Atty. Gen. Henry McMaster, who has made a big deal about U.S. Sen. Harry Reid’s closed door negotiations to get the health care bill passed, apparently is only against closed door meetings that don’t involve him. The “water war” suit involving North Carolina has been a bit of a bullshit move. After all, the only things that he’s been involved with are misbegotten suits that he thinks will help him in the race for governor. McMaster’s made a big deal about discussions being out in the open. Some seem to be more important than others.

North Carolina’s top attorney has rejected a call by his South Carolina counterpart to hold closed-door talks to settle a disputes over waterways that flow through the two states.

Attorney General Roy Cooper said in a letter released Friday that he wants the discussions in a commission appointed by both states to be open for public input. South Carolina’s top attorney, Henry McMaster, had suggested in a December letter to Cooper that the discussions be confidential.

Lordy. How can anybody feel fine with supporting McMaster, when he keeps egregiously fucking up? Either he has no decent political instincts, or his advisers are dumber than a sack of bricks.

There are 34 bowl games this year, and we’re picking every damn one of them (probably with 60-70 percent success). You can follow the progress or join up and do battle with us through ESPN College Bowl Mania. We’re in “The League” and “The War Against Tebow.” TWAT (jokes!) is the brainchild of decamped S.C. blogger and good time Johnny, Micah Snead, so go there. But beware — Snead’s dad is a total ringer and will probably take the title by 20 points.

Dec. 19, 4:30 p.m., ESPN
Fresno State v. Wyoming

Dec. 19, 8 p.m., ESPN
Central Florida v. Rutgers

Dec. 20, 8:30 a.m., ESPN
Southern Miss v. Middle Tennessee State

Dec. 22, 8 p.m., ESPN
No. 18 Oregon State v. No. 14 BYU

Dec. 23, 8 p.m., ESPN
No. 23 Utah v. California

Dec. 24, 8 p.m., ESPN
Nevada v. Southern Methodist

Dec. 26, 1 p.m., ESPN
Marshall v. Ohio

Dec. 26, 4:30 p.m., ESPN
No. 17 Pitt v. North Carolina

Dec. 26, 8 p.m., ESPN
Boston College v. No. 24 Southern Cal

Dec. 27, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Kentucky v. Clemson

Dec. 28, 5 p.m., ESPN2
Texas A&M v. Georgia

Dec. 29, 4:30 p.m., ESPN
UCLA v. Temple

Dec. 29, 8 p.m., ESPN
No. 15 Miami v. No. 25 Wisconsin

Dec. 30, 4:30 p.m., ESPN
Bowling Green v. Idaho

Dec. 30, 8 p.m., ESPN
No. 20 Arizona v. No. 22 Nebraska

Dec. 31, Noon, ESPN
Houston v. Air Force

Dec. 31, 2 p.m., CBS
Oklahoma v. No. 21 Stanford

Dec. 31, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
Navy v. Missouri

Dec. 31, 6 p.m., NFL Network
Minnesota v. Iowa State

Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
No. 11 Virginia Tech v. Tennessee

Jan. 1, 11 a.m., ESPN
Northwestern v. Auburn

Jan. 1, 1 p.m., CBS
No. 16 West Virginia v. Florida State

Jan. 1, 1 p.m., ESPN
No. 13 Penn State v. No. 12 LSU

Jan. 1, 4:30 p.m., ABC
No. 8 Ohio State v. No. 7 Oregon

Jan. 1, 8:30 p.m., Fox
No. 5 Florida v. No. 3 Cincinnati

Jan. 2, Noon, ESPN2
South Florida v. Northern Illinois

Jan. 2, 2 p.m., ESPN
South Carolina v. Connecticut

Jan. 2, 2 p.m., Fox
No. 19 Oklahoma State v. Ole Miss

Jan. 2, 5:30 p.m., ESPN
Arkansas v. East Carolina

Jan. 2, 9 p.m., ESPN
Michigan State v. Texas Tech

Jan. 4, 8 p.m., Fox
No. 6 Boise State v. No. 4 TCU

Jan. 5, 8 p.m., Fox
No. 10 Iowa v. No. 9 Georgia Tech

Jan. 6, 7 p.m., Fox
No. 25 Central Michigan v. Troy

Jan. 7, 8 p.m., ABC
No. 2 Texas v. No. 1 Alabama

The State Ethics Commission report on Gov. Mark Sanford’s indiscretions regarding use of state money and campaign dollars was released today, but we’re not sure if this thing is really worth a damn or not. A few of these charges, here or there, might lead to a fine or a stern rebuke from the General Assembly. But, when they come across, one after one, it looks like the members of the House may have a case. According to the report, there will be a hearing at SEC offices at an undisclosed date to deal with the findings.

