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July 24th / 26th, 2009
"Atkinson KO’s Perdue"
Ever since Mike Tyson bit off Evander Holyfield’s ear, heavyweight prize
fights haven’t garnered much interest around these parts. That is until last
week when a champion was finally crowned in the epic bout between Gentle
June Atkinson and Bully Bev Perdue.
After months of sparring, followed by a series of hard fought rounds, ring
judge Robert Hobgood ruled that Atkinson had won by a knock-out. It was a
great victory not just for June, but also for us voters, to whom Perdue had
dealt a low blow when she tried to nullify an entire election.
Here’s how it all came to pass. Last November North Carolinians elected
their first female Governor in Beverly Perdue. Perdue was a long time
politico who narrowly defeated Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory by going negative and
dodging debates. Meanwhile, over two million of us resoundingly voted to
re-elect Dr.Atkinson as our State Superintendant of Public Instruction. But,
in early February, Governor Perdue appointed Bill Harrison as Chairman of
the State Board of Education. She then leaned on the Board (whom she
appoints) to also name Harrison CEO of the Department of Public Instruction,
effectively reducing Atkinson to nothing but a figurehead. Perdue’s motives were
crystal clear. She wanted to control the Department, so she did an
end-run around the Constitution, hoping that no one would cry foul. But a few
did, including yours truly. Atkinson heeded our cries and filed suit against
the Governor, saying, “It seems logical that an elected official would be
able to select, organize, and run his or her own state agency. You can rest
assured that the over two million voters who voted for me think I have the
authority to run the Department. To think otherwise would discount the voters
”.
And with that, the people’s champion reluctantly stepped into the ring to
defend her title. At stake was the sanctity of the electoral process, and
the principal of one man, one vote. Also on trial was the office of Governor
itself, which had been abused by Perdue’s predecessor. Mike Easley had
used his influence to ramrod bad deals through the legislature, secure a high
paying state job for his wife Queen Mary, and obtain free travel and
vacations for the couple. Those of us who criticized mediocre Mike early on and
were glad to see him go, had high hopes that the next Governor would breathe
a breath of fresh air into the high office. Instead we were treated to yet
another arrogant, hypocritical chief executive.
Fortunately, Wake superior court judge Hobgood saw through Perdue’s power
play, and ruled that no one but Atkinson had the authority to run the state’
s schools. Perhaps Hobgood’s decision was influenced in part by the recent
publicity over Easley’s abuses, but either way, he sent a clear message to
the Governor’s office, and a warning to power hungry politicians who think
they can get away with anything.
And so, the heavyweight title has been decided in favor of Atkinson, but
the fight might not be entirely over. Already, Bully Bev has her flunkies in
the Attorney General’s office exploring an appeal. Of course, that begs
the question, what in hell is the AG doing defending the offender? There’s
also the very real possibility that Perdue will muster her forces in the
legislature, and attempt to pass an amendment that would legally give her the
power to make Atkinson’s job moot. For now, though, the Judge’s decision
stands, and June Atkinson is once again doing what we elected her to do.
Still, reclaiming her rightful title at a time like this won’t be a picnic for
Atkinson, but if anyone can guide us through an era of budget strapped
instruction, June can. There are 1.5 million students counting on her, and as
we now know, she’s not one to be counted out.
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