Say what you want about Midlands school superintendent Herb Berg – and we’ve said (and will probably say) plenty – but unlike so many educrats in South Carolina, at least he doesn’t engage in the whole “thought police” repression of views that aren’t in line with the prevailing bureaucratic dogma.
We saw that during his tenure in Kershaw County, and we’re seeing it again now that he’s taken the top job at Lexingon-Richland 5, one of South Carolina’s largest, most successful public school districts – and one that has seen its fair share of FITS-propelled turmoil.
Now don’t get us wrong, we’ve still got ideological differences as well as a legitimate beef with Berg on some of his district’s financial declarations – but we can’t fault him for his approach to the public discourse.
In fact, when it came time for the most controversial man in Palmetto politics (ahem, this guy) to pay a much-anticipated return visit to the state’s most famous classroom/ political forum, the Superintendent made sure the welcome mat was rolled out.
He didn’t have to do that, people, but a lot of his students were sure glad that he did. And so were we.
That’s because Sic Willie was able to spend over two hours last week with teacher Kelly Payne’s current issues class at Dutch Fork High School – a.k.a. the “It Kids.”
Sic kicked off his talk by congratulating Payne and her class, all of whom have become S.C. political celebrities in their own right over the past year.
He then spent the rest of his time answering dozens of questions, including some probing ones about his role as a “journalist,” his controversial method of sourcing his stories and one point-blank inquiry about whether or not he thinks he has “morals.”
Seriously, there were no punches pulled – and while the “It Kids” love Sic Willie, they weren’t about to give him a hall pass on the tough questions.
That’s why they call it the “Den of Payne,” people.
Sic also answered questions from the kids about the “stimulus” showdown, education spending and the structure of state government, as well as several sports and pop culture inquiries, as well.
“This is what every single public school classroom in South Carolina should aspire to,” Sic told them. “I’m proud of each one of you.”
And yes, by popular demand, we do have a picture of Sic and the lovely Miss Payne …
By Pat Hendrix May 4, 2009 at 11:15 am
You dress like that in public? Hee, grown man in a jersey and ball-mat to boot. Awesome.
By Earl Capps May 4, 2009 at 11:53 am
If you think that’s bad, you outta see me with my Hawaiian shirts and Vans checkerboard shoes.
By fitsnews May 4, 2009 at 11:56 am
Hey Pat,
Aren’t you liberals not supposed to judge people based on their appearance?
-FITS
By smart Kid Grant May 4, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Thanks for coming in, we all enjoyed it, and hope that you will come in again soon.
By JBV May 4, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Nice note.
By weighing in May 4, 2009 at 12:53 pm
the only people that should wear jerseys are the athletes themselves….
By Pat Hendrix May 4, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I judge everyone on their appearance. Besides, It’s not like you’re a burn victim or born with a hump. You got up, looked in the closet, picked out a jersey and baseball cap, then proceeded to the bathroom and shaved in a ball-mat. You look like a 16 year-old boy looking for Tupac records at the mall.
By Terah Counts May 4, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Will- You Rock!
By fitsnews May 4, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Pat-
“Looking for Tupac records at the mall?”
Are you white? If so, isn’t that a pretty racist thing to say?
We’re just saying, what would happen if Sic said that about a black teenager?
Wait … we already know. You’d be on here calling him a ‘racist.’
-FITS
P.S. – course (cue piano) we ain’t mad atcha, though, because we love ‘pac.
By Pat Hendrix May 4, 2009 at 3:38 pm
You can recall all the times I’ve called people racist on this board. Let’s see, umm, never. And brother, there are some racist people on this board.
Nevertheless, I figured the Tupac reference said more about my age than my racial sentiments.
Speaking of Pac, this is one the best “innernets” videos of all time:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6701523871555808054
By Sarah May 4, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Thanks for coming and speaking! It was AWESOME!
By friend of a friend. May 4, 2009 at 6:21 pm
You’re visit was definitely one of my favorites. You told us answers that I believe were 100% honest. You established in the beginning of the class that you never tell sources while you’re answers came from a laid-back, quick personality. They didn’t come from someone trying to make himself appear special.
Mrs. Payne had a serioius right to be excited for your visit.
Please come back in future years to see more students. Hopefully they will enjoy your visit as much as all of us did.
Thank you again!
-An “It Kid”
By Rebecca May 4, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Thank you so much for coming in to speak to our class! So far you have been my favorite speaker! I love your thought process too. You didn’t side-step any of our questions (ahem, Slick Willie) and most importantly, you answered them truthfully. Thank you again for coming to speak to our class!
By James the Foot Soldier May 4, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Did you get a chance to ask Dr. Berg about how those enrollment numbers flip-flopped from “growing by leaps and bounds” in October (just prior to the bond referendum) to “growth will be back sooner rather than later” (in the present)??
Surely all those math wizards employed by Dr. Berg can keep an attendance sheet?
By BIN News Editorial Staff May 4, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Some questions about this.
First, sic(k) willie:
Did you give the kids a link to the porn on your blog, and did you get any questions about your Criminal Domestic Violence conviction?
If so, what did you say? If not, why not? It’s important. Did you reveal the Midlands elected official?? Ten words or less in you reply.
