter.

The remodeling project Family, friends, money and appointments In 1985, Easley and his wife, Mary, purchased On the same day in December 2005, Lanny Wil- a home on the Cape Fear River in Southport, built in son, his wife, Jill, and his sister Linda Wilson gave a 1970, for $125,000. At the time, Easley was the local total of $10,000 to Beverly Perdue. On the same day in district attorney. The Easleys bought a home in Raleigh November 2005 Nick Garrett gave $4,000, and Linda after he became attorney general in 1992, but they kept Wilson gave $1,000 to Roy Cooper. the Southport home. Like many major political donors, Garrett and On June 6, 2001, six months after Easley became governor, Nick Garrett Development applied to the the Wilsons are involved in several state boards and Town of Southport for a building permit to remodel commissions. Easley appointed Garrett to the N. C. Easley’s Southport home. Garrett has been building Board of Architecture and to the Clean Water Manage- new homes in the Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach ment Trust Fund Board. Easley appointed Lanny Wilson to the N. C. Real area for more than 20 years. CJ was unable to determine Gov. Mike Easley (left) at a press conference announcing how extensive his home-remodeling business is in the Estate Commission and later to the N.C. Board of Trans- the appointment of former judge Robert Farmer (right) as portation. State Sen. Marc Basnight appointed Lanny Southport area. the new chairman of the State Ethics Board. (CJ Photo by The permit application stated the job involved Don Carrington) Wilson to the N.C. Turnpike Authority Board and his remodeling the Easleys’ existing home, removing an mother, Laura, to the N.C. Ports Authority Board. situated nearby in Hampstead in Pender County. In existing room, and adding 824 square feet of living Garrett has a close relationship with the Wilson September 2003, Garrett applied to the Department space. The stated value of the project was $150,000. family. Garrett shares an office building with Lanny of Transportation to open a franchised license-plate Public records show the project was completed in Wilson. Garrett, Lanny Wilson, and Linda Wilson are December 2001. The Brunswick County property tax office in Wilmington. Records show that on Oct. 10, partners in Southport Trading Company, LLC, the com- office currently values the structure at $192,670 and 2003 Motor Vehicle Registration Field Supervisor pany that built the Village at Southport, advertised as the total property at $643,600. Linda Parke met with Garrett and his father, Charles “luxury condos” across from the Southport Marina. The renovations apparently were substantial. N. Garrett, Sr. at the Garrett Development Office to Public records indicate that Garrett and Linda “In my opinion, it was a significant remodel, based discuss Garrett’s request to open an agency. Wilson have a possible relationship other than busi- on the size of the house and the value of the permit,” In a memo to her supervisor, Tonia Stevens, Parke ness. In June 2005, Garrett’s wife, Lee Brewer Gar- Brunswick County Tax Administrator Boyd Williamson summarized the meeting: rett, filed a complaint against Linda Wilson in New said. Williamson also noted that his office would have “Mr. Garrett [Sr.] stated that now he had the Hanover County Superior Court. Garrett and his wife inspected the home twice in 2002 — once after it was information I had provided he would have to do ad- now live apart. completed and again for the normal revaluation cycle ditional studies. I mentioned to him that in most likeli- The complaint alleges that Linda Wilson engaged — indicating the relationship between the improve- hood the Hampstead Agency would feel the impact in sexual relations with Nick Garrett on numerous ment project and the market value of the property of the opening of another office. I asked him why he occasions since December 2003. Lee Garrett seeks should have been accurate at the time. wanted to open up an agency, his reply, it would give to recover damages in an amount determined by a Attempts to discuss the renovation project with him some place to go … I do not recommend that this jury. In her response to the complaint, Linda Wilson Garrett or Easley were unsuccessful. Garrett did not agency be opened at this time. Its opening would have refused to “admit or deny” allegations about sex, return phone messages left with an assistant at his a negative impact on an already struggling agency but acknowledged that she and Garrett took a trip Wilmington office. “Any renovation of the Governor’s less than 15 miles away. I feel that we should help to Maine together and appeared together at several private residence would involve a personal business the contract agents who are representing the state in Wilmington-area events in the spring of 2005. transaction and I do not have any information about a very positive manner,” she said. Garrett and his close associates, including the Wil- it,” Johnson said. On Oct. 28, 2003 the N.C. DOT awarded Nick son family, are substantial contributors to Democrat polit- Garrett, Jr. a franchise for a license-tag office at the ical campaigns. An analysis of campaign finance records Market Plaza Shopping Center, despite Parke’s recom- The license-tag franchise shows they have given more than $300,000 since 2000. mendation against it. The new site is about five miles They have given significantly to current Coun- While Garrett’s involvement in the Southport from the other Wilmington franchise. cil of State members. Easley has received more than Marina project remains unclear, his successful efforts to The NCDOT file on the Garrett franchise obtained $76,000; Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue has received more obtain a state license tag franchise are more certain. by CJ contained no documentation on the need for an than $44,000; Attorney General Roy Cooper has re- Before 2003, New Hanover County had one li- additional office, nor any indication on who made the ceived more than $22,000; and State Treasurer Richard cense-tag franchise in Wilmington, and another was decision to award a franchise to Garrett. In July 2004 Moore has received more than $14,000. CJ Northeast Partnership Ends Contract With CEO Rick Watson Continued from Page 1 in his role leading North Carolina’s In addition, according to Hurst, the ritory represented by the Northeast Northeast Partnership Foundation. board terminated its relationship with Partnership had banded together to President, and do not have a statement Watson in the past has tried to attorney Ernie Pearson of Raleigh, who call for Watson’s resignation, and he at this time,” Runion said in a phone use his position with the partnership has been the Northeast Partnership’s announced last month that he would message left with Carolina Journal. “We to leverage personal investments with legal counsel for years. Pearson advised leave his post on June 30. Hurst, who will notify you after the boards have met a fingerprint technology company, a Watson on economic development deals called for Watson’s removal in February, and discussed this situation.” biotechnology company, and an ethanol and about its obligations regarding the hoped the immediate change would lead Watson arranged to work for plant, among others. state’s public records laws. to a restructuring of the partnership’s Parton and his Moonlight Bandit pro- “I’m not enthused over Rick and Both Watson and Pearson main- organization. duction company in Roanoke Rapids his contract with the Partons,” said Mack tained that the partnership was not sub- “I think that the [auditor’s] report while still retaining his head role with Nixon, vice chairman of the Perquimans ject to the records law, despite receiving was a good finding,” Hurst said. “I’m the partnership, and sought state money County Commission and a member of almost all of its funding from the state. glad they did find it was a conflict of for Parton’s music-theater project that is the Northeastern Economic Develop- “We’re using tax money,” Nixon interest in the Parton deal.” planned for Northampton County. ment Commission board. “I do know said. “We should be as transparent as Pasquotank County’s Keaton said He also asked for public money for there’s going to be a reshuffling of some possible.” he hoped Watson’s departure would the Advanced Vehicle Research Center positions.” County managers from the ter- lead to improvements in disclosure. CJ April 2006 CAROLINA  North Carolina JOURNAL Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund Legal Group Maintains Gay Seminar at Governor’s School Illegal

By PAUL CHESSER Associate Editor RALEIGH Gay Seminar Teacher Fired he seminar “The New Gay Teenager” — conducted at the By PAUL CHESSER residential program is held every exclusive, taxpayer-funded Gov- Associate Editor summer, and draws “intellectually Ternor’s School last summer — was RALEIGH gifted” public high school students illegal, a national Christian legal orga- he woman who co-taught the who are approaching their senior nization says. controversial “New Gay Teen- years, and who are nominated by their The Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Alli- ager” seminar at last year’s N.C. high schools’ teachers and administra- ance Defense Fund, in a letter addressed TGovernor’s School in Winston-Salem tors. The state budget fully funds the to State Board of Education Chairman has been removed from her position program, with $1.3 million set aside Howard Lee and Superintendent of at East Forsyth High School and will for it this fiscal year. Public Instruction June Atkinson, said surrender her teaching license. Wiseman, according to Winston- the controversial seminar “not only Susan Wiseman was the subject Salem/Forsyth Schools spokesman jeopardized the safety and well-being of of an investigation by Winston-Salem Theo Helm, did not admit or deny its students, but has violated both state police because of alleged sexual mis- the allegations. A police source in and federal law.” J. Michael Johnson, conduct with a 17-year-old female February said the Governor’s School senior legal counsel for ADF, warned in pupil, but was not charged with was part of the investigation into Wise- the letter that “it is imperative that this any crimes because the student did man, but school and law enforcement situation be corrected immediately to not want to take legal action. But on officials couldn’t confirm that the 17- avoid unnecessary litigation.” March 14 the Winston-Salem/Forsyth year-old student attended Governor’s “The seminar in question violated County Board of Education voted School. The alleged sexual relation- North Carolina statutes,” Johnson said unanimously to end Wiseman’s con- ship occurred between February and in a press release. “Teaching sexu- tract at the end of the school year. She May 2005, before Governor’s School ally-oriented material without parental “The seminar in question is on an unpaid leave of absence for began in June. knowledge is not only morally wrong, the remainder of this year. Wiseman was also a youth co- it is illegal.” violated North Carolina Wiseman taught social studies at ordinator for the Parents, Families, The seminar was heavily criticized statutes.Teaching sexu- East Forsyth for four years and would and Friends of Lesbians and Gays by James and Beverly Burrows, whose have become tenured had she been (PFLAG)-Winston-Salem. One gay son attended the school last year and ally-oriented material hired for next year. activist who has worked with her in who said that their son returned home The school board acted because the Triad and said he knows her well, from the school “confused” about ho- without parental knowl- Wiseman violated an administrative Matt Hill Comer, refused to believe she mosexuality because of the seminar, edge is not only morally regulation for “prohibited relation- was guilty of the allegations. and that they have had to seek family ships in the workplace.” The code says “I don’t have any evidence that counseling. The Burrowses contacted wrong, it is illegal.” “all employees are prohibited from she did it,” Comer said. “If she is ADF about legality of the seminar. dating, courting or entering into a ro- innocent, this has totally ruined her A spokeswoman of the Depart- J. Michael Johnson mantic or sexual relationship with any career.” ment of Public Instruction, Vanessa Senior Legal Counsel student who is enrolled in a Winston- He said the gay community in Jeter, said the matter had been referred Alliance Defense Fund Salem/Forsyth County School where Winston-Salem has a history of run-ins to Attorney General Roy Cooper, whose the employee is assigned, regardless of with the county school board. staff is preparing a response. the student’s age. Employees engag- Vanessa Jeter, a spokeswoman “The New Gay Teenager” seminar ing in such inappropriate conduct will for the Department of Public Instruc- was based on a book with the same name, be subject to disciplinary action, up to tion, said if Wiseman surrendered written by homosexual Cornell Univer- “Hopefully this will cause much and including dismissal.” her license she would be ineligible sity Professor Ritch Savin-Williams. The more supervision of this program so Wiseman also co-taught, along to teach anywhere in North Carolina. book and the Governor’s School seminar that no more families will have to en- with 19-year-old UNC-Greensboro Helm said the Winston-Salem/For- discussed whether homosexual teenag- dure detrimental effects to their family student Wesley Nemenz, a seminar syth County Board of Education ers benefit, or are harmed, by embracing due to their students’ attendance at this based on a book called “The New Gay will request that DPI forbid Wise- labels based on their sexual orientation. program,” Beverly Burrows said. “I also Teenager,” given at the Governor’s man from ever re-applying for a believe some staff changes will have to The co-leaders of the seminar — 19- School West last year. The six-week license again. CJ year-old Wesley Nemenz, a University be made in order for this to happen.” of North Carolina at Greensboro stu- The Governor’s School was led dent, and Susan Wiseman, a teacher at by onsite director Lucy Milner, who East Forsyth High School — identified approved holding the “Gay Teenager” one attending could have thought the cerned parent approached DPI officials themselves as gay. seminar during the last week of the six- seminar was attempting to proselytize in August 2004, “concerning past ex- In his letter, Johnson cited North week program. Milner has defended the or to brainwash students or to promote amples of pro-homosexual advocacy in Carolina statutes that stipulate that inclusion of the seminar, saying it was a gay rights agenda on impressionable Governor’s School programming.” He the State Board of Education “has the optional for students. young people….” said the parent was assured by officials sole authority to develop and approve In a written response to the Bur- “It responded to a need for ad- “that future programs would not include courses and programs that concern rowses’ allegations, she explained that ditional factual, neutral information such topics.” human sexuality education.” Another the seminar discussed “an approach about this highly sensitive issue,” Milner ADF also accused the Governor’s state law requires an “emphasis on the to the issue of homosexuality that was wrote. School of an anti-religion bias, in viola- importance of parental involvement” based on research and reasoned extrapo- In his letter, Johnson said state tion of federal law, which the Burrowses and “abstinence from sex until marriage” lation,” which through presenters gave law requires “that parents be given the also had alleged. in any such curriculum. “an opportunity to refract that knowl- opportunity to review sex education Johnson said DPI should prohibit The Burrowses, who complained edge through personal lens and then, in programs, materials and objectives “any similar seminars or unapproved directly last summer to Atkinson, say reverse, to refract the personal through before any student may participate.” sexuality education curricula…in the they were not warned beforehand about the objective.” He also said the law requires public future,” and requested “written as- the “Gay Teenager” seminar before send- She said faculty who attended the hearings before sex education programs surance that religious viewpoints will ing their son to the Governor’s School seminar were “encouraged” about the are adopted. no longer be maligned…at all future in Winston-Salem. session and “were emphatic that no Johnson also said another con- Governor’s programs.” CJ CAROLINA April 2006 JOURNAL North Carolina  GOP Caucus Members, Black Have Different Takes on Decker

By PAUL CHESSER However, House Republicans who Associate Editor ultimately backed Daughtry’s rival in RALEIGH a co-speaker arrangement with Black, .C. House Speaker Jim Black “He changed parties to Moore County Rep. Richard Morgan, told the State Board of Elections said Daughtry’s behavior drove Decker in February that former Rep. vote for me because I from the party. NMichael Decker switched political par- treated him with respect “Leo was making lots of promises ties in 2003 because of a lack of respect to every member of the caucus,” Cher- from fellow Republicans — but GOP and dignity, and his own ryville Rep. Debbie Clary said. “I have members present at a caucus meeting no doubt that the faction of support that have differing memories of what took party didn’t. And so he Leo had, had promised Decker they place at the time. would support him.” In hearings conducted Feb. 8-10 came over to my side.” When some members spoke to that investigated Black’s fund-raising House Speaker Jim Black each other before the caucus votes, they practices for himself and for fellow realized they were being promised the Democrats, the speaker explained how in testimony at same things, Clary said. Those who Decker told him of his party switch. After Board of Elections ended up voting for Decker were those Republicans had won a 61-59 majority hearings on campaign who kept their word, she said. in the House, Forsyth County’s Decker Speaker Jim Black testifying at N.C. Board contributions in February “He was lied to,” Clary said. “It’s sought to become speaker pro tem, a of Elections hearings in February. that simple. I have never broken my largely ceremonial position but one that word to a caucus member.” provided a little more income. His only Clary said Decker was “pushed out opposition within the party came from Decker, according to some other about his own hide” in his run for the of the party,” and didn’t leave because Joanne Bowie of Guilford County. Republicans, was among those waver- speaker job and didn’t concern himself of any financial incentive he was offered “As I understood it from talking ing in his support for Daughtry. When with the pro-tem contest. Because of beforehand. to Mr. Decker later,” Black explained at he lost the election for the speaker pro the delicate balance of power with “Go back and look at Decker’s the SBOE hearings Feb. 9, “he had 34 tem position, after thinking he had been Democrats, Daughtry said he was in no voting record,” Clary said of his very commitments for a position of leader- promised enough votes, fellow House position to promise anything to fellow conservative reputation, “and then all of ship from his caucus. members said he was incensed. Decker party members. a sudden he’s a Democrat? That sort of “The person nominating him stood did not return phone messages seeking Daughtry and other Republicans epiphany doesn’t happen overnight.” up and looked at him and smiled and comment for this article. said Decker was visibly shaken after Clary rejected the idea that Decker said, ‘Michael, are you sure you want “He changed parties to vote for the vote. could have misread the level of commit- me to do this?,’” Black said, “and looked me because I treated him with respect “Michael was very disturbed,” ment he received from fellow members over at Leo Daughtry and winked and and dignity, and his own party didn’t,” Bowie said. “He just boomed out of the for speaker pro tem. sort of made a joke of it. And when they Black said at the hearings. “And so he room. He was very, very upset.” “I don’t think it was a miscalcula- voted shortly thereafter, [Decker] got came over to my side.” Bowie said she worked hard to tion in any way, shape, or form,” she said. 16 votes.” Daughtry told Carolina Journal gain support from House Republicans, “[Decker] took things at face value.” Daughtry, of Smithfield, had just that Decker was promised nothing calling all except for a handful. She also When Decker made his switch to finished a term as the House minority and called the allegations of disrespect said that in her speech before the caucus the Democrat Party official on Jan. 24, leader, and won the most votes within from the party “completely ludicrous that she proposed “strengthening” the 2003, he told The News & Observer of the caucus to become the 2003 term’s and untrue.” He said both Decker and pro-tem job “a little bit.” She said she Raleigh, “I just decided that Jim Black Republican candidate for House speaker. Bowie had told him of their interest in thought she had enough backing to win, was the best man for the job. And I felt Then-Rep. Connie Wilson of Charlotte running for the pro tem position, and but she wasn’t certain. like the only way to make sure that he had earned 20 votes for the speaker post, he encouraged both to run. “I thought I had the votes when had a chance at winning was to switch and many in the caucus were adamant “I didn’t support or not support I went in, but I’d been in there long parties. And so I did.” that they would never back Daughtry, either of them,” Daughtry said. enough to know they change their Rep. Stephen LaRoque of Kinston, regardless of the vote outcome. He said at the time “he was worried mind,” Bowie said. who was a freshman in 2003, said he Meanwhile, she said Decker’s called Decker on the day he became a speech before the caucus “was not very Democrat. good,” and the person who seconded “He said that Leo Daughtry had his nomination, Wake County Rep. Paul lied to him, and said he was going to “Skip” Stam, agreed. He said Decker had support him for speaker pro tem, and he asked Stam to nominate him, but Stam didn’t,” LaRoque said. LaRoque said he said as a freshman member he didn’t feel believed Decker. “That is typical behav- it was appropriate. He told Decker that ior of Representative Daughtry.” he would second him. As a result, Stam LaRoque reacted to Decker’s action said, Decker nominated himself. by calling for a change in Republican “It was like, ‘I know I’m not going leadership “from top to bottom,” ac- to win, but here I am,’” Stam said about cording to The N&O at the time. Decker’s nominating speech. Regardless of perspective, though, Stam said he had no discussions none of the November 2002 House GOP with Daughtry prior to the pro tem se- caucus participants interviewed for this cret ballot, and said he voted for Wilson story could remember anybody asking for speaker. Decker whether he wanted to go through Daughtry also denied any con- with the speaker pro tem nomination, spiracy against Decker and said that or a “wink” at Daughtry, or any indica- when candidates for a leadership posi- tion of ridicule towards Decker, as Black tion contact fellow members looking for described to the Board of Elections. votes, sometimes they get told they will “He was a good friend of mine, be supported even though they really I thought,” Daughtry said. “I thought won’t, to spare hard feelings. he’d lost his mind. There’s got to be more “It is inconceivable to think anyone than just, ‘I’m mad at Leo.’ would control the votes on a secret bal- “I have no earthly idea why it lot,” Daughtry said. was my fault.” CJ April 2006 CAROLINA  Washington JOURNAL

