Columbia City PaperColumbia City Papernews, arts, entertainment and politics for the Columbia, South Carolina Articles
DTV Switch Basics
2008-02-28 23:29:00 What you may not know… If you have cable or satellite TV service, your set will continue to work. Many cable and satellite providers have already been converting digital signals to analog without customers even knowing it. If you use “rabbit ears” or another type of antenna for basic TV, you will no longer receive a signal after Feb. 17, 2009. Your old TV will pick up a digital signal with a new converter box. These new converter boxes cost around $60. The boxes will covert the new digital signal back to the old analog signal. You won’t be seeing a digital or HDTV picture (you’d need an HDTV set and service for that), you’ll be seeing TV as you saw it before the switch. The government (specifically, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration) is currently giving away two $40 coupons for each household for the purchase of these converter boxes. Coupon supply is limited, so if you want to keep using your old TV call the 24-hour hotline at: 1-888-DTV... More About: Switch , Basics
DTV Switch Basics
2008-02-28 23:29:00 What you may not know… If you have cable or satellite TV service, your set will continue to work. Many cable and satellite providers have already been converting digital signals to analog without customers even knowing it. If you use “rabbit ears” or another type of antenna for basic TV, you will no longer receive a signal after Feb. 17, 2009. Your old TV will pick up a digital signal with a new converter box. These new converter boxes cost around $60. The boxes will covert the new digital signal back to the old analog signal. You won’t be seeing a digital or HDTV picture (you’d need an HDTV set and service for that), you’ll be seeing TV as you saw it before the switch. The government (specifically, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration) is currently giving away two $40 coupons for each household for the purchase of these converter boxes. Coupon supply is limited, so if you want to keep using your old TV call the 24-hour hotline at: 1-888-DTV... More About: Switch , Basics
The Privatization of America’s Infrastructure
2008-02-28 06:05:00 <center></center> Our friends at Project Censored, a media research group at Sonoma State University, recently released their annual report of the most alarming stories that were virtually ignored by the national press last year and that will probably continue to be ignored in 2008. Columbia City Paper recapped underreported environmental stories last year, so for this installment we pulled out the most alarming stories specific to social and human rights issues. Sleep well… -Todd Morehead America ’s Infrastructure for Sale At least 20 states, including South Carolina, have adopted legislation allowing for public-private partnerships to build and maintain highways. Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, the Carlyle Group and others have approached state legislators, urging them to sell off public highway and transportation infrastructure to their investors, often foreign companies, who then charge tolls and implement noncompete clauses that limit state governments from expanding ...
The Privatization of America’s Infrastructure
2008-02-28 06:05:00 <center></center> Our friends at Project Censored, a media research group at Sonoma State University, recently released their annual report of the most alarming stories that were virtually ignored by the national press last year and that will probably continue to be ignored in 2008. Columbia City Paper recapped underreported environmental stories last year, so for this installment we pulled out the most alarming stories specific to social and human rights issues. Sleep well… -Todd Morehead America ’s Infrastructure for Sale At least 20 states, including South Carolina, have adopted legislation allowing for public-private partnerships to build and maintain highways. Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, the Carlyle Group and others have approached state legislators, urging them to sell off public highway and transportation infrastructure to their investors, often foreign companies, who then charge tolls and implement noncompete clauses that limit state governments from expanding ...
Here come the tolls...
2008-02-28 05:45:00 S.C. highways may be controlled by private firms in the near future (a sidebar to this issues cover story Privatization of America’s Infrastructure) The South Carolina Dept. of Transportation has public-private partnership (PPP) legislation in place. By Todd Morehead The South Carolina Dept. of Transportation has public-private partnership (PPP) legislation in place. A Federal Highway Administration report entitled “Overview of States with Significant Transportation Public Private Partnership Authority” makes reference to S.C. code 57-5-1300 (1) 4 which, according to the report, “appears to permit SC DOT to use PPPs to develop these [turnpike] facilities.” And a June 2006 highway finance report on toll roads released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO-06-554) states that S.C. had pursued private investor funding as early as 2004. On Feb. 23, 2007 Elizabeth Mabry, former executive director of the S.C. DOT, was slated to speak at the 3rd annual PPP USA Summi...
Here come the tolls...
