Best of Charleston

DOMA

2010-07-12T03:45:00.000-07:00

Defense of Marriage Act Gets an Annulment

By Rod Pennington

Since President Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996 the clock has been ticking for it to be overturned. DOMA gave the federal government the right to overlook a state sanctioned same-sex marriage and deny the couples the rights and privileges such a union would infer. Many legal scholars felt it was a constitutional challenge just waiting to happen. The only surprising thing, with several states having already passed same-sex marriage laws, is that it has taken this long.

In Boston, Federal Judge Joseph L. Tauro ruled DOMA violates the Constitutional rights of married same-sex couples to equal protection under the law. Since the federal government had a long history of allowing states to set their own marriage laws, Judge Tauro felt this was an overreach.

In his ruling Judge Tauro stated, “This court has determined that it is clearly within the authority of the Commonwealth (Massachusetts) to recognize same-sex marriages among its residents, and to afford those individuals in same-sex marriages any benefits, rights, and privileges to which they are entitled by virtue of their marital status.” Tauro continued, “The federal government, by enacting and enforcing DOMA, plainly encroaches upon the firmly entrenched province of the state.”

Tauro waxed eloquently on the long history of state’s rights, concluding that since the very inception of our county the definition of what constitutes a marriage is “such an essential element of state power.”

As would be expected gay rights activists cheered the ruling, saying it affirmed that same-sex couples are entitled to the same protection under the law. Attorney General Martha Coakley, famous for losing the “Kennedy” US Senate seat this past January to Republican Scott Brown (R-MA), brought the suit challenging the law, also applauded the ruling.

“Today’s landmark decision is an important step toward achieving equality for all married couples in Massachusetts and assuring that all of our citizens enjoy the same rights and protections under our Constitution.” Coakley also said in her statement. “It is unconstitutional for the federal government to discriminate, as it does because of DOMA’s restrictive definition of marriage. It is also unconstitutional for the federal government to decide who is married and to create a system of first- and second-class marriages.”

There will be the expected uproar of “pro-family” defenders of DOMA. They will shout this is judicial activism at its worst and a perfect example of a judge legislating from the bench. It is neither.

DOMA was passed and signed into law just 2 months before the 1996 election. The timing was no accident. It received broad bi-partisan support and gave political cover, mostly to Democrats, to let them be on record as “pro-family” and kept them from being branded as “pro-gay.” Everyone involved in the bill knew it would not pass muster of a Supreme Court challenge so it was mostly political theater Washington is so fond of.

The irony here, the same folks who protested the loudest when the federal government imposed things upon the states like school busing, 55 MPH speed limits, American with Disabilities act provisions, etc. are now born again big government advocates. You have to wonder how they will feel if Arizona’s new Immigration Law is upheld for roughly the same reason DOMA was overturned.

Short URL: http://yoursinglesourcefornews.com/?p=1631

Lindsey Graham is an embarrassment to SC

2010-07-07T03:17:00.000-07:00

Lindsey Graham is John McCain Lite

By Rod Pennington

South Carolina’s Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is fast becoming the mainstream media’s new favorite Republican. With Senator John McCain (R-AZ) in an unexpectedly tough primary fight, McCain has had to tack hard to the right. This means, the “Maverick” will have to pretend for the next 4 months that he shares at least a few Republican values. It’s a tough job, but McCain should be up to the challenge.

Senator Lindsey Graham pointing out to Senator John McCain the next Republican they were going to disappoint

With conservative and former congressman J.D. Hayworth breathing down his neck, McCain’s reversal on immigration reform has been enough to cause whiplash. He went from the front man on amnesty to Mr. “Just Build the Damn Fence” faster than the airbags could deploy. Not to worry. After the polls close on November 2^nd he can revert back to his old habit of pulling the rug out from under Republicans.

For the past decade or so Graham has been Commander Riker to McCain’s Captain Picard on the USS Bi-Partisanship. For some reason and no matter how many times they have gotten bitten by the Democrats, both keep “reaching across the aisle.” This has made the pair darlings of the Washington elite media and each has gotten hooked on the ego stroking that comes with it.

