Local black leaders react to Moore

September 26, 2006

By JOSEPH BUTLER
Index-Journal intern

Since the NAACP initiated a boycott of South Carolina in 2000 over the Confederate flag flying on Statehouse grounds, the organization has had its candidates forums out of state.
This year’s forum will be on Oct. 12, in Augusta, Ga., but it’s already stirring up another controversy of its own.
State Sen. Tommy Moore, the Democratic candidate for governor, has decided not to participate, while Gov. Mark Sanford has accepted the invitation.
According to a recent story published in The State, Lonnie Randolf, president of the S.C. chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said that Moore is disrespecting black voters by not attending and believes his decision might cost him the support of black voters.
Chris Carpenter, Moore’s campaign manager, said in a letter to Randolf that it was not appropriate to discuss South Carolina issues outside of the state, according to the same article.
Greenwood Mayor Floyd Nicholson, who supports Moore, said he assumes Moore has “viable reasons” for his decision but can’t say what effect it will have on the election. Black voters are beginning to change, Nicholson said. They are not just looking at what party a candidate is, but are looking at the individual.
“I’m looking at his (Moore’s) platform,” Nicholson said, “but I don’t want him to shun or disrespect any group.”
County Council member Edith Childs agrees with Moore’s decision. “It doesn’t make sense to go to Georgia to discuss South Carolina issues,” Childs said. “I support the NAACP, always have, but not on this issue.” Childs said she doesn’t believe the decision will have any affect on black voters.
“Black people will understand what is taking place,” Childs said. “They will know the decision by Tommy Moore was (reasonable).” Another County Council member, Gonza Bryant, said he agrees that South Carolina issues should be discussed in South Carolina, but he also thinks that the boycott is a serious issue that should be discussed.

Anita Bryant Hamilton

DETROIT — Anita Bryant Hamilton, 44, of 20121 Ardmore Road, Detroit, wife of Andrac Hamilton, died Friday, September 22, 2006 at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. She was a daughter of Mary Emma Bryant and the late Ulysses Bryant. The family is at the home. Fields Funeral is in charge. Courtesy of Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc.

Laura Cothran Mitchell

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Laura Cothran Mitchell, 89, widow of Caleb Mitchell, died Monday, Sept. 18, 2006 at the Episcopal Church Home.
The family is at the home of Queen Cothran, 587 Old Chappelle Ferry Road, Johnston, S.C.
Butler & Sons Funeral Home, Saluda, S.C., is in charge.

S.C. State’s Buddy Pough helps honor local athletes

September 26, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

Football fans in the Lakelands area got an early-week pigskin fix Monday night.
The Greenwood Touchdown Club gathered Monday at the Greenwood Country Club for its third meeting of the year. South Carolina State University head coach Buddy Pough was the keynote speaker, as the club honored four local players for outstanding achievement in high school football.
Greenwood’s Zach Norman and Abbeville’s Toquavius Gilchrist were honored for recent offensive performances. Norman carried the ball seven times for 69 yards and two touchdowns in Greenwood’s 27-7 win over Spartanburg.
Meanwhile, Gilchrist was honored for racking up 324 yards and two touchdowns in the Panthers’ 21-6 victory at Pendleton.
On the defensive side, Abbeville and Greenwood grabbed another pair of honors.
Abbeville linebacker Demarky Paul was honored for making 11 tackles, including five for loss, in Abbeville’s 17-6 win against Batesburg-Leesville.
Eagles’ linebacker Nick Mountz was honored for his seven-tackle, two sack game in Greenwood’s game against Dorman.
Pough congratulated the players — in a roundabout way.
“I would tell these guys congratulations,” Pough said. “But according to section 124, paragraph four, sentence 3B of the NCAA rulebook, I’m not allowed to do that at a gathering like this. So, if anybody here tonight sees any of these young men, tell them I said congratulations.”
Pough’s needling of college football’s governing body drew a huge laugh from the crowd.
Pough’s Bulldog’s squads have gone 9-2 in each of the past three seasons. However, the Bulldogs have stumbled a bit at the outset of this season, going 1-3 so far.
“We had a tough time against Wofford, and we lost to Bethune-Cookman and to Coastal Carolina. But we did have a big win over Winston-Salem State,” Pough said.
“This week, we are open. I can promise you, we’re going to beat the stuffing out of open.”
With that comment, the gregarious coach once again drew a hearty laugh out of those in attendance.
The Division I-AA Bulldogs are set to play a number of I-A programs over the next several years. They will open the 2007 season against Air Force and will also venture to Columbia to play South Carolina.
“I wanted to give our kids that opportunity to play in those type of venues,” Pough said. “And it will also be a great financial benefit to our program.”

