Massey responds to Anderson ad about the Lord's Prayer 10/22/2008 11:55 PM
By ROB NOVIT Senior writer
A campaign ad from S.C. Sen. Shane Massey's opponent suggesting that he's against the Lord's Prayer is ridiculous, Massey said at a press conference Wednesday.
Massey, R-Edgefield, elected in 2007 in a special contest to replace former incumbent Tommy Moore, is seeking a full term in District 25 in a hard-fought campaign against Democrat Greg Anderson.
The latest verbal battle involves legislation that eventually was approved, allowing the option of posting the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer and other historical documents in public areas and buildings.
Anderson contends that Massey voted May 21 against an amendment that specifically would have included the Lord's Prayer in the legislation. But that interpretation of Massey's action is deliberately deceptive, Massey said.
The actual situation, he said, is that the Lord's Prayer inclusion could open the entire bill to constitutionality challenges. The amendment actually was offered by liberal legislators who were trying to kill the measure, Massey said. On the advice of the Palmetto Family Alliance, he voted against the amendment.
"Ultimately, the Lord's Prayer was added and I voted for that," Massey said. "This is a completely deceptive ad."
But the ad is simply pointing out Massey's voting record, Anderson said. Other Republican senators did support the original amendment.
"He voted against it," Anderson said. "I feel strongly that the Lord's Prayer ought to be displayed in public schools. He can bring his friends and senators (to the conference), but he's not speaking for the wishes of his district."
The "whole picture," said Anderson, is that he has tried to run a clean campaign, offering the public only positive information about himself. During that period, Anderson said Massey's campaign has sent out eight flyers and ads attacking him. One of them indicated Anderson continued to receive a salary from an Edgefield company five years after it closed and all the employees were laid off.
"That was absolutely false and I've got the W-2's to prove it," Anderson said. "I still have never attacked him (Massey), but personally, he doesn't want to be held accountable."
Joining Massey at the press conference were S.C. Senators Chip Campsen, R-Charleston, and Larry Martin, R-Pickens, Oran Smith of the Palmetto Family Council, Joe Mack of the S.C. Baptist Convention and Providence Baptist Church pastor Tim Thompson - as well as his wife, Blair, mother, Linda, and new baby daughter, Carter.
"Shane is the kind of legislators we need in Columbia," Campsen said. "It's refreshing to see someone with his intellect and conscientiousness ... He has been unfairly attacked and it's unconscionable. The voters of the district should not stand for that."
Thompson said he was impressed from the start with Massey's work as a church deacon and Sunday school teacher.
"His spiritually and love for the Lord is evident," said Thompson. "I consider him one of the few men I know who demonstrates his faith combined with maturity and leadership."
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.
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Comment Title: HARD WORK - TO JERK OFF COLUMBIA
COLUMBIA NEEDS A CHANGE
Posted by: Rich On: 10/24/2008
Comment Title: Get over it
Looks like Bill Hixon and Chris Corley are taking shots at Senator Massey again. Does sore loser come to mind? Greg Anderson is a lying opportunist and a vote for him is a vote for bigger government, higher taxes and liberalism. A vote for Senator Massey is a vote for reform of state government, conservative judges and lower taxes and less regulation. Aiken needs to turn out big for Shane!
Posted by: Justice On: 10/23/2008
Comment Title: Hey J -- This is Justice
Consuming a reasonable portion of bandwidth, I will limit my response to just one point: I agree that old and established countries, republics, civilizations, etc. can fall, or as you say be "taken over completely." I know this because this country has been taken over by religious zealots who don't understand that the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution extends to citizens whose religious beliefs differ from those of our founders. Wise men they were who wrote these words: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." And wise men and women who have steadfastly upheld the protections afforded by this provision. But now it seems that to be a real American or a patriot, one must profess allegiance to God or to a particular flavor of religion. I, too, am a gun-owning Republican -- fiscally conservative and socially liberal. And I would sooner stick my hand in boiling water than vote for any rube who uses religious scare tactics to divert attention from the real issues that face this state and this nation. So how about you meet me at the polls on election day and vote Libertarian for Bob Barr & Wayne Root?
Posted by: J On: 10/23/2008
Comment Title: To Justice
How about you go back and read your history books! Our country was founded on christian principles from the very beginning. Our constitutional rights are equally at stake in this life changing election. If Obama does take presidency this election, be prepared not only to pay about 40% in taxes, but to hand over your guns as well. Oh yeah- even though it is our constitutional right to bare arms. And if any of you think this is a good idea, well okay I will go along with it for a moment.....do you think that the thiefs, rapists, murderers, drug dealers and anyone else in the system can't or won't be able to find a gun! HELLLLOOOOOOO! Right now, anyone in the prison system has more rights than you and I who are working to pay bills, save for our childrens education or whatever else we can do to save the american dream. Think about it, a prisoner- (who has lost his freedom), can obtain a college education, all meals, play sports and use the library to educate themselves from the cell, oh, and all on us taxpayers. So go ahead and vote out our christian principles since it is all so silly and really not important. Besides isn't this christianity why our country is in the shape it is in? It just couldn't be because we have pork barrel going on in the white house and we let terrorists enter into our country. Oh and that goes for both political parties. I am a republican, but that doesn't mean I agree with everything 100% of what they do. People need to do the research for what these politicians really stand for and stop listening to what the media only wants you to hear. WE NEED TO TAKE A STAND AS AMERICANS AND VOTE PEOPLE IN OFFICE WHO NOT ONLY HAVE THE QUALIFICATIONS, BUT THE GUTS TO STAND UP AND REFORM THIS COUNTRY. Our country is only 200 years old, countries that were a 1000 years old were taken over completely. If you think this can't happen to us, then you are sadly mistaken.