In 2005 the Republicans held the Senate and the White House and Democrats were filibustering everything that moved. When then Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) proposed the “Nuclear Option” of not allowing filibusters on judicial nominees and giving them a straight up or down vote, Graham and McCain both had the vapors. The quickly formed the “Gang of 14” and “saved” the integrity of the great deliberative body.

From closing Gitmo, to stopping “torture” of terrorists, to “comprehensive” immigration reform, to bad mouthing the Tea Party movement, the mainstream media can always count on Lindsey for a quote. There was a bit of concern when Graham showed some spine recently. He got miffed when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) knifed him by having the nerve to move other legislation ahead of his. In a snit, he pulled his name off of the Kerry, Liebermann and Graham bill to tax the daylights out of anything that used energy bill. The Democrats aren’t too worried. They know if push comes to shove they can count on Graham’s loyalty.

Poor Lindsey probably hasn’t figured out yet that he is just a seat warmer for the long time darling of the media, John McCain. While Graham has been sticking his thumb in the eye of fellow Republicans for years, McCain has been doing it for decades. After the Maverick pulls the wool over the eyes of the good folks in Arizona in November with cooing words of conservatism, he’ll jet back to Washington and return to his old form. The press will be there waiting; probably with balloons and a cake.

Graham, who doesn’t have to face the voters of South Carolina again until 2014, can continue to put “whoopee” cushions on the seats of fellow Republicans. He can be secure in the knowledge, at least until November when McCain will be back; that he will be the first Republican all the networks will call to star on their Sunday talk shows.

Short URL: http://yoursinglesourcefornews.com/?p=1490

Nice Article about Charleston

2010-07-05T07:06:00.000-07:00

Oil Spill Tourists Flocking to Charleston

By Rod Pennington

Apparently from Galveston to Tampa the beaches are not as crowded as usual this Fourth of July weekend. Something about the image of oil-soaked pelicans and the live internet feed of crude gushing underwater a few miles off shore has caused the Gulf coast to lose some of it’s charm.

Sullivan's Island, just outside Charleston, SC

Where have all of these sun-seekers gone? Many, apparently, have headed to South Carolina. We were on Sullivan’s Island on Saturday and the beach there hadn’t seen this much action since Hurricane Hugo came ashore in 1989. Normally Folly Beach, on the other side of the mouth to Charleston harbor, is the area packed with tourists this time of year.

Sullivan’s Island, a quiet bedroom community, while not it’s rich cousin of Kiawah a few miles south in Charleston county, still requires a check starting with a “3” followed by six zeros to buy oceanfront. Usually Sullivan’s is where the locals head at the height of tourist season to avoid the crowds. Not this year.

Living in an area on nearly everyone’s list of top ten tourist destinations in America, the folks in Charleston are used to a few visitors. This year, however, they haven’t seen this many Yankees since General William Tecumseh Sherman arrived with the Union Army for spring break in 1865.

USS Yorktown with the Revenel Bridge in the background.

The Historic District is packed. There are so many people on the USS Yorktown at Patriot’s Point it is starting to list. A good tee time or tables at any of Charleston’s outstanding restaurants, forget about it.

Many of the folks prowling the streets are obviously first time visitors. They are easy to spot. They send the entire day walking around the “South of Broad” historic district with their mouths open. With so many antebellum mansions, most with historical markers on their street side wall, it can be overwhelming for a Charleston Rookie, particularly this time of year.

Middleton Place

With the Spoleto Festival just over, all of the gardens, particularly those partially hidden behind stone walls in the historic district, are at their peak. The amazing plantations a few miles up the Ashley River from downtown Charleston are busy as well. Drayton Hall, one of the few southern plantations to survive the Civil War intact, was built before the American Revolution. Middleton Place – where they filmed the movie “The Patriot” – is considered one of the world’s great botanical treasures.

Drayton Hall

After a few soft tourist seasons it is nice to see the local shops and restaurants busy. Y’all come on down. Eat some shrimp and grits and snack on a few benne wafers. Maybe, if you’re nice, those ladies weaving the sweetgrass baskets on Market Street will teach you a few words of Gullah.

