SC

Sheriff Backs Vincent Sheheen In New TV Spot

LOTT BLASTS HALEY ADMINISTRATION FOR FAILING S.C. CHILDREN Richland County (S.C.) Sheriff Leon Lott – one of the most popular elected officials in the Midlands region of South Carolina – is the star of a new television ad supporting Democratic gubernatorial nominee Vincent Sheheen. According to Lott, “Vincent Sheheen is…

LOTT BLASTS HALEY ADMINISTRATION FOR FAILING S.C. CHILDREN

Richland County (S.C.) Sheriff Leon Lott – one of the most popular elected officials in the Midlands region of South Carolina – is the star of a new television ad supporting Democratic gubernatorial nominee Vincent Sheheen.

According to Lott, “Vincent Sheheen is a former prosecutor who won’t play politics with children’s lives.”

“Vincent will clean up Nikki Haley’s mess and protect our children,” Lott says.

Lott is referring to the ongoing scandals surrounding Haley’s Department of Social Services (SCDSS) – most of which were first exposed here on FITS. Specifically, he’s zeroing in on this tragedy – which occurred in his home county.

Despite the rash of scandals at SCDSS, Haley has continued to stand by her political appointee at the agency – a “doubling down” on failure addressed by Sheheen’s ad.

Here’s the clip …

(Click to play)

Not bad …

Sheheen’s campaign did not provide specific information regarding its investment in the new spot, but did say that “the ad is part of a substantial six-figure statewide TV buy beginning (May 28).”

Sheheen isn’t the only gubernatorial candidate blasting Haley for the SCDSS scandals. Last month, self-styled “independent Republican” petition candidate Tom Ervin referenced problems at the agency in his opening television ad, saying the “State Department of Social Services (turned) their backs on abused children.”

Ervin has called on Haley to fire embattled SCDSS director Lillian Koller.  So has Sheheen. In fact so has Katrina Shealy – one of Haley’s staunchest allies in the S.C. Senate.

So why won’t Haley fire Koller?

That’s a good question … especially seeing as Koller has twice attempted to resign, only to be blocked from doing so by Haley.

Perhaps one reason Haley doesn’t want Koller to go is that she has already lost three cabinet directors to scandal – Abraham Turner at the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce (SCDEW), Jim Etter at the S.C. Department of Revenue (SCDOR) and Robert St. Onge at the S.C. Department of Transportation (SCDOT).

Talk about an epidemic of incompetence …

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99 comments

easterndumbfuckastan May 28, 2014 at 9:33 am

The only question is if Vince Sheheen get’s elected will the Lott Crime Family take over SCHP or SLED.

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tosser May 28, 2014 at 9:52 am

Provide one example of proof about this “Lott Crime Family”.

Every dealing and interaction I have had with Lott points to a man set on enforcing the rule of law and rooting out corrupt elements in his department and in the community.

He can’t be bought, unlike good ole Jimmy Metts or the douchebag Sloan who used to be the sheriff.

Officers in his department are held to a standard of excellence and he takes complaints about his officers seriously.

Move to Lexington and let old Jimmy “gambling cabal” metts shake you down for money, jobs for his cousins, or just for the hell of it. You’ll be begging to have Leon back.

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Thomas May 28, 2014 at 10:09 am

Yea, his deputies drive new squad cars, nice black color schemes, wear nice black uniforms yet when I drove through my old hood near Sand Hills, I actually checked to see if I was wearing any gang “colors” so I would not get “hit” on a rivals turf.

Gang violence, gangland Richland County is Lott’s legacy. Richland County has turned into a shithole without any coherent coordination between Richland politicians, Richland Sheriff Department, and Richland School District Board’s to prevent gangs setting up and recruiting in schools, and neighborhoods. Lott has had every budget request granted to him, received millions in federal grants and gangs proliferated and are out of control during Lott’s some 20 years leading Richland County.

Say what you want about Lexington’s Sheriff Metts, but his county does not have gangs running wild and you actually feel safe in your neighborhood. Both have the same budgets yet Lott’s County is Dodge City South while Metts’ County is under control.

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Original Good Old Boy May 28, 2014 at 10:18 am

Not a fan of Lott but comparing the crime element of Richland County versus Lexington County is to compare an apple to an orange. There are deeper, more fundamental issues in Richland County and a sheriff can only do so much.

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Thomas May 28, 2014 at 10:22 am

Bullshit.

