Thumbs up
Tinkler. Good idea by state Rep. Mary Tinkler, D-Charleston, to have private donations pay for the display of the Confederate flag in the state’s Relic Room. Sounds like a Democrat using a Republican tactic — private funding — to come to a compromise. More.
Winthrop. Pretty good idea to drop the name of “Pitchfork Ben” Tillman from a top academic prize. While we’re not so revisionist that we want to change the names of buildings or topple statues honoring past work, a prize to inspire students doesn’t need to memorialize a racist. More.
Teen birth rate. See? More education about how babies are made helps to lower rates of teen pregnancy, which cuts costs on the system. More.
Califf. President Obama has picked South Carolina native Robert Califf to be the head of the Food and Drug Administration. He was born in Anderson and graduated from A.C. Flora High School in Columbia. Congratulations. More.
In the middle
Haley. Kudos to Gov. Nikki Haley for trying to get rid of some of the state’s surplus property. We were surprised, however, that she couldn’t find more than $35 million or so in savings. Maybe it’s because a lot more assessment work needs to be done. More.
Santee Cooper. So the state-owned utility has approved a rate hike, but a big manufacturer (an aluminum smelter) may have to close because it can’t get a deal to stay in business. The utility, however, tells Century Aluminum employees that it has offered a good deal. Hmmm. More.
Thumbs down
Health ranking. South Carolina maintained its lousy rating on being healthy. A new report showed the state, rife with obesity, smoking and violent crime, posted the ninth lowest ranking nationally. More.
Trump. You might find this interesting: The Trump campaign has been named a “hate group” by the Southern Poverty Law Center. After this week’s rant in Mount Pleasant, it may be deserved.
We Can Do Better, South Carolina!