http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/10336861.htm

The appointment to the state Board of Education of a high-ranking member of a Confederate heritage group who once sold anti-Semitic books is causing an uproar with civil rights groups and education officials.

Ron Wilson, a former commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, was selected by a 4-3 vote of the Anderson County delegation to the General Assembly.

“This should send chills down the spine of all South Carolinians,” said Mark Potok, director of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Intelligence Project, which tracks racist groups.

Wilson, who ran unsuccessfully for state Senate this year, declined comment when reached at his home in Easley.

Wilson once sold textbooks to parents who home-school their children. The books included “Barbarians Inside the Gates,” which touted a discredited theory that Jews are working toward world domination.

He praised the book — which the SPLC called “a viciously anti-Semitic tome” — on his personal Web site.

As a member of the state board, Wilson will help determine which textbooks are used in S.C. schools.

“I’m not acquainted with Mr. Wilson, but what I have read and heard about him today is very troubling, particularly his links to racist and anti-Semitic activities,” said state Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum.

The 16-member Board of Education also settles teacher grievances and works with the superintendent’s office to coordinate state education policy. Wilson replaces the retiring John Hostetler, a former high school principal.

While Wilson led the national Sons of Confederate Veterans from 2002 to 2004, he was accused of purging more than 300 politically moderate members.

“He led the attempted takeover of the SCV by extremists and is a very important player in the radicalization of that group,” Potok said.

Rep. Brian White, R-Anderson, was one of four lawmakers who voted for Wilson over Harris Wilks, a former member of the Anderson County Board of Education.

White, also a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, said he was not aware of the concerns watchdog groups have about Wilson.

“Personally, I haven’t seen any of that from Mr. Wilson,” White said. “I’m not one to judge him. I can’t just judge somebody on somebody else says this is something he’s done.”

Will Folks, a spokesman for Gov. Mark Sanford, said “the governor has absolutely nothing to do with and no authority over” the appointment. He declined to comment about whether Wilson’s past should bar him from serving on the board.

Rep. Ronnie Townsend, R-Abbeville, was one of three who voted for Wilson’s opponent.

Townsend, chairman of the House Education Committee, said he was unaware of Wilson’s affiliations.

“I knew he was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, but that’s about it,” he said. “He’ll be just one of many (on the board), so it’s not like he’ll have dictatorial rights over the state.”

Joining White in voting to put Wilson on the board were Rep. Dan Cooper, R-Anderson; and Sens. Billy O’Dell, R-Abbeville and Kevin Bryant, R-Anderson.

Voting with Townsend for Wilks were Reps. Michael Thompson, R-Anderson, and Becky Martin, R-Anderson.

"Indirect" appointments, especially without an appropriate check and balance (confirmation hearings) are a slap in the face of democracy.

My town is like that. There are 33 boards and committees, but only 5 are elected directly by the citizens. The balance are appointed by the board of selectmen.

I'm working to change the bylaws, but am getting very little support. It's a struggle.

In the case of Anderson County, the progressive residents need to change the state law or constitution so that the school board is elected DIRECTLY by the citizens.

This goes to the heart of Bendon's new efforts. If you have not seen that post, I'll bump it.

Just my 2 cents.

I am not from South Carolina, but I thought this story was important to post because it illustrates some obvious alarming trends. Whoever controls the purchasing of textbooks likewise controls the content of the books. Therefore no one can be allowed in that position if they endorse wacky, hate filled propaganda as legitimate reading, at any level. It would be no different than if a nominee for the position had once endorsed the idea of holocaust denial, or had promoted KKK literature, or creationism as science.
As far as the appointment goes, that's a problem. Stereotypically speaking, one can assume it's a "good 'ole boy" nominating process. But of course it circumvents accountablity, so it smacks of patronage. And worse, since the job itself is "information control" the position is a means to further an agenda, which the voters of the state may or may not approve, but we may never know.
And one more thing, it's scary to have a state legislator say something like "He's one of many, so his views can always be diluted by a sane majority." That's such a pathetic rationalization, it's like saying "We shouldn't mind a Nazi on the Supreme Court, because after all, it's just one voice."