Original Good Old Boy May 28, 2014 at 10:41 am

There may be better ways to handle the problem than Lott is doing it but the gang issues go more to demographics (and poverty) than it does to law enforcement. There are a LOT more gang members in Richland County. And as far as “gangs being unwelcome” in Lexington, it’s a lot easier to control the problem if there are not many gang members to begin with.

Smirks May 28, 2014 at 10:45 am

20 years ago, Richland was a nice place to live

You can’t seriously blame Lott for Richland’s overall decline, even if you think he had a hand in making it worse.

Jay Ellington May 28, 2014 at 3:21 pm

You’re right, Bob Coble and Steve Benjamin should share in the blame… deplorable leadership typically has an adverse affect on the community.

give some credit for PR May 28, 2014 at 11:37 pm

I mean Lott at least deserves credit for working with city council and the press to help cover up and stop reporting on the crime wave that they clearly can’t stop.

Jay Ellington May 28, 2014 at 10:47 am

If Lott had been as proactive in combatting gang violence as he was trying to build a case against Michael Phelps for smoking pot, Richland County might be in better shape.

Thomas May 28, 2014 at 11:02 am

I have a solution for Richland. Double up detective teams to actually make the rounds questioning folks in bad neighborhoods allowing each detective team having a squad car backup with two deputies. How is it Richland has 100 patrol cars each with one deputy in it? Put two deputies in 50 patrol cars and have each and every patrol car out there day and night with two deputies stopping every infraction they observe.

Original Good Old Boy May 28, 2014 at 11:34 am

I forgot about that. What a stupid witch hunt that was.

truthmonger May 28, 2014 at 12:54 pm

He was just trying to make CPD look bad. That was back when he was trying so hard to take them over. Then look at what his “top people” did when they got a chance to run it.

M326 May 28, 2014 at 11:44 am

Unless, of course, you live in southern Lexington County where the chief occupation is operating meth labs out of mobile homes.

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M326 May 28, 2014 at 11:44 am

Unless, of course, you live in southern Lexington County where the chief occupation is operating meth labs out of mobile homes.

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Jay Ellington May 28, 2014 at 10:50 am

You don’t think Lott is involved in that cabal? Sure is a pity that
Brett Parker’s black book was never published publicly.

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you know me May 29, 2014 at 3:50 pm

And you don’t honestly think Sponseller committed suicide, do you?

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Jay Ellington May 29, 2014 at 5:28 pm

Ah, um, let’s see, mmmmm… NO!

truthmonger May 28, 2014 at 12:48 pm

You mean like that deputy who beat that soldier, and Learn swore he didn’t do anything wrong (until the video he had for a week became public)? And let’s talk about what happened with that case…. and about the multi – million dollar lawsuit. Interesting how all that got covered up. And quite a few other incidents that for some reason never made the news.

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CorruptionInColumbia May 28, 2014 at 1:36 pm

I hear RCSD still relishes any time they can bust someone from CPD over that incident.

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Fleece Johnson May 28, 2014 at 2:05 pm

Tosser? Like, salad tosser?

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CorruptionInColumbia May 28, 2014 at 2:13 pm

Your post made me laugh out loud. Not denying what you said about Jimmy Metts. A game of, “Our Sheriff Is A Bigger Crook Than Yours Is” would necessarily be like a clash between an immovable object and an unstoppable force. That said, do you really need examples?

Let’s deal with his bad boyz who he has appointed or helped usher in to positions of power and prominence.

Dan Johnson; current 5th Circuit Solicitor who has gained fame and notoriety on these pages of Fits for a variety of behaviors which included pointing a gun at an FBI agent over a personal matter and whose like misdeeds were swept under the rug with help of Leon of his minions. He was Leon’s Chief Deputy at one time.

