|| By AMY LAZENBY || During the South Carolina House’s marathon debate over removing the Confederate battle flag from the State House grounds this week, there was little statesmanship and much pettiness. But there were a few shining moments that residents of the Palmetto State can be proud of – and one in particular.
Much attention has been given to the speech made by Rep. Jenny Horne (R-Dorchester). Horne’s remarks were emotionally powerful as the Republican representative shouted through tears, “I cannot believe that we do not have the heart in this body to do something meaningful, such as take a symbol of hate off these grounds on Friday!” In the end, that body did have the will, as did the SC Senate the previous week, and the flag came down. Many in the national media have credited Horne’s remarks with being the turning point of the contentious debate, when momentum swung back in favor of passing a clean “take it down” bill to match the Senate’s so the flag could be removed without further delay.
But that performance, for all its raw emotion, wasn’t the real highlight of the debate. That honor should go to another speech, one that was absent the tears and the shouting, but no less powerful – perhaps even more powerful because of its understated tone. No histrionics – just an accurate telling of history – and a call for grace, mutually and freely given. I’d like you to watch the remarks given by Rep. Joe Neal (D-Richland), as he calmly, rationally, and effectively disputes the arguments of those on the other side of the debate. I won’t pull out any of his memorable quotes here, because I’d like you to listen to them in the context within which they were so artfully woven by Rep. Neal.
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(Vid: Via)
And that, folks, is what true statesmanship looks and sounds like.
Amy Lazenby is a writer, editor, and PR gal. She’s a “native” South Carolinian who’s currently splitting her time between Spartanburg, SC and Washington, DC – hoping to get back to the Palmetto State for good. Follow her on Twitter at @amylazscdc.
12 comments
I heard Senator Joe Neal speech also. It was great but will rarely be heard in our 3 second soundbite MSM culture.
You say “there was little statesmanship and much pettiness”, but I disagree. When I saw the screen shots of Roof’s website it sickened me and at that time I felt pity for the state. It was like a second blow after the killings. I feared riots or violence. At that time I could not imagine a better outcome than was achieved. Senator Neal and Senator Pitts live in different realities, but they are realities. Each side had to listen to the other and we are better for it.
Fits thinks this debate opened wounds, but I believe they had to be opened because they were infected and festering. Because of the actions of nine martyrs, their families and our state leaders South Carolina is a much better place than it was four weeks ago.
Many of the sins of South Carolina were paid by those nine innocent victims.
You really are clueless. ONE insane individual killed ‘nine innocent victims’ and Nikki Haley essentially labeled/tagged South Carolinian whites,Republicans,the Biblical Christian conservatives that voted for her (despite her moral and ethnic failings) and and the GOP as racists.
Haley decided her national political ambitions were more important than those that elected her.She has no more elections to run in SC so why not agree with Rutherford, Jackson and Sharpton that Republicans are racists.
Trikki Nikki won this ONE-for Trikki Nikki. She won’t be able to run from the allegations that she had numerous affairs while serving the people of SC.
Just a fact.
You are a sad person. Fortunately, there no one willing to express your views publicly, not even Will Folks. Even Will knows that Haley is more popular with South Carolinians than ever before. Stepping on the toes of legislators only makes her more popular. Accusations of affairs would just boost her popularity even more.
National politics.I don’t give a flip what she does in SC. I can assure you the RNC is aware of ALL these allegations and why the MSM,high profile blogs,donors etc…need to be informed and/or reminded.
She would destroy a national GOP Presidential ticket in 2016.
Sad person? After the comments you have made about Will and his family?You and Haley are BOTH phonies and a disgrace.
Disgrace? Haley?
– loss of reputation or respect, especially as the result of a dishonorable action.
Her popularity among respected people prove you wrong. Will can’t appear with respected people.
Donald Trump. Will.
Sharpton and Jackson. Nikki
I disagree.
Donald Trump is a disgrace to;
NASCAR
ESPN
Unavision
Macy’s
Serta
Grupo Televisa
NBC
NY Mets
Ora TV
This ISIS flag is just a flag right? They are all mentally ill. Swastika was just a symbol on a flag right? Just all mentally ill Germans. No racism or forced slavery intended right?
Go ahead and fly the ISIS flag and the Swastika and see what happens.
Famous words,”We have come a long way but have a long way to go”. “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter”.
Lazenby’s hair glistened like a nose hair after a sneeze, her face a perfect oval, like a circle with two sides gently compressed by a Thigh Master.
“And that, folks, is what true statesmanship looks and sounds like.”
I thought Mark Sanford, your former boss, exemplified true statesmanship.
(In my best sarcastic voice): YAY! All problems are solved…no more violence, death or racism in this state because a flag came down!
Seriously people…wake-up and address the REAL problem. Fighting over a flag is disrespectful to the 9 people who died. Media attention once again focuses on a political agenda instead of honoring the lives that were lost! The killer was a drug-using, mental case whose intentions were to cause this division and hatred.