- Ten Toes In: Why Trump Accounts Make Sense for North Carolina's Small Businesses
- Remnant Called -
- Former Moms for Liberty Chairs in South Carolina Address Massive Departure from Organization
- Same Job. Two Résumés. Graham and Norman Make Their Case for the US Senate
- Beyond the Monuments - Finding the Forgotten Grave of Dicey Langston
- Greenville County Holding Public Meetings on 1% Transportation Sales Tax Referendum
- The Myth of Voting for the Lesser of Two Evils
- AIPAC Lobbyists Grip on Congress
- Hunting Island's Lighthouse Was Built to Outsmart the Atlantic's Shifting Shoreline
- South Carolina Gas Tax Climbs From Near Bottom Nationally to 30th in 2026
- Equipping the Persecuted: Weekend Terror Alert Helped Avert Wider Massacre as Slaughter of Christians Continues to Ravage Nigeria Unchecked by Government
- Thurmond and Murkowski Won as Write-Ins. Is This Year’s Senate Race Really the Same?
- Briefing Notes from the Ukraine and Persian Gulf Wars
- Crime Stoppers Luncheon Remembers Greenville’s Fallen While Honoring Those Who Continue to Serve
- Trump Administration Announces $167 Million to Build Rural Care Sites, Upgrade Health Technology, and Strengthen Prevention Across South Carolina
Environmental Education Association Honors Two Greenville County Residents
- Details
- By Jennifer Majors
Two Greenville County residents were honored last weekend by the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina at their 2014 Annual Conference held at St. Christopher Camp and Conference Center at Seabrook Island, S.C. Greenville County Councilman Joe Dill was named Legislative Official of the year.
Joe Dill, Greenville County Council member, is a leader in conservation efforts in Greenville County. He has worked tirelessly, both within the Council by passing legislation, and by serving on environmental boards in the Upstate. His passion for the environment is most notably shown in his work to keep our water resources clean. He recognizes the worth of clean water as a natural resource for public health as well as aesthetic reasons. Mr. Dill served as a member of the Reedy River Steering Committee and the Saluda-Reedy Watershed Consortium Advisory Council.
Let Freedom Ring
- Details
- By Mike Scruggs
Let Freedom Ring,
Oh, Great God our King,
Let Freedom Ring!
The lines above are the last three lines of My Country Tis of Thee, which for 100 years was one of three unofficial national anthems of the United States, until the Star-Spangled Banner was made the official national anthem in 1932. The other was Hail Columbia, written by Philip Phile in 1789 for the inauguration of George Washington. Hail Columbia has since become the Vice-President’s official march. My Country ‘Tis of Thee uses the music of the British national anthem, God Save the Queen, but the American words were composed in Andover, Massachusetts, in 1831 by Samuel Francis Smith. It was first sung on July 4, 1831, at an Independence Day celebration for children on Park Street in Boston.
Progressivism is Poison
- Details
- By David Thompson
Let’s not kid ourselves; America has a wide range of problems all hiding in plain sight under the rubric of Progressivism. And let’s be clear about this as well, progressivism is detrimental to the well-being of America. It should also be noted that millions of Americans regardless of the facts have drunk the Kool-Aid…some 40%, for example, still believe that Barack Obama is doing a good job as President. Wow, the “the land of the free and the home of the brave” becomes lala land.
Deadly Diseases Crossing Border With Illegal Immigrants
- Details
- By Elizabeth Lee Vliet, M.D.
A flood of illegals has massively surged at our southwestern borders. The economic impact of medical care, education, and incarceration for illegals forced on taxpayers is bankrupting Arizona.
Why are such swarms entering the U.S. illegally NOW, particularly children? Newspapers in Mexico and Central and South America are actually describing U.S. “open borders,” encouraging people to come with promises of food stamps or “amnesty.” It is textbook Cloward-Piven strategy to overwhelm and collapse the economic and social systems, in order to replace them with a “new socialist order” under federal control.
Carried by this tsunami of illegals are the invisible “travelers” our politicians don’t like to mention: diseases the U.S. had controlled or virtually eradicated: tuberculosis (TB), Chagas disease, dengue fever, hepatitis, malaria, measles, plus more. I have been working on medical projects in Central and South America since 2009, so I am aware of problems these countries face from such diseases.
Gun Owners of America - An Highly Effective Organization
- Details
- By Allan E. Brown - Greenville, SC
I’m sure most readers of The Times have heard of Gun Owners of America. For those not familiar, this small but highly effective organization began operating in 1975, and has done an excellent job keeping watch on anti-gun politicians and anti-gun groups determined to destroy our right to keep and bear arms. Operating with a small staff and a mere fraction of the budget of the National Rifle Association, GOA has consistently stayed in trenches as the only pro-gun rights organization that will not compromise with the anti-gunners.
