C a R O L I N a Open-Space Bonds, P

• Controversial Sex-Ed • Ruling Has Charters Pushed, P. 8 Smiling, P. 9 Group’s Left Heritage, P. 16 C A R O L I N A Open-Space Bonds, P. 17

Statewide Edition A Monthly Journal of News, Analysis, and Opinion from March 2008 • Vol. 17, No. 3 the John Locke Foundation www.CarolinaJournal.com JOURNAL www.JohnLocke.org Parton, Watson Had Plans for More Theaters

at the news conference, Parton acknowl- Locations sought in edged that the theater concept was Watson’s idea. “Rick Watson saw this Illinois, Missouri, and dream before anybody else,” he said. Watson was the president and CEO of Bertie County, N.C. the state-funded Northeast Commis- sion, a regional economic development organization, whose headquarters are in By DON CARRINGTON Edenton. Records show Watson began Executive Editor working with Parton in August 2004 or RALEIGH before. In March 2006, Watson’s board andy Parton says that for three of directors terminated him over con- years he dedicated his life to mak- flict-of-interest issues that arose over his ing the Roanoke Rapids theater a business relationship with Parton. Rsuccess, but after he signed the contract with the city Parton also tried to launch theaters in Bertie County, Illinois, and Bertie County theater Missouri. One month after signing the the- “For nearly three years Deb and I Randy Parton (left) listens as Rick Watson speaks during a press conference on Feb. 8 at The Umstead hotel in Cary. (CJ photo by Don Carrington) ater contract with Roanoke Rapids, Par- worked with the city to get the Parton ton presented James C. Alberts of Cape Theatre up and running. We dedicated Documents obtained by Carolina Jour- projects, in 2005 Parton met with Belk Charles, Va. a contract to become the our lives to this project,” he told reporters nal show that Parton, his wife Deb, department store executives in Charlotte developer of an entertainment district in at a press conference Feb. 8 in Cary. and his business partner, Rick Watson, to discuss launching a Parton family Bertie County. Alberts told CJ that in 2005 But Parton’s pursuit of other the- pursued other business activities after clothing collection. None of the other he looked at land to develop in Bertie ater projects indicates that he was not the Roanoke Rapids theater project was theater projects or the clothing line got giving exclusive attention to making announced off the ground. the Roanoke Rapids project a success. In addition to the other theater After some prodding by a reporter Continued as “Parton,” Page 2 Special Triangle Commission Proposes $2 Billion Transit Plan By DAVID N. BASS create 56 miles of rail lines by 2020 con- Associate Editor “It will improve air quality, lower congestion on the roads, necting cities throughout the Triangle. RALEIGH “It will improve air quality, lower he Triangle’s two metropolitan encourage business, and give people a choice.” congestion on the roads, encourage busi- planning organizations have ness, and give people a choice — you can joined forces to bring an ambi- George Cianciolo be a two-car family or a one-car family,” Ttious mass-transit system to the region Special Transit Advisory Commission Cochairman said George Cianciolo, a commission that could cost $2 billion, but critics say cochairman and pathology professor at the new proposal is worse than a previ- Duke University Medical Center. “The ous rail-transit plan that failed because details of the plan have yet to be hashed and federal dollars to supplement the Triangle will stop growing out and start of lack of federal commitment. out, but taxpayers could contribute $2 overall cost. The plan also calls for $600 growing in around areas that are served The Special Transit Advisory Com- billion or more for the system via a million in taxpayer financing. mission approved nonbinding recom- half-cent sales tax increase, an annual In addition to other initiatives, the mendations for the new plan Feb. 4. The $10 vehicle registration fee, and state plan would beef up bus services and Continued as “Special,” Page 3 Should illegal immigrants be able 80to attend community colleges and The John Locke Foundation NONPROFIT ORG. public universities in N.C.? Contents 200 W. Morgan St., #200 U.S. POSTAGE Raleigh, NC 27601 PAID RALEIGH, NC North Carolina 3 PERMIT NO. 1766 Interview 7 Education 8 Higher Education 12 No 68 % Local Government 16 Yes 25 % Books & the Arts 20 Not Sure 8 % Opinion 24 Parting Shot 28 John% William Respondents Pope Civitas in June Institute Civitas Poll, Institute Feb. Poll2008 CAROLINA C a r o l i n a North Carolina JOURNAL Journal Parton, Watson Had Plans For More Theaters Richard Wagner Continued from Page 1 Editor Don Carrington County but that he didn’t sign Parton’s Executive Editor offer. “They were being ridiculous, so we did nothing,” he said. A fax cover sheet shows that North- David N. Bass, Mitch Kokai, east Commission lawyer Ernest Pearson Michael Lowrey prepared the contract and transmitted it Associate Editors July 29, 2005 to the Partons and Watson at the Northeast Commission office in Chad Adams, Shannon Blosser, Edenton. “Randy and Deb call me about Roy Cordato, Paige Holland Hamp, the attached letter of intent, with Rick at David Hartgen, Sam A. Hieb, Lindalyn your first conveniences,” Pearson wrote Kakadelis, George Leef, on the cover. Karen McMahan, Karen Palasek, Susan Robinson, Marc Rotterman, Modeled after the Roanoke Rapids Mike Rouse, Jim Stegall, project, the Bertie project was to have George Stephens, Jeff Taylor, been an entertainment facility and af- Michael Walden, Karen Welsh, filiated entertainment district. Accord- Hal Young ing to the contract, Alberts would pay Contributing Editors Parton’s Moonlight Bandit Productions $50,000 upon signing and $200,000 Abby Alger, Brittany Bussian, upon “the execution of the definitive Katie Bethune, Clint Atkins, documents.” Josh Harper, Geoff Lawrence, The contract put a heavy burden Randy Parton (left) his manager, Scott King (center), and his lawyer, Nick Ellis (right), Kelsey Mitman, Kristina Mitten-Sanders, on Alberts and few definitive responsi- prepare to attend a daylong mediation conference in Raleigh on Feb. 25 with Roanoke Michael Moore bilities on Moonlight Bandit. According Rapids officials. (CJ photo by Don Carrington) Editorial Interns to the agreement, Alberts would have project on land he was developing in has turned out. been responsible for negotiating with the Chicago area. Gatling told CJ he is According to the St. Joseph News- government officials, arranging financ- Published by originally from Seaboard, a Northamp- Press, the local Chamber of Commerce The John Locke Foundation ing for the entertainment facility and ton County town 12 miles from Roanoke paid to fly the groups to Missouri and 200 W. Morgan St., # 200 district, and marketing the district to Rapids. various private companies and “even Raleigh, N.C. 27601 complimentary businesses. Moonlight Bandit documents in- average residents paid to feed them.” (919) 828-3876 • Fax: 821-5117 He would have been responsible dicate that Pearson prepared a contract One meal paid for by the city cost $257.31, www.JohnLocke.org for building and equipping the theater for Gatling in December 2005, but CJ including $49.50 for alcohol. and leasing it to Moonlight Bandit. was unable to get a copy of the agree- The paper reported that the deal Jon Ham Rental payments would have been used ment. Gatling said that he attended the “unraveled” when city officials “couldn’t Vice President & Publisher to retire the debt and after the debt was groundbreaking ceremony but that he get assurances about how its $500,000 in satisfied, Moonlight Bandit would have did not sign a contract with Moonlight initial funds would be spent.” John Hood had the right to purchase the facility Bandit. “Illinois is not a great market for Chairman & President for $1. country and western music,” he said. Alberts was to have reimbursed Parton clothing line Bruce Babcock, Herb Berkowitz The Missouri activities took place Parton for all expenses from the date of after Watson had left his job with the Efforts to launch the Parton cloth- Charlie Carter, James Culbertson signing the “definitive documents,”and Jim Fulghum, Chuck Fuller Northeast Commission. St. Joseph ing collection took place while Watson to have provided Moonlight Bandit $3 Bill Graham, Robert Luddy Mayor Ken Shearin said he and other was still the head of the state-funded million in entertainment facility start- Assad Meymandi, Baker A. Mitchell Jr., community leaders initiated contact Northeast Commission. Carl Mumpower, J. Arthur Pope up costs, according to the contract. with Parton in May 2006. The Parton On Sept. 7, 2005, Cathy Scott, a Tula Robbins, Thomas A. Roberg Alberts was to have been responsible team visited St. Joseph at least twice in commission contract employee work- David Stover, Robert Stowe III for payment of an annual artist fee, to the fall of 2006. ing directly for Watson, wrote House be determined at a later date. Andy Wells Shearin and other St. Joseph of- Speaker Jim Black aide Meredith Norris Alberts was to have given Moon- Board of Directors ficials said that Watson claimed Parton saying, “Rick and Randy/Deb would light Bandit 15 percent of gross sales and he had secured a theater site in the like to meet with a high-ranking official Carolina Journal is a monthly journal and gross lease revenues derived from Chicago area. with Belk, preferably a corporate officer. of news, analysis, and commentary on state all development in the Bertie County Parton; his wife; Watson; and We thought that Speaker Black might be and local government and public policy issues entertainment district. Brenda Womble, a friend of Watson, able to help us arrange such a meeting. in North Carolina. Parton’s responsibilities were to traveled to St. Joseph in September 2006, The purpose of the meeting would be have been less specific. Moonlight Bandit according to officials there. At the time, discussions relating to Belks carrying ©2007 by The John Locke Foundation would have managed the theater, have Watson owned a 33 percent interest and the Parton family’s clothing line.” Inc. All opinions expressed in bylined articles produced shows, and have assisted in Womble owned a 3 percent interest in On that same day, Watson directed are those of the authors and do not necessarily securing performers. One phrase in reflect the views of the editors of CJ or the Moonlight Bandit Productions, accord- Pearson to trademark the following the document indicates that Moonlight staff and board of the John Locke Foundation. ing to Moonlight Bandit’s documents. names: Randy Parton’s Carolina Cross- Bandit included more principals other Material published herein may be reprinted as Watson, Manteo developer Ray roads, Carolina Crossroads, and Moon- than Randy and Deb Parton. “We will long as appropriate credit is given. Submis- Hollowell, and four others traveled to light Bandit Productions. collectively be available for you and will On Oct. 4, 2005, Norris wrote Belk sions and letters are welcome and should be St. Joseph in October 2006, officials in participate in business consultations Senior Vice President Luther Moore seek- directed to the editor. St. Joseph confirmed. Hollowell was a with you to provide direction to these ing to set up a meeting for Watson: member of the Northeast Commission CJ readers wanting more information efforts…” Watson has claimed he had “As you might remember, in when he established a business relation- between monthly issues can call 919-828-3876 no financial stake in Moonlight Bandit addition to my political work for the ship with Parton, but Hollowell declined and ask for Carolina Journal Weekly Re- Productions until after he left his job with Speaker, I am a consultant to the regional to discuss any details. port, delivered each weekend by e-mail, or visit the state-funded commission. economic development partnerships in “The deal [with us] went south CarolinaJournal.com for news, links, and ex- North Carolina. Though I could go into clusive content updated each weekday. Those when they wanted $500,000 up front,” Illinois and Missouri theaters more detail, the Northeast Partnership interested in education, higher education, or Shearin said. Shearin, who is originally has recruited the Parton family to invest local government should also ask to receive In 2005 Parton and Watson had from Rocky Mount, said he feels sorry in an entertainment/theater district weekly e-letters covering these issues. discussions with Illinois developer for Roanoke Rapids Mayor Drewery Lafayetee Gatling, Sr. about a theater Beale because of the way the project Continued as “Parton,” Page 4 CAROLINA March 2008 JOURNAL North Carolina Special Triangle Commission Proposes $2B Transit Plan

Continued from Page 1 “Part of the calculus, it seems to me, is how STAC Members much can transit be a magnet for some growth that by transit.” Bill Cavanaugh, co-chair: Former Mack Paul: Attorney, Kennedy will be transit-oriented growth and take some pressure But transit experts say the plan goes farther down chairman, CEO, and president, Covington, and past president of Progress Energy, Inc. Triangle Tomorrow away that would otherwise be there on the highway the wrong road than a plan backed by the Triangle system,” he said. “It’s more about taking the edge Transit Authority that fell through two years ago. George Cianciolo, co-chair: Bernadette Pelissier: Chair, Associate pathology professor, Orange Chatham Group of the off the congestion than it is an absolute reduction in “They’ve proposed an even more glorious mess,” Duke Univ. Medical Center. Sierra Club congestion.” said David Hartgen, retired professor of transportation Robert Glenn, co-vice chair: Roger Perry: Chair, Triangle To- Another benefit of a rail transit system would be studies at UNC-Charlotte. “This proposal is a signifi- Chair, Durham Open Space and morrow, and past chair, Triangle Trails Commission United Way to give commuters back some of their time, Cianciolo cant threat to the region because it reintroduces the said, by freeing them up to pursue other activities idea that you can have something for nothing.” Smedes York, co-vice chair: Tim Reed: Conservation co-chair, President, York Properties, Inc., Capital Group Sierra Club while traveling. and former Raleigh mayor “One of the things people have to understand New plan Holly Reid: President, board of Cassandra Atkinson: Adjunct trustees, Eno River Association with trains is that it may not get you there faster, but Plans for a 28-mile, $810 million transit line col- associate professor, Department of Public Administration Warren Sawicki: Member, it gives you back your time,” he said. “You can actu- lapsed in 2006 because the TTA could not prove a good Fuquay-Varina Chamber of ally be doing something, such as using a laptop or Tom Bradshaw: Managing direc- Commerce enough cost-to-benefit ratio to warrant federal funding. tor, finance dept., CitiGroup, and phone.” The new effort, spearheaded by the Durham-Chapel former Raleigh mayor Mike Shiflett: Member, Durham Controlling air pollution is another goal of the Inter-Neighborhood Council, Hill-Carrboro and N.C. Capital Area MPOs, goes well Gerry Cohen: Director, legislative Northgate Park regional transit system. King said that transit has a beyond the TTA’s original vision. drafting, N.C. General Assembly Frank Timberlake: President, positive effect on air pollution, but how positive de- In early 2007, the two MPOs joined forces to create Daniel Coleman: Contractor, Carolina/Virginia chapter, Na- pends on many factors. the Special Transit Advisory Commission, a 29-member member of Raleigh-Wake Citi- tional Agri-Marketing Asso. zens Association “When you crank your car up in the morning, body composed of Triangle residents. The commission, Ed Willingham: Executive vice as a polluter it’s worst for the first mile or so, and as Trish Dowty: Vice president, Cor- president, First Citizens Bank’s which began meeting in early May, is responsible for porate Services Division, SAS Triangle Region it warms up it gets pretty efficient,” he said. “So the submitting transit recommendations to the MPOs, Carolyn Elfland: Associate vice Ex-Officio Members extent to which you can get people service by walk- which will then decide which details to incorporate chancellor for campus services, ing or biking to trains, then your air quality benefits into a long-range transportation plan. UNC-Chapel Hill Joe Bryan: Chair, Capital Area MPO TAC, and Wake County are much better.” David King, general manager of TTA, estimated Greg Flynn: Architect, N.C. Dept. commissioner But Randal O’Toole, a senior fellow with the that the commission’s final report would be sent to the of Public Instruction School Planning John Brantley: Director, RDU Cato Institute and a specialist in transportation issues, MPOs by late March. “These 29 people have worked International Airport Chris Harder: Vice chair, said that most rail transit lines “use more energy per hard, been conscientious, and taken their jobs seri- Durham Area Transit Authority James Carnahan: Founder, the passenger mile, and many generate more greenhouse ously,” King said. Board Village Project, and member, gases, than the average passenger automobile.” Citizens can comment on the recommendations Carrboro Planning Board Mike Hendren: Wake Forest He said that technical alternatives — such as through the commission’s Web site, but the public’s Chamber of Commerce Alice Gordon: Chair, Durham- Chapel Hill-Carrboro MPO TAC powering public buses with hybrid-electric motors, response won’t be integrated into the final version sent Cal Horton: Former town man- building new roads to ease congestion, and encour- to the MPOs. “There won’t be enough time for us to ager, Chapel Hill Becky Heron: Vice chair, Dur- ham-Chapel Hill-Carrboro MPO aging citizens to purchase more fuel-efficient cars take the public input and incorporate it,” Cianciolo Jodi LaFreniere: Executive direc- TAC tor, Wake Forest Chamber of — would do more to reduce carbon dioxide outputs said, “so we’ll let the public look at the report, make Commerce Mack McKrell: Long-time regional than rail transit would. comments either by email or letters, and all of that transit user and Cary resident Jennifer Lewis: Representative of working in Durham information will be sent to the MPOs.” the Sierra Club, Capital Group Charles Meeker: Vice chair, capi- Funding considerations Rusine Mitchell-Sinclair: CEO, tal area MPO TAC, and current Commission members Girl Scouts, North Carolina Raleigh mayor Although the commission “was not designed to Coastal Pines look heavily at financing,” Cianciolo said he hopes the The Capital Area MPO appointed 17 members Dianne Reid: Representative Sam Nichols Jr.: Senior vice of Chatham County Economic federal government will fund 25 percent to 50 percent to the commission, while the Durham-Chapel Hill- president, First Citizens Bank Development Corporation Carrboro MPO appointed 12 members, according to of the project and state government an additional 25 Sandy Ogburn: Board of direc- Rick Weddle: President and percent. public records. tors member, Durham Commu- CEO, Research Triangle Foun- Several of the commission members are former nity Land Trust dation “Realistically, even 25 percent might look dif- or current elected officials, including former Raleigh ficult,” Cianciolo said about the federal funding, “but Mayors Smedes York and Tom Bradshaw. Others are with this plan being a truly regional plan, the people associated with environmental groups, including the where the rider numbers have been well beyond in finance on the commission thought 25 percent was Sierra Club. their initial expectations,” Cianciolo said. “People realistic.” Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker is an ex-officio are ready for transit for a lot of reasons, but there has In light of the failed TTA rail project, Cianciolo member, as is Mack McKrell, a Cary resident who is de- been an economic stimulus driven by the high cost thinks planning as a region is important for generating scribed only as a “long-time regional transit user.” of gasoline.” public and financial support. “That’s the point we’re Joe Bryan, a Wake County commissioner and Others give a less glowing report of Charlotte’s going to make to the MPOs — you’ve got to think big chair of the Capital Area MPO’s Transportation Advi- transit system. “It was advertised as reducing conges- enough that it has a chance to succeed,” he said. sory Committee, said that members of his MPO worked tion — it hasn’t,” said Hartgen. “It hasn’t helped the But O’Toole said that squaring away state and to appoint “a broad mix of people, not necessarily street system. In fact, it’s worse because the at-grade federal money is a gamble. “The feds have the money those who were just transit cheerleaders.” system requires roads to be shut off as trains come to start one new transit project per year,” he said. “There wasn’t any formal, written-out, specific through.” “You’d have to get in line behind 30 other cities that criteria for choosing the commission members,” he “I don’t see anything in the current proposal that are trying to get their projects funded. That’s true at the said. “There was a significant effort to make sure that suggests the problems the previous TTA proposal had state level, too. Charlotte wants money, and other cities the committee had really good leadership experience — problems like high cost, limited ridership, no effect want money for their pork-barrel projects. Meanwhile, and was broadly diversified.” on air pollution — will be solved,” he said. what kind of shape are your bridges in?” While Cianciolo said that rail transit would Hartgen estimated that final costs would be Transit benefits reduce traffic on the roadways, Hartgen said he has double what the commission projected. He said Supporters of the new recommendations say the never seen a transit line that reduced congestion. “For commission members are hoping for a change in the proposed transit system would reduce congestion, those who do divert from cars to public transit, the administration in Washington, D.C., to “wiggle the improve air quality, and stimulate the economy. Local road system is filled by others taking their place,” money from similarly inclined officials.” leaders have looked to Charlotte’s recently completed he said. “We would all like something for Christmas that light-rail system for inspiration. Depending on the corridor, it’s “probably fool- we cannot afford,” Hartgen said. “Most of us learned “One of the things we have going for us is that ishness to think that transit will reduce congestion, that lesson, but Raleigh and Durham haven’t. They’re obviously transit has worked very well in Charlotte, particularly for a region like ours,” King said. going to their government parents and asking.” CJ March 2008 CAROLINA North Carolina JOURNAL Funds Bought $600 Custom Pants and ‘Foundation Garment’ Questionable items a bit more,” Brian wrote. Sources close “The first two custom items we want to do are the fol- to the theater project confirmed that the type of foundation garment referred to purchased by Partons lowing. As discussed, the first is to have a pants pat- was a girdle. Deb Parton was never expected to with city money tern made for Randy. ... Also, we are thinking of an perform at the theater. CJ has been unable to determine why any of her apparel was all-purpose foundation garment for Deb.” paid for with public funds. By DON CARRINGTON Records obtained from Roanoke Executive Editor E-mail from Northeast Commission to N.Y. costume designer Rapids show city funds turned over to RALEIGH Parton were paid to William Ivey Long, he Partons stretched the adage it sounds great, according to all Randy with a copy of the message to Watson. Inc. in April 2006. “wearing out your welcome” to tells me about the area and you as an The subject was custom clothing for Parton could not produce the new limits when ordering ward- impressive investment company. Randy Randy Parton and his wife. crowds and revenue necessary to pay Trobes with public money, according to says you’ve shown interest in having “I spoke to Randy and he has ap- off the money that Roanoke Rapids Randy Parton Theatre documents ob- him possibly perform at one of your proved up to $2,500 as requested for the borrowed for the project, so the city cut tained from North Carolina’s Northeast theaters,” she wrote. costs associated with ‘design options’ his pay and hired a new management Commission. Dolly also added high praise for for Randy’s look. I have prepared a team. The documents show that public her brother’s talents. “I’d like to say on purchase order for Randy to sign next City officials refused to let him employees were arranging for $600 behalf of Randy, not just as a brother week,” Scott wrote. “If there are future perform after, they say, he showed up custom pants for Randy Parton and a but as a singer and entertainer, that I costs you anticipate, Randy’s working intoxicated Dec. 6, and he was not al- custom girdle for his wife, Deb, both don’t think you could do better. Randy off a purchase order system so please lowed to perform again. On Jan. 8 the paid for with public funds more than a is a wonderful human being, honest, let him/me know.” city council renamed the facility the year before the theater opened. devoted, trustworthy, a great brother On Feb. 8 Brian responded, “I Roanoke Rapids Theatre. Also among the documents was and honestly I don’t think there’s a do anticipate future costs for clothing The Northeast Commission, which a letter from Dolly Parton claiming her better singer, writer or performer in for Randy and Deb. This $2,500 is to has its headquarters in Edenton, is a 16- brother was the best singer in the music the music business today, no matter get us started. It all depends on how county regional economic development business. how big the star. I think it sounds like a large a wardrobe we are looking to as- organization created by the General Dolly Parton’s letter of Nov. 2, wonderful opportunity for you as well semble.” Assembly. The governor, the Senate 2004, was addressed to Rick Watson. as Randy.” “The first two custom items we president pro tem and the speaker of the The president and CEO of the Northeast Parton’s first show in Roanoke want to do are the following. As dis- House appoint its 19 members. Commission, Watson was responsible Rapids didn’t take place until July 26, cussed, the first is to have a pants pat- The commission terminated Wat- for the Parton Theatre concept. Dolly’s 2007, but the Parton team began work- tern made for Randy. We will have a son’s employment in March 2006 after letter indicates she believed that Watson ing on his image more than a year in sample pair ready to fit when he arrives. a report from the state auditor docu- was the owner of the company planning advance. Also, we are thinking of an all-purpose mented numerous problems with the to build multiple theaters in northeastern On Feb. 7, 2006 Cathy Scott, a foundation garment for Deb. Custom commission’s operations, including North Carolina. contract employee of the Northeast pants for men tend to run in the $600 Watson’s business relationship with “My brother, Randy, told me about Commission, sent an e-mail message per pair range, with no embroidery Parton while simultaneously leading your plans to possibly build some en- to “Brian,” an associate of New York details, and for a ladies foundation, it the commission, a state economic de- tertainment venues in your area. I think costume designer William Ivey Long, would probably be about that or just velopment agency. CJ Parton, Watson Had Plans to Build Theaters Elsewhere Continued from Page 2 sion and was opment proj- the project. Parton performed his first reimbursed. ect. Watson show July 26, 2007. He normally gave along I-95 here in North Carolina. … A Belk official “One of their upcoming ven- recruited Par- performances four days a week, but he The main investor is Dolly Parton’s c o n f i r m e d tures is a clothing line and this ton to North did not schedule any other acts. City brother Randy and his wife Deb, along last week that Carolina even officials became concerned when, on with other names in the country-music a meeting is where I come in. If possible, though Parton occasion, fewer than 100 people attended arena you would recognize. took place, had no viable shows in the 1,500-seat facility. “One of their upcoming ventures is but offered Rick Watson would like to meet company, no Parton could not produce the a clothing line and this is where I come few details. established crowds and revenue necessary to pay in. If possible, Rick Watson would like to B l a c k with you all in Charlotte with Mr. band, and ap- off the $21.5 million loan, so the city cut meet with you all in Charlotte with Mr. and Norris and Mrs. Parton to broach their parently no his pay and hired a new management and Mrs. Parton to broach their idea of were at the money of his team. City officials refused to let him their clothing line to see if Belk or Cato center of re- idea of their clothing line.” own to invest perform after, they say, he showed up would be interested, or if you all would cent state and in the proj- intoxicated for a show Dec. 6. He was have any professional advice/direction federal inves- Former Jim Black aide ect. not allowed to perform again. to give them on this subject. tigations in- Meredith Norris Watson On Jan. 8 the city council renamed “I told Rick that the Speaker has a volving state in a letter to Belk officials and Parton the facility the Roanoke Rapids Theatre. fundraiser in Charlotte on October 27 so government p r o p o s e d The city is negotiating with Parton over I knew I would be there at that time and corruption. building up any further payments. Parton said he could come to the meeting with them.” Black is serving a five-year term in fed- to 20 theaters in northeastern North thinks he is still owed $1.25 million. On Oct. 7, Moore wrote Norris agreeing eral prison. Norris was convicted of a Carolina and sought proposals from the A spokesman for State Auditor Les to a meeting with Watson. misdemeanor charge of failing to register 16 counties in the region. The deadline Merritt has acknowledged that his office According to expense and travel as a lobbyist for a lottery vendor, but she for proposals was Dec. 3, 2004. is reviewing the theater project. records obtained from the Northeast received no active prison time. In June 2005 Parton signed a deal After Parton’s recent press con- Commission, Watson and Parton trav- with Roanoke Rapids officials to build ference, federal agents in attendance eled to Charlotte on Oct. 26 to meet with Investigative interest his first theater in the city. The city bor- delivered a subpoena to Parton requir- Belk executives about the clothing line. The Parton Theatre was, by all rowed $21.5 million and received an ing him to appear before a federal Watson charged mileage to the commis- measures, an unusual economic devel- additional $6 million in state grants for grand jury in March. CJ CAROLINA March 2008 JOURNAL North Carolina West Coast Development Model Could Guide N.C.

