A Few Thoughts Before Vacation…

Before heading out of town for a few days, we wanted to pop off a few thoughts. If this reads like a disjointed Larry King rant, accept apologies in advance — or don’t.

1. This will be believed as much as Richard Jewell, but there are inaccuracies on another blog about the ownership of this blog. We won’t address the subject any more, and we still like the product that those folks put out.

2. Joshua, dang. We’re sorry about the egging. That wasn’t us either, but the car wash on Gervais should be able to fix you right up.

3. FITS, where did you find that shot of Bo? We blamed it all on the moonshine and thought there weren’t any more copies left.

4. A House subcommittee approved a measure that would create a 6 ft barrier between nice girls working their ways through law school and the generous patrons who want to help them live the dream. Killjoys.

5. TPS points out a geography problem not unlike that circumstance experienced many years ago by a certain Ernest T. Bass. Someone may want to check with an attorney, but with no length of residency requirements establishing legal residency may not be any harder than stating, “This is where I now make my primary home,” after moving in or moving back to the district. Anything else could set up the state for lawsuits. It’s going to be interesting to see how that plays out for those races.

6. Representative Nathan Ballentine filed for reelection. Good.

7. South Carolina’s taxpayers saved $58,000 when the House was not in session last week. The irony gets pretty thick here. First, the House took off during what was previously dubbed “Sunshine Week” for state government. Representative Ballentine also noted the humor about that (We want to thank him for his recent mention, too.).

You can almost hear it now. “Sure. C’mon in we have no secrets from you this week. Oh, I’m sorry. We’re taking the week off.”

The other thing to note about this situation is that the reason we didn’t know we saved $58,000 for the House taking its Easter recess was because there was no one there to tell us. To quote Larry the Cable Guy, “Now that’s just funny right there.”

8. Finally, the Senate Judiciary Committee took significant steps to limit state government growth and spending. Hopefully this will go toward solidifying and adding permanence to last year’s property tax reform. It was good to see the Senator McConnell-created “Spending Caps Study Committee” go where municipal, county, and school government dared not tread. Like the song says though, “We’ve got a long way to go, and a short time to get there.”

Have a good weekend, y’all.

– The OBB and MCF

Sure Beats Walking to School in the Snow. Uphill. Both Ways.

As the Herald-Journal blasts suspected groups for conducting a poll to figure out what gets people to the polls, I just had to thank Fox News for sharing a story about a man who loved both the polls and the pole.

According to the Merdoch Empire:

“A man hired a stripper to perform at the funeral of his father — who happened to have a fondness for gentlemen’s clubs, according to reports from Taiwan.

“Taiwanese newspaper the United Daily News reported that Cai Jinlai had been promised a stripper for his funeral if he lived to 100.

“Jinlai was 103 when he died — reportedly leaving behind more than 100 ‘descendants.’

“He had died after walking about 3.1 miles to a town in Taichung County to vote in an election in the Taichung.

“His son, Cai Ruigong, told the newspaper that he had paid more than $170 for the stripper to dance around the coffin at the funeral.

“‘He would travel around the island with his friends to see these [strip] shows,’ Ruigong said.

“According to reports, the exotic dancer performance at the funeral lasted 10 minutes.”

We can’t get our people to vote or participate in the political process, and when they do we let them get lambasted for it.

This guy was 103, walked more than three miles to vote in a local election and was rewarded upon his passing by Candi Cayne performing a three-song set.

I’m just sayin’…

– Bo Burdette

The Spartanburg HERALD-JOURNAL is Biased, and its County GOP Seems to be in a Pile of Ideological Poo-Poo.

Following the South Carolina blogs before we started this little project, I couldn’t help notice that Blogger A would frequently charge Blogger B with shilling for Consultant X. One thing I didn’t pay attention to was that the (Spartanburg) Herald-Journal was a mouthpiece for the Spartanburg GOP Chairman and its legislative delegation.

Then, I read Sunday’s article.

The article was titled, “Groups seek to shape Legislature” but probably should have been called “It’s not nice to pick on incumbents, and people shouldn’t have a voice in politics.”

This was an article filled with speculation – not news or facts. Frankly, it had about as much opinion as any political blog post, and it was easy to spot what triggered the paper to write the article.