Should House Speaker Bobby Harrell Stay?
- Details
- By E. Ashley Landess - President, South Carolina Policy Council
Did you know that House Speaker Bobby Harrell has been unanimously elected numerous times to his leadership position by the South Carolina House? That means that your representative, more than likely, voted him into the most powerful position in state government. You didn’t vote for him; your House member did.
With an ongoing Grand Jury investigation into his conduct, repeated attempts by the Speaker’s allies to pass laws to protect him, and the pending State Supreme Court hearing, it’s worth asking whether the Speaker can or should continue to hold that office.
Betrayed Again!
- Details
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
For the second time since World War II, the political leaders of the United States have undermined and betrayed the members of the armed forces of the United States. It required decades of inspiring leadership to overcome the first betrayal. This betrayal will not be so easily overcome nor will it likely be the last.
Our government abandoned Iraq, creating a vacuum and knowing the terrorists would fill it as soon as our combat troops were gone. The President has already announced that he is pulling our combat troops out of Afghanistan, setting up the same scenario for that troubled country.
Growing Rejection of Common Core
- Details
- By Phyllis Schlafy
The most controversial current issue in education today is clearly Common Core. It’s being more hotly debated than bullying, zero tolerance, sex ed, abortion, or even school lunches.
Common Core is the title of a new set of standards that the Obama Administration has been trying to force the states to use. Even before the standards were written, 45 states and the District of Columbia signed on, encouraged by inducements of federal funds. The principal outliers are Texas, Alaska, Nebraska, and Virginia.
Now that parents and teachers are finding out what is commanded by Common Core standards and what is being taught by “Common Core-aligned” materials, moms and teachers are raising a ruckus to try to get their states to repeal their state’s involvement. Many are demanding that their state withdraw altogether from Common Core, principally because they believe it is a takeover by the Obama Administration of all that kids are taught and not taught.
2014 Furman Grad Recognized as Top Student Activist
- Details
- By Press Release
Recent Furman graduate, Lauren Cooley, was recognized as one of the nation’s top student activists this past weekend at the Student Activism Conference in Houston, Texas. Lauren, a former leader of Furman’s Conservative Students for a Better Tomorrow (CSBT), addressed attendees at the conference’s Lone Star Dinner held by the Leadership Institute.
“We are proud to see our former CEO recognized for her leadership, courage, and principle,” said Elliot Stegall, current Chief Executive Officer of CSBT. Stegall continued, “Lauren is just one example of the high caliber students who have participated in Furman’s Conservative Students for a Better Tomorrow over the years.”
Ravenel Threatening to Challenge Graham, Hutto for Senate Seat
- Details
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Unintended consequence of Petition Candidate Could Help Democrat
State Senator Brad Hutto won the Democrat primary for United States Senate with 76 percent of the vote. U. S. Senator Lindsey Graham won the Republican primary with only 56 percent of the vote, however his vote total doubled that of Hutto. The apparent crossover Democrat votes for Graham do not bode well for Hutto in the General Election.
Charleston real estate developer turned actor, Thomas Ravenel, is threatening to enter the race challenging Graham as an independent petition candidate. The former Republican statewide office holder who resigned due to drug charges has support in the Upstate, although his base of operations is in Charleston.
Lawmakers Promise Improved Health Care for Veterans
- Details
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Lawmakers Receive Warm Welcome from Veterans at War Museum
Senator Lindsey Graham, smiling from his recent primary win, thanked veterans for their support and promised relief from the problems in the VA health care system. He was accompanied by Fourth District Congressman Trey Gowdy.
“The South Carolina veterans community has had my back for many years,” Sen. Graham told a group of veterans in Greenville, Monday. “I’ve tried to have your back all of these years, because I know that without you, there is no election.”
Graham noted that “only one percent of Americans serve in uniform and the 99 percent depend on the one percent.”
First Foundations Celebrates Classic Marriage
- Details
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Montgomery Married 77 years
First Foundations, Inc. held a contest to find the Upstate couple that had been married longest. Three finalist couples were the honored guests at a banquet held at the Greenville Hilton on Saturday, June 14.
The finalists were Mr. and Mrs. Ed Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Eric Larson and Mr. and Mrs. Henry Montgomery.
The winners were Mr. and Mrs. Henry Montgomery, who had married in 1937. They had been married 77 years. The other finalists had been married more than70 years.
