Props For Bobby
Yeah, you read that right.
We rarely do this, but we’re giving S.C. House Speaker Bobby Harrell some credit today for honoring his word and stopping by a Midlands area classroom made famous by its amazing teacher, Kelly Payne, and a group of students whose comprehension of S.C. politics rivals that of a lot of people who do this for a living.
And while we could pick apart the veracity of several things Speaker Harrell said to the students at Dutch Fork High School – like calling George W. Bush “one of the most conservative presidents in the history of our country” – that would be missing the point.
Anybody who takes the time to visit with our young people like this deserves props.
That’s why we’re resisting a particularly clever “even though” sentence right now.
Seriously, it was good of Bobby to do this … and the fact he did is good for Ms. Payne and the kids at Dutch Fork, who have successfully turned her classroom into a forum for some of South Carolina’s most notable elected officials and politicos.
Keep it up, Kelly!
Comments
By surprised on January 16th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Has she had Mark Sanford speak to her students? It must be great to have a teacher like this.
Thank you to DFHS for educating our kids so well. Thank you to officials like Mr. Harell for caring so much. Thank you to Mrs. Payne her your ingenuity and effectiveness.
By observer on January 16th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Thanks, Will. Knowing that you and the Speaker don’t always see eye to eye, the style and tone of your post was most impressive. What a great school DFHS is! And Kelly Payne really is a fantastic teacher!
By Workin' Tommy C on January 16th, 2009 at 9:36 am
He said that about Bush????
If he meant it, he’s got a severe IQ deficit.
To give him the benefit of a doubt as to his IQ, I would instead guess that he’s cynically promoting himself and the party AS IF they are conservative when they’re not.
By Mincing Words on January 16th, 2009 at 9:53 am
Sic, you know because you’ve been there: Is this what high-schoolers look like when they are paying attention? What do they look like when they aren’t? Lying on the floor in a puddle of their own slobber?
Thank God for teachers like Kelly, and all of the rest of them!
By lou on January 16th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Interesting he wants to preserve his reputation don’tya think?
By johnnie cool on January 16th, 2009 at 10:12 am
yo will…..not every black dude in a green shirt is reggie…..kinda like not every white dude in a football jersey is will!!!!! lol, dude
By Thank You ! DFHS Current Issues students on January 16th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Mr. Speaker, thank you so much for honoring our class by speaking to us today. We know that you’re a very busy and influential person. You’ve helped make the political process come alive for us by being here today. Thank you for your public service to all the citizens of our state.
By CIVICS LESSONS LEARNED on January 16th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Proud To Be A South Carolinian……REALLY.. Thank you to our Legislatures who did the right thing. Peoples voices can be heard!
The Spending Accountability Resolution that passed will now require votes on the record for all of the following:
* Every second reading of a bill (where debate occurs)
* All amended 3rd readings (Final passage of a bill)
* All conference committee reports (when the House and Senate compromise)
* all Senate amendments (bills that are amended from the Senate that come back for approval)
* every section of the budget where just one legislator calls the question (asked for a recorded vote.)
The Spending Accountability Resolution that passed will now require votes on the record for all of the following:
* Every second reading of a bill (where debate occurs)
* All amended 3rd readings (Final passage of a bill)
* All conference committee reports (when the House and Senate compromise)
* all Senate amendments (bills that are amended from the Senate that come back for approval)
* every section of the budget where just one legislator calls the question (asked for a recorded vote.)
The State of South Carolina will now be able to see a full record of how each House member voted or virtually every significant piece of legislation that is debated. The Senate passed a rule that will increase the level of recorded votes in their chamber as well.
Here’s a summary of the Senate’s rule change taken from a Senate-produced press release:
All contested bills
All uncontested bills with a fiscal impact over $10,000
All bills or resolutions authorizing the expenditure of funds
All bills or resolutions that contain provisions that would create a fee or tax, raise the amount of an existing fee or tax, or reduce an existing fee or tax
The state budget
All bills or resolutions that impact the pay, benefits or retirement of members of the General Assembly, the Executive Branch, the Judicial Branch or the provisions of the Ethics Act or the Campaign Finance Act.
Amendments to the South Carolina Constitution
Any state or congressional reapportionment plan
Conference and free conference reports
Any vote to override the Governor’s veto
Any amended bill returned by the State House
The State of South Carolina will now be able to see a full record of how each House member voted or virtually every significant piece of legislation that is debated. The Senate passed a rule that will increase the level of recorded votes in their chamber as well.
