The SC6 Candidate Music Series Rolls On, With a Happy Birthday Wish As Well ..

Today's Spotlight Is On Superintendent of Ed Candidate Kelly Payne ...

Today, we pull double duty with the Candidate Music Series. Why? Because not only did we get our request answered (very quickly BTW) by Kelly Payne, but we found out that it's also her birthday on Monday. We're a bit worried, because we always are afraid of teachers catching spelling or grammar errors on our blog posts.....

Yes, it's Kelly's birthday, and we're not going to ever tell a woman's age, although it is less than mine. Kelly is what all teachers should be: hardworking, dedicated to her kids, a Republican, and maybe just a bit sexy.... Hey, I always did better in class with the cuter teachers and prof's..... Anyway, back to her free birthday present: James Taylor's 'Carolina on My Mind' .. I think he might be talking about North Carolina, but who cares? It's a beautiful song. I found a live version with The Dixie Chicks singing backup. Happy Birthday, Kelly !!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LvhF0uSEAE

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Tiger ......

Here is our only comment on Tiger Woods' car accident this week ..... It just goes to show that even the best golfer in the world could always use help with his driving. Sorry !!!




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SC6's Cartoon of the Week

Things got better in the cartoon world this week. The Christmas season is already starting to infiltrate the field already, but that's way too early for us. We almost chose one that talked about Harry Reid's spending to get the Health Care Bill more palatable for the Senate. But, with it being Thanksgiving Week, we thought it would be better to choose one that stuck with the theme - and the lead hammer commentary that we love oh so much .... Plus, this cartoon was in color !

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Christmas Season Has Officially Started ...

There it is... The family Christmas Tree is up at the Ricci household, and thus, Christmas Season is now upon us.... This year's tree is smaller than last year, from what I'm told. The last tree was 14 feet high and cost $900, but Joe tossed it out because he couldn't put stuff on top without getting an AFLAC policy... Kinda like dumping your supermodel girlfriend because she spends too much.

The whole Christmas thing has been pretty foreign to me for the past decade. I haven't even put up a tree since 2004, and I figured out that the last time we had a family tree decoration party was about 1985...... We always did Christmas a bit different.. We put up the tree on December 18th - Grandpa's Birthday - and took it down January 6th - the 12th day of Christmas, so there was a method behind the madness.

It's going to be an interesting year. A Christmas with little kids getting all excited , waiting for Santa to come. And also a Christmas with Christmas-like weather! There's just something not right with wearing shorts on Christmas Day.... It's not here yet - 50 degrees and sunny today - but it's coming!

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Remembering a REAL Lifesaver ....

Ingenuiety is by far the most important skill in advancing society. Lots of people can make a substance or an object, but it is the useful application of that item that makes us progress. Bill Gates didn't invent the computer, or even the mouse - a couple guys from Xerox did. But he knew the impact of what it could do was. In that vein, we honor Lester Shubin .....





Lester Who? Exactly. I couldn't even find a picture of him. That's how unknown Shubin was. But that is irrelevant. Shubin can be credited with saving the lives of over 3000 cops in the last few decades. How? Shubin invented the Kevlar Bulletproof Vest. No, Shubin did not invent Kevlar - that was the lady they always show on the DuPont commercials. But Shubin, who was a Justice Department engineer at the time, figured out that Kevlar could be made into a jacket to keep cops safer.




He also advanced the use of drug-sniffing dogs in the 1970's - a concept that is pretty much accepted today. Kevlar had it's critics in the day too - like the manufacturers who feared liability if it failed. That all ended when a Philadelphia city cop was shot at point-blank range, and walked away with minor bruises. Shubin stayed on at the Justice Department until he retired in 1992. This week, he passed away at the age of 84 at his home in Virginia. It must be pretty cool to know that you made a difference in so many people's lives with one small application. We'll say it for everyone else...... Thanks !

We have a big surprise to add to this post.... Mr. Shubin's granddaughter ran across our post on a Google search, and sent us a couple pictures of him to add. Thanks a lot, Rachel - and thanks to your Grandfather !

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SC6 Continues It's Candidate Music Series..

We Finish Up the Lt. Gov. Candidates With Tim Scott

We don't expect the particular musical choice of a candidate to influence your vote for them. If it does, we will gladly call Voter Registration, and tell them that you are dead (at least in the brain), and ask them to cancel your eligibility to vote. However, we think it does give you a little insight to them as a person, and it makes the campaign process a bit more fun. Let the other guys ask them their stance on Education Funding.....

