PEPER COLUMN: Thoughts on recent happenings

This morning, there's no specific topic for the column, just a collection of thoughts as it relates to recent stories in the news. I don't know about you, but it's nice to see that we might actually have a spring this year. It seems that a year ago, we had two days of spring and then 20 weeks of August.

Playing politics

Glenn McConnell may one day have many more things named for him than a West Ashley highway. His decision to leave one of state government's most powerful jobs to step in to one that's largely ceremonial was, well, so everything politics usually isn't. If the rules eventually change, then fine. McConnell didn't try to change the rules to accommodate his personal preferences. Very difficult not to admire his principles, even if you don't always agree with his politics. Some insiders believe McConnell will challenge Gov. Nikki Haley when she seeks a second term.

All hands on deck

The idea to bring college basketball to the deck of the Yorktown is intriguing. They'll need 4,000 seats, lighting, a floor, a couple of baskets and maybe a few gallons of Skin-So-Soft. It'll be in November, though, so maybe the gnats will still be interested in football. Imagine how that'll look on TV with the aircraft carrier lit up and the silhouette of the Ravenel Bridge in the background. There will be court-side seats for wounded veterans. Let's make sure guys from our own VA hospital are invited as well.

If the teams have trouble shooting, the announcer certainly can't use the expression "These guys can't throw it in the ocean!"

Goodbye to Bobby

Now that Bobby Cremins has officially called it quits, the Cougar bench will look different without him on it. It was the same way, though, when John Kresse retired. Cremins was the perfect person to come to the program when he did. He further raised the profile of the program and without him, the beautiful arena in downtown Charleston might never have been finished. Bobby still loves being in a gym, but the bus rides, pre-game meals and tough losses finally took their toll. People often confuse his smile and good nature with not caring about wins and losses. That's a major mistake. Beneath that outward charm lies a competitive nature and fighting Irish spirit taught to him by his dad, who was a cop from the Bronx. We'll miss his accent and his white hair. Thanks for the ride, Coach.

No bridge too far

Finally, did the explanations given by the man who disrupted traffic on the Ravenel Bridge last month make you feel better? The 38-year-old man told the P&C he was just trying to expose injustices and vendettas against him.

Not sure the motorists who were trapped for hours are too sympathetic.

Even that night, the man's attempt to bring attention to himself inconvenienced many others heading to the Jimmy Buffett concert in North Charleston or made workers late to their jobs.

I'm just sayin'…

Reach Warren Peper at wpeper@postandcourier.com