SC

Lazenby: “I’m Back”

“… AND I PLAN TO STICK AROUND” By Amy Lazenby || After a several month hiatus, I’m returning to FITSNews as Associate Opinion Editor. Last summer, my family moved to Athens, Georgia when my husband decided to expand his law practice, which remains headquartered in Spartanburg, S.C. I choose to…

“… AND I PLAN TO STICK AROUND”

By Amy Lazenby || After a several month hiatus, I’m returning to FITSNews as Associate Opinion Editor.

Last summer, my family moved to Athens, Georgia when my husband decided to expand his law practice, which remains headquartered in Spartanburg, S.C. I choose to live in Athens because of the opportunities the city affords my children, but as a native South Carolinian who loves the state I was born in and called home for my entire life, I continue to be deeply involved in Palmetto politics. I also own a home, a business, and have family in South Carolina, so for me, politics in this state will always be personal.

Over the past several months, I have been consulting with Palmetto State lawmakers from both parties, as well as some non-profit entities, on a variety of political issues that are important to me. I travel to Columbia on a weekly basis to meet with legislators and advocacy groups in an effort to advance bills that I believe to be in the public interest, and I will continue to do so.

I also closely follow the national political winds as they blow through the southeast.

My real passion, however, and the way I hope to be the most effective in helping to advance the legislation that I believe in, is writing. Most recently, I published a column in The (Columbia, S.C.) State newspaper encouraging the passage of a bill introduced by Rep. Bakari Sellers (D-Bamberg) that would give prosecutors in South Carolina better tools to combat criminal domestic violence.

It is that passion – and a desire to make a real difference in the state and nation that I love – that has brought me back to FITSNews.

While FITS editor Will Folks and I retain fundamental differences in thought on how government can best serve the people, we are able to find common ground on many issues. More often than not, however, we disagree. It is that counter-balance that I wish to bring back to FITSNews – for it is only in viewing an issue from multiple vantage points that we can truly understand it and chart the best course forward.

Will has graciously offered me this platform to share my opinions – and spar with him – on current political events in South Carolina and the nation, and I gratefully accept. I’m back, and I plan to stick around.

Someone has to keep an eye on “Sic Willie,” after all.

lazenby

Amy Lazenby is the Associate Opinion Editor for FITSNews. Contact her at amy@fitsnews.com and follow her on Twitter @Mrs_Laz.

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71 comments

CNSYD March 5, 2014 at 2:29 pm

Let me understand this. SC legislators waste their time listening to a Georgia resident tell them how to run SC when she is not even a SC voter. Interesting.

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Nunya March 5, 2014 at 2:55 pm

She said he has a house and a business in SC, so why shouldn’t she be active in SC politics?

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CNSYD March 5, 2014 at 3:02 pm

So you should be able to vote in both states? Unless you are a voter, and even more importantly represent a large number of voters, a politician will not waste their time on you. UNLESS you bring a significant campaign contribution with you.

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MaceSucks March 5, 2014 at 3:23 pm

Didn’t she say she was writing, not voting?

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CNSYD March 5, 2014 at 6:43 pm

My question was about her statement that she travels to Columbia on a weekly basis to “consult” with legislators. My statement about her voting is that she says she is a GA resident, so why would a SC legislator care about her?

Mike at the Beach March 9, 2014 at 3:20 pm

They probably don’t. They rarely even care about their actual constituents, so I would imagine that unless she has (in the old State House tradition) bags of $20 dollar bills with her, the clowns are merely pretending to listen to yet another out-of-state know-it-all.

Mike at the Beach March 9, 2014 at 3:16 pm

I think so, I just wish she’d do neither (here, anyway). Actually, I don’t care if she votes, everyone should. Just stop writing… ;-)

Mike at the Beach March 5, 2014 at 10:59 pm

You don’t think there’s some part of this story we don’t have do you? (Picture look of feigned shock wash across my face)

Maybe our legislators (who are admittedly not that bright in most cases) were looking for a stay at home mommy who lives out of state to help them out. I think I saw that ad posted in Politico.

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Uh huh March 6, 2014 at 8:50 am

She’s an artist Mike. Specializing in cow dung art.

shifty henry March 9, 2014 at 11:32 am

Perhaps the legislators are stupified and in awe of someone who is more intelligent (and makes more sense) than they are.

