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 Don't Cry for Jim Black
by Tom Campbell
February 14, 2007
Jim Black is finally admitting that he is guilty of corruption, conspiracy, and of breaking the public trust. He brings disgrace to public officials, to the legislature of our state, and to the Democratic Party to which he belonged.
Cry for Black’s family and for the embarrassment he brings them. Cry over the further rupture in confidence in elected officials and in government, because this is sure to disgust many citizens who are already jaundiced.
Cry for good public servants and elected officials who will get tarred by the brush of scandal Black has brought on them. Do not cry, however, for those legislators who saw what Jim Black was doing, who knew that the pay-to-play ethic pervading his leadership was wrong, who recognized that Black’s behind the scene deal-making was not good public policy, but who refused to stand up and speak out. They chose to sit on their respective thumbs, essentially condoning corruption and unethical behavior, opting to go-along to get-along in Black’s House. They are guilty by association.
Cry for a legislative process that has strayed far from the long-held tenet of good government so many worked so long to uphold. Black’s House specialized in deals made behind closed doors, committee decisions resolved by “floaters,” minions of the Speaker appointed to ensure votes would go the way he wanted, budgets settled with little or no public debate, significant legislation sneaked into corrections bills or covertly tucked away as special provisions in the state budget, and budgets approved without giving lawmakers enough time to read or respond to what was contained in them. Longtime observers of the legislative process of our state mourn the disgraceful evolution of current lawmaking.
Cry for a justice system that has degraded to a point where a plea bargain is more convenient and desirable than a trial where the public might learn the facts. Jim Black committed serious crimes while in power, yet we are unlikely to know all about them. In this environment a consummate deal-maker like Jim Black can be allowed to cop a lesser plea and receive a minimal sentence for far more serious crimes. Cry to federal prosecutors to come forward and tell the public the truth about what they learned, so we will know and can be watchful to ensure these activities do not reoccur.
Cry for what might have been. Cry out for needed reforms, greater oversight, and stronger convictions to stand for the right. But do not, for one second, cry for Jim Black. He played fast and loose with the laws and he is getting off light for what he has done. Some are attempting to paint as pretty a face on Black’s accomplishments as possible, but his legacy will clearly be one of shame and corruption. It is a black day in North Carolina. |
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