Sanford & Washington Post - New Emails!

Apparently the Washington Post requested internal communications regarding his 2008 trip to Brazil & Argentina and discovered some interesting documents. Per the article:

Before Sanford left, another commerce employee told the U.S. Embassy in Argentina that there was no need for the governor's visits with Argentine officials to be long or formal, the e-mail records show…..

“The Governor is perfectly content with meeting for a drink, or something to that effect," rather than having dinner…. [a cabinet agency staff member] added that that Sanford did not mind having a full schedule on Thursday, June 26, "but would prefer that Friday be a little more low key."

Apparently some questioned if Sanford wanted support from his cabinet agency during the visit. In an email, [the Secretary of Commerce] wrote. "Truth is that I think he is trying to decide if he wants a shadow or not."

Now I’m waiting for this to break in the South Carolina papers.

Caritas In Veritate

Today Pope Benedict XVI issued his latest encyclical letter entitled Caritas In Veritate, which started a buzz of discussion in many Catholic circles. I have yet not have time to read much except a few choice sections of this thought provoking document. Hopefully I’ll find an evening, possibly tonight, to read it properly prior to this weekend (warning to friends: this may become a discussion topic this weekend)

Apparently the writing is creating a stir in some economic and political circles as well. Though I question if the commentators spent the quality time reading it, a number have started responding to the Pope's encyclical.

The Wall Street Journal reports and notes the release is done just before the G8 Summit and Obama’s Vatican visit this Friday. One quote catches my attention:

"He's trying to develop a moral foundation to support the sustainability of free markets," said Carl Anderson, chief executive of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic order based in New Haven, Conn., and a member of several Vatican advisory bodies. "A lot of people are looking at the meeting [with Mr. Obama] in terms of issues like abortion. But a big issue with this encyclical is: Are American Catholic businessmen going to listen?"

Reuters News reports on this as well:

In several sections of the encyclical, Benedict made it clear he had great reservations about a totally free market. "The conviction that the economy must be autonomous, that it must be shielded from 'influences' of a moral character, has led man to abuse the economic process in a thoroughly destructive way," he said. "In the long term, these convictions have led to economic, social and political systems that trample upon personal and social freedom and are therefore unable to deliver the justice that they promise," he added. Profit was useful only if it served as a means to a brighter future for all humanity.

This encyclical letter is bound to get the folks at The Economist talking.

SC Republicans Censure Sanford...That's It?

UPDATED 10:45 PM 7/7/09

With most citizens of South Carolina having low opinions of Governor Mark Sanford and disappointed about his actions over the past month, it appears that the state's GOP decided to take action.

After discussions on a conference call last night, the SC GOP resolved this topic by officially reprimanding the Governor.

With 69% of the state calling for resignation, I'm personally not surprised at this political response. I only wonder how much the governor's $1.8 million war chest influenced this outcome.

Based upon this action that provides the Governor a "second chance," he better cowboy up and cease his complaining.

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Update: Quotes from the SC Democratic & Republican leadership printed in an Associated Press article:

The resolution's wording did not specify how Sanford fell "below the standards expected of Republican elected officials." .....

"I'm unclear what they censured him for," said state Democratic Party chairwoman Carol Fowler. "They probably did the most protective thing they could have done, other than vote to support him."

GOP officials say the vote ended the matter, and they're moving on.

"The Republican Party will not speak any further on this, absent additional revelations," said GOP Chairwoman Karen Floyd. "It's bringing closure on a very divisive and disappointing time in our state's history. We think that now's the time for the Republican Party to begin the process of healing, and we're holding true to core beliefs."

I must say...Every time it appears Sanford is going to get stuck with something, he shows that he must be covered in Teflon.

Obama & J Crew: How NOT to do P.R.

Most people know that Pope Benedict XVI likely wears red Prada loafers but does the company disperse a press release about it?

No. It lets the press do the promotion.

Apparently J. Crew has not learned this lesson.

Today the company had to promote its clothes via a press release on what the President's daughters are wearing on their European trip with their father. A sample of what was mentioned in the press release below:

Malia & Sasha wore J.Crew and crewcuts as they exited Air Fore One in Moscow — stylish in their trenches, they also accessorized with ballet flat shoes...

The press release then provided the price, color and SKU numbers of the products the girls wore.

I suspect that's going to hurt the company and any connection it has with the Obamas. Or am I wrong?

SC GOP To Discuss Sanford

It appears the SC GOP will have a conference call Monday evening to discuss everyone's favorite subject: Mark Sanford.

As reported in The State Newspaper:

Executive committee members of the S.C. Republican Party will hold a conference call Monday evening to discuss the fallout from revelations of Gov. Mark Sanford's secret trip to see his mistress in Argentina.

Options on the table range from doing nothing to formally admonishing the governor for his recent behavior to calling for his resignation.

Sanford return from Florida tonight. He spent the weekend at his in-laws' house with his family, including wife Jenny. Spokesman Joel Sawyer said the whole family has returned to the state, but did not disclose where they were staying for security reasons. Sanford is expected to be back at work Monday morning.

I wondered if Sanford planned to return this early? Hmmmm......

If you have a member of the state legislature who's also a member of the GOP, then I would encourage you to contact them regarding your thoughts on this topic.

Sarah Palin Fighting "Rumors." Now Missing?

Reported in The Politico, some are wondering if resigning Governor Sarah Palin is under federal investigation for embezzling funds. This is based upon the four-page letter Palin's attorney provided today discussing details regarding the construction of a Wasilla, Alaska, sports arena.

To make matters more interesting, she has vanished and her spokesman does not know her location.

It appears the whole story started today when her attorney issues a letter indicating that Palin plans to sue the mainstream media if they publish “defamatory” stories on the embezzlement topic.

