Seeding Spartanburg

Brad Warthen has a post today about Mike Fitts' recent piece that ran in latest print version of the Columbia Regional Business Report (you got all that?) regarding the SC Chamber of Commerce's decision to endorse Vincent Sheheen for SC Governor. The Chamber's never endorsed a candidate…so it's important to read why they felt the need to do so now. And they're right…it's WAY past time to attempt to move SC forward.

Brad's Piece on Mike's Piece can be found here.

Chamber weighs in on governor’s race

Executive summary: Frustration with Gov. Mark Sanford has helped prod the S.C. Chamber of Commerce to give its first gubernatorial endorsement, to Vincent Sheheen.

By Mike Fitts
mfitts@scbiznews.com

There was one overriding factor that prompted the S.C. Chamber of Commerce to make an endorsement for the governor’s race for the first time: the gridlock around the current occupant.

A large majority of the members of the chamber’s board, which is made up of more than 50 business executives from across the state, thought that it was time for the chamber to do its first endorsement in a statewide race. The view that Gov. Mark Sanford had failed to get things done for eight years was a major driver in that decision, said chamber CEO Otis Rawl. The business community “didn’t make much headway” with the governor’s office during his term, he said.

“Our board didn’t want that to happen again,” Rawl said…

Neither do we Mr. Rawl…neither do we.

t

It never ceases to amaze me the criticism that comes with trying to be positive. Being positive isn’t always easy. It would be so much easier to sit on my butt and complain all the time and point out the mistakes of others and criticize what was going on. Really…it would. I tried it for a while…I know.

When it comes down to it…we’ve got those two choices when it comes to looking at life…positive or negative. And for SO long I was negative. I’d say for the first 3 years of this blog all I did was bitch about how everyone else did everything wrong instead of looking at ways I could work to make a difference. And don’t get me wrong…I’ll still use this blog to point out mistakes I see but at the same time…you better believe I will simultaneously be working to make a difference. Because it is hypocritical of me if I don’t.

It is easy to be a blogger, to buy a domain and maintain it. Anyone can do that. EASY!!! Hell, you can create a blog for free and I wish more of you would. We need all kinds of voices out there. The more the merrier.  Yes, I do believe there are better writers than others but that should not stop anyone from blogging. What is important is that it comes from your heart. If you do that nothing else matters.

Over the years, I’ve just tried to be me. For anyone who’s read this blog from the get-go (that is probably no one) and paid attention, you can note the transformation that has taken place in me. When I started this blog I was SO damn angry. Angry liberal. I was going to shake up the world. I was going to call out all the evils of the world and surely…everyone would see my point and take note. As if I was the only enlightened person to ‘get it.’

Almost 6 years later, I see how ridiculous that is. What I’ve learned over the years, through my blogging, community work and most importantly age and the wisdom that comes with it, is the complexity of it all. We are all so intrinsically different. Each of our experiences make us who we are as people. And we're just different. If you truly want to move a community forward you have to figure out how to get people to open their minds and it's hard work to convince people to look at alternate points of views. So, while we need those voices out there—the ‘angry liberal’ and the ‘angry conservative’ unfortunately, too many get caught up in the game and tend to never get a single thing accomplished.

And I want to accomplish something with my little life. So I’ve chosen to take a more positive route. Being positive doesn’t mean I don’t have the balls to call someone out when I see a problem. Oh, I think people know I will do that. Not only that…I will encourage more people to do the same.

I’ve found all that can be done with a smile on my face. And I’d much rather be happy than angry, but that’s just me.

Life is too short to be negative all the time. My reasoning is not complex. Just because I want to see change come in the world…it doesn’t mean that I have to be angry, miserable and negative all the time to do so. I know I can get stuff accomplished my way and I encourage others to spend their time doing whatever works for them instead of judging what works for me.

Maybe then, we'll all get something done.

t

Chris Cato over at WSPA did a great piece on tonight's news showing what happens when we elect Jethro to the legislature and then…give him a bunch of power. It is SO worth the watch.

