Can You Smell What the Florence GOP Is Cooking This Weekend ???

Will the Pee Dee Republicans Lay the Smackdown On the Current Leadership?

We're about 24 hours or so away from the big showdown at South Florence High. The Florence County GOP Convention takes place, and it will be one of the more memorable ones. The big showdown between the current Florence GOP leaders, and the Pee Dee Republicans, who have managed to build a strong coalition of activists, elected officials, and the money people....

I've tried to be as objective as possible during this whole mess, and there are some aspects form both sides that I wish were done differently. I wished the PDR had done all of this at the meetings, rather than build a base covertly. Also, I don't like the idea of a PDR endorsed delegate list. It will cost a lot of hard working volunteers their delegate postions to people that have likely never been to a GOP meeting. I have questions like 'Who decided who got endorsed or not?' and 'Does this not look a little like what the Democrats do on Marion Street'. It seems to discourage Republicans thinking for themselves. If you don't know 46 of the people running to vote for, you might not deserve to be a delegate....

Not that some of the PDR's criticisms aren't warranted. I was Vice-Chair once myself, and I never got to do anything. The database is outdated. There was no website, and all the decisions for the local party were done without any other opinions. The money people and the volunteers don't seem to have any connection. A key to being an effective manager is not by working the hardest, but by coordinating all of the pieces of the local party to do the work needed.

Hey, I might sound a bit ticked at both sides, but I'm just saying that each side isn't perfect, but it has goen smoother than some. Compared to Berkeley County , this probable changing of the guard appears smooth. At least Jay Ragley hasn't had to show up to keep both sides from killing each other..

So, how will it go?? I dont think it will be close. The Pee Dee Republicans had probably twice as many people at the Precinct Reorganization, and more at the Makeup Session, although I wasn't there. They have the organization. They have the votes. They will sweep the elected positions, and they will likely take all of the delegates to the State Convention - and I wouldn't be surprised if I wasn't one of them. I'll still be there, though. And i'll still support whoever wins. Hopefully, my criticisms won't be viewed with a 'You're either with us or against us' attitude. It would be pretty hypocritical for me to tell the PDR to be involved, then not be involved myself..

There will be good things coming out of this Saturday. My only hope is that we will all be together when it's over....

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SC6 On Your Side: What to Avoid When Getting a Used Car...

You Might Want to Pass On This One....

One of the biggest financial mistakes you can make is to buy the WRONG CAR.. What looks like a great deal at buy time can turn into a major Money Pit. So, how can you avoid making a big boo-boo when it comes to buying a used car? First off, listen to me. After all, I AM in the car business. Secondly, use these tips from Car and Driver Magazine....

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/909/10-used-cars-to-avoid/

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SC6 Remembers It's Crowning Achievement...

Nothing Satisfies Like Pissing Off Your Congressman .....

Yesterday, I wrote about realizing that I hadn't picked on Jim Clyburn in some time. Besides him writing an illegal codicile to President Obama's stimulus bill, he really hasn't done anything noteworthy. Neither have I, but the bar is set much lower for me..

Well, i got a bit sentimental today while thinking about it. It made me remember my greatest crowning achievement in politics - getting my Congressman mad enough at me to do what few Congressmen have done - publicly write about him!

It seems like yesterday, but it was early 2005.... The discussion of what to do with the future of Social Security was all over. By the way, it hasn't gone away, we've just ignored the problem. Clyburn and John Spratt decided to go out in the district, and spread the Democratic propaganda about what to do. For clarification, I wasn't in favor of putting money in the stock market, but rather in private yet safe investments - stuff that earned more than 1.7% a year in interest.

After waiting a couple hours to finaly be allowed to ask questions, i got my chance, and attacked them for distorting the numbers that they provided, and showed them that it was possible to begin using some of the money in a more financially sound manner. Clyburn was lost, and Spratt had to cover up for him with a lot of mumbo-jumbo that didn't really prove me wrong. Numbers don't like - Congressmen do...

