We get lots of tips, comments and questions about stuff we write … and stuff people want us to write. Wanna share a link? Suggestion? Criticism? Question? Submit it (anonymously or otherwise) via our tip wire … and remember, in addition to confidentially investigating your leads we also publish letters to the editor and guest editorials (even anonymous ones) if you’ve got more to say on a subject. Also feel free to reach out to our founding editor directly at w@fitsnews.com.
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GOVERNMENT-FUNDED UNDERWEAR
Isn’t this right up your alley? Government spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on “smoke-detecting underwear?”
From CBS Atlanta … “the device is essentially a vest with multiple straps that’s worn below the belt. Right now, the project might be considered too bulky to wear over everyday garments. The project is believed to have cost the federal government $400,000.”
SIC SEZ
Sweet Jesus …
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WHAT’S UP WITH GOWDY?
Will:
What are your thought on Trey Gowdy? What’s the likelihood he would run against Graham for US Senate?
Is it wishful thinking (for a SC GOP incumbent congressman to primary a sitting GOP Senator) or a possibility?
Thanks & love the website!
SIC SEZ
First of all thanks for the kind words. I met Gowdy for the first time a few months ago on a trip to Washington, D.C. and was impressed. I’ve also been impressed with the way he’s conducted himself recently during the House hearings into the IRS scandal. Obviously I was very disappointed by his vote to continue corporate subsidies via the U.S. Export-Import Bank, but generally Gowdy has been a reliable pro-taxpayer vote. As for challenging Graham, I’m not sure that’s something that’s on his radar but he would certainly make an infinitely better U.S. Senator than the current bum in that office.
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IRASCIBLE KITTIES?
I know you love to hate on former SCGOP chair Karen Floyd but did you know she supports animal rescue efforts (one of your “pet” projects if I recall)? Perhaps an opportunity is at hand to show a little goodwill.
Here are two of Floyd’s “rescue kitties,” neither of which looks irascible to me.
SIC SEZ
Ha! Good point. And good for Floyd. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.
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BAUER BUDDY AND SMOKING CESSATION SCANDAL
Allegations are swirling about (former S.C. Lt. Gov.) Andre Bauer’s indentured-servant-for-life Jay Specter and misappropriation of public funds in foisting “Smoke Free Horry” on restaurants and bars on the Grand Strand – an effort fully supported only by North Myrtle Beach. Specter himself is a piece of work, but I imagine you already know about his very shady background. Now he is positioning himself as the local Tea Party’s best friend, and some think it is to prepare the way for Bauer to run for Mayor of Myrtle Beach against John Rhodes. I’ve been advised to wait on this story, but with you nosing around on something related to it, I’m thinking you would get to Specter sooner or later.
SIC SEZ
Never heard of Jay Specter. Obviously we’re happy to look into it, though. As for your intel on Andre Bauer’s political future, we understood he was contemplating a third party gubernatorial bid. Obviously you’ve heard different.
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THE PEARLSTINE VOTE
Hi Will,
Since there have been so many questions and comments on Susan Pearlstine’s post regarding legislative appointments to college and university boards (and people asking who voted for her), here is a list for you. Senate votes are shaded green.
Thomas Alexander
Eric Bedingfield
Beth Bernstein
Lee Bright
Mike Burns
Chip Campsen
Kristopher Crawford
Kirkman Finley
Chip Limehouse
Joel Lourie
Shane Massey
Floyd Nicholson
Katrina Shealy
Vincent Sheheen
Michael Sottile
Bill Taylor
Mark Willis
SIC SEZ
Cool … thanks for passing this along.
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SHARING YOUR OPINION
Hello,
I would love to participate in the political commentary. Do you have guest columnists or part-time writers? Is there an opportunity available for me to write for you? Thanks, and I look forward to hearing from you!
AJ
SIC SEZ
It’s easy, AJ. FITS accepts letters to the editor, columns, press releases … you name it. As I note at the outset of every “wire,” you can send your submission (anonymously or otherwise) via our tip wire or just email it to me directly.
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FOLLOW UP FILE
1. Looks like Fox News has picked up our story from earlier this week on S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley’s white supremacist buddy … (no link love, though).
2. Remember that Kathryn Dennis Inside Edition interview we wrote about? It’s airing tonight … (local listings here).
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“Oh, seriously …”
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12 comments
Sen. Tom Davis, I see above, voted for the restaurant-owner brother of Rep. Leon Stavranakis for the Medical University of SC board.
That is, Davis voted against Susan Pearlstein, who has volunteered at MUSC since her teenage years; has donated, with her family, millions, to MUSC; and would have been the only woman on the board. She also manages a large business with many more employees — and has much more business experience — than “restaurant man.”