It's about the controversy over Senator Lee Bright choosing 4 of the Holly Springs Fire District commissioners. Cato links some donations to Bright and stuff but here's a little nugget from Bright in response to one of his chosen commissioners, Ryan Phillips:

The last question on the application asks, "Do you think there would be a conflict of interest if you were to serve on this board?" Phillips circled, "Yes". The application does not ask for an explanation. He also skipped another question related to conflict of interest.

The applications are supposed to be reviewed by the legislators who nominate the board members. When asked if he had noticed the mistakes on Phillips' application, Bright says he had not.

"We get a lot of applications," says Bright. "I'm sure I looked at it. I can't believe no one caught that. Usually (Senator) Shane Martin catches stuff like that. He's very thorough."

Hahahahahahaha. And there you go.

Hand Picked Power

Good job Chris. Keep it up! SC needs the truth, as it embarassing as it as…exposed.

t

I was so, so sad to read in the paper today that 'Roc' Curry had passed away. Her obit said she passed away after an extended illness.

Of course, like many of us do with time…I thought…extended illness? 'I just saw her not long ago' but after thinking about it I realized that the last time I could recall seeing her and really chatting was at "Show Up for Spartanburg" in May 2009. So it wasn't just yesterday. It just seemed like that.

I recalled her taking the mic and praising all that was Spartanburg. She always did. She had her patriotic hat on…the one she always wore to League of Women Voters events and Democratic Party events. A real spitfire of positive pro-community energy. Of course…I loved her for that inspiration. She always inspired me…regardless if it was her constant pursuit of a seat on District 6 School Board, her dedication and love of the Spartanburg community or selling her plants at the Farmers Market. She tried it all and supported it all and set one heck of an example for women and citizens everywhere and for that, I am glad I had the opportunity to have known her and to learn from her.

She put her voice out there…even when it wasn't easy…that's what will change the world. So thanks Roc. Rest in peace. You will be missed.

Very much.

xo,

t

What is that? Who is that?

I keep hearing that term tossed around in political circles and I remain baffled because I'm not sure I know one. Or at least, I should say, the ones I do know don't feel the need to go out and declare it in the way some politicos do. I do know of a handful who walk the walk and for those few…I have great respect. They aren't always 'christians' though…they just walk that walk.

As for little 'ole me…I tend to seek my own answers and encourage others to do the same. I realized a long time ago that I didn't need the baggage that comes with organized religion. It's different for everyone though and I acknowledge and try to respect that. 

But, none of that is my point. Religion and spirituality are very personal. It is something that one lives by example not by declaration. And when citizens support a candidate who insists on constantly declaring their religion they kid themselves. If you think…REALLY…think…that simply because a political candidate annoints himself a 'good christian man' that it means he will be a fine politician…you're a sucker.

I tried to think of a kinder word but I couldn't. Don't be a sucker. Because even the finest so-called 'good christian men' have skeletons. And if they think skeletons won't come out in this political climate…they're kidding themselves.

The best advice I have for any politician…don't run as a saint. You ain't one. None of us are. Just be a person who is trying to work to make things better.

And to everyone who believes politicians don't drink booze, do drugs, screw around on their partner, gamble, lie, cheat…or whatever 'sin' you may frown upon…WAKE UP already. Politicians are just people. Not Jesus. They are just as capable of doing those things as the rest of us.

Quit judging and electing them on what you think they should be in your eyes and simply start choosing people who might be able to actually FIX OUR PROBLEMS. They do have resumes…you might consider taking a look at qualifications for a change.

Politicians are no different than you or me. They tend to be people who either want to truly change the way things are done or simply people who want to build their resume.

It's up to me and you to open our eyes, research, determine their motives and vote accordingly. 

Regardless, none of them are perfect and you're setting yourself up for disappointment if you think they are.

t

but now I'm back. Trying to catch up on everything. Do love me a little Edisto Beach. I return to Sburg to see I didn't miss much which is good. I hate to miss stuff. I did see a letter to the editor that stated people should boycott City businesses because of Junie White's proclamation.

Really people? Really? There was also an article about Spartanburg's obesity rates.

Oh well. Let's look to the positive. Maybe people won't go to the Golden Corral so much and our County's overall obesity rate will improve. Someone is packing that place everyday…who, I don't know. Let's hope they can make it through the boycott. If only Jasons Deli was in the County they might go there…a much healthier choice. Oh well, who knows what they'll do.

Regardless, it's good to be home.

t

I had an op-ed in Wednesday's Herald Journal about a neighborhood fire that has proven to be a pretty dang incredible emotional journal…wanted to share.

t

Woohoo!!! Go Hub City Bookshop!

So exciting for Downtown. Can't wait. Wednesday, June 30th. 10am. 186 W. Main Street.

You can even buy your books online and keep the money in the local economy!

Thanks Betsy, Erin and the rest of the HC Bookshop team for working so hard to bring this to our community!

t

I’ve been a horrible follow-up blogger lately. I apologize. It’s been a pretty incredible time here in ole’ Sparkle City over the past month. The Pride parade was a huge success and, like last year, my family proudly marched with our friends and neighbors but at the same time, it was hard for me to watch people I had grown to respect take stances that I never imagined they’d take.

It’s left me questioning my political place in local politics and wondering things like…where will the local Democratic Party go from here? They already have incredible challenges to overcome but what happens when elected black democratic leaders and progressives disagree like we just did over the past weeks?

We need to have some serious discussions in this community—and not just the Democratic Party. We’ve sugar-coated race relations for long enough. The reality is…we sweep the hard issues under the rug. That is the southern way…did we learn nothing from “The Prince of Tides”? Enough. We need to discuss things like Linda Dogan’s comments about the Pride march if we expect to truly move forward on the issue. She obviously wants to discuss them. So let’s do it. There are gay people in the City of Spartanburg. They have good jobs and pay their taxes. Why should they not get a march if they ask?

For me, the Pride parade was about standing up for what is right. It was about teaching my children that no matter who they are they are still people with rights nonetheless. It was a personal choice I made to march. But, I am not in an elected capacity and my personal choices do not affect my entire City but for those that are and those who chose to isolate many of our law-abiding, taxpaying contributing members of the community…I believe they made a mistake and should answer. They are elected to make good decisions for our entire City’s population and they didn’t. They are not elected to isolate people and they did. They are not elected to tell people their lifestyles are wrong—they did. They are not elected to oppress citizens and they are certainly are not elected to squash the City’s economic development interests. Yet, they did.

We need to be discussing that. Because I’ve got questions.

How do you expect me to stand up for one oppressed minority and not another? How do you justify that? To divide the community in a way that literally pits black against pro-equal rights is the poorest form of leadership I’ve seen in my lifetime…and that is saying a lot considering I lived through the GW Bush era. As a woman, it is unimaginable to ever think I would get to a place in my life to believe that I have earned the right to oppress another.

It has truly been a disheartening experience for me to witness the stance of certain people. And for me, that also means an inspiring experience because I will turn lemons to lemonade somehow. That’s all we’ve got…is to look to the positive. Hence the reason I am all about us sitting down and discussing the issues.

Mayor Junie White took a stance and it took guts to do what he did. He catapulted the City of Spartanburg forward 10 years…at least…by having an understanding heart and using the simple swipe of a pen. He will go down in history for having the guts to lead our community forward. Leading is not easy and it is not something we see every day. Actually, we see it very rarely. Yet, all of us have just had the opportunity to witness it firsthand in our current Mayor.

It is important that all of our citizens prosper and that none are oppressed. It is important that those on the outside look at our community and see an open-minded, accepting community if we ever expect to prosper and create a true economic engine in Downtown Spartanburg. We need elected officials who are smart enough to realize just that.

So where do we go from here? Some serious community discussions about not only race relations but the socioeconomic issues plaguing us. It will do us all some good. Easy? No. Good? Yes. I hope people across the spectrum will support truly putting the issues out there and be committed to all of us working together to get through them…it will do Spartanburg good. We can’t move forward until we do.

t

You were awesome! The SHJ article today said that more people attended here than in the one in Charleston a couple of weeks ago. Woohoo. I knew yesterday that it was 3x more people than last year!! Yay!

Can't wait until next year!!!

xoxo,

t

Thanks to the Spark for this video footage!  Check out Mayor Junie White's presentation of the proclamation.

UPDATE: And do read Christopher George's fantastic summary piece, Pride Postmortem, over at the Spark. (Good job Chris! And Happy Belated Birthday!)