USE OF PUBLIC OFFICE FOR PERSONAL FINANCIAL GAIN
Section 8-13-700(A), S.C. Code ann., 1976, as amended
37 counts

Upgrade on flight

• Graz, Austria to Frankfurt, Germany (2005)
• Frankfurt, Germany to Charlotte, N.C. (2005)
• Chicago, Ill. To Tokyo, Japan (2005)
• Tokyo, Japan to Shanghai, China (2005)
• Beijing, China to Chicago, Ill. (2005)
• Charlotte, N.C. to London, U.K. (2006)
• London, U.K. to Charlotte, N.C. (2006)
• Charlotte, N.C. to Munich, Germany (2007)
• Munich, Germany to Paris, France (2007)
• Munich, Germany to Charlotte, N.C. (2007)
• Washington, D.C. to Beijing, China (2007)
• Beijing, China to Washington, D.C. (2007)
• Columbia, S.C. to Atlanta, Ga. (2008)
• Atlanta, Ga. to Sao Paulo, Brazil (2008)
• Cordoba, Brazil to Buenos Aires, Argentina (2008)
• Buenos Aires, Argentina to Atlanta, Ga. (2008)
• Upgrade on flight from Charlotte, N.C. to New York, N.Y. (2009)
• Upgrade on flight from New York, N.Y. to Warsaw, Poland (2009)

Improper use of state plane

• Spartanburg, S.C. to Clemson/Oconee County for a county party dinner (2005)
• Columbia, S.C. to North Myrtle Beach, S.C., transporting a Governor’s Office staffer, then North Myrtle Beach, S.C. to Columbia, S.C. for staffer and himself to receive a haircut (2006)
• Columbia, S.C. to Mt. Pleasant, S.C. for a book signing (2006)
• Mt. Pleasant, S.C. to Aiken, S.C. for a birthday party for a contributor (2006)
• Lewisburg, W.Va. to Brunswick, Ga. for family for a personal weekend (2006)
• North Myrtle Beach, S.C. to Columbia, S.C. for son’s sporting event (2007)
• Columbia, S.C. to Greenville S.C. for House Republican Caucus reception (2007)
• Columbia, S.C. to Greenwood, S.C. to Charleston, S.C. for Reason Weekend dinner (2008)
• Columbia, S.C. to Myrtle Beach, S.C. for family to attend “soft” opening of Hard Rock Park (2008)

Campaign funds for personal use

• Receiving $40 for activity not related to the campaign (2006)
• Receiving $329.40 for expenses from attending the Alfalfa Club Dinner in Washington, D.C. (2007)
• Giving $610.30 to staffer Marisa Crawford to attend the Republican Governors Association meeting (2007)
• Receiving $181.23 for direct marketing, telephone, Internet and/or cable services at the Governor’s Mansion (2008)
• Receiving $280.16 for direct marketing, telephone, Internet and/or cable services at the Governor’s Mansion (2008)
• Receiving $297.89 for direct marketing, telephone, Internet and/or cable services at the Governor’s Mansion (2008)
• Receiving $864.90 for expenses from the Republican Governors Association meeting and a hunting trip in Ireland (2008)
• Receiving $79.95 for direct marketing (2009)
• Receiving $96.95 for direct marketing and a presidential inauguration ticket (2009)
• Receiving $159.90 for direct marketing (2009)

S.C. Ethics Commission report

Believe it or not, South Carolina is the fourth-happiest state in the South. According to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, the Palmetto State is the only trails Virginia, Texas and Georgia in being the happiest state in Dixie. Of all the states in America, Virginia rocks No. 15, Texas shows up at No. 21, Georgia ranks No. 23, while South Carolina comes in at No. 26.