Mike at the Beach March 9, 2014 at 3:14 pm

Whoa, my friend. That’s a very low bar you just hoisted on Gervais Street: “…more intelligent (and makes more sense)…” than the SC legislature? Low bar, indeed. Like many of the commentators here (present company excluded), Lazenby strikes me as a self-appointed expert in residence on all things. I try to refrain from pontificating on every single topic in the universe, and stick to the matters falling (at least peripherally) within my bailiwick. Maybe I’m selling her short, but I’m not aware that she’s ever run some large organization, performed high level academic research on her topics, actually functioned in a major executive capacity with wide-scope responsibilities, or even made her bones as a policy wonk somewhere and actually implemented a policy or two of any type, etc. I’ll just pass on her articles; y’all have at her. Hopefully she’ll follow hubby a little further away next time. I keed! I keed!

shifty henry March 9, 2014 at 3:56 pm

“self-appointed expert in residence on all things”
Sort of like Aunt Rose Comfort in the film “Baby Doll” (Tennessee Williams)..?

Mike at the Beach March 9, 2014 at 4:06 pm

Ha! Very much so (more than she knows, no doubt). Nice reference…

Jackie Chiles March 5, 2014 at 5:06 pm

Exactly. Why not have everyone who owns a vacation home in SC but lives out of state come down and lobby the legislature to do what they think is best? Seems reasonable to have people who don’t live here year round telling our legislature what’s in the best interest of the full time residents.

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Anon March 5, 2014 at 8:40 pm

She’s a complete moron. I’m surprised Will let’s her write her whiny drivel on here.

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Mike at the Beach March 5, 2014 at 10:57 pm

Primarily because she’s annoying.

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shifty henry March 9, 2014 at 11:38 am

Hmmm — I think that her previous articles/opinion pieces received about a 12.725% agreement rating from me. Amy is really too far off the beam for me, but I read every article she submitted.

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Mike at the Beach March 9, 2014 at 3:04 pm

I was doing really well with my 100% boycott of her stuff before her glorious departure. I don’t mind debate when it’s a debate, but her shtick is usually shallow and relies on a flimsy lefty / libertarian mashup of assumptions. Will’s in the business of web hits, I get that. I’m just not going to contribute to hers.

shifty henry March 9, 2014 at 4:04 pm

I do symphathize with your statement, but every now and again I could get a nugget from one of her writings.

shifty henry March 9, 2014 at 11:27 am

So–? The Georgia GOVERNOR listens to NIKKI..!!

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nottoosmart March 5, 2014 at 5:00 pm

I’d rather have someone who has lived and worked in SC trying to influence politics rather than have Howie Rich buying influence.

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Jackie Chiles March 5, 2014 at 5:11 pm

Well of course you’d rather be shot in the face than burned alive. Doesn’t mean either is a good idea.

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Paul D March 5, 2014 at 4:11 pm

Thank you for your continued efforts at the SC state house. I value the fact that you live in GA but are vested and invested in SC politics and the state and it’s well being as a whole.

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Jackie Chiles March 5, 2014 at 5:10 pm

Uh, why don’t you provide the leaders of Georgia with your opinions if they’re so great? After all, Athens, Georgia, is where you choose to live. You’d think you’d be more interested in ensuring that the area you live in continues to provide the opportunities for your children. Guess you’re more interested in ensuring your second home has plenty of opportunities.

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nitrat March 5, 2014 at 6:40 pm

residential property taxes?

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Mr. Friendly March 5, 2014 at 8:25 pm

In fairness to Lazenby, politicians and their ass sniffers are the biggest busy bodies in the world.

Politics gives a whole sub set of sociopaths a reason to exist. If they couldn’t pass or lobby for laws cause “they know best” for everyone, most of their lives would have little meaning. Most of them don’t do anything interesting outside of running other people lives.

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GrandTango March 5, 2014 at 6:35 pm

Wow: a pro-abortion, radical race-baiter, feminist who will shill for Obamacare, more welfare, higher taxes and the rights of terrorists…w/ extra rights for homosexuals…

We don’t have enough of those…Hahahaha…Just kidding…welcome back. Hope you have a better game this time. You made it too easy for me before…

PS: I doubt you spar much w/ FITS. You ultimately end up at the same place…not a lot of difference between the two you, other than lip service.

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Jan March 5, 2014 at 6:37 pm

I would welcome you back, but I prefer to wait and see if you roll over for Howie Rich the way you did on giving taxpayer money to people with kids in private school.

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wuwt March 5, 2014 at 6:44 pm

I’m not clear on this “consulting” thing. Are you a paid lobbyist?

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Jan March 6, 2014 at 9:44 am

Good question.

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Pam Robinson Michaels March 6, 2014 at 10:40 am

She just said she is not a paid lobbyist. She was pretty clear about that. Amy is concerned about the world that her kids will grow up in and she is not shy about trying to make things better for her children. I have known Amy quite a while now. Don’t sell her intelligence short. She is very smart. And because of the child she has with medical issues she has seen the full health care issue up close and personal. Nothing like navigating through the maze of paperwork, approvals and pre-existing illness clauses to see clearly that something needed to be done. It will need a lot of tweaking as time goes by – much like Social Security and Medicare did – but something had to be done. So before you dismiss what Amy has to say just because she is a smart woman maybe you have some ideas of your own?