Short URL: http://yoursinglesourcefornews.com/?p=1498

Great new web page from here in Charleston

2010-07-04T10:48:00.000-07:00

Your Single Source for News

RNC Chief Steele Embarrasses Republicans Again

By Rod Pennington

The Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Michael Steele, has done it again. At a Republican fundraiser Thursday night in Connecticut, he blamed President Barack Obama for the Afghanistan war and went so far as to say it was unwinnable.

RNC Chairman Michael Steele

“This was a war of Obama’s choosing,” Steele said. “This is not something the United States had actively prosecuted or wanted to engage in.” Steele also ridiculed President Obama for the recent firing of Gen. Stanley McChrystal, calling it “comical.”

“If he’s such a student of history,” Steele said referring to the president, “has he not understood that you know that’s the one thing you don’t do, is engage in a land war in Afghanistan. Because everyone who has tried, over a thousand years of history, has failed.”

American troops invaded Afghanistan under the direction of Republican Pres. George W. Bush in response to the September 11, 2001 downing of the twin towers of the World Trade Center. Pres. Bush believed many of the members of the terrorist group al Qaeda were taking refuge there. Most Republicans in the House and Senate supported Pres. Bush’s action in Afghanistan and have strongly supported Pres. Obama as well.

As would be expected, the Democrats have pounced on this blunder. “It’s simply unconscionable” said Democratic National Committee spokesman Brad Woodhouse, “that Michael Steele would undermine the morale of our troops when what they need is our support and encouragement.”

This is not the first time Michael Steele has been in hot water over his actions while the head of the RNC. Major donors are now giving directly to candidates instead of funneling money through the party. Steele ruffled some feathers when he wrote a book and used his position to promote himself instead of the party. Plus he has been accused of lavish spending including an expense item for several thousand dollars at a West Hollywood strip club.

I will be interesting to see if Steele can survive this latest flap.

Smoking Ban Goes into Effect

2007-08-06T03:49:00.001-07:00

The long fought over smoking ban in Charleston has finally gone into effect. Now the government nannies can start worrying about other ways to help the poor ignorant masses. I'm a non-smoker and, in fact, have a allergy to cigarette smoke. Still, I find no joy in this ban.

Freedoms are nibbled away or, in this case, snuffed out by power mad elected officials who simply can't resist the urge to "Do Something."

Parade of Whores

2007-02-25T11:42:00.000-08:00

By Rod Pennington

Normally Charleston is a lovely place to live. It has a temperate climate, great restaurants, the ocean, history, etc. But every one year in four, it becomes the home for the “Parade of Whores.” Because South Carolina has one of the early primaries and could decide who is the next president, every few days we get visits from politicians seeking our support.

Being a solid “Red” state, all of the democrats have to suddenly find those “religious nuts”, gun owners and annoying Pro-Lifers something that must be courted. The reason they hold their noses and schedule multiple visits, since they front loaded the primaries in 1976; no one who has lost the South Carolina primary has ended up in the White House.

The democrats have been forced to shake the bushes and find some speechwriters who can quote scripture without sounding like a pandering idiot. Those stock spiels about the war and Gay marriage that gets the stand “O” in New York City or San Francisco don’t play as well in a town with a couple of military bases and the USS Yorktown floating in the harbor.

For a democrat to win the SC Primary they have to attract a majority of the Black vote – far and away the largest block of democrats in the state. To Hillary Clinton’s credit, she cut straight to the chase and bribed a powerful South Carolina Africa American politician and minister. Sorry, bribe may be a bit strong. For only $200K between now and the election, State Senator Darrell Jackson will be doing "Consulting" work for Hillary. Apparently Obama only offer $100K.

Say what you will about South Carolina, we have some of the best politicians money can buy. And until the primary season is over the pay window is open.

This pandering isn’t limited to democrats. Once a republican touches down in Charleston it is as if they’ve been reborn and the light of Jesus shines on them. For guys who think “John” is a bathroom, “Numbers” is a Friday night TV show, and “Genesis” is that thing they did in the Star Trek movie when Spock died, suddenly can preach fire and brimstone with the best Baptist in town.