I then commented on it in the Florence Morning News, and it was published in three lcoal papers in the 6th District. Clyburn must have been furious, because he responded in a way that Congressmen rarely do against private citizens - in an official Congressional Statement. In fact, it is STILL on is website, and likely will be as long as he serves in office. Permanently enshrined for all to see. Here it is....

http://clyburn.house.gov/statements/050311socialsecurity.html

You want to know what my favorite part of it is? That Clyburn mentions President Bush by name twice...... but my name FOUR TIMES!!! He tried to make my position even more extreme than Bush's, which wasn't actually the truth, but hey, this is politics - why be fair? Secondly, he tried to make me look ignorant by saying that I thought that 12.4% of a worker's salary went towards Social Security. The 12.4% was the amount of the employer match of 6.2 - again, why let the truth get in the way?

Every once in a while, this article will pop up, and I will read it, and get the proud look like a Papa on his kid's college graduation. Anyone can get their Congressman to call him/her an asshole at a reception or fundraiser. It takes alot of effort and determination to stick pins in your Congressman's Voodoo Doll to make him put his hatred for you in writing....

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Is Obama a Johnny Drama Fan ?!

You see, people like the President are just like you and me. According to an article in The Politico, one of Barack Obama's favorite shows is 'Entourage'. Maybe it's because Ari Gold's character is based on Rahm Emanuel's brother. Or maybe it's all the Top Shelf naked chicks on the show. Or maybe because the show does kick ass...





Seriously, he loves the show. During the campaign, he would arrange his schedule to not interfere with the show. Not that it's the only show he watches. Obama is often caught watching SportsCenter and The Wire. When it's family time, he sits down with the kids, and watches Hannah Montana and Spongebob SquarePants. I think President Bush used to watch it too - but he thought that Spongebob was real..... Sorry, i couldn't help it...






In case you were wondering, Obama DOESN'T watch any of the cable news channels, The Daily Show , or SNL. Who would. Watching twenty people second guess every decision you make (like me!) can drive you nuts....






So, in case you were worried, YES, your President is just like you...... although they didn't say if he downloads any Porn...



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This Is Beginning to Become a Trend ...

If you don't think that the world is testing the mettle of the Obama Administration after the last two days, then you might be a bit blind. Yeah, it's a kook in a Cessna and some Somali pirates, but don't think that this isn't giving a little inspiration to the real deals out there.

It was a bit embarrassing for the crew to take over it's own ship while Washington was still deciding how to approach the drama. Sure, when you're on the boat, you have nothing left to lose , but still....

Just another example of DC's leadfooted response to anything...

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So Where Was Jim Today?

Was Jim In Cuba , Visiting His Buddy, 'The Beard' Today ?

I've been feeling that the blog had been missing a little something lately.. Today, I figured it out - I haven't picked on Jim Clyburn in AGES !!!!! Then , some news crossed the wire today ...

We don't know for sure if he was there, but word is that three members of the Congressional Black Caucus went down to Cuba to visit with Communist dictator, Fidel Castro. Maybe it was to say goodbye. Maybe it was to get pointers on how to truly run a leftist nation. So far, the only one who has been named as being on the trip was Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA).

Since no one else is asking, we will...JIM, WHERE WERE YOU TODAY???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJCJGvd7t2c&feature=related

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Flying The Friendly Skies..

Is it just me, or was I the only one wondering WHY the US Military didn't grant that Turkish-Canadian kook his wish, and blow his ass out of the sky? For all of the talk about how much safer we are after 9/11, it seems to me that our talk about protection is just that - talk...

A guy steals a plane, breaks US airspace, and makes his way 800 miles into our borders, and we only escort him along - and let him land??? Maybe we should just let them fly along, unless they state to us that they are terrorists next time. It just seems to me that becuase you're in a plane, that you have a license to be an idiot - until you kill someone. If a guy were in Williams-Brice Stadium, and he's waving a gun around, would we let him do it until he started shooting? I hope not..

I might be overdramatizing, but this event gives some people out there the belief that thye can cause some serious damage again on our soil. In short, we are getting soft. S-O-F-T , Soft!!

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The Six Albums That Define Me....

This One DID NOT Make the List ....

You might wonder how I can still manage to blow out blog posts after nearly writing 2000 of them. Well first off, there is always something happening in the world. Not always in politics, but something happens somewhere. But another reason is because I'm a great listener and observer. I think about the things other people are talking to me about - and then I steal the great thought !