VA Scandal: A Physician’s Prescription for Veterans’ Medical Care
- Details
- By Elizabeth Lee Vliet, M.D.
President Obama promised to fix the Veterans Administration (VA) problems. “We need to make sure folks get the care they need without long waiting lists and long drives,” he said in early 2008 stump speeches.
In 2014, the VA scandal grows worse daily: USA Today reported more than 100,000 veterans are waiting to see doctors. In Florida, 8,500 veterans have been waiting more than 3 months for appointments. In Phoenix, 58 veterans died on secret waiting lists. A new audit found 64 percent of VA facilities falsified wait times, and 13 percent of schedulers were actually trained to engage in fraud. The longest waits are for mental health services. Veterans’ suicides, though reported to be falsely low, are at 22 per day or an outrageous 8,030 every year.
None Dare Call It Tyranny
- Details
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
As the Obama Administration chooses what laws they will enforce or comply with, the United States is moving closer and closer to despotism and tyranny. The alleged abuses by the Administration mirror some of those enumerated against the King of England in the Declaration of Independence. As a remedy for such abuses, the writers of the Declaration conclude: But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evidences a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is the right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
As American citizens become more and more oppressed and aware of government abuses, they will attempt to make changes at the polls. Should they become convinced that there is widespread fraud in conduct of elections, such as allowing millions of illegal aliens to vote, and refusing to prosecute election fraud and other abuses, some may attempt to achieve redress through public protest and civil disobedience. This raises the question many are asking: Will members of the Armed Forces of the United States use violence against their fellow citizens if ordered to do so?
“Double Whammy” for Greenville County Taxpayers
- Details
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
School Board and County Council Scheduled Conflict to Raise Taxes
Greenville County Council and the Greenville County School Board were obsessed with raising taxes at their Tuesday, June 3 meetings. Could it have been a coincidence that the School Board scheduled their special called-meeting to raise taxes again at the exact same time that the County Council was holding a public hearing and vote on the largest proposed tax increase in county history?
The School board voted 9 to 2 to raise property taxes by 4.9 mills for operating expenses. The board has raised taxes 21.8 mills in only 5 years with all incumbent board members being returned to office.
Roger Meek, one of the trustees voting for the tax increase and up for election this year, said the increase is necessary just to maintain the same level of education for children.
Superintendent Burke Royster said all district employees would get at least a 2 percent pay increase this year. The teacher raise is funded by the State. Royster said the millage increase would only cost the owner of the average car no more than an additional 84 cents on their tax bill. The average car used as the basis for that estimate was an eleven -year-old Ford or Honda. Owners of newer cars, boats, rental property and small businesses will take the hardest hit from the school tax increase.
Camp 36 JROTC Essay Contest for Scholarship to Sam Davis Youth Camp
- Details
- By Rollis Smith
Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 36, 16th Regiment South Carolina Volunteers inaugurated an Essay Contest this year open to Cadets chosen by their Instructors to receive the H. L. Hunley Medal. Cadet Detron Burdine, Southside High School Air Force JROTC, won this year’s scholarship. Cadet Burdine’s entry is a credit to himself, his school, and his JROTC unit. It also reflects highly on his JROTC Instructors, Major Joseph E. Windley, USAF (Ret), Senior Master Sergeant Kathleen Hodge, USAF (Ret), and Master Sergeant Kenneth Gause, USAF (Ret) whose countless hours make these programs possible. Their hard work has instilled in the Cadets an eagerness to learn, and venture where most others would not.
Big Creek Cemetery Restoration effort
- Details
- By Julia Barnes
On Monday, May 19, 2014, Michael and Julia Barnes met with Jack Dalton at Big Creek Baptist Church between Belton & Williamston, SC, to give consultant services for gravestone cleaning. After checking the cemetery, which is one of the most historic in Anderson County, the decision was made to clean the gravestone of Confederate veteran George Richardson, who died in 1879, as the demonstration subject. Dr. Julia Barnes is a member of Winnie Davis chapter, UDC, and Hudson Berry DAR. Mike Barnes is a member of Palmetto Sharpshooters, Sons of Confederate Veterans. The Richardson gravestone was covered with black algae and other growths. The cleaner recommended by Dr. Barnes is D/2, a biocide that is recommended by the National Park Service and others because it is so safe to use on historic stones. After the application of D/2 solution, the stone was left for about 15 minutes to allow the solution time to take effect. During this time, Mr. Dalton discussed plans for the cemetery restoration and other work done in the area.
