Editorials from across South Carolina: Leatherman’s power, Roof trial, winter preparations

Concentrated power

S.C. Senate President Pro Tem Hugh Leatherman asked his fellow state senators to support his re-election to lead their body even though he had announced he would not fulfill the constitutional duties of the job.…

Leatherman re-elected to lead S.C. Senate

Leatherman is unwilling to give up any of his power. He could have let someone else stand for the job Tuesday, and he could have run for the position when the governor-lieutenant governor shift happens, but he was unwilling to give up his power for even a few weeks.

And Leatherman has too much power. Sen. Harvey Peeler, R-Gaffney, supported Leatherman this year, but he didn’t last year, stating that Leatherman had too much power for one person in state government.

Peeler was right last year. And the senators who voted against Leatherman this year are right as well.

Leatherman not only serves as the leader of the state Senate, he also serves as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. That gives him a tremendous amount of authority over the state budget and puts him on several state finance oversight boards.

His leadership of the Senate allows him to affect the pace and agenda of the Senate. Holding both positions often allows him to appoint two out of three senators to serve on conference committees to work out differences between House and Senate legislation.

Because most of the power in South Carolina is concentrated in the General Assembly rather than in the other two branches of government, allowing one person to lead the Senate and lead its Finance Committee puts a great deal of power in one person’s hands.

Senators besides Peeler have made that point, but they haven’t succeeded in taking any authority from Leatherman or convincing him to give it up.

To the contrary, Leatherman’s actions in the succession situation show that he is more concerned with keeping his power than in following the dictates of the state constitution. South Carolinians know this is not public service, it is political careerism.

Roof trial

The (Dylann Roof) trial is a jarring reminder of the human capacity for depravity, barbarity and treachery.

Consider the scene: Bible Study worshipers invite a stranger into their church. Then he slaughters nine of them, spouting loathsome venom in the savage process.

No courtroom verdict can change that.

Clashes between defense attorney, judge mark legal tension in Roof trial’s opening days

Yet the elevating grace of the victims, their families and their friends still represents a spiritual triumph over this abomination against decency and humanity. The stunning expressions of forgiveness expressed by grieving loved ones at Roof’s bond hearing, just two days after the murders, remain an inspiration around the world.

Survivors and victims’ loved ones sat stoically in court Friday as the Roof video was shown.

Their example of strength and amazing grace continues to sustain a community again faced with the reality of the monstrous crime committed against those good people in that good church on Calhoun Street.

Prepare for winter

Snowfall, ice storms and extreme cold can immobilize an entire region. Winter storms can result in flooding, closed highways, blocked roads, downed power lines and hypothermia.

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division and the National Weather Service, along with the agencies that comprise the State Emergency Response Team, encourage everyone in South Carolina to prepare for severe winter weather by checking supplies and safety plans now.

Residents should take the proper winter weather precautions during milder temperatures while the winter emergency supplies are in low demand ….

With the damage from Hurricane Matthew still a reality, here’s hoping that our region and state are spared the worst winter can bring in 2017. But there is reason to be prepared. Cold weather can be very dangerous.

This story was originally published December 12, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Editorials from across South Carolina: Leatherman’s power, Roof trial, winter preparations."