Happiest States in the South
15. Virginia
21. Texas
23. Georgia
26. South Carolina
30. Florida
33. Alabama
34. North Carolina
40. Louisiana
42. Tennessee
46. Arkansas
48. Mississippi
49. Kentucky
50. West Virginia

The State Policy Network, of which the S.C. Policy Council is the cornerstone member, is having its annual meeting in Asheville, N.C. Strange, considering Asheville is universally regarded as a very liberal place, known for, among other things, being a haven for gays and people who partake of the hippie lettuce. It seems that the tolerant nature of the town has already seeped into the organization. Jon Caldara, president of Colorado’s Independence Institute, is throwing a toga party, per Wonkette.

Dear Minions of the SPN Empire:

It has sadly come to my attention that many of the younger members of our Freedom Movement have never watched “Animal House” and may not understand the cultural significance of a Toga Party. Here I’ll blame public education and their parents breast feeding them too long while watching Oprah. Sadder still are the older, goodie-two-shoes, pencil-neck types in our movement who only used a beer bong in college to hold their protractors and HP calculators. I won’t mention people like Joe Lehman or Lynn Harsh so as not to embarrass their colleagues.

To right these wrongs you are hereby ordered to join me at the Toga Celebration in Asheville, within the SPN Annual Meeting! Yours truly serves as Emperor of Ceremonies. The festivities take place Tues., Nov. 3, 10:00 pm to 1:00 am (10:00 pm to 10:15 pm for Gisele Huff to lessen any sexual harassment lawsuits). You will celebrate with me in festive toga fashion – or to the Coliseum and lions for you.

Toga Celebration minutiae, approved by me, Emperor of Ceremonies:

* In honor of Animal House, all party entrants must wear a toga at the festivities. And by the way, wearing pants with a toga is like wearing suspenders and a belt; or as we say in Colorado, pulling a “Gary Palmer.”
* Those who don’t sport a toga will be thoroughly embarrassed by a roaming rogue troupe of Cirque du Soleil rejects.
* You should bring your toga from home (someone needs to tell Carl Helstrom that’s just a bed sheet). This likely means we get to see Kurt Weber wearing something with a Spiderman theme
* A Best Toga Contest will take place for males, females and asexual Mackinac employees.
* A rigged jury will likely declare me the Best Toga Contest winner (for males)
* Orgy to follow the Toga Celebration, location TBA (no toga required)
* SPN’s attorneys “encouraged” me to state: This isn’t an SPN thing. The Toga Celebration is hosted by: Students for Liberty, Foundation for Economic Education, Institute for Humane Studies and Liberty on the Rocks.

Do join me, Emperor of Ceremonies, for much needed think-tank bacchanal. Attached is a Love is Hell cartoon to help launch the Toga Celebration spirit.

So let it be written, so let it be done.

Emperor of Ceremonies

Jon Caldara

President, Independence Institute

For what it’s worth, there’s already an open wine bar scheduled for the first night. As Caldara wrote, the toga party is hosted by Students for Liberty, Liberty on the Rocks, the Institute for Humane Studies and the Foundation for Economic Education (also, the Institute for the Foundation for Liberty. Libertylibertyliberty. Liberty.). We anxiously await pictures of Policy Council staff getting loaded, wearing togas.

One group of chickens bested another in a very strange cockfight — because of the pending Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game between LSU and North Carolina in 2010, UNC’s return trip to Columbia to play Carolina is pretty much done, delayed indefinitely.

Not that the Carolina administration has a problem with that. Because of the contract between the two programs, UNC is on the hook for $750,000 and has to pony up a suitable replacement. What does one consider a doppelganger for the Tar Heels? We would say Kentucky, but it’s on the schedule every year. Maybe Louisville’s open.

But, USC is willing to play ball. According to The State, Carolina SID Steve Fink said everything is OK as long as North Carolina finds a good replacement and agrees to reschedule the game. With next year’s LSU-UNC game evidently being engineered by ESPN, the Worldwide Leader is also chipping in with promises.

The way it works, for the billionth year in a row, in 2010 Carolina will have the chance to play sloppy/bore America to death by opening up the season in prime time on ESPN. Also, the Mothership (which apparently has sway over conference schedules) will give USC a mid-season off week.

Mind you, none of this is official, but we don’t see ESPN’s desires being refused.