NC Delegation Watch March for Life a good example

Myrick, McHenry on ports Media Largely Ignore Pro-Life Events Republican Rep. Sue Myrick, R-9th, garnered national media at- By KAREN WELSH tention after she wrote President Contributing Editor Bush to protest a deal that would RALEIGH turn over control of six critical U.S. he San Francisco Chronicle recently reported that “South ports to a state-run company from Dakota’s sweeping new law banning abortion in the the United Arab Emirates. Myrick’s conservative state also protects rapists’ rights” and that letter consisted of a single sentence: Tobserving the implementation of the ban is like “watching “In regards to selling American ports the extremist right in action.” to the United Arab Emirates, not just The Houston Chronicle followed suit when it said, “South NO—but HELL NO!” Dakota’s politicians are willing to blight lives of rape and Meanwhile, 10th District Rep. incest victims for a political gamble.” Patrick McHenry, also a Republican, These newspapers and others in the mainstream media, also opposed the ports deal, but for however, virtually ignored the March for Life in Washington, a different reason. D.C., Jan. 23. The marchers were there to save the lives of “We should say to every gov- unborn children. ernment in the world, if you want Officials estimated that as many as 200,000 marchers to do business in the United States from across the nation participated in the event. It was a di- you must abide by free market verse gathering that included women suffering post-abortion principles,” McHenry said in a press trauma, homeschoolers, youth groups, and various secular release. “America has the power groups, including the Pro-Life Alliance of Gays and Lesbians, to level the economic playing field Democrats for Life, and Feminists for Life. Protestants were — we must use it. there. So were Catholics and Jewish congregants. “State-owned companies The only organizations noticeably missing were main- — whether in the UAE, China or stream media outlets. That didn’t surprise Nellie Gray, the Europe — are government-financed, event coordinator and president of the National March For in the March for Life crusade. One of the most touching mo- giving them a competitive advan- Life organization in Washington, D.C. ments of the day came when members of the group Silent No tage over privately-owned com- “I don’t worry about the press anymore because they’ve More, an organization of women who have had abortions, panies. When the U.S. government never been friendly,” Gray said. “Most of them have a bias spoke to the crowd, Wood said. does business with state-owned against pro-life. Even when they do write an article, they “They were speaking up and telling their stories and corporations, competition is stifled never get to the issue that we’re trying to stop the killing of sharing the pain they’re still going through years and years and our private, domestic compa- the pre-born. It doesn’t deter me. I will continue to explain later,” she said. “They had the courage to come out and nies have their legs cut out from life principles and take our message to Congress.” speak up.” under them. It’s ironic, Gray said, how the mainstream press focuses That’s one of the reasons Tetilia Brown, president of “I am concerned with the on cruelty to animals, but journalists won’t report on the mass PLAGAL, joined the march. Although a “non-traditional” Dubai Deal not only because of the murder of human beings, a total of 48 million since abortion pro-lifer, Brown joined the movement because of a forced national security implications, but was legalized through Roe v. Wade in 1973. abortion she suffered when she was 18 years old. the economic implications as well. “The press doesn’t realize they are participating in this “I need to let women know that abortion hurt me and The Dubai Deal outsources our murdering of unborn babies,” she said. “Three thousand it hurts women,” she said. “It’s helped me to heal from my ports to the state-owned entity of a children are killed each day, and they ignore it. One day they abortion.” foreign government. This deal turns will realize this. There will come a time when they will see Brown also said her non-religious based organization its back on the free market principles it’s not politically correct to kill pre-born babies.” serves a useful purpose at the march. “We are a part of the that have guided this nation into Not everyone is blind to the problems, as the grass-roots fringe group that makes up about 10 percent of the crowd,” economic prosperity.” movement has gained momentum in the fight for life over she said. “We are trying to educate the pro-life community the past several years. Barbara Holt, president of the North that you don’t have to fit into the stereotype to be in the Carolina Right to Life, said at least five buses filled with par- movement.” ticipants and many people driving their own vehicles traveled Ann Scheidler, executive director of the Pro-Life Action from North Carolina to the nation’s capital to march. League based in Chicago, said her non-sectarian activist group Dole: Budget shorts NC “Rights to life is a basic issue,” she said. “It’s a hinge attends the annual march not only to support the movement, Sen. Elizabeth Dole said that issue because you can’t enjoy liberty or happiness without but also to gain a morale boost for the coming year. President Bush’s proposed federal life. I go to the march every year to take a stand for life that is “It’s really exhilarating to see that kind of crowd gather- budget was good, but that it failed being threatened by abortion or infanticide. We are growing ing together,” she said. “It’s very upbeat, and it keeps the mo- to fund “certain North Carolina in numbers and strength. Maybe someday we will overturn mentum building. It also helps prepare us to be diligent.” needs.” Roe v. Wade. People will finally see what a bad law it is.” There’s still a lot of work to be done in North Carolina, “In particular, I am disappoint- The biggest change this year, Holt said, was the number Wood said, and she spends a lot of her time supporting pro-life ed that crucial projects including of young people attending the rally. activities all year through her local Right to Life Chapter. Wilmington Harbor, Oregon Inlet, “I think the tide is turning increasingly across the “North Carolina is a state that has pre-Roe v. Wade Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, country, and young people are becoming engaged,” she said. history,” Wood said. “Abortion was legalized in our state in and North Carolina’s Shallow Draft “The youth were everywhere in Washington. They feel vul- 1967, and we have no law to ban assisted suicide.” In fact, Navigation Inlets were under-fund- nerable. They realize large bodies of their peers are missing Holt said the state does not uphold the value of life or the ed,” Dole said in a statement. because of abortion, and they want that to change for future sanctity of human rights through its current laws. But Dole had mostly positive generations.” “We have to do our work in this state,” she said. “North things to say about the plan. There is a general disconnect in the United States over Carolinians need to be informed and let their voices be heard. “Overall, I believe the Presi- the abortion of millions of children, Holt said. She said this They need to become involved with an organization to be dent has submitted a good budget is evident when the mainstream media and pro-choice forces connected with what is going on. North Carolina is a hotbed that funds critical national priorities, vigilantly oppose the death penalty for killers, yet the organi- for the pro-death forces. It’s really very sad.” particularly with regard to our na- zations support laws that allow the mutilations and painful Wood said that she won’t stop her efforts and that she’s tional defense and economic com- deaths of innocent children. hoping the mainstream media will be around soon to cover petitiveness, while at the same time “There’s no appeal for the unborn,” Holt said. “It’s the pro-lifers’ ultimate goal — to have all the laws allowing holding the line on wasteful spend- regrettable.” abortion overturned. ing.” CJ Alamance County resident Kimberly Wood was one of “I’m looking forward to having a victory march in the pro-life supporters who took a chartered bus to participate the near future,” she said. “We are going to win.” CJ CAROLINA April 2006 JOURNAL CJ Interview  Kristol: Conservatism in Good Shape for Long Term By CAROLINA JOURNAL STAFF Europeans didn’t cut tactically there are like the prescription drug benefit and RALEIGH taxes, and they’ve had some real challenges say, “Well, it’s not working very well. ill Kristol is editor of The Weekly very slow economic for the Republican Let’s blame the Republican member of Standard and a contributor to growth. majority in Congress Congress that voted for it.” So I think Fox News. He recently sat down And on the tra- and probably for the Republicans are at some risk in the short Bwith the John Locke Foundation’s ditional values sorts next Republican pres- term. Now, I don’t think longer term it Mitch Kokai to discuss conservatism of issues, again lots of idential candidate. makes that much difference probably. in America. sophisticated people The Bush adminis- There will be a fresh presidential can- said, “Well, that’s kind tration has had some didate in 2008. He won’t have anything Kokai: Well, let’s start with this. of in the past,” but the tough times, but I’m to do, presumably, or she won’t have Your colleague Fred Barnes started a more you look at the optimistic about con- anything to do, with Jack Abramoff or recent article with this description of a world, the more you servatives. congressional scandals. So I think these typical conservative: “Supporting small look at social science things do come and go, but they can have government with low taxes. Traditional evidence, the more Kokai: Now, we a short-term effect. values, such as the sanctity of life, and a you look at common know that over the hawkish foreign policy.” Is that a good sense, the traditional years there has been Kokai: Speaking of 2008, just how place for us to start? family and the respect an alliance of conser- important is it for this Republican candi- for life and the respect vatives in both par- date to be someone whom the conserva- Kristol: It is, and I think it’s also of American tradi- ties, but do we see that tives view as a strong conservative and good just to start with history, and who tions turns out to be Bill Kristol, Fox News contributor in the future only one not just someone there in the middle? is the most famous and prominent and the best thing for us and Weekly Standard editor of the parties is more successful conservative in the last 50 and our kids most of likely to have all the Kristol: Yeah, I think it is im- years? Ronald Reagan, one of the great the time. conservatives? portant that the candidate be a strong presidents of the United States and conservative, with the caveat that one someone all conservatives look up to. Kokai: The conventional wisdom Kristol: That’s certainly been the generation of strong conservatives isn’t And what did he stand for? has seemed to be the first Bush adminis- trend over the last 30, 40 years. One of identical to another. And if national He stood for cutting taxes and tration was maybe Reagan-light, or not the biggest facts about American politics security becomes the dominant issue, trying to reduce the size of government, quite Reagan, and that President Bush today is the movement of conservatives it’s conceivable that people might be or at least stop the continued growth has been more supportive of those prin- to the Republican Party, the movement less, put less weight on certain aspects of government on the domestic side, a ciples, but he’s not the same guy. of liberals to the Democratic Party, the of the conservative agenda or if other hawkish and informed foreign policy exclusion, to some degree, of conserva- issues become central. I think national that sought to defend or promote liberty Kristol: I think he has been more tives to the Democratic Party, and to security and the courts, when you think around the world, and the defense of supportive of the principles, but A: The some degree the choice of liberals to about 2008, those are the two issues that the traditional family and the sanctity principles changed 15 years later obvi- leave the Republican Party. leap out to me. of life and traditional values, and also ously, or they didn’t change, but they So the parties have become more You know, there are interesting a commitment to a kind of an American changed in their implementation. And ideological. It’s a good thing and a bad questions of economic policy and health patriotism. So I think if you admire Rea- B: He’s not the same guy, and he’s got thing. In some ways you’d like to have care, but when you really get down to it, gan, then you’re a conservative. different strengths from Reagan and also more, and perhaps cross-party, coopera- it’s likely in 2008 that the next president different limitations, I would say. tion that was possible when the parties will tip the balance on the Supreme Court Kokai: After the first Bush admin- were less distinct. On the other hand, in one way or the other, and of course the istration, the Clinton years, and now Kokai: So one of the things that a way there’s a kind of accountability next president will continue, will have into the second Bush administration, you’re looking at very closely is the now, and voters do get the sense they’re the task of continuing to fight this war just how much of that Reagan brand future of conservatism. What should voting for people they really agree with, on terror across the board and deal with of conservatism is still having a sway we see on the forefront? not just for a party label. So it cuts both the threat of Islamic radicalism and the over politics? ways, but for now at least it looks to me proliferation of nuclear weapons. And I Kristol: I think the future looks as if the future of conservatism is in the think on those two issues conservatives Kristol: I think a lot. You know, a pretty good, you know? I mean con- Republican Party. will want to see a strong voice and a lot of people thought in the ‘90s and even servatism has been counted out many strong advocate for their principles. in the late ‘80s after President Reagan times. Back in the ‘50s it seemed like Kokai: We have tended to see left office — I was there in the first Bush a hopeless quest when Bill Buckley that the party in power, Democrat or Kokai: Looking ahead 15, 20, 25 administration — there was a sense of, started National Review 50 years ago. Republican, runs into scandals, some years, what’s conservatism going to “Well, okay. President Reagan did a good With Reagan, the speech for Goldwater of them involved with the process of look like then? job for his time,” but the Cold War had in ’64, his campaign in ’76, the losing governing. The Republicans are running ended and tax cuts had gone into effect, presidential efforts, it looked like, “Well, into this right now. Does that hurt the Kristol: That’s a tough, tough ques- and now it was time for a different brand the conservative movement would never conservative cause to have — because tion, and I think in American politics of conservatism or new policies or maybe win electorally.” Republicans are the party in power and it’s tough enough to look at, you know, Reagan was just a guy we look back on Then came the ‘80s and the success- do have some sort of scandals involved five or 10 weeks or months let alone fondly and with nostalgia. ful Reagan presidency, the ’94 takeover with the government — that that hurts five or 10 or 15 to 20 years. I guess I I think what the 21st century so of Congress, and at each stage of course the conservative cause, or do you think think, on principle though, it’s not that far proves is that Reagan remains an there have been setbacks and one wave it makes much difference? different. extremely important guide for our time. crests and recedes a little bit and there I don’t think conservatism will Foreign policy, obviously the threat of are some defeats, but what strikes me Kristol: Well, sure it hurts in the have abandoned the defense of the fam- Islamic radicalism, is different from really, if you step back and look at the 50 short term, and I think Republicans ily or the defense of life. I don’t think Soviet Communism. But the principles years, is how strong and so permanent in Congress are at some risk in 2006, conservatism will have abandoned Reagan embraced — strong defense, a the conservative message has turned partly because of the scandals, partly the notion that American strength and message of strength and, “Don’t mess out to be: Being strong in the world, because of the sense that they haven’t leadership is crucial to the peace of the with us,” to the world, but also a com- supporting traditional values, economic controlled spending, partly just because world. mitment to advancing liberty and de- growth based on tax cuts and limiting of a sense when you’re in power for a So I think there will be particular fending democracy around the world government. Those are as relevant in decade people start to blame you for challenges. The baby boom genera- — Reagan’s foreign policy remains very 2006 as they were in 1956 or 1986. everything. You don’t get much credit tion retiring, advising and revamping relevant today. And so I think the conservative for anything. Conservatives are a little entitlements, those sorts of things. But I think his economic policies future is strong and promising. That depressed. The Republicans haven’t I think conservative principles are in remain very relevant today: Bush cut doesn’t mean that you can’t lose elections stuck to conservative principles. Other pretty good shape, not just for the short taxes, we’ve had good economic growth. in 2006 or in 2008 obviously. And I think voters might just look at some program term, but really for the longer term. CJ April 2006 CAROLINA  Education JOURNAL

State School Briefs One proposal: Use as a text itself

Wake to convert store Bible in Schools: A Diversity of Ideas for Its Use The Wake County Board of Commissioners on March 20 ap- By MAXIMILIAN LONGLEY ers’ guide. would violate U. S. Supreme Court prec- proved a motion to acquire a Winn- Contributing Editor The Bible and Its Influence is about edents about the separation of church Dixie grocery store in Wake Forest DURHAM 400 pages long. The book contains and state, Schaeffer said. and convert it into a ninth-grade here are many efforts nationally summaries of the various books of the One case where the People for center for Wakefield High School, to get the content of the Bible Bible, along with discussion questions, the American Way Foundation fought WRAL-TV in Raleigh reports. incorporated into public-school sidebars, and pictures. Students are en- allegedly sectarian Bible teaching took Beginning in 2007, ninth-grade Tcurricula using several secular text- couraged to supplement their reading of place in Lee County, Fla. students will go to school there, as books. But one North Carolina group has the text by studying particular books and In1997, the Lee County School part of an effort by the county and a different idea. They suggest that the passages in the Bible itself. The Bible and Board voted to teach a Bible course school leaders to ease crowding in Bible itself be used as a textbook. Its Influence largely portrays the Bible as inspired by NCBCPS (the extent of the the county public school system. The National Council on Bible a positive influence, particularly on be- inspiration is today a subject of contro- School officials want to lease Curriculum in Public Schools, an or- half of progressive causes. For instance: versy). PFAWF and the American Civil the store for 10 years for about $5 ganization based in Greensboro and The books of Ruth and Esther are said Liberties Union sued the school board in million. It will cost about $7 million having many North Carolinians in its to have a bearing on “women’s struggle federal district court, which ruled that more to renovate the facility, and leadership, is promoting the idea. for equality.” the curriculum’s New Testament section take six to 10 months to renovate In addition, the group provides While the text regretfully notes was unconstitutional, and that the Old it. It can take three years to find the several resources for teachers, includ- Timothy’s traditional attitude toward Testament section needed to be closely land and build a school from the ing a lengthy teachers’ guide. Another women, it promptly goes on to praise monitored. ground up. resource is a CD-ROM of a 1969 textbook the pro-feminist sentiments of Gala- At the urging of the judge, the “It’s something we can get on (The Bible Reader: An Interfaith Interpre- tians 3:28. The Bible and Its Influencehas parties reached a settlement, in which the ground and open faster,” said tation) with various Bible translations a curious array of supporters. It’s been a new Bible course was adopted. The incoming Wake School Superinten- accompanied by commentary from endorsed by prominent evangelical textbook was called An Introduction to dent Del Burns. Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish Charles Colson, as well as by church- the Bible. In a 2002 letter, Schaeffer and Burns says that turning exist- perspectives. state separationist Marc D. Stern, gen- another PFAWF lawyer approvingly ing buildings into schools plays Last year, a group called the Bible eral counsel of the American Jewish cited the Lee County settlement and a small but important role in the Literacy Project published studies sug- Congress. the use of An Introduction to the Bible: effort to find more space for the gesting that American teen-agers were In another interesting develop- “a truly academic, objective and secular ever-expanding Wake County deficient in Bible knowledge. Students in ment, the textbook was endorsed approach.” school system. public schools, in particular, had a great by name in a Bible-curriculum bill One of the co-authors of An Intro- That’s because existing build- degree of Biblical ignorance compared sponsored by Democratic leaders in duction to the Bible is Professor Mitchell ings are often located in prime areas to private-school and homeschooled the Alabama House. It was implicitly G. Reddish, chairman of religious studies where land is already developed. students. English teachers surveyed in endorsed in a Democratic bill in the at Florida’s Stetson University. Reddish It’s also faster to convert an exist- the studies said that students’ Biblical Georgia legislature, but the Republican- recalls the Lee County case. After the ing building into a school rather ignorance made it more difficult for the controlled Senate approved a substitute settlement, he instructed teachers there than begin construction on a new students to understand the literature calling for a Bible course with the Bible on how to use his book. However, Red- school. they were studying. itself as a textbook. dish said, “That whole experiment fell A few months after issuing their Judith Schaeffer, deputy legal through.” report, in September 2005, the Bible director of the People for the American An Introduction to the Bible is writ- Beaufort County grant Literacy Project unveiled a high school Way Foundation, said her organization ten at the college level, Reddish said, but The people in rural America textbook, The Bible and Its Influence. The opposes the NCBCPS curriculum, while not for high-schoolers (members of the are the strength of the nation, U.S. NCBCPS teachers’ guide sometimes it avoids taking a position on The Bible Lee County School Board didn’t respond Rep. Walter B. Jones Jr., R-N.C., recommends a 1995 text, The Bible As/In and Its Influence. to an e-mail from Carolina Journal). An told a group of Southside High Literature. This is a mainstream academic Teaching the Bible as true, which Introduction to the Bible calls itself a col- School students in Chocowinity text whose authors are not connected to the NCBCPS curriculum allegedly does, lege textbook. CJ on Mach 21, the Washington Daily NCBCPS. News reports. NCBCPS claims that its curriculum His words marked the debut is used in hundreds of schools in 37 of funding earmarked for a dis- states, but it declines to give specifics, cit- tance-learning model in place in ing fears that the schools involved might Beaufort County since the begin- get harassed by secularists. According ning of the school year. Jones and to an account in The News and Observer other area legislators stopped at the of Raleigh, Wake County schools use a high school to inspect the program version of the curriculum. and celebrate the arrival of a U.S. State Sen. Neal Hunt, R-Wake, is Department of Agriculture-Rural on the advisory board of NCBCPS. The Development grant. state of Biblical literacy is “very poor,” The $114,211 check will re- he said. Many of the Founding Fathers headliner series imburse Beaufort County Schools were “strong believers in the Bible,” for its interactive video-conference Hunt said, and by learning about the fred barnes system installed at the county’s Bible, students would be able to under- editor, author and host of fox news’ “Beltway Boys” three high schools. stand “where the Founding Fathers are noon, crown Plaza resort, asheville The Rural Development arm coming from.” monday, aPril 10, 2006 of the USDA awarded more than When a school board in the Odessa, Charles w. piCkering $29 million in distance-learning and Texas, area was considering the NCBCPS Phone u.s. district Judge discusses his Book, “suPreme chaos” telemedicine grants this year. curriculum, a separationist organization 919-828-3876 Beaufort County Schools is published a critique of the curriculum, for ticket noon, holiday inn Brownstone, raleigh information the only North Carolina recipient claiming that the teachers’ guide was tuesday, aPril 25, 2006 out of the 79 grants awarded, 44 sectarian, recommended sources endors- thomas mcinerny of which promote educational op- ing young-earth creationism, and wasn’t lt. gen. usaf (ret.) discusses “victory in the war on terror” portunities. CJ properly sourced. NCBCPS denounced noon, country cluB of landfall, wilmington the criticism, while modifying its teach- wednesday, may 3, 2006 CAROLINA April 2006 JOURNAL Education  Governor’s Priorities for Budget Commentary Topped by Teacher Pay Raise Two Educational Philosophies

