Something unhealthy?

The tea parties were numerous, the crowds well-behaved, the signs instructive and/or entertaining, and the message clear. No more bail-outs!

In Florence, between 400 and 500 people gathered on the front steps of the City-County Complex, despite occasionally threatening clouds.

The Star Spangled Banner was sung by a lovely Chinese woman, whose American journalist husband described what it would have been like to report on such an event in China — or try to report on it.
The Pledge of Allegiance, patriotic songs such as God Bless the USA, and several excellent speeches were included. Don Lowe (garbed as a sad Abraham Lincoln) read excerpts from some of President Lincoln’s quite appropriate writings.

Brad and Pamela

Of course, the mainstream media under-reported the number of tea parties and attendants, no surprise. Even our local daily newspaper said there were “over 100″ people in the crowd. Yes, well over 100! I stopped counting at 400 myself, but several others who did a more thorough count reported over 450 men, women and children present on those courthouse steps.

Today, David Axelrod, so-called advisor to the President, commented in a television interview that such protests were misdirected and possibly unhealthy. This, after the Department of Homeland Security’s recent inclusion of returning veterans and grassroots pro-life activists such as me on a list of possible threats to national security!

Well, I hope this movement of the “loyal opposition,” Republican / Democrat / Independent, does prove to be unhealthy to the re-election of those who think our Constitution is outdated and that freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are terrorist-risks.

2009 Convention, a good day

Grass roots politics with team players won the day at South Florence High School Saturday (April 11, 2009) for the Florence County Republican Party Convention.

The Pee Dee Republicans’ slate of officers won every race, with only one contested and thus requiring a secret-ballot vote. Ken Ard won the chairmanship, 105 votes to 5.

For those not 100% certain who the Pee Dee Republican candidates were, there was an enthusiastic cheer-leader…

Ellie Elephant jumped up and down at his seat and pointed to the candidate when their name was announced!

Despite the fact it was the day before Easter and also in the middle of Spring Break, 116 registered delegates attended, plus a dozen or so political candidates, elected officials and other guests.

Keynote speaker was Congressman Gresham Barrett, the only officially announced candidate for SC Governor in 2010. Also giving “brief” remarks were two unannounced candidates for Governor, Attorney General Henry McMaster and Lt. Governor Andre Bauer, plus several candidates for other state-wide office in 2010.

Dr. Neal Thigpen, recently retired Professor of Political Science at Francis Marion University, was our well-prepared and efficient convention president. Although he had claimed ahead of time that he wasn’t an expert on parliamentary procedure, you could have fooled me!

He moved things right along and got us out of there before 12 Noon, in plenty of time for the barbecue lunch provided by the newly chartered Pee Dee Young Republicans.

Neal’s introductory remarks of the various candidates were so good! He mentioned the fact that he or she had been one of his students at FMU… and he claimed that had Stephanie gone to college locally, she no doubt would have been, too.

These fond comments were certainly not lost on the crowd, who would soon be voting on these candidates!

The beautiful spring weather, the great crowd, the coffe and donut “Meet-and-Greet” breakfast with Gresham Barrett, all contributed to a good start of a good day.

This despite the fact that once again, the building was not open as promised at 7:30 for set-up. Many phone calls had to be made to get somebody there with a key — then the main auditorium lights would not come on, only the stage lights, and an electrician had to be called.

I have agreed to serve as Florence County GOP secretary again, as I did for some years in the past. I look forward to working with this great group of enthusiastic Republicans, many younger GOP’ers — and quite a few of us re-fired older ones, who made up a substantial number of the delegates Saturday.

A republic – if you can keep it…

“Well, Doctor, what have we got—a Republic or a Monarchy?” a lady asked Benjamin Franklin.

“A republic – if you can keep it,” he replied.

It was at the close of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 as he left Independence Hall on the final day of deliberation, according to the notes of Dr. James McHenry, one of Maryland’s delegates to the Convention.

We have struggled to keep it from that point to this, and it has indeed been a struggle.

I fear that the days of that Republic are drawing to a close, at least the Republic as defined by the hard-fought Constitution they were drafting back then.

Some things have been changed for change-sake, not for the better. The definitions and dimensions of our Republic are being redrawn, our Constitution being redrafted even if not on paper. So many things are going on before our eyes and behind our backs that it’s hard to know where to begin reversing this course, this downhill slide backward toward — what? Monarchy? No, at least not yet, although I think Obama sees himself that way.

Well, I don’t think it’s time to wring our hands, throw in the towel, give up the ship, and any other cliche you can think of that declares defeat.

We can still keep our Republic, though we may to fight to re-take it first. Sort of like the news story that came across my email a little while ago…

“American Crew Overpowers Somali Pirates”

American Sailors Turn Table on Somali Pirates
(By LUIS MARTINEZ, DANA HUGHES, MARTHA RADDATZ and ZOE MAGEE
NAIROBI, Kenya, April 8, 2009)

A crew of American sailors turned the tables on armed Somali pirates today who hijacked their ship after a high seas chase – and then were overpowered by the U.S. crew.

The pirates picked on the wrong ship when they went after the Maersk Alabama, a 17,000 ton container ship carrying relief aid to Mombasa, Kenya.

Sometimes you just have to resist change – change of leadership of the Alabama, for example – have to fight, fight to retake ground and then fight to keep it.

Whatever it takes, we need to keep our Republic.

Harold’s Arts Trail photos

I love that old Kimbrell’s (formerly Water’s Furniture) building, with its architectural details and especially the beautiful ceiling. I’m so glad it’s being put to good use with arts exhibits these days. Hope it continues.

Here are my brother Harold Motte’s photos that are in the Photography Exhibit, now through 4/25. Go down there, walk slowly through the exhibits and vote for your selection for the “People’s Choice” award. I voted for Savannah Street. All of these are for sale, by the way.

Arts Trail Photo Display, April 2009 - Harold Motte's photographs

Savannah Street

Sheldon Church Ruins

Sea Anemone

Biltmore

Change: not always good

Kevin Hall has had to withdraw from the race for SC GOP Chairman due to health problems, more specifically, heart problems. His health and heart are far more important than politics, and while we will definitely miss him in this race (and in the position), he has to make this change. Many people across the state are praying for him, his family, his physicians, and for his supporters.

Now that Kevin is out of this race, many of his supporters are considering who to support, or whether to wait and see if anyone else declares.

That’s my own position for now.