By FITSNews || First of all, where to start with that picture …
Do we make fun of the lady with the afro on the far left? Or what about the “Chester Molester” dude on the far right giving the “elbow tickle” to that “It’s Pat” wanna-be in the shrimp-colored polo shirt? Oh … and check out those sassy pink Capri pants on the “babe” in the middle, people.
Va va voom …
Anyway, as much as we’d love to have some more fun with the lovely crew at this Advance America ribbon cutting (circa 1990), we’ve got more pressing (and recent) business further up the food chain – namely with two former (?) Advance America honchos who are currently running for mayor of Columbia, S.C.
Now don’t get us wrong, we’ve got nothing against payday lenders. In fact, we’ve exposed and aggressively rebuked over a dozen S.C. lawyer-legislators who unfairly sought to target this industry in an effort to pad their own pockets. But irrespective of where we stand on this issue, one thing we cannot abide by is hypocrisy among our would-be leaders (or double standards on the part of the “unbiased” media who cover them).
Take, for example, the two big shot Columbia S.C. attorneys who made beaucoup money off of payday lending – but who are now tripping over each other to distance themselves from the controversial industry.
One of these lawyers, Steve Morrison, has chosen to handle his “payday problem” in a fairly simple manner (and one that’s consistent with his unethical past).
Bottom line? He flat out lied about it.
The other lawyer in the race, Steve Benjamin, has employed more of a “rope-a-dope” approach, promising to step down from any board or commission that has business before the city – including payday lenders. In fact, after promising to do so months ago, Benjamin finally stepped down from Advance America’s board on March 15.
Of course both attorneys have broader sunshine issues in our book, which is one reason we’re encouraging voters to look at candidates who aren’t quite so “conflicted.” Candidates like Kirkman Finlay III or local businessman Joe Azar.
Anyway, whoever you’re supporting in that race you be wise not to count on La Socialista – a.k.a. The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper – if you want accurate info about the upcoming election.
In a story about the race Monday, La Socialista claimed that Morrison (its preferred candidate) had “since January … raised more than $107,000, beating quarterly fund-raising records set by Finlay and Benjamin.”
That would have been accurate, of course, had Finlay not reported raising $121,400 since January.
The paper later removed the reference from its online editions …
By Tom March 29, 2010 at 3:54 pm
You forgot to mention that “the State” has pretty much reduced its coverage of the election to only the three “front runners”, aka those who have raised lots of money. Consequently four of the seven candidates have been all but ignored by the paper and a lot of the local media. I find this disgusting.
By Todd March 29, 2010 at 4:43 pm
I agree with Tom and you, Sic. The State has done a terrible job of “objectively” covering this election. Either Azar or Finlay. Morrison and Benjamin are too saturated with the culture of acceptable corruption so prevalent in our city hall.
By south mauldin March 29, 2010 at 6:19 pm
Azar??? Are you kidding me? Azar?
Finlay might be the only Republican I ever vote for. I like Benjamin but the payday lending issue is his albatross, along with his shaky accounting on the city budgeting of the future. I also like the young guy, Aaron Johnson (sp?), with the 1870s facial hair and a lot of energy.
By vicupstate March 29, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Azar cannot be taken seriously. He has run for council/mayor about a dozen times, getting clobbered each time. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result. I rest my case on that.
Columbia has been grossly mismanaged for about 8 years. Finlay’s ‘tough love’ fiscal management is needed to prevent a major financial embarassment that could easily happen.
By Aaron Johnson March 29, 2010 at 7:47 pm
I like you, too, Mauldin! Feel free to check out our website:
http://www.aarongrant2010.com
And you’re always welcome to stop by my office at 936 Harden Street if you want to chat and ask questions about our campaign. Also please look into Grant Robertson for the at-large seat, who would have tremendously greater financial discipline than incumbent Tameika Devine.
By mohanna March 29, 2010 at 8:03 pm
I’m surprised anyone who reads this also reads the State. I haven’t read the State Newspaper since (and I date myself here) the Columbia Afternoon Paper went under.
By Lee Griggs March 29, 2010 at 8:06 pm
I swear Sic, every time I get ready to stop reading your stuff you come up with something new and worth reading. Wish I had more to do with the politics in your arena but then I am glad I don’t. Working with upstate people is bad enough. Keep up the good work on Morrison and Benjamin. From my reading and listening, Azar makes more sense to me than all the rest. And, you are right, The State is lousy. I quit reading it long ago.
By Scooter March 29, 2010 at 8:32 pm
I absolutely hate pay day lenders and their sister, car title lenders. They have ruined many people with their 300% charges. They need to be run out of town. On a broom for all I care. But, I like eveything else about Morrison. And I can’t vote for anyone who gave comfort to Bush.
By Tom Poland March 29, 2010 at 8:46 pm
Why do any of you care what the State has to say? It’s as thin as a cheap tissue.
By Glenn Oster March 30, 2010 at 10:40 am
I like Azar, and his philosophy for and dedication to the City of Columbia. The only reason he has not been taken seriously in the past is because he has not been “one of the top fundraisers”. Because of his longtime interest in the politics of the city, he intimately understands the many issues that face Columbia. I have personally worked with Joe in some community initiatives, and have seen his commitment to making Columbia better. As a longtime friend, I am convinced that Joe has the best interest of the City at heart, and encourage everyone to give him the authority to make the difference that Columbia needs.
By Liberty For Me March 30, 2010 at 10:47 am
I am voting for Finlay…but I will take a closer look at Azar since Vicupstate does not like him,he must be pretty good
By DB March 30, 2010 at 12:11 pm
What everyone needs to remember, is KIRKMAN FINLAY is the best choice for MAYOR…. we have watched our city be mismanaged for too long. Kirkman is the one who finally called out the city’s mismanagement of funds. He will hold people accountable and get the job done. He also has a great vision for the city….. the difference in his vision and the other candidates is the timing. He realizes that financially there is a lot of work to do and first things first…. we have to get the budget back in order to progress our city forward. The other candidates make me laugh at their false promises, they can’t ever explain HOW THEY PLAN TO PAY FOR IT…… If you want a mayor with honor, integrity and financial brilliance, VOTE KIRKMAN FINLAY.
By beetrave March 30, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Just what is Finlay’s position on the usurers? If he wants to let them operate in Columbia, then I hope he also supports opening brothels (other than the state house) and a loosely-regulated medical marijuana storefront at the corner of Harden & Greene.
K-Fin is probably going to get my vote simply because he knows the budget well and would support taking the buzz-saw to city government and get us away from a situation where clerical & admin people make more money than police officers.
By SnakeMD March 30, 2010 at 5:19 pm
I see where Morrison was at the Statehouse yesterday giving his support to a group that was meeting there demonstrating for the removal of the Confederate Flag. I guess he supports the NAACP sports boycott of SC, too? What is next–the removal of the Confederate “terrorist” monument? What a scumbag. It is so obvious he is pandering to particular block of votes. If the South would have won the Civil War all of his “new” supporters would be driving Lee Town Cars instead of Lincolns!