SCHotline

We received this Press Release from Rebekah Sutherland this morning and we thought it was interesting. It appears Sen. Lindsey Graham held a telephone town hall meeting last night on some issues. Rebekah gives us one account of it below. We are wondering if anyone else was on the call last night what else was discussed. If you were on the call last night from Sen. Graham leave a comment and tell us about it. What do you remember was said? Who said it? What questions did they ask?

DATE: June 29, 2007

CONTACT: R.E. Sutherland, M.Ed./sciences

Mail: P.O. Box 1625, Aiken, SC 29802

Phone: 803-649-0582

EMAIL: becworks@gmail.com

PR: SSN #’s out of control says Sen. Lindsey Graham

Last night I received a call that invited me to “stay on the line” for an ongoing conference call with the South Carolina U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham. “Press the # key and you will be placed in line to ask your question . . .” Of course, I pressed that key.

Forty five minutes later, Lindsey closed the session (i.e., 20:00 hours), and said, “If you did not get to talk to me, leave a voice message on the system.” My questions were not invited.

Hmmmm . . . . rigged no doubt, but verrrrrrrry interesting.

First, a most serious moment has happened in the country according to Lindsey. Because the illegal aliens from Mexico have been able to create illegal Social Security Cards, there is no way for government to find out who is legal and who is not.

PAY ATTENTION EVERYONE: Translation seems to me should be . . . the government no longer has your number correct on its computers.

QUESTION: If the SSN is no longer valid, then how the heck is the IRS using it to extract our “voluntary income tax?”

Second, Lindsey commented about China’s trade practice with the USA. He said, “China cheats.”

FACT: In 1996, Rep. Lindsey Graham voted for Most Favored Nation status for China. I clipped the article out of the newspaper and have it on file.

PAY ATTENTION EVERYONE: Senator Lindsey Graham helped to establish trade relations with a country well known for foul communist practices and an open determination to take over the world (i.e., hegemony). Yep, Lindsey did it. That is how the textile companies left our shores for a brighter future on the other side of the world.

NOTE TO SOUTH CAROLINA FOLKS: Lindsey is “not your Daddy.”

More later . . . [end]

From DumpLindseyGraham.blogspot.com The 2008 Republican Primary is half a year away. South Carolina, you have a very simple question to answer. Are you going to allow a man with the record below, Lindsey Graham, to continue to represent you in the United States Senate?

Linsdey Graham’s Record As Our Republican US Senator

1) Co-wrote the failed Amnesty Bill of 2007 in a secret, back-room deal with Ted Kennedy, Harry Reed and his personal puppeteer, John McCain.

2) After numerous polls, tens of thousands of phone calls and emails, and hundreds of talk show callers TOLD HIM that THE VAST MAJORITY of South Carolinians wanted him to stop supporting the ill-conceived Amnesty Bill, he turned a deaf ear. Instead, he called you, the citizens of South Carolina, “a few loud people”, and then he absolutely ignored you. On the day the bill died, on the floor of the Senate, Jim DeMint asked Lindsey Graham, “What part of NO don’t you understand?”. Thankfully, 53 Senators finally decided to listen to us, the citizens, and killed the tragically flawed Amnesty bill.

3) As the bill was spiraling to its death, he stood on the Senate floor and cried for the criminal aliens. He lambasted those who disagreed with his position. He DID NOT CRY for the millions of US citizens who can’t earn a decent wage because of the millions of criminals who snuck into our country. In fact, he never mentioned them.

4) Called Teddy “Splash” Kennedy “One of the most principled men I’ve ever met.” It is the overwhelming view among South Carolinians that “Splash” Kennedy is one of the most despicable, liberal men to ever walk the earth, a man personally responsible for a large portion of America’s current Welfare State, and a man who walked away from a car accident and left his passenger, a young college student, to drown to death. To Lindsey Graham, he is a hero. And this man, South Carolina, is your Senior United States Senator.

5) Called you, the citizens of South Carolina, “bigots” because you disagreed with him on his, Ted Kennedy’s, and John McCain’s Amnesty Bill. You believed we should enforce the law. He believed we should grant amnesty to 12 Million criminal trespassers in our country. He stood in front of LaRaza, one of the most racist organizations in the world, praised them lavishly, pandered to them, cried huge tears of despair for these poor immigrants (who BROKE THE LAW and CONTINUE TO BREAK THE LAW) and then told them, a room full of racist liberals, that you, South Carolinians, were the bigots!

