Can Clinton be Secretary of State?

The idea that Sen. Hillary Clinton cannot take the post of Secretary of State has been circulating the Internet and talk radio since her appointment was suggested.

An article on LegalNewsLine explains:

U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton is constitutionally ineligible to serve as President-elect Barack Obama's secretary of state, a legal watchdog group said Tuesday.

Judicial Watch said the Ineligibility Clause of the United States Constitution says that no member of Congress can be appointed to an office that has benefited from a salary increase during the time that person was in Congress.
...
The Nixon administration was able to get legislation passed that reduced the salary to the level that existed prior to Saxbe's appointment.

Former President Bill Clinton used the so-called "Saxbe Fix," to allow Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, D-Texas, to assume the position of treasury secretary.

Do you think Sen. Clinton can or should serve? Or do you think President-elect Obama should choose someone else?

Are guns the Answer?

Kerri Houston of Regular Folks United suggests in her article that the terrorist attacks in Mumbai would not have occurred or been as deadly had citizens been armed.

Here's a snippet:

Last spring, while preparing for their murderous attack on Mumbai, ten terrorists dutifully took their driver's licenses and proofs of residency to their nearest gun licensing office to ensure that their rifles and handguns were legally registered with the appropriate authorities.

Seriously? Of course not - its ludicrous. Criminals don't stand in line to register weapons, and neither do terrorists. Only the law abiding do, unless - as in the case of India - they can't.

Although private gun ownership in India is allowable by law, bewildering licensing restrictions, bureaucratic red tape, and government policy that makes guns and ammunition prohibitively expensive renders gun ownership unattainable for most people- and provided the Mumbai terrorists unfettered access to their victims.

In fact, gun licensing is so difficult in India that even security guards don't have guns. When the terrorists entered the Mumbai train station and the Taj and Oberoi-Trident hotels, none of the guards were armed. Instead, they are issued bamboo sticks, a traditional Indian defense tool called a "lathi."

Read the full article here. What do you think? Could armed citizens have countered the terrorist? Could it have created more causalties?

Arts Council's Christmas Shoppe

Thursday, December 4th will mark the beginning of Black Creek Arts Council's Second Annual Christmas Shoppe. The event, which features local, regional, and national artists, will last until December 6th and will be held at the Black Creek Arts Center on College Avenue.

The Christmas Shoppe kicks off with an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, continues from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, and concludes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free on all three days.

While parents shop, kids will also have an avenue for enjoyment. Michelle Morris will be offering a holiday ornament-making class. The class will be offered during the opening reception and will cost $4. Students will be allowed to start as they arrive.

Along with ornament-making, kids will also be able to visit with Santa Claus. Santa will be making a visit from the North Pole to the Arts Center for the opening reception. Santa will be available for photographs.

The artists selling in the Christmas Shoppe are: Suzanne Muldrow (photography), Mike Gann & Laurie Brown (glassware), Mary Lou Bailey (hand-built pottery), Barbara Watson (hand-thrown pottery), Sammy Clark (pottery), Beth Wicker (handmade jewelry, mixed media fiber and silk paintings), Theresa Truett Rogol (handmade jewelry), Patrick Showalter (handmade soap), Dianna Herrera-Keller (handmade jewelry), and Dyana Flax (customized mirrors), John Herth (hand-carved wooden decoys of ducks and fish).

The Black Creek Arts Center is located at 116 W. College Avenue in Hartsville. For more information, contact Bruce Douglas at 843.332.6234.

A Smart Car in Darlington

Don't let anyone tell you Darlingtonians aren't environmentally-conscious. I've seen my share of Toyota Prius in the area, but this is the first Smart Car.
The closest dealership is in Charleston.

Consumer Affairs Posts Max Interest Rates

State law requires any business charging interest rates greater than 18 percent to file with the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA). In an effort to help consumers during these difficult financial times, SCDCA is taking things one step further. The Department launched a new listing online that provides information on all businesses that have filed maximum rate schedules with interest rates above 18 percent. The listing also includes information on all car dealerships charging closing or documentation fees. Consumers may find the listing on the Department’s Web site or through this link.

The list currently includes nearly 1900 businesses and dealerships that either have interest rates greater than 18 percent or charge closing fees. Businesses or dealerships that fall under one of these categories and have not filed should contact the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs immediately or face potential fines.

What Will Your FCC Chair Look Like?

The American public is inviting applications for the position of chair of the Federal Communications Commission. We seek a dynamic candidate who will champion the public interest at a time of hope and transformation for our national media.

The Web site FressPress.Net invites people to vote on the priorities of the new FCC Chair that President-Elect Obama will select.

Go here to vote.

Holiday Shopping Gets Easy: Give a Manatee!

There is a way to steer clear of some of the holiday hustle and hype this year. Consider adopting a manatee for loved ones and good friends online, or with a phone call, right from the comfort of your own home.

An adoption from Save the Manatee Club is a HUGE favorite on gift lists everywhere. It costs $25 and includes an adoption certificate, photo of a real Florida manatee, biography, membership handbook, a subscription to the Club’s quarterly newsletter, The Manatee Zone, and the bi-monthly e-newsletter, Paddle Tales, and free shipping. Or for $35, each new member who joins the Adopt-A-Manatee program online will also receive a 24” x 12” full-color 2009 wall calendar (while supplies last). A personalized holiday message is offered with each adoption.

There are 32 manatees to choose from in the Club’s three Florida adoption programs at Blue Spring State Park near Orange City, Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park in Homosassa, and in the Tampa Bay area. The Club’s quick and easy online gift catalog features a variety of manatee items, including jewelry, toys, books, and all kinds of marvels for manatee fans and gift givers alike. The catalog items can be viewed and purchased at http://www.savethemanatee.org/manateegifts.htm.

For more information about manatees, or the adoption program, contact Save the Manatee Club at 500 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland, FL 32751, call 1-800-432-JOIN (5646), or visit their web site at www.savethemanatee.org. Also, sign up for the Club’s free E-Newsletter.