Free Republic

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) - Patriot’s Point Development Authority heard a presentation that included the suggestion of erecting a male counterpart of the Statue of Liberty in the Charleston Harbor. At Tuesday’s monthly board meeting, Rodney Cook, of the National Monument Foundation suggested that a male version of Lady Liberty could house a museum about South Carolina’s role in the Civil War. The statue would be the same size as the one in New York City, and cost about $150 million. Most of that money would come from the private sector. Nick Tompkins, the spokesperson for Patriot’s Point wrote in an...

An unexpected feature of this year's gubernatorial race is the revival of certain political notions identified with early American history. Republican candidate Debra Medina in particular has made nullification a major aspect of her campaign, both in her two debates with U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Gov. Rick Perry and on her Web site, which includes, under the label "Restore Sovereignty," the message that the U.S. Constitution "divides power between the federal and state governments and ultimately reserves final authority for the people themselves. Texas must stop the over reaching federal government and nullify federal mandates in agriculture, energy,...

Uniform Child Abduction Prev. Act February 8th, 2010 Today I am flying the Fort Moultrie Patriot Flag, a flag I fly when there is “Liberty Risky” discussion. The “Save-the-Children” do-gooders are at it again, this time with the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act. It has a “globally appealing” moniker … but as usual, look closely at something sounds so good, the center is rotten. South Carolina is considering this bill and we need to, once again, call our S.C. representatives and get this one stopped. Liberty Risky Discussion This law has not passed in any state that has closely reviewed...

Given the jockeying that goes on to get mentioned in a State of the Union speech, it is not surprising that insiders pushing the immigration reform agenda celebrated success. Their issue made it into the speech, reaffirming that the president’s commitment remains alive and well. Outsiders, however, were disappointed and displeased because the call “to continue the work of fixing our broken immigration system” fell far short of the rallying cry they wanted to hear. The blogosphere kicked into high gear, mostly pronouncing immigration legislation dead for 2010. That a single sentence at a precarious political moment could be seen...

South Carolina has enacted a law that charges a five-dollar registration fee for persons planning to overthrow the US government. Terrorists who endeavor to overthrow the US government have to register with South Carolina's office of the Secretary of State declaring their intentions, the name of any organization they work for, and all the members of that organization. Should they fail to do so, they could face a $25,000 fine, and up to 10 years in prison. The "Subversive Activities Registration Act," which was passed a year ago, and has now actually gone into effect, orders that"every member of a...

Transcript of Sen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-S.C.) remarks today at the “Business Advocacy Day for Jobs, Climate & New Energy Leadership” in Washington D.C. Thanks y’all. Thank you. Hey everybody. It’s always good to be introduced by someone that can vote for you—just sounds better. Joe comes to every event I’ve ever had in South Carolina and he is on message with intellectual property and energy. But to the South Carolina folks—thanks for coming up. Appreciate all the taxes you pay. Sorry about how we’re spending it. That’s applies to everybody by the way. I am here from the federal government...

A key Senate Republican came out swinging today against the idea of passing just an energy bill and ignoring President Obama's call to also cap greenhouse gas emissions. "It's the 'kick the can down the road' approach," said Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. "It's putting off to another Congress what really needs to be done comprehensively. I don't think you'll ever have energy independence the way I want until you start dealing with carbon pollution and pricing carbon. The two are interconnected."

COLUMBIA -- Three Columbia police officers are accused of falsely arresting a man outside a Five Points bar and then lying in an official police report to cover it up, according to a federal lawsuit. Horry County attorney Jonathan David McCoy says officers John K. Passmore, James Heywood and Amanda H. Long violated his Constitutional rights when he was arrested on charges of interfering with police outside Red Hot Tomatoes on Harden Street the night of October 16. The 15-page lawsuit requests unspecified monetary damages and names the police officers as well as the police department and the city of...

In expansive remarks at a law school in Florida, Justice Clarence Thomas on Tuesday vigorously defended the Supreme Court’s recent campaign finance decision. And Justice Thomas explained that he did not attend State of the Union addresses — he missed the dust-up when President Obama used the occasion last week to criticize the court’s decision — because the gatherings had turned so partisan. Justice Thomas responded to several questions from students at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Fla., concerning the campaign finance case, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. By a 5-to-4 vote, with Justice Thomas in the...