By JIM STEGALL cuts, which last year’s budget imposed ow do children learn? While Hirsch, a Classicist to the Contributing Editor on local districts, $11 million for high this question has enlivened core, cites abundant evidence that RALEIGH school reform, $4 million for reading public debate for decades, Romanticism has failed. Proof of ducation budget writers will have coaches, and more than $5 million to Hit is now the source of a great divide the value of Classic techniques new money to spend when the help students with limited proficiency among educators. Proponents of two comes from research done in the General Assembly opens its short in English. The board made a point of competing philosophies — romanti- 1980s by sociologist James Cole- Esession May 9. Increased tax revenue aligning its monetary requests with pro- cism and classicism — are battling for man. Coleman found that Catholic — and the first fruits of the state’s new grams the governor is known to support, the ideological high ground schools did a better job education lottery — would appear to so many of the top priority items stand in American schools. of closing racial and give lawmakers breathing room in revis- a good chance of becoming law. The stakes are high: social achievement gaps ing the second year Relief from the state-mandated Students in our country than did public schools of the state’s two- discretionary cuts is also a top priority aren’t faring well academi- because of their varied year budget passed for local school boards. Their lobbyists cally. Recently, the Edu- and rigorous curricu- last session. also will seek restoration of the sales cational Testing Service lum, their emphasis on But Gov. Mike tax rebate, which districts had been released a discouraging drills and practice, and Easley already has receiving until it was eliminated by the report detailing trends in their expectation that plans for most of legislature last year. While there is broad high school graduation children should meet that money, and he support among legislators for these ef- data. Over the past 30 minimal goals in each often gets his way forts, it’s not yet clear how the governor years, high school comple- subject. Coleman’s con- with the current will come down on the issue. tion rates in America have Lindalyn clusions are bolstered legislative leader- Another issue of concern to local dropped sharply, from Kakadelis by data on “effective ship. Gov. Mike Easley boards is the formula for distributing 77.1 percent in 1969 to 69.9 schools,” showing that The center- the school construction portion of lot- percent in 2000. schools work best with piece of the governor’s agenda is his tery funds, which rewards districts with To what do we owe this explicit academic goals, a strong plan to raise teacher salaries by about 5 high tax rates. For example, under the decline? Our downward academic focus on academics, order and dis- percent. In November, after the budget current law, high-tax Durham County spiral is caused, in part, by the cipline, maximum time on learning had been passed with a modest 0.35 per- is scheduled to receive almost twice as education establishment’s embrace tasks, and frequent performance cent raise in the teacher pay scale, Easley much lottery money for construction of an increasingly progressive or evaluations. Put simply, hard work, exercised the special authority written ($4.57 million) as fast-growing, low-tax “romantic” view of how children even when it feels unnatural, pays into the budget to shift $85 million into Union County ($2.33 million), despite should be taught. Romanticists be- off. Hirsch sums up: “The very idea teachers’ salaries, giving all state-paid having virtually the same number of lieve that children are best educated that skills as artificial and difficult teachers an extra $75 a month for the students. Several legislators are eager to in a hands-on, natural way — too as reading, writing, and arithmetic remaining seven months of the school reconsider the funding formula. much structure and repetition snuff can be made natural for everyone is year. At the time, he announced that this One idea that ranks as a long out an innate love of learning. Ac- an illusion that has flourished in the was the first step shot, at least for cording to this philosophy, objective peaceful, prosperous United States.” in a five-year plan now, is a statewide tests and rote processes hold little Yet schools of education — the to raise teachers’ In the background of bond for school value, since children learn based on route to certification and teaching salaries in North construction that their interest in a particular subject jobs in our country — continue to Carolina to the na- all discussions about would be repaid and not because they seek rewards indoctrinate teachers with Romantic tional average. using lottery mon- or fear punishment. Teachers are philosophy. Teacher-training institu- B u t t h i s schools and money are ey. The Depart- guides for the journey, rather than tions stress implicit, natural instruc- year’s installment ment of Public experts in all things academic. tion (through projects and discov- on the plan will be the ramifications of the Instruction is due At the other end of the spec- ery) over knowledge of basic subject more expensive. Leandro school-funding to release a study trum is the “classic” approach to matter. When research demonstrates The state will need that could show education. Classicists view learning the failures of Romantic pedagogy, to hire more than equity case. a backlog of con- (like life) as necessarily striking a the education elite suggests that 1,800 teachers this struction needs balance between natural impulses instructors are abandoning their year just to handle totaling as much and artificial constructs. Think of beliefs, or that they lack the funding the projected increase in student enroll- as $14 billion. it this way: A student might not to successfully educate all students. ment. Add to that the 884 new hires the In the background of all discus- naturally yearn to study literary or Meanwhile, a third of our students State Board of Education has recom- sions about schools and money are the math concepts, but he must under- aren’t graduating from high school, mended in order to provide full-time ramifications of theLeandro school-fund- stand them for his own good. That and far too many graduates move mentors, and another 932 to provide in- ing equity case. Judge Howard Manning means classicists don’t balk at rote “up” to remedial courses in college. creased planning time, and new money recently threatened to close chronically memorization or drills — how else What’s the solution? While we will have to be found for up to 3,620 new low-performing high schools, and no do students master math facts or may dabble at reform, real change teachers, in addition to the raises. one yet knows what he might require multiplication tables? will come only when we shift Despite the concerns over cost, from the legislature in terms of school If this seems like an interesting the way we think about educa- most legislators contacted for this story funding. Another returning policy issue but irrelevant ideological exercise, tion. Good teachers should seek to said that raising teacher salaries is an involves rehiring teachers who have think again. These philosophies nurture a child’s innate intellectual important step in attracting and keeping retired. Educators have been trying for have significant repercussions for curiosity, but they must also insist a competent, qualified teacher work- years to get the state to allow retired how teachers are trained, how on a lot of hard work. That may force. Expect the salary increase, along teachers to be rehired on a case-by-case classrooms function, and how cur- not sound very “romantic,” but as with more money for the governor’s basis to address the perceived teacher riculum is taught. Dr. E. D. Hirsch, a French philosopher Joseph-Marie signature More at Four pre-school plan, shortage. However, the IRS has warned professor of education and humani- de Maistre said about 200 years ago, to be approved. that allowing immediate rehires could ties at the University of Virginia, “There is no easy method of learn- Inspired by the prospect of new jeopardize the special tax status of the traces the origins of this debate in ing difficult things.” CJ money, the State Board of Education state employees’ retirement system. the annals of intellectual history and recently weighed in with a costly supple- Current policy calls for a six-month its many implications for American mental budget request‚ totaling $473 break in service before rehiring, and schools in his article, “The Roots of Lindalyn Kakadelis is director of million. The board’s other top priorities some lawmakers are considering short- the Education Wars.” the North Carolina Education Alliance. are to restore $44 million in discretionary ening that to as little as two months. CJ April 2006 CAROLINA 10 Education JOURNAL

School Reform Notes Sports, band, debate

Linking pay with results Extra-Curricular Activities Grow for Homeschoolers A new pay-for-performance By HAL YOUNG The High Point Homeschool- program for Florida’s teachers will Contributing Editor ers Band, as he named it, now has 48 tie raises and bonuses directly to RALEIGH students. The instrumentation is pretty pupils’ standardized-test scores be- he popular image of homeschool- well-balanced, Renfroe said, though ginning next year, marking the first ing is a mother and her children light on the more expensive instruments time a state has so closely linked the leaning over the kitchen table or usually purchased by the school. Like wages of individual school person- Tgathered in the family room with their small ensembles always have, they adapt nel to their students’ exam results, schoolbooks. This is not inaccurate for the parts to fit the available musicians. The Washington Post reports. most families, but it is far from com- “We don’t have some of the larger per- The effort, now being ad- plete. cussion,” he said, “and we don’t have a opted by local districts, is viewed Studies show homeschooled stu- tuba; I’ve transcribed the tuba part for as a landmark in the movement to dents are involved in many after-school our electric bass player.” restructure American schools by activities along with their public and Although not a home educator having them face the same kind of private-school counterparts, such as himself, Renfroe said, his students have competitive pressures placed on scouting, 4-H, church groups, and sports responded well to high expectations. “I private enterprise, and advocates leagues. Yet home educators also are don’t tell them a particular piece is too say it could serve as a national building their own programs to provide difficult for them; I just hand out the model to replace traditional teacher more of the traditional high-school ac- music and we get started. I’ve got sixth- pay plans that award raises based tivities, such as varsity athletics, band, and seventh-graders who are playing largely on academic degrees and and academic clubs. ninth-grade literature,” Renfroe said. years of experience. Some of his students have gone on to Gov. Jeb Bush has character- The sixth annual North Carolina State play in college ensembles. ized the new policy as a matter of Sports Homeschooling Basketball Tournament was Meredith Stephens, a homeschool- common sense, asking, “What’s held in February (Photo by Virgil Hilton) Many homeschoolers play base- ing mother of four in Thomasville, wrong about paying good teachers ball, soccer, and football in local recre- leagues because of their own [sched- started a different kind of ensemble. more for doing a better job?” ational leagues. These tend to focus on uling] requirements,” Hodges said. Stephens has played flute since she was The pay program approved in younger grades, knowing that promising NCHE’s league ensures that homeschool a child, and this year she organized a February by the Board of Education players will usually graduate into high- teams continue to have a competitive flute choir with 13 students. They re- is mandatory and intended to en- school athletics. This avenue is closed to home of their own. cently gave their first public concert at sure compliance with a 2002 Florida homeschoolers, since rules for the N.C. It has a character of its own, too, the Archdale Public Library. law requiring performance pay for High School Athletic Association don’t Hodges said. Competition is keen and teachers. The policy comes amid allow students from nonpublic schools both college recruiters and ACC referees growing debate about the Florida Academics to participate in public school sports. have come to the NCHE tournament, but Comprehensive Assessment Test, In response, homeschooling Hodges said the off-court interaction is Of course, homeschoolers have which Bush has put at the center of families in many towns have organized more constructive. “It breeds camarade- attracted attention for success in high- his school-restructuring plan. sports programs of their own. Some rie between teams,” he said, “because profile academic events such as the are credible competitors in the private they have the same [academic] stresses National Spelling Bee and the Olympiad school leagues, but finding a venue and pressures on them. The students of the Mind. There are opportunities for Johnston’s school plans for statewide competition can still be come away from the tournament encour- advanced academics on the local level a problem. as well. Johnston County is weigh- aged after spending the weekend with North Carolinians for Home Edu- Joseph Wirtz, for example, offers ing a proposal to open an exclu- students from other towns.” cation, the state’s largest homeschooling tutorial programs in logic, speech, and sive school for its most talented “I see parents from opposing teams organization, sponsored the sixth an- Christian apologetics, bringing parents students, and a Smithfield group on the sidelines, discussing curriculum” nual North Carolina State Homeschool and homeschool students into the hopes to open the county’s first between games, Hodges said. “I’ve over- Basketball Tournament in February. classroom together. His most popular charter school, The News & Observer heard some of the school teams saying This year, the league expanded to hold program is a debate school, which he of Raleigh reports. it would be embarrassing to lose to ‘a east and west divisional playoffs, and teaches across eastern North Carolina. “We’re getting so big now, bunch of homeschoolers,’ but we don’t the tournament has been recognized The classes, sponsored by Wirtz’s non- we have a diversified clientele get the level of viciousness in our own as the largest state championship for profit, The Cultural Commission, were with increasingly diverse needs,” tournament.” homeschoolers in the country. offered in six locations this year from said Keith Beamon, associate su- Embarrassing or not, the Forsyth Ernie Hodges, a longtime coach Greenville to Concord, and may expand perintendent for curriculum, who Home Educators team, which Hodges of youth basketball, softball, and to Wilmington and Boone next year. is spearheading the concept of an coached for several years, is currently cross-country teams in Winston-Salem, Even though they are spread out, Advanced Learning Center. 4-0 against area private schools this has been the head of NCHE’s athletic the clubs are not isolated. “We meet The center, in Smithfield, season. programs since they began. The league every other week,” Wirtz said, “and would be a full-time middle and includes 42 basketball teams in 11 cities. between classes the students take part in high school for 500 students from New programs are proposed for the Music a moderated forum on the Internet, with across the county who compete Charlotte and Asheville areas, he said. Homeschoolers are also gathering reading and discussion assignments.” for spots based on their academic Tournaments are also being conducted to work on the fine arts together, with The forum is also a place to hone their ability or talent in the arts. in volleyball and golf, and more sports a number of band programs available arguments, as they prepare to debate It would house the rigorous are being considered. “Boys’ and girls’ in the state. both the positive and the negative case International Baccalaureate pro- soccer is developing, though we’ll One of the oldest is in High Point. of every resolution. gram and offer three specialized probably wait until this fall for the first Dr. Dennis Renfroe teaches at John “I limit the club size to 12 stu- degrees — science, math, and tech- tournament” to even out the athletic Wesley College. Thirteen years ago, he dents,” he said. “Any more than that, nology; international studies; and calendar, Hodges said. said, the college suggested that since and I can’t spend the time listening communication and cultural arts. While some private and Christian they didn’t have a regular band at the and coaching every individual in the It also would serve gifted schools accept individual homeschooled college, he might use their facilities to class.” CJ elementary students who now students, their own league rules keep start a program for local homeschoolers. spend a few hours a week at the them busy playing other school teams. It would be a way to introduce the col- Academically and Intellectually “It’s getting progressively more difficult lege to homeschoolers, and he could stay Hal Young is president of North Gifted Center in Smithfield. CJ to schedule teams in the Christian school active with a band program, he said. Carolinians for Home Education. CAROLINA April 2006 JOURNAL Education 11 What works best DonorsChoose Gets Private Funds in Teachers’ Hands

By PAIGE HOLLAND HAMP where teachers Contributing Editor submit class- RALEIGH room projects he vast majority of North Caro- or experiences linians agree that public schools their students need an overhaul. For the most need to learn. Tpart, the agreement stops there. Strat- Donors peruse egies suggested for accomplishing the list of proj- systemic change are all over the place: ects by region, increased funding, smaller classrooms, subject, cost, pre-K programs, Learn to Earn, school school type, or choice, increased teacher pay, vouchers student pro- . . . the list is endless. However, there is file. Once they one other place where common ground find a project can be found. More money must be put they want to directly into the classroom. fund, donors On both sides of the political aisle, can choose to many believe that good teachers are the fully or par- key to improved learning for students. tially fund the A collage from a fund-raising brochure developed by a teacher to solicit funds from the DonorsChoose program Teachers are on the front lines. They project. What shows potential donors who will be the recipients of their donations. know their students’ strengths and this means is ing with Best, Brader-Araje lined up an in teacher projects. All of the funds were weaknesses, how they learn, and what anyone can directly support students, advisory board and invested his own private donations. Seventy-five percent resources they need in the classroom. whether a donor can afford a $5,000 gift money to hire an executive director to of the donors were first-time givers to Unfortunately, under the current sys- or a $5 gift. Once a project is fully funded build a DonorsChoose program in North public schools. Many people don’t give tem teachers receive few discretionary it is moved to a different location on the Carolina. They launched the project in to public schools for fear their donations dollars for use in the classroom. An in- website. At the end of the project donors 15 school districts in February 2004 and will go into a big, black hole. So what ex- novative project, DonorsChoose, aims receive a personalized packet from the by that fall it went statewide. plains this ability to tap into donors who to change that and get private dollars teacher complete with pictures and let- Missy Sherbourne, DonorsChoose have never supported public schools? directly into the hands of teachers. ters from students describing the impact executive director for North Carolina “Donors absolutely know where their The mission of DonorsChoose is on their classroom. and South Carolina, said 100 percent dollars are going — there are no hidden to address the scarcity and inequitable Since its inception in 2000, Do- of donations made online for projects costs,” Brader-Araje said. distribution of learning materials and norsChoose has spread like wildfire. go directly to fund those projects. Perhaps one of the most impres- experiences in public schools. The goal is Thanks to Michael Brader-Araje, North Administrative costs are raised sepa- sive ways DonorsChoose is making to improve public education by engaging Carolina was the first state to get Do- rately. Sherbourne, a former Baltimore a difference is in high-needs areas. citizens in an online marketplace where norsChoose and the state served as a city public school teacher and North Across the country there is an ongoing teachers describe and individuals can model for national expansion. After Carolina executive director of Teach discussion about equitable division of fund specific student projects. Created watching an interview with Best in the For America, is enthusiastic about the resources, particularly to high-need by a former social sciences teacher from fall of 2003, Brader-Araje found his name impact DonorsChoose can have on and high-poverty schools. Of the 11,625 the Bronx, Charles Best, the concept is on Google and his phone number and education. “Teachers really do know DonorsChoose projects: 8,758 were at simple yet effective. arranged a meeting. A former teacher what they need better than anyone,” high-poverty schools, and 1,727 were Working on the premise that teach- and entrepreneur who created Open Site she said. “It is incredibly powerful and at high-need schools. Ninety percent of ers know what their students need, and truPilot, Brader-Araje has a good empowering for teachers to have access all projects funded were those in high- Best created an easy-to-use website eye for innovation. Shortly after meet- to the resources they need to ensure their need areas. students learn.” Many teachers rave about the im- Teachers’ proposals vary in cost pact of DonorsChoose. “I’m sure I don’t and content. Browsing the website, have to tell you how difficult it can be to potential donors will find projects in acquire the necessary tools and materi- math, science, reading, social studies, als needed to do our job properly. It is arts, music, and physical education. just wonderful that someone has taken Funding ranges from less than $100 to the time to help make it possible to do more than $1,000. The creativity of many what we love to do…teach,” one online of the projects is remarkable: a Middle testimonial said. School Scrabble Tournament to build Great things are happening in vocabulary, spelling, and literacy skills; North Carolina, thanks to the strong We’re Magnetic and Our Light Bulbs Are leadership of Brader-Araje and Sher- On to improve science process skills; and bourne. DonorsChoose NC recently won Shake, Rattle and Roll, a dance class to a national nonprofit innovation award combat hyperactivity so students can given by Amazon and the Stanford focus on learning. But just as important Business School, based on the number as creating a unique learning environ- of dollars nonprofits could raise using ment to engage students is having the the Amazon Platform. DonorsChoose basic supplies teachers need. There are NC raised $790,000 to win the award hundreds of requests for pencils, note- and Amazon matched it. books, calculators, math workbooks, “Our biggest challenge is to get the globes, and books. Donors from all word out to both teachers and donors,” states have responded generously to the Sherbourne said. “And since donors teachers’ appeals. from 47 states have funded North Nationwide more than $5.5 mil- Carolina projects, we have an incredibly lion has been put directly into teach- significant potential donor base.” ers’ hands. Since its launch in 2004, Visit the DonorsChoose website DonorsChoose NC has funded $750,000 at www.donorschoose.com. CJ April 2006 CAROLINA 12 Higher Education JOURNAL Course of the Month UNC Will Continue Growth Push, NCSSM move