More than half the MUSC staff, student body and faculty are women, who also make up 52 percent of the state’s population.
This speaks volumes about Davis, who is firmly part of the “good ‘ole boy” system that keeps our state last where it should be first, and first where it should be last.
I was surprised, but now I’ve simply lowered my expectations, about Tom “change agent” Davis.
The new boss
Same as the old Boss.
Reid has one ball and Nim has the other.
Sen. Tom Davis, I see above, voted for the restaurant-owner brother of Rep. Leon Stavranakis for the Medical University of SC board.
That is, Davis voted against Susan Pearlstein, who has volunteered at MUSC since her teenage years; has donated, with her family, millions, to MUSC; and would have been the only woman on the board. She also manages a large business with many more employees — and has much more business experience — than “restaurant man.”
More than half the MUSC staff, student body and faculty are women, who also make up 52 percent of the state’s population.
This speaks volumes about Davis, who is firmly part of the “good ‘ole boy” system that keeps our state last where it should be first, and first where it should be last.
I was surprised, but now I’ve simply lowered my expectations, about Tom “change agent” Davis.
The new boss
Same as the old Boss.
Reid has one ball and Nim has the other.
Hmmmmm …
Surfside Beach has been smoke-free for a couple of years, so it’s not just NMB that went for full implementation. Your “tipster” was off the beam on that part. Also, the misappropriation rumors MAY be about the B.R.E.A.T.H.E. Coalition, as you indicated in your story on the matter, not “Smoke Free Horry.” I have heard the same rumors that Bauer will be running for mayor of MB. Hell, rumors have him running for anything and everything. I seriously doubt that one is true. I think he will bide his time and not make another political move quite so soon. He’s still a young guy, needs to establish himself more down here. As for Jay, I don’t know that he’s any shadier than six dozen other people in Horry politics, and I think he is actually his own man. We butt heads sometimes, but I do give him props for calling out the “Myrtle Beach Mafia” on basically ruining the MB economy worse than the severe recession would have done without “Take Back May.” Credit where its due.
Hmmmmm …
Surfside Beach has been smoke-free for a couple of years, so it’s not just NMB that went for full implementation. Your “tipster” was off the beam on that part. Also, the misappropriation rumors MAY be about the B.R.E.A.T.H.E. Coalition, as you indicated in your story on the matter, not “Smoke Free Horry.” I have heard the same rumors that Bauer will be running for mayor of MB. Hell, rumors have him running for anything and everything. I seriously doubt that one is true. I think he will bide his time and not make another political move quite so soon. He’s still a young guy, needs to establish himself more down here. As for Jay, I don’t know that he’s any shadier than six dozen other people in Horry politics, and I think he is actually his own man. We butt heads sometimes, but I do give him props for calling out the “Myrtle Beach Mafia” on basically ruining the MB economy worse than the severe recession would have done without “Take Back May.” Credit where its due.
Sic at the end of the day you’re still the go to site. Fight the power.
With Renee Dudley fired by the P&C and gone to Bloomberg, Steve Largen and Yvonne Winger quit, John Monk not very active, and cutbacks elsewhere, FITS is really the last go-to site for the straight dope.
Stay healthy, Mr. Folks.
Sic at the end of the day you’re still the go to site. Fight the power.
With Renee Dudley fired by the P&C and gone to Bloomberg, Steve Largen and Yvonne Winger quit, John Monk not very active, and cutbacks elsewhere, FITS is really the last go-to site for the straight dope.
Stay healthy, Mr. Folks.
Jay Specter’s wife is a Richland 2 School board member since 2002. He was released from federal prison a couple years ago. “Specter’s latest legal troubles began in 2001 while he was CEO of Insurall Casualty Group. In 2001, he borrowed $5 million, an amount to be paid in installments, for the construction of a call center. Each check was made payable to Insurall and a contractor hired to perform work on the project. Specter removed the contractor’s names from eleven checks, and he deposited $1.2 million that was supposed to be paid to workers into the Insurall account, which he controlled. Insurall went out of business in February 2003.” http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/15/1563.asp
Jay Specter’s wife is a Richland 2 School board member since 2002. He was released from federal prison a couple years ago. “Specter’s latest legal troubles began in 2001 while he was CEO of Insurall Casualty Group. In 2001, he borrowed $5 million, an amount to be paid in installments, for the construction of a call center. Each check was made payable to Insurall and a contractor hired to perform work on the project. Specter removed the contractor’s names from eleven checks, and he deposited $1.2 million that was supposed to be paid to workers into the Insurall account, which he controlled. Insurall went out of business in February 2003.” http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/15/1563.asp