The Nikki-Nathan Show
S.C. House Speaker Bobby Harrell may have thought he was the one “teaching lessons,” but it’s actually recently-demoted conservative Reps. Nikki Haley and Nathan Ballentine who are out and about teaching our young people the real lesson – that it’s okay to stand up for what you believe in.
Haley and Ballentine both visited Dutch Fork High School yesterday, speaking to Ms. Kelly Payne’s current affairs class on the issue of government transparency as well as the price you sometimes pay for doing the right thing.
“Nikki Haley and Nathan Ballentine are at the forefront of a movement to change the way government operates at an interesting time in our state’s history, and they’re not afraid to rock the boat,” Payne said. “And the fact that they were taking time away from their important duties to speak to the next generation of public servants was not lost on the students.”
Haven spoken to Ms. Payne’s class a few times ourselves, we can assure you that nothing is lost on these kids. Especially not Reggie, who we’re honestly hoping throws his hat into the 2010 governor’s race.
Seriously, they’re all smart as whips, totally immersed with what’s going on in state government and they ask incredibly tough, thought-provoking questions.
Plus, the last time we checked our comment pages, they seemed to have a pretty solid grasp of what happened to Ballentine and Haley … and why.
Seriously, if we put Ms. Payne’s current affairs class in charge over at the State House, South Carolina would be in a helluva lot better shape than it is right now. We’d sure as hell be voting on the record, for starters.
Anyway, props to Ms. Payne for the amazing job she does, and to these kids for getting (and staying) involved in the issues that matter.
Most importantly, props to both Ballentine and Haley for being the kind of leaders we can all truly look up to in this crazy ass backward state …
Comments
By Frank on December 12th, 2008 at 5:58 am
Keep up the good work Nikki and Nathan. How can these Legislators think that they are even going to begin to explain to the public a strong enough reason why their vote should not be recorded so the voting public can see how they vote on an issue. Well I grasp the concept on why they are working so hard to keep it from happening and that is so that people like Senator Jakie Knotts and others can continue to tell the pro’s that they supported their position and the con’s that they supported their position. It is classic two-face polictics at it’s best and they do not want anything to prove otherwise. They like playing both sides and not being held accountable for their vote.
When you think about it, it is funny that the Legislation passes laws and expects the public to be held accountable if they violate them, but let’s don’t hold the legislators accountable for their vote. I mean it would be insane to think otherwise.
By Bill on December 12th, 2008 at 8:56 am
I am glad to see at least two great Statesman(woman) stand up for what they were sent to Columbia to do. In the words of General Colin Powell “Sometimes being responsible means pissing people off.”
It takes courage to change, and you both have that courage. Other legislators need to take note and realize they represent the people not a hand full of self servants.
By Ardent admirer of Ms. Payne on December 12th, 2008 at 9:41 am
I’m glad to see that at least one teacher is not an educrat and is willing to teach students honest lessons on the real world. Over a 20 year career, she may teahc enough students that we can make a change in our state. Kudos Ms. Payne and keep up the good work!!
By Sarah DFHS student on December 12th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Thank-you for visiting our class yesterday. I am very impressed that you stood up in what you believe in and what the People deserve in a democratic country. I also admire the fact that you both have such a positive attitude about continuing to serve our State. I hope to see you soon on the Capitol steps if we have too!
By Silence the Noise on December 12th, 2008 at 9:53 am
wow…..we actually hace two comppetent members of the general ass-embly?
Bobby….learn something…..try to matter like these two…
By Kaitlyn DFHS student on December 12th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to come speak to us. I learned that you need to have thick skin to be in politics, and i admire what you do and will be doing in the future for the good of our state. Please come visit again.
By Smart Kid Grant on December 12th, 2008 at 10:13 am
This shows true effort and dedication to our youth because Ms. Payne’s classes have had a tendency to ask the tough questions that the people from the bass-ackward Capitol are afraid to ask. They don’t care what pork you have helped them with, they just care about what is needed for the state. This was in no way a loss of time for the two of them, and I am proud to say that they are my representatives.
By cm on December 12th, 2008 at 10:22 am
I am so thankful that Reps. Ballentine and Haley came to our class to speak with us. The fact that they said that they are remaining positive about this whole situation shows us that they are dedicated to their jobs for the people. Just by them saying that they don’t care about what committee that they were assigned to shows that they care more about the people than the position! I was excited to meet them yesterday and it was an honor. As a young senior female in high school, Mrs. Haley is a role model for all young women.
By Jess on December 12th, 2008 at 10:29 am
I just have to say that both representatives (Ballentine and Haley) were really strong orators. They were very well composed and articulate especially since what has happened to them this week. I was really excited that they came to see our class and answered any question that we had. I asked them if they would consider creating a “transparency forum”, and their answer included working diligently to get members on either party or in any position on their side. They said they won’t reject any supporters no matter their public and political reputation is. They genuinely want this passed for the good of the people. I really appreciate their time to come visit our class!
