You know it’s bad when you stop telling people where you are from. In my case, it’s South Carolina. I love my home state, but lately I’m quite embarrassed to say I was born and raised in the Palmetto State.
What’s the reason for my embarrassment? I’m glad you asked. It’s Congressman Joe Wilson, Gov. Mark Sanford and Miss Teen USA Lauren Caitlin Upton.
The problem, you see, is they won’t stop talking. Each in his or her own way will forever remind me why I just say I’m from down South, never giving an exact location.
While watching portions of President Obama’s speech Wednesday night, I was surprised (well in hindsight, no I wasn’t) that Wilson, from South Carolina, decided to call the president a liar during his speech about health reform issues.
Why, oh why, couldn’t he save his heckling for a Gamecocks vs. Clemson game? Why, on such a controversial issue, did he have to add his two cents? Mr. Wilson, I’m disappointed in you. And on top of that, I can’t believe we are from the same state.
Now on to Gov. Sanford. I’ve never wanted anyone to stop talking more than I’ve wanted him to just shut it. He, like other men in power, recently came forward to admit to an affair. It was disappointing to say the least, but people, meaning me, were ready to get on with the business of business. I’m sure many other South Carolinians were ready to move on as well.
But apparently Sanford was not. In the weeks after his admission he was on television ó a lot.
Raise your hand if you were tired of hearing about him and his affair. Yell, scream and shout if you just wanted it to stop. Mr. Sanford I’m embarrassed. More so, I’m embarrassed for your wife and children. All you had to do was admit your “mistake”, handle your personal business in private, stop talking about it and get back on track. Many before you have done so.
Yes, I know the Miss Teen USA debacle was two years ago, but it is still painful. In Upton’s case, she claims she didn’t understand the question, which was: Why one-fifth of Americans can’t find the United States on a map? Pretty simple. She had an opportunity to nail it.
But she, too, disappointed me. She went on about people not having maps and some other nonsense that I shall never repeat again. The best thing she could’ve done was to stop talking.
Mama always said, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”
I say, “If it makes no sense and you are from South Carolina, stop talking.”
That’s the common thread among these South Carolinians. They should all just stop talking. Let others have their moment in the spotlight and just close your mouth and keep it closed ó at least while the cameras are rolling.
South Carolina, please stop letting this little country child from a small town no one has ever heard of (Van Wyck) continue to be disappointed. Just stop talking so I can go back to telling people where I’m really from.
Shavonne Potts covers health and human services for the Post.