Randy Scott; the hard-partying (also former LL Chief Deputy) guy who Leon helped broker some back door, back alley, deals to have appointed as interim Chief of CPD when placing Leon in charge of that department was rejected. The rumors surrounding Scott are legend, including allegations of criminal domestic violence committed in the presence of CPD and CFD personnel and threats and promises of rewards made for silence in that matter. Rumors of philandering with multiple women in city cars and on city time abound and at least one resulting in a current lawsuit against the city. Charlie Austin would be proud. Elements of that suit included allegations of Scott placing a GPS tracker on her vehicle. When he was close to being fired, dismissed, or whatever term one might wish to use, he resigned in a tearful bullshit speech about PTSD because someone he knew died in a wreck at his former job at RCSD. Hey, we’ve all lost people we loved, worked with, and were close to. It sucks, we grieve, but somehow I never considered PTSD as part of the equation. We won’t even go into the numerous allegations of illegal substances rumored to be present at parties in his loft over Mast General Store in downtown Columbia. Almost as soon as he was out the door at CPD, making more in retirement than many of his officers ever will on duty, Leon created a comfy position for him back at RCSD. Rumor is that his job at RCSD is (are you ready for this?) ETHICS OFFICER. LMFAO!!!!!!!

Next, we have Ruben Santiago, former LL butkisser, public spokesman, and higher ranking officer in RCSD under LL. Ruben was a loose cannon who was brought on board at CPD shortly after Randy Scott took office as CPD Chief. He immediately floated to the top levels of Scott’s third-floor toilet and was put in a position of prominence and power. Scott ran off two productive, hard-working upper-level CPD employees (one forced into early retirement, one fired wrongfully) to cover the incompetence of himself and his buddy Ruben in the Sponseller case. Ruben was on a mission to run off infidels such as veteran CPD officers who spoke out against putting Lott in charge of CPD, at public meetings held on the subject. He used Scott’s Internal Affairs goon to put other veteran and highly productive CPD officers under surveillance and campaigns of intense harassment which were not much at all dissimilar to the “Black Ops” campaign he was alleged to have plotted against an Assistant City Manager, where he was alleged to have asked another former Lott person of prominence then in CPD to help him obtain a stolen gun and narcotics to plant in the Assistant City Manager’s car. This was supposedly so Scott, Santiago, and (if he had done as asked) the other former Lott employee could each rise one position higher in CPD and in City government. Santiago’s underhanded dealings and misdeeds were legend at CPD while he was there. Even the crooks at City Hall realized early on that keeping Santiago in the Chief’s office beyond his stint as interim was not going to turn out well for them. When Santiago was finally out the door at CPD, more honest and reputable elements then in control moved the rest of the RCSD/LCSD trash out of higher positions and back onto “the street”.
Don’t feel too sorry for Ruben, though. Rumor is that one of his close buddies at CPD will be running for LexCo Sheriff in a couple of years and that Ruben has a home at LCSD if he wins.

Need I go on? Do you get the picture, or do you need more examples?

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junior justice May 28, 2014 at 3:47 pm

MORE..!!

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CorruptionInColumbia May 28, 2014 at 4:35 pm

Geez JJ, you want me to die of writer’s cramp or something?

well now May 28, 2014 at 11:32 pm

Dan Johnson – more incompetent or crooked is a tough call – but please note he was elected not appointed.

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CorruptionInColumbia May 29, 2014 at 12:54 pm

Aye, that is true, but who was out there stumping for their old right hand man? Could it have been the same guy who nominated Hollywood Jim Matthews for some award from the Sheriff’s Association and made a big announcement about his winning it, conveniently before the primaries, when they don’t usually announce that winner before the primaries? In case you haven’t been following the news for a few years, Lott and Hollywood Jim are really close friends.

Junior Justice, I was saving that one for later but Hollywood Jim has managed to avoid major scandal (so far) but doesn’t seem to have trouble playing fast and loose with the taxpayers’ money in his county. Contrary to what he promised in the beginning, his traffic division has not paid for itself, it is just a drain on the department’s manpower. By appearances, it is a hermetic little group unto itself which doesn’t answer calls for service, it just runs traffic stuff. Six (or more) people in a department that size can make a big difference in response times and basic police services.

easterndumbfuckastan May 29, 2014 at 4:12 pm

Simple math question coming..Jim Matthews reported the following stats, you judge where the discrepancy is:
Reported by Matthews——- Reported by Kershaw 911:
May 2013=7,571 ———— May 2013=3,156
July 2013=7,866 ———— July 2013=3,287
September 2013=7,531——– September 2013=2,876

Am I the only one who sees this for what it is…a lie by Matthews. On average, this is a 41% difference in numbers by 2 separate agencies. One is run by Matthews and the other is run by a non politician not running for re-election.

CorruptionInColumbia May 29, 2014 at 6:01 pm

“The numbers are what the Sheriff says they are and that is that!”