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Intelligence for sale! March 6, 2014 at 10:56 am

“Don’t sell her intelligence short.”

Is someone actually willing to buy her intelligence?

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Pam Robinson Michaels March 6, 2014 at 10:58 am

So no ideas of your own, huh?

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Intelligence for sale! March 6, 2014 at 11:58 am

So is sex out of the question?

jimlewisowb March 5, 2014 at 6:53 pm

Welcome back

Stop by BOB’s off of Highway 6 around 4:30 on any Friday and have a ying ling or two on the old white bastards’ tab

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GrandTango March 5, 2014 at 6:55 pm

Wow Jim: Why are treating her so nice???….and you threatened me w/ violence if I showed up…

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jimlewisowb March 5, 2014 at 7:06 pm

Hold on there just a minute

Do believe when this started you promised me a bitch slap if you ever got within an arm’s length

However, I am not one to harbor negative feelings. If you decide to show up at BOB’s, we will not have a problem with you buying all of us a round or two or three

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GrandTango March 5, 2014 at 7:52 pm

Thanks. I would come in peace. When I get my drink on, I DO NOT talk politics. Too much can go wrong w/ alcohol and what not….

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TontoBubbaGoldstein March 5, 2014 at 8:05 pm

That may be the most intelligent thing you ever posted.

Kudos, Sir.

euwe max March 6, 2014 at 10:49 am

He’s reserving the empty post for his Pièce de résistance

FudgePackerAtChocolateMonkey March 6, 2014 at 8:48 pm

Just be careful that nobody in the bar gets a piece of his ass. Those little pustules have popped up around his anus again and on my penis. Tango likes to drink when that happens to kill the pain but the bad thing is that drinking makes him horny.

Buz Martin March 6, 2014 at 8:39 pm

It really is.

euwe max March 9, 2014 at 5:53 pm

Don’t encourage the monkeys.

FudgePackerAtChocolateMonkey March 6, 2014 at 8:49 pm

He doesn’t talk politics when he gets drunk, but it sure as hell makes him horny. Ask Lindsey.

euwe max March 6, 2014 at 9:21 pm

I would come in peace.

——
Yet another masturbatory metaphor?

shifty henry March 9, 2014 at 11:11 am

Please enlighten us on the “what not”……….

Your secret admirer March 6, 2014 at 10:57 am

“If you decide to show up at BOB’s, we will not have a problem with you buying all of us a round or two or three”

After he buys can we kick his ass?

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Smirks March 5, 2014 at 9:17 pm

Try not being a crazed douchebag who can’t shut his yap about how he can supposedly kick peoples’ asses? Sounds crazy, I know…

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euwe max March 6, 2014 at 10:48 am

what happened to your habitual homoerotic prose? Did the appearance of a nationally known persona dampen your creative journalistic energies?

Also missing from your posts in this topic are the shifted numeric keys across the top, to mask the “bad words” so that little taters in the audience won’t get be scarred for life.

Is this an indication that you’re going to clean up your act, and behave like the Christian soldier you’ve been pretending to be?

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shifty henry March 9, 2014 at 11:19 am

Max, that could be partially true, but perhaps GT has discovered that receiving a hug every now and then is nice. Then again, perhaps Mrs. Lazenby has scolded him.

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euwe max March 9, 2014 at 5:52 pm

I was thinking the drunks in your state are polite to attractive ladies that aren’t lesbians, or avowed liberals. They actually turn their heads so as not to puke on their shoes.

shifty henry March 9, 2014 at 11:09 am

Jim, if I’m late buy Amy a half-dozen or so adult beverages and put it on my tab. REMEMBER !! —- she is a married lady.

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Really? March 5, 2014 at 8:31 pm

“I’m back.”

I didn’t know you left.

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Smirks March 5, 2014 at 9:11 pm

As a new Georgia citizen, how does it feel to finally have governor Haley actually working for your state?

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Amy Brandstadter Lazenby March 6, 2014 at 5:19 am

Thank you all for reading and commenting. I’d like to clear up a few misconceptions and answer some of your questions. Yes, I am a GA resident and vote in that state. My husband, however, remains a SC resident and voter. My “second home” is not a vacation home. It is the home where my husband lives when he is working in Spartanburg. It is also the place where my daughter (who has chronic medical issues) and I stay when we see a particular specialist in Spartanburg. We pay income, property, and business owner taxes in SC, and thus have a vested interest in this state. I was born in Sumter, SC, grew up outside of Columbia, went to Wofford College, and lived in Spartanburg for 19 years before moving to GA, so the interest is personal as well.

I am not a paid lobbyist. I volunteer my time on behalf of non-profits and legislators who are trying to pass bills that I believe in. I am a citizen activist. I did this before moving to GA and will continue to do so, at my own expense. I have always written about local and national issues for FITS and will continue to do so. Again, thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy my contributions.

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Jackie Chiles March 6, 2014 at 9:01 am

So you love South Carolina so much, you chose to live in Athens, GA while your husband stays in South Carolina? Something’s not adding up.

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Soft Sigh from Hell March 6, 2014 at 8:08 pm

Try reading the “when he is working in Spartanburg” and it will become clearer.

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Jackie Chiles March 6, 2014 at 9:52 pm

So he’s not even here that often either? This isn’t helping.

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shifty henry March 9, 2014 at 11:47 am

Sic is looking for a new homestead. Perhaps he could move to Athens – next door to Amy.

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shifty henry March 9, 2014 at 11:25 am

Many thanks for your new photo which I shall use for my desktop. I shall share it with my Yankee and Western friends/acquaintances/hangers-on as an example of true Southern Womanhood……

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Orangeblood March 6, 2014 at 7:17 am

If Ms
Lanzeby is trying to sway the SC Legislature to her way of thinking, may God
have mercy on the state of South Carolina.

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Thomas March 6, 2014 at 11:03 am

When you have your epiphany regarding your country, your state, your county is only as good as the prisons and jails taxpayers blindly fund, let me know. Your approach to domestic violence is amateur at best. We have had three murders here recently involving stabbings and strangulation. Gun violence is not pervasive demanding instant retributions for fist fights. If you want wholesale changes in domestic violence, champion a national registry for violent offenders. Prisons assign points towards violent behaviors so must society. The habitual violent offenders must register every three months and pay for their ankle GPS monitors for starters. Other than that, is FITS paying you to be an Associate Opinion Editor or is this a free service from a citizen activist as well?

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Buz Martin March 6, 2014 at 8:44 pm

If you jack off that high horse before you mount it next time, you’ll have a much smoother ride.

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Philip Branton March 6, 2014 at 12:25 pm

Dear Amy……..

What kind of Kleenex article is this..? Well, at least you are wearing RED in your photo.

“……While FITS editor Will Folks and I retain fundamental differences in thought on how government can best serve the people, we are able to find common ground on many issues. More often than not, however, we disagree. It is that counter-balance that I wish to bring back to FITSNews….”

Amy, you need to feast your blue eyes on the WHITE space on this web page. We hope you understand advertising space..!! From the blatant barren SPONSORSHIP and endorsements that you have….it is a clear signal to anyone here on FITSNEWS that you need to have a heart to heart with a lawyer that is the love of your life. Your husband obviously understands how to lock in “advertising” funds from clients…!!!

“…..It is that passion – and a desire to make a real difference in the state and nation that I love – that has brought me back to FITSNews…..”

Really Amy….really? YOU really have passion? Well, we wonder just how fast you can get the dirt on the conversation Nikki Haley had at SPAWAR Atlantic the other week that was “well” advertised..!! Your readers would love to understand the BRAC dominos that are not being reported.

Amy, can you find out where the Circus train is parked….dare to see if WIl FOlks can guess..? Dare to ask what Engines are pulling the “elephants”…!?!

Amy……….get BUSY and stop reporting like a sorority sister…!!

NOW……..( fist poundzzzz….!!! ) (spit)

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euwe max March 6, 2014 at 9:18 pm

Btw, how much do you get paid per column inch?

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Amy Brandstadter Lazenby March 7, 2014 at 6:57 am

I do not get paid to write for FITSNews. I appreciate you reading and commenting on my work.

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euwe max March 7, 2014 at 3:51 pm

What’s your opinion on engine braking by semis?

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A law for everything March 7, 2014 at 7:50 pm

In towns, bad. On freeways not close to residential areas, good.

Legislate accordingly.

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Same ol' Same ol' March 7, 2014 at 2:08 pm

She’s a goddamned spy, I tell you. Sent directly from that hell known as the GA legislature to influence SC lawmakers with Deal’s doings. (not that it’s that hard to do) Ha, you thought you had me fooled with all that SC blather.

Welcome back. (insert evil laugh here)

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snickering March 10, 2014 at 9:14 am

I look forward to enjoying everything you write. HAPPY SIC WILLIE HAS A COUNTERPOINT>

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snickering March 10, 2014 at 9:20 am

I look forward to reading your works!! You have the most beautiful way of putting a positive spin on the most negative things. It actually doesn’t offend because you mention the other side of the argument.

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