The pens thing is apparently done quite a lot with legislation. Presidents (and I guess governors) frequently sign a bill with multiple pens, sometimes one pen per letter of the signature, and give out those pens as 'mementos' to those involved with getting the legislation passed, or who have some significant connection. I think it was her bid to look more 'Presidential'.

In this case I am not sure what the motive was but the nine families I am sure worked to help pass this bill. Remember the little boy who stood beside President Obama when he signed the ACA? He got one of the pens used for that bill. It is a tradition.

I would be so embarrassed if she was my Governor.

pens to white men who have fought to get rid of the Confederate flag and not anyone black who have agitated against the flag.

It's a day to count our blessings.

direction. I suspect the pens were given because it was the tragedy of their loss that finally caused the confederate flag to be removed.

you are some new age thinker who is against the flag, BULLSHIT

Now, the one person I kinda liked was the Woman legislator who was a Repub and a descendant of Jefferson Davis who cried and demanded the flag come down

I liked her.

The massacre was the last straw for her.

and I'm certain they appreciated receiving a memento of the moment. Handing out pens at such events is commonplace. I wouldn't read too much into it.

was the way Haley kept posing, smiling for the camera, as though the event was all about her. I kept thinking, "Where in the hell does she think she is?"

the fact that nine people were slaughtered. She started with the grace of the folks to let this stranger in and then the grace of the relatives who forgive Roof but she never mentioned what he had done.