Don Gordon Speaks to 16th Regiment SCV in Greenville
- Details
- By Press Release
Don Gordon of Columbia, South Carolina was the guest speaker at the March meeting of the Sixteenth Regiment, S.C.V. in Greenville. Mr. Gordon used his unique presentation style to create a map of the battlefield out of the meeting room itself before walking out the movements of the contesting forces as he gave his vivid account of General Grant's Overland Campaign of 1864. At the conclusion of his presentation Mr. Gordon quoted from memory a lengthy portion of a stirring speech given by Wade Hampton in Walhalla, S.C. on September 22, 1866 at the formation of the Soldiers' Association. Quoting from Hampton "Pickens gave to me besides Calhoun's brave men and volunteers in that noble battery of Germans of Bachman one whole Company in the gallant 1st South Carolina Cavalry which formed so important a part in my old and beloved Brigade, a Brigade which though it fought on a hundred fields never knew defeat." The Presentation drew an enthusiastic standing ovation from the packed banquet room at the Phoenix Inn.
Memorial Service for Oconee County
- Details
- By Julia Barnes
Piedmont District Recording Secretary Regina Orzechowski of Williamston and Joseph Norton chapter member Cleta Bryson of Seneca attended Confederate Memorial Day in Seneca, SC, on May 10, 2014. Mrs. Cleta Bryson, member of Joseph Norton UDC chapter, was the speaker for Confederate Memorial Day service for Oconee County. Miss Orzechowski is also the 1st VP of Robert E. Lee UDC in Anderson.
Filing for School Board only Weeks Away
- Details
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Running for School Board In Greenville County Provides opportunities of a Lifetime with no Filing Fee
The Greenville County School Board is composed of twelve members, each serving a voting District containing several schools. Board members serve a four year term and there are no term limits. Except for special events, the board generally meets twice a month at the district administration building on Camperdown Way in Greenville.
Filing to seek a position on the School Board in Greenville County opens July 15 at Noon and closes August 15 at noon. Candidates file with the Election Commission at Greenville County Square.
The elections are non-partisan and no political parties are involved, hence there are no primaries or runoffs. The candidate in each district with the most votes in the November General Election wins a four year paid position on the school board.
VA Scandal – a Battlefield of Deceit, Delays and Death for Veterans
- Details
- By Elizabeth Lee Vilet, M.D.
The VA has many truly dedicated doctors, nurses, and health professionals who do their best to genuinely serve America’s veterans. I salute their conscientious work and commitment under difficult conditions, often in a culture of fear and intimidation if they identify problems.
News headlines since the Phoenix scandal first broke in late April, however, clearly show a dark underbelly in the VA that is the antithesis of dedication to patients. It speaks of a “Code of Corruption,” not the Military’s Code of Honor that America’s veterans have upheld.
The U.S. military has an admirable code of ethics: duty, honor, and sacrifice. Their Code is to protect the vulnerable, shield civilians when possible, watch their fellow soldier’s back, and leave no one behind in combat. Our soldiers, holding themselves to these standards, trusted that the country they served would also honor its commitment to them for medical care when needed.
The Fundamental Transformation of America
- Details
- By Magda Aguila
Every day we see how things are deteriorating in our country. Every day there is a new “issue” going on. As a Cuban American, I have no choice but to concentrate on the underlying disease in this nation. The United States of America and its Citizens are in a quick downward spiral towards the total loss of the Freedom our Founding Fathers fought for. At no time since the inception of this country have Franklin’s words to Mrs. Powell been more relevant: “A Republic, if you can keep it.”
No one would argue that Cuba and its citizens enjoyed the same level of Freedom as Americans historically have had. Even though many of Cuba’s “democratically elected” Presidents ended up grabbing power and few left office after their “constitutional” terms expired, Cubans still enjoyed a certain level of freedom and economic benefits. So how did Cuba become a communist country in such a short period of time turning one of the most prosperous countries in Latin America into what we would now label a “Banana Republic”?
The change was subtle at times, and harsh at others and they are the same changes I am seeing in the United States now.
Ultimate Test of Open Primary
- Details
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
The ten June primary in South Carolina will be the ultimate test of the effectiveness of open primaries on Republican nominations. The contest between incumbent Senator Lindsey Graham and six opponents in the Republican Primary will be the most interesting race in South Carolina and one of the most interesting in the nation this primary season.
The Greenville County Republican Party has an active lawsuit in Federal Court challenging the South Carolina Election Commission and the state legislature on the constitutionality of the open primary system.
Most readers of this column know that any registered voter can vote to select the Republican nominee in a so-called Republican Primary in South Carolina. This is a political scam on the voters of South Carolina that allows liberal Democrats to be elected and serve as Republicans while voting against legitimate conservative Republicans and Republican-sponsored legislation in the South Carolina House and Senate or the US Congress.
Greenville GOP Removed 14 Executive Committeemen
- Details
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Committee Members Allegedly Violated Meeting Attendance Rules
Following lengthy, and sometimes emotional debate and several preliminary votes, the Greenville County Republican Party Executive Committee voted to remove fourteen of their members from the position they were elected to by their precinct organization.
The charge was that the committeemen failed to attend three or more meetings in violation of Party rules that prescribe removal if three meetings are missed by an Executive Committeeman who is the voting member representing the precinct organization.
The committee voted to delete two men from the expulsion list who were present and presented compelling justification for their actions. Most of those affected were not present.
GOP Executive Committee Opposes Tax Hike Referendum
- Details
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Six Republican Councilmen Ignore Grass Roots Leaders, Vote with Democrats for Tax Hike Resolution
The Greenville County Republican Party Executive Committee overwhelmingly passed a strongly worded resolution Tuesday night, May 27th, “opposing the tax hike referendum and the tax hike itself.” They “implored the Republican majority on County Council to reject the referendum,” and “called upon the Greenville County Council to abandon the first and second readings which were done without representation of the Citizens of District 26.”
It was clear that minds were made up before the special called meeting. Only four committeemen spoke to the resolution before the question was called and discussion was ended by a majority vote.
Doug Wavle, Dean Allen and Karen Mims spoke in favor of the resolution opposing the tax hike referendum.
Sixteenth Regiment Presented Awards at State Convention
- Details
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Greenville’s Sixteenth Regiment, SCV, was presented two important awards at the South Carolina Division Convention in Florence.
State Commander Mark Simpson presented the Division Recruitment Award to the Sixteenth Regiment. Former Commander David Wright accepted the award for the organization.
State Commander Mark Simpson presented the attendance award to Sixteenth Regiment Commander Doug Langley at the State Convention in Florence.
Is Lindsey Graham a Conservative?
- Details
- By Mike Scruggs
Then Why Are Liberal PACs Spending Millions to Elect Him?
I am a North Carolinian, but I live 10 miles as the crow flies from the South Carolina border and 18 miles by road. My great grandfather and his father were born near Fountain Inn, South Carolina. I have family in South Carolina who vote. My wife and I frequently shop in South Carolina, and our favorite vacation spot is Charleston. Hence I have an interest in South Carolina politics.
For many weeks now I have heard radio advertisement after advertisement claiming that Lindsey Graham is a conservative. My brother in Myrtle Beach, who spent most of his working career as a marketing research consultant, counted Graham ads approximately every ten minutes on Fox Cable News and about one every 30 minutes on a radio talk station. Senator Graham’s advertising saturates the airways so thoroughly that it raises an important question: Who is pouring so much money into re-electing Graham to the U.S. Senate and why?
Significance of the VA Scandal
- Details
- By Bob Dill, Publisher
Recent alarming scandals, exposed by whistle blowing employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, have forced the Obama Administration to once again “circle the wagons” and as they have dozens of times in the past, follow their “surprise, deny, express anger and blame Bush action plan” script.
The most alarming allegations are that in order to make statistics look good for the Administration, a la Obamacare implementation, records have been falsified and veterans have been needlessly allowed to die without adequate and timely medical care. Lying to defend the regime agenda is acceptable and frequently results in promotion to senior positions.
Reponse to Dr. Mick Zais
- Details
- By Sheri Few - Republican Candidate, SC Superintendent of Education
Four years ago, Dr. Mick Zais was elected Education Superintendent on an anti-Common Core platform. Now, he’s supporting his deputy, Charmeka Childs, to succeed him after serving only one term. His letter last week in this newspaper is a lame attempt to rewrite history by blaming others for the failure of the Zais-Childs Team to stop Common Core.
It’s a failure that has driven my candidacy.
Dr. Zais and Mrs. Childs both claim they oppose Common Core, but actions speak louder than words because the two people most responsible for Common Core’s implementation in our state are Mick Zais and Charmeka Childs.
- Greenville County Tax and Spend Lobby Wins First Round
- School Board Considering More Tax Increases
- Great Scot Parade and Scottish Games Return to Upstate
- Impeachment Efforts Gaining Strength
- Straw Poll: 64 of 80 Forum Attendees Oppose Sales Tax Increase
- Reviving the Black Robe Regiment
- What’s Happening at the VA?
- Senator Tim Scott Speaks at Bob Jones University
- About 200 Attend Pickens Tea Party Rally Saturday
- Gowdy Dismayed by Erosion of Rule of Law
Page 404 of 451
Browse by the Top Tags ...