Those of us that have lived through a few of these invasions of carpetbaggers know this new found warmth for the south will chill by next President’s Day when the primary is over. After that all those presidential wannabes can go back to thinking everyone living below the Mason-Dixon Line is closer to being a Neanderthal then an Ivy Leaguer. For right now, they need our votes.

Let the parade begin.

Charleston Bans Smoking

2007-02-04T07:07:00.000-08:00

Charleston Bans Smoking

Legend has it that there was once a sign on all of the bridges leading into Charleston, SC, they stated “Welcome to Charleston. Unencumbered by Progress for the Past 100 Years.” Putting together “cutting edge” and Charleston in the same sentence is an oxymoron. Recently the Charleston City Council heard a rumor about something called second smoke. After a bit of research they were shocked to discover that cities such as LA and New York had banned smoking from public places.

Now, being one of America’s favorite vacation destinations, they couldn’t let those other popular spots do something they weren’t doing. Especially them damn Yankees from New York City. The last time the City got this riled they launched a few cannonballs out into the bay at Ft. Sumter which started the American Civil War.

With much hand wringing and gnashing of teeth by local bar and restaurant owners, Charleston City Council passed a ban on all smoking in public places. The non-smokers in the Low Country are breathing a sigh of relief; the bar and restaurant folks are threatening a law suit. Apparently they haven’t noticed that it is easier to find a place to park a dumpster then it is to find a place to smoke these days. Courts from one end of the country to the other have upheld these bans.

Generally we come down on the side of the Bill of Rights and the First Amendment’s Freedom of Assembly clause. If people want to gather and smoke a legal and highly taxed product, what business is it of local government? If no one is being held against their will in these places, where is the problem? We would find these laws easier to swallow if they gave restaurant the option of being smoking or non-smoking with signs clearly marked on the door. But the promoters of the nanny state are never willing to go along with this.

As non-smokers we’ve figured out what places to avoid because they are smoked filled. Smokebillowing out to street whenever the front door is opened is usually the first clue. In the West Ashley suburb of Charleston, you learn pretty quickly that you can lose sight of your server in the haze of the smoke at Manny’s and the food at the Map Room starts tasting like a nicotine patch after 9 pm. If one of these places wants to become a private club for smokers then let them go at it. Make it illegal for anyone under 18 to enter. If the bar owners think they can make more money than honoring the ban, so be it.

The larger concern is what will they target next? McDonald’s french fries haven’t been the same since the quit cooking them in lard. Then “trans fats” were bad. Remember “saccharin?” After winning the anti-smoking battle does anyone seriously think the “health Nazis” will disband and start leading a normal, productive life? Don’t count on it.

They can pry my key lime pie from my cold dead fingers.

Patriot’s Point

2007-02-02T06:38:00.000-08:00

USS Yorktown

Mt. Pleasant, SC

Charleston, South Carolina has long been a popular tourist destination. Why not? It offers an historical district of some of the finest preserved early American homes, fabulous shopping and restaurants, antebellum plantations, the South Carolina Aquarium, great beaches and a temperate climate. Located just a few minutes from the major downtown attractions, just across the Cooper River via the striking Ravenel Bridge is Patriot’s Point.

If you’re a navel veteran or military buff, you will want to spend a day, maybe two, at Patriot’s Point. How often do you get the chance to wander around an aircraft carrier like the USS Yorktown (CV-10)? Plus, they also have the Coast Guard cutter, USCGC Inghan (WHEC-35) open for tours. Also on site is a World War II – Korean War ear Destroyer, the USS Laffey (DD-724). The Laffey won a Presidential Unit Citation for action off Okinawa, April 16, 1945. Also available for touring is the USS Clamagore (SS-343). The Clamagore is diesel submarine constructed near the end of World War II but arrived too late to see action. Until it was replaced with a fleet of nuclear submarines and decommissioned in 1975 and, it was a front line submarine during the Cold War.

USS Yorktown

If you’re coming to Charleston for a visit then the USS Yorktown is a must see. Looming on the horizon just across the harbor from the Charleston historical district, it is hard to miss. From downtown Charleston it is a quick trip up East Bay Street to the Ravenel Bridge – the view from the top is amazing. Stay in the right lane – there are a bunch of them on this new bridge and the first main street to the right leads to Patriot’s Point.