I was chatting with Ms. X this weekend, and she was talking about an assignment she has, where you have to select the albums that define you as a person best. Personally, my assignments were never that interesting. Then again, she also got lost in the woods for three hours yesterday on another assignment. That made me think about which records best define my life, and here are the six that best represent Mike Reino....

Van Halen - Fair Warning

I started playing guitar when I was 12, and back then there was one guitar player - Eddie Van Halen. I missed VHI and II, but Fair Warning was their first MTV video record. Like all their albums, it was too short (9 songs), but it kicked ass....From the first crunching riff of 'Mean Streets', this was a different Van Halen - at least for a little while..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Csitq6h1VQM&feature=related

U2 - The Unforgettable Fire

Through the 80's and early 90's U2 was my favorite band. I had every album from 'War' to 'Zooropa'. Maybe it was their uniqueness, or their political involvement, or all of Bono's dramatics, but I ate it all up. The came that goofy PopMart tour....Everyone went for the MLK song, but the title track is my favorite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yiNqwEAtpk

Living Colour - Vivid

Heavy Metal was starting to get a bit stale, and Living Colour blew it open. They played rock, metal, punk, jazz, rap - and they were black... I played this CD in my car for a solid year. No, Vernon Reid wasn't the best soloist, but they were awesome...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxjo28Jmy_c

Alice In Chains - Dirt

In case you didn't know, I have a HUGE negative side. I got out of college in '91, couldn't find a good job - and out came Dirt in '92. This is by far the best Death/Negative album ever made. It's dark, but the harmonies are beautiful. They would've been the greatets of all the Seattle bands - but Layne Staley couldn't stay off smack. It's 17 years later, and 'Rooster' is still my ringtone on my cellphone. The only thing I didn't have in common was that I never did Heroin - but the rest made sense...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL0cK4gaEuM









Sarah McLachlan - Fumbling Towards Ecstasy

You didn't think I'd skip Chicks & Pianos, did you? Even negative guys like me need to relax, and to see the beautiful things in life. Before Lilith Fair, Sarah was a big indie star, and I caught it early. Her voice and piano got me from Day One, and opened me up musically a bit more. Socially, I was still a mess....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEoaY7YlMxU

Black Crowes - The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion..


I haven't smoked a joint in almost 20 years, but I love these hippies. This represents the past twelve years of my life - the 'Southernization' of Mike. This is a rock rarity - a second album that kicks the crap out of a band's first album. It's the only CD that was stoeln from me twice - and I still bought another one. There's a couple hits, but my favorite is 'My Morning Song'....




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EcQoHqsunc&feature=related




So that sums it up for you - 40 years and nine months of life into six albums. Sure, there could be a lot more - I am pretty diverse - but this post took long enough as it was... If you think another album represents me better, feel free to post it..... After all, I do moderate the comments now.

A Nice Surprise In the Garden Today...

Maybe today's crazy weather didn't typify it, but we've had a pretty good stretch of decent weather. I haven't had the heat on in weeks, and it's beginning to show in the yard.

Yep, Spring sprung apparently over the weekend, because I went in my backyard, and found my rose bushes all starting to bloom !! Maybe they always bloom about now, but I don't remember them bloom this early. With the cold weather coming tomorrow, I thought I'd take a couple pictures for you.. Enjoy!

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Big Surprise: The Tar Heels Will Win.

Yep, North Carolina will raise another NCAA Championship trophy tonight. Why, because while every other team has done one thing good one game, and another thing good the next, The Tar Heels have done it all the whole tournament. They've been toying with the other schools like a cat playing with a ball of yarn... N. Carolina over Michigan State 84-69.

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Pizza Is NOT Like Sex ......

The Pizza Buffalo Chicken Beware You !!!!!

Growing up in New York, there was a sign on the oven at the local pizzeria. It read: 'Pizza Is Like Sex - Even When It's Bad, It's Still Pretty Good'... That definitely is not true today. I had a Red Baron Buffalo Chicken Pizza.............. and I think I'm gonna die.

My Kingdom for some Imodium.......

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Nancy Harrelson Could Be the Luckiest Person Alive in Politics ...

What Everyone Can Learn From Nancy .....