2008-02-28 05:45:00 S.C. highways may be controlled by private firms in the near future (a sidebar to this issues cover story Privatization of America’s Infrastructure) The South Carolina Dept. of Transportation has public-private partnership (PPP) legislation in place. By Todd Morehead The South Carolina Dept. of Transportation has public-private partnership (PPP) legislation in place. A Federal Highway Administration report entitled “Overview of States with Significant Transportation Public Private Partnership Authority” makes reference to S.C. code 57-5-1300 (1) 4 which, according to the report, “appears to permit SC DOT to use PPPs to develop these [turnpike] facilities.” And a June 2006 highway finance report on toll roads released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO-06-554) states that S.C. had pursued private investor funding as early as 2004. On Feb. 23, 2007 Elizabeth Mabry, former executive director of the S.C. DOT, was slated to speak at the 3rd annual PPP USA Summi...
Rediscovering Black History
2008-02-28 05:41:00 it’s just been buried History , like theology, inspires the passions and genius of some, the scorn and ridicule of others. Like theology, history is never concluded. It periodically must be re-imagined, reconstructed and re-written to keep it fresh and relevant. By Will Moredock Anyone who thinks that history and theology are closed books clearly understands neither. Modern Christians are embarrassed by their 19th century white southern counterparts, who justified the institution of slavery with chapter and verse from the Bible. White southerners had to rationalize the peculiar institution; their society and economy were built on it. White southerners have also rationalized a lot of history over the centuries. Anyone raised in South Carolina a few decades ago was exposed to the history books of Mary C. Simms Oliphant. This little woman – the granddaughter of poet and southern apologist William Gilmore Simms – held the franchise on the South Carolina history text books used ... More About: Black , Black History
Rediscovering Black History
2008-02-28 05:41:00 it’s just been buried History , like theology, inspires the passions and genius of some, the scorn and ridicule of others. Like theology, history is never concluded. It periodically must be re-imagined, reconstructed and re-written to keep it fresh and relevant. By Will Moredock Anyone who thinks that history and theology are closed books clearly understands neither. Modern Christians are embarrassed by their 19th century white southern counterparts, who justified the institution of slavery with chapter and verse from the Bible. White southerners had to rationalize the peculiar institution; their society and economy were built on it. White southerners have also rationalized a lot of history over the centuries. Anyone raised in South Carolina a few decades ago was exposed to the history books of Mary C. Simms Oliphant. This little woman – the granddaughter of poet and southern apologist William Gilmore Simms – held the franchise on the South Carolina history text books used ... More About: Black , Black History
Letters to the reader
2008-02-28 05:36:00 Imagine an elderly statesman from the Pee Dee or Lowcountry squeezing off a denture-rattling warning shot from a .357 Magnum he can barely lift Dear South Carolina legislators with guns, We’re still not entirely sure why you’d need a pistol in the State House chambers. From whom do you need protection? Your unemployed, pollution-choked constituents? Maybe it’s your not-so-subtle way to keep Sanford in line? Imagine an elderly statesman from the Pee Dee or Lowcountry squeezing off a denture-rattling warning shot from a .357 Magnum he can barely lift, House toupees jerked sideways from the blast and a smoking bullet hole in the molding above the podium, at the mere motion to give those black kids more money for their schools along the I-95 corridor. Cut a pork barrel project or two and we’d have the OK Corral on our hands. And remember when Lt. Gov. Jim Tillman shot and killed the editor of the State newspaper back in 1903 over an editorial? …Woah. Hey Bauer, no hard feelin... More About: Reader , Letters
Letters to the reader
2008-02-28 05:36:00 Imagine an elderly statesman from the Pee Dee or Lowcountry squeezing off a denture-rattling warning shot from a .357 Magnum he can barely lift Dear South Carolina legislators with guns, We’re still not entirely sure why you’d need a pistol in the State House chambers. From whom do you need protection? Your unemployed, pollution-choked constituents? Maybe it’s your not-so-subtle way to keep Sanford in line? Imagine an elderly statesman from the Pee Dee or Lowcountry squeezing off a denture-rattling warning shot from a .357 Magnum he can barely lift, House toupees jerked sideways from the blast and a smoking bullet hole in the molding above the podium, at the mere motion to give those black kids more money for their schools along the I-95 corridor. Cut a pork barrel project or two and we’d have the OK Corral on our hands. And remember when Lt. Gov. Jim Tillman shot and killed the editor of the State newspaper back in 1903 over an editorial? …Woah. Hey Bauer, no hard feelin... More About: Reader , Letters
Regional Briefs
2008-02-28 05:34:00 mmm methamphetamine…hey maybe I should drive to the police station in a stolen car to demand my evidence back? There’s a whole bunch of dumb criminals in this issues Regional Briefs : By Todd Morehead ANDERSON Big week for flashers in Anderson James Thompson, 35, pleaded guilty last week to exposing himself to a police officer, but also claimed the incident was a misunderstanding. According to the Anderson Independent-Mail Thompson drew light laughter from the courtroom when he tried to demonstrate why he was found walking down a street with a portion of his anatomy exposed. His shirt, he claims, was caught in his zipper. “I don’t wear drawers,” he explained. “When I tried to put it back it was too late.” The judge, who gave Thompson a choice between a $465 fine or 30 days in jail, advised the man to get pants with a working zipper or to “start wearing drawers.” In a separate incident a 25-year-old Anderson County woman reported being flashed by a male motorist...
