Let’s double back to the altogether unsurprising decision by the NC Bar not to invite Libertarian Party candidate for governor Mike Munger to its June 21 debate at Atlantic Beach. Munger points to an email sent by Bar executive director Allan Head claiming that the group’s meeting agenda just did not have enough time to include Munger in the program. Plans were made far before it was clear the LP would be on the ballot, Head further claims.
Munger and blogger Steve Newton note this makes no sense. Munger was on the ballot via a well-publicized petition drive in May, weeks before either Bev Perdue or Pat McCrory announced they would be attending the Bar’s candidate forum. Were members of the Bar actually unaware of his candidacy, that would make them “way too dumb to be trying cases in state court,” Munger observes.
But we’ll go with the official tight-agenda story for now. So what does the agenda for June 21 hold? Well, a general session that includes an award for Parks Helms and other business from 8:30am-12:30. This includes forums for senate and governor candidates from 10:45 to 12:30.
And what kicks off at 12:30pm sharp that cannot possibly be pushed back a few minutes? A panel on DNA evidence or the state lab’s inability to process rape kits or dealing with violent repeat offenders? No. Saturday Afternoon Excursions.
Other possible conflicts with including a few more minutes of debate among official candidates for the office of chief executive of the state:
- 9:15-11:15 Dolphin Watch Boat Tour from Beaufort Waterfront
Noon Kite Flying on the Beach
12:30 Saturday Afternoon Excursions
1:00 Commission on Equal Access to Justice hosted by Chief Justice Parker
1:00 Saturday Luncheon – Door Prize Drawing
1:30 Golf Tournament
Again the exclusion is not surprising. It is the evident need to dissemble that is so shocking. Do these people believe in anything? Besides power, I mean.
Bonus Observation: Someone should organize a democracy-spotting excursion in Atlantic Beach. That’ll be challenging.
