Articles by: Andy Brack

BRACK: Politicians need to stop doubletalk, listen to scientists

BRACK: Politicians need to stop doubletalk, listen to scientists

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher  |  The right mouth of government obviously has no idea what the left mouth is saying.  And because government can’t get its message straight, we’re all confused.

On one hand, Gov. Henry McMaster says some businesses can now open in South Carolina, although it’s no clearer why a craft shop or a florist is “essential” in the curious way a gun shop has been for the last few weeks.  Grocery stores we understand.  But gun shops?  

by · 04/27/2020 · Comments are Disabled · Andy Brack, Views
Snee Farm photo by Lauren Hurlock, Charleston City Paper.

BRACK: Intentional acts of kindness soothe during crisis

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher  | This coronavirus pandemic is causing a lot of misery with kids stuck at home with online school, parents missing work that puts food on the table, companies closing.  And there’s nothing left to watch on television.  

But amidst the gloom are bright spots of kindness.  Neighbors you haven’t spoken with in months are saying hello.  You let someone go ahead of you in line at the grocery store. Manners seem to be back everywhere except in Washington, D.C.

by · 04/20/2020 · Comments are Disabled · Andy Brack, Views
FOCUS: How to get cool shoes and help hospital workers

FOCUS: How to get cool shoes and help hospital workers

Staff reports  | Charleston Shoe Company, known for stylish and comfortable sandals, has donated 100 pairs of its new Lulu sneakers to MUSC health care professionals who are working to battle the coronavirus.  And now, in a bid to keep the company going as its 30 stores across the nation are shuttered to deal with the virus, it is launching a “buy one, give one” offer to allow customers to send more shoes to hospitals.

“Instead of taking a passive approach, our team is facing this unique situation head on — pushing ourselves to adapt and persevere for our business, while also focusing on our community as a whole and what we can do to help,” founder and owner Neely Powell wrote last week.  “Our store managers, who had to close their shop doors in mid-March, are instead, selling from their homes. From social media takeovers to Zoom call shoe parties, these incredible women continue to spread smiles (and bright sunny shoes) during hard times.” 

by · 04/13/2020 · Comments are Disabled · Focus, Good news
BRACK: We can do better for all

BRACK: We can do better for all

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher  | So what happens when Americans start getting their $1,200 federal coronavirus checks or small business owners start receiving tens of thousands of dollars of rescue money? 

Will they finally wake up and realize government isn’t the enemy, despite four decades of self-serving GOP rhetoric dedicated to drowning it in a bathtub?  Will they finally remove political blinders and realize an ideology devoted to personal wealth and greed has hoodwinked them and taken away countless opportunities?

by · 04/13/2020 · 2 comments · Andy Brack, Views
This artfully-painted cow in Georgia apparently has a sense of humor.  Photo provided.

BRACK: We’ll get through this, but it’s going to be hard

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher  | We’ll get through this coronavirus crisis.  But, Lord have mercy, it’s going to be fraught with pain, suffering, fear and sadness.  

Too many people are going to die as our unprepared nation grapples with a microbial invader that is devastating lives, jobs, routines and the stability of our social, political and economic institutions.

Doctors, nurses and health care workers are understandably frightened, worried they’ll bring the virus from soon-to-be-overloaded hospitals into their homes.  

by · 04/06/2020 · 1 comment · Andy Brack, Views
BRACK: Issue stay-at-home order now, governor

BRACK: Issue stay-at-home order now, governor

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher  |  Gov. Henry McMaster must issue a tough stay-in-place order now to keep coronavirus from spreading more in South Carolina.  He can’t wait any longer.

Such an order will cause huge economic ripples throughout the state’s economy.  But school isn’t open for another month. More people are getting sick. If we don’t nip this mess in the bud as much as possible now, the damage will be far, far worse when he is forced to issue an order later.

by · 03/30/2020 · Comments are Disabled · Andy Brack, Views
Dock Street Theatre, downtown home of Charleston Stage.

NEWS BRIEFS: City has weathered past scourges

Staff reports  | Julian Wiles, founder and producing artistic director of Charleston Stage, shared a message with friends of the organization to reassure friends that the latest unpleasantness of people sheltering in place wouldn’t last forever. And he offered an interesting insight highlighting how Charleston has survived scourges in the past:

by · 03/30/2020 · Comments are Disabled · Good news, News briefs
MYSTERY PHOTO: View from above

MYSTERY PHOTO: View from above

Here’s a view from above of a community that’s not in South Carolina.  So where is it? For bonus points, why might it be relevant in today’s issue?  Send your best guess to editor@charlestoncurrents.com. And don’t forget to include your name and the town in which you live.

Our last Mystery Photo, “Outdoor room with a view,” was from the Citrus Club on top of Charleston’s award-winning Dewberry Hotel (it’s on the cover of the current issue of Southern Living).  The previous mystery photo was of an actual dewberry!

by · 03/30/2020 · 1 comment · Mystery Photo, Photos
BRACK: New normal involves shared sacrifice for common good

BRACK: New normal involves shared sacrifice for common good

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher  |  For the record, I didn’t like the old normal.  Too much of substandard education, social injustice, unbalanced tax structure and vitriolic politics.

You can imagine what I think of this new normal, coronavirus.  I dislike it more. People scared. Toilet paper hoarded. Businesses cratering.  Politics, well that’s still vitriolic.

But let’s try to look for a silver lining. 

by · 03/23/2020 · Comments are Disabled · Andy Brack, Views
A “colored” entrance to a Mississippi theater, 1939.  Wikipedia

BRACK: Renew commitment to protecting civil rights of all Americans

By Andy Brack, editor and publisher  |  The forced segregation that stained the American South isn’t as far in the past as you may think.  

A century ago when your great grandparents were toddlers or were raising their own, lynchings were commonplace.  It wasn’t until after World War II that an American president, Harry Truman, ended segregation in the armed forces. 

by · 03/16/2020 · Comments are Disabled · Andy Brack, Views