In case you missed the first two, we highlighted the other two Republican Lt. Governor candidates previously. Florence County Councilman Ken Ard is a Bruce Springsteen fan, while Lt. Col. Bill Connor chose Jimmy Buffett as his favorite musician. Today, we're spotlighting Charleston area State Legislator Tim Scott. Tim decided that two choices were better than one, and we didn't want to pick, so we're showing both.

The first is William 'Wee Gee' Howard's "Hold On (To Your Dreams)". It's an Old School classic, although it is kinda long. Here's the link:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=W10bGqRV-f4

The second clip is a bit of a surprise. Apparently, Tim is a Christian Rock fan too. His second pick is Jeremy Camp's version of 'You Are Worthy of My Praise'. Ahhhh, to hear guitars again !!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ33YN3lZWw

Thanks to Tim, Bill and Ken for being good sports with us and taking the time to play. Now we attack the other statewide candidates for insight into ther musical tastes !!!!

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If You're Gonna Do It, Henry, Do It Today ....

South Carolina Waits For McMaster to Drop the Axe on Sanford ..





An update from 750 miles away on the Mark Sanford saga. This story has become your own. No one up here cares about it anymore. Like most things that catch our attention for 48 hours, it was all about the Sex.... Yeah, the Ethics Committee's 37 count allegation aganst Sanford made the paper up here - but it was on about page 25....





That being said, to political junkies in SC, it's still big news. I picture news crews staked out in front of Henry McMaster's home and office, waiting for any sign that he's made a decision to indict or not.... That is, they're staked out in between trips to WalMart to interview Black Friday customers. And it's for that reason that we say to McMaster, if you plan on dropping the bomb, do it today....





For years, anytime someone has to release contrversial news, they do it at about 4:00 PM Friday or later. When the House passed it's Health Care legislation, it was 11:00 PM Saturday. That gives you an idea of how bad that bill is... The last time I got fired, it was on a Thursday. I went back the next day, and firebombed the place. Next time, they'll know better. Yep, firings, divorces, bad quarterly financials - they all come out on Friday afternoon, so you'll be too busy and preoccupied to notice or care...





And this isn't just Friday, it's Black Friday! Everyone is so jazzed up with Christmas shopping and getting the ultimate parking spot at the mall, they'll never even notice. There will not be a better time, unless you notice on the calendar that Christmas and New Year's Day both fall on Friday this year too. I guess Henry does have time, although he probably already knows wat he is going to do. Friday is the day. Maybe today, maybe in 4 or 5 weeks, but who wants to work on Christmas Day? He could do it Christmas Eve, but I'd pass on a Thursday - Mark Sanford might burn his house down......



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SC6 Picture of the Day Returns !!! This Is How Pumpkin Pies Are Made ???

Thanks, Bobby ! I'm really starting to worry about the people I hang out with......

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Thanksgiving: A Day of Traditions....

Looks Like the Indians - I Mean Native Americans - Got a Seat at the Kiddie Table That Year .....

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, and I hope you had better things to do than read this blog today. If not, may better things await you in the future.... As for me, I'll be going to Joe's brother's house to celebrate the day. It seems like I spend the holidays at someone new's house every year. Such is the life of a political and social gypsy......

But, even for people like me, there are constants that remain year after year, no matter where I am on Thanksgiving Day. There's always the Macy's Parade, which I've never been to. Then there are local things, like WPIX always showing Laurel and Hardy's 'March of the Wooden Soldiers'. They almost skipped it, but thanks to lots of angry viewers, it will air today. lastly, for those folk/rocker/dope smoker buddies of mine, there is Arlo Guthrie's Alice's Restaurant. Since we always like to be a little different, here is the clip of the song:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GguFmYRryz8&feature=related

and.... Part II

www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2nn1HtMzuk&feature=related

and...... Part III

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTZArKZnuzI&feature=related

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Will Someone Please Teach These Yankee Boys How to Hunt ???!!

The 'Elusive' Wild Turkey ......

If there is one thing I will admit for sure, it's that Long Island guys CANNOT hunt! We'd be better off buying a turkey at the store, and saying we bagged it, than actually trying to shoot one.... The boys Down South and over in Pennsylvania - where hunting is a religion, not just a sport - do it way better. However, i had no idea that we were THIS BAD ......

How bad? Here's how bad. For the first time in about a century, it is legal to hunt Wild Turkey on Long Island. The wildlife people estimate that there are over 3000 of them around the area, so they figured thinning the herd might be a good idea. That is, until they found out how inept we are with a shotgun... The area sold over 200 permits to hunt Wild Turkey, and after five days, they have estimated that - GUESS HOW MANY? - turkeys have been shot? How about eight? Yes, eight.....