Observing quite a few of these folks (Sheriffs) over the decades, it only takes one or two terms for most of them to develop the “I am God” complex. In Jim’s case, I think he had it before he was in office two weeks.

Sandi Morals May 28, 2014 at 10:10 am

LMAO….waiting on TV ad with Tom Christ Ervin endorsing Sheheen.

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Sandi Morals May 28, 2014 at 11:26 am

oops…meant Crist…

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CorruptionInColumbia May 28, 2014 at 2:31 pm

That is scary and disheartening, but probably very true. A friend of mine who is quite learned has made similar observations and I believe him. That is like a kick in the nuts, as I had planned on voting for Sheheen, because he seemed to be the one most likely to defeat Haley. I am not a fan of Sheheen’s or his politics, but I figured we could weather four years of whatever he brought, just to get rid of her. I don’t however, believe we need to evolve the Lott Family into a statewide thing. I can see it now, Scott running things at SLED as statewide “Ethics Officer” and Santiago trying to decide on a sure thing position at SLED or the “might be” at LCSD, if his buddy is elected.

I can see Lott calling Sheheen in his best Captain Kirk or Scotty voice and saying, “MOAR POWER!!!! I NEED MORE POWER, Vince.”

I think the Lott Family’s control over Richland, Kershaw, and maybe Lexington (depending on the outcome of Sheriff’s Race 2016) is more than enough territory for these shameless miscreants.

I guess I’ll have to vote for Ervin and hope for a miracle.

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jimlewisowb May 28, 2014 at 9:51 am

Neon Leon ain’t got enough statewide pull to get Sheheen into the Governor’s Mansion

Sheheen’s limp dick campaign is so fucking anemic it is a wonder he can still hit the back of the urinal

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Cockroach delight May 28, 2014 at 9:57 am

Nothing a little dick sucking can’t take care of, metaphorically speaking of course, right Grand Tango?

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Thomas May 28, 2014 at 9:53 am

While Haley has not earned my vote nor do I have confidence in her ability as a running mate or as a cabinet appointee down the road, if Lott endorses Vince for Governor, I am compelled to vote against Lott’s candidate.

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GrandTango May 28, 2014 at 10:00 am

Richland County votes Democrat, by a substantial margin, already. It means little or nothing. You can usually look at quality of the county gov’t, and schools, and usually discern which party it swings toward…

The counties that count (with population) are Lexington, Greenville, Beaufort, Spartanburg, Anderson, York, Horry and Charleston. They vote “R.” Florence County has a good chance to vote GOP for Gov., too.

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anonymous May 28, 2014 at 10:28 am

You think closet Democrats – Hugh Leatherman in Florence, Tom Davis in Beaufort and Wes Hayes in York – will swing those counties to Sheheen? I know they are all trying.

Yeah, Sic, I bashed one of your mentors, Tom Davis – but his blathering bullshit about why he voted for Jean Toal was more than we could stomach. He should have just said, “Yeah, I got a payoff and a deal or two, so I voted for Jean.”

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GrandTango May 28, 2014 at 10:44 am

There ain’t enough swinging in the world, except maybe Florence.

That said: I’d love to be rid of Leatherman, Davis and Hayes….and replace them w/ Real (platform-abiding) Republicans…

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Santorum Run Off May 28, 2014 at 11:07 am

Damn, son. That platform is a buffet for shit eating dogs.

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GrandTango May 28, 2014 at 12:37 pm

Brain Dead Much?

Santorum Run Off May 28, 2014 at 12:43 pm

Munch much?

Deo Vindice SC May 28, 2014 at 8:04 pm

The swinging goes on in the republicon – tea – rino – sodo – party of stinko. LOL. Conservative Americans at work for you and the Republican party. What are you really ??? DONE !!!

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Killian Loller May 28, 2014 at 10:05 am

It’s not about “who,” it’s about “what.” Forget who is in the ad, this proves that the DSS scandal is hurting Haley’s numbers, and you have a guy with a badge and gun backing up that claim. Could still be harder hitting, but not a bad ad from the Sheheen camp.