Regional Briefs
2008-02-28 05:34:00 mmm methamphetamine…hey maybe I should drive to the police station in a stolen car to demand my evidence back? There’s a whole bunch of dumb criminals in this issues Regional Briefs : By Todd Morehead ANDERSON Big week for flashers in Anderson James Thompson, 35, pleaded guilty last week to exposing himself to a police officer, but also claimed the incident was a misunderstanding. According to the Anderson Independent-Mail Thompson drew light laughter from the courtroom when he tried to demonstrate why he was found walking down a street with a portion of his anatomy exposed. His shirt, he claims, was caught in his zipper. “I don’t wear drawers,” he explained. “When I tried to put it back it was too late.” The judge, who gave Thompson a choice between a $465 fine or 30 days in jail, advised the man to get pants with a working zipper or to “start wearing drawers.” In a separate incident a 25-year-old Anderson County woman reported being flashed by a male motorist...
A Dull Ache
2008-02-28 05:12:00 THE WEASEL SYNDROME “I’m a politician, which means I’m a cheat and a liar, and when I’m not kissing babies, I’m stealing their lollipops,” Dr. Jeffery Pelt from The Hunt for Red October. By W.R. Marshall Just because that was said by a fake politician, doesn’t mean it isn’t true. In fact, outside the small vestige of true believers who think Karl Rove has a conscience or Dick Cheney isn’t in league with Satan, there probably isn’t anyone in America who thinks otherwise—including me. And yet, I’m still surprised by just how weasely these folks can be. But recently I’ve found it’s not really their fault—it’s Bill Clinton’s fault. All you right wing loonies can stop thinking I’ve come over to the Dark Side. The sleaze coming off the Republicans in the last eight years is thicker than a stack of Cheney’s Halliburton stock options. Bill Clinton finished his run as President with a 65% approval rating, the highest of any post-WWII president. That...
A Dull Ache
2008-02-28 05:12:00 THE WEASEL SYNDROME “I’m a politician, which means I’m a cheat and a liar, and when I’m not kissing babies, I’m stealing their lollipops,” Dr. Jeffery Pelt from The Hunt for Red October. By W.R. Marshall Just because that was said by a fake politician, doesn’t mean it isn’t true. In fact, outside the small vestige of true believers who think Karl Rove has a conscience or Dick Cheney isn’t in league with Satan, there probably isn’t anyone in America who thinks otherwise—including me. And yet, I’m still surprised by just how weasely these folks can be. But recently I’ve found it’s not really their fault—it’s Bill Clinton’s fault. All you right wing loonies can stop thinking I’ve come over to the Dark Side. The sleaze coming off the Republicans in the last eight years is thicker than a stack of Cheney’s Halliburton stock options. Bill Clinton finished his run as President with a 65% approval rating, the highest of any post-WWII president. That...
The Conservation Hotlist
2008-02-28 05:09:00 For the last three years, the Conservation Bank has been the most important source of funding for land conservation in South Carolina. For only $70 million, the Bank has protected 134,171 acres of vulnerable natural and historic lands. By the Conservation Voters of South Carolina IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK Conservation Bank Funding (PRIORITY) As the full House considers the 2008-‘09 budget in the upcoming weeks, we encourage members to follow the lead of the Ways and Means Committee, and make additional funding for the Conservation Bank a priority. We ask the General Assembly to appropriate an additional $20 million for the Conservation Bank next year and to make a serious commitment to incremental installments over the next five years. We consider an increase in funding as a down payment toward protecting our state’s natural heritage. South Carolina’s rapid growth exceeds the amount of land conserved, and project requests far surpass the available funds. Last year, grant ...
