Charleston City Paper | Stratton Lawrence

After Five Years, There's No End in Sight in Iraqnew

The Iraq War has already lasted a year and a half longer than World War II and is beginning to take its toll in the pockets of ordinary Americans, nearly 4,000 of whom have given their lives as soldiers in the conflict.

Charleston City Paper | Stratton Lawrence | 03-19-2008 | War

Tags: war in iraq, Iraq, war & peace

Should We be Taxed for Eating Animals?new

Outside of nearly every presidential rally and campaign stop across South Carolina, you could find members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) dressed in bright pink pig costumes, handing out buttons and literature emblazoned with the slogan "Stop Global Warming: Tax Meat."

Charleston City Paper | Stratton Lawrence | 02-07-2008 | Environment

Tags: environment

Jojo Knows How To Have a Good Timenew

For piano-playing John "Jojo" Hermann, the Widespread Panic off-season just means an excuse to play front-man and book more intimate venues.

Charleston City Paper | Stratton Lawrence | 01-30-2008 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: John Jojo Hermann

Coal is Cheap and Abundant, but Can it Really Be Clean?new

South Carolina is a battleground in the debate over America's coal future.

Charleston City Paper | Stratton Lawrence | 12-26-2007 | Environment

Tags: environment

Could Ron Paul be South Carolina's Perfect Candidate?new

"He's not just out there saying stuff to get your vote," says Travis Ward, a DJ who voted Democrat in 2004 because he wanted a change. "Ron Paul's telling how he feels, and it shows in the way he's voted for the last 30 years. And I don't think the income tax is fair, and the war on drugs is retarded."

Charleston City Paper | Stratton Lawrence | 12-05-2007 | Politics

Tags: 2008 presidential election, Ron Paul

Charleston's Dirty Little Secretnew

Don't breathe deep -- there are killers in our air.

Charleston City Paper | Stratton Lawrence | 11-28-2007 | Environment

Tags: environment

Young Iraq War Vets Share Their Experiencesnew

To get an idea of what it's like to return to the U.S. after being in a war zone, we spent an evening at a VFW Hall, where several young vets shared their stories over wings and beers.

Charleston City Paper | Stratton Lawrence | 11-07-2007 | War

Tags: war in iraq, veterans, war & peace

Rifts in Church Reveal Plight of Christian Homosexualsnew

Peter Mitchell has "suffered from same-sex attraction" all his life and still feels tempted in "really insecure moments when life is particularly hard," but he's as convinced as anyone that homosexual behavior is a sin.

Charleston City Paper | Stratton Lawrence | 11-07-2007 | Religion

Tags: religion, GLBT, episcopal

Steep Canyon Rangers Flex Bluegrass Chopsnew

The Rangers are one of the few young bluegrass bands die-hard traditionalists don't mutter under their breath about.

Charleston City Paper | Stratton Lawrence | 11-07-2007 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: Lovin' Pretty Women, Steep Canyon Rangers

Power Co. Claims Green Future, but Wants New Coal Plantnew

Coal-fired power plants are the top culprits among greenhouse gas emitters. It's estimated that Santee Cooper's proposed plant would spew 8.7 million tons of carbon dioxide and 138 pounds of mercury into the air each year.

Charleston City Paper | Stratton Lawrence | 10-31-2007 | Environment

Tags: environment, clean coal, power plants

Avett Brothers Still Bring Itnew

On Emotionalism, the band's latest release (and tenth since forming in 2000), they hint at their hard-rocking, pre-Avetts history, with Scott pulling out his electric Guild S100 to get crunchy in the closing minutes of "Pretty Girl from Chile."

Charleston City Paper | Stratton Lawrence | 10-24-2007 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: The Avett Brothers, Emotionalism

The Next Alison Krauss?new

Shannon Whitworth may have a harder time shaking that moniker off than "formerly of the Biscuit Burners." But the Brevard, N.C.,-based songwriter and banjo player's music is as strong in her newly blossomed solo career as ever.

Charleston City Paper | Stratton Lawrence | 09-27-2007 | Profiles & Interviews

Tags: No Expectations, Shannon Whitworth