Clay Aiken: Blogs An Update on Somalia

Clay Aiken posted a blog today on the Huffington Post titled: Progress in Somalia Despite Difficult Circumstances.

In it he gives an update on the situation in Somalia.

[...]Last year, in my role as UNICEF Ambassador, I spent five days in northwest Somalia. There's no question that years of civil war and a defunct central government has left much of this nation dangerously unstable. In fact, half the population of Somalia remains internally displaced and in a state of humanitarian emergency.

This tragic reality affects an estimated 3.6 million people, half of whom are children. Over 1.5 million are displaced as a result of conflict, largely between Islamic extremists and government forces. Not only is this population burdened by violence and instability, but also extreme poverty and recurrent food shortages.[...]

However, he informs us that there is hope for the future. Please continue reading here and consider contributing to helping the children in Somalia.

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Clay Aiken Responds to Allegations of Voter Fraud

Today, Clay Aiken responded to allegations that he was guilty of voter fraud. But before we get to that, I would like to give you a little background about what led up to this response.

On November 12, Clay blogged on his official fan site and among other things, happened to make this comment:

What happened to Wake County Schools?!?1 Now that i have a kid i am so much more invested and I am EXTREMELY disappointed that so many selfish idiots ran and won seats on the school board. i hope we can get rid of them as soon as possible before they ruin my school system. Idiots.

Obviously some strong feelings about an issue that meant a great deal to him. In retaliation, the Wake County Republican Party on Friday challenged Clay's vote in this fall's school board elections - going so far as to actually scheduling a hearing tomorrow in order to challenge his voting registration in Wake County. Do they do this for every resident whom they feel may not qualify to vote in the county?

In any case, here is Clay's response to all the hoopla:

Responding to foolishness
I’ve always considered Wake County “home.” Growing up here taught me values like looking beyond the color of another’s skin and speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves. I hold Wake County and its values dear.

Recently, I expressed my views and concern about the direction in which the newly elected members of the School Board propose to take Wake County schools. In a private blog, I stated strong opposition to the campaign rhetoric of the newly elected Board members. In response, the Wake County Republican Party has challenged my voter registration in Wake County.

It just goes to show the lengths to which some folks will go to silence an opposing view. I’ve remained registered at the permanent address that I’ve long used here in Wake County because I consider Raleigh home. While I believe my registration is perfectly valid, I’ve decided to change my registration from Wake County rather than get into a technical dispute.

But, rest assured, this attack on my voter registration will not silence me. I may not be able to effect change through my vote, but I will join other concerned citizens in speaking truth to those who would reverse decades of progress in Wake County schools. I stand by my opposition to policies that threaten to resegregate schools and eliminate diversity. These policies will not prepare children for the larger world.

Policies based on campaign rhetoric will leave behind the very children who need help the most. I urge the newly elected School Board members to consider the needs of all Wake County school children, not just a few. Wake County was a special place to grow up, and remains a great American community, because of its diversity, because of its progressive schools, because people take care of each other.

I urge the new board members to slow down, look beyond their own campaign agenda, and begin to govern responsibly with the needs of all children in mind. If they do not, the people of Wake County will hold them accountable. Regardless of my own voter registration, I will continue to speak up for all children of a place I will always consider home.