6) In the wake of 9/11, DID NOT FOCUS ON MAKING SOUTH CAROLINIANS MORE SECURE. Instead, Lindsey Graham focused on protecting the rights of the terrorists. He wrote the bill that extended rights to terrorists equal to those of United States citizens! He stood on the floor of the Senate and cried for the terrorists who were being aggressively interrogated. He called the US Military barbarians. And, unbelievably, he went all the way to the US Supreme Court to defend known terrorist Salim Ahmed Hamdan. Folks, this is YOUR UNITED STATES SENATOR!

7) In answer to the point blank question, “What is your job as a US Senator,” Lindsey Graham answered, “My job as a US Senator is to work with the Democrats.” That’s a direct quote folks. Your Senior Senator believes that you elected him and sent him to Washington to work with the Democrats! In fact, Mr. Graham has repeatedly said that he doesn’t worry about what his constituents have to say, and that he is not worried about getting re-elected. He has often said that by and large, the folks in South Carolina aren’t smart enough to understand what’s going on in Washington, and that he must protect us from our own ignorance.

9) Participated vigorously as a member of the infamous Gang of 14, who used archaic Senate procedures to strip conservative Republican’s rights. South Carolinians overwhelmingly disagreed with Graham, and inundated him with calls, letters, emails and faxes. As expected, Mr. Graham ignored his constituents and fell in line with John McCain and the Democrats.

10) Wrote a glowing article about Hillary Clinton for Time Magazine in April 2006, and partnered with Ms. Clinton on numerous bills that were vehemently opposed by the majority of South Carolinians. “She has been great to work with,” Mr. Graham told FoxNews‘ Cal Thomas.

South Carolina, is this the man we want as our Senior United

Amnesty for Paris

by Jeffrey Sewell

Paris Hilton might be illegally blonde. She might have driven on a suspended license. However, was it necessary to waste tens of thousands of tax payer dollars to lock her up for nearly a month? If that’s the standard, let’s lock up people equally, including those who are illegally entered our borders, stole identities, falsified documents including drivers licenses, and continue to live underground – paying zero in taxes and abusing social services. If we did that, we would solve part of our immigration crisis. No, we wouldn’t have sealed the border, but we would have documented all 12-20 million illegal aliens and found out who they all were.

Throwing all 12-20 million in jail isn’t feasible, not because we can’t round them all up, but because our prisons are overcrowded with mandatory minimum drug sentences. Currently, we are releasing violent criminals back onto the streets before they have served partial sentences, while a kid who got caught with a gram or two of cocaine withers away behind bars because of a mandatory minimum sentence. This line of thinking is the same being applied to immigration.

Right now, folks in Washington are ramming the Kennedy-McCain Amnesty plan down our throats. This legislation makes absolutely no sense and sets a horrible precedent – let’s punish people who pay their taxes and merely drove on a suspended license by throwing them in jail and let’s reward people who don’t pay their taxes, broke into our country and operated motor vehicles with fake licenses by granting them citizenship.

Personally, I’m a bit worried about making all these folks legal. I am not xenophobic nor do I fear for my job security. I am worried because we have no idea who these people are. If we don’t know who they are, how do we know there are 12-20 million illegal aliens here? Supposedly, four million of them are here on expired visas, but we no clue who the other 8-16 million are.

We know that among those 8-16 million are drug dealers and the members of violent gangs such as MS-13. MS-13 is the cop killing gang, comprised of illegal aliens with Central American ties and known for their tattoos and penchant for violence. Google MS-13 and reports from Newsweek, National Geographic, and MSNBC pop up, calling MS-13, “The Most Dangerous Gang in America.”

Instead of reporting on MS-13 and immigration irregularities, the media prefers to fly helicopters over Rodeo Boulevard in order to showcase every angle of Paris Hilton’s transport to and from jail. Better yet, imagine if Jose Compean and Ignacio Ramos were household names too.

Who are Compean and Ramos?

Compean and Ramos are the two border patrol agents who are serving over 10 years in prison for doing their jobs and shooting an illegal drug smuggling suspect in the behind.

Instead of pondering post-prison Paris, let’s think about the fact that taxpayers who live in Washington, DC lack a voting representation in Congress, while the are a handful of voting members of Congress, whose constituency is made up primarily of illegal aliens. This makes about as much sense as what the folks in Washington are trying to with the immigration bill. They want to give amnesty first, then worry about border security.

When the kitchen is flooding because you left faucet running, do you start mopping the floor with the water running? No, you turn off the faucet then clean up the mess. Well, that’s the exact approach we need in Washington, turn of the water and clean up the mess.

