The Opinion Blog

The Unturned Stone

Sunday's editorial argues that lawmakers involved in impeachment proceedings should first determine whether Gov. Sanford misspent state money in pursuit of his affair.

Impeachment proceedings began against Gov. Mark Sanford this past week, but the political apparatus in Columbia still seems intent on missing the point.

New Jobs, Same Worries

Saturday's editorial takes an updated look at Gov. Sanford's hold on his office.

Amid the continuing spectacle of the post-Argentina Mark Sanford administration, a number of interpretations are possible of his role in marketing firm Red Ventures LLC's announcement this week that they will hop over the state line from Charlotte to relocate 1,000 employees in Lancaster County.

Another Leader Lets Us Down

Saturday's editorial expresses deep misgivings about the leadership ability of Horry County Council Chair Liz Gilland.

Until recently, County Council Chairwoman Liz Gilland seemed on pace to be ranked among the better public servants Horry County has had, but the revelations of the past week have deeply shaken our confidence in her.

Scandal Shows Need for Real Ethics Reform

Sunday's editorial suggest that some good could come out of the Sanford scandal after all: strong ethics reform to remove the gray areas where he is currently fighting to retain his job.

Gov. Mark Sanford's new full-time job of throwing statewide pity parties for himself is disturbing in its own right, but one protest he repeats ad nauseum has been particularly jarring: Everyone else does it, so why can't he?

No One to Trust

Saturday's editorial considers the shortcomings of the S.C. Ethics Commission, which has been asked to investigate Gov. Sanford.

Nearly 20 years ago, South Carolina was rocked by an FBI sting called "Operation Lost Trust" that led to the indictments of more than two dozen members of the legislature on various corruption charges. With valiant cries of "Nevermore," remaining lawmakers endowed the S.C. Ethics Commission with the task of policing its public officials.

How has that worked out?

"I can't think of a single recent case of any major scandal in South Carolina where the Ethics Commission had a role in discovering illegal or unethical behavior," said Bryan Cox, a spokesman for the S.C. Policy Council, a nonpartisan group that advocates for smaller but more transparent government.

'I screwed up'? Did Obama really SAY that?

Ripped from the wires ...Leonard Pitts ruminates over President Obama's admission of error this week:

By Leonard Pitts Jr.

"I screwed up.''
-- President Barack Obama, Feb. 3, 2009

Wait a minute. He said that? There were cameras and microphones? Somebody caught it on tape?

Presidents don't say that. Bill Clinton never said that. George W. Bush would have cut off his tongue with rusty gardening shears before he said that. But you're telling me Barack Obama actually said it? These are the words that came out of his mouth in a series of interviews with network news anchors?