his month’s honoree is a By SHANNON BLOSSER run more efficiently, in his opinion. Bowles said. course at East Carolina Uni- Associate Editor He said efficiency reviews are under Bowles also made a point to dis- versity, EDUC 3002: “Intro- RALEIGH way within General Administration as cuss faculty and the number of faculty Tduction to Diversity.” NC officials will continue to push well as at each campus. Once recom- members, who according to the system, The course itself is not unique. for enrollment growth funding mendations are made, Bowles said, the have left to go to other institutions Even its hand-holding, privacy-in- to be included in the continu- Board of Governors will consider them across the country. He said he would vading, condescending requirement Uation budget as well as seek approval in the same way as the Base Closing provide legislators with a list of faculty that students keep a “reaction/re- to make the North Carolina School of Commission, on the federal level, takes members who have left for jobs at other flection journal” isn’t unusual. Its Science and Mathematics the system’s recommendations — approve them all institutions. selection is based upon it being 17th constituent institution. These items or none at all. The UNC agenda supports a plan, emblematic of academe’s highly are included in the UNC nonbudget leg- Regardless of the review out- currently in discussion in a subcommit- politicized definition of “diversity,” islative agenda for the upcoming short come, several efficiency measures were tee of the Joint Legislative Oversight which we’ve described before: “[to] session, which will begin May 9. included in the university agenda. Committee on Education, that would academe, ... diversity is only skin The agenda has yet to be approved Included were a proposal to allow the change how long retirees must wait deep and intellectual diversity is by members of the UNC Board of Gov- Board of Governors to delegate some of before taking another teaching job. dangerous and probably offensive ernors. That is expected to take place its statutory duties to the Office of the UNC wants to preserve its “phased to somebody who’s ‘diverse.’ The at the board’s regular business meeting President. Bowles said the move would retirement plan and allow fore more campus idea of diversity generally in April in Greensboro, which is being allow board members to consider big- flexibility in the rehiring of retirees,” ac- resembles a bag of Peanut M&M’s: conducted in conjunction with President ger policy issues, instead of having to cording to the agenda. Currently, retirees different colors on the outside, same Erskine Bowles’ continually look at must wait six months before seeking nutty interior.” inauguration at day-to-day opera- another teaching job in North Carolina. Only in cloistered halls of UNC-Greensboro. tional issues. Rep. Rick Glazier, D-Cumberland, American academe can you find However, Bowles “This can’t be a discre- “ T h i s i s chairs the subcommittee examining people who think that someone was present at a something we al- retirees. He told committees members who’s seen at least 17 cycles of the March 20 meeting tionary item.” low our boards that his subcommittee is looking for four seasons, experienced nature of the Joint Legis- of trustees to do,” compromise in certain areas where and urbanity, interacted with elders UNC President lative Education Bowles said. possible. A plan will be presented and infants, wandered in and out of Oversight Com- Erskine Bowles T h e U N C to the full committee for approval hundreds of shops, tried to choose mittee to present on putting enrollment agenda includes before the start of the short session. a cable show, sat in numerous class- legislators with the growth in budget the provision to Bowles said UNC officials would rooms with hundreds of peers, been system’s request make NCSSM a present legislators with a proposal to sporting events and concerts and for the upcoming constituent of the to address other areas of need when movies and hosts of other cultural year. UNC system. Since it comes to teacher shortages in activities, dated, loved and lost and Bowles said the items included in the school was opened in the 1980s, it the state. He said the state needs comforted friends who’ve done the the agenda were ones that would allow has received its funding through a line more teachers and better teachers. same, encountered numerous scho- students to “compete and win in this item in the UNC budget and has been Bowles also sought legislature lastic subjects from math to science new world of work we live in.” considered as an affiliated institution, approval for more funding for need- to reading and everything in be- The request to make enrollment however neither the Department of based financial aid. Included in that tween, wandered in bookstores and funding a part of the continuation bud- Public Instruction nor the Board of request, is an agenda item that would libraries, wondered about religion, get is a request that UNC leaders have Governors had true oversight over the allow taxpayers who contribute to the given gifts to friends and relatives, attempted to get approved for some institution. The move would allow the Parental Savings Trust Fund to de- spent any time online, spun the FM time. It was one of former President school to continue to have its Board of duct their contributions on their state dial looking for music or the AM dial Molly Broad’s chief requests during last Trustees, but would allow the Board of taxes, beginning with the 2006 tax year. for ideas, and generally lived life in year’s budget process when she made Governors some oversight. That move, according to America in the present with all its her pitch to legislators for UNC funding. “This is a positive step for the Bowles, would cost the state about myriad choices and encounters too Enrollment funding is similar to that of school, the university, and the state,” $1.3 million per year. CJ numerous to recount, let alone try to the Department of Public Instruction conceive in the space of a 350-word in that UNC, as well as the community article, still needs an “Introduction college system, receives a certain amount to Diversity.” of money from the general fund per But that’s because in univer- student enrolled in the system. Last year sities, “diversity” isn’t diversity. more than $73 million was included in It’s something else — something Gov. Mike Easley’s budget request for simple, something that can be enrollment growth funding. quantified. Monitored. Something During a meeting last year of the not unlike Peanut M&Ms. joint appropriations subcommittee on The ultimate objective of “In- education, Kristen Crossen, of the State troduction to Diversity” quantifies Office of Budget and Management, told it: to “[i]ncrease understanding of legislators that funding for enrollment diversity in religion, gender, class, growth is not in the continuation budget sexual orientation, and student because there is “not a constitutional learning.” The course objectives mandate to provide a free higher edu- actually talk about “components cation.” of diversity” — which, to some- Bowles said the move to place one unfamiliar with diversity’s enrollment growth in the continuation political definition (Noah Webster, budget would support “new students for example), would sound as who have already been admitted” into abjectly stupid as discussing “com- the university system. He also said it ponents of variety.” CJ would allow students in the system to be better-educated. John Locke Foundation research “This can’t be a discretionary editor Jon Sanders tracks down the item,” Bowles said. monthly wacky course offering. Bowles also talked about agenda items that would make the university CAROLINA April 2006 JOURNAL Higher Education 13 Community College Officials Commentary Want More Funds From State Revenge of the Tenured Radicals he conviction that American hypothesis that the comparative By SHANNON BLOSSER higher education is a ship far shortage of women in hard-science Associate Editor RALEIGH off course and heading for the faculty positions might be because “Challenges can only be Trocks was strengthened recently with of something else, such as biol- .C. Community College System the announcement that Harvard’s ogy and the choices many women officials are requesting more conquered with an infu- than $141 million in non-recur- president, Larry Summers, had been make. Nring spending from the General Assem- sion of financial support.” pressured into resigning. The howls of indignation were bly, including more than $31 million to Since Summers ceaseless. University accommodate increased enrollmentt. Kennon Briggs became president in presidents are sup- System officials also are asking NCCC System vice president 2001, the faculty had posed to know that for increased funding for technology repeatedly quarreled it’s nothing but dis- enhancements, economic development, with Summers because crimination, the glass salaries, and system-office needs. Leg- he didn’t fit their idea ceiling, which keeps islators will return to Raleigh on May funding for multiple college locations, of a modern university women from achiev- 9 to adjust the state budget and to deal and other items. president. They had ing parity with men. with other issues. System officials also are asking for already voted “no confi- Summers might just Kennon Briggs, vice president a 7 percent raise for faculty and profes- dence” in him once and as well have said that for business and finance for the com- sional staff. Other compensation costs were preparing to do so he thought we should munity college system, said increased include revamping the salary schedule again. Why? discuss whether the enrollment and an aging population, for college presidents and funds for A modern uni- Earth was flat. since some of the programs deal with system office staff “that would enable versity president must bow down Taken aback by the paroxysms allied health, necessitated the request the [system office] to be more competi- before the idols of the leftist- of rage occasioned by his “insensi- for increased funding. tive.” In all, the system is asking for $33.5 thought world. Those idols include tive” speculation, Summers apolo- The system’s enrollment has in- million in compensation funding, the the abhorrence of the American gized for his transgression and creased by more than 50,000 students largest single group request. military, acceptance of the idea that pledged to start a new “diversity” since 1999. College officials also are asking the historical grievances of blacks campaign on campus. Ah, but you “Growth has created challenges,” for $33.3 million for economic and entitle them to special treatment to- just can’t apologize for words so he said. “Those challenges can only be workforce development. The officials day, and the belief that discrimina- heinous and hurtful as those. conquered with an infusion of financial propose to spend the money on allied tion is the only possible explanation A crucial point to understand support.” health program funding as well as fund- for group differences. Not only did is that in the governance of col- The $31 million, which comes ing for biotechnology initiatives. There Summers not bow down to those leges and universities, the fault line under the heading of “access and af- is also a plan to use some of the funding idols, but he said and did things to does not lie along the liberal versus fordability,” would cover enrollment for two regional training specialists for indicate that he rejects them. conservative divide. Rather, it is growth and regular-term enrollment the northeast and southeast regions To the tenured radicals, the between those who are educational growth. It also would fund financial aid, of North Carolina. CJ military is a barbaric atavism. Sum- traditionalists and those who want mers painted himself with a scarlet to use education to further their (make that crimson) H for Heretic ideological visions. People in the ECU Leaders Pushing Ahead when he had a few words of praise former camp believe that students for the military and sought to re- should learn critical skills and verse the long-standing ban against master bodies of knowledge. People With Plans for Dental School ROTC on campus. in the latter want to ensure that Another of Summers’ sins students adopt the right attitudes By SHANNON BLOSSER According to an article published in was to criticize — privately — Har- about “social justice,” the environ- Associate Editor the November-December 2005 issue of vard’s superstar Black Studies pro- ment, cultural oppression, and so GREENVILLE the North Carolina Medical Journal by fessor Cornel West. West had been on. ast Carolina University officials ECU Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences spending most of his time doing Alas, most of the people who are expected to seek approval for Michael Lewis; Gregory Chadwick, as- things in the realm of politics and are positioned to run educational a dental school when the General sistant vice chancellor for oral health entertainment. Summers had the ef- institutions at any level are from the EAssembly’s short session begins May 9. If at ECU; and Terri Workman, associate frontery to suggest that he ought to ideological vision group. Most pro- construction is approved, the institution vice chancellor for health sciences at devote more of his time to academic fessors want to work for someone will become the state’s second dental ECU, the state will need an additional matters. of their own tribe. school, joining UNC-Chapel Hill’s 1,209 dentists in the next 20 years to Well! Just who is that white Summers had impeccably School of Dentistry. meet demand. overseer to tell a black intellectual liberal political credentials, but The plan has been approved by However, according to a 2004 what to do? West went public with educationally he was a traditional- the school’s Board of Trustees, which North Carolina Health Profiles, pub- this unspeakable abuse and huffed ist. What the fight for control of passed a resolution for the plan at its lished last year, there was a 15 percent off to do his thing at Princeton. Harvard tells us is that traditional- February meeting. It also has the support increase in the number of dentists in Summers apologized for his indis- ists have an extremely difficult task of Speaker of the House Jim Black and North Carolina in 2004. cretion, but to no avail. in front of them. Even the slightest, Senate Pro Temp Marc Basnight. Other “Our intent is to develop a school Blunders like those had put most innocuous or inadvertent legislators, mainly from eastern North of dentistry whose primary mission Summers’ head in the noose, but criticism of the hallowed beliefs of Carolina, have said in media accounts will be to attract into the profession what sprung the trap door was the visionaries will trigger furious that they plan to support a new dental individuals of high intellectual capacity his questioning of a central tenet protests, denunciations, and “no school at ECU. who have a desire to practice dentistry in of feminist orthodoxy: All statisti- confidence votes.” CJ No word on how much the pro- this state, and who are oriented toward cal disparities between men and posed school would cost has been made a professional lifetime career of service women are evil, unjustifiable, and official. to communities in need of high-level caused by discrimination. Summers George C. Leef is the executive Discussion about a new dental dental care,” they wrote. angered the keepers of the faith director of the Pope Center for Higher school at ECU was evoked by a perceived The authors also wrote that the when he carelessly advanced the Education. need of new dentists in North Carolina, school would not compete with or hurt especially in the eastern part of the state. UNC-Chapel Hill’s dental school. CJ April 2006 CAROLINA 14 Higher Education JOURNAL Bats in the Belltower Panel: The First Amendment Must Geography Teachers’ Tales Be Defended or It Will Be Lost

ne day in February, high that. What he did promise was that By MITCH KOKAI a fellow panelist. Carolina Journal editor school geography teacher he would continue to “promote Associate Editor Richard Wagner described his reaction Jay Bennish decided that his social justice, just as I have always CHAPEL HILL to the worldwide controversy over the Ostudents weren’t getting the truth attempted to do.” merican journalists need to Danish cartoons. “I think it’s alarm- about something. Were there only defend their First Amendment ing that so many newspapers chose 48 stars on his classroom American ‘We are a college’ Rights in order to protect them, to self-censor,” Wagner said. “Thomas flag? Were his maps hopelessly out Aor “there’s not going to be a torch to pass Jefferson said that’s why they made the of date? Did they still refer to the That same month, another to the next generation.” That was the First Amendment the first amendment. Soviet Union? geography teacher, Professor Karen assessment of one of North Carolina’s It’s the most important one. It’s the one The answers to those ques- Murdock at Century College in leading free press advocates. that ensures our democracy remains tions are no, no, and (deep sigh) no. Minnesota, decided her students “I hope people don’t look back strong and vital.” What Bennish decided his students weren’t getting the truth about years from now and say, ‘Those Wagner included one of the Danish weren’t being told wasn’t something. It, too, was guys were surrounded, and they all cartoons in a recent column. “If we don’t related to his subject mat- something outside the went down,’” First exercise that right, ter. It concerned politics. subject area of geogra- Amendment law- then we surely Bennish was outraged phy. yer John Bussian will lose it.” that his students didn’t “At the height of said during a free “When it comes to the Muslim stu- believe President Bush is the international contro- press forum in Cha- dents were not similar to a former leader versy surrounding the pel Hill on March First Amendment, your alone in skipping of Germany, Adolf Hitler. Muhammad cartoons, 6. interpretation is your the free speech Bennish had de- adjunct professor of B u s s i a n forum. Panelists cided that he was the one geography Karen Mur- compared today’s opinion. I’m thankful addressed only to tell his students this, Jon dock was concerned that journalists to the a handful of stu- Sanders and his geography class- most students at Cen- defenders of the that you’re allowed to dents in the lec- room was the place to do tury had not even seen Alamo. The forum ture hall. “Most so. He became so obsessed with this the cartoons and would therefore at the University have it.” people take free- abuse of the classroom that finally be unable to evaluate them intel- of North Carolina dom of the press one of his students captured one of ligently,” a press release from The was scheduled on Ryan Tuck for granted,” said his “geography lessons” on tape. At Foundation for Individual Rights the 170th anniver- Editor, The Daily Tar Heel Shannon Blosser one point, he asked the class, “Who in Education stated. “On February sary of the last day of the John W. is probably the single most violent 7, she posted the drawings, related of battle at that Pope Center for nation on planet Earth? The United newspaper articles, and blank com- Texas fortress. Higher Education Policy, the group that States of America! And we’re a ment sheets on a bulletin board near “One hundred seventy years ago, organized the forum. democracy. Quote-unquote.” her office where various faculty people were yelling, ‘Remember the Al- “They don’t see that it’s possible Bennish took umbrage that members post items of interest.” amo,’” he said. “We live in a society that that we could lose these freedoms,” Bush said “we have been blessed The cartoons were repeatedly has free press rights like no place else, Blosser added. “I think when people essentially by God to have the torn down, however, the last time but if they’re not going to be protected see those rights taken away, that’s when most civilized, most advanced, best by her academic division head, and defended and asserted, they’re not people will start to show and take these system,” then he added this inter- David Lyons, with the support of going to be there.” things seriously.” pretation: ‘’and that it is our duty other, higher-ranking college offi- A worldwide debate about free Bussian led the panel’s discussion as Americans to use the military cials. That is why FIRE got involved speech took on new significance at the of current threats to the First Amend- to go out into the world and make and seemed to secure Murdock’s Chapel Hill campus last month. An ment. They include a recent U.S. Appeals the whole world like us. Sounds a speech rights. editorial cartoonist depicted the prophet Court ruling that restricts free press lot like the things that Adolf Hitler Murdock reposted the car- Muhammad in the Feb. 9 edition of the rights for college newspapers that accept used to say,” he said. toons, but this time she placed student-run Daily Tar Heel. campus funding. “Now, I’m not saying that them behind a veil. She wrote in Wearing a turban, the cartoon Newspapers in general also face Bush and Hitler are exactly the large, black letters across the veil: prophet stood between two mosque increased threats of costly lawsuits, Bus- same,” Bennish clarified. “Obvious- “WARNING!! The material behind windows. One window outlined a sian said. “Trial lawyers across America ly, they are not. OK. But there are this curtain is CONTROVERSIAL Danish flag flying in a peaceful scene. routinely sue the press for punitive some eerie similarities to the tones and some people may find it OF- The other window depicted violence damages for covering issues that are that they use.” FENSIVE.” In smaller print she that erupted in Europe in the wake of a of clear public importance, for doing Because his tirade was caught explained, “These are 12 cartoons dozen Muhammad cartoons originally nothing more than publishing stories on tape and shortly afterward of Mohammed first published in a printed in a Danish newspaper. about matters that are important to the — thanks to Walter E. Williams on Danish paper — Sept 2005.” The UNC Muslim Students As- future of the public.” Townhall.com and others — broad- It didn’t matter. The cartoons sociation lodged a complaint about the Panelists took comfort from the cast to the nation, Bennish was were again ripped down, and of- student cartoon. A dozen association attitude expressed by Tuck, the student placed on leave while his Overland ficials again asked her not to repost members staged a peaceful sit-in at the editor. “I believe in unfettered freedom of Park, Colo., high school investi- them. newspaper office Feb. 20. None of them the press, an unabashed and unfettered gated the incident. Once the initial “We are a college. We are sup- showed up for Monday night’s forum. First Amendment,” he said. controversy died down, however, posed to be a forum for the free ex- They missed Daily Tar Heel editor Ryan “To the hundreds — maybe Bennish was reinstated. School change of ideas,” Murdock said. “If Tuck’s defense of the cartoon. even thousands of people at this officials said they had meted out we can’t talk about this controversy “Cartoons in newspapers daily point — who have called or e-mailed discipline, but they wouldn’t say at a college, where are we supposed force the limits of freedom of speech,” about the cartoon, I’ve responded to what that was. to talk about it?” CJ Tuck said. “They’re the acid paper of each one the same way,” he added. For his part, Bennish, having the First Amendment. They’re pushing “When it comes to the First been re-entrusted with a classroom, that limit. They’re challenging belief Amendment, your interpretation is promised to “promote student systems. They’re sparking discussion. your opinion. I’m thankful that you’re learning of geography, the subject I That’s what I look for in a newspaper. allowed to have it. This is my inter- teach.” Jon Sanders is research editor for And that’s what I want a newspaper pretation. I’m grateful that we’re in a Just kidding! He never said the John Locke Foundation. that I run to do.” place where we have the opportunity Tuck’s decision drew praise from to disagree.” CJ CAROLINA April 2006 JOURNAL Higher Education 15 McWhorter’s Winning the Race Skewers Affirmative Action

By GEORGE C. LEEF don’t — do so it contributes gan was desperate to argue that there RALEIGH in a desultory to the local di- were educational benefits to its policy ne of the sharpest analysts of fashion, expect- orama used to and commissioned Professor Patricia race relations in America is ing high grades be called being Gurin to do a study demonstrating the John McWhorter. A former just for showing a token black….. existence of such benefits. OUniversity of California professor and up. “My people Even in the face Her approach had nothing to current senior fellow with the Manhattan suffered in the of an institution- do with knowledge of history or un- Institute, McWhorter rejects almost all past, so now I’m alized dismissal derstanding of chemistry, but rather of the “conventional wisdom” regarding entitled,” seems of blacks’ abili- involved asking students for self-re- race, especially the idea that the great to be the prevail- ties to compete ports on questions such as whether obstacle to black progress is lingering ing attitude. seriously on an they prefer simple rather than complex racism. T h a t a t - academic level, explanations, whether they think about When McWhorter engages a sub- titude simply the oppositional the influence of society on other people, ject, he does so with relentless logic. In won’t get the job done. bedrock of the ‘diversity’ rationale — cel- and whether they had more general Winning the Race, his 10th book, Mc- What about the policies of racial ebrating being different from whitey — is knowledge and problem-solving skills Whorter tackles a number of contentious preference that most of the higher- so seductive that it becomes a mantra than when they entered college. From issues revolving around the failure of education establishment so vehemently warmly cherished.” the responses, Gurin claimed to have many black Americans to advance and defends? McWhorter attacks them. At this point, diversity advocates proved that more “diverse” campuses prosper despite ever-improving condi- “To set the bar lower for black chime in that it isn’t just tokenism — they led to better educational outcomes. tions in America. students out of a sense that the achieve- want to make sure that classes are “en- While affirmative action defend- “It’s not that there is ‘something ment gap is due to socioeconomics is riched” by the addition of distinctively ers say the Supreme Court agreed that wrong with black people,’ but rather mistaken,” he writes. “Because the factor “minority” points of view. Some may let there are important educational benefits that there is something wrong with is not socioeconomic but cultural and that argument skate by unchallenged, from “diversity,” McWhorter gives the what black people learned from a new self-perpetuating, the lowered bar only but not McWhorter. Gurin report the scrutiny that the court breed of white people in the 1960s,” he deprives black students and parents He writes: “It is unclear just what didn’t bother to. writes. That something is an attitude of any reason to learn how to hit the a ‘black’ opinion is. Even the most doc- “For one thing,” he writes, “that McWhorter calls “therapeutic alien- highest note.” Thus, affirmative action trinaire radical shies away from suppos- all of these things are self-reported is ation” — a preference for anger and is actually counterproductive in that it ing that in the real world, pigment and almost flabbergastingly irresponsible scapegoating as opposed to the work seduces its beneficiaries into believing politics walk in anything approaching of someone purporting to address as needed for success. that mediocrity is fine. a lockstep. After all, if there really are grave and crucial an issue as diversity I have neglected to mention that But don’t colleges need a sub- ‘black views,’ then couldn’t profes- on university campuses.” Then the fatal McWhorter is black himself. That stantial percentage of black and other sors just learn them from a gathering blow: “What was presented as eleven shouldn’t matter in the least, since minority students in order to gain the of black students over a summer and ‘questions’ was actually eleven state- good analysis is good analysis no mat- benefits of “diversity?” Fealty to the then recite them from their own notes ments of Gurin’s impressions of what ter what the physical characteristics of concept of diversity has become an during the school year? Besides this, the diversity is good for — rosy, PC propo- the analyst. absolute requirement for anyone who entire notion applies logically only to a sitions that only the most idiosyncrati- McWhorter fully explicates his wants to be considered for almost any mere sliver of any curriculum. What is cally contrarian undergraduate would argument, and one of its facets concerns administrative or faculty position in the ‘black view’ on systolic pressure? venture to disavow.” education. Why is there such a large higher education, but McWhorter finds Le Chanson de Roland? Contract law? Winning the Race is a fabulous book achievement gap between black students the idea nothing but condescension: Musical counterpoint? And what, pray and I recommend it cover to cover. CJ and white and Asian students when the “[T]he ‘diversity’ cult is a direct tell, are the distinct Latino views on whites and Asians come from families manifestation of the therapeutic alien- these subjects?” of similar or even lower socio-economic ation meme: This is why it is argued for Most satisfying of all is McWhort- status than the blacks? so desperately despite something that er’s demolition of the arguments made George C. Leef is executive director Too many young blacks who makes no sense on its face. Namely, be- by the University of Michigan in its battle of the Pope Center for Higher Education pursue education at all — and many ing cherished for one’s color and how over its race-preference policies. Michi- Policy.