S.C. First Lady Tells Barbara Walters: 'I Thought He Loved Me in His Own Way, Which Is Not a Warm, Bubbly Way'South Carolina first lady Jenny Sanford recalls how she made the "leap of faith" to marry husband Gov. Mark Sanford even though the groom refused to promise to be faithful, insisting that the clause be removed from their wedding vows. "It bothered me to some extent, but ... we were very young, we were in love," she said in an exclusive interview with Barbara Walters to air on "20/20" Friday. "I questioned it, but I got past it ......

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) — South Carolina legislators have passed a measure lambasting Congress as overstepping its constitutional bounds.

<p>SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Authorities say someone planted a bomb that exploded under a pickup truck in a South Carolina neighborhood.</p> <p>Spartanburg County deputies say the explosive device destroyed the unoccupied truck Tuesday morning, damaging a second truck nearby and blowing out the windows of a mobile home.</p>

Mike Huckabee, the onetime presidential candidate turned conservative talk show host, will make a political stop in the early primary state of South Carolina later this month. Huckabee will campaign in Greenville on Feb. 18 for House candidate Rex Rice, who is running to fill the 3rd congressional district seat left open by Rep. Gresham Barrett, a Republican candidate for governor. Rice backed Huckabee's 2008 presidential bid. Though the campaign stop is in Greenville, the city is actually situated in the 4th congressional district, represented by Rep. Bob Inglis. A Rice spokesman said the location was chosen to accommodate Huckabee,...

Retired Vice Adm. Dennis McGinn returned to Charleston on Friday to repeat his message that climate change and U.S. dependence on foreign oil are national security threats that must be addressed together."If you don't believe in climate change, great, let's focus on energy security," he said at a small private luncheon at High Cotton. "There is no excuse for inaction." (snip) McGinn commanded the U.S. Third Fleet in the 1990s, was deputy chief of Naval Operations, Warfare Requirements and Programs and is a member of the Center for Naval Analysis' Military Advisory Board. (snip) McGinn was among a bipartisan panel...

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said today that skeptical Republicans and Democrats should throw their support behind climate change legislation not only because it's good for the economy and the environment, but because Congress desperately needs a win under its belt. "We tried immigration. It's hard. And we failed. We tried Social Security. It's hard. And we failed. We tried health care. It's really hard. And it looks like we're going to have to start over again," Graham somberly told a luncheon audience of energy and climate advocates on the Hill. "On the energy, climate change front, I don't want to...

A burglar was shot Tuesday morning by a homeowner in Spartanburg County. The incident happened at a home at 632 Nodding Hill Road about 9:30 Tuesday morning. According to the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, deputies found Rick Clary standing in the driveway of his home, shotgun in hand. Clary told investigators that he was asleep inside the home when he heard the sound of breaking glass. He then said he grabbed his shotgun, went to the backdoor, and saw someone reaching through the broken door window, trying to unlock the door. Clary fired one shot at the suspect, saying he...

The numbers offer an early glimpse at the landscape as Spratt pursues a 15th term. The 67-year-old York Democrat has come under criticism for his support of health care reform, bank bailouts and cap-and-trade environmental legislation. Mulvaney, 42, a businessman from Indian Land, blames Spratt for embracing what he calls a liberal agenda led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He says the new numbers are better than expected. “We just only started the campaign and are already hard on his heels,” Mulvaney said. “That is particularly striking when you consider that he has been in Congress almost 30 years.” Speaking...

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Officers in South Carolina would not need a warrant to search juveniles and adults on probation or parole under a bill approved by a legislative panel. A House Judiciary subcommittee approved the bill Thursday. It allows police and probation officers to bypass going to a judge for a search warrant. They can search the person, the vehicle the person owns or is driving and any of that person's possessions. Agreeing to the warrantless searches would be required for release on probation or parole. The Senate passed the bill unanimously last February.

Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010 General overhauling training aims for combat-ready troops By CHUCK CRUMBO - ccrumbo@thestate.com Army basic training needs to get back to basics. That's the word from Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, who's in charge of overhauling Army training. "We need to make sure that what we're training is a good soldier we can hand over to their first unit and make sure they're ready for combat," Hertling, deputy commanding general for initial military training, said Wednesday during a visit at Fort Jackson. Before the war on terror began in 2001, U.S. troops trained to fight a large, mechanized...

The commanding officer of the Charleston Naval Weapons Station has been temporarily relieved of his command after being busted in an undercover prostitution sting by North Charleston police. Capt. Glen Melvin Little, 55, of Goose Creek, has been temporarily reassigned to the office of the commander, Navy Region Southeast, in Jacksonville, Fla., said Scott Bassett, public affairs officer at the Weapons Station. According to a North Charleston police report, Little was arrested about 9:30 a.m. Tuesday after having approached an undercover female police officer who was posing as a prostitute in the Charleston Farms area on Remount Road.

