Guest Contributor Cackalacky Candidate: TO THE WOOD SHED ON THE HILL WITH THEM ALL

OUR CHILDREN ARE NOT LAB RATS

What exactly is it about the above statement that they do not understand? We have concluded an election. In this election, the citizens of South Carolina have seen the workings of out of state, political ideologues who have too much money, too much time on their hands, and no consideration for those children and their families who would bear the consequences of their failed social experiments. These meddlesome and moneyed interests have come into our state, quite unwelcome. We shall call them Vouchers, Incorporated.

Vouchers, Inc., each and every one of them, should be taken to the wood shed on the Hill and given the good, hard, butt whippin' that they all deserve. And where is this wood shed, and on which Hill does it stand? The wood shed resides in the halls of the United States Congress. The Hill is Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

It is suggested that one of the first items of business for our newly elected Congress to be a series of Congressional hearings to investigate the activities of Vouchers, Inc. The efforts of Vouchers,Inc. to defund, and thereby destabilized, public education are national in scope. They are connected in a subterranean, opaque web of influence across the country. They flaunt and circumvent our campaign finance laws, and make a mockery of our democratic election process. What they are attempting to pass for education reform is analogous to kicking the crutches out from under the handicapped......for sport. The social policy of Voucher's, Inc. can best be summed up in three, simple words: Sink or Swim.

For an entity that is comprised of people who are business leaders, it is truly amazing to see how little those individuals, the ones who are driving Vouchers, Inc., really know about applying common business principles to reforming a social program such a public education. It is very apparent that their goal is to cut and eliminate resources without providing better alternatives for our children. It is ironic that it is business leaders who are driving policies that will result in schools producing a future workforce that will be less qualified to meet the needs of businesses.

As part of the leadership of the new Congress, it is suggested that South Carolina U.S. Congressmen Clyburn and Spratt invite Vouchers, Inc. to the wood shed on the Hill to testify before members of Congress and the American people. Invite them all. Let us see and hear Howard Rich, Dennis Sinned, Randy Page, Joshua Gross, and others in monologueon C-SPAN. Invite them all. Let us see and hear them explain how the destabilization of the public school system in America serves the needs of our country. If you would like to send them to the wood shed on the Hill, then contact the Congressmen:
U.S. CONGRESSMAN JAMES CLYBURN
Washington Office: 2135 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, 20515
Phone: (202)225-3315 - Fax: (202) 225-2313
Columbia Office: 1703 Gervais Street - Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803)799-1100 - Fax: (803) 799-9060
Florence Office: Business & Technology Center181 East Evans St., 314Florence, SC 29506
Phone: (843)662-1212 - Fax: (843) 662-8474
Santee Office: 8833 Old Number Six Highway Santee, SC 29142
Phone: (803)854-4700 - Fax: (803) 854-4900

U.S. CONGRESSMAN JOHN SPRATT
Washington Office: 1401 Longworth Bldg.Washington, DC 20515
Phone (202) 225-5501 - Fax: (202) 225-0464
Rock Hill Office: 201 E. Main Street, Suite 305 Rock Hill, SC 29730
Phone (803) 327-1114 - Fax: (803) 327-4330
Sumter Office: 707 Bultman Drive Sumter, SC 29150
Phone (803) 773-3362 - Fax: (803) 773-7662
Darlington Office: 88 Public SquareDarlington, SC 29532
Phone (843) 393-3998 - Fax: (843) 393-8060

As Of Today ...... South Carolina's Very Own Mickey Mouse Club Officially Lost 3 Members This Year And Possibly 1 More

Now's the time to say goodbye
To Karen Floyd, Howard Rich & company
Through the years we'll all be friends
Wherever we may be
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E Mickey Mouse, Mickey Mouse
Forever let us hold our banner high
M-I-C - See ya real soon! K-E-Y - Why? Because we like you! M-O-U-S-E!!

I honestly thought Thomas Ravenel was going to strike out for good this time, but with Rod Shealy's evilpowers and the "ABC," I mean the beautiful Lisa's campaign managing , he pulled it out. Not too sure if we're stuck here with Joshua Gross for another 2 more years or not? Does anyone have the answer to that question?

Since We Don't Have To Worry About A Protest, Let's Go Ahead And Give The Hurricane Karen Floyd Campaign A Stack Of These

Loveable dog named "Oscar," Tissues, and Baby Wipes

Jim Rex - 514,382 to Karen Floyd - 513,818

You know what I'm about to say next - The good guys lead by 564 votes now

Why We Don't Have To Worry About A Protest

Once this recount gets over with, and Jim Rex still holds a mandated lead, the Hurricane Floyd campaign will have till December 15th to protest. If you talk to Spartanburg County Republican Party Chairman Rick Beltram, he'll tell you that he would "highly recommend" a protest to the candidate that came up short in the recount. If you talk to Spartanburg County Democratic Party Chairwoman Liz Patterson, she'll tell you that she's hopeful that there won't be a need for a protest.