Here’s a summary of the Senate’s rule change taken from a Senate-produced press release:
All contested bills
All uncontested bills with a fiscal impact over $10,000
All bills or resolutions authorizing the expenditure of funds
All bills or resolutions that contain provisions that would create a fee or tax, raise the amount of an existing fee or tax, or reduce an existing fee or tax
The state budget
All bills or resolutions that impact the pay, benefits or retirement of members of the General Assembly, the Executive Branch, the Judicial Branch or the provisions of the Ethics Act or the Campaign Finance Act.
Amendments to the South Carolina Constitution
Any state or congressional reapportionment plan
Conference and free conference reports
Any vote to override the Governor’s veto
Any amended bill returned by the State House
By CALLING WILL on January 16th, 2009 at 11:16 am
While we really admired Reps. Ballentine and Haley taking their time to come visit our class and standing up for an issue that they believed in, and we think Mr. Eckstrom is actually funny (even for an accountant) and can relate well to young people by explaining why our state needs to stick to their budget and not overspend, and the whole “financial on-line transparency” thing makes total sense…. Having Speaker Harrel in yesterday was a BLAST. We respect him for taking the time to talk to us when he isn’t even our district Rep. Plus he explained the way he thought our state should improve our system of education in SC. What we would really like is for Mr. Folks to come back and speak to us. He is witty, an awesome writer, and knows all the “In” politicos in our State. He hasn’t been able to make it out to our school this year. The Bond Ref. passed…can’t he come back now?
By Workin' Tommy C on January 16th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
CIVICS LESSONS LEARNED, what’s wrong with ALL votes on bills being recorded????
DO NOT LET YOURSELVES BE FOOLED! Politicians are not there for us in most cases and we must forever be on our guard against their corruption. This generation that will be voting soon should, of all voters, be especially cynical of political correctness, doublespeak, undeclared wars, fascist corporate bail-outs, and all the other unconstitutional actions being done to (not for) you by politicians.
By Asheton on January 16th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
There are a variety of actions you can take to support the teaching of civics in our schools. Whatever your stage in life, there are definite things everyone can do. Our schools should continue to support the study of America’s history and institutions at every level, primary, secondary, and higher educations. People should talk to family, friends, and associates about the important themes related to civic learning. And you should take the time to get involved in your community and VOTE! A special thanks to Bobby Harrell, Mayor Gibbons, Nathan Ballentine, Nikki Haley, and Richard Eckstrom for reaching out to us!
By BIN News Editorial Staff on January 16th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Hey, sic(k) willie, how about props for the dedicated staff here as BIN News Headquarters! It was our suggestion (made exclusively on your little porn site) that Ms. Payne show flair and balance by inviting The Speaker.
And a big thanks to Ms. Payne! Here’s another suggestion.
How about invite the Midlands’ elected official who sic(k) willie claims has a Strom problem to visit your class? Or, has he already visited?
BIN News Editorial Staff
Always Making a Difference
Get in touch with sic(k) willie for contact information on him.
By BIN News Editorial Staff on January 16th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
And how could we possibly forget to thank The Speaker for his courage in walking into the lion’s den. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
After all of sic(k) willie’s blather about Ms. Payne it is pretty clear The Speaker was playing against a “stacked deck.” Ouch, no pun intended. :)
No reference was intended to the tacky comment from “Almond Joy’s Got Nuts” posted here:
http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/01/07/kelly-payne-is-just-because/
BIN News Editorial Staff
Flair and Balanced
By Mab on January 16th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
BIN — What about that pit of vipers @ the State House?!?
By Thankful father on January 17th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
This lady is such a class act. She deserves more classy readers than some who’ve posted here. It’s obvious that she loves encouraging her students to follow current issues. Our state is such a better place because of competent, caring, and committed teachers like her. Thank you, Will, for letting us know about real people like this. Very uplifting!
By Workin' Tommy C on January 18th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Thankful father: DON’T SWALLOW THE KOOL-AID!
Our FOUNDING FATHERS were as cynical as I and some others are of politicians and their intentions. They’d be disgusted by the apathy and ignorance of most of our population. Those with IQs under a hundred can be forgiven. Those who should know better can not be.
Politicians are not to be lionized, they are to be closely examined and challenged for their actions or lack thereof. Bobby Harrell and his resistance to full transparency should be setting off alarms for those who are properly cynical rather than blindly trusting.
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