Thumbs up
Clyburn. Hats off to U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., for introducing legislation to curtail gun sales until conclusion of criminal background checks. More.
Rededication. Good job to folks in Clarendon County for rededicating a memorial to George Stinney Jr., the youngest person executed in the county in the last century. More.
Dollar Tree. Thanks for making a $100 million investment in South Carolina. Folks in Cherokee and Spartanburg counties appreciate it.
NAACP. Thanks for dropping the economic boycott of South Carolina imposed after the Confederate flag moved on Statehouse grounds. Now that it’s gone, maybe we can get some college championship sports here.
In the middle
Lucas. We understand that House Speaker Jay Lucas doesn’t want debate around the Confederate flag to extend to other public properties, such as the now-controversial Ben Tillman statue on Statehouse grounds or the halls named for him at Winthrop and Clemson universities. But can — or should — he even attempt control this? Ever hear of free speech? More.
Haley. Congratulations to Gov. Nikki Haley, who many media outlets say is having her political start rise following her leadership on the Confederate flag’s removal. But it might be a little premature to be talking about being on the presidential ballot, as some are, considering her record and post.
Thumbs down
KKK. Sure, the Ku Klux Klan has the right to protest Saturday. But it would be better for everybody if they’d take their hate and go away. (And stop terrorizing neighborhoods by handing out flyers.)
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!