We know how those guys over at the State House love to cut taxes and fees, but this is going further than even I thought they would:

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – South Carolina lawmakers have given initial approval to repealing a 1951 law requiring any group that wants to overthrow the government to register and pay a $5 fee.

A Senate Judiciary panel Thursday approved repealing the McCarthy-era law adopted during the Cold War communist scare.

Sen. Larry Martin says the archaic measure is pointless. The Pickens Republican says bloggers spread the misconception last month that legislators had recently passed the bill, prompting concern from conservative activists and ridicule from others.

Secretary of State Mark Hammond said no one filed under the law until last month. Nine people and supposed groups have filed in jest. Hammond says one sent in a photocopy of a $5 Confederate bill.

Personally, I think we oughta raise fees on terrorists. I don’t want to be unwelcoming or anything, but if terrorists want to set up shop in South Carolina, there should be a cost of doing business. I don’t care how many people they say they’re going to hire.

And how are we ever going to pay for the essential functions of state government in these tough times if we’re even going to cut — nay, eliminate — the tax on terrorism? You may think I’m being facetious, but based on my personal experience dealing with the Confederate flag issue, there are a LOT of people in this state who think the only mistake the South made between 1860 and 1865 was losing. We could probably finance a modest-sized agency right there.

But this at least solves a dilemma for me. Since I’m on the record as wanting to change SC’s form of government and would like very much to see some key leaders deposed, since I’m fed up with the lack of action in our State House and would like to see a revolution in our political culture, I was sort of thinking maybe I would have to pay this fee. But now I don’t have to worry about it. Or I won’t once they finish passing this…

Jesus was taken to a high mountain and offered all the kingdoms of the world. I get offered a beer. Temptation ain’t what it used to be.

You may have noted that Wesley Donehue, after commenting on a recent post, asked me to join him and his opposite number Phil Bailey on a live video-feed program this evening.

He elaborated upon the invitation in an e-mail this morning:

Hey Brad. Here’s the deal.

We launched a live video series last week called Happy Hour. It’s a little point counterpoint between me and Phil Bailey over some beers from a local bar with wifi. We want to start having guests on today. We’d love for you to be the first one. Also, we always invite people to just show up, drink a beer, and be part of the show at anytime.

The video is broadcast live over Ustream and then starting this episode, we will post a high quality version the following today.

Today’s broadcast starts at 6 pm from Flying Saucer in the Vista.  We’d like you to be there at about 5:45.

Can you do it?

It really is a lot of fun. And I’ll even buy your beer.

Sounds innocent enough, but … I gave up beer for Lent. This, for me, is a sore trial. But I’ve agreed to do the show anyway, and watch Wesley and Phil drink — on the condition that they ask me back again after Easter.

The fun (for them) starts at 6. Here’s the link. That’s a recent show imbedded above. I like it because the quality makes my own videos look very professional.

Kidding aside, I like the sound of this — a Republican and a Democrat actually sitting down and having a rational discussion of politics over a beer. I’ll like it better when the UnParty can have a beer, too. Or two.

Today it actually is March 4 (I accidentally said that was the date yesterday), so we’re off to a good start. Accuracy is very important to us here at bradwarthen.com. You get only the very best news that I can cull from the Web for free.

Here’s today’s virtual front page:

Obama Calls for ‘Up or Down Vote’ on Health Care Bill — The president expects a vote within weeks. That remains to be seen, reconciliation or no. And will what they pass be worth the trouble?

Retailers did better in February — Some good news, perhaps. Maybe this was affected by that external hard drive I bought over the weekend ($89.99 for a 1 terabyte Seagate at Best Buy). Whatever the cause, it wasn’t the only good news. U.S. unemployment claims also dropped.

SC House caps punitive damages — The limit would be $350,000. The theory is that such a cap makes SC more attractive to business.

New Hurdle to Iran Sanctions — China isn’t the only country being a pain in the rear over Iran. Add Turkey, Lebanon and Brazil (Lula flipped off Hillary to her face, which takes nerve) to the list of countries that make it less likely we’ll find a peaceful way to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Meanwhile, the IDF are on deck, ready to go to bat.

Early voting begins in Iraq — Several incidents of violence mar the run-up to Sunday’s critical elections.

Smoking bans on the West Bank — Of the Congaree, that is. West Columbia and Cayce pass bans of differing comprehensiveness (is “comprehensiveness” a word?). Finally, I can go hear my son’s band next time it plays at New Brookland Tavern, without a gas mask. Irmo opts out of a ban, but there was nowhere I wanted to go in Irmo anyway. (Not to cast aspersions, I just can’t think of any place.)

That’s kind of hard-news heavy, which is generally satisfying to my tastes, but I would have liked to have found at least one fun story to lighten up the mix. I’ll try to do better tomorrow.