Observations ...
... and other reflections

September 26, 2006

Elections in South Carolina, as usual, are bringing out extremists on both ends of the political spectrum. That, though, doesn’t seem to change any voters’ minds.
In the Palmetto State, being a Democrat or Republican is important, naturally. But, there’s an independent streak, too. We see it in every election when many voters cast their ballots for the person instead of the party. Party officials might not agree, of course. That’s how they should react. They uphold their own. Personal ties, though, are important to some people, and they vote accordingly.
* * * * *

There are disagreements at times over what the Constitution does and doesn’t protect. One thing for sure, though, is that it protects fools. Otherwise how could there be so many doing the things they do that affect the lives of all Americans?

* * * * *

On top of the planned bond sales by School District 50 ($115 million, $129 million, $150 million or more), Greenwood County will sell $30 million in bonds to shore up the Lake Greenwood dam. Also, the Greenwood Metropolitan Commission is asking County Council to allow it to sell $3.5 million of general obligation bonds to extend some sewer lines and upgrade others.
If all the bonds are sold, add interest that has to be paid on all of these and other bonds, and the people of Greenwood may never get out of debt. That’s always the case when only a few people take the time to stay abreast of what’s going on ..... and act accordingly.

* * * * *

When a military coup toppled the prime minister of Thailand, a place important to the U. S., there didn’t seem to be many upset over his ouster. However, there should be concern over other acts.
The military banned meetings by all political parties, barred any new parties, put limits on public meetings, and restrictions on the media. That’s what happens when coups are staged. Freedom suffers.
So, then, how can we explain Iran and Venezuela, where there’s been no military coup? Freedom in those places also suffers. One word describes Thailand, Iran and Venezuela: dictatorships. Call them what you like, but dictators reign.Elections in South Carolina, as usual, are bringing out extremists on both ends of the political spectrum. That, though, doesn’t seem to change any voters’ minds.
In the Palmetto State, being a Democrat or Republican is important, naturally. But, there’s an independent streak, too. We see it in every election when many voters cast their ballots for the person instead of the party. Party officials might not agree, of course. That’s how they should react. They uphold their own. Personal ties, though, are important to some people, and they vote accordingly.

* * * * *

There are disagreements at times over what the Constitution does and doesn’t protect. One thing for sure, though, is that it protects fools. Otherwise how could there be so many doing the things they do that affect the lives of all Americans?

* * * * *

On top of the planned bond sales by School District 50 ($115 million, $129 million, $150 million or more), Greenwood County will sell $30 million in bonds to shore up the Lake Greenwood dam. Also, the Greenwood Metropolitan Commission is asking County Council to allow it to sell $3.5 million of general obligation bonds to extend some sewer lines and upgrade others.
If all the bonds are sold, add interest that has to be paid on all of these and other bonds, and the people of Greenwood may never get out of debt. That’s always the case when only a few people take the time to stay abreast of what’s going on ..... and act accordingly.

* * * * *

When a military coup toppled the prime minister of Thailand, a place important to the U. S., there didn’t seem to be many upset over his ouster. However, there should be concern over other acts.
The military banned meetings by all political parties, barred any new parties, put limits on public meetings, and restrictions on the media. That’s what happens when coups are staged.
Freedom suffers.
So, then, how can we explain Iran and Venezuela, where there’s been no military coup? Freedom in those places also suffers. One word describes Thailand, Iran and Venezuela: dictatorships. Call them what you like, but dictators reign.