By CJ STAFF residential and commercial projects. RALEIGH Economic activity has increased, while West Coast success story can “This hands-off approach allowed billions of dollars have been spent in guide N.C. cities and towns private development. Most importantly, looking to spur redevelop- developers to let the market deter- the existing property owners have had Ament. A recent John Locke Foundation the ability to do what they want with Spotlight report shows how Anaheim, mine the best use of the land.” their land.” Calif., boosted its fortunes without using Higher property values have economic incentives or abusing eminent Michael Sanera caused some dislocations, but Anaheim domain powers. JLF research director leaders have addressed those concerns,

35 “Badly need- and local government analyst Sanera said. 30 ed economic de- “An affordable housing strategic 25 velopment can be plan has helped Anaheim address 20 achieved by un- questions about low-cost housing in 15 land and to major league baseball and could create a downtown that would be

10 derstanding the hockey stadiums, the area was also an asset to the community.” the Platinum Triangle,” he said. “The 5 principles of the home to many rundown industries in Anaheim found “creative, market- city has also considered a density bonus 0 free market,” said 2002, Sanera said. “In order to create the friendly” ways to reach its goals, Sanera ordinance and a plan to convert former JLF Research report co-author Dr. economic growth they hoped for, Ana- said. The city’s plan: relied on devel- hotels into residential units.” Report Michael Sanera, JLF heim leaders would have to change the opment initiated by private property Anaheim’s success offers a model research director character of the area dramatically.” owners; used overlay zoning to permit for North Carolina’s government of- and local govern- Mayor Curt Pringle and his col- more types of development in the area; ficials, Sanera said. “Too many North ment analyst. “It is possible to see great leagues rejected the use of eminent simplified permits and environmental Carolina communities consider targeted improvements in the economic vitality of domain or other intrusive government impact reports; and loosened restrictions tax incentives or eminent domain to an area while still respecting the rights powers to boost the area, Sanera said. on items such as housing permits and force redevelopment of downtown of property owners. Through methods “Anaheim had spent millions of dollars inclusionary zoning. areas,” he said. “Anaheim’s success similar to those Anaheim used, North and infringed on many citizens’ property “This hands-off approach allowed depends instead on a plan that reduces Carolina cities will be able to strengthen rights by relying on eminent domain in developers to let the market determine government regulations and stimulates their economies without abusing their the 1980s,” he said. “The result was a the best use of the land,” Sanera said. private-sector investment. Billions of governmental powers.” disaster. Mayor Pringle and Anaheim “Soon after the Platinum Triangle dollars in private investment flowed Sanera and JLF research intern leaders wanted to avoid repeating those project was created, property values in into the targeted area once government Katie Bethune focused on Anaheim’s past mistakes. They believed that by the area increased dramatically, while got out of the way and allowed the pri- “Platinum Triangle.” Close to Disney- employing free-market principles, they several developers began planning new vate sector to lead.” CJ Report: Counties Could Save Money With Community-Based Care

By CJ STAFF he said. “Crisis intervention teams like RALEIGH the one developed in Wake County allow ounties in North Carolina could “Services are fragmented, and communities to work with the mentally boost public safety, cut costs, funding is not integrated. The sys- ill at the earliest stages. A viable pre- and improve health outcomes by booking diversion system can help a Csteering the mentally ill away from jail tem is difficult for anyone to navi- community to avoid overwhelming its and toward community-based care, a court system.” John Locke Foundation Spotlight report gate.” If a mentally ill person must go to says. jail, he still can avoid unnecessary prob- The report Joe Coletti lems that can threaten safety and raise 35 JLF fiscal and health care policy analyst 30 emphasizes suc- treatment costs, Coletti said. “Each jail

25 cessful models for should have a good working relationship 20 jail diversion, in- with the agency or group — called a lo- 15 cluding a program criminal justice system.” based care would have no more con- cal management entity, or LME — that 10

5 called the sequen- Sixteen percent of all jail and prison tact with police than the physically ill, directs mental health care locally,” he 0 tial intercept model. inmates have serious mental illness, Coletti said. said. “Some counties also have opted JLF Research “It costs money to Coletti said. “That means among the “In the real world, the best we can for mental health courts. Others might Report get the system right, 17,171 inmates in North Carolina as of hope is to identify the mentally ill as want to emulate a Memphis, Tenn.-area but saves money June 30, 2005, it’s likely that about 2,750 early in the criminal justice process as program called the Jericho Project, in overall while im- of them had serious mental illness. Jails possible and direct them into effective which a public defender and social proving public safety,” said report au- and prisons are not intended to provide treatment programs,” he said. “Various worker develop treatment alternatives thor Joseph Coletti, JLF fiscal and health the mental health treatment those in- jail diversion methods have been shown for some mentally ill defendants.” care policy analyst. “One of every 10 mates need.” to reduce costs over time while keeping With overall savings and better police encounters involves a mentally Care offered to inmates is designed the public safe and increasing safety for outcomes from jail diversion, it’s clear ill person. Diverting them to effective to help them function well enough to the mentally ill and for police.” counties should play a larger role in treatment makes sense for everyone.” stand trial or return to jail or prison, Decreasing jail operation costs off- funding mental health services, Coletti The state’s mental health system Coletti said. “Because of behavioral set much of the initial increase in mental said. “The current system’s reliance on generates much confusion, Coletti problems that arise without proper health costs, Coletti said. “The savings Medicaid funding makes it hard to hold said. treatment, inmates with serious mental become substantial in later years on providers and case managers account- “Services are fragmented, and illness are held nearly six months longer both the mental health and jail sides as able for results within jails or at the funding is not integrated,” he said. “The than the average inmates before trial patients rely less on hospitals and other LME level.” system is difficult for anyone to navigate, and are three times as likely to serve the costly forms of treatment.” “Counties have a direct stake in but it is a particular burden for those maximum prison sentence if convicted. Ideas such as the sequential inter- providing lower cost, community-based with the most chronic and severe mental Mentally ill inmates are also more likely cept model recognize the importance of alternatives to prisons for mentally ill illness. As a result, these individuals end to come back into the criminal justice identifying a mentally ill person early in individuals,” he said. “Putting those up rotating through the most expensive system after their release.” his interaction with the criminal justice alternatives in place will take time and locations for mental health care — emer- In an ideal world, mentally ill system, Coletti said. “This applies to creativity, but the effort will pay off in gency rooms, state hospitals, and the people receiving proper community- other methods of jail diversion as well,” multiple ways.” CJ March 2008 CAROLINA Washington JOURNAL

NC Delegation Watch Familiar tactics Coble rejects stimulus bill Candidates Exploit Fears of Globalization Calling the bill “deficit spending at its worst,” U.S. Rep. Howard By KAREN McMAHAN campaign, his theme of “The Two Ameri- Coble, R-N.C., was the only member Contributing Editor cas” pitted “hard-working people” of North Carolina’s congressional CARY against the “greedy corporations.” The delegation to vote against a $150 ith the election cycle once again Sen. Barack Obama says Americans in full swing, the political don’t want cheaper products if it means billion economic stimulus package Federal discourse over jobs and the losing their jobs, citing an example that recently hurried through Congress. Weconomy has been profoundly nega- 80 percent of all toys sold in the United File Coble joined 33 other mem- tive. For months, newspapers, radio, States are made in China. Obama vows bers of the House in opposing and television reports have predicted to protect American jobs by banning toys the package, which supporters recession, even hinting at the possibility made in Asia from American stores. say will jump-start the economy of a depression. Sen. Hillary Clinton wants to by providing temporary tax in- Such predictions coupled with “temporarily freeze” trade agreements, centives for business and tax almost daily reports of plant closings, even though her husband supported rebates for individual taxpayers. mass layoffs, wage disparities, and home free trade and helped architect NAFTA Coble said in a written state- foreclosures serve to feed the fear. The during his presidency. In a recent inter- ment that he objected to the way loss of jobs usually is blamed on the view, Clinton advocated universal health leaders brought the stimulus outsourcing of jobs overseas. care as a way to protect American jobs, package up for consideration. “I H o w e v e r, believing that high know that everyone wants to as- i n t e r n a t i o n a l health-care costs sist our slowing economic as soon business experts are the primary as possible, but adding this much attending the Glo- “[J]ob loss captures reason companies to our deficit is the wrong ap- balization 2008 media attention, not the are shifting jobs stated.” For example, Forrester Research proach in my opinion,” Coble said. Conference, spon- overseas. Clinton in 2004 estimated that the United States Other N.C. members of Con- sored by the Cen- rehiring that takes place also promised to had lost an average of 7.71 millions jobs ter for Entrepre- raise the minimum gress gave a glowing report of every quarter since 1994 and predicted neurial Develop- wage to more than the measure. Rep. Virginia Foxx, at a later time and often another 3.3 million jobs would be lost ment in Research $9 an hour and to from outsourcing between 2000 and R-N.C., said the package was Triangle Park, on one job at a time.” increase the cap on 2015. a bipartisan recognition of the Feb. 14 said trade H-1B visas to bring Politicians and the media fail to value of putting tax dollars back with other nations Dwight Jaffee in more “skilled” point out that job loss also stems from into the pockets of Americans. benefits the United Haas School of Business labor. automation and other macroeconomic Rep. David Price, D-N.C., said States in the long Cal Berkeley A r k a n s a s factors, not merely from outsourcing or the measure would “jump-start the run. Gov. Mike Huck- offshoring. Jaffee’s analysis of available economy by encouraging consumer Deepak Ad- abee said he sup- offshoring data from the U.S. Bureau spending and business investment,” vani, Lenovo’s ports “fair trade,” of Labor Statistics from 1999 to 2003 while Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., chief marketing officer and senior vice meaning he would force China, India, showed no net employment loss. said the rebates would provide president of global e-commerce, and and other trading partners to institute “a much needed financial cushion Michael Chen, Red Hat’s vice president reforms to level the playing field. Insourcing of corporate marketing, both stressed the for our families and make it a little Also lost in the debate, media importance of global markets. Reality versus hype easier for them to make ends meet.” hype, and political rhetoric is the num- Business leaders at the conference The U.S. Senate approved Job relocation and fears over job ber of jobs created in the United States acknowledged negative sentiment in the the measure 81-16 on Feb. 7. quality and wage degradation are not through insourcing or direct foreign developed nations toward developing Sens. Elizabeth Dole, R-N.C., new phenomena brought on by glo- investment. In October 2007, RSM Mc- nations, largely because of job loss fears. and Richard Burr, R-N.C., voted balization. Since the dawn of mankind, Gladrey published a list of the 50 largest in favor. President Bush signed While job loss is a reality, they pointed centers of economic and political power to job growth despite offshoring and U.S. subsidiaries of foreign companies the legislation into law Feb. 13. have shifted from one geographic region headquartered in the United States touted the need for worker retraining to another as improvements in technol- and lifelong learning to ensure employ- based on U.S.-generated revenue. These ogy, transportation, and communication ees have the needed skills to compete as companies generate from $8.8 billion to Etheridge looks to Feds advanced. Job relocation is a natural the economy transitions. more than $80 billion in U.S.-generated evolution, like the ebb and flow of the U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge, D- Chris James, vice president of mar- revenue annually. tides. N.C., used a Feb. 13 hearing of the keting at Cree, said despite having 90 According to the Organization for The debate over job quality, wages, U.S. House Education and Labor percent of their operations outsourced, International Investment, U.S. subsidiar- Committee to advocate for bring- the local workforce in Research Triangle and standard of living has always accom- ies of companies headquartered abroad ing more federal school construc- Park has grown for the past 15 years. panied change, but history documents employ more than 5.1 million Ameri- tion dollars to North Carolina. Advani said Lenovo is also building a that as one industry disappears, others cans, while U.S. subsidiaries of compa- emerge to create new opportunities “Across North Carolina, local plant in North Carolina. nies headquartered in the U.S. employ and jobs. communities are crying out for help When asked whether the United 1.5 million Americans and provide jobs Dwight Jaffee, professor of bank- with school construction,” Etheridge States is losing its competitiveness and with an annual average compensation ing and finance at Berkeley’s Haas School said. “It is plain as day that the states innovation, both Chen and Advani said of $66,042, which is 32 percent higher of Business, wrote in 2004 that “jobs lost lack the capacity to deal with this they think the nation is the leader in than for all U.S. companies. to offshoring” are “generally transitory.” In August 2007, North Carolina issue. We need national leadership.” innovation, even in information tech- Unfortunately, because “job loss events was ranked 10th out of the top 20 states Etheridge is co-sponsoring a nology. Advani pointed to examples necessarily come first and often reflect with the greatest number of insourcing bill that would provide a federal such as Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft, saying “innovation is fundamental to large layoffs,” said Jaffee, “job loss cap- jobs (192,200), according to the Orga- tax credit to the holders of local competitive advantage.” tures media attention, not the rehiring nization for International Investment. school construction bonds to le- Politicians often turn to familiar that takes place at a later time and often Nearly 6 percent of North Carolina’s verage school construction fund- tactics, such as class conflict, anti-busi- one job at a time.” private sector workforce comes from ing. Six other members of North ness rhetoric, and promises of protec- In May 2005, a policy brief by Ted U.S. subsidiaries, including Barclays, Carolina’s congressional delegation tionism, to sway public opinion and win Belaker and Adrian Moore of the Reason BASF, GlaxoSmithKline, Honda Air- have also signed onto the bill. CJ votes. Even though former Sen. John Foundation, said that job losses caused craft Company, Novartis, Siemens, Edwards dropped out of the presidential by offshoring have been “grossly over- Syngenta, Tyco, and Volvo Group. CJ CAROLINA March 2008 JOURNAL CJ Interview Critchlow: Right Still Has Ideas, Left is Spent Intellectually

onald Critchlow, professor of history at Saint Louis Univer- Kokai: What are some of the most sity, recently addressed a John “Their [the Left’s] ideas successful of the conservatives’ ideas DLocke Foundation Headliner luncheon. from your vantage point? He also discussed his book, The Conserva- come from a progressive tive Ascendancy: How the GOP Right Made period in the New Deal pe- Critchlow:Well, extraordinary Political History, with Mitch Kokai for events took place during the Second Carolina Journal Radio. (Go to http:// riod, and in post-war Ameri- World War and the end of World War www.carolinajournal.com/cjradio/ to II, and it was just good fortune. But find a station near you or to learn about ca these ideas just seemed many intellectuals, writers, and thinkers the weekly CJ Radio podcast.) came from Europe fleeing fascism and antiquated and often dod- communism. And so we had in coming Kokai: Conservatives can be ex- dering.” to America writers such as Friedrich cused for approaching the 2008 elections Hayek, Ayn Rand, Eric Voegelin, and with some degree of pessimism. After Donald Critchlow others who infused conservatism with all, Democrats whipped Republicans in Author of deep philosophical and principled many of the 2006 electoral battles. But The Republican Ascendancy thought. And that is a good, very inter- our next guest will offer us some his- esting story in itself and worth reading, torical evidence that might help change although much of the book has to do the pessimists’ minds. First, let’s set the with the political events and how the timeline for your study. We are talking against the New Deal policies during rebound with explosive force.” How GOP rose to power — the GOP Right, about post-World War II. In America the Second World War with wage and did this happen? let me be clear on this. Democrats had held the White House price controls. So they were able to since the 1932 election. The New Deal win Congress in ’46. But basically, the Critchlow: Well, as the conserva- Kokai: Given what you have seen coalition was trying to put together a lot Republican party was an embattled tive movement began to gain strength in your study of the history, recent of different elements in a voting bloc for party. And, moreover, conservatism and influence the Republican Party, American history, what would you see Roosevelt and his party. Where did the as a movement, a political movement, they were able to achieve a number of as the possible course that the GOP Republicans and conservatives stand didn’t even exist. successes. The first most notable suc- Right would need to take now to help at that point? cess, you may recall, Mitch, was in 1964 rebound from 2006? Kokai: You mentioned though in when Barry Goldwater won the nomina- Critchlow: Well, in the post-war this quote from your publisher’s blurb tion only to go down to extraordinary Critchlow: Well, it’s not a book of period Republicans were embattled al- about the book: “Time and again the defeat. prescriptions, but one thing I do make though there had begun to be a backlash GOP right appeared defeated only to The Republican Party was on the clear in the book is the continued ten- canvas, looked like it was out for the sion within the conservative movement count. And the Left rebounded at that between abstract principle and practical Stay in the know with the JLF blogs point. And it looked like within the politics and governing politics. Some- Visit our family of weblogs for immediate analysis and commentary on issues great and small Republican Party the moderate and times right now I think many conser- liberal wing would take control. But vatives both in think tanks and leaders Johnson’s policies plus social discord in the movement as well as grassroots — riots, campus protests — allowed the conservatives are very discouraged that Right to rebound. they feel that the Republicans haven’t The Locker Room is the blog on the main JLF Web site. All JLF employees and many friends of the Another example, if you will, was lived up to the conservative ideals. foundation post on this site every day: http://www.johnlocke.org/lockerroom/ after Watergate when Richard Nixon There have been compromises that have was forced to resign from office. The been made. But this, I think, reflects the Right was down. The Republican Party power of the conservative movement, was down. Only about 20 percent of the that conservatives were able to win electorate declared themselves Republi- government and win elective office. And can. And so the conservatives stood as a I have no doubt that whatever happens minority within a very minority party. in the 2008 election, that conservatives The Meck Deck is the JLF’s blog in Charlotte. Jeff Taylor blogs on this site and has made it a must-read But thanks to Jimmy Carter, once again for anyone interested in issues in the Queen City: http://charlotte.johnlocke.org/blog/ and the conservative movement is go- the Right rebounded. And so maybe ing to remain a very powerful force in the optimistic … There is a good deal this country and a very powerful force of optimism in this book for both the within the Republican Party. Left and the Right that there was a good deal of fortune in the rise of the Kokai:: What do you think it is Right, but the Left has been fortunate, about the conservative wing of the Re- Squall Lines is the JLF’s blog in Wilmington. A group of JLF staffers and coastal friends keep folks on too, in often defeating the conservative publican Party that has such a strong ap- the coast updated on issues facing that region of the state: http://wilmington.johnlocke.org/blog/ Republicans. peal and that gives it such resilience?