By RS on December 12th, 2008 at 10:57 am
three great role models!
By Gen. Longstreet on December 12th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Nikki and Nathan, as the kids say today, I feel your pain. I, too, paid the price for telling truth to power; I spent the last 30 years of my life in Southern purgatory because I criticized Lee’s dumb-ass frontal assault on the third day at Gettysburg. We could have flanked the bastards, swung around that Rocky Hill, and attacked from the rear, cutting off their supply lines along the way. But no. Old Bobby Lee would have none of that. Still smarting from that monicker — the King of Spades — hung on him by the Richmond papers when he dug the trenches to protect that city, there was no way he would back off. And so he took us straight into Hell itself.
Hell, Sanford has a better chance of abolishing the Budget and Control Board this next SC legislative session than we had breaching the Union line that day. Those Yanks were dug in but good, and I could actually see old Win Hancock smiling at me, begging us to make the charge. And we obliged him, yes sir, we damn sure did. Some fine boys were chopped down that day, and for what? Glory? The Cause? States’ Rights? No sir. For Bobby Lee’s vanity. That’s it, pure and simple.
By stuart vincent on December 12th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Thanks for coming to our class yesterday and answering my question (I think you should focus first on your home districts… you will need them.. and you will most probably receive the broad sympathy and support of them. Do you agree that sort of “neighbor” support will be enormously helpful as this battle heats up? I learned that between the both of you, you proudly represent 33,000 people. You are already using grassroots politicking to keep your constituents current and informed on issues in there district and in the state, it is obvious that you do have homegrown neighbor support and that the Lexington District 71 and Richland District 87 are proudly behind you! Thanks for all you are doing
By Zach DFHS student on December 12th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Reps. Ballentine and Haley were very hopeful that Mrs. Haley’s bill would pass the Senate; however, if Senator Glen McConnell is still there in January, which he probably will be unfortunately, the bill will probably fail. I have a good idea, maybe somebody can “accidentally” lock McConnell and Harrell in the bathroom before the Legislature reconvenes. And it wouldn’t hurt if Senator Martin and Rep. Rutherford were in there with them too. Maybe if this happened Harrell would consider changing the rules for a “yes” vote when Legislatures are not present in the Chamber.
By Gillon on December 12th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
FITS, in light of your continual degrading comments about SC’s public schools, their poor quality, and the inferior products they turn out, I find your positive and flattering comments about these fine students at Dutch Fork High Schools refreshing as well as surprising, to say the least. I think that if you will get out more and see for yourself, you will find that there are many public schools in this state providing the same quality education to their students that the students at Dutch Fork High enjoy. And as you rightly imply, students like these are the hope of the future for this state.
By Sara DFHS student on December 12th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Although I was not in the class yesterday when reps Ballentine and Haley came to speak my friends left school with ebullient feelings for hope that our State is going to finally get its act together and move into the 21 century.
I LOVE MS.PAYNE!
By fitsnews on December 12th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Gillon says: “I think that if you will get out more and see for yourself, you will find that there are many public schools in this state providing the same quality education to their students that the students at Dutch Fork High enjoy.”
Uh … really? Is that your imagination or are you intentionally full of it?
Check the link below … of the top 350 schools in the nation only two of them are in SC …
http://www.fitsnews.com/2008/05/21/sc-school-makes-national-top-10/
And yes, Dutch Fork is one of them.
Oh, and we get out plenty, dude.
FITS
By Asheton Richardson DFHS student on December 12th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!!!!! We need transparency and recorded voting not 99 % of the time, but 100%! It was a boon to our school for Reps Ballentine and Haley to come in and inform us about this issue!
By Gene E. Nowak on December 12th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Kudo’s to all the participates the legislators, students and teacher. They all are making an effort to enlighten the electorate.
I also note that some equate our distain for the SC Public School Educrats with being unaware that education is happening in spite of the bloated bureaucratic system. We recognize that teachers generally are not the problem, but the system they are forced to operate under is a problem. While we oppose the one size fits all approach to education, we still recognize that some successes do occur in spite of the Educrats best efforts to fail.
By andrell caldwell on DFHS student on December 12th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Representatives Haley and Ballentine believe in doing what’s right, whatever political backlash results. I’m proud of their courage. I’m also proud of Ms. Payne our teacher for thinking to invite them and having the influence to get them to come!
By Zack DFHS student on December 12th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Rep. Nathan Ballentine and Rep. Nikki Haley are great role models for students like us to have.
By kyle w.dfhs student 10th grade on December 12th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
It was awesome to have two state leaders who are leading a “revolution” at the State House to come and speak to our class. They really rock.
By cameron Duvall dfhs 10th on December 12th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
It sucks that you both have basically been blackballed by the Speaker what sucks even more is that our states laws still allow for this to happen after hearing you speak yesterday I really think that this will change and you will have both made a difference in changing what is clearly unconstitutional but still legal in our state thanks for letting me have a picture with the both of you
By Lindsey Selph DFHS senior on December 12th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Thank you for taking our questions and listening to our concerns. This is what our Current Issues class shared with Reps. Haley and Ballentine yesterday afternoon. We can only hope that the Speaker reads this too!
