Carolina Journal
Volume 10, Number 12 - December 2001

State Republicans, as they had threatened, sue their Democrat counterparts over alleged unconstitutional redistricting. Page 4
The state’s Environmental Management Commission makes a rule so it can maintain control of isolated wetlands on private property. Page 5
In approving millions in debt for prisons, the legislature sidestepped the constitutional requirement to seek voter approval for such capital projects. Page 5

Education:

School choice programs in North Carolina improve student achievement and increase parental involvement, according to an independent study. Page 7
Lindalyn Kakedelis, former Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board member, writes that families deserve to have their choice in schools. Page 7
Two reports find that smaller schools improve education, but North Carolina schools are getting larger. Page 8
Toisnot Middle School in Wilson is one of the best high-poverty middle schools in the state. Page 9

Higher Education:

Former campus radical turned conservative David Horowitz comes to North Carolina, unleashing heavy criticism on UNC-CH for antiwar demonstrations. Page 10
A former Black Panther leader spoke at Duke University Nov. 15 to an apparently receptive crowd. Page 11
Duke offered femininity, fantasies, sexualities and dinosaurs as course of the month choices for CJ, but we chose Marxism. Page 12
Leftists are up in arms over a new report that urges college campuses to teach America’s history and principles. Page 12
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill may open a business school in the totalitarian country of Qatar. Page 13

Local Government:

Foes of forced annexation and higher taxes turned out their votes and successfully elected their candidates last month. Page 14
John Charles of the Cascade Policy Institute in Oregon discusses peak-period road pricing as a solution to traffic congestion. Page 15
Randall O’Toole says federal grant monies for “smart growth” often end up in the hands of lobbyists. Page 16
An interview with Dare County’s lone Republican commissioner Richard Johnson. Page 16
Bicycle helmet giveaways in Pittsboro; Cary may spend more taxpayer money on “public” art; and other local news. Page 17

The Learning Curve:

A review of Competition or Compulsion? The New Market Economy Versus the New Social Engineering, edited by Richard Ebeling. Page 18
A review of The New Thought Police: Inside the Leftist Assault on Free Speech and Free Minds by Tammy Bruce. Page 19

Opinion:

Editorials on the DMV’s flawed license issuing policies and local campus antiwar protests. Page 20
Editorials on subsidized home loans and the expansion of auto emissions inspection fees. Page 21
State legislators have tried to defend their 2001 session as a successful defense of education, but John Hood says “hogwash.” Page 21
Richard Wagner says national security trumps any First Amendment rights the media may claim to have. Page 22

Parting Shot:

The real tragedy of the legislature’s departure from Raleigh was that a “Clean Smokestacks” bill wasn’t passed, leaving the state’s mountains in a haze. Page 24

Material published here may be reprinted provided the
Locke Foundation receives prior notice and appropriate credit is given.

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