In review the letter, the attorney argues that the implied embezzlement rumors are false. But one has to ask: Why take this step? Is it to create a pause with the press? Or is this part of Sarah Palin's "unusual" behavior known to both Republicans and Democrats?

"Unusual" may be an operative word. Today the Associated Press reported that "the controversial hockey mom was no where to be found."

And I though South Carolina was the only state with a "disappearing" governor.

Sanford & Non-Resignation: Follow His Money!

Is the tide changing (again) regarding Sanford's resignation? Some republicans are saying that it's time for forget about the "Sanford matter" and go onto other issues. But what is the real motivation? Some say that it may be MONEY.

Sanford currently holds $1.8 million in campaign cash and is unlikely to use the monies for a 2012 presidential race. Thus the money could be directed to the SC GOP, other political groups, or, quite possibly, a 2010 gubernatorial candidate (or maybe all the above).

If this is true, then I suppose it takes $1.8 million to “influence” decision makers of one’s political wrongdoing.

I encourage everyone to watch what Sanford does with this money.

Book Quote & History

Being the historian, I enjoyed this quote while reading The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane. Two characters are doing some research within the archives and fall upon a name and one discuss the following thoughts going through his mind:

"That you can this whole entire life, with all your opinions, your loves, your fears. Eventually those parts of you disappear. And then the people who could remember those parts of you disappear, and before long all that's left is your name on some ledger. This Mary person - she had a favorite food. She had friends and people she disliked. We don't even know how she died."

That's the weird part of studying history or doing historical research. You run across numerous names and have a brief document of someone's existence. You try to imagine who they were as a person. As you peruse the other documents, you begin to realize that there were towns, states and countries with such people.

Then you have to wonder why God offered you this gift of life.

Bike Ride: Non-Tour de France

Early this morning the Dells resumed their training for the MS 150 here in South Carolina. I'm not much for the training in the heat. Thus I'm motivating early morning excursions instead of riding in the late afternoon.

Also I encourage anyone who wishes to learn more about cycling to watch the Tour de France. I would say it's somewhat like watching NASCAR but on two wheels. If you have a cable channel Versus, then you are in luck because they are providing complete coverage.

Palin Resigns! Will Sanford?

Alaska Governor Sarah Palin resigns. More posted in The State Newspaper and The Politico.

Looks like Governor Palin outdid Governor Sanford in resigning from office.

Many here in South Carolina would like to see Mark Sanford leave his post as governor (69% based upon the latest poll).

Any hope that Sarah Palin might take a moment to teach Sanford how the resignation process works?

Cryptologist Cracks Code - 200 Years Old

This is something I would suspect will be found in the next National Treasure movie.

For more than 200 years, buried deep within Thomas Jefferson's correspondence and papers, there lay a mysterious cipher -- a coded message that appears to have remained unsolved. Until now.

Amazing story around this puzzle, how it was solved and its message. To read this story, visit the article within the Wall Street Journal.

Sanford's Fall

As many know that I'm not a huge fan of Governor Mark Sanford and often questioned him as governor. When the news broke about the Argentinean affair I remained quiet on the topic. Too many people are discussing this in the national media and I, for one, will avoid this subject. It's an issue for the Sanford family to address. My concern is Mark Sanford's ability to govern.

Over the past two weeks, Mark Sanford left the state without following proper protocol and procedures. He failed to leave the Lt. Governor in command in the event of an emergency. Though there may be debate on the legal nature of these actions, I beleive it may be sufficient grounds to discuss resignation or impeachment.

Within the U.S. military, a commanding officer who fails to leave a second-in-command once he leaves his post is in dereliction of duty. If he also leaves his post without providing this written change of command, he may also be found AWOL (absent without leave) because he failed to uphold his responsibilities. Governor Sanford serves as a captain in the US Air Force Reserves and should know what is expected of a military leader and carry that same responsibility to the Governor's Office.

One also has to study the governor's actions and if his decisions motivated the use of public monies - thus harming the public trust. Currently an investigation is occurring on this subject. It appears that his Commerce Department's trip exposed this lost public trust. The Department's trip was originally for Brazil and was extended into Argentina per the request of the Governor. Per WIS TV:

Commerce Department spokeswoman Kara Borie said Friday that official plans had been made to only visit Brazil on an expenses-paid economic recruitment trip the governor took last year.

I suspect this is not the only example that influenced Sanford's actions to use public resources outside their intent. We should note that Sanford had staff with him during meetings that also conflicted with the US Government's diplomatic relations. This expense has not been claimed by the governor to date or an apology on breaking US protocol.

If there is sufficient evidence to prove Sanford's poor leadership decisions, I hope that Governor Sanford resigns or the state's leadership removes him from office. Let's not have the 2010 gubernatorial campaign influence what's best for South Carolina.

Sony Walkman - 30 Years

Some of us may remember the Sony Walkman. A portable device that enable the user to listen to music from a cassette or the radio. Well today is the device's 30th Anniversary (though you may not find them in the electronics department).

To commemorate the occasion, the BBC had a 13-year old to use the device for a week (instead of his i-pod). It took him 3 days to realize the tape was two-sided and he had to learn that the device could "eat tapes."

To read this young writer's review, visit this link to the BBC website.

Saints at the River

Currently I'm reading Roan Rash's new book, Saints at the River as part of the community's Amazing Read for 2009.

The award winning book takes place in the mountains of South Carolina and is a short read. Recently I read some wonderful lines worth quoting - two are located below:

"[Roadside] Shrines that make the assent like some Appalachian version of the stations of the cross."

"It's not tea unless it is sweetened. Saying sweet tea here is like asking for pork barbecue."

A good book (so far) for a Saturday afternoon read.