IN THIS EDITION
FOCUS: Area Rotarians celebrate $2 million of charitable giving
COMMENTARY, Brack: Gun shop’s abusive product represents threat to democracy
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
NEWS BRIEFS: State to have extra billion in cash in coming year
FEEDBACK: Looks forwards to seeing Johns’s show
MYSTERY PHOTO: Six columns
CALENDAR: New exhibition showcases landscape prototypes
:IN THIS EDITION
TODAY’S FOCUS: Political world to descend this week on South Carolina
COMMENTARY, Brack: Graham to get mute button for 6 months
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: S.C. Ports Authority
NEWS BRIEFS: One80 Place meets $24 million goal for affordable housing campaign
FEEDBACK: Pettigru quote is very familiar
MYSTERY PHOTO: Water tower
CALENDAR: Jazz standards set for March 9 at College of Charleston
By Andy Brack, editor and publisher | Looking back at the past decade, it’s pretty easy to see what the S.C. General Assembly didn’t do — fix education, fix the tax structure, fix health care and on and on.
But state lawmakers did get some things done in what may become known as the legislature’s Decade of the Nibble. That’s because each area they focused on was more of what a posh restaurant would call an “amuse bouche” than an entree.
Staff reports | Two Duke University law school professors will kick off a Feb.8 symposium that examines the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in a new and positive light. The conference at the Charleston Music Hall, which includes other law professors, attorneys and a state representative, is hosted by the Charleston Law Review of the Charleston School of Law and the Riley Institute at Furman University.
Kristen French, North Charleston: “The total number of children and teens killed or injured by gun violence nationwide since January 1 is at least 402. In South Carolina, during the same period, 47 people have died and 102 have suffered injuries from gun violence. (More: Gun Violence Archive.)
“I call on the S.C. Legislature to make South Carolina safer from gun violence. Evidence shows that laws strengthening background checks and permit-to-purchase are associated with decreased firearm homicide rates. (See this study).
“The Senate Judiciary Committee should vote NO on bill S. 449, which would gut the concealed carry permit system in our state and allow anyone to open carry without a background check or safety training. In Arizona and Missouri, gun violence has increased dramatically after implementing similar permit-less carry laws.”
Here’s an old photo that might bring back some memories to people in a particular part of South Carolina. Where is it? What is it? Send your guess to editor@charlestoncurrents.com with “Mystery Photo” in the subject line. Please make sure to include your name and contact information.
P.C. Coker, Charleston: “I hate to propose a barbaric response to this [gun] issue, but nothing will galvanize the public to demand more stringent controls on assault weapons and comprehensive background checks than for the media to start showing the dead in living color.” Also, a comment by Charleston’s Bryan Harrison.
Judy Hines: “As we approach the anniversary of the deaths of the Emanuel Nine two years ago, we should pause to take stock of where we are in terms of the public health menace of gun violence.”
Glenda Nemes: “Yes, I agree there is a poor customer service epidemic. But Customer Service is multifaceted. “
We Can Do Better, South Carolina! (2019) by editor and publisher Andy Brack offers incisive commentaries on the American South, politics, the common good and interesting South Carolina leaders. Available exclusively for Kindle for $7.99. A paperback version will be ready soon. Learn more.
Charleston Currents is brought to you free of charge thanks to the generosity of our underwriters:
Charleston City Paper, an alt-weekly seen by more than 100,000 people, offers the latest on news, views, arts, dining and music. Sign up for newsletters that will keep you up-to-date all week.
Statehouse Report is a renowned statewide policy and politics forecast published every Friday that informs South Carolina’s opinion leaders with key insights and news.
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Use our feed
Send us your comments
Recent Comments