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Sandi Morals May 28, 2014 at 10:20 am

It proves the envelopes of DNC money have arrived.Wonder if lott gotta lott?
This governor race is not even close and RNC not even interested. Ervin screwed Sheheen.
Buz has a better chance of picking a winning political candidate than Haley does of losing the governorship in SC. :-)

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WW May 28, 2014 at 7:31 pm

Dang Sandi,
You said, “Ervin screwed Sheheen”! Haley has screwed the entire State for the last 4 years!
DOR breach
DSS child murders
Savanna River sell out SC ports for Georgia ports
Illegal Destruction of State emails
Abuse of State issued Phones
Abuse and misuse of Security detail as butlers, waiters and gofers
State Employment and Workforce Mess
DMV Mess
Medicaid Mess
Incompetent appointees
Need I go on?
On the one hand you accuse Ervin of being a Dem. and being bought to help Sheheen! Now you are claiming he screwed Sheheen? Which is it?
You are off cue on your spin and talking points, contradicting yourself!
you must be one of Haley’s incompetent, juvenile Staff, or appointments!

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Really? May 28, 2014 at 11:27 pm

+15

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Frank May 29, 2014 at 8:29 am

Its Haleys staff….they troll here to deflect all the damage she causes.

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Really? May 28, 2014 at 11:26 pm

Sandi, either the race is so far from being won that the DNC aint puttin’ no money in OR they are because it is close. It’s not both. national democratic committees are not clamoring to put money into SC races, and if they do it is ONLY based on a chance to win. P.S. the RGA has already done about $800K worth of add buys for Haley.

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Rocky May 28, 2014 at 10:09 am

Oh boy. THis could get interesting now.

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Jay Ellington May 28, 2014 at 10:48 am

I don’t trust anyone who is a friend of Joe Biden’s.

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idcydm May 28, 2014 at 11:00 am

Richland County has the Sheriff it wants. Richland County wants a different Governor so their Sheriff campaigns for what Richland County wants. Richland County does not control anything but Richland County, thank God.

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Killer Kollier May 28, 2014 at 11:03 am

When will the media take their heads out of their Ass’s….they need to have the FIOA’s… flying. .there are scandals there that have yet to be out…get ready..

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nitrat May 28, 2014 at 4:24 pm

Follow the contracts and the money…

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Cheraw's Finest May 28, 2014 at 11:05 am

I got an invitation for a “meet and greet” for Sheheen. Minimum donation is $100. On the invite, there were some “fine” folks shown as the hosts. Wouldn’t want to be in the same company as some of those folks – scared lightning might strike and knock me out. In other words, Sheheen should certainly watch who his friends are!

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Cheraw Blows May 28, 2014 at 11:35 am

Unlike Haley’s “Rock Stars”.

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Cheraw's Finest May 28, 2014 at 3:51 pm

Not much difference in either one of the them!

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A Sic Believer May 28, 2014 at 5:24 pm

Even Fits says they are both Rock Stars, he’s been saying it for a long time now and he knows all about who does drugs in SC State Government, its like, A Given, Fits is Our Written Word we Praise His Name. Fits!

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James T. Kirk May 28, 2014 at 11:09 am

Horse face Haley is going to loose in November. Suck it you cult following Haley idiots…….

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Sandi Morals May 28, 2014 at 11:17 am

GT was right.Obama and his regime has scared the piss out of the average voter.
Voters know it a vote for a “D” or faux “R” like Tom Ervin is suicide for our families, communities and this nationas it empowers Obama,Pelosi and Reid to pass more legislation in their attempts to steal and redistribute wealth while eliminating the moral and social foundations of America.
Why Sanford was elected and why Haley will win in a landslide.

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G.Rice May 28, 2014 at 12:17 pm

…Obama,Pelosi and Reid to pass more legislation in their attempts to steal and redistribute wealth while eliminating the moral and social foundations of America.

Right, and Sanford is one “moral” son of a bitch. You’re just as stupid as GT.

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James T. Kirk May 28, 2014 at 11:10 am

Haley should be very worried…Sandford looks like and Angel compared to this Bimbo…

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mark May 29, 2014 at 11:47 am

Synonyms for bimbo…floozy, hoochie, hussy, slut, tramp, and whore, just to name a few.

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byeHaley May 28, 2014 at 11:15 am

Good luck Ervin and Sheheen. The situation @ DSS is sickening. Children dying and families suffering because Gov. Haley would rather play political games. Its going to end up costing her not only the election, but possibly more child fatalities. Too bad she could care less about the latter. Haley, Koller, DSS Deputy Directors, DSS State Office Program Staff, DSS Office of General Counsel, DSS Regional Managers, DSS Public Information Staff, DSS Performance Coaches, and all the DSS Consultants hired by Koller need to be removed (not re-elected or terminated) immediately. Replace them all with CPS Caseworkers and front line Supervisory Staff. Why is there so many “managers” in Columbia @ the DSS State Office where zero percent of the “real” work is done? Terminate private contracts regarding DSS Child Protection Investigations and hire CPS Caseworkers and front line Supervisory Staff with the money. They are the DSS Staff who need the support and resources because they do the “real” work, not the idiots in Columbia.

