Late last summer the County Board of Elections attended two days of training in Raleigh. Among the things we learned: the General Counsel of the State Board of Elections informed us that historically, there are more election protests and challenges in odd year elections (municipal election years) than in even year elections, when more eminent officeholders and aspirants seek election.
The explanation: perhaps familiarity breeds intensity.
So far in Pamlico County, elections protests are proceeding quietly and politely. Next Monday, we meet for a preliminary hearing on a protest of the Grantsboro election. On Tuesday, we meet to commence a recount of the election of Oriental town commissioners. The margin between commissioner Johnson's vote for another term and candidate Grady's vote is three votes. That is less than 1% and therefore qualifies for a recount. This is the third election in a row that the fifth seat in Oriental has been within three or fewer votes, including one tie.
The next time someone says to you, "oh, my vote won't count," let them know that sometimes it counts for a great deal.
And never forget: in a democracy, there are no unimportant elections!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Super Committee Discussions
If you want to know what's really going on inside the Super Committee working on the nation's budget, here's an insight: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/11/12/opinion/sunday/20111113_MCFADDEN_CARTOON.html?ref=opinionhttp://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/11/12/opinion/sunday/20111113_MCFADDEN_CARTOON.html?ref=opinion
Raising Cain
I didn't watch last weekend's republican debate, and no new polls are out yet. Still, one of the surprising results of polling to date is the continued strong showing for Herman Cain.
I just came across a blog post from a couple of weeks ago by Bruce Bartlett, an experienced republican operative, titled "The Secret of Herman Cain's Success." It is worth reading, for the view it gives of the post-civil war history of partisan leanings by African Americans.
His post includes useful reminders of the history of the Democratic Party as a pro slavery party and a racist party for a century after the Civil War. I think he gives insufficient recognition to support of some white southern democrats during this period for economically progressive and populist measures. I totally reject Bartlett's view that republican policies at the present time are at all beneficial for racial minorities or anyone else not in the top one percent economically. Herman Cain, of course, is in the top one percent.
If you read Bartlett's post, be sure to read the comments. They contribute a lot to understanding the context.
I'm working on my own detailed critique of Bartlett's views.
I just came across a blog post from a couple of weeks ago by Bruce Bartlett, an experienced republican operative, titled "The Secret of Herman Cain's Success." It is worth reading, for the view it gives of the post-civil war history of partisan leanings by African Americans.
His post includes useful reminders of the history of the Democratic Party as a pro slavery party and a racist party for a century after the Civil War. I think he gives insufficient recognition to support of some white southern democrats during this period for economically progressive and populist measures. I totally reject Bartlett's view that republican policies at the present time are at all beneficial for racial minorities or anyone else not in the top one percent economically. Herman Cain, of course, is in the top one percent.
If you read Bartlett's post, be sure to read the comments. They contribute a lot to understanding the context.
I'm working on my own detailed critique of Bartlett's views.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Mario Monti, Technocrat, To The Fore
So now, at the insistence of Brussels technocrats, economist Mario Monti has become Prime Minister of Italy.
This completes the process begun in the 1980's and 90's when Italian technocrats, briefly in control of Italy's government, sought to exchange Italian economic independence for German central bankers.
There were many economists who warned that a plan where countries had to borrow money in someone else's currency would eventually not work.
Eventually may be this year, next year or the year after, but looks like sooner rather than later.
Many Italians cheered the departure of Berlusconi and the arrival of the technocrats. Lat's see what they say a year from now.
This completes the process begun in the 1980's and 90's when Italian technocrats, briefly in control of Italy's government, sought to exchange Italian economic independence for German central bankers.
There were many economists who warned that a plan where countries had to borrow money in someone else's currency would eventually not work.
Eventually may be this year, next year or the year after, but looks like sooner rather than later.
Many Italians cheered the departure of Berlusconi and the arrival of the technocrats. Lat's see what they say a year from now.
Businessmen In Government
For those pining to turn government over to a businessman to run, I have a one-word response: Berlusconi!
Saturday, November 12, 2011
So How's The Football Team Doing?
I confess. Over the years, I have enjoyed watching college sports. When I was a student at Ole Miss, I even watched some of the games from the sidelines, wearing a press pass and carrying a 4x5 Speed Graphic press camera. I can still, fifty odd years later, give a rousing "Hotty-Totty," the Ole Miss cheer.
But I never understood what big time college sports have to do with education. Lately, I have to conclude that college sports interfere with education.
Last September, I received a weird e-mail from the Chancellor of the University of Mississippi complaining about "anonymous, malicious and public attacks" on the athletics director, including threats on the chancellor that it "will get real ugly" if the director isn't removed. A month later I received an e-mail from an organization seeking my support in their effort to get rid of the athletic director. Earlier this month I received a letter informing me that both the football coach and the athletic director have resigned.
All of this came to mind as I heard the news about Joe Paterno and the Penn State football team. Plainly in both cases, the tail is wagging the dog.
I imagine few members of the public in either Pennsylvania or Mississippi know the name of a single college professor or the head of the institution, but they know the name of the coach. And to most of them, the most important fact about a public university is the football team's won-loss record.
In the face of this set of priorities, any talk by our political leaders of a need to improve higher education is whistling in the wind.
The distortion of priorities starts well before college. This morning I read that a group of high school parents has filed a suit in New Mexico seeking to insert their high school into the state playoffs. The issue? Game officials started the clock too soon at the end of the game (by three seconds), depriving the team of the chance to kick a forty-one yard field goal and possibly get three additional points in a game they won, that would have improved their ranking enough to make the playoffs.
Does anybody really care about education?
But I never understood what big time college sports have to do with education. Lately, I have to conclude that college sports interfere with education.
Last September, I received a weird e-mail from the Chancellor of the University of Mississippi complaining about "anonymous, malicious and public attacks" on the athletics director, including threats on the chancellor that it "will get real ugly" if the director isn't removed. A month later I received an e-mail from an organization seeking my support in their effort to get rid of the athletic director. Earlier this month I received a letter informing me that both the football coach and the athletic director have resigned.
All of this came to mind as I heard the news about Joe Paterno and the Penn State football team. Plainly in both cases, the tail is wagging the dog.
I imagine few members of the public in either Pennsylvania or Mississippi know the name of a single college professor or the head of the institution, but they know the name of the coach. And to most of them, the most important fact about a public university is the football team's won-loss record.
In the face of this set of priorities, any talk by our political leaders of a need to improve higher education is whistling in the wind.
The distortion of priorities starts well before college. This morning I read that a group of high school parents has filed a suit in New Mexico seeking to insert their high school into the state playoffs. The issue? Game officials started the clock too soon at the end of the game (by three seconds), depriving the team of the chance to kick a forty-one yard field goal and possibly get three additional points in a game they won, that would have improved their ranking enough to make the playoffs.
Does anybody really care about education?
Friday, November 11, 2011
Pamlico County Election Results
For those who want to look at the complete unofficial election results for Pamlico County, here is a link to the State Board of Elections web site. There are still a few provisional ballots to be counted. They will be counted at the official canvass at the Pamlico County Board of Elections office Tuesday, November 15 at 11:00. The count announced at that time will be certified as the official count unless there has been a protest or challenge filed before the canvass.
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