Kokai: So conservatives are down, Critchlow: Well, I think it reflects and they rebound time and again as the instincts of the American people. your books spells it out. How did this I mean, there is a sense of distrust in happen? Why are conservatives able to centralized government, having politi- bounce back and succeed? cians in Washington run their lives and Piedmont Publius is the JLF’s blog in the Triad. Greensboro blogger and writer Sam A. Hieb mans the controls to keeps citizens updated on issues in the Triad: http://triad.johnlocke.org/blog/ telling them what their kids should be Critchlow: Well, I think as I ex- doing and how they should live their plain in the book, a good deal of their own lives. So I think that is what the success has to do with ideas. They have GOP Right reflects. And the GOP Right ideas. And the Left is basically spent needs to get back to those principles intellectually. Their ideas come from of small government and listening to a progressive period in the New Deal the will of the average American. And The Wild West is the JLF’s blog in Western North Carolina. Asheville’s Leslee Kulba blogs in this site, period, and in post-war America these I think Republicans after 2006 have designed to keep track of issues in the mountains of N.C.: http://western.johnlocke.org/blog/ ideas just seemed antiquated and often learned this, and they are turning back The John Locke Foundation, 200 W. Morgan St., Raleigh, NC 27601 | 919-828-3876 doddering. to what they stood for. CJ March 2008 CAROLINA Education JOURNAL State School Briefs Activists Push for Controversial Sex-Ed Wake County speaker pledge By DAVID N. BASS tionwide for abstinence instruction in The measures died in commit- Sheriff Donnie Harrison may Associate Editor tee, but comprehensive-sex-education be Wake County’s top cop, but for public schools. North Carolina receives now he’s officially unwelcome as RALEIGH about $1.2 million, in addition to match- advocates have vowed to reintroduce a speaker at the county’s public ne Saturday morning in early ing funds from the state. similar bills in future sessions. Support- schools, The News & Observer of February, three-dozen activists Mike Long, an abstinence educator ers also recently launched a campaign Raleigh reports. gathered in the second- story who helped draft the state’s original ab- to persuade Gov. Mike Easley to reject That’s because Harrison is re- Ooffices of Planned Parenthood’s health stinence education law in 1995, defined the Title V funds, which would essen- fusing to sign a school system form clinic in downtown Raleigh. abstinence-until-marriage programs as tially end abstinence programs in North requiring guest speakers to promise The dimly lit room contained a a “holistic approach to human sexual- Carolina. to watch what they say and do. He cross-section of people — a few high ity.” Under the current framework, complains that it’s inappropriate to school students, one or two retired “It not only deals with the physical, state taxpayers have to match three- ask elected officials to sign the form, couples, and several young adults in but with the mental, emotional, moral, fourths of every dollar in Title V fund- which was put in place after a guest their mid-20s, most wearing pink shirts, and social dimensions,” he said. “Com- ing from the federal government. It’s speaker denounced Islam at Enloe buttons, and bandanas. A handful of prehensive sex education comes from the not apparent, however, what kind of High School last year. children sat in the corner, using markers vantage that sex is just a physical thing. tax burden the state would shoulder if “It’s degrading to make me and colored paper to create signs bearing They teach teens that they are nothing a comprehensive program were substi- sign the form,” Harrison said. “I’ve slogans such as “Be Real — Sex Ed Saves more than sexual beings. That’s not true. tuted. Neither sex education measure introduced last session included a fiscal always been honest. I’m not going to Lives” and “Protect Your Kids — Vote We are human beings.” impact statement. sign a form saying I’ll be honest.” For Sex Ed.” Nationally, spending on com- Harrison, who was recently “Our message is very much a part Abstinence standard prehensive sex education far outstrips asked to speak at a middle school, of today’s march,” Paige Johnson, a isn’t the only elected official object- Under the current abstinence-un- abstinence-until-marriage funding. In Planned Parenthood employee, told the ing to the conditions. Apex Mayor til-marriage law, local school districts can 2002, the federal government spent an group. “We Keith Weatherly said it puts teachers opt out of the estimated $1.6 billion on contraception want fund- in a difficult spot asking prospective abstinence promotion and pregnancy prevention speakers to sign. ing for real s t a n d a r d programs, while abstinence received “It’s just horrible that they sex education and substi- about $119 million, according to a Repub- don’t have the confidence that that works, tute compre- lican congressional study committee. teachers will invite responsible and not just hensive sex speakers,” Weatherly said. abstinence- e d u c a t i o n , Local, parental control only that your which teach- A law mandating more explicit sex government es students education would breach school board Background check apology has spent $1 about atypi- authority and parental rights, said Tami b i l l i o n o n cal sexual be- Fitzgerald, a lawyer with the North The leaders of Charlotte- over the last haviors, such Carolina Family Policy Council, a con- Mecklenburg Schools apologized decade.” as homosex- servative nonprofit that lobbied against Feb. 20, a day after outraging thou- Fifteen uality and the sex education bills last session. sands of workers by ordering them minutes later, bisexuality; “If the state takes away parents’ to sign forms authorizing an intense the group left abortion; and authority to determine the manner in series of background checks or risk Planned Parenthood activists participate in the His- the clinic and how to buy which their children are taught about getting fired. toric Thousands on Jones Street rally in downtown w a l k e d t o Raleigh, Feb. 9. (CJ photo by David N. Bass) condoms and sex, then the state has breached its duty, Superintendent Peter Gorman Chavis Park birth-control because it has taken the place of the par- e-mailed staffers, urging them to to participate in the second annual His- pills. ent,” Fitzgerald said. shred the forms, The Charlotte Ob- toric Thousands on Jones Street march, To opt out, school districts must Long said he has gotten feedback server reported. sponsored by the N.C. chapter of the conduct public hearings and offer par- from school administrators angry over “Folks, we blew it, and I ents 60 days to review the curriculum the possibility of Raleigh mandating apologize,” Gorman wrote. “While National Association for the Advance- and give feedback. Fewer than one in what kind of sex education is taught. the decision to start random back- ment of Colored People. The Planned Parenthood activists 10 school districts have chosen this “We’re real believers in local con- ground checks for current em- option. ployees was made with the best of had a goal in mind — persuade elected trol,” he said. “Why is this bill even nec- The exemption, however, does intentions — to keep our students officials to scuttle North Carolina’s law essary when state law allows local school not go far enough for comprehensive- and staff safe — we dropped the ball, requiring schools to teach abstinence- districts to teach this very thing?” sex-education advocates, who say that big time, in terms of communication until-marriage and replace it with one While Johnson said she under- abstinence until marriage is medically and execution.” mandating comprehensive sex educa- stands concerns over local control, she inaccurate and puts teens’ lives at risk. Gorman said the school sys- tion. objected to the public hearing process “For us, we’ve always believed tem will come up with a new plan to necessary to approve new curriculum, that young people deserve compre- do criminal background checks. Not everyone agrees saying that opponents bus people in to hensive information,” said Johnson, protest school board members who sup- Background checks have been But not everyone agrees with that discussed for months, particularly vice president of communications for port comprehensive sex education. agenda. Supporters of the current ab- Planned Parenthood of Central North “They make it loud, intimidat- after CMS realized a teacher caught stinence law say sex education reform, shooting heroin in an elementary Carolina. “The message really ought to ing, very shrill,”Johnson said. “School supported by groups such as Planned school classroom had already faced be to delay sex until they are ready to boards don’t want to take it on over fear Parenthood, the nation’s leading abor- previous drug charges. Teachers deal with the emotional consequences, of backlash.” tion-provider, would harm children and have supported the additional but also prepare kids for when they But Long thinks supporters of checks. curb parental rights and local control. decide to have sex.” comprehensive sex education don’t want But the memos, especially Statutory law requires N.C. public During the 2007 session of the parents involved in the process. the heavy-handed tone, surprised schools to teach “that abstinence from General Assembly, Rep. Susan Fisher, “The philosophical difference is many of the district’s more than sexual activity outside of marriage is D-Buncombe, and Sen. Linda Garrou, that they want to provide contracep- 18,000 workers. The form autho- the expected standard for all school age D-Forsyth, introduced legislation to tion all the way down to sixth grade, rized the district to investigate children.” require all school districts to teach they want to avoid parental consent, employees’ finances, background, The mandate is funded through the comprehensive sex education, with no and then if that doesn’t work for you, character, and “mode of living.” CJ federal government’s Title V program, exception for school districts that wish to just come back to us and get an abor- which allocates $50 million a year na- continue using the current curriculum. tion referral,” Long said. CJ CAROLINA March 2008 JOURNAL Education Charters Optimistic After Commentary Ruling in Mecklenburg Case Economic Diversity’s High Cost

By JIM STEGALL public schools. hat’s the best way to county demographics, guarantee Contributing Editor “There are over 30,000 children in help low-income chil- that reassignments will remain RALEIGH North Carolina public charter schools, dren achieve? A growing complicated and unending. recent court ruling for equitable and they don’t receive the same fund- Wnumber of education officials say What about the troubling phi- local funding of charter schools ing for facilities or from the so-called economically integrated schools are losophy of learning that underpins put smiles on the faces of the ‘education lottery’ that other schools the answer. According to the Cen- such policies? These plans would Aofficials at some Mecklenburg County do,” Beall said. “We’re challenged to tury Foundation, 40 school districts reduce achievement, or the lack of charters, but despite the victory, at least do our best without the funding that nationwide use income as a factor it, to a dollar sign. But it’s patron- one of the school leaders is wary of fur- others receive.” to determine student assignment. izing to say low-income students ther entanglements. Over at Kennedy Charter School, The recipe for success goes some- require proximity to affluent kids in The N.C. Appeals Court ruling in Fred Grosse said he was “thrilled” with thing like this: Measure out affluent order to succeed. Sugar Creek Charter School, Inc. v. Char- the news of the victory. Noting that the kids and low-income kids in perfect Abigail Thernstrom, diversity lotte-Mecklenburg Bd. Of Educ. has Metro- Kennedy school focuses on disadvan- proportions, mix well, and wait for expert and Manhattan Institute lina Scholars’ Academy board chairman taged students, he called the case “a performance to rise. senior fellow, agrees. Evan Kettler feeling “guarded opti- justice issue.” But it’s not that Last month, she told mism” toward the Grosse said simple. The News and Observer future. Like other the social and Economic diversity of Raleigh, “It seems to policies are ineffective me the most unfortu- charter school lead- economic dis- for numerous reasons. nate statement to say ers, Kettler was advantages that “There are over 30,000 They exalt systemwide if your parents don’t pleased with the the 285 students children in North Caro- demographic goals above make a certain amount ruling, but he was enrolled at the individual student needs, of money, the school careful to place it lina public charter school struggle alienating parents and doesn’t know what to do into context. “We’ll with make them creating chronic instabil- with you except to have believe it when schools, and they don’t some of the most ity. They are also based on you sit next to more af- we see it,” he said, “drop-out prone” a faulty ideology that says Kristen fluent kids. I don’t like noting the prospect in the state, and receive the same fund- money is always to blame Blair that message.” of appeals and fur- that to succeed when kids fail, and it’s the What helps kids ther litigation. ing for facilities or from with those stu- reason they succeed. – at all income levels Recalling that dents the school Nevertheless, school – learn well? Good Metrolina Scholars the so-called ‘education must provide leaders in North Carolina remain teachers: Research affirms that was the last of the lottery’ that other schools many more servic- committed to social engineering, effective teachers are unmatched five schools to join es than usual. “We igniting controversy. This winter, in their power to improve student the lawsuit more do.” don’t want any outraged parents in Wake County performance. Yet we do little to than two years ago, more than we’re marched to protest student reas- reward teaching prowess. Instead, Kettler said that his Dr. Richard Beall due, but every signment. In February, the school we value credentials and seniority, board thought long Carolina Int’l Charter School penny counts,” board voted to move 6,464 students. factors that don’t always translate and hard about he said. At least 20 percent of the reas- into individual student achieve- whether to get in- While none signments are to diversify schools ment. Consider research on the volved. The deciding factor was not the of the schools contacted had yet devel- economically. Student stability, efforts of the nonprofit Teach For money — for Kettler and the school’s oped specific plans for the use of the short bus rides, and neighborhood America corps. A 2004 Mathematica board of directors, it was a matter of monies they will receive, all indicated schools are all casualties of this study found that TFA teachers in fairness. “You always have to wonder that the funds will be put to good use. thinly veiled quota system. low-income communities produced every year, when you see what their Noting that the ruling established a stan- In Orange County, the school student gains that surpassed those [CMS] per-pupil instructional funding dard that school districts must adhere to board is antagonizing parents with of veteran and certified teachers. is and see what ours is, and compare,” in apportioning funding going forward, diversity plans. Year-round Hill- Clearly, TFA data underscore the sborough Elementary School will compelling need to re-evaluate how he said. Kettler said, “We’re more concerned soon boot out a number of cur- we compensate teachers. It’s time Charter schools are public schools about the long-term value, 50 years rent pupils to diversify next year’s to reward gifted, innovative teach- that, by law, are entitled to the same per- down the road, of the terms of charter student body. The sad irony is that ers through a system of merit pay pupil funding as other public schools school funding.” The exact amount each Hillsborough Elementary is a public evaluating classroom performance, in their areas. But since their inception school is to receive as a result of the rul- “school of choice.” It can hardly be rather than degrees earned or years in 1996, several school districts around ing has not been determined. called that now. on the job. the state have attempted to withhold The charter school officials said School officials might not be We also ought to implement or reduce funding owed to charters, their lawyer, Richard Vinroot, played deterred by disenfranchised par- genuine school choice, through tu- employing a variety of novel legal argu- a critical role in the victory. Beall said ents, but they should be. Sure, some ition tax credits, widespread charter ments in the process. Vinroot pointed out to the charter offi- parents will resign themselves to schools, and more open enroll- But Kettler and his board would cials that their schools were not getting heavy-handed school board man- ment public schools. Unlike forced have none of that. “We’re modeling all they were owed. dates. But others will revolt. In diversity policies that marginalize behavior for our students every day; Vinroot alerted the charter schools Cary, angry parents are pushing the parents, voluntary choice programs we’re standing up for what’s right even to the situation and got the five schools town to secede from Wake’s mono- empower them. though we’re the little guy. That’s what on board, Beall said. Grosse said Vin- lithic school district. In Hillsbor- Happy kids stay put. Students we teach our kids,” he said. root was “the prime mover” behind ough, families have obtained legal trapped in failing schools have a Despite the lawsuit, Kettler said the lawsuit and praised his “very, very counsel, sending the school board way out. Either way, families, not he doesn’t blame CMS. “We want to dogged determination and knowledge a cease-and-desist letter just weeks bureaucrats, decide. That’s a far cry have a good relationship with CMS. of the law.” ago. Other parents will take action from what we have now, and pro- They have an incredibly difficult job to “I can’t say enough about Richard’s quietly, fleeing unresponsive school gressive though that might sound, do,” he said. efforts,” Kettler said. ”This never would systems altogether. When they do, ultimately, it’s a recipe for failure. CJ Dr. Richard Beall, director of Caro- have happened without him. It’s impor- they will upset the system’s oh-so- lina International Charter School, said tant to have someone who understands tenuous, carefully crafted socioeco- he was grateful for the court’s decision. that unusual relationship the law estab- nomic balance. Student departures, Kristen Blair is a North Carolina He said it’s important for the public to lishes between charter schools and the combined with constantly shifting Education Alliance Fellow. understand that charter schools are also school districts, and Richard does.” CJ March 2008 CAROLINA 10 Education JOURNAL

School Reform Notes Training and placement

Gifted-student fund audit Durham’s EDGE Gives Help to At-Risk Youth Complaints from Triangle parents helped trigger a state audit By KAREN McMAHAN but that schools receive additional al- that warns North Carolina’s aca- Contributing Editor lotments (funding) for low-income, demically gifted students might be DURHAM “We’re not about be- limited-English proficiency, and learn- shorted of the money and services nonprofit organization founded ing a GED mill, where ing-disabled students, for example. they’re entitled to receive, The News in May is helping Durham’s Ironically, research shows these students & Observer of Raleigh reports. at-risk youth earn a GED while students are taught only are the very ones most likely to drop out State Auditor Les Merritt re- Adeveloping life, career, and leadership of school. Yet, the school gets to keep leased a report Feb. 14 that found skills to break the cycle of crime, poverty, what they need to pass those funds. a lack of oversight on how North and unemployment or underemploy- the five GED subject When asked what steps have Carolina’s 115 school districts run ment. been taken to tackle the funding issue, their Academically or Intellectually EDGE, an acronym for Education, tests, but instead we aim Phifer said she would like to partner Gifted programs. It also found a Development, Growth, Employment, with Durham Public Schools and have lack of oversight of how money is seeks to “teach students what they need to provide students with them refer their dropouts to EDGE, but spent on the programs. to know to succeed in life, not just to Phifer’s efforts have been rebuffed. Each As a result, Merritt said the earn a GED,” said Director of Develop- a nurturing, structured time they’ve made an appointment with state’s 155,221 academically gifted ment Mabel Phifer. The organization’s learning environment central office staff, the appointment has students might not be receiving the Web site (www.edgetp.org) outlines the been canceled or rescheduled. services they need to excel in the components of their training program. that helps the whole EDGE has also tried to partner with classroom. What makes EDGE different is Kestrell Heights Charter School for dual The state Department of Pub- twofold. First, EDGE targets Durham child.” enrollment, but the Department of Pub- lic Instruction is largely agreeing youth, primarily those between 16 and lic Instruction turned down that plan. with Merritt’s call for more over- 19 years of age, who have dropped out Mabel Phifer Phifer said that she has spoken with DPI sight. He is recommending that DPI of public schools. EDGE Dir. of Development officials and the State Superintendent of be given clear authority to monitor “These students often have a dif- Public Instruction’s office, but that her how funding for gifted programs ficult, if not impossible, task of finding efforts have not yielded results. Phifer a more accurate reflection of the dropout is used and how the programs are a GED program to serve their unique said vouchers might be the best way for rate, is abysmally low, with only 68 per- implemented. needs because most GED programs are the money to follow the students who cent of all students who start public high “The potential for students designed for adults,” Phifer said. Second, leave public schools, but the school es- school graduating in four years. to be underserved exists,” said EDGE offers an accelerated basic GED tablishment opposes vouchers. Of the 508 students reported as Elissa Brown, DPI’s consultant for curriculum, combined with an innova- having dropped out of Durham Pub- academically gifted programs. tive personal development program. lic Schools in 2006-07, blacks had the EDGE’s program Merritt began the audit in May “We’re not about being a GED mill, highest percentage, at 64.6 percent, in response to parent’s concerns that where students are taught only what The organization’s $400,000 an- compared to whites, at 15.2 percent. gifted program funds were being they need to pass the five GED subject nual budget is funded through private Black and Hispanic males comprised used for other purposes. tests,” Phifer said, “but instead we aim donations from individuals and from a to provide students with a nurturing, the largest percentage of all students couple of foundation grants. Students at- structured learning environment that who dropped out. tend tuition-free. Classes are conducted helps the whole child.” The total per-student expendi- in the mornings four days a week, so Art helps students read ture, including federal, state, and local that students can work afternoons and funding, in 2005-06 for Durham Public As Isaiah Richards moved his The dropout problem evenings. On Fridays, students receive paintbrush in long, smooth strokes, Schools was $8,570.16. Of that total, vocational, ethics, life skill, career, and streaks of red, yellow, and orange “Public schools are not the an- $4,884.43 came from state funding. leadership training. paint spread across his paper. The swer,” Phifer said. She pointed to two A report in October 2007 by the Another unique feature, said Ex- fourth-grader was carefully re-cre- recent local newspaper headlines, one Friedman Foundation and Parents for ecutive Director Frances Alexander, is ating the pyramids and Nile River announcing that Durham’s dropout rate Educational Freedom in North Carolina that EDGE takes students who score at of Egypt, the Asheville Citizen-Times fell in 2006-2007 and the other stating cited the true public cost of dropouts at the “basic” level, equivalent to second reports. that long-term suspensions are on the more than $4,437 per dropout per year grade. She said, however, that many Isaiah, 9, is one of 350 children rise in Durham Public Schools. “How when adding in lost revenue from taxes of EDGE’s students are brilliant, scor- participating in the Asheville Art can this be?” Phifer asked. and fees, increased Medicaid costs, and ing high on the TABE entrance test, Museum’s Literacy Through Art North Carolina is ranked in the bot- increased incarceration costs. “This and that they can generally complete program. The nine-week program tom 10 of states nationwide for dropout means the state is spending about as the program in as little as four weeks. brings local artists into 14 elemen- rates, according to a report in February much on dropouts each year after they Alexander dispelled the stereotype that tary classrooms throughout west- by The Public School Forum’s report. leave school as it spent when they were these students cannot succeed, saying ern North Carolina. Recently released figures from the in school,” the report said. that many were bored and disengaged The artists, each with a back- State Board of Education for 2006-07 “Why does the very institution that in public schools. ground in education, use art to en- show that 23,550 students dropped out creates the dropout problem get to keep EDGE also takes students who hance literacy, nurturing children’s of North Carolina public high schools, the money? Why can’t organizations like have been referred to them by the courts abilities to observe the world and an increase over the 2005-06 number EDGE or charter schools get that money or by social services. EDGE has 45 stu- tell stories. and the highest number of dropouts to help these students obtain the educa- dents, four teachers, and one student Through the Van Winkle Law since 1999-2000. tion they deserve?” Phifer asked. support specialist. Volunteers provide Firm’s Give 100 Campaign, the art What many North Carolinians Vanessa Jeter, a spokeswoman for mentoring and tutoring to students who museum was able to take the 13- might not realize is that the dropout the N.C. Department of Public Instruc- need special help. year-old program to Henderson numbers exclude students who are in tion, said that “schools still need the Durham Technical Community County Schools. long-term suspension and initial enroll- same number of teachers regardless of College, North Carolina Central Uni- It is already in Asheville City, ees, those who leave school within 20 whether students drop out. The number versity, and the University of North McDowell County, Mitchell Coun- days of their first enrollment in a par- of students per class that drop out is Carolina at Chapel Hill are partners. ty, and Yancey County schools. ticular school district or LEA. Students such a small number.” Jeter said that Durham Technical Community The law firm gave $50,000 to the are also excluded if they transfer to a “90 percent of the state’s public school College pays part of the teachers’ program and raised another $56,530 private school, home school, or other budget is for salaries for teachers and salaries (three hours per day) and through private donations. CJ state-approved educational program. instructional staff.” also provides the exams and of- North Carolina’s cohort gradua- Jeter said that the per-student ficial GED certification to students tion rates, which some experts believe is expenditure figure could appear high, once they’ve passed the tests. CJ CAROLINA March 2008 JOURNAL Education 11 Citizens Fighting 100-School Limit on Charter Schools