The Conservation Hotlist
2008-02-28 05:09:00 For the last three years, the Conservation Bank has been the most important source of funding for land conservation in South Carolina. For only $70 million, the Bank has protected 134,171 acres of vulnerable natural and historic lands. By the Conservation Voters of South Carolina IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK Conservation Bank Funding (PRIORITY) As the full House considers the 2008-‘09 budget in the upcoming weeks, we encourage members to follow the lead of the Ways and Means Committee, and make additional funding for the Conservation Bank a priority. We ask the General Assembly to appropriate an additional $20 million for the Conservation Bank next year and to make a serious commitment to incremental installments over the next five years. We consider an increase in funding as a down payment toward protecting our state’s natural heritage. South Carolina’s rapid growth exceeds the amount of land conserved, and project requests far surpass the available funds. Last year, grant ...
Mr. Meaner's Crime Watch
2008-02-28 05:06:00 29204 No good deed goes unpunished: A 25-year-old man offers to buy a 26-year-old homeless woman lunch and the two are waiting in line for the food together. The man hands the woman a $20 bill and – what happens? – the lady snags it and takes off running. Cops later catch up with the ungrateful vagrant, who no longer has the money, and the man tells the officers he wants to teach her a lesson by putting her through the ringer of the system. Another day in the Capital City where we put the B, the U and M in Columbia; 2500 block Powalski Street. Compiled by Corey Hutchins 29203 Texting, texting, 123…a 36-year-old woman is telling police that her quality of life is going down the shitter because a 34-year-old acquaintance of hers won’t stop texting her. Not only that, but the texting Tessa is sending her obscene messages and using vulgar language. We’re wondering when “Two girls, one cup” will be available through V-cast; 500 Summerlea Drive. 29205 A 44-year-old homeles... More About: Watch , Crime
Mr. Meaner's Crime Watch
2008-02-28 05:06:00 29204 No good deed goes unpunished: A 25-year-old man offers to buy a 26-year-old homeless woman lunch and the two are waiting in line for the food together. The man hands the woman a $20 bill and – what happens? – the lady snags it and takes off running. Cops later catch up with the ungrateful vagrant, who no longer has the money, and the man tells the officers he wants to teach her a lesson by putting her through the ringer of the system. Another day in the Capital City where we put the B, the U and M in Columbia; 2500 block Powalski Street. Compiled by Corey Hutchins 29203 Texting, texting, 123…a 36-year-old woman is telling police that her quality of life is going down the shitter because a 34-year-old acquaintance of hers won’t stop texting her. Not only that, but the texting Tessa is sending her obscene messages and using vulgar language. We’re wondering when “Two girls, one cup” will be available through V-cast; 500 Summerlea Drive. 29205 A 44-year-old homeles... More About: Watch , Crime
Frustrated Sanford shows bad judgment
2008-02-28 05:03:00 Sanford scores big on bad judgement By Andy Brack SC Statehouse Report FEB. 17, 2008 – You’ve got to feel, at least a little bit these days, for Gov. Mark Sanford. After more than five years as governor, he’s got to be increasingly frustrated with his few accomplishments. And after a recent spate of bad judgments, it shows. Consider: Port Royal mess. Lawmakers are considering looking more closely into some calls made by the governor surrounding the selection of a developer for the future use of the Port Royal port. Sanford acknowledged to the Associated Press that he called two top officials at the State Ports Authority to underscore reservations about the developer. Sanford, who abstained from a vote on the deal when it reached the Budget and Control Board, said he was acting as a watchdog for taxpayers by doing limited “due diligence” through his experience as a real estate developer. While the governor likely was just trying to be helpful, any time the state... More About: Frustrated , Judgment , Sanford
Frustrated Sanford shows bad judgment
2008-02-28 05:03:00 Sanford scores big on bad judgement By Andy Brack SC Statehouse Report FEB. 17, 2008 – You’ve got to feel, at least a little bit these days, for Gov. Mark Sanford. After more than five years as governor, he’s got to be increasingly frustrated with his few accomplishments. And after a recent spate of bad judgments, it shows. Consider: Port Royal mess. Lawmakers are considering looking more closely into some calls made by the governor surrounding the selection of a developer for the future use of the Port Royal port. Sanford acknowledged to the Associated Press that he called two top officials at the State Ports Authority to underscore reservations about the developer. Sanford, who abstained from a vote on the deal when it reached the Budget and Control Board, said he was acting as a watchdog for taxpayers by doing limited “due diligence” through his experience as a real estate developer. While the governor likely was just trying to be helpful, any time the state... More About: Frustrated , Judgment , Sanford
Support Local Music
2008-02-28 05:02:00 Information about City Paper’s all local music stage in Five Points at the March 15th festival… More About: Music , Support , Local
Support Local Music
2008-02-28 05:02:00 Information about City Paper’s all local music stage in Five Points at the March 15th festival… More About: Music , Support , Local
Talk no, vote yes!
