For those of you on summer vacation (or reading our braille editions), there have been some big visual changes to FITSNews this week. And while my crew is still working out all of the kinks, I gotta say I’m pretty proud of our new digs.
Especially the new mobile versions for iPad …
And iPhone …
Marty Sullens and his crew at True Winter Studios have done an amazing job building this site. Meanwhile FITS new techno-marketing guru Karl Steinborn has been managing the redesign project as well as a host of other enhancements to our little operation. FITSNews is going places, people … and you’re cordially invited to come along for the ride.
I’m also exceedingly grateful for the contributions of our new associate opinion editor Amy Lazenby, who has been knocking out quality columns from a libertarian-progressive perspective – lending a fresh new voice to our microphone.
If you want to support FITS as it endeavors to continue challenging the status quo in American politics, please feel free to do so. We’d be grateful for your support. Also be sure to share FITS with your family and friends via email and social media – as we’re looking to continue our organic growth.
Oh, and if you’d like to learn more about our expanding audience and the advertising opportunities it offers your business, contact us here.
Over the last six years this website has evolved from its “accidental” launch into one of the Southeast’s most influential new media outlets. And as rapper Brother Ali says, “we ain’t quitting at that.”
You may not agree with everything you read here – but hopefully FITS’ daily contributions to the marketplace of ideas make you think about things from a different perspective.
Oh … and while this website will always be “unfair and imbalanced,” the new FITS is going to be a much cleaner place. You won’t be seeing any nudity or reading any much foul language moving forward. What can I say … everybody’s gotta grow up at some point.
Anyway, with a new look, new contributors and a pair of big election cycles coming up in 2014 and 2016 – its an exciting time to be “First in the South.”
Thanks for reading,
Will Folks
Founding Editor
115 comments
Will,
Congrats on having built something for which you can be proud.
Don’t discontinue the nudity.
..or the foul language. It’s nice to have somewhere that we can say what we REALLY think!
Fuck yeah!
We’re with your Little Op buddy, could we see some stats on this fitsop?
Will,
Congrats on having built something for which you can be proud.
Don’t discontinue the nudity.
..or the foul language. It’s nice to have somewhere that we can say what we REALLY think!
Fuck yeah!
no nudity or foul language? Well, it was nice knowin’ ya.
Yeah that’s fucking bullshit
no nudity or foul language? Well, it was nice knowin’ ya.
Yeah that’s fucking bullshit
This constant changing of your page is going to trigger my Tourette Syndrome.
Ha +2 to you Squishy
Seriously sickness, way to much advertising.
This constant changing of your page is going to trigger my Tourette Syndrome.
Ha +2 to you Squishy
Looks pretty slick! Sorry to hear you grew up though, that’s a bummer.
Looks pretty slick! Sorry to hear you grew up though, that’s a bummer.
Pretty nice. I especially like the right nav by topic sort. The trending doesn’t really pick up on the comments or the little fire icon qty (page views?) but it looks neeto.
Search kind of through me off. I was looking for the box. Maybe that’s trendy that you click on it first?
I hope they put the browser detect in soon. Looks like your code is almost all mobile. Full/PC broswers (on 36″ screens) look a little tiny. Your pages don’t spread 1/3 of my screen.
*whistles softly*
You’ve got a 36 inch screen and Fits isn’t posting nudity anymore?
That’s gotta suck.
One thing about no or less nudity, it won’t cost me as much for masturbatory tissues, especially since I quit taking the paper edition……. oops, wrong site.
Pretty nice. I especially like the right nav by topic sort. The trending doesn’t really pick up on the comments or the little fire icon qty (page views?) but it looks neeto.
Search kind of through me off. I was looking for the box. Maybe that’s trendy that you click on it first?
I hope they put the browser detect in soon. Looks like your code is almost all mobile. Full/PC broswers (on 36″ screens) look a little tiny. Your pages don’t spread 1/3 of my screen.
*whistles softly*
You’ve got a 36 inch screen and Fits isn’t posting nudity anymore?
That’s gotta suck.
One thing about no or less nudity, it won’t cost me as much for masturbatory tissues, especially since I quit taking the paper edition……. oops, wrong site.
Is this a Great Day in South Carolina?
Is this a Great Day in South Carolina?
I prefer the serif font you had for the article text a few days earlier. I think it was Georgia.
I prefer the serif font you had for the article text a few days earlier. I think it was Georgia.
Now, if you could do something where comments don’t go spastic on me when they get beyond a few deep, like splitting them up into pages, like The State does, that would be da shit!
Now, if you could do something where comments don’t go spastic on me when they get beyond a few deep, like splitting them up into pages, like The State does, that would be da shit!
Fits announces he has “grown up” and Big T/Gran Tango disappears.
hmmmmm!!!