Taken Jan. 22-24, 600 voters, margin of error +/-4%. Q1 Do you approve or disapprove of President Barack Obama's job performance? If you approve, press 1. If you disapprove, press 2. If you're not sure, press 3. Approve 46% Disapprove 49% Not Sure 5% Q2 Do you approve or disapprove of Congressman John Spratt’s job performance? If you approve, press 1. If you disapprove, press 2. If you’re not sure, press 3. Approve 41% Disapprove 42% Not Sure 18% Q3 Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Mick Mulvaney? If favorable, press 1. If unfavorable, press 2. If...

It was the expletive heard 'round the world, the emotional outburst by South Carolina Republican Joe Wilson to President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress in September. When the president promised that reform of the healthcare system would not benefit illegal immigrants, Wilson shouted, "You lie!" Speaker House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was furious. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel complained that no president had ever been treated so rudely. Even Republican leaders were chagrined at the breach of House etiquette, putting pressure on Wilson to apologize. The outburst propelled Wilson to national fame -- and infamy --...

The Wildcats (19-1, 4-1 Southeastern Conference) moved atop the rankings this week for the first time since 2003. They were cautioned by no less a fan than President Barack Obama earlier Tuesday to keep their focus and play with the same passion that brought them to the top. The president or Kentucky didn't count on Downey, the SEC's leading scorer to break the 30-point mark for the fourth time in six league games for South Carolina (12-8, 3-3). "This is what happens when you have young guys who think we're are going to win at the last minutes of the...

Architects of competing Senate climate change plans met Tuesday as behind-the-scenes talks continue over legislation that advocates of greenhouse gas limits are struggling to keep alive in 2010. Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) are trying to craft a compromise climate and energy bill, and they met in the afternoon with Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine). Cantwell and Collins introduced a so-called cap-and-dividend approach in December. Kerry, Graham and Lieberman are hoping to blend emissions caps with energy provisions including expanded offshore drilling and new subsidies for nuclear power. “They [Cantwell and...

COLUMBIA, S.C. – When things looked their darkest for Gov. Mark Sanford — when he was in danger of being impeached for running off to Argentina to see his mistress — his best insurance policy may well have been South Carolina's lieutenant governor, Andre Bauer. Lawmakers knew if they removed Sanford, they would end up with Bauer, a fiercely ambitious Republican with a reputation for reckless and immature behavior. Now Bauer has folks shaking their heads again, after he likened government assistance to the poor to feeding stray animals. [...]

The senator from South Carolina has hired one of The Washington Times’ star reporters — and a frequent cable news guest — as his senior communications adviser. From the announcement: January 25, 2010 – WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina), chairman of the Senate Steering Committee, announced he has hired Washington Times reporter Amanda Carpenter as senior communications advisor and speechwriter. “Amanda is an exceptionally talented writer and I’m proud to welcome her to our team,” said Senator DeMint. “She has spent years reporting on the failures of out-of-control government, and she is committed to advancing...

The idea of passing an energy bill without cap and trade is gaining currency on Capitol Hill as Democratic leaders look at scaling back their agenda. But it may run into trouble from liberal and coastal lawmakers who oppose more offshore drilling. "Energy only" backers have portrayed such legislation as a path to a bipartisan achievement, particularly in the wake of the Massachusetts Senate election widely seen as a repudiation of the Democrats' ambitious agenda. But while liberal and coastal lawmakers might have been willing to allow more offshore drilling in exchange for a cap on greenhouse gas emissions, they...

Washington (CNN) – National Republicans will begin airing a new 30 second commercial this week in Rep. John Spratt's congressional district, criticizing the South Carolina Democrat for his role as House Budget Committee chairman. The National Republican Congressional Committee is airing the political ad with the hope of pressuring Spratt to choose retirement over running for a 15th term to the House.

WASHINGTON (Dow Jones) — U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) will support Ben Bernanke for a second term as chairman of the Federal Reserve, the senator's spokeswoman Meghan Hughes said Monday.

Advocacy groups step up efforts to rally support. BY NOELLE PHILLIPS In recent weeks, Latinos in South Carolina have gathered for food and conversation to discuss a strategy for immigration reform. Energized by the election of President Barack Obama, they are trying to push the explosive issue back into the national conversation. "It's going to come up," said the Rev. Sandy Jones, pastor of Spring of Life Lutheran Church, which has a predominantly Hispanic congregation. "I'm afraid this debate is going to be more vitriolic than health care was." People attending these events want the federal government to create a...