Anyone who doesn't think that just a little bit of luck is needed in politics might want to read this post. I thought that Nancy Harrelson lucked out when she got a free ride to the General Election last fall when Gaty McLeod decided not to run... That was nothing compared to now.

Some of you might have heard of the passing of Marion Mayor Bobby Gerald recently. I met Gerald a few times, and I have mutual friends through working in Mullins. He seemed like a decent guy, and having been Mayor for 24 years, there will be a big hole in the local government. Bigger than you might think.

You see, Marion does have a Mayor Pro Tem, Bobby Davis, so there is someone running the Chicken Farm. But, here is the problem. The election for Mayor is Tuesday, April 14th, and there were only two people on the ballot - Bobby Gerald and - you guessed it - Nancy Harrelson !! Gerald was originally going to be kept on the ballot, except that his vote would not count, but that has been changed. Harrelson will be the only person on the ballot now.

To understand the unbelievability of this happening, he is a fact - Marion County doesn't have an organized Republican Party. The ballots there do not affliliate candidates by party, but it's well-known what party Nancy is with. So, barring an organized write-in campaign, there is a real chance that one of the Democratc Party's biggest strongholds will have a Republican mayor. It's not over yet - the Dems will not go quietly.....

With every post , we try to either make you laugh, inform you, or help you learn something. Today's lesson? If you don't run, you can't win. If you do run, you never know what can happen ..... Ask Nancy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iraoHE6JlY

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Marking the Hardest Day - Again..

Last week, I had a post that marked everyone's birthdays. While those are all nice things, I did pass on one anniversary that comes up on the same week every year.

It was 18 years ago today that my Mom passed away from Hodgkins Disease, which is basically cancer of the lymphatic system. It's hard to believe that I've lived nearly half of my life with her gone now. Like most families, my Mom was the glue that held the family together, and when she died, things never were the same. While my brothers and sisters all get along, we rarely get together.

Rather than focus on her passing, today I decided that I should talk about the way she lived. Yeah, I was her kid, but there was no nicer person who ever walked on the Earth. I was the spitting image of her personality, if not her appearance, although at times I fall well short of the mark she set. The moderate part of how I see things in politics comes directly from how Mom saw the world. She always saw the good side of things, and though sometimes I do wish i was a bit more of a hardass, I know that this side of me is actually her spirit living on in the example she set.

Mom also had a wicked sense of humor. I mostly remember her doing the laugh from the Wicked Witch in 'The Wizard of Oz'. It wasn't easy for her, because her heart was weak, but she'd amuse me anyway. She also was a phenomenal cook. The Chicken Parmigiana of mine that everyone loves was taught to me by her.

Like everyone thinks, my Mom was the best ever. I miss her pretty badly sometimes, but she had been sick for a long time, she's in a better place - and I know she watches over me all the time..

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Wildcats ! Tar Heels ! Huskies! Spartans ! Who's Going to the Finals ?

There, I've Just Hexed Michigan State.......

I'll admit it - I got too smart for myself last weekend. After going a blistering 44-14, I started ANALYZING the games - like I know what I'm talking about - and I lost the last two games. So, we're going back to basics. We've gor two Big East teams, one ACC and one Big Ten school left. It could be an all Big East affair - or none at all.... Here's what we see happening . Very briefly....

UConn and Michigan State

I like the Spartans D, but I'm still not a believer. UConn is more balanced, and can actually score, and still play D. UConn over Michigan State.

Villanova and N. Carolina

OK, OK Tar Heel fans, I believe !!!! I'd love to see Villanova win, but Cinderella has hit Midnight. N. Carolina over Villanova.

No, they're not risky picks, but the point is to be right... Gotta work tomorrow. Expect a Whopper Post on Monday....

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Rocket Fuel In Baby Formula ??!!

Either Your Kid Will Get Sick, Or Become Like This Guy .....

Once again, I am hearing Joe Jackson's "Everything Give You Cancer" in my head. For all that is healthy and good in this world, there is always something bad for you too. This time, it's baby formula...

Testing by the Centers for Disease Control has found that inside of most baby formula, there are traces of Perchlorate. What is perchlorate? It's a chemical found in rocket fuel ! ZOOOOOM !! Now, there have been no links between it and any bith defects, but if you take like 10,000 time s anormal dosage, it can affect your thyroid and metabolism.

