I posted in March about the “anti-DEI” legislation in the South Carolina legislature, and how organizations have already started renaming things to maintain compliance. This week, the South Carolina House of Representatives finally made enough last-second modifications and passed their “anti-DEI” bill. (I feel like I have to highlight “anti-DEI” in quotes because it’s so ludicrous to even be discussing this.)

There’s not a lot new to say about these types of bills. To the fair and balanced mind(s) here at RFB, they reek of opportunistic political pandering, much like the paranoia-fueled CRT scare a few years ago. I do have to point out, as many have lately, the irony of this kind of hysterical squawking about meritocracy when former TV show hosts are bumbling around the Department of Defense, group-chatting like middle schoolers, or misinformation-spreading offspring of political dynasties are in charge of public health.

Back on topic: Beaufort’s representative, Shannon Erickson, did have one interesting thing to say, calling the passage of her prized “anti-DEI” bill: “a critical step toward protecting students and educators from political agendas that have no place in our classrooms.” That’s welcome news, because back in December the South Carolina Department of Education partnered with PragerU, a conservative media organization known for producing “educational” videos chock full of political agendas and inaccuracies.

We here at RFB look forward to Erickson working with SC Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver to ensure the PragerU materials “have no place in our classrooms.” Unless, of course, this is all about making room for their own political agendas.

Also two weeks ago: RFB predicted that Dr. Edward Simmer, nominated by SC Gov. McMaster to lead the newly created South Carolina Department of Public Health, would drop out due to the threats he’s received, and the fairly ignorant line of questioning posed to him at a recent confirmation hearing. The good news: he didn’t drop out. The bad news: the committee continues to wallow around in COVID-era conspiracies and won’t advance his nomination. While there’s a slim chance that the full SC Senate could vote to confirm Simmer, that appears unlikely.

New prediction: I’ll take my quip about McMaster from 2 weeks ago and re-state it as what is most likely to occur. South Carolina’s deep thinkers in the Senate will pick “someone peddling essential oils, horse dewormer, and measles parties on TikTok” to lead the Department of Public Health.