That mess is going to take a lot of effort – so is securing the border. However, there is no reason that we cannot do both. To do so, it might help if we had the same standards for fake blondes who drive illegally, as illegal aliens who drive with false identification and invalid licenses.

Mr. Sewell is the principal consultant of Sewell Consultancy, a political consulting firm in Lexington County. He is also co-owner of www.SCHotline.com

SC Hotline has learned from sources close to the Thompson campaign that Columbia political consultant Rod Shealy is no longer being considered by Fred Thompson because he was campaign consultant to indicted Treasurer Thomas Ravenel and convicted Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Sharpe.

We have also confirmed that the Giuliani campaign had the same concerns and are no longer considering him as well. It looks like Rod will not be on a presidential candidate payroll.

The Atlantic Online

Notebook: Thompson’s South Carolina Consultant?

COLUMBIA — Some items in the notebook:

Thompson aides have also been talking to consultant Rod Shealy, who somehow managed to convince South Carolinians to re-elect their colorful lieutenant governor despite the latter’s penchant for violating state speed laws and for precipitating the occasional plane crash. Shealy is known outside South Carolina for this.

[UPDATE]

schotline Says:
June 30th, 2007 at 10:56 pm e

I did not write this or post it and I would never count Rod Shealy out of the game. He is and will be for some time the preeminent South Carolinian politico.

~Jeffrey Sewell

Dear Editor,

I was highly disappointed when I read Cindi Ross Scoppe’s latest column criticizing school choice (June 22, The State). Instead of focusing on the needs of individual children, it seemed Mrs. Scoppe was more concerned with preserving “political and financial support” for our state’s education bureaucracy.

Our state’s public schools do not suffer from a lack of money or political support. Instead they suffer from a lack of real accountability, the kind that does not come from “No Child Left Behind” or our state-run government accountability system.

The accountability our public schools really need will only come when parents like me have a choice in our own children’s education.

Mrs. Scoppe knows that our public schools are not meeting the challenges before them. Otherwise she would not fear my being given the right as a parent to use a fraction of the money that the state spends on my children to find a school that better fits their individual needs.

We can continue to promote “accountability in name only” all we want, just as we can continue to pretend that more money and more programs will somehow make a difference this time around despite all evidence to the contrary.

At least Mrs. Scoppe is finally admitting the real motivation behind her refusal to support my right as a parent to choose what’s best for my children. I can only hope that one day she realizes how much her refusal is costing my children and thousands like them.

Sincerely,

Charleane Shealy

Authorities won’t give details about how he became a suspect

By AARON GOULD SHEININ - asheinin@thestate.com

Thomas Ravenel

The drug deal that eventually led to state Treasurer Thomas Ravenel in a federal drug case might have happened in January 2006 and might not have included the 44-year-old Republican.

According to a Charleston Police affidavit, a confidential informant purchased 14.23 grams of cocaine for $450 from Michael Levon Miller at 10:47 p.m. on Jan. 3, 2006, at a Charleston apartment complex. It does not list Ravenel.

Almost 16 months later, Miller and Ravenel are indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to possess and intent to distribute cocaine.

What remains unclear is:

• When did police and SLED learn about the January 2006 drug buy involving Miller and the confidential informant?

• Why wasn’t Miller arrested 16 months ago?

• Did they use the evidence from the informant to pressure Miller into implicating Ravenel?

None of the law enforcement officials involved in the case will answer those or other questions about the case. U.S. Attorney Reggie Lloyd said that as the case plays out in court, much more will become clear.

Miller, 26, is in the Charleston County Detention Center on state charges of trafficking cocaine, charges that stem from that 2006 sale to a confidential informant, according to Miller’s arrest warrant and the attached affidavit, both of which were obtained by The State on Thursday.

Miller’s arrest report describes him as 6-foot-3, 170 pounds with brown eyes and a scar around his right eye. He was born in Sumter and has aliases of Hash or Hashmere. He lists his occupation as self-employed DJ.

Efforts to reach Ravenel and his attorney, Joel Collins, were unsuccessful Thursday. Neither has spoken publicly about the case since the indictments were announced Tuesday.

Miller, whom authorities have described as a drug dealer, and Ravenel face a July 9 arraignment in federal court. Ravenel was suspended from office Tuesday by Gov. Mark Sanford, who named Columbia tax attorney Ken Wingate interim treasurer on Wednesday.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin McDonald said Thursday that it’s not unusual for a defendant in a federal drug case to be allowed to turn himself in for arraignment, as opposed to being arrested.

While he could not provide statistics, McDonald said “approximately half of defendants receive a summons” rather than being brought into custody.

