“I will be very honest with you, I never once in any interview for any position ask anyone about their sexual preference, their sexual orientation, or their past marital history. . . . I didn’t figure it had anything to do with the job they could do for the people of North Carolina.”
-Gov. Bev Perdue
Evidently no one showed Governor Perdue the memo saying why appointing someone previously caught in an extramarital affair to lead an agency rocked by accusations of sexual misbehavior might not be such a good thing. (See: N&O Story)
Forgiveness? Of course, Americans are a forgiving people. But those asking for forgiveness also must accept the reality of higher ethical standards for certain offices. Commander of the NC Highway Patrol is certainly one such office –especially in light of the type of accusations swirling around that state agency. I’m sorry, but the character and integrity of the individual appointed to clean up such a mess does matter. Perdue’s unapologetic attitude reflects a disconnect with the moral sensibilities of most North Carolinians. Let’s hope it’s not a sign of things to come. We already have too many stories about ethical improprieties.
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