It seems like “the system†is structured so that you’ll have a hard time winning the Transparency issue. House leadership has all the leverage in being able to influence its members with committee assignments, seating in the chamber, office space assignments, invitations to participate in prestigious things like joint meetings, press conferences, bill signing, and travel. Helping “cooperative†members sponsor and pass legislation important to their constituents, directing dollars to the district, including members in press releases, publicly acknowledging members when speaking to groups around the state, helping members with re-election, extending other factors to “cooperative†members can leave legislators at a disadvantage with House leadership if they are not favored.
By Morgan Hartline DFHS senior on December 12th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Why should people care about this issue of recorded votes? And what difference does it make to the average person? Can you please respond to this without using buzzwords that won’t mean much to the average person?
Representatives Haley and Ballentine answered these questions candidly and realistically. They said that the average person should care because the votes belong to us “the people”. We have a right to know how the people that we elect vote on issues and use our money. I can’t believe that SC is still one of the 8 states left in the US that don’t have 100% transparency. This needs to change!!
By Katie Rood DFHS senior on December 12th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Thank you for answering this question too!
Do you have an effective strategy for continuing your fright for more voting transparency? And do you agree that since you have pushed this issue so far with the House leadership that you may stand to lose too much at this point if you discontinue your fight?
WE KNOW YOU WILL NOT GIVE UP THE FIGHT!!!
By Kyle C. sophmore DF on December 12th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Right now I am learning about the early Roman Republic in my World History class with Ms. Payne. The basis for its creation was to let the people choose. I can equate Speaker Harrell with a “Senator” from this time. One who is hired to represent the wealthy aristocrats of the Roman Empire. This is not how it is supposed to work in today’s government. Harrell needs to let the people decide what they want and not intimidate the other “elected” officials that he works with. HE WORKS FOR THE PEOPLE, NOT HIMSELF. Keeping recorded votes from the people and using his “authority” to intimidate and persuade others to vote or behave the ways HE wants is WRONG.
By Rachel on December 12th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
What makes me the maddest is that Ms.Haley’s original bill was changed so much that is was basically unrecognizable. She was still positive and said that it was better than nothing at all. What a positive role model for us!
By Christina DF on December 12th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
I wouldn’t even consider being sent to the 3M committee to be a bad thing!! What an honor to even be in a position to be able to represent the People! And that is exactly what Reps. Ballentine and Haley have done!! Keep up the positive attitude and good work! We love you!
By Ally Boso DFHS sophmore on December 12th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Standing up for principle in spite of retribution received is most admirable! Way to go!!!
By Katie W. DF on December 12th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Wake up adults!!! Especially 60 year olds that are acting like high school kids while they are supposed to be running our State and keeping our trust. Thank you Nathan for seeing that this is not just a personality “conflict” with the Speaker. I think that it is a “temper tantrum” on Harrell’s part.
By Ryan Blanchard on December 12th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I love current issues- too bad the issue of “transparency” has to be a “current issue”- it needs to be part of South Carolina’s past!
By Erika- history student on December 12th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
WE DESERVE TO KNOW WHERE OUR TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT – ELMINIATE VOICE ROLL CALL VOTING
By Claire- DFHS on December 12th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Every voice makes a difference! We need to speak up for what belongs to US, our right to know how our Legislators vote.
By Nick W. on December 12th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
My teacher wouldn’t let me out of class yesterday to hear Mr.Ballentine and Ms.Haley!! I heard that they rocked. I am sorry I missed it, but I have been following this issue very closely.
By ENLIGHTENED on December 12th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Politics aside, I believe this creative teacher’s “extra mile” efforts are improving SC’s public education AND our political culture. Both need help! Sounds like she should be the state Education Supt. Her high school is fortunate to have teachers like her. Hope there are others as committed as she is. It’s impressive that her students are so informed and motivated.
By Josh Poole DFHS class of '09 on December 12th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Reps. Haley and Ballentine are so BA!!!! It gave me hope for the state I grew up in and love that it would finally move into the 21st century and finally catch up with the rest of the country. They were really cool and down to earth and it’s obvious that they care a lot about the state, the people who sent them to Columbia, and the other people of our state. Thank you reps. Haley and Ballentine for coming to talk to us. Also thanks FITS for bust’n Harrell and the rest of those morons who are suppose to be working for us but are pushing their own agenda
By PHILOTIGER on December 12th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Open your minds to the possibility that Haley and Ballentine are
absolutely right on the issue of transparency, but otherwise are
pretty typical ass-munch SC politicos. My guess is that both of
them are at least bright enough to view this issue as a voter-pleaser
in their districts and that, more than anything else, explains their position.