Of course, before you go and stop buying your baby Enfamil, here's another tidbit - perchlorate is in many drinkg water supplies, and it is counteracted by adding Iodine , which is added to both baby formula and water. So, you are probably safe - but that doesn't stop groups from trying to scare the crap out if you. So, after all this information, what have we learned? Nothing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYIUYzbYeKA

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Hey, I Finally Got Out of the House Tonight...

This Is Where I Was Tonight .....

Today was a lot like 2005 - work was totally aggravating, but as soon as it was over, I hopped in the car and hit the road.... Tonight I attended the Clarendon County GOP Meeting in Manning with 6th District Chair Tommy Grimes. I'll be the first to admit that I haven't been on the road as much as I should have. Tom's been sick, and I've been broke, but both of these issues seem to have been alleviated...

It was nice to see all the old friends (Clarendon was where I gave my first decent speech back in '04), and there seems to be a lot of transplanted Yankees who have an interest in politics with the new Administration. There is a lot of work to be done, but they know it, and seem to be motivated to get it done - and I'll do all I can to help.

My apologies to Sumter County for not being there tonight, but it ain't easy trying to follow Braden Bunch !! See ya next month.

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Another Thought For Today.....

Amen !!

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Kevin Hall Drops Out of the SCGOP Chair Race..

Stunning news from Columbia today. Kevin Hall has ended his campaign for the SCGOP Chair. I've added the letter he sent out today, so that the reasons don't get confused...

Over the last week, I hoped and prayed I would not have to deliver this message. I am sad and deeply disappointed to let you know that, due to some recent health problems, I must withdraw as a candidate for Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party.

A few weeks ago, I began to experience occasional shortness of breath and some tightness in my chest. I have been a runner all my life, so it never occurred to me that I might be having serious problems. In response, I tried to get a little more sleep and to eat better. Then on Wednesday of last week, the symptoms returned. However, this time it was obvious to me that something was seriously wrong. I was admitted to Providence Hospital in Columbia with chest pains and other symptoms of a heart attack. I stayed in the hospital a couple of days as I underwent a series of tests to determine my condition and the treatment options going forward.

I am relieved that I did not have a heart attack, but there are some heart-related issues that I will have to deal with in the weeks ahead. Given the uncertainty in store for me and my family, we know that I have to do what I don't want to do – step away from the campaign and leave the leadership of our party to others for the time being.

As disappointed as I am today, I want to thank you for the many kindnesses that you have extended to me and my family. Jamie and I and our kids have all been made better by your example of service and dedication. As sad as I am to have to step aside for now, in part because I believe that our campaign would’ve been successful, I will continue to play an active role in our party and for the conservative cause. I look forward to serving our party for many years to come.
Please keep up the fight, work together, and win together in 2010!
Sincerely,
Kevin Hall

I feel bad for Kevin, and I hope everything goes well for him. He had a solid chance at winning the Chairmanship. I kinda feel like the guy who followed Forrest Gump around all the months that he was running. Gump finally quit, and the guy's reaction was "Now what do we do?".....

The answer to that is simple: we move on for now, and decide between Karen Floyd and Rick Beltram - unless someone else jumps in the race at the last second. Fortunately , that hasn't happened yet.

Good luck to Kevin, and I'm sure I'll see him around soon...

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Today's Quote to Think About ...

But Did The Sea Turtle Have Health Insurance ?

One Turtle's Amazing Journey to Good Health .......

I don't know if turtles can communicate with each other, or how smart they are, but one of them took a trip this week that was was pretty stunning. A 73 pound loggehead Sea Turtle developed a bacterial infection - probably soem venereal disease - and he went to get help.

This turtle somehow managed to swim across the Florida Keys, and ended up right on the front door of the Florida Keys Turtle Hospital - the only licensed veterinary hospital that exclusively treats Sea Turtles. His trip was so improbable that the hospital didn't treat him for a few hours because they thought he ended up there accidentally....

Now he's recovering nicely in their tank - and Thank God, they didn't give him some goofy nickname ....But he hasn't gotten the bill yet, either..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3IqO2Db6ZI&feature=related

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