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The Carolina Journal Radio Network includes these fine affiliates: Albemarle/Concord WSPC AM 1010 Saturdays 11:00 AM Burlington WBAG AM 1150 Saturdays 9:00 AM Chapel Hill WCHL AM 1360 Saturdays 5:00 PM Elizabeth City WGAI AM 560 Saturdays 6:00 AM Fayetteville WFNC AM 640 Saturdays 1:00 PM Gastonia/Charlotte WZRH AM 960 Saturdays 1:00 PM Goldsboro WGBR AM 1150 Saturdays 12:00 PM Greensboro/Burlington WDLX AM 930 Saturdays 10:00 AM Greenville/Washington WSML AM 1200 Saturdays 12:00 PM Hendersonville WHKP AM 1450 Sundays 5:00 PM Jacksonville WJNC AM 1240 Sundays 7:00 PM Lumberton WFNC FM 102.3 Saturdays 1:00 PM Newport/New Bern WTKF FM 107.3 Sundays 7:00 PM Salisbury WSTP AM 1490 Saturdays 11:00 AM Siler City WNCA AM 1570 Sundays 6:00 AM Southern Pines WEEB AM 990 Wednesdays 8:00 AM Whiteville WTXY AM 1540 Tuesdays 10:00 AM Wilmington WAAV AM 980 Saturdays 1:00 PM Winston-Salem/Triad WSJS AM 600 Saturdays 12:00 PM For more information, visit www.CarolinaJournal.com/CJRadio April 2006 CAROLINA 16 Local Government JOURNAL Town and County Arbitrary Zoning Decisions Get Scrutiny Asheville-Buncombe water By MAXIMILIAN LONGLEY The dispute over water sys- Contributing Editor tem operations continues between DURHAM Asheville and Buncombe County. he U.S. Supreme Court’s Kelo deci- In addition to a looming fight in sion subjugating private property the courts, it has local politicians rights to economic-development Tinterests grabbed headlines recently, snipping about the issue. but another danger to property rights Between 1981 and last year, has resurfaced from another quarter: Asheville and Buncombe County’s arbitrary zoning decisions. water needs were addressed by a A decision in one such case, in regional water authority. In June Fayetteville, struck City Councilman 2005, Asheville took control of the Paul Williams as unfair, and he had it water system. It does not enjoy com- reversed. Sung Ho Choi purchased and plete freedom of pricing though, renovated a parcel on North Reilly Road for the General Assembly passed that had been zoned for residential uses the Sullivan Acts I, II and III. The only, although it’s next to a business laws prohibit the city from using area. Choi requested that the zoning be water system revenue for nonwater changed to allow some commercial uses. system purposes or for charging The City Council, on the recommenda- county residents higher rates than tion of the Zoning Commission, denied Increasing instances of residents wanting zoning changes from residential to office or those paid by users in the city. the rezoning. The reason for the denial: A commercial are putting pressure on cities to justify their comprehensive plans. The city is challenging the comprehensive plan adopted by Fayette- Sullivan acts in the courts. ville contemplated the affected property sion heard from neighbors of a couple would qualify as spot zoning, meaning “(The laws) represent unique being part of a residential area. of petitioners who wanted their prop- that the owner wanted a business sur- and harmful intrusions on local Williams moved to reopen the case erties reclassified from residential to rounded on all sides by residences, or government affairs,” City Council- when he learned that eight out of 10 of the commercial. vice versa, the councilwoman said. “We man Carl Mumpower said to the entrances to the neighborhood in ques- One neighbor denounced a pe- don’t see many of these” spot zoning Asheville Citizen-Times. Mumpower tion had businesses on them. Because of titioner’s motives, in language para- petitions, because of the intensity of the phrased in the meeting’s minutes: “the opposition, she said. blames a projected $2.4 million city high traffic count in the area, Williams zoning process is intended to advance Zoning petitions are affected budget deficit in the upcoming fiscal said, the best use of Choi’s property good zoning and not provide financial by a law signed by Gov. Mike Easley year on the law. would be as a business. Williams asked win fall [sic] to property owners.” The in September, “moderniz[ing]” and “I think the Sullivan Acts the council to reconsider Choi’s petition, neighbor of another petitioner summa- “simplify[ing]” local zoning. Of par- make the playing field level across which was approved. Some rezoning denials, Williams rized the sentiment of the local Citizens ticular relevance to property owners the county and the city,“ said Rep. Advisory Board, a group of property who wish to petition for a residential-to- Bruce Goforth, D-Buncombe. said, constitute “interfering with private investment,” and Fayetteville’s growth owners living near the petitioner’s prop- commercial zoning change, the new law Goforth notes that the city would rate has slowed to 1 percent annually, erty and who opposed the petition: “... provides that local governments must profit by putting the system back compared to 3 percent annually in the the majority of attendees [at the CAC decide whether a proposed rezoning under the control of an independent unincorporated parts of Cumberland meeting] believe the request is mainly to would fit with the local “comprehensive authority. County. “Nobody’s ever suggesting increase the value and market ability [sic] plan.” Having decided whether the pro- that we [rezone] the interior of neigh- of the property,” the minutes said. posed use fits with the comprehensive borhoods” to allow business uses, Rezoning typically takes place plan, the local government might choose “near the boundaries of zoning dis- to disregard the plan, or to insist on Durham taxi fare increase Williams said. What Williams opposes is the denial of residential-to-business tricts,” said S. Ellis Hankins, executive compliance, depending on which course The Durham City Council rezoning in property on the borders of director of the North Carolina League it finds to be in the public interest. is considering whether to let cab neighborhoods, whose access to traffic of Municipalities. Most zoning requests David Owens, a faculty member companies temporarily raise fares routes make them ideal locations for come from the property owner, Hankins and zoning expert at UNC-Chapel Hill’s to make up for losses incurred when business. said, and “in my experience more such School of Government, said that the new gasoline prices spiked last year, Rezoning issues have also cropped requests eventually are granted than provisions about local comprehensive reports The Herald-Sun of Durham. up in Raleigh. Raleigh resident Dave denied, after notice, public hearing and plans might tend over the long term to discussion by the elected governing “improve the quality of decisionmak- Taxis would be allowed to impose a Clemmer ran into “stern curiosity” body.” In zoning cases, Hankins said, it ing.” By requiring local governments $1 surcharge for six months. from his neighbors when he applied to is the responsibility of elected officials to to publish reasons for their zoning Durham, like many other cit- have his property rezoned from a resi- weigh the interest of the property owner decisions, Owens said, the law might ies, regulates how much taxis can dential-only category to allow offices. against the public interest. prevent zoning petitions from turning charge. The previous fare increase, Clemmer has no immediate plans to sell his Rembert Drive property, which is on Jessie Taliaferro, of the Raleigh City into “strictly ad hoc political wrestling 20 cents per mile, went into affect Council, said many old homes in Raleigh match[es].” in June, just before gasoline prices the border of the Brookhaven neighbor- hood near Glenwood Avenue, but he sit along formerly quiet thoroughfares, In Durham, local planners re- rose sharply in response largely may eventually want to sell to a busi- such as Falls of the Neuse Road, Glen- sponded to the new law by increasing to damage to refineries caused by ness, which would use the property in a wood Avenue, and Six Forks Road the paper work required of at least Hurricane Katrina. Durham Trans- “tasteful” way, Clemmer said. Clemmer — routes that are being broadened and some zoning petitioners. Frank Duke, portation Manager Mark Ahrend- said he would want any business use to turned into “major corridors.” As traffic planning director for the city and sen told the City Council that cab be in “keeping with the standards of the increases, Taliaferro said, the properties county of Durham, explains new lo- companies “did suffer a loss during neighborhood.” Clemmer’s rezoning become less attractive as residences. cal regulations:If a petitioner wants to that time.” petition was pending by this article’s Petitions to rezone from residential to rezone property in a way that conflicts One concern was how to no- deadline. commercial tend to come from these with Durham’s comprehensive plan, tify cab riders of a surcharge. An owner’s desire to profit from borderline residential areas, Taliaferro the petitioner must not only apply for The Raleigh-Durham Airport selling his property to a business might was reported as saying by The News & a change to the zoning map, but must Authority has also approved a fare not necessarily be recognized as legiti- Observer of Raleigh. simultaneously make an application to increase to allow cab operators to mate by all participants in the zoning Zoning petitions in Raleigh tend to amend the comprehensive plan itself. recover cost increases associated process. During a meeting to consider involve properties situated between resi- Three-fourths of rezoning peti- with Katrina. CJ zoning petitions Jan. 17, the Raleigh dential and commercial areas, Taliaferro tions are consistent with the com- City Council and Planning Commis- said. Only two to five petitions a year prehensive plan, Duke said. CJ CAROLINA April 2006 JOURNAL Local Government 17

N.C. Supreme Court Commentary Annexation Must Bring Benefits Sales Ratios a Moving Target By MICHAEL LOWREY because of the annexation. By contrast, Associate Editor the village would collect an estimated here are many issues in local but they should really look at what RALEIGH additional $80,395 per year in taxes and government that are poorly is happening in their real estate he concept of involuntary annexa- fees from the annexation. understood and have little markets. tion is based upon the premise Five of the Supreme Court’s seven Tnews appeal. We can count among If you looked at Brunswick of landowners being compelled justices were not impressed by this line of these issues Medicaid, social ser- County, residents had a revalua- Tto pay additional taxes in exchange for reasoning and found the level of services vices, revaluation, and anything tion in 2003, but their current sales additional services. In a ruling Jan. 27, the village would provide inadequate to related to courthouse operations. In ratio is down to 0.80. That means the N.C. Supreme Court held that mu- allow for involuntary annexation. other words, you aren’t likely to see the property is selling for far more nicipalities must provide actual services “We agree that services must be a lot of coverage on these issues. than it is valued for taxes. That isn’t of benefit to annexed landowners. In do- provided on a (qualitative) nondiscrimi- They aren’t sexy. because the tax department did a ing so, it overturned a Court of Appeals’ natory basis; however, we also conclude Sales ratios fall in bad job, but probably ruling that allowed the village of Marvin that N.C.G.S. § 160A-35(3) is grounded this category, but it is because real estate in to involuntarily take in additional land in a legislative expectation that the an- critical to the tax base the coastal county has even though all Marvin provided were nexing municipality possesses meaning- of a county if officials been hot for several limited administrative services and a ful (quantitative) services to extend to are to have accuracy years and is increasing tax bill. the annexed property,” Justice George in matching the values in value almost daily. In July 2003, the Union County Wainwright wrote for the court. they assign to property The county can’t keep town of Marvin adopted a resolution to The justice explained in his opinion with the taxes collect- up with the values. annex 324 lots on 468 acres, including that the General Assembly approved ed on it. The lowest sales property owned by William J. Nolan involuntary annexation in 1959, and In trying to ratio in the state is in III and his wife, Louise C. Hemphill- the legislation, codified as N.C.G.S. § understand sales ratio, Ashe County. Its last Nolan. The Nolans 160A-35(3), also (sometimes called revaluation was in 1998. challenged the le- lists nine types of sales assess ratio) the State law requires that gality of annexa- “These services must services that an taxing authority calcu- every county have a tion, contending annexation report lates a percentage of revaluation every eight the town’s action provide a meaningful must address: po- what it considers to be the market years, so Ashe County’s will be violated state pub- lice protection, fire value of a home. For example, if done this year. Currently how- lic policy. Specifi- benefit to newly annexed protection, street- the assessed value were 80 percent, ever, the county’s ratio is at 0.5895, cally, they argued property owners and lights, solid-waste 0.80, of the market value, a house meaning that property is selling that North Caro- removal, street that might sell for $100,000 would at almost twice what the county lina law recognizes residents, who are now maintenance, ad- be taxed at an assessed value of thinks it’s worth. the importance of ministrative ser- $80,000. Ideally, counties want to be municipalities in municipal taxpayers, and vices, water and OK, you can yawn now. close to 0.99 when they finish their providing the gov- sewer services, must also be extended But let’s put this into action. revaluations and then slowly tick ernmental services animal control, Let’s say county officials complete downward until their next revalua- necessary to sup- in a nondiscriminatory and parks and rec- their revaluation and set the tax tion. That accuracy has a great deal port residential, reation. rate at 80 cents. So you pay your to do with stabilizing the tax rate. commercial, indus- fashion.” “The prima- taxes based upon the value they The problem is that revalua- trial, institutional, ry purpose of in- assign your home. If they’ve done tions are tedious, expensive, politi- and government Justice George Wainwright voluntary annexa- a good job, then the value assigned cal, and contentious. One has to development, the N.C. Supreme Court tion, as regulated correlates with what a buyer would wonder whether there isn’t a better land classifications by these statutes, is pay were you to sell. The sales ratio way to navigate this minefield. that allow for an- to promote ’sound would be 1.0, meaning that it di- Maybe a regional approach nexation. Marvin, urban develop- rectly matches what the tax depart- might be better and most cost-ef- they noted, would ment’ through ment established as worth. fective. Counties might consider provide them with no additional mean- the organized extension of municipal That’s the easy situation. But doing their revaluations on the ingful services beyond those which services to fringe geographical areas,” if your revaluation was done poor- same cycle and pool their resourc- Union County, the state, or volunteer Wainwright said. ly, your tax department could have es. If you’re going to have regional organizations already provided, those “These services must provide a inaccurately assessed value at way economic development, this might undermining the very premise allowing meaningful benefit to newly annexed below market value. In that case, make some sense. the town to involuntary annex land. property owners and residents, who your home might be selling for It’s always easy to look at A trial court and the N.C. Court of are now municipal taxpayers, and must $200,000 when the tax department the spending side of the equation Appeals sided with the town. also be extended in a nondiscriminatory established the worth at $150,000. and criticize local government Before the high court, Marvin fashion. Our decision does not require In that case, the sales ratio for spending too much or lacking argued that it was really providing ser- an annexing municipality to provide would be 0.75. That means the priorities. But we should be equally vices. State law lists nine categories of all categories of public services listed county is losing money. When concerned at how accurately rev- services municipalities provide, and it in N.C.G.S. § 160A-35(3). We conclude multiplied by the hundreds of enue is being calculated. While we did provide one of them: administrative only that the level of municipal services thousands of parcels in a county, might be yawning through these services. The town had three part-time proposed in the Annexation Report hundreds of thousands of dollars type of discussions, those inaccura- (12-hour-a-week) employees: a village prepared by the Village of Marvin is in missing revenue are lost, or the cies can cost us all at tax time. CJ administrator, village clerk, and tax col- insufficient. Those part-time adminis- tax rate is too high. With counties lector. Marvin also contracts for planning trative services, such as zoning and tax taking four to eight years to do and engineering services, an auditor, collection, simply fill needs created by their next revaluation, you get the and an attorney. Because the benefits the annexation itself, without confer- picture. Chad Adams is vice chairman of these services would be extended on ring significant benefits on the annexed County commissioners and of the Lee County Board of Commis- a nondiscriminatory basis to newly an- property owners and residents.” city councilmen occasionally get sioners, director of the Center for Local nexed residents, the town argued that it Justices Robert Edmunds and upset when they find that their Innovation, and vice president for met all statutory requirements. Sarah Parker dissented, finding that the ratios, shortly after their revalua- development of the John Locke Founda- Marvin also estimated that its Supreme Court was overstepping its tions, have dropped substantially, tion. overall cost of providing administra- authority in reading the status to require tive services would increase by $14,240 the provision of actual services. CJ April 2006 CAROLINA 18 Local Government JOURNAL

