newsobserver.com projects - probation - Comments

Re: Senate votes for probation reform

PaulTerrell — Thu, 14 May 2009 00:04:18 -0400

Of course this idea was stolen by Rand.

Did you expect that one of the DEMOCRATIC leaders whose leadership that has led us into this mess, could actually come with the answers on his own?

Originally a Republican proposal

PoliticalJunkie — Wed, 13 May 2009 17:51:56 -0400

These reforms were initially proposed by republicans in response to an N&O series on the probation system. Phil Berger introduced legislation to address these problems.

Tony Rand grabbed the bill, tweaked it slightly, and made it his own to make sure when you reporters wrote about it a Democrat would get all the credit with nary a mention of the Republican efforts to shed light on the problem and produce a solid set of reforms to address the problems.

And of course his plan worked. Oh well. Here is a link to Berger's bill.

This is pretty regular move by Rand and his Democrat friends and it almost always works. I believe it is one of the reasons most citizens can't point to any "achievements" by Republican Legislators - the Democrats steal their good ideas and the credit for them with a complicit media assisting.

Here is Dome's initial report on the Republican proposal.

Re: How much has Perdue revealed?

aftercancer — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:54:45 -0400

Okay, now who loses their job to pay for this?

Re: Quick Hits

Gosh — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 15:03:11 -0500

What makes Carter Wrenn a "Republican Consultant?"

I tell Republicans they suck every day. Where's my title?

Does it not pay to state the obvious?

Re: Quick Hits

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:54:28 -0500

Fixed. Thanks.

— RTB

Re: Quick Hits

Isaac136 — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:36:57 -0500

RTB, the link on your "quick hit" about Fitzsimon's comments about Easley being considered for the S.Ct. doesn't work.

Re: Overcrowding could mean lighter sentences

GlenBradley — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 11:27:17 -0500

perhaps a reexamination of the law would be more appropriate.

Re: Bill would expand probation searches

mrcrosby — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:33:44 -0500

This is mearly a "dog and pony show" probation officers have been able to do warrantless searches on probationeers for years now. This will change absolutely nothing.

Re: Bill would expand probation searches

peterlyon — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 19:30:06 -0500

So much for the Bill of Rights! I cannot wait to see wht happens to the rest of them during Barry O's administration.

Re: Bill would expand probation searches

bigsurmac — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:02:23 -0500

SUPPOSEDLY ULTRA-LIBERAL, FAINT-HEARTED CALIFORNIA has always provided for any law enforcement officer, parole officer, probation officer, member of district attorneys' staffs, or judge to conduct an unannounced, random stop and search of any parolee or probationer.
Conservative Arizona and the other freedom oriented western states follow the same rules.
To discover that old school, conservative North Carolina has been hamstringing probation officers and all others from conducting random, spur of the moment searches of any and all probationers and parolees, is mind-boggling.
Particularly in the situation of convicted drug dealers, sex offenders and those convicted of crimes of violence -- Stopping and searching once every hour should be standard if the officers observe these people breathing, walking, talking or with their eyes open [or closed]in public.
Felons of major dimensions do not have rights protecting them from stop, search and arrest, as long as they remain on probation.
Accepting probation to achieve release from behind bars -- they accept stop, se3arch and arrest for violations at any time, any place, in any company.

Re: Bill would expand searches on probationers

wetry2 — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:19:22 -0500

It should have been mandatory a long time ago along with making drug screens mandatory instead of "optional" for the court. I thought our government officials were aware of these things. Must have been talking to the wrong folks, probably need to talk with the ones who actually do the work, get paid less and don't have potted plant issues.

Re: Probation head to leave Friday

tarheeldoug — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:32:09 -0500

Can't you leave any faster?

Re: Easley blames 24/7 news cycle

justacommenter — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:00:45 -0500

WOW! and to think if he wasn't doing anything corrupt......he wouldn't have to be so defensive! this guy is a joke. blame the news, easley.....without it I bet you could have gotten away with alot! Scary to think that this is what is running our government. sure if you don't do something right....it's the news' fault for telling it.

Re: Probation head is out

viking95 — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 19:51:28 -0500

A change was needed. I hope the new Director will be someone who has worked in the field in the modern day of probation. We need someone who understands that all programs are not great programs. Supervision, Supervision lets just focus on Supervision. Brass Tax. We need to try to focus on the probation judgement and not risk needs and case plans.

Re: Drescher disagrees with Easley's comments

domewatcher — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:39:10 -0500

I applaud the N & O and their efforts to report the news rather than just pass along the "approved" press releases.

I live in one of the smaller towns and our newspaper is one of the "Freedom ENC" chain. Their motto is that "everything is all good!" They toe-the-line and rarely ask any questions of government or the "city fathers." Read our newspaper and you would think that these were "the best of times." The editorial board is comprised of the paper's largest advertisers, the mayor's dog and some surfer in California.

So the efforts of the N & O seem mighty spectacular.