Almost forgot about this…
On Saturday, I went to the alternative Farmers Market mentioned previously, and when I went up to Emile DeFelice to say I wanted to buy some of his pork (to which he corrected me, saying, "What you mean to say is, you want to Put Your State on Your Plate"), he shared the following…
First, he thanked me for running his op-ed piece, which I told him we were glad to have (and not just because we agreed with his point). Then he told me something interesting — he said the governor had called him in response to the piece, and had thanked him for staying involved in public affairs, and encouraged him to continue to do so.
I thought that was interesting, since the governor appointed the guy who beat Emile in the election last year, Hugh Weathers — who also happens to support the Establishment Farmer’s Market, which Emile was criticizing.
But Emile didn’t take it as the governor changing loyalties or anything; he just took it as the governor being nice and encouraging citizens to be involved in their communities, which Emile certainly is.
Emile is proof that you don’t have to win an election to influence things positively. Every time I see Mr. Weathers, he mentions the initiative his department has undertaken to promote S.C. products, which was Emile’s main issue.
Anyway, bottom line is, I was sufficiently impressed that the governor called Emile that I thought it was worth starting a new blog category, "Say something nice." (And it was Doug kicking me for kicking the governor that reminded me to do this.) I’ll look for other opportunities to employ this device.
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that’s great. Thanks for sharing Brad. I have a great deal of respect for Emile and think it is a real shame he didn’t get the opportunity to serve South Carolinians.It is obvious he does what he does to help make SC a better place…not just pad his resume. A rare find in today’s politics. I’m sure the Governor sees that, appreciates it and wishes SC had more citizens like that.
On another note…I saw “The Future of Food” a few weeks ago and have become obsessed with learning more about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in our food supply.
http://www.freedocumentaries.org/film.php?id=124
I did a column in ‘the Beat’ on the topic this week (not up yet or I’d share). I’d love to know what Emile, the Governor, you…anyone…thinks about this issue.
I find it pretty dang scary…if I do say so myself.
Hope you’re well.
🙂 t