Local Innovation Bulletin Board From Cherokee to Currituck HOAs Actually Increase Values Appeals Court Rejects Challenge

oday, nearly 54.6 million people of paying back what taxpayers have To Winston-Salem’s Annexation in the United States live under paid into it. By MICHAEL LOWREY some form of neighborhood • Muscatine, Iowa, has had a Associate Editor Tassociation, and their numbers are municipal communications system CHARLOTTE growing as a majority of new housing for six years. It’s had negative free he N.C. Court of Appeals has units in rapidly growing urban areas cash flow every year except 2004. It is rejected a challenge to a pro- are privately governed, say Amanda $25.6 million short of payback. posed large-scale annexation Agan and Alexander Tabarrok of • Spencer, Iowa, has had a mu- Tby Winston-Salem. The involuntary George Mason University, writing nicipal communications utility since annexation would add 20 square miles in Regulation. 1999. Spencer had negative free cash and 17,482 residents to the city by the Private governments such flow until 2003 and seems to have end of June. as homeowners associations and had a positive cash flow since then “From Day One, I told everyone condominium cooperatives seem — but Spencer’s electric utility has at every stage that the property would to have passed the market test, but paid more than $9 million in capital be annexed,” City Attorney Ron Seeber not without controversy. Some resi- costs for construction of the com- said to The Winston-Salem Journal. “The accuracy and completeness of dents chafe at restrictions imposed munications utility, transferred $1.55 “I’ve been telling [city staff and the census is dependent on the accuracy by HOAs, while others are upset million in assets to the communica- elected officials] the same thing for and completeness of our address list,’’ that HOAs don’t have to operate tions utility and loaned it $8 million months, and they’ve been preparing Jess Avina, a program coordinator of the under the one-person, one-vote rule; at 4.5 percent interest (less than the this for months,” he said. Census Bureau’s Charlotte office, said however, the main issue is whether 5.75 percent that the electric utility The annexation would make at a recent Moore County Commission HOAs affect property values, Agan pays for its own bonds). Winston-Salem the state’s fourth-larg- meeting. County staff will soon review and Tabarrok say. • Bristol, Va., operates a munici- est city, behind Charlotte, Raleigh, and and update the Census’ address list. A study of HOAs in five zip pal communications utility, which it Greensboro. While the Census Bureau will codes in the Washington, D.C., sub- launched in 2002. It, too, is unlikely The latest legal challenge ques- release the results of the 2008 count, it urban area of Prince William County, ever to achieve positive free cash flow. tioned how the city classified land for will not be used to determine funding Va., from the years 2000-2004 found It was originally funded by a $15 annexation purposes. The appeals court or congressional apportionment. that the mean sales price for houses million revenue bond issue and was agreed with a lower court that the an- The other region where the Census within HOAs ($255,580) is actually re-funded in 2004 at $27.5 million. It nexation opponents failed to show the Bureau will conduct a dress rehearsal is lower than the mean price for houses has borrowed $14.9 million from the city’s methodology was improper or the San Joaquin County, Calif. area. without HOAs ($313,130). But after electric utility and has had operating that the tax maps relied upon by the city controlling for housing character- losses (including cost of capital and were inaccurate. istics, the year of sale, and location interest) of $8.6 million so far. An earlier lawsuit claiming that Eminent domain brought effects, HOAs raise house value by These case studies are impor- the annexation was unconstitutional and against Morrisville family 5.4 percent. tant because advocates of municipal that the city had followed improper pro- The typical house within an broadband systems say they won’t cedures in its hearings on the proposed Developer Ed White is trying HOA sold for $255,000 and member- cost taxpayers anything, Bast says. annexation was rejected last year. to build a subdivision in Morrisville. ship in an HOA increased house value Each of these communities claims “By challenging annexation, they Holding up the project, though, is the by nearly $14,000. Consumers value that its municipal broadband system saved the annexees four years’ worth need to acquire a small amount of land a three-bedroom home in an HOA is breaking even. of city property taxes,” said Richard to build an access road. The landowners about as much as a four-bedroom Browne, the lawyer for annexation op- are holding out for more money. home without an HOA. ponents. This is a typical situation in the Even though HOAs increase Heartless cities “It served to fight City Hall and development business. It’s unusual, house value, many questions remain let them know how they feel.” however, that Morrisville has threatened unanswered. A continued study of The Washington-based Na- to use eminent domain to acquire the HOAs may help to identify how and tional Coalition for the Homeless land at minimal cost for the developer why local governments are failing says Sarasota, Fla., is the meanest The 2010 census will get a dress unless a deal is reached, The News & to maximize returns for their resi- in the country in its treatment of the rehearsal in N.C. in 2008 Observer of Raleigh reports. dents and the knowledge provided homeless. The land at issue is a portion of by private governments could be Sarasota earned this distinction The Census will be coming soon, Family Farm Road, a private 13-foot- used to improve services, Agan and because it prohibits vagrants from and Moore County officials are start- wide and 300-foot-long road that leads Tabarrok say. camping out on public property. At- ing to prepare for the 2008 count, the to homes belonging to members of the lanta made the list because it banned Fayetteville Observer reports. Davis family. White and Centex Homes panhandling downtown. And Phoe- By constitutional requirement, the need to acquire right of way from the Census happens every 10 years, in years Municipal broadband loses nix made the list even though it is Davises to begin work on an 83-house building a $24 million “homeless ending in a zero. The Fayetteville area, neighborhood. White has offered more Advocates of municipal broad- campus.” Apparently a city’s shelters, however, was selected in January by than $10,000 for the sliver of land. band systems say they won’t cost free-meal kitchens, and social service the Census Bureau as the site of a dress After negotiations dragged on, taxpayers anything. Don’t believe programs mean little to this coalition, rehearsal two years earlier. The nine- Town Manager John Whitson became it, says Joseph Bast, president of the which pounds on cities to motivate county area, including Moore County, involved. Stating that getting the deal Heartland Institute. a public response to homelessness, was selected because of its diversity and done was for “the public’s benefit, not • Cedar Falls, Iowa, has had a says the Tampa Tribune. large transient military population. Fort the developer‘s,” Whitson threatened municipally owned communications A better way to encourage pub- Bragg and Pope Air Force Base will also to have the land condemned for $390 system for nine years. The system lic support for combating homeless- participate in the head count. unless a deal was reached. On Feb. 27, has covered its operating costs since ness would be to track a community’s The earlier test count lets the bu- the Morrisville commission voted, 5-2, to the second year, but not its capital success in coordinating efforts among reau try out new technologies such as begin eminent-domain proceedings. and finance costs. The Cedar Falls churches, nonprofits, and govern- GPS and its new counting techniques. “They should have stayed out of municipal communications system ment agencies. That’s a list that Like the 2010 count, the Census Bureau it,” landowner Bobby Davis Jr. said to has had negative free cash flow every would motivate cities, not dispar- will hire thousands of people to follow the newspaper. “I think it was a per- year but one. It is $3.1 million short age them. CJ up in person to households that don’t sonal problem between a landowner respond to the surveys sent by mail. and a developer.” CJ CAROLINA April 2006 JOURNAL Local Government 19 New Hyde County Court Facility Brews Controversy By KAREN WELSH fied the commissioners weren’t thinking Projected Cost of New The county already owned the land Contributing Editor of the future of the county when they Courthouse/Public Safety at the site and it didn’t make sense to RALEIGH decided to place the building at the same purchase new property in Swan Quar- contingent of Hyde County site. He asked the officials to consider Facility in Hyde County ter, he said. The struggling government citizens is condemning the placing the matter on a ballot and put- couldn’t afford the added expense, Construction $12,365,590 demolition of the county’s ting it before the voters. especially since construction costs have Auncondemned courthouse after local Gibbs agrees with his assessment. soared since Hurricane Katrina hit the commissioners voted unanimously to “They are building it in the floodplain Furnishings & Equip- $384,351 Gulf Coast in September. begin a $15 million rebuilding project. in the same place where it’s flooded ment Construction costs have risen from The new structure will house the judi- nine times. If we‘ve got to spend the $9 million to $14.8 million since the cial and public safety departments of money, let‘s put it up in a higher area Contingency $536,172 original estimate, he said. “We knew it the county. where it can be landscaped with plenty was going to go up,” he said. “But, we The decision to begin new con- of parking. Now it‘s going back up on Architect Fees $776,974 didn’t realize it would be that much. As struction was made after the courthouse, a tiny lot.” the government, you have a fine line of situated in Swan Quarter, was flooded Other residents complained about Technical Services $76,870 what you need and what you need for repeatedly in recent years. The latest spending a large sum of money while the more growth. We simply could not af- flood occurred in September 2003, when county’s population is decreasing. The Construction & Man- $393,384 ford to build more building.” the eye of Hurricane Isabel landed in the quick demolition of the old courthouse agement Fees As it stands, the major funding for area, causing a two- to four-foot storm shocked those who had asked for caution the project, $8 million, was appropriated surge to cover most of the county seat and rethinking. Preconstruction Ser- $128,600 from the Hurricane Recovery Act of 2005. and site of the historic courthouse. County Commissioner Jane Hodg- vices Howard said the rest would be raised About 800 of the county’s 5,500 es said the plans to reconstruct a new through various sources. residents have signed a petition to get courthouse were a long time in the Interim Interest $120,000 When it’s complete, the new a court injunction that would halt con- making. She said several well-publicized courthouse will sit on pilings 14 feet off struction of the building, Chamber of public meetings were conducted before TOTAL $14,782,390 the ground, seven feet higher than any Commerce President Jane Gibbs said. the demolition. known storm surge in the area. Most of the concerned residents want The commissioners considered “When I got here it was already de- Source: Hyde County Manager to know why one building had to be moving the building to another area of cided to rebuild in the same location,” he torn down and yet another portion has the county, but many residents of the said. “I think it was decided rather than remained to be cleaned up and used in county seat said the courthouse should quickly during the most recent flood, let it happen again to get the courthouse the near future, she said. stay in its present site, Hodges said. Hodges said. off the ground and start again.” Many county residents think some- “We were open to whatever we The other section, built in the 1930s, It’s a good decision because em- thing underhanded has been going on, could do within our budget constraints,” was destroyed, she said. Although it ployees were starting to be sickened by especially since the county commission- she said. “The majority of the people, was never condemned, Hodges said, it growing mold, Howard said. ers conducted a public meeting Jan. 30, however, said to leave [the courthouse] should be removed. The county doesn’t need a larger 2006, on the new building and then had in Swan Quarter. Without the court- Gibbs said she doesn’t think county courthouse, Howard said, because he contractors begin demolition on the site house, Swan Quarter would be dead. officials have made the right decision. doesn’t foresee the county staff increas- less than two weeks later, Gibbs said. It has failed to thrive since Hurricane She said many in the community, who ing, even if the population increases “The people of Hyde County are Isabel. That’s why people have fought now refer to the project as “the hole,” significantly. really upset over what’s going on,” Gibbs so long and so hard to keep it in Swan want a referendum. “This is a major Gibbs said county officials should said. “[County officials] are in a mighty Quarter.” issue,” she said. “It’s a countywide slow down and do the right thing be- hurry to get this done and the people are A solid concrete block with tunnels issue.” fore proceeding with the project. “I’m heartsick. It just makes my blood boil, was installed in the historical part of Hyde County Manager Kevin going to beg them to stop building the to tell you the truth.” the courthouse, built in the early 1800s, Howard said the decision to build the courthouse until it’s brought before the During the public meeting, Hyde after Hurricane Floyd. The tunnels new courthouse at the existing site was people,” Gibbs said. “It should have been County resident William Howard testi- allowed the water to flow in and out a matter of economics. on a referendum in the first place.” CJ

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From the Liberty Library Supreme Chaos

• Every week, President Pickering: Goal is to Strengthen the Judiciary Bush’s top strategists gather in the West Wing office of Karl Rove to plot • Judge Charles W. Pickering: Supreme emboldened the groups. He thinks the what they wryly call “strategery.” Chaos: The Politics of Judicial Confirmation ruling in Roe v. Wade that found a “right to The word was coined by comic & the Culture War; Stroud & Hall Publish- privacy” in the Constitution left the issue Will Ferrell in a “Saturday Night ers; 2005; pp 202; $24.95 hard cover. unsettled and should have been settled Live” skit that portrayed Bush as by the voters of each state. He also ad- an endearing dimwit. Far from be- By MELISSA MITCHELL dresses the recent Supreme Court ruling ing offended, the president’s men Contributing Editor on the outlawing of the Ten Command- adopted the term as a sort of ironic RALEIGH ments. Pickering sees this as a victory inside joke. In fact, they laughed all o one is more eminently for secularists, who want to remove all the way to re-election. Strategery, qualified to write a book titled religion from the public square. the book, is the behind-the-scenes Supreme Chaos: The Politics of The media, Pickering believes, is NJudicial Confirmation & the Culture War, complicit in creating the chaos within the story of that hard-fought election and the tumultuous year that fol- than Judge Charles W. Pickering. In confirmation process. “Few Americans lowed. It’s the third installment Supreme Chaos, Pickering presents an know or personally know anything in a multivolume set chronicling insider’s view of how the judicial nomi- about, nominees to the federal bench,” the Bush presidency, written by nation process has been influenced by he writes. Any information about these former Washington Times White left-wing special-interest groups and a candidates must be provided by the House correspondent Bill Sammon, few liberal Democrats. It is an influence news media. “A media culture forcing who was granted unprecedented that he thinks weakens the judicial and reporters to get the story no one else access to Bush, Vice President Dick legislative branches of government. has, or to write the story in a way no one Cheney, Rove, and other senior During the time he was a judge and else does, and to post the story before White House officials. Learn more a nominee, Pickering never commented anyone else can, is driving sloppy and at www.regnery. com. on the confirmation process, but now as inaccurate news reporting,” he says. a private citizen he believes that he can Along with sloppy reporting, Picker- share his thoughts on how to improve while others were filibustered on the ing cites the media as being in favor of • Left-wing radicals from the the process. “We must strengthen the Senate floor. Pickering often turns to the liberal special-interest groups, with 1960s have hung around academia judicial branch, not weaken it. This is the intent of the Founding Fathers to whose views they often agree. and hired people like themselves, the goal of my book,” he says. illustrate a point, which he does con- Pickering points to the danger of but if you thought they were all In 1990, President George H.W. cerning the use of the filibuster to defeat deeming ours a “living Constitution.” harmless, antiquated hippies, Bush nominated Pickering as a district judicial nominees. Pickering devotes “This evolving Constitution could be David Horowitz says you would judge for the Southern District of Mis- an entire chapter to the history of the called a ‘mystery Constitution’ because be wrong. In The Professors: The sissippi. At the time of the nomination, “filibuster.” Neither the Framers of the you don’t know what it means until the 101 Most Dangerous Academics in Pickering had practiced law for almost Constitution nor the Senate created the majority of the Supreme Court decides America, he says today’s radical 30 years and had extensive trial experi- filibuster; it came into being to stop civil what it means,” he says. Pickering points academics are legion. And far from ence. Pickering was not only approved rights legislation. out that the United States is “emphati- being harmless, they spew violent unanimously by the Senate Judiciary For more than 200 years of Ameri- cally termed a government of laws and anti-Americanism, preach anti- Committee, he was also unanimously can history, the fili- not of men,” but Semitism, and cheer on the killing approved to this lifetime appointment buster was used, the idea of a living by the entire Senate. for good or for ill, Constitution could of American soldiers and civilians “We must strengthen — all the while collecting tax dol- Because of his prior support, when only to block legis- lead to a govern- lars and tuition fees to indoctrinate President George W. Bush nominated lation. Never was the judicial branch, not ment of men, not students. Horowitz exposes 101 Pickering in 2001 to the Fifth Circuit it used to block of laws. academics — representative of Court of Appeals in New Orleans, it judicial nominees, weaken it. This is the Ironically, thousands of radicals who teach was assumed that Pickering would be Pickering says. He he notes that it is young people — who also happen a non-controversial nominee. However, notes that employ- goal of my book.” also dangerous for to be alleged ex-terrorists, racists, during the 10 years between his first ap- ing the filibuster liberals who sup- murderers, sexual deviants, anti- pointment and his second nomination, a to prevent confir- port the idea of a cultural and political war had reduced mation prevents living document. Semites, and al-Qaeda supporters. Charles W. Pickering Also from Regnery. the process to a partisan conflict rather the Senate from Every right that than a dignified process. fulfilling its “ad- Former federal judge they value could This time, Pickering would find vise and consent” Author of Supreme Chaos be overturned at • George W. Bush came to himself in a five-year, partisan battle that responsibility. the whim of the the presidency in 2000 claiming would malign his character and distort H e a l s o courts. to be the heir of Ronald Reagan. his record. Even though he had wide- points to the involvement of liberal When Pickering decided to write But while he cut taxes, in most spread support from both Republicans special-interest groups. These groups a book about his nomination ordeal, other respects he has governed in and Democrats, Pickering’s nomina- want liberal judges who will legislate he envisioned a three- or four-part a way utterly unlike his revered tion would never leave the Judiciary from the bench and who see the Consti- book, in which he says he planned to predecessor. Now Bruce Bartlett Committee in 2002. In 2003, Democrats tution as a document that evolves over “discuss the confirmation fight and its lays bare the incompetence and filibustered his nomination. Bush then time. The well-funded groups include causes,” his “reflections and observa- profligacy of Bush’s economic recess appointed Pickering in January the ACLU, National Organization for tions gleaned from the experience,” and policies in Impostor: How George 2004, and Republicans had 11 months to Women, People for the American Way a final section that would “advocate W. Bush Bankrupted America and gather the votes to break the filibuster. (whose president supports abortion solutions.” However, Hurricane Katrina Betrayed the Reagan Legacy. A highly That did not happen, and Pickering on demand, same-sex marriages, and disrupted that plan. In Supreme Chaos, respected Washington economist, decided to retire. accessibility of pornography on public he presents the reasons why the nomi- Bartlett started out as a supporter Pickering addresses what hap- library computers), Pro Choice America, nation process deteriorated into chaos. of Bush and helped him craft his pened in the years between his first and MoveOn.org. Each of these groups Pickering also gives a brief preview of tax cuts. But he was dismayed and second nominations. During the fears a conservative judiciary will stop his solutions to eliminate the chaos. by the way Bush executed them, intervening years, the process became its liberal agenda. “In the book to follow this without fiscal restraint. More a partisan battle between Republicans Pickering devotes several chap- one, I discuss my personal odyssey information at www.doubleday. and Democrats, with both sides block- ters to the influence and goals of these through the political jungle of con- com. CJ ing nominees. Some candidates were groups. He points to several instances firmation and elaborate on the solu- blocked in the Judiciary Committee, where decisions by liberal judges have tions I recommend,” he says. CJ CAROLINA April 2006 JOURNAL The Learning Curve 21 Bailey’s Conservative Manifesto Helped Stymie New Deal Programs

resident Franklin Delano Roosevelt and fulfill political ambition. Perhaps the court-packing schemes. When Roosevelt 7. Reduction of taxes, or if this had many fans, but North Carolina most consistent, sardonic, and possibly charged businesses to bring the nation proved impossible at the moment, firm Sen. Josiah Bailey, an author of the vicious criticism came from the pen of out of economic recession yet refused to assurance of no further increases. PConservative Manifesto of 1937, was Jonathan Daniels, editor of the Raleigh deregulate, Bailey had had enough. 8. Maintenance of state rights, not one. In a letter to anti-New Dealer News and Observer, who predicted that He then formed a bipartisan alli- home rule, and local self-government, Sen. Peter G. Gerry of Rhode Island, Bailey would show his true ideological ance to oppose further New Deal legis- except where proved definitely inad- Bailey wrote, colors once re-elected. lation. The torchbearers of liberty and equate. “Our President Daniels was right. Bailey acqui- delimited government worked secretly 9. Economical and nonpolitical is not actuated by esced initially to FDR so that, when to draft the Conservative Manifesto. relief to unemployed with maximum principle, but by the timing was right, he could one day But word soon leaked. Fearing political local responsibility. fears. He will try “fight a good and last fight” to check repercussions, many senators denied 10. The reliance upon the American to head off any- collectivism. coauthoring the document. Bailey, how- form of government and the American thing in order Government meddling in busi- ever, accepted responsibility. system of enterprise. that he may stay ness, Bailey believed, not only prolonged According to historian John Rob- Simply put, Bailey believed “the at the head.” the Depression but also ruined any ert Moore, the Conservative Manifesto repeal of irksome taxes, the ending of Yet, Bai- chance of real economic recovery and called for: government competition with business, ley in his first Dr. Troy sapped individual Americans’ integrity 1. Immediate revision of taxes on and the maintenance of states’ rights term (1930-1936) Kickler and hardiness. Bailey also regretted capital gains and undistributed profits would . . . bring the return of the busi- weakly resisted that progressives co-opted free-market in order to free investment funds. ness confidence necessary to stimulate the expansion of the federal government. terminology: “I am a great liberal when 2. Reduced expenditures to recovery.” The Tar Heel hoped to prop- Bailey was well aware of FDR’s popular- it comes to the fundamental meaning of achieve a balanced budget, and thus, erly balance enterprise and government ity in North Carolina and heavy-handed the word,” Bailey wrote North Carolina to still fears deterring business expan- intervention and remind FDR that bi- party leadership. Bailey also recalled Gov. O. Max Gardner, “but I am not a sion. partisan opposition to collectivization that his 1930 Senatorial election was liberal when they interpret liberalism in 3. An end to coercion and violence was possible. won, in great part, because he censured terms of a return to the old reactionary in relations between capital and labor. In the end, the Conservative Sen. Furnifold Simmons for party dis- system of centralized power and control 4. Opposition to “unnecessary” Manifesto stymied the New Deal and loyalty. As a result, Bailey voted only of the individual . . . .” government competition with private created momentum for a postwar con- against the Wagner Act, for it basically Re-elected to the U.S. Senate in enterprise. servatism that overturned many New placed the weight of government behind 1936, Bailey no longer feared political 5. Recognition that private invest- Deal programs. CJ organized labor. reprisal. In 1937, America experienced ment and enterprise require a reasonable Critics considered the North Caro- an economic recession, and partisan lines profit. lina senator’s political timidity and obse- blurred when conservative Republicans 6. Safeguarding the collateral Troy Kickler is director of the North quiousness as tactics to ensure reelection and Southern Democrats opposed FDR’s upon which credit rests. Carolina History Project. Don’t Bring a Knife