By PT @ dfhs on December 12th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Even though I wasn’t able to make it when Reps. Haley and Ballentine came, I’m glad we have some honest politicians in our state government
By Brad on December 12th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Thank you to reps. Ballentine and Haley for taking the time to come and speaking with our class. I couldn’t make it, but I hear that the visit was greatly appreciated. Thank you again for all that you are doing.
By Ashley on December 12th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I want to thank Mr. Ballentine and Mrs. Haley for coming to speak with our class. I really enjoyed learning about the issues at hand. Mr. Ballentine and Mrs. Haley are fighters and the wont, and shouldn’t give up. They are two very positive role models for young people like us. I learned about how everything worked up at the State House. I can’t wait till this bill gets passed, which for everyone’s information it will. I think more people should be like Mr. Ballentine and Mrs. Haley, sticking up for what they believe in. Way to go!! Thanks again and good luck.
By rYaN s on December 12th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
I want to thank Representatives Ballentine and Haley for being the backbone of the House and the Public. Yesterday I was very impressed with one thing they said “We will continue to take the blows for you guys. It does not matter which committee we are on, we will continue to fight for the issues what we think is important to the people we represent.†That is awesome. Thanks for everything and the picture with you guys.
By Elaina on December 12th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Unfortunately, I was not able to make it! I too am a student of Ms. Payne’s. I think it is wonderful, though, that two strong willed people fighting for the community came to spread the word. I heard great great GREAT things. It puts a smile on my face, knowing that the government isn’t actually made up of old men who don’t give a crap about us :) Ms. Haley and Mr. Ballentine, if your reading this, Thank you! And keep it up!
By Tommy Gordon on December 12th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I thought it was really interesting hearing Reps. Ballentine and Haley speak yesterday. We have been following the injustice that happened to Nikki and Nathan very closely in Miss Payne’s class. I learned that Nikki and Nathan work for the people of their districts and that they actually care about what their constituents think. Representatives Haley and Ballentine are great role models! `
By Nick Wyatt on December 12th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
My teacher wouldn’t let me get out of my class to come listen to Rep. Nathan Ballentine and Nikki Haley. I was disappointed and I heard that they were awesome. Nathan and Nikki are class acts and what happened to them was wrong.
By Kyle Wessinger on December 12th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
I wasn’t able to listen to them speak but I heard good things. I think that Haley and Balentine taking time out of their schedule to speak to the students was very civic minded. I believe that what they stand for is right, and that Harrell is nothing but a liberal democrat posing as a RINO. I hope Nathan and Nikki continue doing what is right! Byahh!
By Jeremy Wilson on December 12th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I wasn’t able to make it but I am so glad that reps. are standing up for what they believe in. I just hope Harrell realizes what he did if he reads this blog. I was shocked that someone who helps lead our state could do something so juvenile, but I’m happy to see our reps. staying positive thank you so much! Beyah!
By Jordan Johnson on December 12th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Well, I had a lot of fun when Nathan and Nikki came in. I learned a lot when the students asked questions and they responded very nicely. What happened to the both of them was messed up, but they seemed like a happy bunch. He showed us a bunch of ways to get active and how to help them for later on. They stood up for what they believed in, and where good and strong speakers. They are really dedicated to their jobs and I’m happy for the. Good Luck!
By Courtney on December 12th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Thank you very much to Nathan Ballentine and Nikki Haley. I wish I could have come to hear you speak but my teacher wouldn’t let me leave. I heard a lot about what is going on and I think it’s really unfair. We’re really proud of you Ms. Payne. Keep up the good work!
By Furman on December 12th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
I was not able to come see rep Ballentine and Haley but I heard from my class mates that they were very impressed by ya’ll. Thank you for coming and thank you ms. Payne for putting this all together. She has really taught me a lot about this and other issues and made me more aware of politics, not to mention got me reading FITS news which I read often keep up the good work
By Bethany on December 12th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Thank you for coming by our current issues class. I really appreciate Reps Nathan Ballentine and Nikki Haley for standing up for what they believe in. We should have a right to see who votes for what. We really need to do something about this. I’m going to protest! :D
By Mia on December 12th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Thank you Nathan Ballentine and Nikki Haley for coming and speaking to our class. They were real and down to earth with a positive attitude. I enjoyed listening to them explain what happened to them. I was so glad to hear they were not going to gibe up and they would take everyone’s support. How they can come speak with us again. My best wishes to them.
By JT JR. DFHS on December 12th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
I wasn’t able to go to the actual talk by reps. Haley and Ballentine, but my class has closely followed the situation. The US was built with one word in mind, freedom, and this is something we are starting to disregard. Both reps. fought for a right that we as citizens deserve to have, and when they took actions to demote them, they showed they care not for a free society, but as a society that wants to run their rules their own way. We need to be more appreciative for Ballentine and Haley.
I like many other support these two fantastic role models, and I hope that I can be like them in the future too!.