Second, Ms. Payne:
Did you tell your students sic(k) willie is a convict? Criminal Domestic Violence? Why or why not? And, do you allow your students to surf the porn on sic(k) willie’s blog? If so, why? If not, why not?
Last, Kelly, but not least, why ohhh why is sic(k) willie pimping you?
Please reply it eleventy kabillion words or less.
Make sure its Times Roman. 12 Point. One inch margins all around.
Last: sic(k) willie? When will we see you visit a Richland One School?
How about you visiting a school in Dillon County?
By BIN News Editorial Staff May 4, 2009 at 11:34 pm
James the Foot Fungus. Always the ex-spert. No experience. No skills.
But always full of himself. Like a boil or a foot fungus.
By Jacob Hawkins May 5, 2009 at 8:12 am
Hey Bin maybe Will is not the Obsessed one over Mrs. Payne maybe it’s you. You’re always ragging on her. I mean maybe you are obsessed with Will, I’m not the judge of how you roll.
By Stewart Ryall May 5, 2009 at 8:26 am
I would like to thank sic willie for coming to ms. Payne’s class. I know how much it means to her, and all of us (her students). Every one agrees that he did a great job. So I just want to send my thanks to him. And I can’t wait untill I get to see him again.
By J Horton May 5, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Thank you Sic Willy for coming to our class.
He was great and I learned a lot from him.
By James the Foot Soldier May 5, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Poor bin crying like a little girl just because her beloved education establishment is asked a simple question.
Wouldn’t knowing how many students a given classroom has seem to be a basic requirement for teaching that class let alone receiving state funds?
Hyping enrollment “growth” that is acutally declining was Irmo’s very own version of voter fraud…one that I have to repay for the next 20 fukin years.
So bin – you ignorant slut – how about if you put your crack investigative journalism skills to work and get me the answer to my question.
By Jeremy J May 6, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Thanks for coming in and speaking with our class. It was nice to talk about some sports instead of all politics. I also think that you were our best speaker yet.
By Brittany May 7, 2009 at 8:47 am
Thank you for coming and visiting our class. You have been my favorite speaker so far, and you answered all of our questions. Thanks :)
By Aaron May 7, 2009 at 10:36 am
Thanks for coming and speaking to our class. I was absent that day and what I hear from everyone who was there makes me sorry i missed it.
By Claire May 7, 2009 at 1:01 pm
I am not currently in Mrs. Payne’s current issues class. Even thotugh im not we still talk about all the new political issues and all the speakers that come in my global studies class. I love hearing about all the speakers and having sic willie come in and speak to them was an honor and I know they really enjoyed it so thanks!
By colton May 7, 2009 at 2:14 pm
i enjoyed your informing visit to our class.I also loved the energy and humor that you contributed.Our sports conversations happened to be a similar interest to me and helped build a connection.I cant wait to read your future stories. Keep up the good work.
By Reginald T May 7, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Thank you for coming to visit our class at dutch fork high school. You are very energetic and fun to listen to. You really got our attention by not only telling us about your job but also informing us about sports. EVERYONE LOVES SPORTS!! but thank you again for coming to our class and i hope you come again soon.
By Rftatylor May 7, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Thanks for visiting our class! It was really fun listening to you and hearing your opinion on different subjects. Awesome jersey by the way. Feel free to visit anytime.
By Nick May 7, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Thank you for cumin to Mrs. Payne class. It was fun listening to you.I hope u can cum again
By mike May 7, 2009 at 2:31 pm
thank tou for coming in our class and telling us bout the economy and other issues.i really enjoyed that and i hope you come back soon.
GO Celtics
By nate May 7, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Thanks for takeing your time and comeing to our class i enjoyed everthing you talked to us about i agree with alot of what you said. I hope you can come back again and i can talk to you about stuff because i didnt when you can to class. Thanks again for your time
By mystery journalist. May 7, 2009 at 6:29 pm
ahhh BIN. is this all that you do? sit on your ass and wait for the perfect moment to get revenge on Sick Willie? personally, i think you’re just jealous of willie’s popularity, his new radio show, his momentum– everything. all you try to do is bring up the negative to take him down. are you so stupid that you don’t realize that no body (especially Sick Willie) cares what you have to say? Your ideas are like a bi-polar, immature, 7yr old boy. You’re also easy to figure out, in case you haven’t noticed, “BIN Editorial Staff.”
and by the way,
i have been watching you.
I know who you are.
—Mystery Journalist
By Brittany E. May 7, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Thank you soooo much for speaking to our class Mr. Sic Willie.
You were my favooorite, out of everyone we’ve had.
You touched on important topics but kept a sense of humor & had everyone interested.
Plus Your drawing was waaaaay better than that other guys :)
Thanks for coming !
By BIN News Editorial Staff May 8, 2009 at 11:48 pm
sic(k) willie, are the “kids” who seem to be posting here doing it from the classroom, and are they accessing this post:
http://www.fitsnews.com/2009/05/08/rihanna-nude-pics-leaked/#comments
Mystery Journalist, BIN NEWS just increased the voltage on the fence around our office complex to eleventy brazillion volts. And we let all BIN News staff put a high voltage fence around their homes at company expense.
Be careful with your threats, bubba.
By Kandise M May 12, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Thank you so much for coming in and speaking to our class. I really enjoyed what you had to say and how you gave your honest opinoins.Hope to see you soon.
O yea and you were really funny!