By LEE CULPEPPER Not only did the report fail to consider any autonomy for more funding, he officials and traditional school advocates Contributing Editor the two categories of charter schools, it said, “Not a chance.” BHCS is a North continually charge that charters drain RALEIGH also failed to account for the short time Carolina “school of excellence.” money from district schools and that aiting lists to enter North that some charters had been operating. Betterton also pointed out that he uncertified teachers and unsatisfactory Carolina’s charter schools Consequently, advocates of charters say furnished the entire school with desks, racial-diversity ratios plague charter grow longer every day, but the report highlights charter failures, not chairs, and tables for $300. “Are the schools. Wdespite the growing demand, the sup- charter successes. district schools doing that?” he asked. Charter advocates do not agree. ply of charter schools remains limited The skeptics of charter schools, Betterton’s ability to maximize the Denise Kent of Wake Forest’s Franklin to 100 across the state by the General such as Eddie Davis and Sheri Strick- value of a dol- Academy said charter schools receive Assembly. land of the lar has earned money only for each student who is The Blue Ribbon Commission N . C . him the nick- enrolled. on Charter Schools recently suggested A s s o - name Yard Dog “The argument boils down to that legislators increase the cap by six c i a t i o n from parents, whether one believes tax dollars should charters each year. More charters could of Edu- because he con- follow individual students or whether be authorized if charter students per- c a t o r s , stantly looks to that money belongs to the districts,” form well on standardized tests. While have ex- salvage what- Gerber said. many charter advocates consider the pressed a ever he finds at Charters’ results highlight res- recommendation encouraging, the panel wait-and- yard sales. ervations about the value of teacher has also recommended cracking down s e e a p - R o g e r certifications. Credible research sup- on poor-performing charter schools. proach to Gerber, di- ports claims that teacher certificates are State officials have already begun that charters’ r e c t o r o f insignificant. Professors from Harvard, process. r e s u l t s . The League Columbia, and Dartmouth expose the Critics have avoided clarify- However, of Charter irrelevance of teacher certification in a ing why they do not consider charter advocates Schools, said report, Photo Finish. schools’ overall results to be “innova- believe char- the state has “Traditionally, states and districts tive.” Charter schools have matched ters have al- not lived up have regulated teacher quality by focus- district schools’ results. But charter ready proved to its end of ing on initial qualifications. In writing schools have proved they can produce what these the bargain, competitive results without the assets critics are t h o u g h . the No Child Left Behind Act, Congress their competition claims are needed. still waiting The state followed that same logic, requiring Charters receive far less taxpayer fund- to see. Char- uses No states to live up to the minimum hiring ing; they employ fewer certified teach- ter schools Child Left Behind to standards they have established. But is ers; and they operate, allegedly, with are adapting regulate and rein in charters, he said. a highly qualified teacher more likely to inadequate racial diversity — without to and overcoming the traditional envi- “By capping the number of char- be a highly effective teacher? Our results which, their critics contend, an enhanced ronment of public education. They are ters and imposing more regulations, suggest not,” the report says. learning environment cannot exist. improvising and accomplishing more bureaucrats make it difficult for char- No empirical evidence supports On the other hand, supporters of with fewer resources than traditional ters to truly compete,” Gerber said. racial diversity enhancing learning, charters believe that results speak for schools. He acknowledged that not all charters either. On the contrary, research by themselves. Despite failing to distin- Advocates point to the administra- have the best philosophies. But, he said, Harvard’s Ronald G. Fryer suggests the guish between targeted charter schools, tive bureaucracy that encumbers tradi- “Unlike traditional schools, parents are opposite. His researach reveals that black which serve at-risk students, from un- tional schools. Charters are designed to free to remove their children at any time. students who do well academically in ra- targeted charter schools, which serve eliminate the inefficiency of that system. [Charters are] more about quantifiable cially integrated schools face banishment general populations, the N.C. Center Principal John Betterton of Bethel Hill results and satisfying the client.” and even violence from other blacks. for Public Policy Research reported Charter School in Roxboro values his Instead of exploring what charter “It’s less of a problem in the pri- that charters performed basically as schools self-sufficiency so much that schools are doing differently that enables vate sector and in predominantly black well as the state’s traditional schools. when asked whether he would forfeit them to compete with fewer assets, state public schools,” he said. CJ Locke, Jefferson and the Justices: Foundations and Failures of the U.S. Government

By George M. Stephens

Preface by Newt Gingrich

“This book is about American politics and law; it is also about the roots of the Contract with America. A logical place to find the intent of the Founders is in Locke, [and] Stephens makes a contribution to highlighting this.” Newt Gingrich Former Speaker U.S. House of Representatives

Algora Publishing, New York (www.algora.com) March 2008 CAROLINA 12 Higher Education JOURNAL

Campus Notes Top priority

t the end of January, uni- UNC Pushing Strengthening of K-12 Education versities throughout North Carolina traded in their tra- By JANE S. SHAW methods. These come up with group ditional team colors for green. A Contributing Editor or class performance averages. Because Professors and administrators RALEIGH these are distorted by the differing at Appalachian State University, n 2006 when Erskine Bowles gave composition of each group or class, they North Carolina Central University, his inaugural address as president cannot provide a consistent measure- the University of North Carolina at ment of which teachers, programs, or Chapel Hill, and other universities of the University of North Carolina, Ihe listed strengthening K-12 education schools are improving performance or participated in a nationwide teach- holding it back. in on climate change Jan. 30-31. The in the state as a top priority. “Nothing is more important,” he said. Instead, the Education Value- event was organized by Focus the ing of the standard algorithm for long The UNC Tomorrow Commission, Added Assessment System records Nation, an initiative that teaches division, or multiplying and division which recently laid out a presumed an individual’s progress, or lack of it, young people about “sustainable” of fractions,” he writes. Cunningham future for the university in its new re- from year to year. Tracking a student’s solutions to the “civilizational chal- includes an example of long division in port, does something similar. It stresses performance over time indicates what is lenge of our generation,” global his paper for those who aren’t familiar the need to improve K-12 education, working and what isn’t for each student. warming. with it. although it now is called Birth to 20. It provides a more accurate picture of Special events abounded, and • DPI requires teachers to pass “UNC should be more actively involved the impact of the programs, schools, numerous professors incorporated the PRAXIS licensure test; but PRAXIS in solving North Carolina’s public edu- and teachers. green themes into the curriculum. devotes “such a small part of the test to cation challenges,” the report says in a Once the effectiveness of teachers is Debate centered around which solu- the scientific principles of reading that a tions will best combat the inevitable major finding. measured, their success, or lack of it, can, student could miss all of them and still warming. Focus the Nation warns It is possible that the emphasis on at least theoretically, be used to assess the pass the test.” that without action, humans will pre-college education is “mission creep” schools where they were trained. • DPI requires education schools face a “swing in global temperatures for the university. Or it could be a politi- So far, however, the assessment to meet the standards of the National of Ice Age magnitude within our cal opportunity in which Bowles sees a system is being used in only a few schools Council for the Accreditation of Teacher children’s lifetimes.” So: chance to become the “education czar” in North Carolina. The DPI doesn’t Education, which, Cunningham says, “is • NCCU screened “An Incon- of North Carolina. provide information to the university firmly in the grip of progressive educa- venient Truth,” the documentary Equally valid is the view that the about where the graduates of education tion theorists.” about global warming featuring Al focus on K-12 stems from the confluence schools are teaching, nor about how well So what’s to be done? Bowles, Gore, throughout the day. During the of two unhappy factors — seriously they are doing. Presumably, it has a lot whose solutions are driven by data, evening, a student panel discussion underperforming K-12 schools and of this information, since each year it wants to find out which teacher educa- followed a broadcast of recorded University of North Carolina educa- gives the university figures such as the tion schools are providing good teach- 10 districts that hire the most graduates remarks by U.S. Rep. David Price, tion schools that don’t teach teachers ers. To evaluate the education schools, from each school. D-NC. how to teach. Both are serious flaws however, he needs the cooperation of If Bowles is successful in bringing • Duke University sponsored and Bowles is taking some steps to cor- the state’s K-12 system because that’s the K-12 system and the UNC system a “critical mass” bicycle ride, panel rect them. Most recently, the university where most UNC education school together, he should be able to get the discussions, sustainability fair, and sponsored a meeting of the UNC Board graduates go. data. If he can, it will be a step toward a roundtable discussion on green of Governors; the Community College Fortunately, the data he needs are, identifying which education schools democracy. Panels addressed envi- Board; and the State Board of Education, almost, within reach. are producing the best graduates, those ronmental justice, global warming which supervises K-12. Bowles wants to in North Carolina, and obstacles There is a method for measuring an who can convey essential skills to the get the groups talking together. to changing political behavior. The individual student’s progress. It’s called diverse group of students in today’s Some of the problems in K-12 day culminated with the Cameron the Education Value-Added Assessment classrooms. CJ schools appear to stem from the training Crazies trading in their trademark System, provided by the SAS Institute of teachers. In January, the Pope Center Blue Devils for green ones (but just and developed by William Sanders over Jane S. Shaw is the executive vice published a paper, “University of North for the first half). many years at the University of Tennes- president of the John William Pope Center Carolina Education Schools: Helping or • At Appalachian State Uni- see. It differs from current assessment for Higher Education Policy. versity the teach-in started with a Hindering Potential Teachers?” on the screening of “The 2% Solution,” a education schools in the UNC system. live interactive Webcast produced by It was not flattering. the National Wildlife Federation and Education schools in the UNC Teacher Education Fails the Test aired by the Earth Day Network. system are more concerned with mak- What was missing? Debate ing children feel good about themselves about the science of climate change. than teaching them to read or do long at UNC Schools division, said George Cunningham, a Plenty of scientists contend that cli- as reported in mate change is natural and occurs longtime education school professor in completely independent of atmo- Kentucky. He examined UNC course University of North Carolina spheric carbon dioxide. Significant descriptions; syllabi; and mission state- Education Schools: ments, known as “conceptual frame- research shows that climate change Helping or Hindering Potential could benefit agriculture and - bio works,” to come to that conclusion. diversity. Cunningham argues that UNC Teachers? Those interested in hearing schools’ commitment to “student-cen- George K. Cunningham alternatives to global warming hys- tered” learning or progressive educa- teria should watch one of two readily tion, as opposed to teacher-directed To receive your free copy, available DVDs, “The Great Global learning, has led them to minimize the call 919.532.3600 or email Warming Swindle” produced by actual imparting of skills and knowl- [email protected] British television’s Channel 4 or Ste- edge. ven F. Hayward’s “An Inconvenient Poor teaching isn’t just the fault of Truth or Convenient Fiction?” CJ the education schools. It is also the fault of the K-12 system. In his paper, Cun- By Jenna Ashley Robinson, ningham cites decisions by officials of the campus outreach coordinator for the state Department of Public Instruction John William Pope Center for Higher that promote ineffective instruction: Education Policy. • DPI “does not require memori- zation of the multiplication tables, teach- Visit the Pope Center online at popecenter.org for additional reports and studies CAROLINA March 2008 JOURNAL Higher Education 13

Point/Counterpoint: College Endowments xxxxxxxxxxxx Don’t Involve the Feds Require a Mandatory Payout

ollege endowment spend- couldn’t afford them would apply uition at UNC-Chapel Hill in- with a tax advantage over their for- ing is an issue where politics and get in. An equal number of creased by 6 percent last year, profit competition. This situation should not intrude. What- students who now can afford these while the school’s endow- does not support a free market phi- Cever good might come from federal schools would be displaced and Tment leaped by 32.1 percent to $2.16 losophy, but distorts it, by handicap- intervention would be small in have to settle for a less-prestigious billion. According to the National ping for-profit investment firms. comparison to the harm of opening college. That is to say, we would Association of College and Univer- Another possible problem with up a new Pandora’s Box of political slightly change the distribution of sity Business Officers, colleges paid enormous endowments is that they dictation of decisions that should students. Is that an important objec- out an average of 4.6 percent of their permit the universities to escape be left in the hands of tive? endowments in 2007, a market forces. Accord- university officials. I don’t think so. drop from 5.1 percent in ing to Fred Fransen, What this issue Harvard is prestigious, 2003. executive director of boils down to is that but students who go University endow- the Center of Excellence schools with large there don’t get a dramati- ments are granted tax- in Higher Education, a endowments aren’t cally superior education free status by the govern- foundation that works putting as much of their compared to students ment, on the assumption with university donors, money into financial at other schools. In fact, that doing so performs a such endowments “in- aid as some outsiders there is no reason to as- public good. The ques- sulate” schools from the demands of students, think they should. There sume that it’s superior at tion begs asking: What George Jay alumni, and trustees. wouldn’t be any prob- all. People can succeed public good is served by Leef Schalin It might actually be lem here if it weren’t for in life without getting universities building up best to limit a spending the fact that Americans a diploma emblazoned enormous “war chests” rule to schools with larg- keep hearing that college is becom- with the name of an elite, heavily as rising tuitions make higher edu- er endowments. Many colleges have ing “unaffordable” except to the endowed university on it. cation less accessible for the middle class? It would appear that students small endowments of a few million very wealthy. There really isn’t any great dollars that need to be preserved in That’s what makes the minu- benefit to the country in mandating and taxpayers are helping to finance huge accumulations of wealth at good years so that the money can be tiae of college spending interesting that the elite schools spend more used to supplement income during many of the nation’s top schools. — people think they see a way to of their endowment earnings on lean periods. Not only are colleges afforded make degrees more “accessible” by student aid or anything else that Such schools cannot always the same tax-free status that private lowering tuition. politicians want to take credit for. afford full-time fund managers to nonprofit foundations are, but they Let’s step back for some There is a cost, though. It’s the cost give them high returns on their in- are not subject to the 5 percent an- perspective. The colleges and uni- of allowing politics to intrude in one vestments, nor do they have genera- nual pay-out rate that is mandatory versities with multibillion-dollar more area where it has no business. tions of well-heeled alumni writing for the foundations. Recently, some endowments provide undergradu- Once politicians started to large checks, as do more prestigious members of Congress, particularly ate education to a small percentage meddle in the financial decision- private schools and flagship state Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley, have of American students. Among those making of colleges and universities, universities. taken note of the low university students, many can afford the cost their first step probably won’t be the Lynne Munson, an adjunct endowment payout rates, tuition of going to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, last. Until now, the allocation of col- fellow at the Center for College increases, and rapid growth of en- et al., because their families have lege financial resources has been left Affordability and Productivity, said dowments. Grassley has proposed sufficient wealth or because the alone, but think about how govern- that if inflation had grown at the imposing the 5 percent rule on col- kids have won big scholarships. For ment regulation has grown apace in same rate as tuition since 1980, a leges as well. them, lower tuition would be nice, other aspects of college operations. gallon of gasoline would now cost Some critics of Grassley’s but all that it does is to leave the Should we risk the financial as much $9.15, and a gallon of milk proposal object to this as a further families somewhat wealthier and equivalent of Title IX, the regulation would cost $15. Taxpayers already intrusion by government into the the universities with somewhat less that has done so much to mess up pick up a large share of the rising to spend on other things they would college sports in the name of gender free market. Yet higher education tuition bill, at least for lower-income like to do. equity? has long ceased to be a free market. students. What about the students from Don’t assume that my opposi- A large majority of college students Opponents of the proposed non-wealthy families? Certainly it tion to government regulation over attend public universities, and even rule have suggested that tax incen- would be good for them if, let us endowment spending means that private universities derive consid- tives be used to encourage dona- say, the cost of going to Harvard I’m indifferent to the high cost of erable income from government tions targeted to scholarship funds. were cut in half. a college education. I believe that sources, through federal tuition But this shifts the problem back onto Yes, it would be good for them, many institutions of higher educa- grant and loan programs or research taxpayers — the taxes lost through but good public policy doesn’t tion are more costly than they need grants. The tax-free status gives uni- the incentives must be made up necessarily mean making things less to be because administrators don’t versities a further advantage over elsewhere. The least painful solu- expensive for ordinary people. Keep regard affordability to undergradu- profit-seeking enterprises when it tion relies on using the endowments in mind that if Harvard is thought ates to be a particularly important comes to compounding their wealth as they were intended — for the to be too expensive, prospective objective. — at least 62 schools have endow- education of the nation’s young students have other options. Federal intervention simply ments of more than $1 billion. and talented. If university endow- A top-notch student from isn’t the right way to solve that With tremendous wealth ment funds are going to receive tax Raleigh who has the brains to go problem. CJ comes power. Universities are advantages, they should be willing to Harvard but not enough money already greatly influential in many to submit to a reasonable payout can choose instead to go to UNC or ways — particularly in shaping the limit. CJ some other school that’s less costly George C. Leef is the vice presi- opinions of the nation. Such enor- than Harvard. If tuition were lower dent for research at the John William mous wealth adds a new dimension Jay Schalin is a senior writer at elite institutions, some small Pope Center for Higher Education of power: Universities can operate with the John William Pope Center for number of students whose families Policy in Raleigh. like large investment banks, except Higher Education Policy in Raleigh. March 2008 CAROLINA 14 Higher Education JOURNAL

Bats in the Belltower Belmont Abbey President Seeks Not Worth a Plugged Nichol Return of Good Sportsmanship

hese two facts should remain by saying the cross wasn’t “ban- By JAY SCHALIN zealous parents and coaches at a son’s mere coincidence: one, that ished” from the Chapel, but would Contributing Editor fifth-grade basketball game. His son’s the University of North be “displayed on the altar at appro- RALEIGH team was obviously overmatched by a TCarolina at Chapel Hill is seeking priate religious services.” Never- he retirement of Bobby Knight will team from a much larger school. With to replace retiring Chancellor James theless, he stressed, “the Chapel not mean an end to bad behavior two minutes to go and his son’s team Moeser, and two, that College of is also used frequently for College in college sports. The former In- trailing by 32 points, the other team’s William & Mary President Gene events that are secular in nature Tdiana and Texas Tech basketball coach’s coach was “jumping up and screaming Nichol abruptly resigned after 19 — and should be open to students boorishness was legendary: spewing ‘Press! Press!’” tumultuous months after learning and staff of all beliefs.” How Nichol profanity-laced tirades at referees and “Guess what happens?” he asked. that the college’s board derived the conclusion Big Ten officials: throwing chairs onto the “They press, they steal the ball, they wouldn’t renew his con- that Wren Chapel isn’t basketball court; and choking; slapping; score again, they’re up by 34 points. tract in July. open to students and and kicking players (even his own son). And all the parents in the stands are There are some in staff of all beliefs when But in many ways, the hypercompetitive screaming in praise of their superhuman the UNC-CH commu- the cross is on the altar, sports culture has caught up with and athletes…and I’m thinking, ‘Am I in the nity who have greeted he didn’t say. even passed Coach Knight. Twilight Zone?’” William Thi- Thierfelder these as perfect timing. In months of erfelder wants to wants to reintro- Nichol is the former wrangling, Nichol was reverse this trend duce the concept dean of the School of forced to restore the toward athletic of virtue into ath- Law at UNC-CH and, Jon cross — although he c o m p e t i t i o n letic competition, according to reports, Sanders won a slight victory by without honor or and he wants ath- was a finalist for UNC- having the Wren Cross restraint. He is letic training to be- CH chancellor when encased in glass with an the president of come an integral Moeser was selected in 2000. He is accompanying plaque to explain its Belmont Abbey part of educating highly regarded in some circles. history (and essentially apologize College, a tiny a complete indi- Nevertheless, his brief stint for its presence). Catholic school vidual. He calls as head of William & Mary should Nevertheless, the juxtaposi- near Charlotte, his movement give the nascent Nichol for Chan- tion of issues — Nichol the stalwart a somewhat ob- “Sports Properly cellor movement pause. Nichol was defender of the First Amendment scure starting Directed.” The a disaster for that public college, when it pertained to the sight of point for a cru- name comes from and it would be folly to assume he 200-pound strippers challenging sade to alter what a speech by Pope would be any different if he were society’s perceptions of “sex work- seems to be an Pius XII called rewarded with the leadership of ers”; Nichol the secular revolu- ingrained feature “Sport at the Ser- another public institution. tionary eager to jettison the First of the American Two Belmont Abbey lacrosse players defend vice of the Spirit,” character. their goal in a game last spring. (CJ photo which begins, It would be a mistake to Amendment when it pertained to by Jon Ham) think the controversy surrounding the sight of a cross in a 300-year-old Yet Thier- “Sport, properly Nichol began and ended with the chapel — was too much for many felder has the cre- directed, devel- Sex Workers Art Show on cam- William & Mary alumni and sup- dentials to lead such a campaign, with a ops character, makes a man courageous, pus. Perhaps allowing a traveling porters. They responded in the only lifetime of success in a variety of athletic a generous loser, and a gracious victor. peep show on campus (even one way people in “the real world” can endeavors. He was a national champion It refines the senses, gives intellectual studiously justified with diligent to academic excess: They stopped highjumper and two-time All-American penetration and steels the will to en- application of trendy academic giving. The most significant loss at the University of Maryland. He has a durance.” phraseology) ought to be the sort was the revocation of a $12 million doctorate in sports psychology and has He created a Web site, called of executive decision that makes pledge by a top donor. worked with hundreds of professional ReclaimTheGame.com, and has estab- athletes. While CEO, he restored the York lished awards and scholarships. He is boards lose confidence, but recall Unlike the sex show, however, Barbell Company to profitability. remolding the Belmont Abbey athletic that Duke University has also been the Wren Cross controversy origi- Still, to change the mindset of the program according to his vision. “When disgraced with the sex show, not to nated from Nichol, and it seemed nation is going to be a tremendous uphill I look at coaches for Belmont Abbey, I’m mention the shameful treatment of as if the new president had deliber- battle, given the pervasiveness of poor looking for coaches who are teachers and its (innocent) “rich white athletic ately picked a fight. In some ways, sportsmanship: mentors first. I hope they’re world class male privilege”-laden lacrosse it was reminiscent of fights picked • Penn State football coach Joe in their abilities to coach, but that’s not players, yet Duke President Rich- with Christian student groups at Paterno has long been heralded for his enough for me. I’m looking for some- ard H. Brodhead remains. UNC-CH over campus recognition. principled refusal to lower recruiting body who recognizes that [he has] been To be sure, this is an argument UNC-CH sought to de-recognize a standards. Yet it appears that those entrusted with the mind, body, and soul neither pro nor con Brodhead’s Christian student evangelical group standards have been dropped, since of [the athlete].” continuing tenure at Duke; instead, that required members to hold and his recruits now fill the police blotters The task before him may be im- it is an argument that unlike even uphold the beliefs upon which the regularly for serious crimes such as rape possible: Americans seem to like their Brodhead, Nichol handled con- groups were based, and after go- and assault, even murder. athletes behaving badly. The taunting, troversy so hamfistedly as to earn ing to federal court, the university • Duke University’s basketball the showboating, and the self-congratu- swift dismissal even in the ten- eventually changed its policy. fans have established the gold standard latory end-zone dances are often the ure wonderland. During the first Regardless of his past ties among college sports enthusiasts. They things that make the highlight reels. sex-show controversy at William with UNC-CH, in less than two employ irritating and obnoxious tac- Thierfelder might turn out to be & Mary, Nichol was embroiled years away Nichol has demon- tics, sometimes clever and sometimes only a modern-day Don Quixote, tilting in another firestorm of his own strated well enough that his former juvenile, to gain additional home court his lance insignificantly at the vast world devise: namely, his edict to remove employer isn’t in need of his kind advantage for their team by distracting of sports. But he is a difficult person to a cross from the college’s historic of leadership. CJ the opposition. bet against, given his past successes. CJ Wren Chapel on the off chance that • In 2006, a backup punter at secular students might see it and Northern Colorado University, hoping feel unwelcome. Jon Sanders is research editor for to gain the starting position, stabbed his Nichol justified his decision the John Locke Foundation. rival in his kicking leg. Jay Schalin is a senior writer for the Some motivation forThierfelder’s John William Pope Center for Higher Educa- campaign came while watching over- tion Policy in Raleigh. CAROLINA March 2008 JOURNAL Higher Education 15 Opinion Hot Strippers and Slow Learners at Duke University A-Go-Go