By -- on December 12th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Nick — I hope your teacher had a VERY good reason for this…………..because I think THAT was wrong to not let you go.
By Moniker on December 12th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
I learned that Gov. Sanford used his office as a “bully pulpit†for this issue, and other Constitutional Officers like Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer are persuasively advocating the Transparency agenda. I hope others stand up for this issue too.
By Maddie on December 12th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
What we need is zero tolerance for abuse of power.
By Alex DFHS on December 12th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Thank you Reps Haley and Ballentine for visiting my class yesterday. I learned a lot!!
Conclusion. Political corruption may systematically bias the substance of public policy.
By Kaitlyn DFHS Junior on December 12th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
I agree that this seems wrong concerning the “voice votes” …it is unconstitutional because members would be presumed to vote “yes” even if they voted “no.” People voting “no” would have to tell the House clerk and people who didn’t vote at all would be recorded as voting “yes.” Wow, way too confusing!
By Gen. Longstreet on December 12th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
Who ARE these kids, sir?
By Kirsten on December 12th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Roll Call Votes
A roll call vote guarantees that every Member’s vote is recorded, but only a minority of bills receive a roll call vote. This needs to change!
By reggie on December 12th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
first off, Gillon,
if there were other schools in the state of SC that provide the same level of education as DFHS, why are we still DEAD LAST when it comes to graduation rates? think man…..
second, Will,
thanks for the name-drop. “Reggie 2010: Change”… sounds nice.
third,
this whole situation is outrageous! it reminds me of what they say about Illinois: “vote early and vote often”. get it? ;) im sure that Mr. Ballentine and Mrs. Haley are OUTSTANDING individuals, but a *surprisingly crappy* biology test on the human cell cycle kept me from finding out.
almost always, doing the right thing is not popular, and as an end result, many people wont like it. this is just another situation where one person is afraid, so they cower behind their power hoping that others will kowtow to them.
Saul Williams once said in a song, “im not afraid of you, im just a victim of your fear” and i feel that its the perfect way to sum up this whole situation. Keep at it Mr. Ballentine and Mrs. Haley! politics need more people like you!
By Kevin on December 12th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Thank you for your visit to my class, and this is what I can take away from the lessons to be learned at the end of the day.
House leader Bobby Harrell, a man who came to office pledging to bring honor and integrity back to the House and who claimed to be “a uniter, not divider”, has proven to be small, petty, mean-spirited and venal as House Speaker. His politics first and foremost are characterized by the “Payback Principle,” with vengeance for those crossing him or his “teamâ€, even; it seems, to the point of breaking the law. Second, the Harrell “team’s†paranoia manifests itself as extreme political cowardice, and an almost pathological refusal to admit error and Constitutional wrongdoing. By comparison, the RINO’s and anti-transparency supporters’ fixation with secrecy seems merely idiosyncratic.
By Frank on December 12th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Let’s start a list of Represenatives & Senators who abuse their power. I would like to start off with Senator Jake Knotts of Lexington County. This man is the poster boy of two face politics. When playing both side, he acts like he supports one party while going to the other party and letting them know their information and then turns around does the same to the other party. In the end, he drains both parties for what he can get out of them. Without Recorded voting being enforced, he and others alike can do this all day long with no one being aware of these kind of tactics.
I say to Nikki and Nathan and all supporters of them to keep the pressure on politicians that fight hard to keep their vote from being recorded so that they are held accountable and make them commit to an issue one way or the other. It is time the two faced politics ends.
By BIN News Editorial Staff on December 12th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Wh@t a typic@l willie sc@m. We dem@nd a roll c@ll vote of Dutch Fork students.
Never in the history of sic(k) willie’s p@thetic little porn site h@s he h@d such a flood of f@ke posts cl@iming to be students. Wh@t a sc@m.
H@ley and B@llentine should be @sh@med. They must be p@ying sic(k) willie for him to get @n exclusive picture. Th@t m@kes them @ p@rt of the sc@m.
BIN News Editorial
Flair and Blance
By GetBusy@BIN on December 12th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
I dedicate this one to you, BIN:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhcQG_KItZM
Diagnosis @ 2.17 : no filter in the brain.
By reggie on December 12th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Wow bin, i thought we adressed your need for attention awhile ago. Or should i say @while @go. “look, im so desperate for attention th@t i use the @ sign for @ttention bec@use my d@d be@ts me when he gets home from the b@r @nd cries himself to sleep.”
Anyway, i dare you to recall the post when Will first educated our st@tes finest students. Check your f@cts before you mess with us foxes. “@@@@@@@ everone notice meeee!!!!!!!”
By Gillon on December 12th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Reggie, You pose a very good question. I would be interested in what you think the answer might be. (Hint: Maybe if more SC schools had student bodies that were largely white, middle-class from two-parent, supportive households and were located in affluent school districts that are known for their outstanding teachers and strong support of public schools?) Compare the demographics of schools with low graduation rates with those of Dutch Fork and see what you come up with. Think man…
By Furman on December 12th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
hey to all of you who are thinking this is a scam shut the hell up my class and i really wrote these today and posted this so BIN news ediroial staf you can take your BS calls and shove tham and stop t@lking like th@t its @noying. geeze the people they let work these days and to gen longstreet were ms.paynes current issues class and proud of it!