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Sandi Morals May 28, 2014 at 11:24 am

It may be sad however NOBODY except FITS and the two or three socialists that change s/n’s every post care about this.
This is a single issue election in 2014: OBAMACARE!
Obama lied to get it passed and ANY “D” or faux “R” like Tom Ervin running in 2014 will be punished by the voters.

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truthmonger May 28, 2014 at 12:41 pm

So? Haley lied about quite a few things, and I think that will cripple her here. As the election nears, some choice tidbits will drop, and it will gut her campaign.

Yeah, the normally solid R law enforcement community is against Haley after she ruined their retirement and benefits while protecting her own. Lott is a professional politician who will support the winner. In this campaign, Haley will lose. It sickens me that he’s worming into the Sheheen campaign, but Haley has to go. I’ll trust the Conservative legislature to keep him in check for four years.

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nitrat May 28, 2014 at 4:22 pm

Since you are so fucking obsessed with Obama when we are talking about South Carolina, I have to assume you are Big T/Grand Tango by another name.

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john May 29, 2014 at 6:24 am

The contractor supported Gov. Haley campaign she had to reward them by creating contracts at DSS. WHEN YOU TESTIFY BEFORE THE SENATE AND SAY DSS IS AND NEVER BEEN INVESTIGATE BY SLED OR FBI…

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M326 May 28, 2014 at 11:37 am

The whole argument for giving the governor more power was that it would increase accountability. The DSS case seems to contradict that argument. Where is the accountability? Is this what happens when a governor gets more power? Apparently so. I liked when the General Assembly was in charge. At least there was the chance of something positive happening. These political appointments to positions requiring skill and experience are killing us. Put somebody in charge who knows what to do. We can’t afford these high level training programs that teach through trial and error. The error is a child’s life. When are we going to learn???

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Bible Thumper May 28, 2014 at 12:47 pm

You contradict your own argument. There would be no ads unless Haley appointed the DSS head. We probably would never have heard about the problems at DSS.
Fits would not be as critical now if Haley had not appointed the DSS head. Now the voters have a chance to decide. This is the way sausage making and politics works. It is not pretty, but it works better than the alternatives.

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M326 May 28, 2014 at 3:41 pm

Prior to Carroll Campbell, agencies operated under the auspices of a Board of Directors as most businesses do. They did extensive searches for well qualified agency directors. Professionalism was applauded. There was as much transparency as there is now. The difference: we now have political hacks appointing more political hacks to run the functions of the state. Many come from other political appointments from out of state and will never live here after their governor’s term is over. There is no vested interest. There is no accountability since governors never want to admit they are wrong. It takes catastrophic ineptness (like at Revenue, DOT, etc.) to remove a director. You call this better? More accountable? You make me laugh!

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Bible Thumper May 28, 2014 at 4:10 pm

——-There was as much transparency as there is now.———–
Really? No foia. No fits.
I just looks a lot messier now.
In the past they covered it up.
Now it is exposed to the public.

In the past, prison labor was more exploited for private use or political favors. In the past there was more nepotism.

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M326 May 28, 2014 at 8:01 pm

Sorry. We just disagree.

Deo Vindice SC May 28, 2014 at 7:55 pm

Professionalisum in SC politics ? I feel much better about who I am ! Thanks 26.

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nitrat May 28, 2014 at 4:17 pm

I don’t know how old you are, Thumper, but there was a big CPS DSS scandal in the early 90s that was THE reason that DSS was placed in the Cabinet as soon as the bill was signed.
These current events with DSS and the other Cabinet agencies show that the Cabinet is a failure in South Carolina…because we elect SHIT for governors. SHIT. After 20+ years in the Cabinet, DSS is not doing one bit better. As someone who worked there pre- and post -cabinet, let me tell you that the Cabinet system has taken DSS to hell and Lillian Koller and her flunkies and contractors are like barrels of gasoline on a fire.
Big time, starting with Sanford, but a little bit with Hodges, these Cabinet agencies became the homes of professional political hacks, appointed as a reward for support and campaign contributions. There was actually a time before the Cabinet when we had nationally renowned professionals at many of our state agencies.The likes of Sanford and Haley don’t want those kinds of people. They might know they are working for fools.
We were no worse off, probably some better off with agencies governed by boards and the Budget and Control Board – they had a Merit Test that state workers had to pass then; think that hasn’t made a difference? – in charge as the equivalent of a state ‘council’ system with a weak governor/mayor system than with what we have now.

