I never liked Paul Finebaum until today.
For those who don’t know, Finebaum is widely known for his major role in covering the SEC (Southeast Conference) for as long as I have followed The South Carolina Gamecocks. Which is a very long time. Finebaum has always been partial to the Alabama Crimson Tide, and has always ridiculed my Gamecocks whenever he had the slightest chance.
But today, I heard something about Finebaum that made me feel a kinship to him, and made me further understand that the assassination of Charlie Kirk was truly, truly a “Turning Point.”
Paul Finebaum was working at the SEC Network when he first heard about Charlie Kirk’s assassination. He described struggling with the emotional impact of the news while balancing his duties related to college football coverage. Finebaum has publicly stated that the assassination was a personal awakening that played a critical role in his decision to consider leaving ESPN to pursue a political career.
“I spent four hours, numb, talking about things that didn’t matter to me. And it kept building throughout that weekend. I felt very empty doing what I was doing that day.”
Paul Finebaum,
Hearing this about Finebaum was very touching – and encourging – to me. I have spent a large part of the last four years trying to convince people in Saluda County to get involved in politics. It is very hard. Mainly because they think politics is dirty.
And they are right. It is extremely dirty.
But when a good, ethical person – a person getting involved for the right reasons – steps up, it is the noblest of endeavors. Every position taken by a good person is a spot that cannot be occupied by a bad one. And for every good person we get involved in a leadership role, we need several more in supporting roles.
In the scheme of things, Saluda is a tiny, tiny pond. But it is our pond and where our voices are the loudest and our efforts can bear the most fruit. It is time for good, Christian people to get off the sidelines and get involved in their own governance. I truly believe it makes a difference for our country and in our daily lives.
The Saluda County Republican Party is a good place to start. We are working hard for the beliefs we all hold dear, and we need your help. We can help you find the place you can do the most good based on your interests, abilities, and the time you have available.
The time is now to say, “Yes.”