By JAY SCHALIN and shout, “I take it According to she said after the show. “Women do not Contributing Editor up the butt!” Some Larrey, Duke Presi- make what men make in this country, RALEIGH other highlights, or dent Richard Brod- even people of color, and until that ou would think Duke University lowlights if you pre- head “appeared to changes, until there are adequate health- might be a little cautious about fer, included: act as if he didn’t care programs, until there are serious paying strippers to perform on • A transves- want to know” when anti-poverty programs, for someone to Ycampus. After all, there was that little tite, naked except for Larrey tried to bring say the sex industry is not a viable op- incident that happened about two years some strategically up the apparent con- tion, it is a viable option for someone ago — something to do with a couple of placed tape, with tradiction between whose only other option is working a strippers and some lacrosse players. the words “F___ the school’s actions minimum wage job or worse.” But inviting strippers to perform Bush” painted on and the regulation However, the stories told by the does not appear to be a problem as his chest, kneeled on all fours and lit a against the hiring of strippers. Larrey participants in the Art Show belie her long as the intent is not to titillate men, sparkler protruding out of his rectum said Provost Peter Lange claimed that the claim that a choice between desperate but to shock a mixed audience with with “America the Beautiful” playing. organizers went through the correct pro- poverty and selling their bodies is gen- vulgarity and disparage mainstream • A bare-breasted stripper sang cesses for the Sex Workers to appear on erally responsible for American women American values. In the latter case, the a lewd song about Saint Bridget of campus, and that it would be “censori- entering the sex industry. One woman in university is quite willing to pay, despite Ireland, with lyr- ous” to rescind the the show said she had a regular job and a regulation reintroduced into the Bul- ics mocking the school’s permis- an apartment in Los Angeles when she letin of Information and Regulations act of ascension as sion at that point. chose to enter the sex trades. “I started after the lacrosse case that explicitly she climbed to the The performers did not He also said that partying regularly, and it became expen- states “strippers may not be invited or top of a stripper’s there was a big dif- sive living in the city with my new ex- paid to perform at events sponsored by pole. just take their clothes off ference between travagant partying lifestyle, so I needed individual students, residential living • A strip- — and the actual nudity the Sex Workers a better-paying job,” she said. groups, or cohesive units.” per, in the guise of Art Show and the A male prostitute acknowledged At least, it was willing Feb. 3, when a U.S. flag-draped part of the show was hiring of strip- that his livelihood was the result of bad official university organizations paid for L a d y J u s t i c e , pers by the Duke choices, not desperation. He said he a performance of the Sex Workers’ Art yanked a string rather tame. lacrosse team in had his pick of some of the most elite Show at the campus’s Reynolds The- of dollar bills out 2006. Larrey did universities in the country to attend, ater. The sponsors included the Duke of her posterior as not say whether including Yale, Duke, and the University Women’s Center, the Duke Student the sound system played Dolly Parton’s the provost specified what that differ- of Virginia. He chose UVA because “it Health Center, the Campus Council, the version of “God Bless the U.S.A.” She ence was. was only an hour away from my 43- Women’s Studies Department, and Stu- ended her act by saluting and holding Larrey also contacted the campus year-old lover.” dents for Choice. The Art Show received up her middle finger to the crowd. The police on the day of the event to check on It would also appear that the Duke a total of $3,500 and high-level official announcer referred to it as her “Infamous whether the policy would be enforced. administration made a bad choice, using sanctioning from the university, said Patriot Act.” Her most private area He was informed that the college sanc- university funds to pay for a monstrously Kenneth Larrey, president of the Duke was kept covered by a small American tioned the show. offensive event against its own regula- Students for an Ethical Duke. flag. Duke’s failure to apply the “no tions, particularly in light of the school’s The performers did not just take • A porn actress read a series of strippers” rule when the Art Show was divisive recent past. It certainly raises the their clothes off — and the actual nudity prose poems. In one, titled “Spit,” she clearly in violation was not the only question ,“What were they thinking?” Or part of the show was rather tame. But described how another actress spit into hypocrisy on display. Oakley attempted rather, “Are they thinking?” CJ mere nudity could hardly compare with her eye and then licked it out. to portray sex workers as victims, forced a show that began with the Art Show’s The crowd of about 300 people, into the sex trades for economic reasons. Jay Schalin is a senior writer with founder and announcer, Annie Oakley, mostly students, roared with raucous “You probably have other options, the John William Pope Center for Higher imploring the audience to stand up laughter throughout the evening. whereas people in the sex trade don’t,” Education Policy.

Books authored By JLF staFFers Efficiency and Externalities Concerned About in an Open-Ended Universe Higher Education in North Carolina? So Are We!

By Roy Cordato Vice President for Research The John William Pope Center for Higher John Locke Foundation Education Policy online carries up-to-date “Cordato’s book is a solid higher education news coverage and performance, demonstrating research on North Carolina universities. impressive mastery of both the Austrian and neoclassical literature.” popecenter.org Visit the Pope Israel Kirzner Center online at Cato Journal Looking out for today’s college students. popecenter.org www.mises.org March 2008 CAROLINA 16 Local Government JOURNAL Town and County ‘Nonpartisan’ CAN Promotes Liberal Issues Pinehurst and golf carts Durham organization Pinehurst village officials have squelched attempts by the has radical pedigree municipality’s police chief to enforce a state law prohibiting golf carts on public streets. The action is likely to in IAF connections trigger an attempt by the golf resort to seek authority from the General By KAREN McMAHAN Assembly to opt out of the state ban Contributing Editor The Durham Congregations, Associations, and Neighborhoods’ Web site logo. and establish its own regulations on DURHAM golf carts on streets, the Fayetteville urham Congregations, Associa- Network reports publication of the Observer reports. tions, and Neighborhoods was that dues can be as liberal National On Jan. 7 Pinehurst police founded in 1999 to bring about high as “$200,000 Durham CAN is an af- Housing Institute, began issuing verbal warnings to Dsocial change in Durham. The coalition for a typical congre- filiate of the Industrial has praised this the drivers of golf carts found on compriss more than 20 local churches gation.” Attempts and other IAF public streets. Police Chief Ronnie and other nonprofit organizations whose to speak with Dur- Areas Foundation, a na- initiatives. Other Davis’ plan was to begin issuing mission “is to develop local leadership ham CAN’s execu- groups Shelter- tickets Feb. 1. and organized power to fight for social tive director, Kohar tional and international force promotes That didn’t happen, as both justice,” according to the group’s Web Parra, and many of are MoveOn.org, the village manager and mayor told site (http://www.durhamcan.org). its member organi- group that unabashedly ACORN, and the Davis to let the golf carts be. While the group touts itself as non- zations regarding boasts of being “persis- AFL-CIO. “I know this has been bother- partisan and nonideological, a review of their dues and or- The Texas ing him for quite some time, but its activities, affiliations, and supporters ganizing activities tently political” in using Industrial Areas there have been carts using private casts doubt. Notably, Durham CAN were unsuccessful, Foundation, led roads in Pinehurst for at least 28 is an affiliate of the Industrial Areas with the exception power to engage the by Ernesto Cortes, years, while Pinehurst has been a Foundation, a national and international of James Phillips, was instrumen- municipal government,” Village group that unabashedly boasts of being social justice chair- poor in politics. tal in developing Manager Andy Wilkison said about “persistently political” in using power man of All Souls a school-to-work Davis. to engage the poor in politics. Church Unitarian plan in conjunc- In response, the village council The IAF was founded in the 1940s Universalist, and Alba Onofrio, execution with the Texas Education Agency, is expected to ask Rep. Joe Boylan, by Saul Alinsky, a radical labor activist tive director of El Centro Hispano. according to the Parents’ Education R-Moore, to introduce a bill in the and author of Rules for Radicals, a 1971 “Our congregation is small, so our Research Network. In November 1999, Assembly that would allow Pine- book in which he acknowledged Lucifer dues are $10 per person,” Phillips said. Fast Company reported that Texas had hurst to govern the use of golf carts as the “very first radical” and lauded him “Several church members are active the strongest IAF network, with 12 on its streets. for his effectiveness in rebelling against in Durham CAN and attend meetings IAF-affiliated groups, “mostly Catholic, the establishment. regularly, though no one is forced to Protestant, and Jewish congregations, Highlights from the 2007 Family participate.” Phillips said his two pre- along with public schools and other Raleigh to raise impact fees? Foundation Conference sponsored by decessors at All Souls were involved interest groups.” the Council on Foundations emphasize in voter registration through Durham One of Durham CAN’s tactics is Raleigh City Council has the role of philanthropy in advancing CAN, and current members have been to use a small group of professional scheduled a public hearing to re-ex- social justice and influencing public involved in job and health-care initia- organizers to conduct individual meet- amine its impact-fee structure. The policy. Among the presenters were Arnie tives. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North ings and house meetings to identify fees will likely be doubled after the Graff of the Industrial Areas Foundation, Carolina has participated with Durham issues, “agitate, challenge . . . and build April public hearing, which might Bertha Lewis of ACORN, Marcia Egbert CAN to urge local government officials networks,” according to documents on be moved up, The News & Observer of The George Gund Foundation, and to expand the SCHIP program and other its Web site. They train the leaders in of Raleigh reports. Susan Hoeschstetter of the Alliance for similar initiatives aimed at the uninsured “power, self-interest, leadership skills, In a significant change in Justice. and illegal immigrants. planning actions/campaigns, and effec- policy, the proposed new impact Funding for the IAF and its affili- tive relationship building.” cost structure would be tiered. The ates, including the Durham CAN, comes Phillips said that the All Souls amount charged would depend Won’t register Republicans primarily from liberal foundations and Church conducts regular “house meet- upon the size of the house being Phillips was emphatic that he ings where church members attend, and built. Currently, the impact fee corporations. Among them are the Mary “personally would never register any they are polled about issues,” and then for open space and transportation Reynolds Babcock Foundation, Z. Smith Republicans” because he does voter he reports the results to Durham CAN. charged for the typical new single- Reynolds Foundation, Warner Founda- registration for the Durham County Some recent issues his congregation family house is about $1,200. Un- tion, Carnegie Corporation, and the Democratic Party. He said that in recent identified were “racial profiling, gangs, der the draft regulations, it would Rockefeller Foundation. elections he was sent to some Durham transportation, and rights for illegal be raised to an average of about suburbs and found that most of the immigrants.” $2,500. Promoting a progressive agenda residents were Republicans. “I refused For larger houses, the fees Churches comprise the majority to register them, and just left,” Phillips would be higher. For new homes IAF affiliates have been working of Durham CAN’s membership. Like said. “I know that Durham CAN targets 2,000 to 2,999 square feet, the pro- to promote a liberal, progressive agenda the other nearly 60 IAF affiliates in the poorer neighborhoods in Durham, not posed impact fees would be $1,386 by influencing educational and funding United States and abroad, Durham CAN the suburbs.” for transportation and $924 to $1,129 policies. In a March 2007 press release, is engaged in social activism centered “El Centro Hispano has been for openspace, depending upon the the Parents’ Education Research Net- on living-wage bills, health care, before- exact location in the city. work warned about the growing success closely associated with Durham CAN school and after-school programs (sub- Raleigh officials estimate the of the IAF and the Interfaith Alliance in since its inception,” Onofrio said. Dur- sidized day care), high school reform, higher impact fees would bring in “infiltrating various churches with calls ham CAN’s first office was established and bilingualism. The group refers to its about an additional $7 million to $8 for social activism.” Church tithes paid within El Centro’s building. efforts as ensuring “accountability.” million per year. To impose tiered as dues to IAF affiliates are channeled One of the most widely publicized In a publication on the organiza- impact fees, the city conducted to lobby for liberal social policy change. education initiatives has been in Texas, tion’s Web site titled “Durham CAN additional research in an attempt This strategy allows IAF affiliates to use where IAF affiliates launched the Alli- celebrates 8 years working to create to establish a relationship between churches as little more than political ac- ance Schools project, a model for influ- social change in Durham,” the organiza- size of a house and the impacts tion groups while circumventing legal encing funding and educational policies tion heralds its success promoting and it generates. CJ scrutiny. that focus on social and economic justice, The Parents’ Education Research rather than academics. Shelterforce, a Continued as “Nonpartisan,“ Page 19 CAROLINA March 2008 JOURNAL Local Government 17

Spending Open-Space Bonds Commentary On Private Land Causes Rift Government Blames Water Users By SAM A. HIEB As the debate commenced, it was nless something dramatic to help keep their farms irrigated in Contributing Editor clear that commissioners weren’t sure happens, water will domi- tough times. That planning allowed GREENSBORO what the $10 million portion of the bond nate much of the political farms to flourish even in drought t a recent meeting where Guil- should go toward. More liberal-minded Uand public discussion in North Car- conditions. As you fly over the ford County commissioners put commissioners such as Alston, Carolyn olina this year. Access to it, control state, you can see the evidence of five bonds totaling $671 million Coleman, and Bruce Davis expressed of it, who gets it, how much they that planning from east to west and Aon the ballot for May 6, it was the debate surprise that $1 million in taxpayers’ get, and how much it will cost will from border to border. But the lack over the proper expenditure of bond money would go toward land on which funds passed almost four years ago that a private business would continue to be the political football of the com- of reservoir building in this state drew the most heated debate. operate. ing season. But with a few tropical borders on the criminal. The funds are part of a $20 mil- “This has got to be the sweetest storms or hurricanes, In the past 10 lion parks and recreation bond that deal for a farmer in Guilford County,” much of that discussion years, Cary was al- Guilford County voters passed in Davis said. “I think the public ought to be will disappear faster lowed to move more 2004, $10 million of outraged when to- than North Carolina’s than 12 million gallons which was desig- morrow the group former budget sur- a day from the Cape pluses. Fear water basin to the nated for the pres- “It seems like some that gives away ervation of “open half a million dol- According to the Neuse. Rather than space.” Commis- sort of deal has been lars of Guilford N.C. Drought Manage- build more capacity, sioners had pre- County’s money, ment Council, a bit they simply got legisla- viously turned cut here. This just don’t hard-earned tax less than half the state tive approval to move down a request dollars, and then is in an “exceptional a water supply. Now to spend $500,000 smell right. ... If a deal the state has the drought,” another 35 folks up river from of the funds, to has been cut, shame on nerve to kick in percent of the state is in Cabarrus are looking be matched by another half a mil- an “extreme drought,” at drastic water basin $500,000 from the you.” lion dollars. I don’t and the remaining 15 transfers or worse. state’s $8 million get it.” percent is in a “severe drought.” There is no doubt the envi- farmland preser- Commissioner Skip Alston Yo w a p - The nuances between these ronmental movement has done a vation fund, to commenting on peared to have a classifications are not worth the remarkable job of slowing down buy development Commissioner Billy Yow’s tongue-in-cheek time it would take to write (You preparation for growth. Protecting rights to the 306- request to spend expression on his know how bureaucracy loves long habitat and acquiring vast tracts of acre Gerringer face when offer- definitions.) Clearly, North Carolina publicly owned land took the place Dairy Farm in the “open-space” bond funds ing up reasons has some water issues. The reac- of truly preparing for the growth eastern part of the for Gerringer Dairy tract for making the tions are somewhat predictable. that North Carolina was inevitably county. motion. Many cities are starting to enact to have. C o m m i s - “The point water restrictions. The victims are the custom- sioner Billy Yow, normally a sound is, they’re buying the development In Raleigh, the council voted, ers of water systems and probably steward of taxpayers’ money, brought rights, the state’s pitching in with half 8-0, to restrict water usage. Such those on wells who will likely be the request back at the meeting Jan. 20. the money and there’s more open space,” a policy will severely limit new shut down and forced into a gov- That Yow would make such a motion was Yow said. “I think the folks of this county construction, car washes, and ernment-run water system in the so unusual that his friendly adversary on did a tremendous disservice when they landscaping, and it might well put coming years. the board, Commissioner Skip Alston, voted for the open-space money, but it’s many companies out of business. One of the most effective ways openly suggested that Yow had cut some there, and this is a better way to get more Ironically, even as such restrictions to reduce use of a given resource, sort of political deal in exchange for his for the buck.” put folks out of business, these in this case, water, is to change the support on the matter. Commissioner Mike Winstead same communities give incentive cost. Raleigh’s answer was essen- “It seems like some sort of deal summed up the situation on the public’s money away to create jobs. tially to put neighbors in a position has been cut here,” Alston said. “This understanding of “open space” bonds. But are local governments of reporting on neighbors violat- just don’t smell right. And I don’t know “When voters vote on something, asking the right questions? Are the ing the water usage rules. A better what other kind of deal he’s cut with the they should be told specifically what the assignments of blame appropri- option would have been to address people that own this property, but this money’s going to be used for,” Winstead ate? How should we deal with this the cost of water. Raising costs low- is serious. I’m not laughing, Billy, and said. “What we don’t do good enough “shortage”? ers usage or at least makes people the citizens aren’t laughing. If a deal has is describe what these bonds say on the These are all good questions more aware. been cut, shame on you.” ballot. These numbers come up, and a and, unfortunately, many local In the end, much of what Yow’s close ally on the board, lot of times I don’t know where they get governments are blaming the users is happening in response to the Commissioner Steve Arnold, wondered the numbers.” rather than looking at their ut- drought is a knee-jerk reaction to aloud what was prompting his support Yow’s motion failed by a 6-5 vote. ter failure to plan over the past 30 years of poor planning. If we do on the matter. In a later phone interview, Commission years. have tropical systems that dump Arnold was practically livid over Chairman Kirk Perkins, a moderate If the oil companies were un- millions of gallons of precious wa- the motion. Democrat who voted for the motion, able to provide enough petroleum ter, we’ll soon be discussing flood “I cannot believe how outrageous said he didn’t expect it to come back products to keep the economy relief. The real answer is dealing this request is,” Arnold said. “Now, this up again. running because of poor planning, with the demands by preparing for board in the past has done outrageous While Perkins thinks that conser- demands to haul those execu- them and adequately pricing the things. We pick out the most successful, vation easements are important, he also tives before Congress would echo system based on use and supply. CJ the most wealthy developers in this acknowledged that government pur- throughout the country. But during county and say, ‘Please, take our money.’ chases of conservation easements might a water shortage, we simply look at I can’t imagine we’re going to establish not be the best deal for landowners. the lack of rain and over-usage as Chad Adams is vice president for a precedent by giving away hundreds “I own 100 acres, and I don’t the problem, rather than addressing development for the John Locke Foun- of thousands of dollars to a business want to sell the development right to venture — a farm — where the county my property, at any particular price,” the massive shortage of reservoirs dation, director of the Center for Local is not ending up with control over that Perkins said. “If it’s such a good throughout the state. Innovation, and former vice chairman ‘open space’ — so-called — that they’re deal, why is it so hard to get people Farmers over the past 80 years of the Lee County Board of Commis- buying.” to get to do it?” CJ or so have built thousands of ponds sioners. March 2008 CAROLINA 18 Local Government JOURNAL

