Not every politician was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but Dan Forest was. And for most of his life, his wealth was inconsequential. He kept to himself and did relatively little damage. Even as lieutenant governor, his impact on anything important has been negligible, though teachers might say it's been negative.
But now that Mr. Forest is pressing himself forward to be North Carolina's next governor, his ideas and beliefs matter, as does his character. I don't know him at all. I just know what he says through publicity and on social media. Here's my impression:
How to be Trump's Successor: Lie every chance you get. IOKIYAR
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley is positioning herself as Trump’s successor. She might have lied a bit, but that’s never been much of a liability in politics. https://t.co/nk1OVeKMRc#NCPOL
A proposed charter school geared toward American Indian students will not be allowed to open next year after a state charter school board found the school's curriculum was "divisive instead of bringing unity." During a meeting Tuesday, some CSAB members said they had a change of heart after learning more about the school's proposed "red pedagogy" and focus on Indigenous students.
"I did not find one thing in the book that talked about the greatness of America," she said. "Now let me make it perfectly clear – America has sins. There are things I wished we had never done, slavery included – bad marks on our country. But we learned from them and we’re changed and we’re not what we used to be."
It's all about "choice," except if you're a Native American parent or student. Aside from the fact Lindalyn Kakadelis is a Director at the John Locke Foundation, she's also a consultant hired by the Roger Bacon Academy, which just so happens to have a school just North of Whiteville, drawing students from Robeson County. Not sure how many of the 650 or so students are Lumbee or other Native American tribes, but I am sure that Kakadelis should have recused herself from voting and criticizing this proposed school.
DAN BISHOP'S SON IS STIRRING UP TROUBLE AT NC STATE: Jack Bishop, a 19-year-old freshman and the son of recently elected Republican Congressman Dan Bishop, said he was painting an advertisement for a Wednesday night campus event called “Culture War” when other students interrupted his efforts. The event is hosted by N.C. State’s chapter of Turning Point USA, a conservative student movement, and is billed as an opportunity to hear guest speaker Charlie Kirk and Lara Trump, President Trump’s daughter-in-law, “take on big government, culture and the left.” At one point in the video, Bishop says of the paint, “it smells great,” then leans toward the canister that’s being sprayed around him. Bishop continues to stand talking to the other student, saying “that’s about right ... spray painting me in the face” before the video cuts off. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/education/article237297049.html
COOPER ALLOWS CHANGES TO ISD PROCESS MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT SIGNATURE: "Turning over control of a public school to a private charter school operator is both bad policy and ineffective, and I am fundamentally opposed to the ISD concept," Cooper wrote. "Senate Bill 522 does make some positive improvements to the ISD, including providing a way for low-performing schools to improve before being subject to take over." Under the new law, in year one, struggling schools would be placed on a qualifying list, and the local school board and superintendent would be notified. If the school still qualified in year two, it would be put on a watch list. Following that, the local school board would hold a public hearing with parents and employees to explain the impact of being put on the watch list and improvement plans for the school. If the school still qualified in year three, it would be put on a warning list. Another public hearing would be held, and the school board would have to present to the county commissioners about the school’s status. If the school still qualified after the third year and was one of the lowest five qualifying schools in the state, it would be selected by the State Board of Education to join the ISD. https://www.wral.com/cooper-allows-innovative-school-district-changes-to-become-law-but-calls-progra...
His actions since taking office have reflected a mindset of righting wrongs, and protecting the physical and economic health of North Carolinians. And we need him to continue doing that after 2020.
For the past ten years or so, I've greeted Veterans Day with a barrel full of cringe. The pandering from politicians nearly takes the breath away. It's embarrassing.
This year, the Veterans Day noise has been deafening. From Trump on down to the lowest kind of partisan hack, we're hearing enough happy talk to last a lifetime. Thom Tillis may be the worst, with this Facebook post.
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