Wednesday, July 30, 2008

McCain Sums Up Problem for Reasonable Politicians

Posted by Greg Hambrick on Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 8:15 PM

They accidentally say reasonable things:

"I am opposed to raising taxes. I am opposed to raising taxes. Senator Obama wants to raise your taxes. He wants to raise your taxes," Sen. John McCain told the group. "And in any negotiation that I might have, when I go in, my position will be that I am opposed to raising taxes. But we have to work together to save Social Security. This young man standing right in front of me -- Social Security benefits won't be there for him when he retires. Is this right for us, to lay on to the next generation of Americans the burden that we've imposed on them? No.''

You can almost here a little Barack Obama in those words, can't ya. So, here's the difference between John McCain and Barack Obama on Social Security: Obama has provided his plan for saving the system, obviously losing some voters by making it clear that taxes are going up for the nation's rich. McCain will just play hard to get and let Congress do the heavy lifting in order to fix the problem. Sounds like both will actually do something — it's just that one is actually honest about what he'll do. The other is saying just enough to get him elected.

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Lindsey Graham Getting VP Attention?!

Posted by Greg Hambrick on Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 7:05 PM

Certainly not by me, but Sen. Lindsey Graham (aka. Sen. John McCain's roadie) is getting a fresh look from at least one media outlet as a potential running mate.

The sense is that McCain might go with someone that he trusts. And there are few politicians closer to the candidate than Graham.

I'm doubting it. This would be a Dick Cheney-esque move that, frankly, McCain can't afford. That said, maybe he just wants to pick someone he can chum around with on the bus.

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Blacks Breathing More of the Bad Air

Posted by Greg Hambrick on Wed, Jul 30, 2008 at 10:21 AM

Black people are hit hardest by the effects of cigarette smoke and global warming, according to two stories out today.

A report from the Medical University of South Carolina touting the improved air quality of Charleston and Mt. Pleasant bars was paid for by the South Carolina African American Tobacco Control Network.

"The reason (the network) is concerned is because African-Americans are disproportionately impacted by secondhand smoke," said Dan Carrigan, consultant to the group. "A lot of that exposure occurs on the work site."

Meanwhile, House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn announced a new initiative in Washington yesterday, calling attention to the impact global warming has on blacks.

"African-Americans are disproportionately impacted by the effects of climate change economically, socially, and through our health and well-being," Clyburn said.

The commission Clyburn helped launch claims Hurricane Katrina's impact on New Orleans was a preview of how global warming will affect African-Americans.

"While individual storms cannot be linked specifically to climate change, scientists warn that warmer waters may foster more intense storms," the background paper on the commission's efforts, authored by Michael Gelobter, Carla Peterman, and Azebuilke Akaba said. "The flooding of New Orleans still highlights the vulnerability of the African-American community to types of extreme weather events expected with global climate change."

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

State Leaders Unveil New Layer of Innovative Bureaucracy

Posted by Greg Hambrick on Tue, Jul 29, 2008 at 1:36 PM

A heavily touted announcement (particularly heavy considering we're not two months from the last legislative session and a whole 'nother election away from the next) today from S.C. Statehouse leaders was expected to provide the state's plans for recovering from one of the nation's highest unemployment rates.

I'm not sure how others will receive the event, but, from the release provided, all we got was another round of flogging for Gov. Mark Sanford and a new committee that's expected to put a sharper focus on knowledge based businesses. Thought we've been here before? Yeah, me too.

Aside from laying out a long list of laws the legislature has put in place (specifically noting those passed over the governor's objection), the only new direction given at the meeting was the establishment of a "Knowledge Sector Council" (an awkward sounding name that probably sounds better in its native Klingon). The council will be established by the South Carolina Research Authority, in cooperation with the Centers for Economic Excellence and the state's Department of Commerce.

Doesn't sound too complicated yet? Take a look at the provided graphic. To be fair, my Powerpoint couldn't work with the text at the top but you get the picture:

click to enlarge unknown.jpg

You know that costing saving idea where you only spend a dollar if you can take it from some other existing expenditure in the budget? We should do the same thing with councils, authorities, departments, and centers.

UPDATE: The announcement was made at the Employment Security Commission.

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Where my Gays at?

Posted by Greg Hambrick on Tue, Jul 29, 2008 at 1:35 PM

Hey Charleston. I'm looking for someone with the last name of "Gay," who has a good sense of humor for a story I'm working on. If you're it, email to greg@charlestoncitypaper.com.

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