'Holding Government Accountable' forum in Cd'A

Government accountability will be the topic of a town hall-style meeting the Idaho Humanities Council and The Press will host next month at the Coeur d'Alene Public Library.

The lecture and discussion on "Holding Government Accountable" will be led by U.S. Constitution scholar David Gray Adler, director of the University of Idaho's James A. and Louise McClure Center for Public Policy Research, and will take place April 13 at 6:30 p.m.

The event is free and the public is invited to an evening of civic participation in a nonpartisan discussion that explores the Constitution, the responsibilities of the media, and the role of the citizen.

“The issue of governmental accountability is nothing new to the citizenry,” Adler said. “But recent events—security fears in the wake of 9/11, three wars, rising deficits, a high and prolonged jobless rate, and a sluggish economy—have spiked Americans’ frustration, resentment, and anger towards Washington. My presentation will offer an historical overview of some underlying issues that have absorbed the energies of concerned citizens, focusing on constitutional issues and theories of representation conducive to governance.”

Adler hopes to allow plenty of time for audience Q & A. The presentation is part of a series of programs the Idaho Humanities Council is sponsoring around the state of Idaho.

The author of numerous books and articles on the Constitution and the American Presidency, Adler has lectured internationally. In 2010, after 25 years of teaching at Idaho State University, he accepted the challenge to direct the University of Idaho McClure Center. He’s a frequent commentator on political matters for Idaho Public Television, KTVB-TV in Boise, and newspapers and other media outlets throughout Idaho. Over the years, he has worked extensively with Idaho teachers exploring the Constitution, the history of the Supreme Court, and the many other topics and themes.