Public crowds and radio audiences heard words of wisdom this week from several John Locke Foundation experts. The Locke Foundation played a role in the Take Back Our State rally that drew as many as 1,000 grassroots conservative activists to the Legislative Building in Raleigh. It attracted attention from media outlets such as The News & Observer. Many of those activists heard from JLF Vice President for Outreach Becki Gray. (You can see Gray near the end of the 6:36 video montage at this link. You will also see Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory. The GOP gubernatorial nominee’s city has a record on taxes and spending that generated additional media attention for the Locke Foundation this week; the Charlotte Observer reported Democrats’ citation of JLF research in criticizing McCrory’s record.) Outside of the rally, Gray discussed the issues that inspired rally activists during an appearance on the WPTF Radio morning show and two spots with Matt Mittan’s “Take a Stand Show” on WWNC in Asheville. JLF Vice President Chad Adams also made two appearances with Mittan this week and shared his knowledge with listeners of Bill LuMaye’s afternoon program on WPTF Radio in Raleigh and Curtis Wright’s morning show on WLTT (“The Big Talker”) in Wilmington. In addition to the rally and the impact of grassroots activism, topics included Gov. Mike Easley’s use of state aircraft and wasteful government spending. Adams also offered a history lesson to about 100 students during the Free Enterprise Leadership Challenge hosted at Campbell University by the Jesse Helms Center. Adams discussed the Founders’ support for free enterprise and urged students to question government involvement in the market process today. Carolina Journal Executive Editor Don Carrington presented a different type of history lesson this week; he shared details of the Randy Parton Theatre fiasco in a speech for the Capital Area Republican Club. JLF Legal and Regulatory Policy Analyst Daren Bakst testified about municipal annexation before the N.C. House Judiciary II Committee, and he discussed his recent report on annexation myths with Lockwood Phillips for the “Viewpoints Radio” program on WTKF.