No, Wild turkeys aren't the easiest birds to shoot, but they're not that hard.... Maybe it's just lies, but I've heard you can scare one to death by blowing an air horn, or that they drown by looking up in the air when it rains.... Hell, i saw two of them at William Floyd's estate last month. Clearly, this is the biggest mismatch of wild game and a hunter since this guy ......

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq2EurArgDk

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There's Gay, Then There Is Too Gay ...

Is He Kissing the Guy From A Flock of Seagulls ??

Watch my amazing high wire act, as I try to discuss a Gay Kiss on national television without inciting the rath of Waldo.... Well, all hell and fury seem to be falling down on Adam Lambert's number at the American Music Awards, which must have seemed to be more like the MTV Movie Awards winner for Best Kiss. Personally, I liked the one with Rachel McAdams in 'The Notebook' more......

For a guy who six months ago wouldn't tell anyone if he was or if he wasn't, Adam Lambert sure has let his gayness out of the closet bigtime. Does it bother me? Nope, not really... I don't care if someone is gay or not. I kinda like gay guys. They're usually pretty funny, and they always dress better than I do too... But getting back to Lambert, America isn't as into Bravo as I am. Kissing and fondling a guy, and having someone stick their face in your crotch (which doesn't make you gay in Puerto Rico) is more than Middle America is used to......

I missed American Idol this year, but Joe said Lambert was pretty good, so I'll take his word for it. Talent will always get you there, but the jury is still out on whether this is a 'Wardrobe Malfunction' moment, or just a freak show that torpedoes his career before it takes off. America likes it's gays as unthreatening, like Ellen or Rosie O'Donnell before she went ape shit crazy..... Lambert was in the Safe Gay Zone until this week - that is, Mom & Dad would let their teenage daughters buy his CD's because he seemed like the nice boy who just happens to like other boys. That may be down the drain now......

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ulhy_8wmrvM

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Simple Tips to Keep Your Hoopdie Running Well

22 Inch Rims DO NOT Make the Engine Last Longer ......

There was an article online at Consumer Reports that listed 9 Myths about car care. While we don't agree with Number 8 (good luck getting the dealer to OK a blown engine under warranty when you change your own oil, buddy!), the others are very good, common sense tips for keeping your car in shape... Here's the link, and Happy Driving!

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1101499

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The NY - SC Stimulus Connection .....

It's not easy trying to find politically related stuff between Long Island and South Carolina, but I still try. Most days, it's a exercise in futility, but then days like today come, when it falls together nicely.... I give you the Calverton, Long Island - Chapin, South Carolina - Economic Stimulus Tie-In!

Each state has been trying to keep you up to date on just what impact the Economic Stimulus Bill has had on their economy. Mostly, it's to try and show you that they got their piece of the pie, but the truth is it's not that easy to tell... Case in point. Here are Long Island, we have two National Cemetaries - Pinelawn Cemetary in Farmingdale, which is pretty much full, and Calverton National Cemetary on the East End, which is newer. From the picture above, you can see that the grave markers for our dead heroes are getting kind of crooked. The project to straighten them is part of the nearly $350 million in funds that went to Long Island from the Stimulus. The cost of this project is estimated at $1.2 million.....

You would think that a local company would be able to handle the job, but nope, this project was given to Allserv Inc., or Chapin, South Carolina. I'm not sure what exactly goes into straightening out crooked tombstones, but I'm sure they'll tell us at some point. One would think a whack with a rubber sledgehammer would do the trick, but what do I know?

More importantly than this project's cost of necessity for this post is the confusion of which area is truly benefiting from the stimulus... Long Island is taking credit for the project, but isn't South Carolina actually getting the money? Conversely, there are $70 million in projects awarded to Long Island companies that are not in Long Island. The question of this is, doesn't all this cross-awarding of projects actually decieve voters into believeing that they got more than they actually did? Is this what actually is going on, or is there a criteria that decides what state/region can take credit for the project? Sure Savannah River Site may get a $2 billion add-on, but if it's awarded to a company in Nevada, do we really benefit here? Do I make any sense at all ????

Anyway, I'm going to go out to Calverton with my sledgehammer in the meantime, and start whacking those tombstones straight. If I finish first, I'll just bill Allserv or Washington DC .....

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Inappropriate Things You Can Only Say on Thanksgiving Day ....

A Turkey With Tan Lines ???

Since we have no idea if we'll have enough time to blog between now and Thanksgiving Day, we decided to post this now. We got this forwarded to us, and all we'll say is Chad has some sick friends, but they're true Patriots, so they are entitled to a little perversion. Here are 18 comments that you can only get away with on Thanksgiving Day .....

