Joe Biden

"Whether You Like It Or Not, Learn To Love It, Because Joe Biden Is The Best Thing Going!" Woooooo

Greatest Wrestler of AllTime Ric Flair - Our Next President Sen. Joe Biden-Link

While Obama and Hillary continue to attack each other, Joe Biden gets back to the two issues that has really been destroying and brainwashing our country for the last 6 years ....... the Iraq war and Republican talking points. As I see Fox News become more and more irrelevant everyday with their war and terrorism rhetoric, the more I watch and listen to every Republican Presidential Candidate, the more irrelevant they become as well. Geeze, it's almost like the Republicans aren't even trying anymore. When is the last time a Republican candidate spoke about ending poverty, or fixing healthcare, or figuring out how to end discrimination against minorities in this country? It's very laughable I know. Yesterday Republican Presidential Candidate Rudy Giuliani stepped up his rhetorical attacks on the Democratic Presidential Candidates saying that the whole Democratic field are a bunch of "losers" with their heads in the sand when it comes to "Islamic Terrorism." This was Joe Biden's response to that statement: "Rudy Giuliani just doesn't get it. Tough talk and cheap shots won't make America any safer or get mine resistant vehicles to our troops any faster. It is absurd for Rudy Giuliani to call Democrats ‘losers' after five years of failed Republican policies in Iraq. "It is outrageous that three years after the 9/11 Commission made its recommendations virtually nothing has been funded by this White House and yet Giuliani continues to make the pathetic case that his party has provided leadership fighting terrorism. As everyone knows, until we end the war in Iraq, we are distracted from the main agenda of combating terrorism in Afghanistan and strengthening our homeland security. Giuliani and the rest of the Republican candidates continue to cling to this Administration's failed policy that a strong central government can be propped up in Iraq. If these are the positions he wants to defend, I invite him to debate me on these important topics."

I'm sorry Rudy but ..... is this the best you can do? Tell me again, what is your plan to fight poverty? Rudy, what are you going to do about racial disparities in this country? Rudy, when you're done writing letters for Scooter Libby, will you ever get around to writing a healthcare plan? In the words of Ric Flair, if you're gonna talk the talk, you got to walk the walk - and Joe Biden is doing just that ...... Wooooooo!

The New Smashing Pumpkins

For those of you who know me best and what I really enjoy, you know that Music and Sports are my two favorite things ever. Back on July 3rd, three friends and I were able to go see Smashing Pumpkins at the Orange Peel up in Asheville, N.C. This was one of nine shows that they performed while being up there. The Orange Peel only holds around 900 people so as you can imagine we were about 10 feet from the stage the entire time. This is the first time I think the Pumpkins have played since Dec. 2000. Lead singer Billy Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlein are the only two original members who are still with the band. They have added a new electric guitar player, female bass player (and yes she is hotter than the last), and a female keyboardist. They went on around 10:00 and got done right at 1:00am. Corgan blew an amp out in the first hour that took about 20 minutes to correct but other than that, the show was incredible! This is one of the best 10 bands to come out from the 90's era and it's great seeing them back on the road making music. The song below is a brand new song that won't even be on their new cd. He wrote it while in Asheville about a week before this show. He opened the concert with this one and while it doesn't have a name yet, for now we'll just call it "I Don't Mind." Enjoy!

Memo To Gov. Sanford and S.C. Legislators: Make The Call To The Bullpen, We Need John Rainey

John Rainey is a practicing attorney, chairman of the board of Easlan Capital Inc., and Chairman of the SC Board of Economic Advisors. Mr. Rainey received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and holds law degrees from the University of South Carolina and Georgetown University.

Sometimes I find myself writing the most obvious things. You won't catch me endorsing a Conservative too often, especially one who wears a Seersucker suit 24/7, but there's no question who Mark Sanford and the Legislators should get to be the next SC Treasurer ....... John Rainey. Not only would he be the best man for the job, but he warned us of Ravenel 10 months ago. There aren't three people in this state more conservative than Rainey, but if there is one Republican who will show common sense and integrity as State Treasurer, it's him. It would be easy to sit here as a Democrat and pout and say "but he's a Republican and he's going to vote in line with Mark Sanford on the B&C Board." Yes and No.

We can't make up for our mistake that we made back in November, but since we do have a new start and it's still early into the term, let's go ahead and get him warming up in the bullpen. Let's face it, Rainey is someone who Mark Sanford, the Senate, and the House can all agree on. My gosh! We should be begging John Rainey to accept this position. If I was Governor, as soon as I suspended T-Rav from his position, I would have immediately placed a call to John Rainey's log cabin in Colorado and made it clear that we desperately need him. I'm supporting Rainey because he is the most qualified and he was dead right 10 months ago! Exactly right. He also made us more aware on the real problems of our schools - Corridor of Shame

Everyone remembers the Q&A that Rainey had with Ravenel back in August. Everyone saw first hand how much he cares for this state and how familiar he is with the Treasurer's position. This "Rocky Mountain Liberal" may or may not take the job if offered, but damnit, he would be the best man for it. Whether its education, economics, anything ..... this man is way ahead of the game. No offense to these guys, but trying to appoint Rick Quinn, Greg Ryberg, or anyone else over Rainey would be absolutely insane! Just because they ran for the Treasurer's position doesn't mean that they had any business being in the race. I thought the entire field of (R) Candidates were extremely unqualified but unfortunately if you have a R beside your name and pronounce your love for Dale Earnhardt, you will get elected in this state. No need to get a left and a righty going, just make the call to the bullpen and get John Rainey warming up.