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Deo Vindice SC May 28, 2014 at 7:52 pm

Haley knows ? You jest of course ?

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SCBlues May 28, 2014 at 12:39 pm

If you need a sheriff or anyone else to convince you NOT to vote for Nikki Haley then you are probably a lost cause anyway . . .

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ted May 28, 2014 at 1:01 pm

Vote either Sheheen or Ervin…time to clean house. NO MO HO!!!!!!

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Deo Vindice SC May 28, 2014 at 7:48 pm

ted, best ever comment on the up comming election !!! I’d vote even Alvin Greene !

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Bible Thumper May 28, 2014 at 2:10 pm

I wonder if about the sincerity of the criticism Haley is receiving or is it political opportunism. Isn’t the VA scandal just as serious as DSS?

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CorruptionInColumbia May 28, 2014 at 2:19 pm

Indeed it is. Unfortunately, those in charge of that scandal will not have their office run for, for another two years. Unless that is, you want to count Lindsey (the supposed friend of the military) in on that for whatever he hasn’t done to fix the situation.

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nitrat May 28, 2014 at 4:01 pm

No. It’s not and let me tell you why.
If you are an adult with Tricare insurance, you can make the decision on where you go for your medical care. If you don’t want to wait, you can go elsewhere.
If you are a young child or vulnerable adult who is viewed as the scum of the earth by the people who are legally mandated to look out for you and they don’t, there’s not much you can do to save yourself.

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euwe max May 29, 2014 at 2:19 pm

You can always hope that someone sees one of those crippled vet commercials on tv and sends in a few bucks… and that there’s some left after the advertisers, the CEO and his lackeys of the “non-profit” get their generous salaries.

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Elfego May 28, 2014 at 2:25 pm

Lott would be a Republican in about any other country he could get elected in. Politicians are what ever you want them to be.

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Elfego May 28, 2014 at 2:27 pm

Obama lied and vets have died!

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euwe max May 28, 2014 at 5:22 pm

Obama is bad – Republicans are worse.

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Elfego May 29, 2014 at 1:13 pm

Liberals are lower than whale dung and it is at the bottom of the ocean!

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euwe max May 29, 2014 at 2:12 pm

Musak in heaven is Republicans in eternal torments for all eternity. Soothing sounds for the souls of the innocent who suffered so very grievously at their pernicious, perverted, thieving hands.

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Deo Vindice SC May 28, 2014 at 7:59 pm

Poor Baby, Bush 1 and 2 killed the VETS. Smoke another one.

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Elfego May 29, 2014 at 10:47 am

Way to dough buckwheat!

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Haleysaliar May 28, 2014 at 5:23 pm

I googled Nikki Haley and all the results were the same a liar…a narsacistic maniac who craves more power…a tyrant who uses others …a person easily persuaded by large sums of money and so on and on..

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RHood2 May 28, 2014 at 8:10 pm

Calling him a former prosecutor to subtly deflect the RGA attacks on a couple of his cases as a defense attorney.

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Deo Vindice SC May 28, 2014 at 10:16 pm

SC, ” A Republican State of Mind “.

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Vote Haley out May 28, 2014 at 10:19 pm

Here it comes just the beginning of the scandals. Haley needs to resign.

Prosecutor: DSS ignored many pleas for help as ‘demon’ Richland parents tortured son to death

Read
more here:
http://www.thestate.com/2014/05/28/3472668/prosecutor-dss-ignored-many-pleas.html?sp=/99/205/&ihp=1#storylink=cpy

COLUMBIA, SC — The Richland
County parents who tortured their 4-year-old boy to death last year were
“demons” who beat and starved their eldest son to death, 5th Circuit
assistant prosecutor Luck Campbell told a General Sessions jury
Wednesday afternoon.

And while little Robert Guinyard Jr. was
dying after being beaten a final time, on July 1, 2013, he cried out to
the Lord to help because he knew his parents wouldn’t, