EDITING THE NEWS

By JIM DAVENPORT, Associated Press – Mon Mar 28, 7:39 pm ET

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina lawmakers are taking a stand in favor of states' lights.  AWHAWHAWHAWHAWHAWHAW.  FUCK YOU, CUTESY COPY EDITOR.

With incandescent bulbs being phased out under federal law in favor of energy-efficient compact fluorescents, legislators want to exempt South Carolina from the measure, saying Washington SOME UPPITY GODDAMNED NIGGER has no business telling the state how to light its closets and countertops.

The proposed state law, called the Incandescent Light Bulb Freedom FUCK YOU, HIPPIE Act, "allows South Carolina to say to the federal government we are going to exercise our rights GO FUCK YOURSELF," said Republican state Rep. Bill Sandifer, a co-sponsor GIBBERING RETARD WHO SHOULD BE MOPPING FLOORS AT THE BURGER KING.

The federal government is phasing out incandescent lights starting with 100-watt bulbs in 2012. In 2014, manufacturers will stop making 75-, 60- and 40-watt bulbs, too, under the 2007 Bush administration law. But the squiggly, energy-efficient fluorescent bulbs have drawn complaints that they are too expensive, put out a dim, sickly light, contain traces of mercury and take too long to reach full brightness.  OH THE TYRANNY OF LOWER ENERGY BILLS

As early as Tuesday, the South Carolina House will begin debating a bill that would allow companies to manufacture incandescent bulbs in South Carolina as long as they stamp them "Made in South Carolina" and sell them only within the state. Supporters of the bill say the federal government would have no authority to intervene because its power to regulate business extends only to commerce that crosses state lines. THEY'RE A BUNCH OF FAGS.

South Carolina has only one, small manufacturer of incandescent bulbs, but the hope is that others will set up shop here, too, if the law passes.

Arizona lawmakers tried the same thing a year ago, passing a bill that would have declared incandescent light bulbs manufactured entirely within the state exempt from federal regulation. But Republican Gov. Jan Brewer, A TEA-PARTY PANDERING LUNATIC, vetoed it. Texas, Georgia and Minnesota, HOTBEDS OF FUCTARDERY, have also considered clinging to incandescent bulbs, but none has passed a law ARE SMART ENOUGH NOT TO PISS ON THEIR OWN SHOES, APPARENTLY. California embraced the new federal regulations a year early.

South Carolina lawmakers have a long history of going against the federal government. In the past year they have taken up bills to stall federal health care legislation and create their own currency. Before that, of course, came slavery, states' rights, secession and the Civil War, as well as a century of foot-dragging on segregation, seat belts, drunken driving and the drinking age.

Incandescents, the design basically created by Thomas Edison in the late 1800s, create light by passing electric current through a wire filament. But 90 percent of the electricity is wasted as heat instead of light. Fluorescents burn cooler.

"The federal government was just trying to shove this down Americans' throats too quickly," Schlosser said.  NOT GAY

Before the 2007 law, he had three production lines with 50 workers making the bulbs. But Schlosser said he is down to a single line with 15 workers and a single U.S. competitor, Sylvania. Most of the incandescent bulb business is now overseas. GE made its last incandescent bulb in the U.S. last fall.

Kit Kennedy, energy counsel with the Natural Resources Defense Council, doesn't expect other states to follow South Carolina's lead.

"Most states, whether they're red states or blue states, are interested in promoting energy efficiency, BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T GROW UP EATING LEAD PAINT CHIPS OFF THE WINDOWSILL AS A PRIMARY SOURCE OF NUTRITION" Kennedy said. "We hope that South Carolina sees the light, as it were."  GOOD LUCK WITH THAT