The Yorktown alone is a full day if you try to see it all in one bite. Be sure to wear your walking shoes. There is a lot to see but there are narrow steps and tight quarters. If you have trouble walking, climbing narrow stairs or you’re claustrophobic, this may not be the attraction for you. They have done an excellent job with signage and there are tons of historic pictures of the “The Fighting Lady” and her predecessor the CV-5 which was sunk in the Battle of Midway but not before it helped destroy the bulk of the Japanese fleet in the Pacific – including 4 of their 6 aircraft carriers. The Battle of Midway likely shortened the war in the Pacific by at least one year, maybe two.

The USS Yorktown that resides at Patriot’s Point is the CV-10. It was under construction at the Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. at the time of the sinking of the CV-5 it was originally was going to be named the “Bon Homme Richard.” With the loss of the CV-5, it was decided to rename the ship the USS Yorktown. It played a major role in World War II, the Korean War and the War in Vietnam. The USS Yorktown is the oldest aircraft carrier still afloat.

Inside the Yorktown is the Congressional Medal of Honor Museum which is currently being remodeled. If it is open when you visit, do not miss this exhibit. It is both moving and inspiring. Also on the hanger deck is a mock up of the Apollo 8 spacecraft that was pulled from the ocean by the aircraft carrier. Astronauts Frank Borman, James Lovell and William Anders were the first humans to orbit around the Moon. On January 3, 1969 they were on the cover of Time magazine as “Men of the Year.” Also on the hanger deck is a flight simulator that allows you to land a space shuttle.

Throughout the ship you can get glimpses of what daily life on an aircraft carrier was like. From bunks to mess halls, from the engine room to navigation, from the laundry to the infirmary, it is all open for touring. The beauty of the self guided tour is that you can set your own pace. One suggestion, don’t move too quickly and fight the urge to skip sections. Tucked in unusual corners are some really interesting displays. For example, deep in the bowels of the great ship is an interesting display of the Charleston shipyard and dry dock. The real crowd pleaser of the USS Yorktown is the flight deck.

On the flight deck is a collection of 25 different airplanes and helicopters including: an A-4 Skyhawk, an A-6 Intruder, an A-7 Corsair, an F-4 Phantom, an F-9 Cougar, and an F-14 Tomcat – the recently retired fighter made famous by Tom Cruise in “Top Gun.” Bring your camera for this stop. Not only are the aircraft interesting, the views of Charleston just across the bay and the Ravenel Bridge are spectacular.

Note: it can be quite windy on the flight deck and it may feel 10 degrees colder than the Mt. Pleasant shoreline. Dress accordingly.

If that not enough history for you, from Patriot’s Point in Mt. Pleasant you can also take a boat tour of Ft. Sumter – the place the American Civil War began. There is also a recreation of a Vietnam era base station to tour.

Patriot’s Point also features an 18 hole professional golf course and some nice accommodations. Plus it is only a few minutes from Shem Creek and some of the best seafood restaurants not only in Mt. Pleasant but in the entire country.

Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum
40 Patriots Point Road
Mount Pleasant SC 29464-4377
1-866-831-1720 (toll free)

Written by John Q. Wilson, author of the MtPleasantGuide.com and YourWestAshleyGuide.com .

Best of West Ashley 2007

2007-01-23T05:41:00.001-08:00

Best of West Ashley 2007

Charleston, South Carolina has long been a popular tourist destination; and why not? Great beaches and temperate climate, an historical district and Market, the South Carolina Aquarium, the USS Yorktown, the Hunley, Ft. Sumter and the list goes on. However, few tourists know what the locals know. Charleston is a peninsula with the Cooper River to the east and the Ashley River to the west. If you’re looking for great food and entertainment while in Charleston, go west, young man, go west!

West Ashley (west of the Ashley River, get it?) is a part of the City of Charleston. While primarily a bedroom community it is also the home to spectacular antebellum plantations and some of the best food to be found anywhere. Each year “YourWestAshleyGuide.com” features its “Best of West Ashley” and the 2007 awards have just been announced.

Looking for a great breakfast in West Ashley (Bear E. Patch)? How about a spot to walk your dog (West Ashley Park)? Thirsty and looking for a great West Ashley sports bar (Bobby Hartin’s), then “Best of West Ashley” is for you. The list goes from the sublime to the practical. From “The Best Place to take Friends for Dinner” (Amuse) to the “Best West Ashley Barbershop” (Ed’s), it is on this year’s list.

“The Best of West Ashley 2007” is dominated by food and restaurants with some great suggestions for places to find the best Chinese food (Red Orchid), a traditional bakery (Rococo) and even the best place to get wings (West Wings) or a pitcher of beer (T-Bonz).

“The Best of West Ashley” list is fun and lighthearted. If you’re planning a week or two in Charleston and you’re looking to rub elbows with some of the locals, then check out “The Best of West Ashley” which has a map of where to find them.

Written by John Q. Wilson, owner of YourWestAshleyGuide.com and famous for the annual “Best of West Ashley” awards.

Middleton Place Plantation

2007-01-15T08:12:00.000-08:00

Middleton Place Plantation

West Ashley, SC

Charleston, South Carolina is one of America’s favorite vacation destinations; and for good reason. It offers pristine oceanfront beaches and an historical district that would take several days to cover on foot. The famous Market where you can watch local women as they make “sweetgrass” baskets the same way they have for hundreds of years. For the nautical lovers, there is Patriot’s Point where you can tour the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier. Or, you can visit the Confederate submarine the Hunley; the first underwater vessel to ever sink another ship. Or take a tour boat out to Fort Sumter where the first shots were fired in the American Civil War.

But the crown jewel of Charleston is located west of the Ashley River in the appropriately named suburb of West Ashley. About 10 miles from downtown Charleston, out Ashley River Road, lays the Middleton Place Plantation.

One of the oldest homesteads in America, the original property was deeded to Jacob Wayte over a hundred years before the American Revolution. The next owners were the Middleton family and this is where the Plantation drew its name. The Middleton’s were one of the richest and most influential families in the antebellum south. Henry Middleton (1717 – 1784) was President of the First Continental Congress. Arthur Middleton (1742 -1787) signed the Declaration of Independence. Arthur’s son Henry Middleton (1770-1846) was Governor of South Carolina and an Ambassador to Russia. Williams Middleton (1809 – 1883) was a signer of the Ordinance of Secession that launched the American Civil War.

The original plantation house was built in 1755 with the main house and north wing ransacked and burned by Sherman’s Army in February 1865. The southern wing of the house, which suffered less damage, was restored in 1870.

In the great Charleston earthquake of 1886, Middleton Place was dealt yet another destructive blow. The beautiful garden terraces that had taken hundreds of slaves decades to build were destroyed in a matter of minutes. After the earthquake the stately mansion and beautiful gardens fell into disrepair.

In 1916, J.J. Pringle Smith inherited Middleton Place and soon began a massive restoration of the beautiful gardens. If you’ve ever seen the Mel Gibson movie, “The Patriot” you have seen the magnificence of the restoration. In 1991 the International Committee on Monuments and Sites named Middleton Place one of only six U.S. gardens of international importance.

In 1974, J.J. Pringle Smith's heirs established the non-profit Middleton Place Foundation, which now owns the Middleton Place National Historic Landmark.

Today, Middleton Place is a thriving restoration of eighteenth and nineteenth century plantation life. If you plan to visit Charleston, make the short day trip out to West Ashley and Middleton Place. Bring your walking shoes. There are amazing gardens spread across 65 acres. For those not inclined or unable to walk the grounds, a 45 minute tour in a horse drawn carriage conducted by a knowledgeable guide can be purchased at visitor’s center.

In addition to the gardens, there is a house tour available and a plantation stable yard with displays of the tools and methods used in the daily life in the Old South. These stables are staffed by local volunteers who are willing to share insight into jobs and the daily lives of the slaves who used to live there.

Be sure to include Middleton Place in your Charleston vacation plans. It is a day you will not soon forget.

Middleton Place
4300 Ashley River Road
West Ashley, SC 29414
(843) 556-6020
(800) 782-3608

Written by John Q. Wilson, owner of YourWestAshleyGuide.com and famous for the annual “Best of West Ashley” awards.