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Short Takes on Culture The Victory of Reason ‘Kong’ a Visual Masterpiece Stark Makes Short Work of Myths • “King Kong” (2005) now totally devoted. * Rodney Stark: The Victory of Reason: How Universal Home Entertainment What’s up with subscription ra- Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism, and Directed by Peter Jackson dio? A lot of the love for this medium Western Success; Random House; 2005; comes from what’s not up — end- 281 pp.; $25.95. cademy Award-winning less commercial segments, stations director Peter Jackson’s 2005 that use up-tempo percussion in the By MAXIMILIAN LONGLEY remake of the classic “King background for every news, traffic, or Contributing Editor AKong” lives up to the reputations weather interlude (making it nearly DURHAM of both the great ape and the direc- impossible to understand the speaker, odney Stark teaches social science tor, who has established himself as often), and programming that is only at Baylor University in Waco, one of the pre-eminent modern-day marginally acceptable and interesting Texas. He’s not your typical aca- filmmakers. Even those who already anyway. This content problem leads Rdemic social scientist, however. Rather know the story will thrill at Jackson’s to the dread “station-switching,” an than blaming Christianity for a wide fast-paced and engaging produc- activity that no doubt contributes to variety of social ills, he has made a name tion. many of the traffic accident announce- for himself by crediting Christianity for Kong is a visual masterpiece ments we are trying to understand the boons of Western civilization. combining lush art production, stun- over the constant sonic wallpaper of Stark’s latest book, The Victory of ning special effects, and powerful drums and hi-hat cymbals. Reason, elaborates on his thesis. Stark’s acting. Jack Black is perfect as Carl Not any more. My new Delphi latest production takes direct aim at the Denham, a cunning documentary MyFi XM portable can go from home standard academic narrative of West- filmmaker attempting to get by in De- to office, to the car, and for those ern history. In the standard narrative, pression-era New York City. Naomi whose looks and egos are goofy- secularists are the good guys, fighting Watts is understated and beautiful as proof, along for a walk outdoors. for reason, science, and freedom against Ann Darrow, the unlucky vaudeville As long as one is willing to wear the opposition from the bad guys, i. e. tradi- actress who captures Kong’s heart. specially designed satellite antenna tionalist Christians. The good guys, says advances, the Roman Catholic Church Even the supporting actors (Adrien on a baseball cap or armband (it looks the narrative, tried to expand beyond the even involved itself in them, investing Brody, Thomas Kretschmann) lend an like a microphone; is about the size boundaries of traditional narrow dogma money along with everyone else. Areas air of grim 1930s reality to Jackson’s of a digital voice recorder), mobile in order to understand the world around such as Holland, England, and Northern epic. reception is no problem at all. them, incurring the wrath of organized Italy were making economic strides long But the movie is not for the — KAREN PALASEK religion as it sought to repress free think- before Protestantism or secularism arose squeamish or the faint of heart. With ing and, for that matter, everything that in Europe. the exception of the first half hour, is true, good and beautiful. A spirit of scientific inquiry al- Kong races towards its inevitable ‘Spear’ has powerful end The standard academic portrays lowed these and other innovations as conclusion for the better part of 187 the pagan societies of Greece and Rome European scientists began investigating minutes. The adventure begins as • “End of the Spear” as scientifically and administratively the world around them. In the United soon as the foreboding and myste- Every Tribe Entertainment advanced. The invasion of the Western States, a dynamic and Christian people rious Skull Island emerges eerily Directed by Jim Hanon empire by Germanic tribes, who soon picked up these European trends and from the fog. The atmosphere on the became Christianized and established ran with them, raising freedom, science, island is no less unsettling; Jackson’s If you grew up in an evangeli- numerous feudal polities all over Eu- and capitalism to new heights. bloodthirsty natives are particularly cal church, then likely you know the rope, is said to have inaugurated the Stark contrasts this progress with sinister. Once the adventure is re- basic story of “End of the Spear” Dark Ages and Middle Ages, during the history of other civilizations, espe- ally under way, tyrannosaurs and — Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, and three which everyone withdrew into autarkic cially China and the Islamic world. These giant cretaceous insects occupy the other American missionaries were manorial enclaves and lives of supersti- mighty civilizations, having reached a characters’ and audiences’ attention. slaughtered by the murderous Wao- tion and ignorance. certain plateau of development, stag- There are, however, rare moments of dani tribe the very first time they met Only the Renaissance and the nated. The tenets of Confucianism (in relaxation in between the dazzling in the Ecuadoran Amazon. Enlightenment, which were opposed China) and Islam (in the Moslem world) action sequences; a shared sunset What you may not know is the by bigoted Christians, rescued Europe were hostile to the sort of progress and in- between Kong and Darrow is the rest of the story of what the widows from this condition. America, of course, novation Stark chronicles, glorifying the most memorable. and Nate’s 8-year-old son Steve did is the heir to the Renaissance/Enlighten- warrior or the aristocrat rather than the Although the stunning cinema- afterward, and the incredible inter- ment legacy. merchant. Islam’s ban on usury thwarts tography makes this film best viewed twinings of the families of the slain Such is the myth, and Stark makes capitalism by repressing banking. on the big screen, it’s definitely worth missionaries and the warriors who short work of it. What’s the root cause of the West’s renting, and might even be one for the killed them. The ancient Greeks, while they unique progress? Stark places the credit permanent home collection. The film develops the story from were great at philosophical speculation, with the Christian religion. Other re- — JENNA ASHLEY both sides through the eyes of Steve never made the transition to empirical ligions, Stark says, have a static view ROBINSON and key members of the Waodani, science as we know it today. The Roman of human nature, involving repeated treating the tribe with dignity and Empire repressed economic freedom, cycles of death and rebirth, for example, Hooked on XM compassion — the film was made stifling potential capitalist develop- or they put too great a distance between with their cooperation and permis- ment. The famous Roman roads were humanity and the divine. • XM Satellite Radio sion — and showing both the passion horrible. The supposedly barbarous Christianity, in contrast, teaches Satellite Broadcast Radio Service and the pain of the missionaries. Germanic invaders and their succes- about a God who intervenes in his- www.xmradio.com The story spans 50 years to bring sors advanced the frontiers of human tory, not to sustain a repeating cycle of the adult Steve back to an unexpected knowledge beyond what the Romans events, but to carry out a once-and-for- I am serious. This is the best 1994 confrontation with the people had known, making useful innovations all scheme of creation and redemption. thing since books. Not being a huge who made him fatherless. in agriculture, military science, and other Christianity has a linear and progressive TV fan, and in near-total despair It’s a powerful story, well told areas of human endeavor. view of history. over the truly abysmal production and beautifully filmed — I’ve got to The much-derided Dark Ages and It’s not surprising, as Stark sees it, and content of most broadcast radio, say two thumbs up, and if I had more Middle Ages saw economic advances as that people holding this religious world I took the plunge at Christmas and I’d give them, too. the development of banking financed view would use their intellects in a pur- bought a portable XM radio. I am — HAL YOUNG CJ the beginnings of capitalism as we poseful manner in emulation of God’s know it today. Far from opposing these purposeful actions in history. CJ CAROLINA April 2006 JOURNAL The Learning Curve 23 ‘Capote’ the Film Reminds Us of Capote the Person • “Capote”; directed by Bennett Miller; As the camera pans (they were having die. But it’s also crucial that Smith open produced by Caroline Brown, William through the party dinner at Dewey’s up about the murders, providing Capote Vince, and Michael Ohoven; starring you expect to see the house when the with the gripping climax to his book. The Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine wan little fellow, in- call came in that two had a strange relationship going for Keener, Chris Cooper, Clifton Collins stead of the heavier- the criminals had a couple of years as Smith clammed up Jr., and Mark Pellegrino; 1 hour, 38 set Hoffman. The been captured) and Capote lost interest in the appeal. minutes; rated R. audience is treated would be viewed On the other side, Capote continu- to a couple of Ca- with contempt to- ally had to ward off his publisher, who By SAM A. HIEB pote monologues day. He also wasn’t was eager to get it in print. “Why are Contributing Editor over the course of afraid to perform an you doing this to me,” Capote cried in GREENSBORO the movie, a real extreme brand of drunken anguish one night. he story is well-known. On Nov. treat considering checkbook journal- Smith finally spilled, giving the 15, 1959, Perry Smith and Dick the grim subject ism, through brib- book and the movie its climax. If you’re Hickcock entered the Clutter fam- matter. ing a prison warden faint-hearted, it helps to know the mur- Tily home in Holcomb, Kan., looking for But most of the to have unlimited ders in “Capote” are recreated in a quick, a safe holding the family fortune. When movie is set in Kan- access to Smith on camera-darting scene. they didn’t find the safe, they shot all sas, where Capote death row. Where the movie came up short four family members in the head. employs his own So what about was that it didn’t really show Capote The crime was so shocking that it brand of journal- Capote’s relation- performing the monumental task of made the pages of The New York Times, ism while research- ship with Smith? actually writing the book. That’s the where it caught the attention of the flam- ing the “nonfiction Collins does an ex- hardest part, any writer will tell you. I boyant author Truman Capote. Sensing novel.” He’s accom- cellent job portray- would have liked to have seen Capote a story, Capote immediately traveled to panied by his best friend Harper Lee ing a killer with a sensitive and articulate sweating over the keyboard, poring over Holcomb, befriended everyone on all (Catherine Keener), who would go on side. Collins had a lot to live up to, notes, checking facts by phone, tearing sides of the case, and spent five years to write the classic To Kill A Mockingbird. considering the fact that, in real life, up pages. writing what would become his best- They were on the scene almost imme- Capote always stood in awe of Robert The movie is well-filmed. It’s cold selling book In Cold Blood. Capote was diately, attending press conferences and Blake’s dead-on portrayal of Smith in and dark in Kansas, and you feel it. But catapulted to celebrity status. Smith getting time with investigators when the 1967 film adaptation. While Blake the relative lack of action makes it a fine and Hickcock had the floor jerked from they could. certainly did an excellent job, Collins DVD or video rental. Again, Capote was underneath them with nooses around Neither Capote nor Lee took a is physically more realistic as a half- his own main character in the drama that their necks. single note while interviewing subjects. Cherokee Midwestern drifter who had was his life after the success of In Cold While the Clutter murders are Capote loved to brag about his “94 per- lived a hard rural life. Blood. The book gave rise to the creative well-documented in Capote’s nonfiction cent recall,” and indeed such skill is very It’s well known that Capote was nonfiction literary genre, which has gone account as well as a critically acclaimed beneficial, as any journalist will tell you infatuated with Smith, though surpris- on to produce a number of fine accounts feature film, Capote himself, while cer- that furiously scribbling notes interferes ingly the movie doesn’t explore Smith’s of true crime right here in North Carolina tainly a character in real life, remained with getting to know your subject. sexual confusion. Capote thought he and from authors such as Jerry Bledsoe and in the background, as good journalists The movie addresses some serious Smith were kindred spirits, both having Joe McGinniss. do. But in “Capote”, Bennett Miller’s ethical issues that are still prominent suffered from neglect as children. Capote’s next great work never Oscar-nominated film, he becomes the in journalism today. Capote’s smooth “It’s as if Perry and I grew up in saw print. He was content to play the main character in the drama that gripped demeanor eventually gained him access the same house, and he stood up and role of the drunken little man on talk Holcomb. to all the key players, including lead in- went out the back door while I went out shows and in cameo appearances in And what a character he is. We vestigator Alvin Dewey (Chris Cooper) the front,” Capote said. Capote helped movies before dying of complications first hear Capote’s voice at a party in and Smith (Clifton Collins Jr.), who was Smith and Hickcock get new lawyers from alcoholism in 1984. It’s important New York. Phillip Seymour Hoffman, being held in the sheriff’s quarters. for their appeal. to remember he was much more than who won the Oscar for his portrayal of Capote’s cozy social relationship Capote makes the statement sev- that. “Capote” reminds us of the real Ca- Capote, does a dead-on impersonation. with Dewey while the case was still live eral times that he’s not ready to see Smith pote. CJ

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April 2006 CAROLINA 24 Opinion JOURNAL

Commentary The System Made Black Do It

here is plenty of mocking No, much of our mode of tax and sneering in Raleigh these collection requires me to abide by days over House Speaker Jim the age-old honor system. How- TBlack’s present difficulties, which ever, unlike the oppressive political surround his questionable practice of system that Black and his brethren handing out political favors concur- find themselves stuck in, I am so rently with distributing blank $100 glad our tax collection system has checks to legislative supporters. not coerced me to compromise my A lot of people are blaming ethics! it on “the system.” A But as we know, Feb. 2 editorial in The the only way for Black Charlotte Observer said to keep his job as House “a system in which lob- Speaker was to collect byists raise money for all those funds from his legislators whose votes fond followers, like the help or hurt their cli- optometrists, video poker ents is open to conflicts vendors, and chiroprac- of interests at best and tors. The “system” forced Editorial outright corruption at him to chop the quanti- worst.” Stopping short Paul ties into undetectable of calling on Black to Chesser increments, so he could Classroom Experiment Arrogant resign as speaker, The Ob- reward the party-switching server said “overall he has former Rep. Michael Decker, hould boys and girls attend classes • Increases competition (usually done little more than other legisla- whose vote was vital in Black’s eyes together, in single-sex groups, or for boys — as a motivator); tive leaders in the past and present to help him retain at least part of in some combination of single-sex • Reduces peer pressure (elimi- who have effectively wielded the the Speaker job. Sand mixed-sex classes? The question is nating labels such as “nerd,” “dummy,” power the system allows them to I too, every day, am con- as ambiguous as the answers. In some and “teacher’s pet”); exercise….The problem isn’t simply fronted with a similar dilemma. cases, it appears that educators are seek- • Allows more boy-centric or the people, it’s the process.” Do I try to extract financial gain for ing more boy-typical behaviors from girl-centric learning styles, responses, or Many of Black’s fellow Demo- myself or for my employer, Carolina girls and more girl-typical behavior from topics (if the students are uncomfortable crats believe the issue is procedural Journal, in exchange for favorable boys. Often, single-sex programs are with other-sex styles); and also. reporting about those contribu- unclear as to the goals they seek. • Reduces sex-based expectations “The problem is with the tors? Or do I just try to do a good, Recently, talk about placing and stereotyping (they should not be system,” said state party chairman fair job? Thank God I have those boys and girls in separate classrooms pigeonholed into “girl” topics/styles vs. Jerry Meek to the Associated Press options in the system I toil in! How has emerged from an experiment in “boy” styles — this is really a feminist on Feb. 15. “Everybody under- paralyzed and helpless the Raleigh Carrboro’s McDougle Middle School. A equity complaint). stands it is.” politicians must feel in theirs. Carrboro middle-school teacher, Doro- Does boy-girl interaction in school Claiming to have spoken to Meanwhile, the sheer audacity thy Works, a 31-year teaching veteran or in class do any good at all? One “many members of the legislature,” of the North Carolina media in their who is retiring after this school year, wouldn’t know it, given the litany above, Meek told The Observer, “It is clear criticism of Black is disturbing. decided to test her theory on some of but the answer, we feel, is yes. There are that they don’t like the current Take, for instance, the insensitive the school’s students. valuable lessons that mixed classes and system and that they feel that the and unsympathetic editorialists at She didn’t consult the school mixed company convey. They include: system itself, not any individual the Wilmington Star-News, who said superintendent nor the school board; • Learning to deal with the op- members of the legislature, is to of Black, “the N.C. House under parents and children were notified the posite sex. Most boys will marry girls, blame for the loss of confidence in him looks like a teenager’s bed- Friday afternoon before the split took and vice versa. Intellectual, physical, the process among some members room and smells like rotting shrimp place Monday. Works didn’t want “to and emotional respect for the opposite of the public.” in a sun-baked dumpster.” Or the run the risk of someone saying, ‘No, sex is tougher to learn in a vacuum. Well, that’s quite a system, if it slightly more charitable opinion no, no.’” • Civilization. Girls civilize boys’ overwhelms the personal integrity writers at the Wilson Daily Times, Discussions about boy-girl brain behavior, and vice versa. (Surprise!) of those who participate in it and who said he “flagrantly used his differences, distractions, socialization, Boys will do things in the company of forces them into unethical behavior. office to peddle favorable treatment maturity, intimidation, learning styles, boys that they would never do in mixed I didn’t know the political system for his cronies and friends.” expression, discrimination, and aca- company. was so much more powerful than Don’t they know Black has demic rigor have been around for quite As for the Carrboro experiment, other organizational structures that a “system” he has to work under some time. In public education, single- whether results are good or bad, Works depend heavily on the honesty of here? sex schools and classes are unusual and made a poor and an arrogant decision to their participants. It makes you wonder where often controversial, but allowed under separate her students. Her action dem- Take for instance our method Rep. Jennifer Weiss, D-Wake, was specific circumstances. onstrates disrespect for these children’s of income tax collection. As a jour- coming from when she told The Here are some possible reasons parents. nalist who writes freelance articles Charlotte Observer, “It troubles me for which parents might want to choose If we want kids to behave well on the side, I receive payments that assumptions are going to be single-sex schools or classes for their for whatever reason, including better from publications that usually pay made that we all do business like children, for all or part of their academic academic performance, we need to make only $50 to $100 a pop, and they that, because we don’t.” careers. The single-sex setting: sure they see good behavior in the adults don’t accumulate enough to require She must hail from a planet in • Reduces distraction from aca- around them. those organizations to issue me an entirely different “system.” CJ demic work and increases academic Modeling behavior that says it’s (or the IRS) a 1099 form stating performance (because social concerns OK to disrespect others, to act with annual totals paid to me. In other distract); impunity on your wishes, and to treat words, the amounts are so low they • Serves health, religious, or ethi- your goals as too important to merit don’t have to be formally identified or Paul Chesser is an associate edi- cal concerns; consulting others’ opinion is the wrong reported. tor of Carolina Journal. • Reduces competition (usually message to send. The experiment might for girls — as a motivator); end, but the lesson will linger. CJ CAROLINA April 2006 JOURNAL Opinion 25 Road Funds ‘Tipping Point’ Commentary Technology will facilitate new ways to finance highways Spending Other People’s Money et’s go way far out on a limb and rather than gasoline consumed, there is predict that there will not be a at least some conversation about an idea he phrase “Other People’s state” pay for educational offer- groundswell of popular support that, until quite recently, was viewed Money” has given us the ings that local communities — be Lanytime soon for the creation of a new as purely theoretical, politically impos- title of a pretty funny Danny they rural counties in the East or set of toll roads and mileage fees in North sible, or both. TDeVito film and a slew of late-night West or urban counties beset by Carolina. However, we do agree with Despite the rise of the SUV, average television “specials” urging viewers high costs and inner-city troubles Kenneth Orski, publisher of transpor- fuel economy in the motor-vehicle fleet to learn how to buy real estate with — could not and should not have tation research via his Urban Mobility has increased. Motorists effectively pay no money down. Its most pernicious to afford on their own. I’ve always Corporation, that highway pricing might less in tax per mile driven than they used use, however, is in the pub- wondered what this be close to the “tipping point” made to, not a trend likely to keep highway lic policy debate as a way was supposed to mean famous by author Malcolm Gladwell. investment sufficient to accommodate to obscure what’s really in practice. Is there a Orski, a former administrator at growing traffic. North Carolina’s - “so going on with government category of North Caro- the federal Urban Mass Transportation lutions” to the problem, consisting of a finances. lina suburban counties Administration and a 30-year veteran variable component to its excise tax on I used to think it whose residents can ob- of transportation-policy wars, argued motor fuels and a lot of wishful thinking, was strictly the fiscal- viously afford to pay for in a recent edition of his newsletter, are inadequate and themselves politi- conservative version of their own schools as well Innovation Briefs, that “highway tolling cally unsustainable. an urban myth, but then as the schools of city and private financing are gaining new Meanwhile, it has become tech- I actually heard people and countryside? Does converts among governors and state nologically feasible, using the global- say that “we” shouldn’t that category include transportation officials, in state legisla- positioning system, to install markers have to pay for a certain suburbanizing counties tures, and in the media.” As evidence, in automobiles and track not only their program, the “govern- such as Union, Cabarrus, he pointed to proposals since the begin- mileage but also their use of particularly ment” should. There Davidson, and Johnston? ning of the year in California, Virginia, congested roadways. Germany already really are millions of If not, which ones? Maryland, Texas, Washington, Indiana, successfully operates a satellite-based voters who believe that if a politi- The OPM problem isn’t Utah, Georgia and South Carolina to system for charging trucks to use some cian promises them a “free” good, limited to issues of on-budget set up or expand public-private part- 7,500 miles of autobahns, while demon- it won’t cost them anything. Their expenditure. Millions of people nerships to build tollways. He might stration projects are underway in Oregon misapprehension is helped along believe that their employers “give” have included recent activity by North and Washington to use GPS-based track- by such devices as income-tax them health care coverage, so if Carolina’s new authority to create a ing technology to price roads. withholding, which makes some current changes in tax and regula- priority list for new tollways in several It would be good news if policy- welcome as good news the pros- tory policy result in more indi- corridors across the state. makers began a serious discussion of pect of a tax refund (it’s really vidual ownership of health plans As for charging motorists to use these challenging issues. It would mean evidence that you have made an and savings accounts, they won’t state highways according to miles driven the tipping point is close at hand. CJ interest-free loan to the tax collec- be “given” their health coverage tor), and retail sales taxes, which anymore. This is poppycock. Take keep taxpayers from realizing how it from an employer who knows: Hotel Taxes Also Paid By Locals much government costs them over the dollars paid to workers in the the course of a year. form of health benefits are simply Visitors will cut back on other spending due to higher hotel bills Other iterations of the OPM part of the total cost of compensat- myth pervade state political ing those workers. he city of Charlotte is about to literature about the incidence of vari- debates. For example, there is a Perhaps workers rationally have a new government-funded ous taxes — but none at all about the major move afoot in Raleigh right prefer to receive non-wage benefits tourist attraction — the NASCAR fact that taxes affect many more people now to convince state lawmakers rather than cash — either be- THall of Fame — but it won’t cost local than simply those to whom the taxes are to put some costly bond issues cause of the tax advantages or the residents any new taxes, say the city formally charged. on the November ballot. Water presumed comparative advantage and county officials who favor the deal. In the hotel-tax case, many deci- and sewer needs will cost North of employers as bulk purchasers That’s because most of the cost, $118 mil- sions about lodging are made in a highly Carolina localities $7 billion in just of insurance products — but that lion out of $155 million for the museum competitive atmosphere. A difference the next half-decade, the argument doesn’t change the fact that ben- and attached facilities, will come from in hotel bills of a few dollars may not goes, and “they” can’t afford it all. efits and cash are substitutes. higher taxes levied on hotel stays. seem like much, but in bulk it can make “State government” should pick That is, employers do not Not only was this argument used or break a deal to attract a gathering or up at least $1 billion of the cost in a buy health insurance and “give” it in print and broadcast coverage of the weekend getaway. When hotel prices new statewide bond. to workers. They resell the insur- Hall of Fame announcement, but also rise, some visitors won’t change their Of course, North Carolinians ance to the workers in exchange by supportive politicians at a John behavior at all. Others will choose to liable for state taxes are also liable for the workers’ productive out- Locke Foundation Headliner Luncheon pay the higher price but then cut back on for county and usually for munici- put. recently in Charlotte. But with respect, other expenditures during the trip, such pal taxes, too. They aren’t different Beware of those who promise to suggest that hotel taxes do not cost as meals or entertainment. Still others groups of people. If what water- you can gain some benefit or ad- local residents anything is fundamen- will decide to go elsewhere. bond supporters really mean is vantage by the costless expropria- tally to misunderstand the concept of Thus, those who actually bear that Charlotteans and Ashevillians tion of “Other People’s Money.” tax incidence. much of the cost of a higher hotel tax in and Wilmingtonians ought to pay The “others” to whom they refer To put it simply, he who writes Charlotte aren’t from far away. They are for their own water as well as the include, well, you. CJ the check to the taxman may not actu- local business owners and employees, in water used by people in Kinston ally bear the cost of the tax. When a tax hotels as well as other industries cater- and Murfreesboro, they should pushes up the price of a good or service, ing to visitors. just say so. And it might be wise buyers and sellers respond. In some Charlotte is in a highly competi- not to mention what has happened John Hood is president of the cases, the higher price gets passed along tive market for business or pleasure to previous statewide bond issues John Locke Foundation and the author to the consumer. travel, a market now based on quick predicated on similar assumptions. of Selling the Dream: Why Adver- But if consumers can find substi- price comparisons on the Internet. In Along the same lines, for tising is Good Business, available tutes for the good or service in ques- this environment, much of the real some of its advocates the Leandro from Praeger. Contact him at jhood@ tion, it may be in the interest of sellers cost of hotel taxes is borne by local johnlocke.org. to eat the loss and keep the price level. companies and workers in the form of litigation was about making “the There is a lot of disagreement in the tax lost sales and wages. CJ April 2006 CAROLINA 26 Opinion JOURNAL

