IT has been bad enough that election after election there has been evidence of apathy among black voters. Now, it appears that even those who vote won’t take the time to properly educate themselves about the candidates for office. That’s the only way to explain the confusion between Michael A. Brown and Michael D. Brown.

AS mayor Adrian M. Fenty receives accolades for his successful campaign renovating recreation centers, many of which had been neglected for decades, candidate Vincent C. Gray has used that work to suggest Fenty has led a corrupt government.

Don’t believe the propaganda.

District politics hit its nadir last week.

A legislative session was called to consider a request to extend the summer youth jobs program and vote on a Board of Elections and Ethics nominee. Some council members, led by Chairman Vincent C. Gray, demonstrated during that meeting that they’ll do whatever it takes to slay Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, including pitting residents against each other and sullying an ordinary citizen.

There’s a reason the majority of the council want At-large Councilman Kwame Brown as their next chairman. It isn’t just that opponent Vincent Orange, a former Ward 5 councilman, has been on the outside for the past three years. Brown–the man, who posted at polls life-sized portraits of himself and presidential candidate Barack “Change-we-can-believe-in” Obama—has promised more of the same. No changes to committee structures and no changes to council rules.

“[D.C. Council members] act like mini-mayors,” D.C. Attorney General Peter Nickles said, responding to my question about Mayor Adrian M. Fenty’s relationship with the legislative branch.

That comment raised the hackles of those who heard it. Nevertheless, his assessment rang true.

NOW, it’s easy to understand why Comcast donated $10,000 to the D.C. Democratic State Committee through Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray. The cable company’s license soon will be up for renewal; it may need some help from its friends.

Politicos may enjoy a good relationship with Comcast. But some customers are taking a beating:

ANYONE who has watched for the past several years the series of revelations in the District about either the mismanagement or theft of tens of millions of dollars, shouldn’t be surprised to learn the city’s Office of Risk Management Office failed to pay life insurance premiums for more than 1,000 employees receiving disability compensation, and that $10 million in a special purpose fund was missing. As in the past, all roads lead to Chief Financial Officer Natwar Gandhi.

MAYOR ADRIAN M. FENTY submitted this week qualifying petitions bearing the signatures of 21,000 Democratic voters, according to his campaign. The submission far exceeded the amount required to get his name on the ballot for the September Primary.

But Fenty can’t get too excited. He lost a recent straw poll taken at the D.C. Democratic Committee convention Saturday June 12. D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray racked up 703 votes to Fenty’s 190. Leo Alexander received 75 votes.

Cecily E. Collier-Montgomery, director of the District’s Office of Campaign Finance, and her general counsel, Kathy Williams have launched a full-scale investigation into D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s solicitation of private foundations grants to finance a pay-for performance plan. That should make D.C. residents question their competency.

VINCENT C. Gray has revived for his mayoral campaign the “One-City” slogan he used three years ago during his council chairman’s race. But, instead of uniting people, his rhetoric frequently exploits divisions and promotes victimhood.