Yes, Big T was a sock puppet.
Glad to see the narcissism has managed to survive the changes (See above photo).
First they came for nudity…and TBG didn’t say anything.
Then they came for foul language…and TBG was quiet.
Then they came for BigT/GrandTango…And TBG said nothing….
… …
Grand Tardo is now polluting the comments section at The State.
Hmmm- Has anybody ever seen them in the same room at the same time?
Fits announces he has “grown up” and Big T/Gran Tango disappears.
hmmmmm!!!
Yes, Big T was a sock puppet.
Glad to see the narcissism has managed to survive the changes (See above photo).
First they came for nudity…and TBG didn’t say anything.
Then they came for foul language…and TBG was quiet.
Then they came for BigT/GrandTango…And TBG said nothing….
… …
Grand Tardo is now polluting the comments section at The State.
Hmmm- Has anybody ever seen them in the same room at the same time?
My only suggestion is to use your new photo (with cigar) for a classier image instead of the cartoon.
Excuse me, but I meant to add that a darker type,and a “squidge” larger, would be easier to read — especially on the home page.
Does your browser support Ctrl+ to embiggen and Ctrl- to smallify?
If you use Google Chrome, you can even choose your font.
TBG thinks that Will might want to avoid coming in contact with Suge Knight or George Zimmerman.
My only suggestion is to use your new photo (with cigar) for a classier image instead of the cartoon.
Excuse me, but I meant to add that a darker type,and a “squidge” larger, would be easier to read — especially on the home page.
Does your browser support Ctrl+ to embiggen and Ctrl- to smallify?
If you use Google Chrome, you can even choose your font.
TBG thinks that Will might want to avoid coming in contact with Suge Knight or George Zimmerman.
Do your advertisers and readers know you are a convicted wife beater and abuser???
(Columbia) September 28, 2005 – Former gubernatorial spokesman Will Folks has pleaded guilty to criminal domestic violence in a Columbia court.
The 31-year-old Folks was arrested in July and accused of shoving his fiancee, Ashley Smith, into furniture during a heated argument. A week after Folks was arrested, he denied accusations that he shoved her.
Folks received a 30-day suspended sentence, meaning he will avoid jail time as long as he stays out of trouble for the next six months. He also was ordered to attend anger management classes and not to contact his ex-fiance Ashley Smith.
Folks says he hopes his guilty plea shows something about his character. He says he did not want to put his ex-fiancee or her family through a trial that would have exposed private details. He previously had denied the accusations.
Folks has spoken publicly about the case a number of times. But Ashley Smith has remained silent until now, “I think I can understand why victims don’t come forward with these kind of things. Because the process, the procedures that are involved with it make it very intimidating and very scary.”
Smith and Folks were engaged to be married. “When you love someone, you want to believe the best in them. That was the situation for me,” says Smith.
“There are days that it’s hard to accept that I’m not getting married, but I know deep down that I did the right thing.”
“I know deep down he’s sorry what happened. He and I are the only people who know what happened in that room. I know that he is sorry deep down somewhere.”
One of the hardest things for Smith to accept is those who want to place the blame on her, “What did she do to provoke him? What was her roll in this? That’s very, very hard to accept.”
Smith says she believes she’s done the right thing, and is ready to move on “It was important for me not to come forward, and I still to this day, don’t want to say anything ugly or negative. I just want this to be a situation where we both can move forward, and hopefully it won’t have to be in the public eye anymore.”
Folks resigned from the governor’s office August 1st.
This was necessary, why?
No CIC this wasn’t necessary. Obviously, with a blog like this, Will has accumulated a few enemies as well as a lot of friends. Every now and then, one of these assholes finds it necessary to throw up this ancient history. Of course they always hide behind screen names, so no one
could look at skeletons in their closets.
Props to Will for letting “truth’s” post go through. He could have deleted it.
Yes, but my wife is from Detroit so … I don’t beat her.
Damn. Real talk.
“Fifty Shades of Grey”
the truth: When Will starts moderating the comments, I hope like holy hell that he cuts crap like this. It adds nothing to this site and is old, old news. Think about moving on and get with the new program.
Do your advertisers and readers know you are a convicted wife beater and abuser???
(Columbia) September 28, 2005 – Former gubernatorial spokesman Will Folks has pleaded guilty to criminal domestic violence in a Columbia court.
The 31-year-old Folks was arrested in July and accused of shoving his fiancee, Ashley Smith, into furniture during a heated argument. A week after Folks was arrested, he denied accusations that he shoved her.
Folks received a 30-day suspended sentence, meaning he will avoid jail time as long as he stays out of trouble for the next six months. He also was ordered to attend anger management classes and not to contact his ex-fiance Ashley Smith.
Folks says he hopes his guilty plea shows something about his character. He says he did not want to put his ex-fiancee or her family through a trial that would have exposed private details. He previously had denied the accusations.
Folks has spoken publicly about the case a number of times. But Ashley Smith has remained silent until now, “I think I can understand why victims don’t come forward with these kind of things. Because the process, the procedures that are involved with it make it very intimidating and very scary.”
Smith and Folks were engaged to be married. “When you love someone, you want to believe the best in them. That was the situation for me,” says Smith.
“There are days that it’s hard to accept that I’m not getting married, but I know deep down that I did the right thing.”
“I know deep down he’s sorry what happened. He and I are the only people who know what happened in that room. I know that he is sorry deep down somewhere.”
One of the hardest things for Smith to accept is those who want to place the blame on her, “What did she do to provoke him? What was her roll in this? That’s very, very hard to accept.”
Smith says she believes she’s done the right thing, and is ready to move on “It was important for me not to come forward, and I still to this day, don’t want to say anything ugly or negative. I just want this to be a situation where we both can move forward, and hopefully it won’t have to be in the public eye anymore.”
Folks resigned from the governor’s office August 1st.
This was necessary, why?
No CIC this wasn’t necessary. Obviously, with a blog like this, Will has accumulated a few enemies as well as a lot of friends. Every now and then, one of these assholes finds it necessary to throw up this ancient history. Of course they always hide behind screen names, so no one
could look at skeletons in their closets.
Props to Will for letting “truth’s” post go through. He could have deleted it.
Yes, but my wife is from Detroit so … I don’t beat her.
Damn. Real talk.
“Fifty Shades of Grey”
the truth: When Will starts moderating the comments, I hope like holy hell that he cuts crap like this. It adds nothing to this site and is old, old news. Think about moving on and get with the new program.
I don’t like the dual-column thing on the main page, it seems to order stories in a weird way, but it isn’t bad. Major kudos for a decent mobile layout. Our founding commenter is pleased.
Edit: And no nudity? You kinda botched that one by linking the page to that CofC required reading book. :P
+1 for “our founding commenter”
Yeah, the story order is odd – some older stuff before newer stuff. Hopefully that’s one of the kinks they’re working out. Overall, I dig it.
I don’t like the dual-column thing on the main page, it seems to order stories in a weird way, but it isn’t bad. Major kudos for a decent mobile layout. Our founding commenter is pleased.
Edit: And no nudity? You kinda botched that one by linking the page to that CofC required reading book. :P
+1 for “our founding commenter”
Yeah, the story order is odd – some older stuff before newer stuff. Hopefully that’s one of the kinks they’re working out. Overall, I dig it.
@FITS – Glad to hear you’re finally listening to yo Mama!
@FITS – Glad to hear you’re finally listening to yo Mama!
I’m in.
I’m in.
Need to ditch the picture. Looks too much like Rush Limpdick. He’s irrational and you at least have some rational behind your posts (most of the time).
Need to ditch the picture. Looks too much like Rush Limpdick. He’s irrational and you at least have some rational behind your posts (most of the time).
Well, one other item I am used to, and that is the “HOME” button just after the comments on the left side – this is just my personal preference. I do like the two column set up, it makes scrolling easier. Bringing back the photos on the archived article is tops. It is a great help when looking back at articles, because so many have similar titles, the photo is the ticket. Thanks.
Well, one other item I am used to, and that is the “HOME” button just after the comments on the left side – this is just my personal preference. I do like the two column set up, it makes scrolling easier. Bringing back the photos on the archived article is tops. It is a great help when looking back at articles, because so many have similar titles, the photo is the ticket. Thanks.
god damn, no more fucking foul language. What the hell is up with that shit?
god damn, no more fucking foul language. What the hell is up with that shit?
Really like the new look. MUCH improved!
Really like the new look. MUCH improved!
Really Folks…….really..?? Wil, you have got to be kidding yourself. Ya know, your wife is no dummy and neither is Nikki Haley or Darla Moore. We highly wager that when they cruise to this website and actually stop to think about what they actually see as they read any article or comment section is a LOT of white space that advertiser and sponsors could be doing what with…??
Am I the only one in this comment section that is telling the King that he is not wearing any clothes…??
Heck, just look at the article on race baiting that you have run today…is that the real news..?? We highly wager that anyone who knows what is happening in South Sudan or Darfur or Nigeria or Egypt or the Ivory Coast would be on the floor laughing. Race baiting……race baiting..??
Wil Folks……..if a black person was to read any article on your website today; WHAT would they learn and be able to use to make any money to feed themselves..??
My backside…!!
The time spent powdering your nose and head in this article could have been spent telling black citizens what oil corporations to invest in that were RAPING countries natural resources in Africa…!!!
Wil Folks……….YOU IDIOT….!!
Philip Branton…. YOU OBSESSIVE ILLOGICAL MORON…!! Also, check your spelling, bro.
Welcome back T. Glad to see you’ve cleaned up the language.
Really Folks…….really..?? Wil, you have got to be kidding yourself. Ya know, your wife is no dummy and neither is Nikki Haley or Darla Moore. We highly wager that when they cruise to this website and actually stop to think about what they actually see as they read any article or comment section is a LOT of white space that advertiser and sponsors could be doing what with…??
Am I the only one in this comment section that is telling the King that he is not wearing any clothes…??
Heck, just look at the article on race baiting that you have run today…is that the real news..?? We highly wager that anyone who knows what is happening in South Sudan or Darfur or Nigeria or Egypt or the Ivory Coast would be on the floor laughing. Race baiting……race baiting..??
Wil Folks……..if a black person was to read any article on your website today; WHAT would they learn and be able to use to make any money to feed themselves..??
My backside…!!
The time spent powdering your nose and head in this article could have been spent telling black citizens what oil corporations to invest in that were RAPING countries natural resources in Africa…!!!
Wil Folks……….YOU IDIOT….!!
Philip Branton…. YOU OBSESSIVE ILLOGICAL MORON…!! Also, check your spelling, bro.
Welcome back T. Glad to see you’ve cleaned up the language.
I hope someone more learned than I can help me understand something. On the home page, with the lists of articles, there is a text icon with the number of comments posted on the article. To the right of that, is what looks like a fire (flame?) with a number next to it, which is usually higher than the number beside the comments icon. What is the fire icon about or what does it represent?
I’ll probably have a “D’oh” (slaps forehead) moment when you tell me.
Me too – nothing happens when I tap it.
Hey Shifty, where have you been? Good to see you back on here!!!!
Thanks! From time-to-time I’m required to put on the “cloak of invisibility”. You guys have been busy on Fitsnews and lots to catch up on.
Lots.
The number of people who have clicked on the article, maybe?
Thank You, Curious!!!! That might be it. Something maybe to do with how “hot” the thread is.
It’s a score based on an algorithm of a couple things. We are working on refining it but page caching is messing with a lot of our dynamic content. A lot of tweaks to come through out the next couple days. The score is bass on time-views-comments etc. again a lot is still being tweaked.
OK, Thank You, Karl!
I hope someone more learned than I can help me understand something. On the home page, with the lists of articles, there is a text icon with the number of comments posted on the article. To the right of that, is what looks like a fire (flame?) with a number next to it, which is usually higher than the number beside the comments icon. What is the fire icon about or what does it represent?
I’ll probably have a “D’oh” (slaps forehead) moment when you tell me.
Me too – nothing happens when I tap it.
Hey Shifty, where have you been? Good to see you back on here!!!!
Thanks! From time-to-time I’m required to put on the “cloak of invisibility”. You guys have been busy on Fitsnews and lots to catch up on.
The number of people who have clicked on the article, maybe?
Thank You, Curious!!!! That might be it. Something maybe to do with how “hot” the thread is.
It’s a score based on an algorithm of a couple things. We are working on refining it but page caching is messing with a lot of our dynamic content. A lot of tweaks to come through out the next couple days. The score is bass on time-views-comments etc. again a lot is still being tweaked.
OK, Thank You, Karl!
page sucks
page sucks
Too bad pics and photoshops aren’t allowed. I could do some funny shit with that stogie!
Too bad pics and photoshops aren’t allowed. I could do some funny shit with that stogie!
On the old site, I never had to click the refresh to update. With this new site, I thought it had crashed for more than a day, with no new articles when visiting, until clicking the reload on my browser brought up all the new stuff that was not loading.
On the old site, I never had to click the refresh to update. With this new site, I thought it had crashed for more than a day, with no new articles when visiting, until clicking the reload on my browser brought up all the new stuff that was not loading.
The pride that comes before a fall..
The pride that comes before a fall..
I appreciate the opportunity to say whatever I please, and for the ability to remain anonomus (Folks, Folks’ folks can figure out who you are with a “who is” on the IP of your posts). Lazenby is also a great idea. Not a big iPad or mobile user for this kind of shit, but it does look decent, but you fucked up the PC version. The Big T dissapearance will almost make you credible. i suggest you post by another name at the State.
I appreciate the opportunity to say whatever I please, and for the ability to remain anonomus (Folks, Folks’ folks can figure out who you are with a “who is” on the IP of your posts). Lazenby is also a great idea. Not a big iPad or mobile user for this kind of shit, but it does look decent, but you fucked up the PC version. The Big T dissapearance will almost make you credible. i suggest you post by another name at the State.
You can’t express yourself without using bad language? Kind of shows your level of intelligence.
You can’t express yourself without using bad language? Kind of shows your level of intelligence.