Kerry, bipartisan bloc discuss compromise. BY MICHAEL KRANISH WASHINGTON — Seeking to resuscitate stalled global warming legislation in Washington’s suddenly changed political climate, a bipartisan group of senators including John Kerry of Massachusetts has been conducting private talks this week with the White House and a key business group over an array of concessions sought by Republicans. The election of Scott Brown as Kerry’s colleague has added urgency to the negotiations for a compromise, which would include the Democrats’ goal of limiting carbon emissions while encouraging development of nuclear power, subsidizing coal mining, and drilling for off-shore oil. Trying to...

GREENVILLE - Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer has compared giving people government assistance to "feeding stray animals." Bauer, who is running for the Republican nomination for governor, made his remarks during a town hall meeting in Fountain Inn that included state lawmakers and about 115 residents. "My grandmother was not a highly educated woman, but she told me as a small child to quit feeding stray animals. You know why? Because they breed. You're facilitating the problem if you give an animal or a person ample food supply. They will reproduce, especially ones that don't think too much further than that....

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE (AP) – Members of the 79th Fighter Squadron are heading home to South Carolina from their first-ever deployment to Afghanistan. Shaw Air Force Base spokeswoman 2nd Lt. Emily Chilson says members of the unit were scheduled to return sometime late Friday. Hundreds of airmen and about a dozen F-16 Fighting Falcons headed to Afghanistan in October in support of NATO efforts there. The group included members of the 20th Equipment Maintenance Squadron on the four-month long deployment. Squadron commander Lt. Col. Ken Ekman said at the time that the squadron would fly missions supporting ground combat...

South Carolina's unemployment rate rose sharply in December to a record 12.6 percent despite a drop in the number of people looking for work. The Employment Security Commission figures released Friday were up from November's 12.3 percent rate and well above the 10 percent national rate. In November, South Carolina's rate was the nation's fourth highest. Michigan's 14.6 percent was the nation's highest, followed by Nevada at 13 percent and Rhode Island's 12.9 percent. December's South Carolina figures were led by losses in tourism related jobs. The commission noted the labor force was at its lowest level since September 2008...

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said he plans to meet with U.S. Chamber of Commerce officials later on Wednesday to discuss energy and climate change as Graham continues efforts to craft a bipartisan plan. Graham – who is working with Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) – wants to merge expanded oil and nuclear power production with some kind of limits on greenhouse gas emissions. He argues that only a mix of energy production and greenhouse gas measures can achieve 60 votes. Graham told reporters that he plans to reach out to Massachusetts Senator-elect Scott Brown (R), who, like...

SNIP OP strategists are already compiling a list of possible retirees if Brown wins, including Reps. John Spratt (S.C.), Allen Boyd (Fla.) and Jim Matheson (Utah) and Sen. Blanche Lincoln (Ark.). A victory by the Republican in the special election could dissuade some Democratic incumbents from investing 10 months in a re-election bid that suddenly would seem dramatically less likely of success. A strong Brown showing could also lead to another round of GOP recruiting successes, as candidates who have been on the fence, or initially rejected appeals to run, decide that a Republican wave is building for November and...

Healthcare reform legislation is "not dead by any means," Democrats' third-ranking leader in the House emphasized Wednesday. Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) struck a confident pose about the prospects for healthcare reform in the Senate as Democrats scramble to put together plans to pass healthcare legislation after their special election loss Tuesday in Massachusetts. "It's not dead by any means," Clyburn said during an appearance on CNBC. Clyburn made a direct reference to budget reconciliation, a parliamentary maneuver allowing Democrats to sidestep the filibuster rules in the Senate requiring 60 votes to move forward with a piece of legislation.

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COLUMBIA – Memo to Congress: South Carolina affirms its sovereignty under the 9th and 10th amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Ditto for the Second and 14th amendments. And when it comes to the proposed federal health care reform, thanks, but no thanks.

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The NAACP will make a stronger push to remove the Confederate flag from the grounds of the South Carolina Statehouse, the president of the civil rights organization said Monday. Benjamin Jealous wouldn't go into details, but said by the summer the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People would bring more publicity to its economic boycott of South Carolina. The campaign calls for blacks to not vacation in the state and spend as little money as they can within its borders.