By Cadetsuperintendent on December 12th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
The way she is looking at him kinda of reminds me
of the way Moncia looked at Bill. What in the world
could be goning on between those two?
By reggie on December 12th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Gillon,
Good point, but race has nothing to do with it. True the demographic at DFHS is 75% white, but chapin is 99.9% white and apparently our SAT scores are higher last time i checked.
Nope my friend, race is not the problem. Instead, it is the standards that we set for the students thats the problem. We have set our standards SO low in fact that we make Sarah Palin look like friggin James Watson, who is the scientist that discovered the structure of DNA. But of corse, me being one of those black student with parents, i shouldnt know that.
Maybe if people like you who grope about the school system yet fail to do anything about it ACTUALLY did something, it would be different.
So try this, get off your ass and help one of those kids get a better education. Maybe Ms. Payne can help because she not only complains about the poor graduation rate, she does something about it.
I can assure you that you can help change this statistic, but you like to complain.
By James the Foot Soldier on December 12th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Gillon – are you saying that black children aren’t capable? That a child in a one parent home is not capable? That children in a lower economic strata aren’t capable?
You racist condescending F***-wad.
Perhaps if educrats spend less time rationalizing their failure and begin byexpecting more from these children you’ll find their cranial capacity is NO different than those in the DF cluster.
How do I know this? My sister took inner city, broken home, non-white middle schoolers in Austin, Texas to national math competitions in Washington D.C….and WON.
By James the Foot Soldier on December 12th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
General, one of Mrs. Payne’s students is my oldest son. Rest assured sir, his aim is true.
By BIN News Editorial Staff on December 13th, 2008 at 3:58 am
The BIN News Editorial Staff is enroute to another worldwind speaking tour in Europe. Our staff works (probono) very hard with leaders of the Euro’pee’in Union to overcome the dis@bilit@ting effects of the US economic meltdown.
When we arrive in the Netherlands, how should we explain sic(k) willie’s keen interest in Dutch Fork High. He seems to focus like a laser beam there. Why?
We all know he is a pervert, but this suggests/confirms something more.
BIN News Editorial Sraff
Jet Lagged Again, but Always
Flair and Balanced
By Gene E. Nowak on December 13th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Every discussion about the poor SC Public Educatiob Systen should begin with and end with this thought by James the Foot Soldier in his earlier post:
“Perhaps if educrats spend less time rationalizing their failure and begin byexpecting more from these children you’ll find their cranial capacity is NO different than those in the DF cluster.”
By Gillon on December 13th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Reggie, I would first of all suggest that if you are going to present a cogent argument, that you brush up on your spelling and punctuation. To wit; “True’ should have a comma after it; “thats” should have an apostrophe; “corse” is spelled “course”; “shouldnt” has an apostrophe; “grope” is spelled “gripe” That’s five errors in five paragraphs. Also, never use profanity when making an argument. As someone once said, it’s simply “a strong way of expressing a weak mind.” It is also a good idea to get your facts right. Your racial breakdown for the two schools is way off the mark. Also, my reference to demographics and academic achievement was in no way racist, nor am I. (see James above) If you will check SAT results, which unfortunately and all too often are used as the major barometer of academic achievement, you will find that there is a direct correlation between demographics and test scores.(FITS for one likes to cite SAT scores in his arguments against public schools) Why do you think that private school students score higher? It’s not that their teachers are better or that their students are innately more intelligent. And finally, I have and continue to do something “to help kids get a better education.” I taught 28 years in the public schools of SC–a number of them in the the so-called “Corridor of Shame” and also a number in your own School District Five. And frankly young man, judging by the quality and content of your writing, you would not have measured up to the high standards(that you you speak of as a “problem”)that I would have set for a passing grade on an essay in any school that I taught in–”Corridor of Shame” or School District Five.
By James the Foot Soldier on December 13th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
BIN – if you’ve ever been to Mrs. Payne’s room you might understand – of course, she doesn’t invite flunkies like you so you’ll never know the “rest of the story!”
Those of us here in God’s Country are damn proud of the work Mr. Ballentine does representing our district and trying to bring some sanity to Harrell’s house. Too bad he didn’t run against linsdey, Nathan would have kicked her ass, just like he knocked off one of the biggest twits in the house a few years ago – daddy Quinn’s boy.
Oh, one last thing BIN, good luck with you socialism tour, kindly tell them we’ve had enough!
By reggie on December 13th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Well Gillon, your mom was too busy screaming while i was typing on my ipod, that generally makes too many spelling corrections and i assume i am too lazy to actually care about grammar.