Liz got it right! If the recount takes place and Jim Rex still holds the mandated lead, there won't be a need for a protest. Why? Because the State Republican Party won't allow Hurricane Floyd to protest. If it wasn't embarrasing enough that they already ended up going with a super terrible candidate for this position before they realized it was too late, now it's even more embarrasing that Hurricane Floyd almost got whipped in her very own super red Spartanburg County backyard. I would like to think that the State GOP would like for the SC voters to forget this woman as soon as possible and forget all the (insert adjective here) who ran her campaign as well.

I Told Everyone This 4 Months Ago - Part of Politics Rocks Blog On - July 11, 2006

Thank goodness someone like Jim Rex came to the rescue and entered this race! Not yet, but pretty soon over half of South Carolina will let a big sigh of relief out once they get to know more about Dr. Rex and his plan and accountability!

Contributor Jeff Parks: So Maybe This Country Is Not Quite As Red As We Once Thought ....

Contributor Jeff Parks

I kept my expectations tempered Tuesday. As a loyal Democrat, I have much too often been disappointed on Election Day (2000, 2002, and 2004 all still come to mind). However, I think that the midterm elections on Tuesday proved that this country might not be as conservative as we once thought (like two years ago). Here are some of my observations from Tuesday’s elections:

• South Dakota had a referendum on the table that would have banned all abortions in the state, regardless of circumstance. South Dakota, considered one of the more conservative states in the Union, defeated the referendum by a vote of 55-45%. Maybe this nation is not quite as conservative as we thought.
• A mandate on the Iraq war was delivered … and if you were a Republican, that was not a good thing. Even moderate Republicans who opposed the war and even opposed President Bush, like Lincoln Chaffee of Rhode Island, were defeated. It isn’t that the United States is sick of Republican leadership, it is just that they are looking for a change.
• South Carolina finally showed some sense. I think it was a forgone conclusion that Mark Sanford would roll to victory. Even I predicted that back in April. However, Jim Rex showed that the job of the top dog in education is better left to those with experience in education. What does it say about Karen Floyd that she barely won her home county (Spartanburg)? Remember, Spartanburg County is probably one of the more conservative counties in the state, and they failed to support their own.
• The Democrats are sitting pretty for the 2008 elections. Right now, it is obvious that the clout of the Republican Party rests in the South. A large reason why the Republicans are winning that support is because of the Evangelical base here in the South. That Evangelical base is not going to turn out for Mitt Romney, the Mormon who was governor of Massachusetts. That base is not going to turn out for Rudy Giuliani, a Republican who has some liberal viewpoints on certain social issues. That base will also not come out considering that many state initiated referendums like gay marriage are now off of the table. I think that 2008 would be a perfect opportunity for the Democrats to run a Populist, southern candidate like John Edwards, Mark Warner, or even Joe Biden or Tom Vilsack to win a southern state or two.
• My last observation: Bush will see his numbers rebound now that he has a Democratic Congress. Democrats will offer new solutions on Iraq that President Bush might end up actually listening to. When this happens, Bush will see his numbers respond positively. Bush may also see his numbers rise with changes to his No Child Left Behind policy (unpopular with teachers) and with his immigration bill that a Republican Congress would not pass.

Keep Those Fingers Crossed

UPDATE

South Carolina Superintendent of Education Race
Karen Floyd - 510,819 - 47.46%
Jim Rex - 511,211 - 47.52%