“Basically it’s done on a case by case basis,” he said. “We make an assessment whether the individual is likely to appear for court.”

Ravenel was deemed a likely candidate to appear, he said.

Columbia attorney Dick Harpootlian, a former state prosecutor and veteran defense attorney, said Ravenel does not seem to be getting special treatment.

“In federal court, it’s very common to allow people to surrender themselves,” said Harpootlian, a former chairman of the S.C. Democratic Party. “In federal court, (cases) are typically initiated by indictment. In state court, it’s typically initiated by an arrest warrant.”

The case evolved from the Charleston Police Department to SLED to the FBI and U.S. attorney over the course of more than a year. The Charleston police asked SLED for help in a narcotics investigation, SLED Chief Robert Stewart said Tuesday.

“During the course of that operation, information was developed that Treasurer Thomas Ravenel allegedly was involved in this illegal activity,” said Stewart, who later asked the federal authorities to get involved.

Stewart said he brought in the FBI and U.S. attorney to avoid the appearance of conflict of interest, since Ravenel not only signs SLED paychecks, but also controls vast sums of public money.

According to the indictment, Ravenel and Miller conspired together to possess and distribute cocaine since at least late 2005, more than a year before Ravenel was elected in November 2006.

Stewart and Lloyd would not describe Miller and Ravenel’s relationship or explain how they discovered the men’s connection.

Reach Gould Sheinin at (803) 771-8658.

Several sources have revealed to us that Robert Cahaly who owns Bonnie Blue Public Relations has quit the Duncan Hunter for President campaign.  We don’t know why he is leaving the Duncan Hunter for President only that he has left.

Click here for the audio interview held on 07/25/2007

What SCHotline survey respondents are saying about what they know, have heard and think about the Indictment of Thomas Ravenel… We’ll continue to update this page every one-hundred responses.

ONE DAY AFTER THE INDICTMENT

NEW YORK POST: GIULIANI’S TOP MAN IN S.C. HIT WITH COKE RAP

THE SHOT: KEN WINGATE NAMED INTERIM STATE TREASURER

SCHotline will continue to follow this story and from what we hear from our sources there may be many others involved including but not limited to audio and video of top political operatives and elected officials.

But at the end of the day the real story here may not have much to do with Thomas Ravenel. Who stood to benefit from this particular ‘Susan Smith’ moment? Why did it take two years to resolve this and why was it not leaked by any camp prior to the primary, runoff and or election?

###

My question goes back to : Who knew what when? If these “facts ” were known by the party big wigs prior to the primary/election then someone should have spoken up even if it meant the election. If on the other hand this is a hatchet job by politicians looking out for 08 then it is a whole other matter. The outcome of the trial will be interesting but I still don’t trust the “system”, never have never will.  Until he is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt I will consider him not guilty. If however he is found guilty he should receive the full sentence-as much for breach of public trust aa for the coke charge.  Like one of the comments above: I would vote for him over Gramnesty even now.  Every one knows that the rich can buy their justice. It will come as no surprise if he pleas down to some “pay a fine and walk” bargain. It will be interesting to say the least.

I immediately wondered why no news of this came out during the elections.

I think it took entirely too long for the “authorities” to bring this to light. And there’s no doubt in my mind there is a political manipulation going on somewhere. Look to the age-old statment: Who benefits the most from this “delayed” announcement?

I think it is politically based somehow or it would have come out sooner than 2 years. They either sat on the info until they needed it or until they could not “control” him. If he was trying to give back monies and no one wanted to do so that
would be reason to get rid of him now.

What a shame. I thought Thomas Ravenel might be a viable person in the future of SC politics

I find it odd that this is coming out now when there was ample opportunity during the campaign. However, nothing surprises me anymore.

If he is guilty, may his political career be ended for good. We have enough crooks
serving in government.

Thomas Ravenel’s political career is dead

Fun it came up right after a poll about him runnig against Senator Graham.

I am absoulutly disgusted. He was a role-model to me and I put tons of Volunteer
work into his Senate campaign as well as Treasurer Campaign. I was 19 at the time
and was doing anything and everything I could to help him, even if that meant driving
back and forth to Columbia 2 or more times getting campaign supplies (in oine day
) to going out in the hot sun to put up over 75 4×8 signs (which are not small and
easy to install) I did all of this in hopes that he would be elected and for him
to pull this has just broken me and all the hard work. Now i have to listen to
all of the people who I was able to persuade from Patterson to Ravenel. I have gotten
non-stop phone calls from people making fun of me for standing up and garning support
for him and now I have to deal with it. I am extremly furious that he would be
so self-centered to do this knowing he was in a public office and knowing that he
had so many people for him. I am disgusted and feel betrayed and looked down upon
for having worked with him regardless if he is exonerated, the simple fact is he
was brought up into all this which is hurtful enough. Sorry for the venting but
it needed to be said-

Until Thomas is proven guilty by a court of law, he is not guilty. How something
like this was kept quite for so long does not make sense to me. With the limited
information we have been told something just doesn’t seem right….Pixie Melfi

This is a sad, sad day for all involved. But Converse Chellis or Ken Wingate seem
the best bets for the permanent assignment for this post.

I think he is really stupid and this has disappointed a lot of people who trusted
him. I hope he is not guilty.

I suspect he was set up. Will be interesting to see how it plays out. I was hoping
we could run him against RINO Grahamccain

I have the same questions as those in the above paragraph. All of this was known
long before Thomas filed for the Treasurer. (according to what I read in all your
stuff) Somehow i think it has to do with the senate seat. Some (who??)one wants
it.

I immediately wondered why no news of this came out during the elections.

I think it took entirely too long for the “authorities” to bring this to light.
And there’s no doubt in my mind there is a political manipulation going on somewhere
. Look to the age-old statment: Who benefits the most from this “delayed” announcement
?

I think it is politically based somehow or it would have come out sooner than 2
years. They either sat on the info until they needed it or until they could not “
control” him. If he was trying to give back monies and no one wanted to do so that
would be reason to get rid of him now.

Does not matter

I find the timing suspicious. Why havent we heard this before??
Could it be that
Lindsey was worried about having competition.

They wanted to remove potential threats and current threats.

The timing of this is obvious: to throw off the Giuliani campaign in order to knock
him out of the race. John McCain’s camp is no doubt behind it in an effort to
regain some footing in South Carolina. With Lindsey Graham’s boyfriends and other

alllies working with him here in the state, it was probably easy to coordinate.

I think that somebody was in his corner. Then too musch information was picked
up on someone else, and he became the sacraficial lamb. There is a code among groups
. You be quiet and take the rap and we take care of your family for you is the
code. But if you talk, I don’t know what we can do. This is bigger than me and
you.

Innocent til proven guilty, but I think it doesn’t look good.

I think that if it looks like BS and smells like BS, it is prudent to watch your
step.

need to look at it.

How dume can youo get.
It does seem strange that republicans get so terrible but
Demos can get bribre money put it in a freezer and still be in congress with
little fanfare and protection by fellow Demos

It was stupid of Ravenel to snort.

that i’m not taking this survey.

If it’s true it doesn’t surprise me much, I have a very low opinion of most politicions

Just because a drug dealer says the Treasurer helped out in passing out drugs doesn
‘t mean he’s guilty. Could the dealer who is in jail be looking to cut a deal for
himself by fingering Ravenel? That’s what our criminal justice system is designed
to ferret out.

The republicans wanted wingate to begin with. The policital machine and sanford
owed wingate and this is the only way to get a brown noser in. If this was true
ravenel would not and the republicans would not let him run. I think linsley is
behind the whole thing as we want ravenel to run against him.

There is a lot more to come that hasn’t been revealed (such as maybe the laundrying
of drug money) or we have another case of where our justice system has gone down
the drain like with the NC athletes who were falsely charged. Ken Wingate is a
person of character.

I like Thomas Ravenel and hope he didn’t do it. He doesn’t strike me as a reckless
person.

See above…

It appears that you can’t trust anybody anymore.

I am waiting to hear what Thomas Ravenel has to say about all this. Will he deny
it? However, if Gramnesty passes shouldn’t Ravenel be given immidiate amnesty?
After all, he has led a productive life and has not been convicted of anything until
now. Isn’t that the reasons that Graham and Bush give for granting amnesty to
millions of criminals?

IF he is guilty, he should face the full extent of the law. The damage he has done

to the party, his family and friends, not to mention himself is reprehensible.

I believe it is an attempted smear tactic to both derail Guiliani’s campaign in
SC and a run against Senator Grahamnesty.

TR needs some lube.

I think I wish the “news” media would stick to reporting facts instead of the opinions
of people who have heard things but don’t really know anything.

He needed to be removed and have his day in court. If guilty, then take the rap
for it.

I think that the statement that SLED chief Robert Stewart made about not pursuing
Ravenel in april is BS

I would not be at all suprised at the above statement!

Keep on the story

Look to the Sanford/Harrell machine.

I think Ravenel was torpedoed. He announced plans to run against Lindsey Graham
. He won’t be running now!

I think that anyone who is politically connected, a business associate or a personal
friend is under suspicion of cocaine useage, including administrators in the treasurers
office.

I am so disappointed and also wonder why it took so long !

I am quite disappointed. I thought he was a good candidate for future political
offices. If this turns out to be true, I question just how many more in office
(local, state, and federal gov’t.) are doing drugs or are on the “take” for looking
the other way or not doing more to stop the drug problems that still persist.
Sadly, he is from the ’60s generation which seems to be the “drug generation”.
When are these people going to grow up and live decent lives? How can the youth
look up to fathers doing drugs? How can we trust gov’t. officials when they have
to break the law and sneak around in the back rooms buying, selling, snorting,
and/or shooting drugs? My final question is, “How corrupt is our government? I
recommend that drug testing being done at all levels of the gov’t. just as it is
done in the military. I also recommend that Mr. Ravenel does “time” if he is convicted

. We need to set an example so our gov’t officials get the message.

Ravenel is/was a rank opportunist whose political ambition out-paced his good sense
. Graham is a consensus-builder in Washington and sets himself apart from political
extremists. He’s a bright guy who’s put himself and SC on the map in the US Senate
, and in fairly short order. Ravenel, even if he beats the coke rap, no longer has
much of a prayer if he challenges Graham. And that’s a good thing. He won’t be
missed.

i feel like most politicians are liars so i wouldn’t be shocked if it turned out
to be true. as long as he’s not screwing around with children or killing people
, i don’t really care. sucks to be him though.

I am sick to my stomach. I thought that he was really a clean cut honest guy and
not a drug addict

It’s especially terrible to run on a “clean, family-man” image and then be breaking
the law in such a flagrant way at the same time. I don’t understand drug dependency
at all — you might think someone with significant earned wealth could find ways
to spend his money and time rather than doing illegal things. Think of all the
people he could help with his time and money! He could build a whole villlage
of Habitat Houses or fill the new freezers at Harvest Hope with the money he has
spent, I’m sure, on something as terrible as drugs!

I think on the surface it’s pretty tragic.but I’ll wait for the other shoe to drop
..

Guilani has a habit of associating with crooks and thugs. That makes me believe
the reports about Ravenel - even though he is innocent until proven guilty.

That it is too early to make any decisions until more hard facts come out

The end of a promising political career. Reminds me of the “fall from grace” of
another Ravenel - Pug

S.C. has such dirty politics, that anything is believable.

I WOULD PREFER TO “NOT” DRAW ANY CONCLUSIONS BEFORE THE ENTIRE STORY HAS BEEN TOLD
AND PROVEN TO BE THE HONEST TRUTH, IF WE ARE EVER PRESENTED WITH THE HONEST TRUTH
.

I think the system seems to be working properly, and it is a tribute to law enforcement
and the professionalism of the investigators that nothing leaked before the indictment
.

I think this is a reflection of our state and politics in general. A person with
the most money will be elected regardless of his personal ethics or if he is the
right person for the job. I also believe that this is going to make Giuliani’s
campaign more difficult in the palmetto state. Hopefully voters will not make the
same mistakes as it has in the past. Elected officials need to be good examples
for the kids not examples of what not to do. I can wait for his PSA’s to come out
.

Operation Lost Trust all over again and just like Ron Cobb - coke is involved.

What a shame that our elected officials have no more moral’s than the common user
on the street

Ballentine is the new Tresurer. Thomas is in big trouble. Good guy, but in trouble
. Did you see the guy he’s accused with? What the hell?

I have a hard time believing the charges

It makes no sense.

This type of thing has happened before and the person was not convicted. I think
it also happened to Dorlean. It is just a way to ruin some one they can not control
. A way to keep or put their own people in the position. Sick and corrupt. best
result, less people will vote and the politicians will better be able to control
the out come.

No one is above the law, but this seems to be a hack job.

I am really disappointed in Ravenel. This certainly can have a further impact on
the Republican party.

need to get all involved into jail.

I thought it was current, I’m interested to hear more

If he is proven guilty, he MUST do the FULL TIME due a criminal of this magnatude
, especially such a priviledged person!

I think the timing was suspicious…if they’ve been investigating for two years
why did they wait to let him get elected??? Could this have been a set up????

I think this is typical of elected officials being arrogant and thinking they are
above the law.

The scenario seems curious…

It suprises me that he was unseated. You have a lot of things going on in office
. How can you be an officer of a political party, and be a Councilman? The Govenor
needs to relieve Solicetors for you never get anything in Court.

It suprises me that he was unseated. You have a lot of things going on in office
. How can you be an officer of a political party, and be a Councilman? The Govenor
needs to relieve Solicetors for you never get anything in Court.

Punishment is necessary

I would take a close look at anyone he is a threat to politically. Who stands to
gain from bringing him down? Why now? How long has there been available evidence
? 2 years?!?! Suspicious.

Hes an IDIOT!!!!!!

Why has this been kept quiet until now? Those close to Thomas should have recognized
the signs of drug abuse if the charges brought forth to the Federal Grand Jury
have any substance.

I am glad he is gone. I have no reservations at all with Ken Wingate and helped
him in his campaigns. I do hope there are no others involved but want to clean
up our party so we we not fear this happening again. I want us to be above approach
.

It’s not easy to bring forth an indictment in federal court–there must be some
strong evidence.

I HOPE this is not true….It is disheartening when ‘people’ they trust violate
their trust!!!!

This smells of Chicago/Boston/NYC politics.
I doubt that Ravenel was a regular
user of the drug, because smart, wealthy, savvy political types, (which I think
Ravenel may in fact be) usually do not get into this kind of problem. They usually
recognize the kiss of death to their political ambitions that drug use will cause
them.
I think that generally a man of this caliber might do a drug as a dare
or when goaded into it, but he would be very stupid to take up the substance as
a habit. Of course some become used to the pain-free feelings of some illegal products
and have tried to get them legalized.
I wonder who set him up!
This sounds more
like dirty politics, rather than a drug bust.

As much as I disdain the SC Democrats, Carol Fowler may have been more accurate
than we give her credit for in her comments on Ravenel. But I almost have to laugh
when she says that Grady Patterson, who’s 82 and ineffective on a good day, should
have been reelected. Sore loser rhetoric.

In 2004, Newt Gingrich And Other Conservative Leaders Wrote Wall Street Journal Op-Ed Calling For Comprehensive Immigration Reform, Stating, “The Status Quo Is Unacceptable And Clinging To The Status Quo – Or Tougher Versions Of It – Is Neither Conservative Nor Principled.” (Newt Gingrich et al, Op-Ed, “Welcome To America,” The Wall Street Journal, 2/6/04)

· Other Conservative Leaders Signing Op-Ed With Gingrich Included Stuart Anderson, Jeff Bell, Linda Chavez, Larry Cirignano, Cesar V. Conda, Francis Fukuyama, Richard Gilder, Ed Goeas, Tamar Jacoby, Jack Kemp, Steve Moore, Grover Norquist, Richard W. Rahn and Malcolm Wallop. (Newt Gingrich et al, Op-Ed, “Welcome To America,” The Wall Street Journal, 2/6/04)

Op-Ed: “[A]s Conservatives We Believe That Our Laws Must Reflect Reality And Common Sense, Be Fiscally Responsible, And Avoid The Loss Of Innocent Life. Our Current Immigration Laws Do Not Pass This Test.” “[A]s conservatives we believe that our laws must reflect reality and common sense, be fiscally responsible, and avoid the loss of innocent life. Our current immigration laws do not pass this test. Between 1990 and 2000, the U.S. increased the number of Border Patrol Agents from 3,600 to 10,000. During that same period illegal immigration rose by 5.5. million. Moreover, over the past eight years, more than 2,000 men, women, and children have died attempting to cross into America and seek the opportunity to work and achieve a better life.” (Newt Gingrich et al, Op-Ed, “Welcome To America,” The Wall Street Journal, 2/6/04)

Op-Ed: “Clinging To The Status Quo .. Is Neither Conservative Nor Principled,” And “It Has Become Clear That The Only Viable Approach To Reform” Combines Enforcement With Increased Legal Immigration While Addressing “Those Already Here In The U.S.” “The status quo is unacceptable and clinging to the status quo – or tougher versions of it – is neither conservative nor principled. It has become clear that the only viable approach to reform is combining enforcement with additional legal avenues for those who wish to work in our economy, while also addressing the situation of those already here in the U.S.” (Newt Gingrich et al, Op-Ed, “Welcome To America,” The Wall Street Journal, 2/6/04)

Op-Ed: “We Applaud The President And Believe His Approach Holds Great Promise To Reduce Illegal Immigration And … Aid Homeland Security And Free Up Border-Security Assets To Focus On Genuine Threats.” “President Bush has proposed a new legal path to work in the U.S. through a temporary worker program that will match willing workers with willing employers. We applaud the president and believe his approach holds great promise to reduce illegal immigration and establish a humane, orderly, and economically sensible approach to migration that will aid homeland security and free up border-security assets to focus on genuine threats.” (Newt Gingrich et al, Op-Ed, “Welcome To America,” The Wall Street Journal, 2/6/04)

Op-Ed: “The President Has Shown Courage By Calling On Congress To Place Reality Over Rhetoric And Recognize That Those Already Working Here Outside The Law Are Unlikely To Leave” And Congress Should Establish “Paths To Permanent Residence To Enable More Workers To Stay, Assimilate, And Become Part Of America.” “The president has shown courage by calling on Congress to place reality over rhetoric and recognize that those already working here outside the law are unlikely to leave. Congress can fulfill its role by establishing sufficient increases in legal immigration and paths to permanent residence to enable more workers to stay, assimilate, and become part of America.” (Newt Gingrich et al, Op-Ed, “Welcome To America,” The Wall Street Journal, 2/6/04)

Op-Ed: “Each Generation Of Americans Must Connect Our Nation’s Past To Its Future And In So Doing Keep President Reagan’s Vision Of The ‘Shining City’ Alive.” “Immigrants are crucial to our competitiveness and future labor and economic growth, as well as our military strength. Our country’s welcoming attitude to immigrants will permit the U.S. to grow and prosper, as the populations of many other nations stagnate and decline. Each generation of Americans must connect our nation’s past to its future and in so doing keep President Reagan’s vision of the ‘Shining City’ alive.” (Newt Gingrich et al, Op-Ed, “Welcome To America,” The Wall Street Journal, 2/6/04)

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Welcome to America

The Wall Street Journal

February 6, 2004

Fifteen authors offer this “Conservative Statement of Principles on Immigration”:

In his farewell address to the nation, President Reagan said: “I’ve spoken of the Shining City all my political life . . . [I]n my mind it was . . . teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace, a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity. And if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and heart to get here.”

America is a nation of immigrants. Except for Native American Indians, everyone in this country came to America or is here due to the good fortune that a parent, grandparent, or other relation came before them. Keeping a door open to those with the “will and heart to get here” is vital to our economy, our culture, our role in the world, and our historic tradition as a land of freedom and opportunity.

Conservatives believe in legal immigration. We believe that America grows stronger by welcoming those who seek to better their families, work in our industries, and find liberty and refuge from oppression.

Conservatives oppose illegal immigration. We believe there is a right way and a wrong way to immigrate to the U.S. However, as conservatives we believe that our laws must reflect reality and common sense, be fiscally responsible, and avoid the loss of innocent life. Our current immigration laws do not pass this test.

Between 1990 and 2000, the U.S. increased the number of Border Patrol Agents from 3,600 to 10,000. During that same period illegal immigration rose by 5.5. million. Moreover, over the past eight years, more than 2,000 men, women, and children have died attempting to cross into America and seek the opportunity to work and achieve a better life. The status quo is unacceptable and clinging to the status quo — or tougher versions of it — is neither conservative nor principled. It has become clear that the only viable approach to reform is combining enforcement with additional legal avenues for those who wish to work in our economy, while also addressing the situation of those already here in the U.S.

President Bush has proposed a new legal path to work in the U.S. through a temporary worker program that will match willing workers with willing employers. We applaud the president and believe his approach holds great promise to reduce illegal immigration and establish a humane, orderly, and economically sensible approach to migration that will aid homeland security and free up border-security assets to focus on genuine threats. The president has shown courage by calling on Congress to place reality over rhetoric and recognize that those already working here outside the law are unlikely to leave. Congress can fulfill its role by establishing sufficient increases in legal immigration and paths to permanent residence to enable more workers to stay, assimilate, and become part of America.

We believe strongly in assimilation and oppose efforts to weaken the historical process that has led to e pluribus unum. While immigrants by and large reject entreaties by those who favor multiculturalism, the best defense is a good offense: making the teaching of English and civics a priority in our schools, community colleges, and adult education programs.

Immigrants are crucial to our competitiveness and future labor and economic growth, as well as our military strength. Our country’s welcoming attitude to immigrants will permit the U.S. to grow and prosper, as the populations of many other nations stagnate and decline. Each generation of Americans must connect our nation’s past to its future and in so doing keep President Reagan’s vision of the “Shining City” alive.

Co-authored by Stuart Anderson, Jeff Bell, Linda Chavez, Larry Cirignano, Cesar V. Conda, Francis Fukuyama, Richard Gilder, Newt Gingrich, Ed Goeas, Tamar Jacoby, Jack Kemp, Steve Moore, Grover Norquist, Richard W. Rahn and Malcolm Wallop.

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