Local Innovation Bulletin Board From Cherokee to Currituck New Hanover Makes Costly Error Cities Targeting Panhandling By MICHAEL LOWREY eral Transit Administration will agree to Associate Editor help cover construction costs. anhandlers on public trans- ceived in 1978 as a 10-year program CHARLOTTE “If we don’t do preliminary en- portation can get a year in jail to keep flights going to small com- ew Hanover County and its gineering, we won’t get any federal in Medford, Ore. Telling a lie munities while the newly deregulated municipalities are scrambling to money,” Danny Rogers, CATS project Pwhile asking for money in Macon, industry found a way to serve them close large holes in their budgets manager for the extension, said to The Ga., is illegal. In Minneapolis, begging or dropped them. The subsidies come Nhalfway through the fiscal year after a Charlotte Observer. A federal earmark will in groups has been banned. Cities from fees and taxes paid by passen- major error in revenue estimates from a cover part of the cost of the study, which across the United States are stepping gers and airlines on nonsubsidized recent revaluation was found. will take two years and about 65 percent up efforts to restrict panhandling, flights. The localities’ budgets were built of the design work needed to extend the especially in downtown shopping As Congress has escalated sub- upon property tax revenue projections existing South Boulevard line 11 miles to areas. sidies through the years, the program g e n e r a t e d UNC-Char- In the past year, more than a has increasingly paid for flights be- by New Ha- lotte. dozen municipalities have passed or tween major airports and places that nover County The cost strengthened such ordinances, USA are neither rural nor isolated. Tax Admin- estimate for Today reports. Twenty-four communities with istrator Bob the extension Cities have enacted laws target- subsidized air service are within 90 G l a s g o w is $750 mil- ing the homeless for two decades, miles of an airport that had at least and his staff. lion. Despite including bans on sleeping outdoors one million passengers in 2006. Those These projec- FTA approval or loitering. In the past few years, subsidies cost $22 million a year. tions treated in November the focus has turned to panhandling all property in the county as being to proceed with preliminary engineer- restrictions, said Maria Foscarinis, subject to the tax. Property owned by ing, there’s no guarantee the FTA will executive director of the National the government and nonprofit organi- actually fund the line. Law Center on Homelessness and ‘Smart Growth’ hits Florida zations such as churches and schools, Poverty. That’s partly because more Florida is recognized as a na- however, is exempt from property tax. cities are trying to redevelop their tional leader in the “smart growth” Glasgow found the error when collec- Durham reviews projects downtowns. movement. The state has given tions came in at a lower rate than had An outside consultant has recom- “No one likes to see destitute housing goals a special prominence been forecast. mended that Durham change how it people in the city center. No one likes in regional and urban planning, “It was my fault,” Glasgow said to manages its major construction proj- to walk down the street and be asked explicitly requiring its cities to plan the Wilmington Star-News. “I didn’t do ects. for change,” she said. for a diverse range of housing needs the job properly.” A reorganization of the department Antipanhandling laws passed and types. Glasgow had previously projected that oversees the projects, a focus on in 2008 include: However, a growing body of the county’s tax base to be $34.5 bil- eliminating bottlenecks, and additional • Nashville — The Metro Coun- research strongly suggests that some lion. When tax-exempt properties are staff training were specific items the cil voted Jan. 15 to outlaw aggressive of the goals of smart growth’s advo- subtracted out, the figure is more like consulting firm focused on as keys to $32.8 billion. panhandling. The ordinance also cates might be inconsistent with the reducing the time it takes for the county New Hanover County was most banned panhandling after dark or realities of housing development, the to complete its construction projects, the affected by the error, with a projected near ATMs, sidewalk cafes, business James Madison Institute says. Durham Herald-Sun reports. shortfall of $6.8 million plus $243,000 for entrances, bus stops, and schools. To the extent that more-compact, One key finding by MWH Ameri- the county fire district. Wilmington faces • Fayetteville, N.C. — An ordi- higher-density urban development is cas Inc., the consulting firm the city hired a $3.43 million revenue hit. The towns nance passed Jan. 14 makes it illegal encouraged through growth-manage- in September, is that the county spends of Wrightsville Beach, with a $38,325 re- to panhandle anywhere in the city ment laws such as Florida’s, housing too much time reviewing site plans and duced tax revenue; Carolina Beach, with after dark. prices could rise. Despite statewide construction drawings. • St. Petersburg, Fla. — An an $8,653 loss; and Kure Beach, which “Steps take three to four weeks and planning goals and programs de- lost $8,166, were less affected because ordinance passed Jan. 10 creates a signed to promote affordable housing, don’t bring three to four weeks of value,” “no begging zone” near downtown’s they contain less tax exemption. Mike Musgrave, project engineer for the housing costs have been increasing “I know mistakes happen — and popular tourist destinations. Existing in Florida faster than the national consulting firm, said at a presentation ordinances ban panhandling at night this is a very unfortunate one — but to city council. He recommended that average. this puts us in a position to have to ac- and near bus stops and ATMs. Since 1994, housing price infla- the city’s performance review process commodate a pretty significant revenue should stress timely completion of site tion has outstripped income growth shortfall,” Wilmington City Manager by a 2-1 ratio. Not surprisingly, reviews and other paperwork. Sterling Cheatham said. “Get them to believe in total housing affordability has decreased. Subsidies to small airports “And things were already tight.” transparency, that you’re going to get a Despite these trends, few studies have phone call if you’re late on something,” Each day, about 3,000 passen- examined Florida’s statewide growth Musgrave said. gers enjoy mostly empty, heavily management law and its impact on CATS plans light-rail extension In response, the city has committed subsidized flights, financed by a 30- housing markets and prices: Charlotte City Council has given itself to undertaking a pilot project in year-old program that requires the • According to a 2001 Reason the go-ahead for the Charlotte Area which it aims to cut the time it takes to U.S. government to guarantee com- Foundation study, Florida’s Growth Transit System to spend $30 million on an complete internal reviews in half. mercial air service to scores of small Management Act might have con- engineering study to extend its recently Musgrave also noted that the city’s communities that can’t support it tributed as much as 20 percent to opened light-rail line to the UNC-Char- project managers spend too much time themselves, USA Today says. rising housing costs between 1994 lotte area. Despite the expenditure, there filling out paperwork and writing- re The Department of Transporta- and 2000. is no guarantee that the federal govern- ports, which reduces their ability to over- tion pays a few small airlines a total • A statistical analysis of hous- ment will ultimately help pay to build see projects and keep them on schedule. of $110 million a year so they can ing trends in 56 of Florida’s 67 counties the extension, a likely requirement for The MWH Americas review also profitably carry as few as four pas- found that between 1990 and 2006, as the line actually to be built. found that city employees weren’t sengers per day to nearby hubs, often much as 16 percent of housing price In rail transit jargon, the study is following a single set of operating for rock-bottom fares. inflation can be attributed to planning referred to as “preliminary engineering.” procedures and weren’t fully taking The flight subsidies were con- under the state’s GMA. CJ It’s one of a number of steps that rail advantage of industry-standard track- transit lines go through before the Fed- ing software. CJ CAROLINA March 2008 JOURNAL Local Government 19 ‘Nonpartisan’ Durham Organization Promotes Liberal Issues

Continued from Page 16 the group on edu- was instrumental language,” Phillips said. cation, health care, in leading living- Phillips was upset because “many gaining passage of a living-wage policy and job-creation wage initiatives of the members of Durham CAN, includ- for contract workers and full-time em- issues once he was at Duke. Another ing All Souls, are pro-choice, pro-gay ployees of the Durham Board of Educa- re-elected. The Duke connection marriage, and pro-gay rights,” and he tion. On Sept. 19, 2006, the group also Health Research involves the Third said he didn’t like the idea that Durham sponsored a two-hour retreat with the Action Team has Reconstruction CAN relented simply because its largest Durham Board of Education to push for also been push- Institute, created member was influencing the process alternatives to school suspension and for ing for expanded by several Duke by virtue of having donated printing interpreters for non-English speakers. health care for uninsured families. In the faculty members; Gerald Taylor, South- services. Phillips feared that other issues Onofrio acknowledged Durham organization’s January 2007 newsletter, eastern regional organizer for the IAF; might be at risk if larger congregations CAN’s success in heralding change dur- the group said it had met “with public and Christopher Bishop of the Triangle with more money could influence the ing the 2006 Durham School Board elec- and private leaders from the City and IAF. The group conducts an annual process. tions. All candidates who had committed the County in order to negotiate specific seminar on democratic organizing. Their The larger issue may well be that to Durham CAN’s action agenda were solutions.” aim is to develop a consortium of host a church would use its funds to “donate elected and have followed through on In October 2006, U.S. Reps. Mel academic institutions in the Southeast to printing” for a political organization and their promises, she said. Pastor Frederick Watt, Price, and Brad Miller met with “reconfigure academic engagement and use its members as activists on behalf of A. Davis, pastor of First Calvary Baptist leaders of the N.C. scholarship” simi- that group. Both Phillips and Onofrio Church in Durham, was one of the newly Latino Coalition lar to an institute said their members do not object to hav- elected board members who endorsed at the coalition’s sponsored by the ing their monies used for such purposes, the Durham CAN agenda. statewide convo- They see no conflict of Texas Industrial but they said they see no conflict of cation to support interest or potential legal Areas Foundation. interest or potential legal issue in using Social and political activism civic engagement Support for their church and nonprofit funds to support in North Carolina. issue in using church efforts comes from a political organization. Their claim that the organization The N.C. Latino longtime support- At the Nov. 2, 2003, founding as- is nonideological is not supported by Coalition reported and non-profit funds to ers of IAF organiz- sembly for Dare County United, the Rev. their actions. Speakers at Durham CAN that “the most im- ing efforts in North Michael Schuler, parish minister of First events have included well-known pro- pressive part of support a political orga- Carolina: the Mary Unitarian Society, voiced the ideology of ponents of social justice, among them the meeting was Reynolds Babcock many of the religious groups engaged Lester Thurow, professor of manage- the ceremony that nization. Foundation, a sup- in activism: “I am here to tell you, from ment at MIT; Theda Skocpol, professor ratified the mu- porter of N.C. IAF my own experience serving a Faith of government and sociology at Harvard tual commitment organizing proj- Community of free thinkers — of sincere University; and Robert Greenstein, ex- between the NC Latino Coalition, the ects since the mid-1990s; the Triangle seekers who run the gamut from agnos- ecutive director of the Center on Budget Industrial Areas Foundation in North Community Foundation; the Winston- tics to spiritualists, from Zen Buddhists and Policy Priorities. Greenstein, for Carolina, several labor unions and top Salem Foundation; and others. to Benedictine-style Christians — that example, who served in former Presi- religious leaders including the Catho- Church members and other non- unity can be forged from diversity and a dent Bill Clinton’s administration, is lic and the Episcopal Bishops.” Labor profits are acting as de facto political powerful, positive force be created. . . . Do now advocating for Ways and Means unions and religious organizations action committees. Phillips said that one we not agree that the needs and interests Committee Chairman Charles Rangel’s pledged their support for defending of the largest members of Durham CAN, of the many ought not be shouldered tax reform proposals and for increases the rights of immigrants in North a Catholic church, paid for the printing aside so that the few might prosper?” in the SCHIP program. They also link to Carolina. of Durham CAN’s brochures to educate He said that people of faith books and articles written by Alinsky, Public schools are not the only the community about its health-care must be willing to “set aside our Gecan, and other liberal activists. educational institutions in which IAF initiative. “They [the Catholic church] theological differences in order col- U.S. Rep. David Price, D-NC, affiliates are exerting influence. Duke objected to content that advocated laboratively to promote justice and attended Durham CAN’s assembly in Organizing, a student group, is a mem- abortion and birth control, so Durham social reconstruction, as all major re- October 2006 and agreed to work with ber of Durham CAN. Duke Organizing CAN backed down and removed that ligions counsel.” CJ Help us keep our presses rolling Since 1991, Carolina Journal has provided thousands of readers each month with in-depth reporting, Publishing a newspaper is an expensive informed analysis, and incisive commentary about the most pressing state and local issues in North proposition. Just ask the many daily news- Carolina. Now Carolina Journal has taken its trademark blend of news, analysis, and commentary to papers that are having trouble making ends the airwaves with Carolina Journal Radio. A weekly, one-hour newsmagazine, Carolina Journal Radio meet these days. is hosted by John Hood and Donna Martinez and features a diverse mix of guests and topics. The program is currently broadcast on 18 commercial stations – from the mountains to the coast. The Carolina Journal Radio Network includes these fine affiliates: It takes a large team of editors, reporters, photographers and copy editors to bring you the aggressive investigative reporting you Albemarle/Concord WSPC AM 1010 Saturdays 11:00 AM Asheville WWNC AM 570 Sundays 7:00 PM have become accustomed to seeing in Burlington WBAG AM 1150 Saturdays 9:00 AM Carolina Journal each month. Putting their Chapel Hill WCHL AM 1360 Sundays 6:00 PM work on newsprint and then delivering it to Elizabeth City WGAI AM 560 Saturdays 6:00 AM more than 100,000 readers each month Fayetteville WFNC AM 640 Saturdays 1:00 PM puts a sizeable dent in the John Locke Gastonia/Charlotte WZRH AM 960 Saturdays 2:00 PM Foundation’s budget. Goldsboro WGBR AM 1150 Saturdays 6:00 PM Greenville/Washington WDLX AM 930 Saturdays 10:00 AM Hendersonville WHKP AM 1450 Sundays 6:00 PM That’s why we’re asking you to help defray Jacksonville WJNC AM 1240 Sundays 7:00 PM those costs with a donation. Just send a Newport/New Bern WTKF FM 107.3 Sundays 7:00 PM check to: Carolina Journal Fund, John Locke Salisbury WSTP AM 1490 Saturdays 11:00 AM Foundation, 200 W. Morgan St., Suite 200, Siler City WNCA AM 1570 Sundays 6:00 AM Southern Pines WEEB AM 990 Wednesdays 8:00 AM Raleigh, NC 27601. Whiteville WTXY AM 1540 Tuesdays 10:00 AM Wilmington WAAV AM 980 Saturdays 1:00 PM We thank you for your support. Winston-Salem/Triad WSJS AM 600 Saturdays 12:00 PM For more information, visit www.CarolinaJournal.com/CJRadio John Locke Foundation | 200 W. Morgan St., Raleigh, NC 27601 | 919-828-3876 March 2008 CAROLINA 20 The Learning Curve JOURNAL

From the Liberty Library Book review

• The neocons have become Thomas Memoir Show’s Left Hypocrisy on Race at once the most feared and reviled intellectual movement in American • Clarence Thomas: My Grandfather’s journalists have taken the publication history. Critics on left and right de- Son: A Memoir; HarperCollins; 2007; 289 of Thomas’ autobiography to launch scribe them as a tight-knit cabal that pages; $26.95 hardcover another volley of verbal mortar rounds. ensnared the Bush administration in Andrew Stephen, writing for The Guard- an unwinnable foreign war. But who By DAVID N. BASS ian, calls the memoir “angry, contradic- are the neoconservatives, and how Associate Editor tory and embittered.” Edward Lazarus did an obscure band of policy intel- RALEIGH of the Los Angeles Times called the book lectuals suddenly rise to revolution- .S. Supreme Court Associate Jus- “polarizing” and “a furious assault on ize American foreign policy? tice Clarence Thomas is known liberalism.” Jeffrey Toobin of the New In They Knew They Were Right: for his demure conduct on the Yorker portrays Thomas as a man con- The Rise of the Neocons, Jacob Heilb- Ucourt. He rarely asks questions or en- sumed by rage. runn wittily and pungently depicts gages in debate during oral arguments. Sorry, I didn’t get that impres- the government officials, pundits, He almost never grants interviews to sion. While it’s clear that Thomas isn’t and think-tank denizens who make the press. But in My Grandfather’s Son: pleased with those who orchestrated up this controversial movement. A Memoir, Thomas shows he isn’t afraid what he called a “high-tech lynching,” Setting the movement in the larger of controversy. he’s not bitter. The memoir’s pages are context of the decades-long battle From his harsh upbringing near filled with kind sentiment and thank- between liberals and conservatives, Savannah, Ga., to his arduous confirma- fulness. Nowhere does Thomas use the he shows that the necons have al- tion hearing in 1991, Thomas doesn’t shy disadvantages he faced throughout his ways been intellectual mavericks. away from telling his life story, or from life as a catalyst for complaining about Learn more at www.randomhouse. commending his friends and condemn- American culture. He’s honest about com/doubleday. ing his enemies. The quiet justice is fi- the struggles and persecutions he faced, nally talking, and he has much to say. but he never uses them as an excuse for The first half of My Grandfather’s While it’s clear that his failings. He focuses on the American • To call someone prejudiced is Son follows Thomas’ transition from promise. boyhood to manhood — his career Thomas isn’t pleased Thomas comes through as a real to relegate him to the lowest rung of struggles and successes, his family life, human being — flawed, yes, but driven intellectual life. But is there anyone and the development of his legal and with those who orches- by principle and loyalty. His friendship who isn’t prejudiced? In Praise of political philosophy. The second half with John Danforth, former U.S. senator Prejudice examines this question and trated what he called a discusses Thomas’ years at the Equal from Missouri, is particularly moving. argues that someone who walks out Employment Opportunity Commis- “high-tech lynching,” he’s Cynics might see the relationship as into the world completely unpreju- sion. Most of the interesting content, simply one politician trying to get his diced is as helpless as a newborn. however, begins in the closing chapters, not bitter. ... Nowhere ideological ally on the court, but I saw In the book, Theodore Dal- where Thomas describes his confirma- true trust and camaraderie. rymple shows that prejudice is at the tion hearings before the Senate Judiciary does Thomas use the Thomas’ strong Catholic faith also root of most virtue as well as of a lot Committee. disadvantages he faced comes through with force. He routinely of vice. To expect people to work out Journalists have devoted many asked the Holy Spirit to speak through all their morals for themselves from pages of newsprint to those hearings, throughout his life as a him during the confirmation hearings. abstract first principles is to expect but to read Thomas’ own perspective He prays often and reads Scripture. He far too much from them. is an opportunity that shouldn’t be catalyst for complaining even believes in natural law, a fact that The pretence that we can be missed. The anger and embarrassment about American culture. drew more than one hostile question totally unprejudiced, argues Dal- that Thomas felt leap off the page. So, from his opponents on the Judiciary rymple, is a pretext for licentious- too, does the hypocrisy of the committee Committee. ness and lack of self-control, to the members who put Thomas through the To the Left, however, Thomas’ most detriment not only of the individuals political ringer. not be greater. damning attribute is that he’s a conserva- themselves but of society as a whole. Thomas’ commentary on the tes- While reporters the world over tive black man. Thomas addresses this More information at www.encoun- timony of Anita Hill, who claimed that revere an Obama presidency as all but hostility numerous times throughout the terbooks.com he sexually harassed her while the two ushering in the Age of Aquarius, the book. In the chapter discussing Hill’s were employed by the EEOC, is par- media bristles at the mere mention of sexual harassment allegations and the ticularly interesting. Anyone can look Thomas’ name. Forget that Thomas, resulting hearings, Thomas writes, “As • Political blogs have grown as- up the transcript of the testimony, but as a black man, has achieved one of a child in the Deep South, I’d grown tronomically in the last half-decade. to see the experience through Thomas’ the most coveted positions of power up fearing the lynch mobs of the Ku For many Internet users, blogs are perspective brings a new realism to the in the modern world — a seat on the Klux Klan; as an adult, I was starting to the news and editorial sites of record, ordeal. U.S. Supreme Court. Forget, too, that wonder if I’d been afraid of the wrong replacing traditional information The memoir concludes just after Thomas has a history more in line with white people all along. My worst fears Thomas’ confirmation, so the shroud of the struggles of black America, having had come to pass not in Georgia but in venues. In just one month in 2005, mystery that surrounds the inner-work- grown up in poverty and segregation, Washington, D.C., where I was being for example, one blog received more ings of the court remains intact. It would than Obama, who grew up in Hawaii. pursued not by bigots in white robes but unique visitors than the popula- have been nice to hear him comment, at The difference, as always, comes down by left-wing zealots draped in flowing tion of Iowa and New Hampshire least briefly, on life as a Supreme Court to politics. sanctimony.” combined. But how much political justice, but, alas, readers must look Liberals can’t stand that Thomas The publication of Thomas’ mem- impact do bloggers really have? elsewhere for such material. was raised in the racially divided South, oir has exposed some old wounds, but In Blogwars, David D. Perlmut- Politically, Thomas could not have was exposed to cruel discrimination, it’s also exposed some old hypocrisies. ter addresses this issue. Perlmutter picked a more ironic time to publish his and yet became an originalist jurist op- The liberal elites loathe Thomas because points out that blogs are not that memoir. Current headlines are crammed posed to “affirmative action.” Nor can he’s an independent thinker who hap- powerful by traditional political with articles about Barack Obama, they stand his view that the 1973 Roe v. pens to be black. He doesn’t fall into measures, but they do improve another African-American who might Wade decision that legalized abortion a political box because of the color of democracy and enhance political make history by becoming the first black on demand was wrongly decided and his skin. Like every conservative black culture through their wide dis- presidential nominee of a major political should be overturned. In liberalism’s man or woman, his life challenges the semination of information. Avail- party and, perhaps, the next president narrow orthodoxy, a black man just isn’t Democratic domination of the Afri- able at www.oup.com/us. CJ of the United States. But the difference allowed to do that. can-American community. That’s why in how the press treats each man could Echoing back to 1991, liberal they hate him. CJ CAROLINA March 2008 JOURNAL The Learning Curve 21 Colonial North Carolina Women Prove Protest Is in Our Blood ost readers are familiar with Although the tea tax was mini- zette, a Charleston paper that covered sion.” An appalled Schaw, however, the details of the Boston Tea mal, it enraged many because tea was news across the eastern Carolinas, questioned the extent of their patrio- Party of 1773, and properly the era’s popular nonalcoholic drink. encouraged such political protests to tism: “They had delayed however till Midentify it as a key event in what trig- Aware of a potential backlash, British take place in the Cape Fear region. the sacrifice was not very consider- gered the American Revolution. Many leaders had limited the tax amount Such displays of “public virtue,” the able, as I do not think any one offered North Carolinians have also heard in hopes of assuaging disgruntled reporter claimed on March 22, 1775, above a quarter of a pound.” of the Edenton Tea Party of October colonists. thwarted corrupt officials’ designs to Schaw, never passing up oppor- 1774, when British enforcement of trade poli- eradicate the indisputable rights of tunities to criticize what she con- leading women cies, however, had angered Americans British citizens. This plea must have sidered an unsophisticated spirit of of northeastern for some time. In short, the timing of been written before the Wilmington liberty, did not realize that an eventful North Carolina the tea tax was foolhardy, and it took Tea Party took place and influenced and unprecedented event occurred did not actually on a symbolic value far in excess of its the women’s actions. in Wilmington that day. Wilmington dump tea in a revenue implications. A well-born Scot, loyal to her women had publicly opposed Brit- nearby sound, Many colonial North Carolinians country and king, Janet Schaw vis- ish trade policies and swore to never yet did stage approved of the radical Boston Tea ited relatives in the Cape Fear region buy tea again until such policies were the nation’s Party in 1773. After that “notable and during early 1775. She arrived in the remanded. Their actions showed that, earliest act of striking” event, as John Adams called town of Brunswick on Feb. 14 and in the spring of 1775, many Wilming- political theater Dr. Troy it, revolutionary tea parties occurred subsequent events soon shocked her. ton residents, like the counterparts by women. But Kickler across the colonies. Months after the Wilmington was buzzing with politi- in other American colonies, opposed how many are more-famous Edenton event, some- cal dissent, and Schaw unsurprisingly increased British taxation and trade familiar with the far more incendiary time between March 25 and April 5, disapproved. She contemptuously restrictions. Wilmington Tea Party of 1775, also led 1775, the women of Wilmington actu- criticized North Carolinians for clos- When we see contemporary by women? ally burned their tea to protest imposing their port to British shipping, examples of North Carolinians dem- Tea parties offered an effective ing trade legislation and increased and for doing so when they had an onstrating in favor of their cherished political arena to protest taxation. taxation. opportunity to corner the North political causes, we can rest assured After a period of benign neglect by Unfortunately, there are few American tea market. Apparently, the that, at least in some ways, everyone’s British authorities, American colonists details known to historians about this “rusticks,” as Schaw called Tar Heels, behavior is traditional: Protest is in grew increasingly frustrated after the event — a major reason for its relative loved liberty more. our blood. CJ French and Indian War with Britain obscurity in popular understanding. The activities of Wilmington’s revived interest in regulating Ameri- We do know that many were women undoubtedly bothered Schaw. can trade, exemplified by the passage stoking the fires of political agitation In Journal of a Lady of Quality, she re- Troy Kickler is executive director of of the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Tea in the region. After the Edenton pro- cords the following: “The Ladies have the North Carolina History Project (www. Act of 1773. test in late 1774, the South Carolina Ga- burnt their tea in a solemn proces- northcarolinahistory.org). Stay in the know with the JLF blogs Visit our family of weblogs for immediate analysis and commentary on issues great and small mmm$@e^dBeYa[$eh] 9"1,Ê" Ê" Ê/ Ê7 Ê",ÊÊ The Locker Room is the blog on the main JLF Web site. All JLF employees and many friends of the foundation post on this site every day: http://www.johnlocke.org/lockerroom/ ",/Ê ," Ê*1 Ê*" 9 #REATINGYOUROWNPERSONALiÞÊVVÕÌAT WWW*OHN,OCKEORGISAGREATSTARTINGPLACEFORTRACKING THECRITICALPUBLICPOLICYISSUESFACING.ORTH#AROLINA

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The John Locke Foundation, 200 W. Morgan St., Raleigh, NC 27601 | 919-828-3876 March 2008 CAROLINA 22 The Learning Curve JOURNAL

Short Takes on Culture Movie review ‘Legend’ an Emotional Ride ‘Secrets’ Centers on Reputation • “National Treasure: Book of Secrets,” • “I Am Legend” variety of instruments and sounds Walt Disney Pictures; directed by John Warner Bros. Pictures that are completely independent of Turteltaub; Rated PG Directed by Francis Lawrence anything else on the CD. Although things might seem different with By JOHN CALVIN YOUNG cience fiction films are seldom each song, the entirety holds together Contributing Editor known for their emotional quite well. RALEIGH power, but Will Smith’s latest The vocals alone during “It’s oing into the theater to watch Smovie delivers a punch that is sure Love” make the CD worthwhile. the much-anticipated sequel to stay with moviegoers long after Mostly performed by vocalist Lady to the 2004 hit “National Trea- the credits role. Bri, the soulful sounds send the lis- Gsure,” I expected an action film with At first glance, “I Am Legend” teners back to an age of “real” music an emphasis on golden treasure and seems a conglomeration of every sci-fi before MTV took a knife to it. historical mystery. cliché out there. A cancer cure morphs Techno beats (JohnBeez), per- Surprisingly unlike the first film, into a deadly virus, leaving only one cussion (illWill), and vocals (Rudolph man (Robert Neville, played by Smith) Lyrics) from “Hot Ish Marvin Remix “Book of Secrets” is not really about the alive on Earth. This one man just hap- Snippet” are a sound all their own. treasure, or the mysterious Book at all. pens to be a brilliant scientist and a Semisimple yet completely attractive, Ben Gates couldn’t be less interested in cunning soldier. Oh, and it turns out this beat-based song captures the au- actual gold — he is far more concerned he’s not alone — each night an army of dience inside the first few seconds. with clearing an ancestor of a heinous vampire-like creatures swarms out of “The Flow,” a more guitar-based crime than with the “find.” hiding to rip apart Manhattan, where song, brings more of a funk and hip- The film isn’t all that concerned Neville remains hoping to find a cure hop cross that fits so well and holds with the history, either; the focus is more for the disease plaguing his fellow its place among the rest of the tracks on what the hunt does to the principals human beings-turned-nightmarish on this must-have CD. of the drama than either the clues they creatures. — JOEL GUERRERO follow in their quest or the treasure at the unexpectedly it is not the Secret Service The movie contains plenty of end. Despite these departures from the but Wilkinson who nabs the group. They action but also deals with issues of original film’s format, or rather because quickly find their lives, as well as the faith. Neville is presented as a type • PlayStation 3 of them, “Book of Secrets” is a stronger Gates family name, depend on foiling of Christ figure who sacrifices ev- Sony film overall. Wilkinson’s scheme to affix his name to erything for humanity. The middle Console Video Game System The story opens a few months after the greatest pre-Columbian discovery and end will rub your emotions raw the conclusion of the first film. Historian of all time. — Neville faces the death of a close First off, this gaming system Ben Gates (Nicolas Cage) and his girl- The action of the film skillfully friend (the most heart-breaking part is better thought of as a dedicated friend, National Archives conservator highlights the thematic focus of the film: of the movie) and the continuing mad multimedia computer rather than Abigail Chase (Diane Kruger), have the value of reputation and relationships, rush to find a cure. Conflict abounds some Atari follow-on. That is both a broken up and Ben has moved back and how both might have life-or-death both within Neville and in the outside blessing and a curse. in with his dad, Patrick (Jon Voight). implications. Ben’s desire to redeem his world. The machine is very powerful Geeky sidekick Riley Poole (Justin Bar- ancestors’ good name drives the story. That’s the difficult part. I went and comes equipped with a Blu-Ray tha) has published a book on historical Later on, he appeals to the presi- to the film expecting typical sci-fi drive, which positions owners for mysteries and urban legends, while dent’s honesty to gain access to the Book, material, but got something much high definition video viewing for Patrick and Ben are collaborating on a and pledges his own word of honor to different. The ending is depressing the next decade or so. The built-in speaking tour. gain Abigail’s release from Wilkinson. in many ways, although a different wireless networking seems to work The Gates’ lectures tell of an ances- Ben’s assurance in the innocence of and possibly more satisfying conclu- flawlessly — against all odds — and tor, Thomas Gates, who was asked by Thomas Gates, and his willingness to sion is planned for the DVD release allows for continual upgrades to Abraham Lincoln’s assassins to decrypt risk all to prove it, is based on his trust March 18. firmware and software. The parental a coded document the night of the mur- in his ancestors’ honesty. “I Am Legend” is not a popcorn content controls are simple, effective, der. When the loyal Gates realized the The restoration of trust in Ben and flick. Expect to be challenged. and reflect Sony’s years of experience document contained the key to a treasure Abigail’s relationship is integral to the — DAVID BASS in this area. that could rejuvenate the Confederate story as well, underscored by a parallel But the units remain relatively war effort, he tried to destroy it. Gates reconciliation between Patrick and his expensive at $400 for the entry-level was shot by the conspirators, but the estranged wife Emily (Helen Mirren). • “Live From the Station” model. Figure another $40 for an ad- mysterious document, missing 18 critical Historical purists will probably Blount Harvey ditional controller, $30 for the really pages, survived. prefer the first film, as the plot of its Independent Label nifty Bluetooth remote, $70 for wire- sequel leaves documentary history less keyboard to make Web surfing Their narrative is challenged when early on and leaps from conspiracy Someone has finally saved us and text entry somewhat useful…and a rival historian, Mitch Wilkerson (Ed to conspiracy with gleeful abandon. from the Sublime cover bands that run you get the picture. Harris), comes forward with a missing Detective fans might wish for a rampant around the typical college Still, you cannot help but think page from the diary that implicates campus. It’s not that Sublime is an that the PS3 is about to hit its stride Thomas Gates in the conspiracy. Dumb- tighter mystery. Overall, though, “Book undeserving band to covet, but Blount as wireless “rumble” controllers hit founded, Ben and Patrick realize that of Secrets” hangs together very well and Harvey is a breath of fresh air in an the U.S. market after a year or so in they must disprove the authenticity of improves on the first film in many ways. otherwise stale environment. Japan and as Blu-Ray slowly emerges Wilkinson’s artifact or lose their family’s While there are a few suggestive This new CD captures a sound as a permanent HD option, if not the good name — and a mysterious cipher lines and spooky moments, more than the that one can describe only as a Lauren out-and-out victor over the rival HD- transcribed from the fragment offers first film, the filmmakers have succeeded Hill mix and spiced-up lyrics with a DVD format. a clue to an older mystery that might very well in reprising their family-friend- splash of A Tribe Called Quest. Blend- In fact, anyone looking to in- validate the Gates legend. ly action thriller with a historical twist. ing together blues, jazz, rap, and soul, vest in a 1080p “progressive scan” The trail leads on to the titular The cynicism sometimes seen this is a band to watch. HD display might want to consider “Book of Secrets,” a shadowy volume for in “National Treasure” has been re- Tracks that stand out include a PS3 just as a “networkable” video presidents’ eyes only that Riley claims placed by a welcome emphasis on “Hot Ish Marvin Remix Snippet,” source. Then the gaming just comes holds the answers to dozens of mysteries heroism and nobility in the sequel. “The Flow,” and my personal favorite, as a nifty bonus. from prehistoric America to Area 51. The constant repartee is back, and “It’s Love.” Each one holds a different — JEFF TAYLOR CJ Ben all but kidnaps the president yes, there is a hook for the next se- to ask him for access to the Book, but quel, if you can find it. CJ CAROLINA March 2008 JOURNAL The Learning Curve 23 Goldberg Shows Left Was Cozy With Fascism at Its Start

• Jonah Goldberg: Liberal Fascism: thoughtful exami- ity. He also offers celebration of martial values, the blur- The Secret History of the American Left nation of fascism an explanation ring of lines between public and private from Mussolini to the Politics of Mean- and its impacts for the fuzziness. sectors, the utilization of mass media to ing; Doubleday; 2008; 496 pp; $27.95 o n A m e r i c a n Before World War glamorize the state and its programs, hardcover. politics from the II, communists invocations of a new ‘post-partisan’ days of the pro- and fascists sup- spirit that places the important decisions By MITCH KOKAI gressives to the ported similar in the hands of experts and intellectual Associate Editor current political policies while supermen, and a cult of personality for RALEIGH scene. Democrats competing for the the national leader.” here’s an old line from schoolyard bear the brunt of same hearts and Before liberal readers scream, disputes: “I know you are, but his criticism, but minds within the “Aha! This is just a right-wing hatchet what am I?” big-government working class, job!” they should read Goldberg’s take TIt’s not the greatest example of Republicans will Goldberg writes. on the current president and his “com- rhetoric you’re likely to encounter in also find plenty While the former passionate conservatism.” your life, but it’s an effective tool among to make them group pushed a “In 2000 George W. Bush proudly kids who haven’t yet honed their skills grumble. brand of interna- ran as a different kind of conservative, of argument and persuasion. This space tional socialism claiming education, single motherhood, As this reader opened the debut is too small to with headquar- and national unity as his themes,” book from Jonah Goldberg, columnist recount all of the ters in Moscow, Goldberg writes. “The Bush team set for National Review Online and The Los myths Goldberg the latter group out to make it clear that they saw the Angeles Times, he hoped that the 400- refutes, but a cou- recruited support government as an instrument of love, page volume would not devolve into an ple of examples deserve notice. First, let’s for “national socialism” (in Germany, Christian love in particular.” extended riff on that childish taunt. address liberal adoration of Franklin Nazism) with leaders closer to home. Goldberg’s goal extends beyond Goldberg must have felt the temp- Delano Roosevelt. “Liberal legal theo- Once communists realized they were los- criticism of particular politicians. He’s tation to rip into modern-day liberals. rists have made the New Deal into a ing ground to fascists, Moscow decided trying to sidestep name-calling to focus Many of them are quick to label con- second American founding,” Goldberg to label fascism as an evil force tied to on the fundamental differences between servative ideas as “fascist.” They often writes. “Leading journalists have de- the dreaded capitalists. Right from Left. compare conservative figures to the scended into abject idolatry. Indeed, Ever since the Soviets invented “[T]he argument about the size most infamous fascist, Adolf Hitler. If it sometimes seems that all one needs that story line, Goldberg contends, the of government is often a stand-in for conservatives support the same policies to know about the merits of a policy is true history of fascism has been hard to deeper arguments about the role of as Hitler, they must be evil, according whether Roosevelt himself would have find. Yet the author has found several government,” he writes. “[F]or some to that standard liberal line. favored it. It is a given that Republicans common elements in fascist regimes. He liberals, the state is in fact a substitute In turning the tables with a book are wrong, even fascistic, whenever they lists them as he discusses another giant for God and a form of political religion as called Liberal Fascism, Goldberg could want to ‘dismantle’ FDR’s policies. of the Left: John Kennedy. imagined by Rousseau and Robespierre, have resorted to his own name-calling. “One of the most poignant ironies “It is not a joyful thing to impugn the fathers of liberal fascism.” Here’s the recipe. Select a liberal icon here is that a modern-day Hitler or Mus- an American hero and icon with the In contrast, conservatism is “op- such as Woodrow Wilson, John Dewey, solini would never dismantle the New label fascist,” Goldberg writes. “And position to all forms of political religion. or FDR. Find some fascistic quotes. Better Deal. To the contrary, he’d redouble the if by fascist you mean evil, cruel, and It is a rejection of the idea that politics yet, find statements from those liberal effort. This is not to say that the New Deal bigoted, then Kennedy was no fascist. can be redemptive. It is the conviction lions offering direct praise for fascism. was evil or Hitlerian. But the New Deal But we must ask, what made his ad- that a properly ordered republic has a Then sit back and say, “Who’s the real was a product of the impulses and ideas ministration so popular? What made it government of limited ambition.” bunch of fascists, you liberal bozos?” of its era. And those ideas and impulses so effective? What has given it its last- If Goldberg’s book can prompt Thoughtful readers should con- are impossible to separate from the fas- ing appeal? On almost every front, the people to consider the real divi- sider themselves lucky. Goldberg does cist moment in Western civilization.” answers are those very elements that sions in American political life, per- not resort to the cheap shot or childish Goldberg concedes that definitions fit the fascist playbook: the creation of haps public discourse will evolve retort. Instead, he delivers a thorough, of “fascist” and “fascistic” often lack clar- crises, nationalistic appeals to unity, the away from schoolyard taunts. CJ Books authored By JLF staFFers Free Choice for Workers: Selling the Dream A History of the Right to Work Movement Why Advertising is Good Business

By John Hood President of the John Locke Foundation By George C. Leef Vice President for Research at the John William Pope Center for Higher “[Selling the Dream] provides a Education Policy fascinating look into the world of advertising and beyond ... “He writes like a buccaneer... Highly recommended.” recording episodes of bravery, Choice treachery, commitment and April 2006 vacillation.” Robert Huberty www.praeger.com (Call Jameson Books, 1-800-426-1357, to order) Capital Research Center March 2008 CAROLINA 24 Opinion JOURNAL

Commentary Time to Pull Out

commute to work each morn- aside, school officials covet a large ing at 6 a.m. I live in north- student market share to control. A eastern Wake County, and part mass exodus, and a string of pro- Iof my drive takes me through an test letters along with it, would not upscale golf course community. sit well with them. Even during predawn hours, Don’t believe me? Look at it’s not uncommon to see students California. Some parents in Califor- waiting on the sidewalks to catch a nia are pulling their kids from the bus ride to class. These kids could public school system because of a face an hourlong trip to a school new law that requires teachers to on the other side of the portray the homosexual county, even though two lifestyle as normal to elementary and middle children as young as schools are just minutes kindergarten age. from their homes. Worried about the I’m sure these attrition rate, Califor- students’ parents are nia’s state superinten- incensed. They might dent of public instruc- Editorial attend public hear- tion griped in a letter ings before the school David N. to his subordinates that $7 Million in Dropout Pork board to protest the Bass school districts might busing regimen. They face “fiscal conse- ynics look at a new government High School Graduation? Discussion of might write letters, sign quences” because of the program and see a new way good ideas? A plan of attack for address- petitions, and recruit their friends. student absences. for government to fleece the ing the problem? They might even be part of a par- These California parents Ctaxpayer. No. They saw lawmakers com- ent-action group such as Wake should be commended. They real- Sometimes it’s hard to prove a pro- plaining that their home districts didn’t CARES. ize the education establishment is gram offers little benefits. Other times a get a slice of the $7 million pie. Rep. The truth is, none of it mat- more likely to listen to lost dol- wasteful program is too complicated or Angela Bryant, D-Nash, made her argu- ters. lars than three-minute speeches at boring to pique the public interest. ment clear. The education establishment public hearings. More importantly, Then there are rare occasions when “If it’s going to be based on some is not listening. School board mem- they realize the public schools are government waste is crystal clear. Take kind of competitive model, then we need bers exhibited their lack of atten- no place for their children. the new grants designed to reduce North to address the groups and systems that tiveness yet again by voting Feb. 5 That’s the bottom line. Citi- Carolina’s high school dropout rate. for some reason were not as competitive to approve a reassignment sched- zens have a right to complain to More than 30 percent of the stu- in that kind of model,” she said. “I feel ule that transfers 6,464 elementary the school board, but the responsi- dents who entered North Carolina’s like instead of having public hearings, school students to different schools bility for children’s education lies high schools in 2003 failed to graduate we should have been getting grant writ- — most closer to home, some far- with parents, not school officials. in 2007. The Milton & Rose D. Friedman ers to our people or having them figure ther away. You shouldn’t pull your kids from Foundation released a report last fall that out how to work the system — you know, School board members have the system just to prove a point to said one “class” of high school dropouts the DPI grant system — and that may their own agenda, cloaked in the the school board; you should pull cost the state’s taxpayers $169 million be the more practical approach we need guise of adjusting to growth, and your kids for their own good. a year through lost sales tax revenue, to be taking.” they are not going to alter course, Given the moral and academ- higher Medicaid bills, and inflated Former N.C. House Speaker Dan barring some action by the courts. ic failures of the public schools, prison costs. Blue, D-Wake, wondered why much of State lawmakers have noticed. the grant money was destined for exist- The sooner parents realize that, the early-morning bus rides and Rep. Doug Yongue, D-Scotland, a former ing public school systems that already less breath will be wasted at public inconvenient schedules should be public school superintendent, called operate dropout prevention programs. hearings and the less ink on peti- the least of our concerns. Many North Carolina’s dropout numbers a “From the standpoint of innovative, tions. high school students graduate with “disgrace” during a recent legislative different things that may cause a kid to But for those families weary more knowledge of booze, drugs, commission meeting. Yongue’s col- do something he … ordinarily wouldn’t of the public education juggernaut and condoms than reading, writ- leagues set up a new grant program to do, there has to be something outside crushing parental protests and of ing, and math, yet many parents help cut the dropout rate. the typical stuff that [public schools] do. school bureaucrats busing students still resist a public school pullout. That’s where waste comes into They’ve had a couple of generations to to the four corners of Wake County It’s time to take off the blinders. play. Lawmakers set aside $7 million in get it a little bit better than they’ve been to meet diversity quotas, I have a We don’t live in a Marxist the state budget for dropout prevention getting it lately.” Blue said many of the solution: Pull out. state, at least not yet, where chil- grants. That $7 million fund attracted grants seemed to “replicate what they’re You read me right. Remove dren are compelled to attend gov- more than 300 applications requesting already doing or should be doing in your kids from the system. Choose ernment schools. Parents have the $36 million in state funding. most instances.” free market options such as private freedom to pull their kids out, and Once the applicant list was final- Blue is no seasoned critic of govern- or home schools. Send a letter to the responsibility for doing so is ized and the grants awarded, an unbi- ment programs, but he raised a red flag. the school board explaining what ultimately theirs. If they choose not ased observer might have expected law- “There are tremendous dollars spent you’re doing. Then do it. Don’t to, they have no one to blame but makers to examine programs deemed in dropout prevention, and when you think twice. themselves when a failed system most likely to produce results. The look at the results in certain sectors of Why a pullout? Because gov- produces failed results. CJ same observer might have pictured the the student population, one would ask ernment bureaucrats don’t listen Department of Public Instruction scour- … whether just not spending anything to words — they listen to votes ing the applicant list for local ideas that in dropout prevention would yield the and dollars. Each student pulled could work statewide. same results.” from the school system means lost David N. Bass is an associate What did observers actually see at If only Blue’s colleagues had the next meeting of the Joint Legislative asked that question before spending state and federal funds. Money editor of Carolina Journal. Commission on Dropout Prevention and the $7 million. CJ CAROLINA March 2008 JOURNAL Opinion 25 Follow the Interest Money Commentary Still a useful tool for sorting out government corruption cases The Massachusetts Example

ollow the money. As a tool for lobby is the main lobbyist for keeping sorting out the particulars of and expanding the SBA loan program, hen faced with a problem, health-insurance expert Greg Scan- corruption cases, this is excellent but that conclusion is undercut by two the political class tends to dlen reports, the plan did result in Fadvice. But its usefulness isn’t limited to facts. First, only a tiny percentage of U.S. react simplistically. Pass 300,000 more people enrolling in Wa law! Raise a tax! Give away other government-run health or one of the sphere of political criminality. Fol- small businesses will ever secure an SBA lowing the money can help you better loan, so the program rarely shows up on people’s money! the plans participating in the state- understand why certain institutions and the priority list for most entrepreneurs. Societies are more complex run insurance connector. That’s not industries advance the positions they do Second, the SBA loan program is really that that, however. If you reward all of the previously uninsured, indolence by taxing thrift, you will but it was enough to overshoot the in contentious political debates. a federal guarantee for loans issued to get more indolence and original cost estimates. That trade associations and special- small businesses by large banks. less thrift. If you pass The state will have to interest groups support a given cause She goes in detail about how the a new regulation that come up with another does not inherently make it contrary program allows banks to shift lending makes people feel safer, $150 million to cover the to the public interest. But when talking risk to taxpayers and convert the loans many will react by en- subsidies, while future about institutions that are organized into marketable securities at a lower cost gaging in more-reckless premium increases will be around economic interests rather than than they could on their own. “Law- behavior, thereby offset- higher than expected. political philosophy – be they industry makers sell the SBA loan program as a ting much or all of the As is so often the groups, professional associations, labor program that helps small business, an expected safety gain. case in political debates, unions, or something else – “follow the important and popular institution in the In health care, many a big part of the problem money” turns out to be a pretty useful United States,” de Rugy concudes. “In activists are enamored lay in the definition of guide for figuring out why they take reality, though, the SBA loan program is with the notion of pass- “health insurance.” If the the positions they do, and why certain a form of corporate welfare for America’s ing a law to require that state is going to man- government programs persist long biggest banks.” everyone have health date that you buy health after their original justification loses Differences in political philosophy insurance. Massachusetts insurance, you can’t be its luster. are important. But in trying to under- famously enacted a “universal-cov- allowed to decide what health in- The Mercatus Center’s Veronique stand why special-interest groups line erage” bill a couple of years ago, surance you value at the prices of- de Rugy provides an interesting example up the way they do in specific political signed by none other than recently fered in the market. For its mandate of the phenomenon in the most recent controversies, it’s often helpful to fol- presidential candidate Mitt Rom- to be meaningful, the state has to edition of Regulation magazine. For more low the money. Big government makes ney. The poor would get essen- define the minimum level of health than half a century, the Small Business lots of big (and small) businesses lots tially all of their health-insurance insurance, which creates a golden Administration has handed out loans. of money. They’ll fight hard to keep bill paid by taxpayers. Uninsured opportunity for what economists You might think that the small-business the spigot open. CJ people with middle-class incomes call “rent-seeking” – using the co- would receive the full value of the ercive power of the state to reward tax exclusion previously available special-interest groups with income Mass Transit Fund Scam only with employer-based insur- streams that they could never earn ance – worth thousands of dollars through voluntary transaction. Transit boosters just want to disguise how much rail costs – and some would also receive Because of insurance-benefit sliding-scale subsidies based on mandates from regulators and the income. state legislature, health plans in ad ideas come from lots of differ- With regard to mass transit, the Now, passing a law to require Massachusetts are exorbitant. Far ent sources: ignorance of the facts, trust-fund concept is inapplicable. No that everyone get health insurance from simply covering the risk of a faulty logic, personal prejudices, one truly believes that charging transit will not, in fact, get everyone health major unforeseen medical condi- Betc. The Triangle Business Journal has users fees, directly or indirectly, would insurance. Critics of the Massa- tion putting a family thousands of a report out about a particularly bad come anywhere close to paying for chusetts plan knew this to be true dollars into debt, the “minimum” idea that originates in a wrongheaded transit service. Setting up a Transit Trust because of examples in other fields. health-insurance plan covers most analogy. Fund to guard passenger-derived taxes States have long required motorists routine medical services. Man- The idea is for North Carolina to and fees from legislative misappropria- to purchase liability insurance, yet dates are popular in most state create a statewide $1 billion-plus mass- tion would be a pointless exercise, and most of us also pay for insurance capitals because the beneficiaries transit fund to mimic the operation of its advocates don’t mean that, at all. coverage in case we get hit by the are persistent and well-organized the Highway Trust Fund, established in Instead, they propose to levy new thousands of drivers who don’t – physicians, nurses, chiropractors, 1989 and funded by dedicated revenue taxes and fees on people who don’t use comply with the law. psychologists, pharmaceutical and from taxes on motor fuels and cars. transit to finance a state trust fund to The early experience with medical-device manufacturers, etc. Streets and unlimited-access pay for train and bus service in some implementing the Massachusetts – and most large businesses with highways were funded and operated parts of North Carolina to serve a small plan provides further evidence political heft are exempt from such by governments for a technical reason: fraction of North Carolinians. It would for the proposition that mandates mandates under federal law be- It was prohibitively costly to collect be akin to setting up a system to charge aren’t magic wands. To enforce the cause they are self-insured, so they user fees every time someone traversed municipal water customers a special, individual mandate, state officials don’t have any reason to weigh in them. Instead, travelers were charged higher rate to help defray the expenses imposed a penalty of up to $912 a against them. Indeed, if insurance indirectly for the use of the infrastruc- of households with wells and septic year for noncompliant residents. mandates raise the compensation ture, via charges levied on the purchase tanks. If you want to do that, fine, but But because the penalty is less than costs for small firms with which the of automobiles and the consumption of don’t pretend that it is anything like a the cost of the insurance plans big firms compete for labor or sales, gasoline or diesel. Roughly speaking, trust fund or enterprise fund. available in much of Massachusetts, the big firms like that. these taxes and fees rose in proportion Transit boosters want to disguise plenty of taxpayers are simply By all means, policymakers in to use. how much rail transit, in particular, will going to eat the cost and remain North Carolina should look north- At the local level, the analogous cost local taxpayers and how little such outside of the insurance system. ward to Massachusetts — not to structure would be Enterprise Funds transit lines will benefit these taxpayers. While this may sound like bad find out what to enact in our state, used to operate charge-for-use infra- Pretending that gobs of construction news, it may well have qualified but to find out what to avoid. CJ structure such as water and sewer sys- money will now flow “from the state” as worse news if all Massachusetts tems. Folks who live outside a jurisdic- is a useful element of the disguise. residents had enrolled, since so tion and deriving their water from wells It’s the kind of thing that ought many would have qualified for at John Hood is president of the or private systems are not forced to pay to make taxpayers distrustful of their least partial taxpayer subsidy. As John Locke Foundation. for government-provided water. political leadership. CJ March 2008 CAROLINA 26 Opinion JOURNAL

Letters to the Editor

To the editor,

Thank you for your recent article about the Randy Parton Theatre fiasco and some of its political supporters. We would be hard-pressed to find in our history any period during which North Carolina government has been more fraudulent and despi- cable. Of course, the wrongdoers have been ably aided and abetted by the North Carolina media in choosing to cover up or ignore the wrongdoing. I think it would be quite a revelation if we could compare the financial statements of Easley, Basnight, and Rand between the dates they took office and now. I believe we would discover how truly rewarding public service can be.

Thomas S. Harrington Eden, N.C.

To the editor,

The lack of support shown by national lawmakers to give troops the support needed to achieve the soldiers’ mission has become egre- gious. Americans wag at political assertions of troop support as the mission is obstructed. Every day, it seems as if another public official has claimed You Decide: Should You Fear a Recession? that victory in Iraq is impossible. This would come as quite a shock to the fighting soldiers. They know e’re hearing more in the news about the Unemployment peaked at 25 percent, and income better. They also know that such proclamations economic “r” word — a recession. Econo- plunged almost 30 percent. are made solely for political gain, and are perhaps mists’ opinions today are split on whether What causes recessions? This is truly one of most welcomed by the enemies they fight. Wa recession is occurring or will occur, but the mere the “big” questions in economics. Some say reces- It is past the time for national lawmakers to mention of the possibility sends shivers through sions just happen naturally as the economy runs abandon their political investment in defeat. We both Main Street and Wall Street. out of steam. Think of a sprinter who has to take a must reassure our fighting men and women that What is a recession? Recessions are defined break after several dashes around the track. they aren’t fighting alone. from the perspective of the entire economy, and not Of course, reductions in the availability of a What can the average American do to back from the viewpoint of any individual, company, or key input in the economy, such as oil, can cause the up our troops when our national lawmakers will industry. Typically the economy grows, or expands, economy to falter. Reductions in oil supplies, with over time, meaning a greater value of the corresponding increases in oil prices, not? This is a question I get asked frequently. The goods and services is produced each were clearly behind two recessions in the answer is, “Take it to the states.” Several states year. But when this growth stops, and 1970s. have already stepped forward with resolutions further, when the economy goes into Recessions can also come about that promise to “not abandon our servicemen reverse and produces a lower value of from “too much of a good thing, ” like and servicewomen in this time of war and pledge goods and services than in the past, then the stomachache you would get after full support of them and their efforts to secure it is said the economy has receded, in eating too much. Here the good thing is victory.” other words, a recession has occurred. investment in some “hot” market, like Now is time to act at the state level. National Usually this downturn has to occur for commercial real estate in the 1980s, the media and political groups have allowed op- a minimum of six months for an official tech sector in the 1990s, and residential ponents of the war a steady national say. When recession to be declared. Michael housing in the 2000s. If these invest- the surge began to bear fruit, they began to focus How frequent are recessions and Walden ments get ahead of themselves, meaning their tactics of defeat by attacking the integrity how long do they last? There have been they go up too far too fast, then they can and character of our men and women that serve 11 recessions since World War II, the last being in set themselves up for a fall. If the fall is big enough, in uniform or as contractors. 2001. One of the positive trends in recent years has the entire economy can stumble into a recession. Now we see returning veterans caught in the been the shortening of recessions. In the first half Can recessions be prevented? Many people blast of hit pieces portraying us as maladjusted be- of the 20th century, recessions were typically half look to the federal government to prevent reces- ings of pity, likely to kill our loved ones and then as long as economic growth periods, meaning the sions, but four problems make this goal difficult. come after you. Please don’t tell my wife. average recession lasted 1 1/2 years. The last two One is simply knowing a recession is occurring or is Instead, tell your local lawmakers. Enough is recessions have lasted only one-tenth as long as about to occur. Second is deciding what to do about enough. Ask them to sponsor a resolution declaring their corresponding expansions, making their length a recession. By its nature, public policy takes time that your state will not abandon the troops. This only eight months. to debate and formulate. Third is the lag it takes simple official message tells our troops that their How are bad are recessions? The cost of reces- for government actions to have an impact. Once sacrifice will not be in vain. It also goes a long way sions is judged by two factors: the loss of income any government policy is developed and agreed to, toward raising the morale of our troops instead and the rise in unemployment. While income and between six and 18 months might be needed for the of our enemies. jobs are still lost during recessions, the costs have “medicine” to work. become smaller. The peak unemployment rate dur- Fourth is the recognition that any “stimulus” LTC Steve Russell, U.S. Army, (Ret.) ing the 1981-82 recession was almost 10 percent, today must be “paid for” later, either through high- Vets for Victory but in the 1990-91 downturn it was 7.5 percent, and er taxes or higher interest rates. This should give all during the 2001 recession the top jobless rate hit 6 of us pause about how effective anti-recessionary Oklahoma City percent. Likewise, the loss of income has become policies can be. CJ Russell was a central player in Saddam Hussein’s relatively smaller, to where the usual recession hunt and capture and is the founder and chairman today results in a 1 percent to 1.5 percent drop in of Vets for Victory (www.vets4victory.com). He is a national income. Dr. Michael Walden is a William Neal Reynolds veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan. To put these numbers in perspective, consider distinguished professor at North Carolina State Univer- what happened during the recession of 1929-33. sity. CAROLINA March 2008 JOURNAL Opinion 27 $21B State Budget Should Be Able to Fund Rape Kits e talk a lot about govern- slides are collected, and tests for STDs tance would follow private insurance to the Department of Crime Control ment’s responsibility in are run. The victim also is examined coverage. and Public Safety and any bill for a providing core functions to on her face, thighs, buttocks, and ab- Again, the funds available do rape kit should go directly to them for Wits citizens. None domen for the collection of semen. Fi- not cover the need. The 2007 session payment, not into a fund that the rape is more important nally, a full pelvic exam is conducted. of the Assembly set aside $298,896 and victim has to apply for. than crime con- The results of these tests, which can made a onetime appropriation of $1.3 When the responsibility for trol and public take up to four hours, are boxed up to million just for a backlog of unpaid collecting and paying for evidence safety. Collecting be used as evidence in the trial against claims. There are limited funds avail- falls on the rape victim, it discour- and processing her rapist. It is called a rape kit. able. When they run out, they run out ages women from reporting the crime, evidence is key to She goes home, hopes law en- and the victim is still expected to foot discourages the collection of the only solving any crime. forcement can catch the guy, and tries the bill. evidence that can convict a rapist, and But in the case of to piece her life back together. If the rape victim was underage it sends the message that the victim is rape, the victim, Then she gets the bill. and drinking at the time of the rape responsible for what happened to her. not government, Becki In North Carolina, a rape victim or committed any other non-traffic When a house is broken into, the is expected to pay Gray is charged as much as $1,600 for a misdemeanor, she is ineligible for any homeowner does not pay to collect for the collection rape kit. If the victim has insurance, help. And she still owes for the rape fingerprints. When a building burns, of evidence. In no part of the cost is covered. If not, she’s kit. the owner is not billed for an arson other crime is the rapid collection of expected to pay the full amount. There are many seen and unseen investigation. Yet when a woman is evidence so critical to catching and Established by the General costs associated with rape. There are raped, she is billed for the collection of convicting the criminal. Assembly in 1981, The Rape Victims the clothes she had to relinquish for the only evidence that will convict her Women have been taught that if Assistance program sets aside about evidence, perhaps bedclothes and rapist. they are raped, it is essential to report $258,000 to help pay for rape kits. other personal belongings, sometimes With a $21 billion budget, it and get to a hospital quickly so that Actually, $4.8 million is needed. Even permanent or temporary reloca- lawmakers should be able to find evidence can be gathered and medi- with the program, only $1,000 of the tion costs, lost wages, lost time from $4.8 million to pay for rape kits. The cal needs can be attended to. She has cost is covered. The victim or the hos- classes, counseling, travel expenses Department of Transportation wastes learned that washing herself or chang- pital is left owing the rest. for family members and then the fear, millions of dollars in flawed construc- ing clothes will destroy evidence. She might also try to get some the vulnerability, the rage and even tion projects, international companies Time is critical after a woman is raped. help from the North Carolina Crime shame. The costs are large and un- are granted huge tax breaks, and mil- When she arrives at a hospital Victim’s Compensation Fund, which imaginably painful. They shouldn’t lions of dollars have been wasted on — sometimes by ambulance, some- was established in 1987 to assist in- include paying for evidence needed to a Tea Pot Museum and Randy Parton times alone — she undresses over a nocent victims of crimes, including convict the rapist. Theatre. Maybe government could sheet and gives up her clothing for those who have been raped. It pays The current source for fund- start protecting state citizens. Rape evidence. Then she submits to a test up to $30,000 for “reasonably needed ing rape kits is not only inadequate, victims are a good place to start. CJ for HIV, gives blood samples, is exam- products, services and accommoda- it’s wrong. Government should pay ined by a nurse, and is photographed. tions, including those for medical for costs associated with evidence Pubic hairs are collected, fingernails care” and lost wages. As with the rape to convict a criminal. It should be Becki Gray is vice president for out- are scraped underneath, swabs and victims’ fund, any government assis- included in the funds appropriated reach for the John Locke Foundation. Most Women More Interested in Breaking Own Barriers

n the past year, women regaled problems are no easier solved by a enforcement and designed a version degrees and master’s degrees. In just reporters with their excitement woman than by a man. to boost the safety and confidence of five years, women will likely over- over the prospect of seeing a sister I don’t need to see a woman women. Taser’s C2 personal protec- take men in the number of doctoral Ibreak through the ultimate glass ceil- elected president to be proud of tor device is a stun gun a woman can degrees earned. Ask a medical or law ing — the one at my gender, or to believe we’re fully truly appreciate — it fits in a purse, school student and they’ll tell you 1600 Pennsylvania respected members of society. I take comes in multiple colors including their class consists of more women Avenue. note of long-term impact and results, pink, and can prevent the nightmare than men. If the trend continues, That possi- and by my standard, women have of a struggle with a bigger, stronger women will dominate hospitals and bility has become already broken the barriers that really attacker. courtrooms in just a few years. less likely in recent matter. Just look to the marketplace, Even better, the product has be- Other women are setting the weeks, but the elec- where cash is king. come an entrepreneurial opportunity standard for excellence in the non- tion of a woman as For years the private sector has for women. profit sector. Gail Mills co-founded leader of the free catered to women and acknowledged A recent Associated Press story the Durham Rescue Mission with her world would cer- our huge purchasing power well tells of Dana Shafman, a young, single husband, Ernie, more than 30 years tainly be a historic Donna beyond traditionally female prod- woman who’s helping generate a ago. Their organization provides milestone when it Martinez ucts such as cosmetics and clothing. wave of in-home sales to ladies look- life-saving services and skills to the happens. I just wish Volvo acknowledged the influence ing for an alternative to a handgun or desperate, the lost, and the down-and- women would ac- of women when it assigned female keeping a knife or baseball bat near out. They accomplish their work with- knowledge that the achievement will be employees to design a car. The year it the bed. Thanks to her ingenuity at out government funding and rely on more symbolic than consequential. debuted, 2004, women were expected marketing the stun gun, Shafman has private donations. According to A Step Just as it was with the much- to make the decision or have a say created a business for herself. As the of Faith, which chronicles the mission’s trumpeted historic election of Nancy in eight of 10 U.S. vehicle purchases. headline describes her vision: “Forget history, Gail and Ernie once returned Pelosi as the first female speaker of Gun makers have also geared up for Tupperware: Taser Parties Are the a $10,000 government grant secured the House — she was going to remake the growing number of women who New Craze.” by an elected official without their the country through her more caring buy firearms. One story estimated the The influence that comes with knowledge. Of the mission’s impact female vision — breaking the presi- 2006 impact of women on the sales of buying power will only grow as on her life, 2006 graduate Carla An- dential gender barrier represents the firearms, ammunition, and hunting women become better educated than drews writes: “My children can look success of one woman in particular, items at $420 million. men. at me and no longer be ashamed.” not all women in general. Pelosi’s Then there’s Taser International’s The National Center for Educa- Now that’s a barrier broken. CJ “firsts” quickly dried up, and media approach to tapping the influence of tion Statistics (NCES) projects that quickly moved on, demonstrating this women. The company has taken a during the 2007-2008 school year, Donna Martinez is an associate edi- reality: Domestic and international safety product initially geared to law women will earn six of 10 bachelor’s tor of Carolina Journal. March 2008 C a r o l i n a 28 Parting Shot Journal RoRap Officials Bet $21.5 Million on Roadhouse Plan (a CJ parody)

By HUGH GENCENTIVE The beau- theater emer- Parton Theatre feasibility study funded Economic Development Reporter ty of the idea, the gency meeting by the Rural Center that gave the town city explained, last month. that giant white elephant beside the ROANOKE RAPIDS is that patrons “We are highway.” he Roanoke Rapids Theater, can go sleep ideally situ- Beale said the city will be applying formerly known as the Randy in their trucks ated on I-95 for grant money from other sources and Parton Theatre, will be renamed in the massive between New plans to convert all grants toward the Tthe RoRap Roadhouse and will target Carolina Cross- York and Flor- theater debt. “People feel sorry for us interstate truckers, city officials an- roads parking ida. Certainly and most grant-making agencies will nounced last week. lot until they we can capture forgive us for misusing funds.” RoRap is local slang for Roanoke are legal to drive most of these The new plan has the support of Rapids, and consultants thought it had again. truckers and the N.C. Department of Commerce. a nice ring when paired with the word C i t i z e n entice them to “Trucker Tourism is an emerging “Roadhouse,” one city official said. volunteers will part with some industry and Roanoke Rapids is ideally Casting about for ways to pay back do the remod- cash,” Beale situated to lead our state in research and the $21.5 million the city owes for the eling, the city told Carolina development,” Commerce Secretary Jim theater, officials decided to take advan- said in a press Journal. “This is Fain said in a news release. “An eco- tage of the proximity to Interstate 95 in release. Hali- a no-brainer. It nomic impact study commissioned by a different way than orignally intended fax Communi- will work.” the Commerce Department concluded when the theater was built. ty College has Beale said the RoRap Roadhouse has the potential “We saw only two ways to pay the agreed to set up the city received to create 2,000 jobs.” bills on this boondoggle,” said Mayor an exotic dancer a $100,000 grant When asked about the methodol- Drewery Beale. “We could turn it into a training pro- from the North ogy that predicted so many jobs, Fain casino if Roanoke Rapids were an Indian gram so local Carolina Rural said, “Nobody ever asks about the job reservation, but it’s not. So a trucker citizens will not The former Randy Parton Theatre with its new Center for a fea- creation claims, so I have no answer for signage advertising to all truckers traveling on roadhouse was the next best thing.” have to leave the I-95 that the RoRap Roadhouse is open for busi- sibility study on you.” He also refused to provide a copy He said city officials were im- area after they ness. (CJ spoof photo) a new theme to of the study claiming the methodology pressed by the number of parked trucks graduate from attract custom- was proprietary. at some truck stops, especially those that high school. ers. “We had to do something, “ advi- advertise massages and all-girl staffs. The Theater Advisory Committee “We didn’t actually hire someone sory committee member Jim Garrett told City leaders envision the renamed recently appointed by the city council to do a study, we just took that money Carolina Journal, “and if this doesn’t work, and remodeled facility as a place where recommended the renaming and the and used it towards the $21.5 million we will try something else. Our city has truckers can stop, have a few drinks and new theme. The council approved the loan we took out to build the Randy become a joke and we must continue to some food and watch exotic dancers. new plan at its regularly scheduled Parton theatre,” he said. “It was the give folks something to laugh at.” CJ The John Locke Foundation cordially invites you to Election Preview 2008 Wednesday, March 19, 2008, 12:00 Noon North Raleigh Hilton, 3415 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC, 27609 with our special guests

Fred Barnes is executive editor of The Weekly John Hood is President and Chairman of the John Standard. From 1985 to 1995, he served as senior Locke Foundation. Hood is a syndicated columnist editor and White House correspondent for The New whose column appears in newspapers in over 50 Republic. He is host, along with Mort Kondracke, communities. He is a regular radio commentator of the Beltway Boys on the Fox News Channel. and a weekly panelist on “N.C. Spin,” a discussion program that is broadcast on 16 television stations across the state.

John Gizzi has been reporting on Washington poli- Marc Rotterman is a partner in Rotterman & tics for Human Events since 1979. He uses his daily Associates, a Raleigh-based public relations and access to the White House for the inside scoop in political consulting firm.He is a veteran of the his weekly politics column and Gizz-ette Blog. 1980 Reagan presidential campaign and 1981 to 1984 was a political appointee in the Reagan Administration. He is the founding president of the John Locke Foundation and currently serves as a Senior Fellow.

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