According to my schedule, it appears that i am in two college level classes, as well as six honors level classes. You must be so upset that a black boy stole little white susie’s seat in those classes that youll play the race card again.
As ive stated, if you were such a great teacher, then the “corridors of shame” shool would be a much better place.
Look, you dont have to hate on my outstanding achedemica, appreation is just as good.
You only play the race card and the “well ive taught kids from all types of situations” card because you havent met me yet.
Why dont you take enough time to get your head out your racist ass enough to realize that i won this argument a couple of comments back. You just cant handle gettong beat by a black kid that reads on a collegit level, has filled a passport, and is also able to speak proper english. Admit it.
As for profanity, i dont give a shit.
By Extra Point on December 13th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
What kind of teacher sends her school children to a website that promotes smut? I say, shame on Ms. Payne for exploiting her children for Nathan and Nikki, and shame for sending them to this website to do that.
Teach civics, don’t let your class be a sounding board for two pissed off legislators who are trying to climb the ladder. They don’t care about this stuff, they’re just looking for a way to make headlines.
By reggie on December 13th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Extra Point,
you must be one of those soccer moms who protect their children from every little thing. that may be why your kids wont be anywhere near as athletic or interesting as my pinkie finger.
Ms. Payne should be applauded for exposing her students to the actual news. not once have i seen this covered on WIS. i mean, these students range form ages 14-19 and im pretty sure that they are able to filter out what they think is wrong or right.
oh, you may want to run outside before your son Johnny scrapes himself on a blade of grass and cries his way home.
By Jeremy Wilson on December 14th, 2008 at 2:21 am
Extra Point,
Ms. Payne didn’t force us to do this, we had a choice. I’m at home on my own computer coming on this website to look at news and look at this story.
By HP on December 14th, 2008 at 4:25 pm
Extra point, in all due respect, there is nothing here that doesn’t also jump out and pollute them at the mall, on television, on the radio, on billboards, in textbooks, you name it.
By Paige on December 14th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Thank you for coming in and talking to our class it was so cool to hear them talk and to know that they are not going to give up on what they think.
By Terah on December 15th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
When hearing about representative Ballentine and Haley’s problem, it came to me as an unfair matter. I learned about the roll-call voting when Ballentine and Haley came to Ms. Payne’s class last Thursday. I had no clue that this type of voting was done this way. If South Carolina is one of the only states still voting this way, it’s sad. Something should be done about this…quick. On the good note, I think representative Ballentine and Haley for taking the time out to come to Dutch Fork High School and give their wonderful speeches. The representatives did a great job with their responses on the questions.
By Alex on December 15th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
I would like to thank Nikki and Nathan for coming to my class to talk to us in DFHS. They gave a lot of information about the transparency bill and how it was changed. I took the Alive @ 25 and it’s a good course. Everybody should take it, not just students and teens. Nathan supports it because he walked in the Okra Strut with DFHS.
By Madi(: on December 15th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
In taking current issues, I have learned a lot about the government and this state. I started to become more aware and interested in the things around me. Hopefully when I have more time I’ll be able to do more things through interact. I hope to do a lot throughout the rest of high school.
By Zack on December 15th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
First, I want to thank Rep. Nikki Haley and Rep. Nathan Ballentine for coming into our class and speaking with us about what happened. I’m planning to take the Alive @ 25 course this year if not, then I’m going to take it next spring or next summer. I know Nathan Ballentine supports Alive @ 25 because he walked with Dutch Fork High School Students in the 2008 Okra Strut.
By Katelyn on December 15th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
thank you guys so much for coming into our class to talk with us about the problems in the State House. It made me realize how real and wrong the entire situation was. It brought politics more to life than it already was and just reall impacted me. The Transparency issue really needs to be resolved and after hearing you speak about it I can more crealy afree with you. This state needs to come clean and be more open to the public if it wants to function well and properly. With lies and hidden truths only negatively outcomes will come forth.
By Ashley on December 15th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
First off, I would like to say that I fully appreciated Rep. Nathan Ballentine and Rep. Nikki Haley for taking time out there busy schedules to come talk to my current issues class about today’s politics. I learned a lot about what’s going on in South Carolina. I also learned that you sometimes get knocked down for what you believe in, but you got to get right back up and hold your head up high. Also as Reps Nikki and Nathan say “Follow Your Heart.â€
By jacob hawkins on December 15th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
i learned that rep.nathan likes to blog and play golf. rep.haley likes to hangout with family and go to the beach. then i learnd that they lead 33,000 people and a role call vote is you yell out what you want to vote for and the head hancho says whitch one wins and it dosent get put in the books.
By kelly on December 15th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
By having Nathan and Nikki come talk to us and answer our questions i learned a lot more about roll call voting and transparency. I was surprised to learn that if the representatives aren’t present at the time of the vote, their vote is automatically recorded as a yes. That didn’t make much sense to me. I asked Nikki and Nathan “Why should people care about this issue of recorded votes?” And they told me we should care so that we, as constituents can be educated when casting our votes. I’m glad they were able to take time out of their busy schedules to come and talk to our class.
By Alex on December 15th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Last week, Representative Ballentine and Haley came to speak with my Current Issues class. Before they came, my class had been talking about the issue the happened recently in the State House. I was appalled by the situation. Ballentine and Haley went in depth to help us understand what really happened. I really appreciated the time they spent out of their busy schedule to come and talk with my class. It was a great opportunity to meet Representative Nathan Ballentine and Nikki Haley. I enjoyed listening to my peers and I ask questions. They were willing to answer anything that we had to ask. I also appreciate you to write blogs about our class. They definitely get read in out class! Thank you.
By Mjaan Roland on December 15th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
In my current issues class with Ms. Payne I’ve learned that politics can be very complicated at times and the people that have to deal with it can have a hard time sometimes also. I’ve learned that politics is very important and we need it to help our world run properly.
By Trevor of DFHS on December 15th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Mrs. Payne is sure to teach us on what’s happening everyday thoroughly in the news. Our interest in current events is fed by Mrs. Payne’s eagerness to inform us on everything, with no sugar coating. I’m personally not involved with the Alive@25 program, but I, along with the rest of my classmates, most certainly support Mrs. Payne and all of the students participating in it. The things they do are setting a strong foundation for the improving of our future society.
By Will on December 15th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
It was a great pleasure to have Representative Ballentine and Representative Haley to come speak to our class. They were very knowledgable and were able to answer all of the questions that we had on transparency and what exactly happened to them. It was good to hear that both Mr. Ballentine and Mrs. Haley aren’t totally out of the loop. They both care alot about our state and the people they represent
By Alysia-DFHS on December 15th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Thank you for writing this article. As a student at Dutch Fork, or more importantly a student of Ms. Payne, I think that it is vital to work towards what you believe in no matter what the cost. That is why I have been so supportive of this transparency issue. By joining clubs like interact, doing alive @ 25, taking current issues, and going to rotary, I have learned so much in such a short time. When I began this school year I didn’t know squat about politics. Ms. Payne’s class really opened my eyes to a new word (forgive the cliché) and so did reading your articles on FITSNEWS. Now, I can better understand these current issues in a fun way. Thanks again for this article, we try to make a difference in every way we can.
By Travis on December 15th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
During the past few years I have learned a lot of things in current issues with the help of Mrs. Payne. She shares with us about the current events that are going on today. She let us meet famous people like Rep. Nathan Ballentine, a Republican that is trying to get his point for Transparency in our state. I love this class because we also study current medical breakthroughs in science like brain cancer research.
By Kirsten on December 15th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
It seems like “the system†is structured so that you’ll have a hard time winning the Transparency issue. House leadership has all the leverage in being able to influence its members with committee assignments, seating in the chamber, office space assignments, invitations to participate in prestigious things like joint meetings, press conferences, bill signing, and travel. Although the system is quite flawed here in SC, I am very happy to find that some of our legislators are fighting it for the benefit of their constituents. Thanks to Rep. Ballentine and Rep. Haley for being those necessary fighters on the issue of government transparency and for visiting DFHS to teach my class even more on the issue.
By Adrienne on December 15th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Nikki Haley and Nathan Ballentine taught me a lot about transparency. Many people don’t even realize that they aren’t able to see how their reps. are voting on certain topics. Both reps. were very kind and handled my questions well. It is pretty bad if our reps. are ashamed to let their constituents see how they are voting behind closed doors. I am still a slight bit confused on how the HIGH and MIGHTY Bobby Harrel was able to get away with his devious acts but I have no worries because what he does in the dark shall come to the light soon enough.
By Current Issues Observer on December 16th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Why does our House leader love the concept of mob rule?
By Olivia DFHS senior on December 16th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Not only do I agree with 100% on the record voting, I also believe that our Legislatures should make a taxpayer’s addendum as a required addition to every law. My class discussed how this could further increase fiscal transparency. Every time a legislature co-sponsors a spending bill, they would be obliged to affix their signature to an addendum reading:
I __________________ , in sponsoring/co-sponsoring this bill, do hereby affirm that I believe it is more important that the South Carolina government seize the money appropriated herin from the taxpayers to fund this bill, than to allow the taxpayers who actually earned this money to retain it for their own needs.
Seriously, every time a member of the Legislature votes to spend one dollar of taxpayer funds, that member is in essence saying that the South Carolina government has a greater need for that money than did the person who earned it.
By What I took away from this.... on December 16th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
A wise person once said, “The cause is everything, the credit is expendableâ€. The thing that resonated with me the most about the time we got to spend with Reps Haley and Ballentine last week was that they really just want this cause to pass and aren’t worried about who gets the “credit” for it at the end of the day. Rep. Haley said that if someone else wants to “claim” the fame when it passes she doesn’t care; as long as it the public can have complete access to how their Legislators have voted!
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