Someone somewhere conducted surveys in Spartanburg County legislative districts.

Who conducted the polls?

Well, according to the article, it MIGHT have been the SC Club for Growth. It COULD have been South Carolinians for Responsible Government. MAYBE it was ReformSC. It’s POSSIBLE that Conservatives in Action was behind it. How about GOVERNOR SANFORD?

Me? I think it was Colonel Mustard in the library with the candlestick

The truth of the matter is that nobody knows who was responsible, but to a handful of consultants with candidates in districts where someone conducted polls and to the county party’s chairman, it was and is a big deal.

Someone or a group of someones decided to test voters’ thoughts and feelings. They added sensitive issues to questions to see where strengths and weaknesses were. They wanted to see what mattered and to whom.

Of course to the state’s consulting machine and the county’s party boss, it meant that someone was messing with their income and their way of life.

I always thought that in a representative government like ours, it was our duty to practice advanced citizenship. I’m not talking about that garbage they force you to swallow in elementary school about being nice to everyone. I’m talking about really getting involved.

It’s more than taking a few minutes out of your day to vote every now and then (which not enough people do anyway).

It means that as an American and as a South Carolinian, you should know what your leaders think and feel. You should know if they represent you. You should know if what they do in office is what they said they would do in the slickly designed campaign pamphlet somebody shoved in your door when you weren’t home.

The disturbing thing is that Spartanburg’s NEWSpaper actually condoned the line of thought coming from the party and consultants. Its editors sanctioned and published an article that seemed to include few facts except that someone ran polls.

One consultant accidentally made sense among those quoted in the piece. He said that there are “as many people recruiting candidates, and as many agendas, as you can count.”

What’s wrong with that? Isn’t that what we want? Don’t we want South Carolina’s best in public office? Don’t we want to elect people who believe like we do so that our thoughts and feelings are represented at City Hall, County Council, the Statehouse, or Congress?

Apparently the Spartanburg newspaper doesn’t agree, and neither does Spartanburg’s Republican chairman. It seems that in their minds the status quo should not be challenged. If you want to run for office you must ask permission or sit on the sidelines and wait for an opening.

Personally, I think somebody needs to go back to high school and retake a civics class.

– Wilson Charles

On to the Tarheel State

Since Clemson killed any hope of Palmetto pride winning the top prize in the NCAA tournament, I have to shift my new hope to our neighbors to the north.

I can’t go with UNC (yet), and Duke is done, so that leaves me with Davidson.

Please, for the love of Pete, don’t screw it up.

What I meant to say was, “Go Wildcats. You’re Sweet 16 bound. Woo-hoo.”

– Matthew Wills 

The Big Dance = Despair

For me, March Madness left as quickly as it came — perhaps even quicker.

Tonight, especially in the second half, Washington State’s Cougars grounded the Eagles of Winthrop College University with a 71-40 slobberknocker.

As I throw my bracket sheet in the shredder, heavy-hearted with the knowledge that Winthrop’s dreams are again dashed, I must now turn my attention to Clemson’s Tigers with the hope that the Palmetto State can still find pride somewhere in this year’s NCAA tournament.

Have no fear my Eagles, for next year will be your time to soar. Yes. Next year.

– Matthew Wills

Fox News is Mean.

Today, those jerks at Fox News bashed the recently-former Mrs. Paul McCartney in the article, “Heather Mills Kept Half Her ‘Dancing’ Fees.”

I didn’t read the piece, but for this ex-wife of the former Beatle, doesn’t “half” seem appropriate?

– Bo Burdette

Note: Don’t blame me for bad taste on this one. FoxNews started it.

An Affair to Remember.

Just hours after assuming New York’s gubernatorial responsibilities from Client 9, Governor David Paterson admitted an extra-marital affair lasting from 1999-2001.

I can only imagine his response if asked, “Governor Paterson, did you see this coming?”

In related news, former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey, who resigned in 2004 after admitting having an affair with a male aide, told the AP that his wife Dina Matos McGreevey should have known about his homosexuality because she joined them in consensual acts on numerous occasions between 1999 and 2001.

I’m sure there’s a joke there about “hindsight.”

– Bo Burdette

It Doesn’t Matter to You, but We Thank You Anyway.