Posted by: Mad as He## in Aiken On: 10/23/2008
Comment Title: Roll Out Toad Kincannon!!
Im just surprised they didnt roll out GOP favorite tool, the fat jowled, hump the elephant award winner, GOP water boy - Todd "concerned citizen" Toad Kincannon on stage! Some in the GOP may be alright, but with friends like the Toad....
Posted by: Not a Church Hopper On: 10/23/2008
Comment Title: Deacon and Sunday School Teacher
This is hilarious. So who is handling his duties at his church as he visits other churches in the district. This is sooooo tacky. Pandering for the christian vote.
Posted by: Go Greg!!! On: 10/23/2008
Comment Title: Not a true Republican
This just shows that Massey could not put away his ACLU ways and truly represent his people. As a republican I will be voting for a Democrat for the first time in my life. Greg Anderson is more conservative than Mr. Massey and will be a far better representative of his constituents. The unfortunate truth is many voters cannot see throught the crap Massey spews for the truth it is...crap. He has done absolutely nothing to help his district in the past year...what a waste of my vote last year. I will not make that again!
Posted by: AMERICAN-AMERICAN On: 10/23/2008
Comment Title: Lies
Anderson like obama can only win if we believe their lies.The basic laws of the United States are based on the Ten Commandments so get over it ,obama and his people will not be able to kill off the religious movement in America.Maybe anderson can join obama in the useless state of Illofthenoise where the truth disappeared years ago.They can go to the church of hate and down AMERICA and God together seems to work well there.In closing democrats include me out of your lies and go back under the rock you crawled out of.
Posted by: Conservative Christian On: 10/23/2008
Comment Title: Brad Hutto
Notice the Amendment was offered by BRAD HUTTO! Brad Hutto is the most liberal State Senator in South Carolina. He's the Ted Kennedy of South Carolina. The fact that he introduced the amendment is proof alone that it was some sorry liberal attempt to kill this bill. Vote Shane Massey. Don't let some liberal like Greg Anderson full you with a staged dinner table prayer.
Posted by: Justice On: 10/23/2008
Comment Title: Religious non-issues divert politicians and gullible voters
The fact that these two low-lifes are fighting about religious and Biblical ideas and that their gullible constituents are buying this time-wasting diversion is proof that we get what we deserve. The ten Biblical commandments do not belong in public schools or courthouses. The Constitution does. Oh, but there's nothing left of that venerable old document after the Bush "Justice" Department and Department of Homeland Security have wiped their feet on it as they trample on our civil rights. Keep that in mind the next time you have a private telephone conversation, surf the web, rent a video, or go to the bank or the pharmacy. Your rights to privacy and freedom from illegal search and seizure no longer exist. THAT should be in public schools and courthouses. And someday our history books will record these domestic atrocities. If we can't do any better than these two clowns, then we should elect no one.
Posted by: Voter On: 10/22/2008
Comment Title: Here is Shane's Vote Against the Lord's Prayer...Plain & Simple
From The Journal of the SC Senate. May 21, 2008 AMENDED, AMENDMENT PROPOSED CARRIED OVER IN THE STATUS OF INTERRUPTED DEBATE H. 3159 (Word version) -- Reps. Toole, Umphlett, Littlejohn, Huggins, Sandifer, Viers, Hamilton, G.R. Smith, Leach, Haskins, Cato, Shoopman, Bedingfield, Loftis and Lowe: A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 10-1-210 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT RELIGIOUS REFERENCES TO GOD, A DEITY, OR A HIGHER POWER OF ANY DENOMINATION OR RELIGION MAY BE USED IN APPROVED DISPLAYS, MONUMENTS, PLAQUES, OR SIMILAR FIXTURES IN STATE OR LOCAL PUBLIC AREAS, BUILDINGS, OR PLACES. The Senate proceeded to a consideration of the Bill, the question being the adoption of the amendment proposed by the Committee on Judiciary. Senator MARTIN spoke on the Bill. Amendment No. P-6 Senator HUTTO proposed the following Amendment No. P-6 (JUD3159.013), which was adopted: Amend the Committee Report, as and if amended, page [3159-2], after line 22, by adding an appropriately numbered item to read: / ( ) The Lord's Prayer; / Amend the Committee Report further, as and if amended, page [3159-5], after line 24, by adding an appropriately numbered item to read: / ( ) The Lord's Prayer, used to teach people how best to seek their daily needs, is a model of philosophy and inspiration for legal and moral systems throughout the ages. In the colonies, James Oglethorpe brought debtors to freedom in our neighboring state of Georgia in remembrance of 'forgiving our debts as we forgive our debtors.' / Renumber sections to conform. Amend title to conform. Senator HUTTO explained the amendment. Senator HUTTO moved that the amendment be adopted. The "ayes" and "nays" were demanded and taken, resulting as follows: Ayes 30; Nays 12 AYES Anderson Bryant Ceips Cleary Courson Drummond Elliott Ford Hawkins Hutto Knotts Land Leventis Lourie Malloy Matthews McGill Patterson Peeler Pinckney Rankin Reese Ritchie * Ryberg Scott * Setzler Thomas Vaughn Verdin Williams Total--30 NAYS Alexander Campbell Campsen Cromer Fair Grooms Hayes Martin Massey McConnell O'Dell Sheheen Total--12 The amendment was adopted.
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