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Gov. Sanford Names Wingate Interim Treasurer - Link
I'm fine with this for now, it's only temporary, but starting in January, I want John Rainey to be the Treasurer till the term ends.

Purdue Pharmaceutical

Contributor Jeff P.

Purdue Pharma Pleads Guilty To Oxycontin Misbranding - Link

Imagine this…There is a drug dealer in your neighborhood. He’s been there over the past dozen years. He deals a drug that is as dangerous as heroin. He was warned of the dangers. People told him that over a five year period, deaths resulting from the use of this drug that he distributed jumped over 400%! Despite these dangerous revelations, that information was pushed under the table and this dealer continued to sell. He made millions upon millions. He told people that the drug was safer, less addictive, and was meant to feel good without having to worry about abuse becoming a problem. This despite all the evidence. And then finally after twelve plus years of marketing and selling and making money hand over fist, it all comes crashing down…

If I gave you this scenario about your neighborhood, as a good law abiding American, you would demand justice. Significant jail time. Throw away the key. The more adamant people against crime might be screaming for the death penalty. And who could blame any of these people for suggesting these easures? Unfortunately, the scenario that I provided for you did not happen on the hard streets of some urban city. The decisions to sell were not made in back alleys. And money was not exchanged on some dark street where the street lights had been knocked out to conceal identities. These decisions were instead make in corporate boardrooms, with coat and tie executives hiding the ill effects of Oxycontin in order to protect their growing stock options and second homes in the hills. The money passed through pharmacies and doctor’s offices across the nation, with misinformation being distributed to the people we trust our well-being with so that a couple of fat cats could get rich. And the sentence for this … no prison time, no throwing away the keys, locking them under the jail. A fine, a large one at that, but still nothing more than a fine. Welcome to America!

Last week, Purdue Pharmaceutical pled guilty to misleading the public and misbranding their drug, despite almost a decade’s worth of information that pointed out the potentially devastating effects of their drugs. Today, the FDA estimates that Oxycontin could be the most abused prescription drug in the United States. For the blatant disregard for the public’s well being, three top Purdue executives who deliberately hid the information from the public will be fined $600 million. Now, I know that $600 million sounds like a lot …and it is. There is no disputing that. However, when you take into account that these top executives probably have millions of dollars tied up in stock options, 401K’s, potential interviews, and other financially lucrative opportunities, $600 million isn’t that bad of a price to pay to avoid prison time. Aside from the numbers and figures, how likely is it that these suits pay anyway?

What I think we really see happening here is a number of problems that need to be addressed … and they aren’t partisan to Republican or Democrats. First of all, there is a double standard in America. If you are a black heroin dealer in Gary, Indiana, you are going to prison. If you are sleek, white executive, who deals Oxycontin, you pay a fine. Secondly, our government is held hostage by special interests. As Americans, we should be outraged that white collar coat and ties are able to get away with this. However, since pharmaceutical companies accounted for over $100 million in campaign contributions in 2000 alone, Congress typically turns a blind eye towards the actions of the pharmaceutical industry. Finally, as our country focuses on murder, rape, and your more traditional forms of drug abuse, we have ignored the white collar improprieties of Halliburton, Enron, and now Purdue Pharmaceuticals.

Isn’t it time that we hold everyone (person and business alike) to the same level of accountability?

YES!!!! HE'S BACK

Barbecue & Politics - Lifting The Bun On The Two

Messiest Things In South Carolina

Politics Rocks Statement To Rep. Kris Krawford: "I Don't Believe A Word You're Saying"

If you are unfamiliar with what took place last week, to follow the storyline in the right order, read this first (Sen. Leatherman vs. Kris Krawford), then read this second (Krawford's response), before reading this current blog.

"Yea ........ Right......"

The panicky statement issued by Rep. Kris Crawford last Wednesday proved why the freshman Representative of Florence cannot be trusted. Of all the people who hang around the SC Statehouse, there is no possible way any of them could have read his press release with a straight face. It would have been too hard for at least one of them to not hysterically bust out with laughter falling to the floor. You know, the kind of hard laughter that makes the side of your stomach start to hurt when someone makes an outrageous and hilarious statement!

It was fortunate reading Rep. Crawford proclaim his heavy support for Sen. Leatherman. But a week from now, behind the scenes, will Rep. Crawford call Mr. Leatherman Senator Pork? or Dirty Dealer Leatherman? No one is buying what Kris Crawford is selling. We confirmed this from the very beginning of his statement when he said that "he has no intentions of opposing Leatherman in a future race for the S.C. Senate." My gosh, if you are not going to run against Leatherman then just come out and say "I am 100% sure I will not run against Sen. Leatherman." In my opinion, his statement was an attempt to give himself the opportunity to "flip-flop." He better be careful though. Voters love strength and hate wishy-washy politicians, especially SC Republican voters.

I had my suspicions about this man from the start, and now they have been confirmed. From now on, every time I see him speak on TV, or read any of Rep. Crawford's quotes in the paper, I'm sure there will be one thing that will keep running through my head, "I don't believe a word you're saying. I don't believe a word you're saying. I don't believe ..."

It's Official: Representative Crawford Is Scared Of Senator Leatherman .... So He Says

Crawford Says He Won't Run Against Leatherman - Link

Wednesday - May 9 - BY Morning News Staff Reports Morning News

Rep. Kris Crawford of Florence issued a statement Wednesday emphasizing his strong support of Sen. Hugh Leatherman of Florence and that he has no intentions of opposing Leatherman in a future race for the S.C. Senate. Crawford sent out a press release to state his strong support of Leatherman in response to a “recent internet blog report that erroneously reported that I intend to run for the State Senate against Sen. Hugh Leatherman.”

In a phone interview from the State House with the Morning News, Crawford said the report had created such a buzz there that he felt the need to issue the statment. He said that he and Leatherman are working closely on a number of key issues and the report could not be further from the truth. Crawford’s statement went on to say: “ ... during Sen. Leatherman’s last campaign I appeared in a TV commercial for him. I have donated money to his campagin fund, and I have most recently been a host for a reception that was held for Sen. Leatherman in Florence. “Sen. Leatherman and I are friends, and we have assembled a great legislative team for Florence County and the Pee Dee. “We are working together closelyon several important issues that affect our region, and I am proud to be his colleague. “Not only will I not run for the Senate, I encourage Sen. Leatherman to run for re-election and wish to be the first to publicly endorse him.”

Rep. Kristopher "Kris(sy)" Crawford vs. Sen. Hugh Leatherman

Sen. Hugh Leatherman - Rep. Kris Crawford

We are sitting around 13 months away from next year's primary election in Florence, SC. Word on the street has it that (R) Rep. Kris Crawford is planning a sneak attack against (R) Sen. Hugh Leatherman. Kris is a new and very wealthy House member. It is no surprise to anyone who is around the SC Statehouse, that Kris is a "yes man" or "thank you sir, may I have another" new house pledge to Mark Sanford. Word on the street also says that Sanford is planning on using his leftover out of state campaign cash to help Crawford defeat Leatherman. (Let's not forget, Crawford is a physician in Florence who probably has the capability to spend a lot of his own money as well)

Back on March 2, 2005, Senator Leatherman introduced Dr. Kristopher Crawford of Florence, S.C., as Doctor of the Day. If Crawford immediately turns around and runs against the legend, Senator Leatherman, then he has no spine whatsoever. The way I see it, Cris Crawford is jeopardizing his career by latching on to Sanford. Yes, Sanford did take 55% of the vote 6 months ago, but he's such a lameduck Governor. Unemployment and economic growth will continue to sit at a stand still. The public will get tired hearing the same ole samle ole 5 years in a row in the next few weeks. There will be tons and tons of negative press against him on the Coastal Insurance Crisis to begin with, followed by many other blunders that will probably come out. Also, keep in mind, Crawford will be running against a sitting Senator of 115 years who has performed great service for the people of Florence.

If Crawford runs against Sen. Leatherman and ruins his political career a year from now, I just hope that he doesn't act like a sore loser. You know, kind of like a kid that loses a game to 11 and insists that you play up to 15 instead. Next time I write This Blog again, I'll be sure to include him in the list.

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Bill Self (Kansas Basketball Coach) --------------------- Rep. Kris Crawford

Warm Up The Bus, Warm Up The Bus!

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney - Michael Landon (Little House on The Prairie)

This blog in no way is meant to bash Gov. Mitt Romney. According to the most recent poll among Republican voters, - Poll Link - Romney is polling at 4%. I'm not one who puts a huge deal of stock in polls, but trust me, if you're only polling at 4% right now, that basically means that you have just a few more months left until you have to pull out of this race. I don't care how well he speaks, I don't care how well he looks, and I don't care how tall he is ...... he is done!

What I find amazing is that according to the poll, 3 out of 10 Republican voters won't vote for him simply because he is Morman. Only 2 out of 10 Republican voters won't vote for Guiliani because of his stance on abortion and gay marriage. The former New York mayor Guliani led among Republicans with 44 percent to McCain's 21 percent. Former House speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia ran third in the latest poll with 15 percent, while former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney was fourth with 4 percent. Someone please tell the driver for the Romney campaign to warm up the bus, because this Republican Presidential game is about to come to an end for the Romney Team!

This really is of no surprise to me. I knew he was done as soon as I watched this video below.