It probably means a big pile of squat to everyone except us, but we wanted to take a minute and say, “Thank you,” anyway.

We started this little project to contribute something to South Carolina’s on-line discourse, and some of you actually think we’re making a difference — either that or you just can’t get to sleep, and we’re cheaper than booze and Vicodin.

Either way, thanks for reading.

Out of 2,669,136 WordPress blogs, you made this post number 82 among yesterday’s English language top posts.

Yep. Our post on the Senate 8 race is between post #81 (“Turd on a string”) and post #83 (“Will we bomb Iran, now that Admiral Fallon is Gone?”). Yea for us.

We’ve had some kind promotional words from other bloggers (i.e. in alphabetical order: FITSNews, SC Hotline, and The Shot) and hope that as we continue to grow, you and they will stay with us.

OK, now this sap is getting too creepy even for us.

We’ll shut up before we go too far and have that uncomfortable moment that can’t be undone and just say thank you again for making us #82.

– The OBB

The Dead Guy from Wendy’s Will have a Primary Opponent

OK, so it’s a different David Thomas. It’s actually the David Thomas who took his seat in the South Carolina Senate in 1985.

Who is his rumored opposition? Well if you live in his district, from what I heard last week you recently got a phone call conducting a poll that should tip you off as to who his opponent might be. If you don’t live in his district, take a look at the picture to the left.

If you still need a hint, it’s Hunter Howard, the current (but soon to be former) president of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce.

Of course a campaign like this should be no surprise as veteran legislators seem to be announcing retirement every day and while others face stiff opposition (e.g. Tom Davis vs. Catherine Ceips).

Howard was one of the House’s young bucks in 1974. He was also a Democrat. Of course in the ol’ days just about everyone was. South Carolina wasn’t exactly a red state back then unless you’re referring to various neck colors, so he shouldn’t allow former party affiliation to become a campaign issue.

Thomas is famous for making the tough decisions unless he starts getting pressure. He’s represented Senate 8 for 22 years and hasn’t had a serious challenger several elections.

This will be an interesting race to watch.

Setting aside his former service in the House, Howard’s family ties run deep in that area. His father was a magistrate for years. His son Hunter III ran unsuccessfully for that House seat (Garry Smith won when Lt. Governor Andre Bauer’s chief of staff Mike Easterday resigned to become Governor Mark Sanford’s legislative director in 2003). His family’s businesses that bear the family’s name can still be seen. As a networked business leader, fundraising shouldn’t be an issue. One drawback is that he hasn’t lived in the district for more than 20 years, and like so many areas in the state, there has been a lot of residential development over the years where people won’t know him.

Thomas’ strength in campaigning is questionable. When he ran for Congress in the 1980s, he dropped out and forced the late Terry Haskins to run for both his state House seat and the 4th District Congressional seat just so then-Congresswoman Liz Patterson wouldn’t have a free pass. His lack of challengers in the past eliminated the necessity to canvass neighborhoods, so will he remember how to do it, and how will he be received by those he hasn’t spoken to in years? As the district’s lines have changed, does Thomas still have the ability to relate to other parts in Greenville County? As chairman of the Senate’s Banking and Insurance Committee, fundraising shouldn’t be a problem. Unfortunately, it may be problematic anyway as is evidenced by his reported use of credit cards to finance much of his bid for lieutenant governor in 2002.

There are a lot of “what ifs” yet to be answered, but one thing is certain to ring true. This campaign of pro-business versus social conservative will be entertaining to say the least.

– Wilson Charles

RINO Stampede

Sometimes the ol’ spam filter gets a little over active and becomes its own eager beaver.

One of MC’s friends tipped us off to a group of House lawmakers who made a serious boo-boo during budget week.

Unfortunately, that vote we were warned about went straight in to the g-mail junk folder before we saw it. We wanted to make good, though.

To see the FITS list, go here.

It’s a good piece with a lot of merit. Some of the folks on the list are well-intentioned who just messed up and need to be reminded of their roots. Others are retiring from the House and may be returning favors in this vote, and at least we won’t have to deal with them any more. Others are liberal Republicans who have no problem spending tax dollars at a faster rate than South Carolinians’ abilities to pay.

That last group needs to know that fiscal irresponsibility is no way to sail toward reelection. Send them a message here.

– The OBB