1. Talk about a Huge Breast !!

2. Tying the legs together keeps the inside moist..

3. It's Cool Whip Time !

4. If I don't undo my pants soon, I'm gonna burst !

5. That's one terrific spread..

6. I'm in the mood for a little dark meat ..

7. Are you ready for seconds yet?

8. It's a little dry.... Do you still want to eat it??

9. Just wait your turn, you'll get some ...

10. Don't play with your meat...

11. Just spread the legs open a little and stuff it in...

12. Do you think you'll be able to handle all these people at once?

13. I didn't expect people to come all at once !

14. Honey, you still have a little bit on your chin, there....

15. How long will it take after you stick it in?

16. You'll know it's done when it pops up ....

17. Wow, I didn't think I could handle all of that (rarely heard in my house)

18. That's the biggest one I've ever seen !! ( see #17)

Feel free to pass it on and Gobble, Gobble - OOPS !!!

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Economic Forecast Brightens a Bit for 2010 ...

"Now Helping Number 22,457,245 ...... Number 22,457,245 ???"

We always try to give you the straight dope here at SC6.... Why? Because we're not smart enough to lie well.... Anyway, we're not here to scare the crap out of you, and tell you the end is near because of Obama. Nor will we try to paint a rosier picture than it actually is. The facts are we are in very mixed economic times....

As far as macroeconomic terms aka, Big Business, they are not ready to make a move forward yet. Christmas is now upon us, and the signs are there all over: I went to get a Christmas tree with Joe, and we had to go to another Costco 20 miles away to get the tree he wanted. Because they were all sold out? NOPE. Because they didn't stock any there. Businesses of all types are still keeping inventories low, for fear of being stuck with unselllable crap after the holidays. Since the inventories are low, there is no need to produce more, and hence, no need to hire additonal workers in production - at least not yet.

But, eventually, they will need to make more stuff, and the news is that 2010 is the year that the turnaround will begin - slightly. No, 2010 is not going to be a banner year by any means, but it should be the end of the bleeding that started nearly 2 years ago. January is when companies forecast the year, and then begin hiring for that year, so word is that by March, a very small and slow job improvemet will begin - and the Stimulus will have very little to do with it.





From the microeconomic standpoint, aka households, there are some encouraging signs that Americans have FINALLY realized what hell credit cards can get you into. According to the lending companies, customers are paying back their cards faster - and just as importantly - on time, that at any rate in recent memory. Combine that with the nearly 500% increase in the rate of saving (all the way to a 'whopping' 4.5%), and it is a good sign that Middle Americans are getting their shit together financially. THAT is what will pull us out of the economic hole we're in, not more borrowing or spending. There's a lot to be said for living frugally and sensibly.........


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SC6 Cartoon of the Week ....

This week, the pickings were a bit slimmer than last week. We had already talked about the 9/11 trial a couple times, so we didn't wnat to overkill the topic this week. So instead,we chose a cartoon about Sarah Palin's new book out this week. After all, we ARE a political blog....

I'm not sure how much of a chance Palin has in 2012, but the book certainly will help or hinder those chances, depending on how she comes across during the tour.... We'll see.

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Rudy is Nothing If Not Pragmatic ....

So, Who Is This Loser Driving Me Around All Day ??

Word out of the Big Apple today is that Rudy Giuliani has decided to run for office in new York in 2010. Which office it was going to be was up for debate, but like the realistic and savvy guy that he is, Rudy appears to be poised to run for the GOP against short time Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Kirsten Who? EXACTLY ......

The days of Clashes of the Titans in politics is pretty much over. Rudy vs. Hillary would have been great in 2000, but it didn't materialize. Just like that, Rudy vs. Andrew Cuomo isn't going to happen either. Nope, there are plenty of reasons to see why Rudy will take on Gillibrand, and any one of them would be enough...

First off, and most importantly, Cuomo is well-respected by voters. He's been a big scumbag for the voters, and on more important issues than Craigslist or Internet Porn. OOPS! Did I just criticize someone back home? Anyway, Cuomo also has name recognition. It's easy when your Dad was Governor for 12 years. Thirdly, Cuomo has about $10 million in the bank already - WOW !! Giuliani will be starting from scratch, but he should easily be able to rack up enough to whip Gillibrand, who's most noteable achievement was being picked by a Governor with an approval rating of about 18 percent.....Remember when Jim DeMint was ranked Number 99 in the Senate Power Poll? Well, Gillibrand took over that spot - Hillary Lite, indeed..

Lastly, US Senator is way more fun of a gig than Governor of New York. Who wants to have to fight every union in the state and deal with $4 billion deficits in Albany, when you can hang out at Hewlett-Packard's annual junket in the Turks & Caicos Islands - and say 'what deficit? HAHAHA !!!' all year long? It's a no-brainer, and that's why Rudy is going the smart route - because he's a smart guy. BTW, you think he'll remember me?

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