2008-02-28 04:46:00 A weird new tactic is highlighting the troubling extent to which the news media fails to hold our elected officials accountable. First, a politician calls a press conference where he issues a strident declaration for or against a bill. Big headlines follow. Then, when the matter comes up for a vote, he votes exactly the opposite of what he had said he would. And no one pays attention. By Ted Rall Ten years ago, not even the most outrageous legislator would attempt such brazen perfidy. Back then, “flip-flopping”–changing one’s mind about an issue, voting one way and then the other–was the worst sin a pol could commit. Now he can take to the Senate floor, shout about a proposed law being a threat to mom, God and apple pie–and the next day vote “yes,” secure in the knowledge that no reporter will call him on it. Thus can a reputation for courage and integrity be built. It’s just that easy. John McCain pulls this neat trick all the time. He even did it on the same i... More About: Talk , Vote
Talk no, vote yes!
2008-02-28 04:46:00 A weird new tactic is highlighting the troubling extent to which the news media fails to hold our elected officials accountable. First, a politician calls a press conference where he issues a strident declaration for or against a bill. Big headlines follow. Then, when the matter comes up for a vote, he votes exactly the opposite of what he had said he would. And no one pays attention. By Ted Rall Ten years ago, not even the most outrageous legislator would attempt such brazen perfidy. Back then, “flip-flopping”–changing one’s mind about an issue, voting one way and then the other–was the worst sin a pol could commit. Now he can take to the Senate floor, shout about a proposed law being a threat to mom, God and apple pie–and the next day vote “yes,” secure in the knowledge that no reporter will call him on it. Thus can a reputation for courage and integrity be built. It’s just that easy. John McCain pulls this neat trick all the time. He even did it on the same i... More About: Talk , Vote
SoundBoard
2008-02-28 04:43:00 Live Music Listings For Feb 28-March12 Thursday, February 28 Headliners Life In Rescue Declare Five Points Pub Spenser Rush New Brookland Tavern MiKenPike Wading Girl Shallow Palace Barn Burning We Are The Union Utopia The Little Zippers Friday, February 29 Headliners Deepfield Leslie Infinite CJ’s in Five Points Leap Year Party Five Points Pub Joal Rush Band Ten Toes Up New Brookland Tavern Kris Roe of The Ataris Dignan Versus The Robot Macís on Main Utopia The Teddy Bear Wolfman Brigade Saturday, March 1 Art Bar Prognosis DJs - Spider Evelfaery D New Brookland Tavern Marry A Thief Austin Crane The Less Headliners The Working Title Here’s Looking at You Kid Five Points Pub Josh Roberts & The Hinges Hoots & Hell Mouth Giant Bear Warm in the Wake Macs on Main Electric Voodoo Blues Sunday, March 2 New Brookland Tavern Tales Of The Black Freighter Fate To Be Determined The Alchemist Theory Tuesday, March 4 New Brookland Tavern On By Seven Say When Cor...
SoundBoard
2008-02-28 04:43:00 Live Music Listings For Feb 28-March12 Thursday, February 28 Headliners Life In Rescue Declare Five Points Pub Spenser Rush New Brookland Tavern MiKenPike Wading Girl Shallow Palace Barn Burning We Are The Union Utopia The Little Zippers Friday, February 29 Headliners Deepfield Leslie Infinite CJ’s in Five Points Leap Year Party Five Points Pub Joal Rush Band Ten Toes Up New Brookland Tavern Kris Roe of The Ataris Dignan Versus The Robot Macís on Main Utopia The Teddy Bear Wolfman Brigade Saturday, March 1 Art Bar Prognosis DJs - Spider Evelfaery D New Brookland Tavern Marry A Thief Austin Crane The Less Headliners The Working Title Here’s Looking at You Kid Five Points Pub Josh Roberts & The Hinges Hoots & Hell Mouth Giant Bear Warm in the Wake Macs on Main Electric Voodoo Blues Sunday, March 2 New Brookland Tavern Tales Of The Black Freighter Fate To Be Determined The Alchemist Theory Tuesday, March 4 New Brookland Tavern On By Seven Say When Cor... |
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