ABBEVILLE — Ed Strickland spends his days surrounded by guns. While the career lawman and avid hunter might have one of the best-guarded homes in Abbeville, the claim to fame he’s particularly fond of is his 10-year role as a concealed weapons permit course instructor — a $65 “public service” he provides for about 20 residents from throughout South Carolina each month. Who goes there Strickland’s class Saturday attracted 19 people — 14 men and five women — of varying races and ages. Some were in their 20s, while others were well into retirement. Several identified themselves as victims of...

SOUTH CAROLINA ELECTION CENTRAL If we are going to make a difference in the upcoming election, we need to KNOW the candidates. Please post the names of ALL your Congressional candidates on this thread along with any and all information available. We need names, positions, platforms, news articles, statements, pictures. We need to separate the RINOS from the Conservatives, and most of all, we need to get the liberals of either party OUT!We can do this if you help. I have started this thread. All you have to do is contribute a little time and a little research. Help...

When the South Carolina Legislature begins its yearly session Tuesday, it will decide whether to take action against disgraced Gov. Mark Sanford. Sanford left the state without notice last summer for a secret rendezvous with an Argentine woman he referred to as his "soul mate." In the days after the affair came to light, a majority of legislators called for Sanford to resign or face impeachment. The Legislature now is merely considering a censure. ... HOCHBERG: Indeed. At the capitol yesterday, as legislators returned for this year's session, some spoke of what they called Sanford fatigue.

Gaithersburg City Manager Angel Jones began 2010 by watching Gaithersburg Police arrest her former boyfriend in her home and learning that he was a wanted criminal. Police arrested Ruben Heath, 41, a former resident of Centenary, S.C., Jan. 1 on a warrant from South Carolina for breach of trust with fraudulent intent, said city police Chief John King.

CLEMSON — Once you got past the citizens with bullhorns and politically savvy signs, opposition to Sen. Lindsey Graham continued inside The Brooks Center on Tuesday evening. The South Carolina Republican came to Clemson to host a town hall-style meeting with the public, and ended up greeting a mixed bag of political opinions. After outlining the importance of health care reform on the heels of competition rather than a monopoly, a strong support of conflict laws in the military and less dependency on foreign oil, the floor opened to those wishing to address Graham and his policies. While the senator...

By now all South Carolina residents have received your SCE&G electric bill. When I received mine, my jaw hit the floor...it had increased 84% over last months bill. Thinking it must be a mistake, I called the billing department. After listening to a lecture on how to save on power, I was told there was no mistake. Before you start thinking I haven't done anything to save on energy, I took action years ago to make sure my house was well protected from the elements. I installed energy saving film on all my windows and close the blinds and drapes....

Somebody owes Rush Limbaugh a big apology. Remember all the flak he took over his 'Barack The Magic Negro' parody--which was riffing off an LA Times op-ed by a black author which used the same term? Turns out, using "Negro" isn't objectionable. Don't take my word for it. Ask Rep. James Clyburn, former Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and current House Majority Whip. Clyburn made his surprising statement on this evening's Ed Show in the course of defending Harry Reid's "negro dialect" dictum. View video here.

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) - Political ralliers who want to kick current lawmakers out of office out gathered on the State House steps Saturday afternoon. The Americans Have Had Enough Coalition with 26 other organizations put on a "South Carolina Rally for Freedom" from 1-3:00pm Saturday at the state capitol. The organization is trying to oust incumbents. They say currently there is too much "backdoor deal-making" among South Carolina lawmakers. They are recruiting candidates to try and defeat a number of current lawmakers.

Aside from law enforcement officers, does anyone really have a valid reason to carry a gun onto a school campus? Yes, the S.C. General Assembly has apparently decided, based on a law enacted in June. People who have concealed weapons permits - in other words, people older than 21 who pass a safety course and a criminal background check - should not be penalized by having to leave those guns at home. Permit holders are said to pose no threat to students, so when they lock their guns in a car's glove compartment or trunk, the new law says they...

TOP GOP HOUSE COMMITTEE HELPING REPUBLICAN ACHIEVE ‘YOUNG GUN’ STATUS IN RACE AGAINST SPRATT The race for South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District, which has been held by a Democrat for the past 27 years, has now caught the attention of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC). On Wednesday, the NRCC officially announced that State Sen. Mick Mulvaney (R-Lancaster) was an ‘On the Radar’ candidate in his bid to unseat 14-term Democrat Congressman John Spratt. “The NRCC is committed to working with Mick Mulvaney as he continues to meet the rigorous goals of the Young Guns program,” NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions...