Kill the Messenger

I'm off to another speaking engagement up I-40 but I figured I'd get one shot off before cranking up Ricky Skaggs singing "Highway 40 Blues". The Dome has posted a report that the Guv has fired his spokesperson Debbie Crane because of the handling of the mental health reform and the ensuing press debacle. I find it increasingly amazing at the inability of this administration and the democrats in general to accept responsibility when things go wrong.

The so-called mental health reform took place under the supposedly "watchful" eye of the Easley administration and no matter how many firings or "retirements" ensue, the buck stops on Blount Street with some pauses on Jones Street. This whole embarrassing mess is maybe the worst I've observed coming out of state government and I've been watching state government in action since my freshman year in college in 1964 - 65.

And it's not just the Guv dodging responsibility but even Richard Moore whom I assume was not directly involved in mental health reform (too busy shaking down investors around the country for campaign contributions). King Richard the faint hearted said today, "Ya'll let's not throw rocks." Give me a break. Not only should we be throwing rocks but digging them up in the process to find out who really gamed the system. How many ex-basketball coaches can parlay mental health reform into a 1000 person company billing the state nearly $40 million for "community services" in 18 months. Man, he needs to be Secretary of Commerce 'cause he knows how to create jobs.

Finally, the hypocrite of the day goes to Bev for her "good government" proposal for public financing of elections. We all know that Bev "loves North Carolina" and did she tell you how she saved all our military bases. I always knew she was too tight with Donald Rumsfeld. But as I've said before she loves to take credit for everything and none of the responsibility for the failures. Seems like a recurring theme in this gubernatorial election.