Mark Sanford: Wear These Goggles Next Time, And Don't Try And Cover It Up

S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford injures eyes, misses campaign event
JIM DAVENPORT- Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford injured both of his eyes while under stage lights for about an hour, his wife said Monday as he missed a campaign event. The Republican seeking re-election was injured while under the lights at a groundbreaking ceremony Sunday afternoon, his wife Jenny Sanford said. He was resting, taking eye drop medication and received temporary contact lenses to help with discomfort, she said. He hoped to rejoin his campaign later in the day. "I'm assuming that if he rests them, rests this morning, he'll have a full recovery," the first lady said Monday. Sanford began having problems with his eyes after a groundbreaking ceremony for City of Light, the new headquarters and production facilities for Inspiration Networks, led by televangelist David Cerullo. The event was held in Fort Mill, about 15 miles south of Charlotte, N.C.
After the event, the governor complained about feeling sunburned and his eyes hurt, his wife said. He went to the doctor Monday morning and returned to the Gov.'s Mansion, telling his wife he had burned his corneas.
"I can attest that he was in great pain last night," the first lady said. "He's feeling better now ... a couple of more hours of keeping his eyes closed might help." Dr. Steve Masone, president-elect of the South Carolina Optometric Association, explained that an "intensely bright light source can dry out the surface of the eye."
It's "equivalent of a sunburn on the surface of your eyes," Masone said. That surface tissue, the cornea, regenerates more quickly than the retina, although a severe cornea burn could cause permanent damage, he said. Richard Davis, chairman of University of South Carolina School of Medicine's ophthalmology department, said it was unusual the lights alone would cause the injury. "Stage lighting doesn't typically cause corneal injury," Davis said.Davis said Sanford could have an "underlying dry-eye condition" that might have worsened by the stage lights. Typically, ultraviolet light, like the sun, causes corneal injuries, Davis said.
John Roos, the senior vice president for communications and research for Inspiration Networks said studio lighting was used for the live broadcast.
"There's nothing out of the ordinary," Roos said. "There was no special anything, just normal television lights."
About 300 people attended the broadcast, which featured music and speeches by televangelists Pat Robertson and Rex Humbard. Humbard wore sunglasses during the roughly two-hour show.
Sanford missed his first campaign event at a Columbia airport Monday. He was scheduled to speak and begin flying around the state in a last-minute campaign effort before Tuesday's election. Sanford faces Democrat Tommy Moore, an Aiken County senator, in the election. The City of Light event was an economic development investment for the state, worth about $100 million and 260 jobs, Sanford said Sunday.
Inspiration has four channels with programs in English and Spanish and employs 320 people spread out in nine buildings in the Charlotte area. The new campus will bring workers into one location.

Yes! Finally An Educator Standing Up For What Is Right!

Letter From Superintendent Dr. Jim Ray - For More Information On Dr. Ray, Check out this website

Dear Public Education Supporter:

In the 1960's television series "Dragnet," detective Joe Friday was fond of asking for "just the facts." This letter is a Joe Friday view of the upcoming race for State Superintendent of Education.

Fact One - Jim Rex is the only candidate who has worked a day in our public schools. How could anyone effectively lead an enterprise about which they know nothing?
Fact Two - Jim Rex believes that schools for all children of all people are the only hope for a healthy democracy. His major opponent believes that public tax dollars should be spent for private schooling. This election is for the State Superintendent of public, not private, education.
Fact Three - Jim Rex is not seeking the position of State Superintendent of Education as a stepping stone to higher office. He is willing to shoulder the toughest agency head position in state government simply to serve our children. Our schools deserve a leader who has no other agenda.
Fact Four - Jim Rex believes that the State Superintendent of Education should be chosen in a non-partisan election. Like me, he believes that the education of our children is not a partisan matter.
Fact Five - Research says that each of us can influence 11 other people's views. Please vote for Jim Rex and ask your colleagues, friends and family to do likewise.

When we do not stand up for what is right, we stand for nothing. Stand up for school children by voting for people who care about their future.

Sincerely,

Jim Ray

Spartanburg GOP Chairman Rick Beltram's Response:

This needs to be brought of your School board , TODAY! (District 3) I am shocked that ANY superintendent would blatantly get involved in political influence. I would be appalled if any Superintendent used his name like this to support Karen. I know others have had contracts cancelled for similar involvement! Please advise. Thank you.
-Rick Beltram

Spartanburg Democratic Chairwoman Liz Patterson's Response:

Seems that Rick Beltram is continuing the Republican attack on our constitutional rights. Jim Ray has every right to express himself.

Audio Interview: Grady Patterson Campaign Manager - Trav Robertson

Part 1 - 4:52

Part 2 - 3:44

Part 3 - 4:12

Unlike Thomas Ravenel And Rod Shealy, Billy Idol Gives A Thumbs Up For An American Hero

Candidate and Current S.C. Treasurer - Grady Patterson

Grady Patterson has spent his life serving our State and Country. Grady served his country in World War II and joined the Army Air Corps as a second lieutenant and as a fighter pilot, Grady escorted bombers from the island of Iwo Jima where he saw significant action in the skies over Japan. Grady has been elected 9 times to the South Carolina Treasurer's office and has upheld all the values of being an American. So of course, Thomas Ravenel and Rod Shealy are trying to bring him down. What else is new?

Of course Mr. Patterson, being a strong voice for fiscal responsibility and being the architect of the Constitutional Amendment mandating a balanced budget, surely would be endorsed by conservatives such as Ravenel and Shealy right? Well, obviously I was wrong. These black sheep are out to get him and quickly move on to the next office. In this state, I guess the price for doing a good job throughout the years is always high and always career threatening. Whether you cave into them or stand up for what is right, you're going to pay for it and possibly get crushed.

Everytime I hear Thomas Ravenel speak, whether it's with his hands or his mouth, I know ahead of time to go ahead and pop an aspirin in first. After the first 5 minutes of listening to his economic lecture theories, I know I'm going to need it. While it's perfectly understandable to do the less noble thing and endorse a guy who is not an American hero, I will say this: I would rather elect Grady Patterson, than someone who will be a puppet for Mark Sanford on the Budget & Control Board.