Editorial Briefs

Strategic Petroleum Reserve

The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve has been touted by politicians and energy economists as one of the best means to protect the nation against oil supply shocks, but studies have found that there is little evidence for the proposition that government inventories are necessary to protect the country against supply disruptions, Jerry Taylor and Peter Van Doren of the Cato Institute say. SPR, a federally owned and operated stock- pile of 700.1 million barrels of oil in Texas and Louisiana, has been used only three times since it was created in 1975. In each of those instances, the releases were too modest and, with the exception of the 2005 release during Hurricane Katrina, too late to produce any significant benefits. The cost associated with SPR have been larger than the benefits, Taylor and Van Doren said. A conservative estimate finds that SPR has cost taxpayers at least $41.2 billion to $50.8 billion (in 2004 dollars), or $64.64-$79.58 per bar- rel of oil deposited. Accordingly, the premium associated with the insurance provided by SPR is high, relative to market prices for oil, even during 2005. SPR’s insurance policy is unlikely to pay off in the future either, since major oil supply For Some Time, Oil Will Be In Our Future shocks are much rarer than many believe, the executive branch has been unwilling to use the n this year’s State of the Union address, Presi- not reflected in the price of gasoline. reserve as quickly and robustly as economists dent Bush challenged the country to end its Second is the claim that some of the country’s recommend and the benefits from a release are addiction to oil, particularly foreign oil. Oil military and foreign aid expenditures are directly Isupplies 40 percent of the nation’s energy needs, related to ensuring foreign oil supplies from un- overstated. Policymakers should resist calls to and foreign oil accounts for 60 percent of all our oil stable regions, and these costs are also not included increase the size of the reserve and instead sell usage, up from one-third 20 years ago. As is well in the price of oil-based products. the oil and eventually terminate the program, known, a significant part of foreign-supplied oil When these two costs are estimated, and Taylor and Van Doren said. comes from regions that have political and security I must quickly add there are several important issues. assumptions that make the calculations open to Yet remember the well-used phrase, “If it was debate, they suggest gasoline may be under-priced Studying development aid so easy, it would have already hap- by as much as $1 to $1.50 per gallon. In pened.” Unfortunately, this comment other words, the full cost of gasoline, applies directly to our oil usage. There including both pollution and national- Bill and Melinda Gates have been pouring are no other fuels readily available today security expenditures, would today be billions into programs designed to help the health that provide the versatility and cost between $3.25 and $3.75 a gallon! of residents in poor nations. To determine the advantages of oil. Simply put, oil and Still, at these prices there wouldn’t return various projects generate, Gates helped its derivatives have no immediate viable be a mass exodus from the gas pumps. finance a World Bank investigation into the ef- alternatives. Research shows oil usage would drop ficiency of measures to improve the health of But wait, wait — what about fuels about 15 percent. the world’s poor. such as ethanol, battery packs, and solar So, this leaves an unpleasant power? It’s technically possible to power Michael realization. Barring some technological The World Bank studied the results of Walden programs meant to help the poor and found that a significant part of our economy with breakthrough, independence from for- even programs designed to reach poor people these sources. So why can’t we begin eign oil will not be achieved quickly and often end up instead helping the better-off. to move away from oil and gasoline toward these without cost. We can tax gasoline substantially more In almost all of the more than 20 countries home-grown fuels? in order to motivate people to use non-oil alterna- surveyed, the richest 20 percent of the population We probably will, in small steps. But don’t tives, but in the interim suffer the stress this would look for the alternatives to supplant a major share put on family budgets. received more, or as much of, the government’s of the petroleum market for one basic reason Or, we can heavily subsidize energy alterna- subsidized maternal and child health-care ser- — economics. Even with hefty public subsidies and tives through government grants and programs vices as the poorest 20 percent. Studies of Cote today’s prices of oil and gas, when up-front as well so that the price that consumers pay for the alter- d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, as operating costs are considered, the alternatives natives is in line with the price of oil-based fuels. South Africa, and Tanzania all have shown that still aren’t cheaper for the large majority of con- However, the costs of these government efforts are government spending on health supports up- sumers. One study estimated that ethanol becomes ultimately borne by either today’s or tomorrow’s per-income groups. competitive only when gas hits $3.50 a gallon and taxpayers. The World Bank remains optimistic that stays there. Either way, energy independence from oil, such programs for the poor can be made to Advocates of energy alternatives don’t take which most desire, won’t come anytime soon. Once work. On the other hand, the World Bank was this analysis lying down. They say alternatives do again, there’s no free lunch. CJ founded almost six decades ago and only now is measure up, in dollars and sense, when the full releasing reports showing that some of the most costs of oil are considered. Specifically, they argue promoted programs for the poor in the history of that oil and gasoline are under-priced! the world are more likely to benefit the rich, says Their reasoning is that oil and gas prices don’t Michael L. Walden is a William Neal Reynolds dis- author James Peron in TSC Daily. CJ account for two “external costs” created by the tinguished professor at North Carolina State University fuels. One is pollution, the cost of which, they say, is and an adjunct scholar of the John Locke Foundation. CAROLINA April 2006 JOURNAL Opinion 27 ‘Green Dorms’ Waste Resources; Headline Was In Error

To the editor, ings” of $11,275 is overwhelmed by the visit to Florence [S.C.]. He made that same way. End of story. minimum to cover interest of $17,858, let donation out of friendship and affection As you can see, I did not make a Maybe I’m missing something, but alone the $14,882 (or will it be $22,323?) for me although, I am sure, it must have contribution to Mr. Moore. Nor was the in the “Renovated Dorm Uses Green amortization. Taxpayers pay an extra entailed some embarrassment among his contribution made without Lorraine’s Heating” story (CJ Feb. ’06) it seems to me $21,465 for this hot water, an amount that North Carolina Democrat friends. knowledge. the headline ought to be “Solar-Powered must accrue onto the initial investment In the fall of 2005 Allen asked me I fully support almost all of the Hot-Water System ad infinitum — a true waste of human for a contribution to a candidate, or objectives of the John Locke Founda- Wastes Human resources. former candidate, in North Carolina tion, having held it in high regard for Energy.” Letters Allen T. Hyde of whom he thinks well. I reminded several years. It would be thoughtful P e r h a p s Newland, N.C. Allen that I do not support Democrats, and kind if you would issue a correction. some facts were but because of the former favor he had I write simply to set the record straight missing in the sto- to the rendered me I did say that I knew people by repeating what I actually told Mr. ry, but if $446,455 To the editor, who were not ashamed to support Carrington. was used to save Editor Democrats and that I would do what I a n e s t i m a t e d I am the victim of your [online] could to help him raise some campaign Yours very truly, $11,275 per year story bylined March 20, 2006 which bears contributions for his candidate. My aunt Reynolds Williams in hot-water bills the result is a rate of the headline “Woman with Dementia Lorraine knows Allen very fondly and is Florence, S.C. return of 2.5 percent. (Given the nature of Backs Moore; Contribution from 96- aware that Allen and his brothers have the grants I assume they supplemented, year-old given by nephew without her been very kind to members of Lorraine’s not replaced, funds for a standard heat- knowledge.” family. Lorraine is a 96-year-old, keenly [Editor’s note: The article to which Mr. ing system.) In comparison, the current As a conservative who normally intelligent and quite gracious woman Williams refers appeared on CarolinaJournal. prime rate of 7.5 percent, less inflation of votes Republican, and never voted Dem- who had a successful career. She does com on March 20, 2006. It originally had 3.5 percent, gives a minimum required ocrat, I need to set the record straight have some short-term memory loss, but the erroneous subhead correctly quoted in return in the neighborhood of 4 percent by repeating exactly what I told your is very aware of the objects of her affec- his letter. That subhead, originally written to break even on the interest cost. reporter, Mr. [Don] Carrington, in the tion. When I asked her if she minded online based on a description of the story, If we make a truly heroic assump- two conversations I had with him. making a contribution to the North was changed almost immediately to read: tion that the solar system will last 30 In the 2004 Presidential run-up I Carolina Democrat for whom Allen was “Contribution from 96-year-old given in years, then there is a $14,882 amorti- prevailed upon my brother-in-law and soliciting, she readily agreed. her name by nephew.” zation (or $22,323 for 20 years) of the friend, Allen G. Thomas, a registered All of Lorraine’s bills and pur- Mr. Williams had not seen that change principal investment to contend with. Democrat from Wilson [N.C.], to make chases are paid for her pursuant to a at the time he wrote his letter. However, CJ No doubt, maintenance costs will require a significant contribution to the Bush- lawful, valid, binding, and recorded offered to run his letter in its print edition for skilled labor, too. Cheney re-election campaign because I power of attorney. Her contribution to clarification and Mr. Williams agreed. In any case, the first year “sav- was one of the sponsors form Mrs. Bush’s Mr. [Richard] Moore was effected in the Carolina Journal regrets the error.] Upcoming Elections: Problems, Challenges and Opportunities

an we talk? I hope so, because I The American people at this of Katrina, the Bush administration to the plate” and responding should believe it’s time for a frank dis- point in time by a margin of 53 to 39 and the Republican Party should not another disaster strike America. The cussion within the Republican percent would prefer that the Demo- underestimate America’s disappoint- bureaucratic problems that transpired CParty and the conservative movement crats take control of Congress. ment with the lack of response to the after FEMA became a part of the about the upcoming elections and the Let me point out that in 1994 disaster. For the first time many in Homeland Security Administration direction in which we’re headed. when Republicans took control of the America questioned whether the Bush must be fixed, and fast. To set the stage going into the House for the first time in 40 years, administration was “up to the task” in At this time there has been an 2006 elections there are several recent these were the same types of margins time of crisis. ever-increasing disconnect between polls that I would that Republicans were enjoying before As the polls indicate, many the American people and the “inside like to share with that election. people think that the president is not the beltway” crowd with regard to you. So how does the president and dealing effectively with the crisis on illegal immigration. In a time of war According to the Republican Party find themselves the Mexican border. By not doing so, I securing our borders must be a top the RealClearPoli- in this dilemma? believe he risks alienating his conser- priority. tics website, which Let me briefly identify some of vative base and those Reagan blue- The president needs to demon- averages the major the front-burner issues. collar Democrats who historically strate the same leadership he exhib- surveys on the Issues: The war in Iraq, the han- helped create the Republican electoral ited after Sept 11. opinions of the dling of Katrina, the illegal-immigra- majority. Perhaps he should consider do- American public, tion issue, federal spending, and the To date, and to the great dismay ing something bold, such as: Marc President Bush has Rotterman Dubai ports fiasco. of many conservatives, Bush has yet * Putting troops on our borders. a job approval rat- Make no mistake about it, the to veto a single spending bill. Our * Keeping Congress in session ing of 37 percent. president’s legacy is on the line in national debt is more than $8 trillion. until the tax cuts are made permanent A recent ABC News/Washington Iraq. The outcome of the war in Iraq Then there is the Dubai Ports and the estate tax is eliminated. Post poll found that only 39 percent will mainly be dictated by events on deal, which by any measure was a po- * Vetoing a major spending bill. of Americans approved of the presi- the ground. The political will of the litical nightmare for the Bush adminis- * Making staff changes in the dent’s handling of the war in Iraq. president, the American people, and tration and the Republican Party. White House A Time Magazine Survey, taken their elected representatives will also Many were asking how the Bush As outlined above, this is a time in late January, found that 61 percent influence the end result. administration, which had been so of both peril and great opportunity for of Americans disapprove of the job If, on Election Day, Americans disciplined, could suddenly be “politi- America. The party that deals with the Bush is doing when it comes to illegal think that the Iraq War is headed in cally tone deaf.” tough questions will win the voters’ immigration and securing America’s the right direction and that our troops But as they say, the game isn’t confidence. CJ borders. will be home in a timely manner, then over until the fat lady sings. We One final survey taken by CNN/ fate may well smile on the Republican must adjust and find solutions to the USA Today and the Gallup organiza- Party. If not, it might be a long night problems that currently confront the tion asked the question, “What is your for Republicans. nation. Marc Rotterman is a senior fellow of party preference in the upcoming With respect to the devastation First and foremost, FEMA must the John Locke Foundation and Treasurer congressional elections?” and the handling of the aftermath be seen as capable of “stepping up of the American Conservative Union April 2006 C a r o l i n a 28 Parting Shot Journal A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the, er, Schoolhouse (a CJ parody)

By KAREN WELSH Act II—The Next Morning class? there’s only one cause it can be. Contributing Editor Pseudolus: I’m sorry, Mother. The Teacher: Learning, I hear, makes RALEIGH Teacher: Slaves, er, I mean stu- book makes me dream of being a Roman, you sigh a lot. And I hear, leaves you ith apologies to Stephen dents! We are about to start our testing. of being free! weak. I have a confession. I saved your Sondheim, Larry Gelbart and Stop cringing and fetch your pencils. Mother: Pseudolus! People do not book from the circular file. Richard Lester, not to mention Pseudolus? go about freeing students, especially in Pseudolus: Thank you! WZero Mostel, Phil Silvers and Buster Pseudolus: the public school system! Administrator: (overhearing the Keaton: Yes, Teacher? Pseudolus: I could be the first! I conversation) Teacher! What is this? Te a c h e r : could start a fashion! Your teaching methods are becoming What is THAT Act I—One School Night Mother: You could be free? remiss! book you are Pseudolus: I’ve often thought, I’ve Teacher: I was only… Teacher: Parents, I bid you wel- reading? often dreamed. How it would be, and Administrator: Silence. Stand back. come to my classroom. This is my do- Pseudolus: yet I never thought I’d be. Do you think this student is free born? main, where we worship tests, tests and It’s an educa- Mother: Free. To learn? Seize him! This cannot be. more tests. I am pleased to announce tional book my Pseudolus: Could you see me like Pseudolus: Careful, I’m a bleed- another round, so sharpen each child’s mother gave me a Roman with my head unbowed? Like er. pencil, there’s testing tomorrow, no on historical Ro- a Roman, having rights, and like a Ro- Teacher: This quivering student is Pseudolus: I’ve often man culture. homework tonight! thought, I’ve often man proud. Can you see me as a student blameless. It is I, and I alone who have Children: Something familiar, dreamed. Teacher: Is learning graft and vice? Why I’d be so caused this grief. I thought of more than something peculiar, something for ev- that information conscientious that I might learn twice! the test, much to this student’s relief. eryone in sight. Testing tomorrow, no on the test? Pseudolus: Before I can think no Pseudolus: No, teacher. homework tonight! Act IV—The Next Morning longer, I must know. What is the moral? Something appealing, something Teacher: Then, by all means, give Tell me before I go. mind-killing, nothing portentous or it to me. I’ll burn it. You know it doesn’t Pseudolus: Teacher? Administrator: Here is the moral, polite; testing tomorrow, no homework belong in MY classroom. And, tell your Teacher: Why are you parading right or wrong: Teaching to the test is tonight! mother she’s on detention. into my classroom this early in the the short of it…and long. Nothing to stress me, nothing to morning? Children: No royal courses, no stretch me, weighty affairs have to take Act III—The Next Afternoon Pseudolus: I wasn’t parading, I was Trojan Horses, and a happy ending, of flight. Testing tomorrow, no homework walking. Now that we’re alone, may I tell course! Goodness and badness, Admin- Pseudolus: Mother, I have a note tonight! you I’ve been feeling very strange? Either istrator in madness, this time it turns from Teacher. You’re in trouble again. Nothing too formal, everything’s something’s in the air or else a change. out all right! Mother: Tell me dear son, you normal, no recitations to recite! Testing I think I know the cause, I hope I know Testing tomorrow, no homework didn’t bring the book I gave you to tomorrow, no homework tonight. the cause. From everything I’ve heard, tonight! CJ

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