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Gingrich did what he does best — framing his ego

CHARLESTON, S.C., Jan. 22, 2012 – Before a discussion of what happened in the South Carolina Republican presidential primary yesterday, you should know this: The Palmetto State isn’t filled with right-wing, tea party nutcases. Sure, we have a fair share of them, but there are progressives here too.

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Be thankful for government

NOV. 25, 2011 – In this season of being thankful, let's be thankful for our government at local, state and federal levels. Even though Congress has a 9 percent approval rating and our state legislators often suffer from a need for real leadership, government has helped enormously to make America what it is.

Asides

• 1/9/11: I'm saddened by the attack in Arizona on a member of Congress, federal judge and innocent bystanders by what appears to be a deranged madman.  My new hero is Sheriff Clarence W. Dupnik of Pima County, who pointed a strong finger at the hate-laced vitriol that fills the country's political debate. Here's what he said in reaction to the shootings: "When you look at unbalanced people, how they respond to the vitriol that comes out of certain mouths about tearing down the government, the anger, the hatred, the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous, and unfortunately Arizona I think has become sort of the capital, we have become the mecca for prejudice and bigotry...this individual may have a mental issue, and I think that people who are unbalanced are especially susceptible to vitriol." Well said, sir. #
• PASSING: We're saddened at the recent passing of two South Carolina leaders.   Rep. Cathy Harvin was a stalwart advocate of public education as a state representative from Clarendon County who filled the seat of her long-time husband, the late Alex Harvin.  Then came news of the passing of 88-year-old Harriet Keyserling, a passionate leader who changed the legislature.  If she were in the S.C. House today, it likely would be less partisan and more substantive.  Cathy and Harriet, rest in peace. #
• PASSING. We're saddened to learn this morning of the death of Maestro David Stahl, long-time and tireless music director of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. Victim of an aggressive form of lymphoma, his death comes just a month after that of his wife, Karen, who died of cancer on Sept. 21. Back when Charleston Currents got started, Stahl offered his top five holiday tunes. Click here for more. We'll long remember Stahl's zeal and zest as a conductor and advocate for arts in our community. A protege of legendary conductor Leonard Bernstein, New York-born Stahl embraced Charleston -- and was embraced by it -- for more than 25 years. His leadership and enthusiasm for injecting more music into our days will be long remembered and sorely missed. As one Facebook friend wrote, the Charleston Symphony will never sound the same without Stahl. David Stahl, 1950-2010: Rest in peace. #
• BRACK IN THE NEWS: 10/6: Panel says Gulf should avoid "going back to poor," Mobile Press-Register 10/6: Obama creates Gulf cleanup task force, Lafayette (La.) Daily Advertiser 9/29: Invest $10 billion in Gulf, Huffington Post Andy Brack: "If you listen to the rhetoric and political grand-standing surrounding the Gulf oil disaster and ongoing cleanup, much of the talk is about people getting their lives back to normal -- to how things were. "Read more in Huffington Post. #
• 9/26/10, The Post and Courier: "Former Charleston County Democratic Party Chairman Andy Brack implored a crowd to shout "yoo-hoo" several times during the West Ashley Democrat Blue Jamboree picnic at Parkshore Park on Saturday afternoon.  It was an attempt to chide Republicans who decided to hold a rally and fundraiser of their own just a block away, behind the Elk's Lodge on Cosgrove Avenue."  Full story. #