accountability

Public monies with no public oversight? From Josh Ellis' Twitter feed:

Sen. Berger says bill to lift charter cap may also move governance of charters outside of DPI

Since the NCGA website is still a blank slate on this session's bills, committees, etc., I'm assuming this bill has yet to be written.

In either case, charters are already too far outside the control of local school boards. To also remove them from DPI oversight is a slap in the face to the very taxpayers these Republicans claim to support.

Our senior senator came to Fearrington Village today to speak to Chatham County Republicans. He spoke about the disastrous deficits, without a word about wars. He took questions submitted in writing, but not mine. So I sent him my questions, and I'll be interested to see if he responds.

Senator Burr,

You joined 8 Republican senators in a letter to AG Eric Holder opposing the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate coercive interrogation of detainees in US custody by US service members, agents and contractors.

On what moral or legal grounds could you possibly object to mistreatment of US servicemen and women detained by foreign agents?

2nd question:

Do you support the repeal of the constitutional amendment prohibiting cruel and unusual punishment, US anti-torture legislation, and US ratified treaties prohibiting cruel, degrading and inhumane treatment of detainees?

Ray McGovern, author of 'Christians' Wink at Torture (http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/08/01-4) joined our conference call tonight to promote David Ippolito's new song and 60 second ad adaptation (www.thatguitarman.com). You can help. In any case, the song is worth a listen.

John Heuer

[cross-posted on dailykos at and on my campaign blog]

We’ve been talking a lot about our US Senate campaign being a choice between politics as usual and speaking truth to power.

I was surprised and frankly shocked while reading Greensboro’s Yes Weekly article about State Senator Kay Hagan.

Kay points to Senate Bill 3 (SB 3) as an example of how “we do things right in Raleigh.” The legislation adopted by the state senate last year gives away the store to Duke Energy, one of the top contributors to Kay’s state senate campaigns .

You may not know about SB 3. And the problem is I don’t think you’re supposed to. The Raleigh News-Observer says SB 3 was “an insiders' deal from the get-go,” passed with “virtually nonexistent” public debate and no “serious financial analysis of its total impact on consumers.” http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/martinez/story/626147.html

On Thursday February 28th, the Fayetteville Observer published an opinion article entitled "On point: Congressional vigilance is needed to ensure educational excellence." The article discussed the need for members of Congress, in particular those that represent the areas around Fort Bragg, to appropriate additional impact aid to support the burden that Fort Bragg's future growth will put on the communities around it. Although members of Congress are responsible for federal education appropriations, there must be accountability and sound policy from state and local officials as well. State and local officials decide how those appropriations are used. It is up to the constituents of these officials to hold them accountable for their education policies. If there is a valid documented fear that the entrance of new students from Fort Bragg families will harm the education system, then local and state officials need to prepare for such a situation. Setting aside funds, cutting programs, and submitting requests for additional funding are some steps that can be taken before it becomes a real problem.

In which we compare Presidential won/loss records to those of more important personages.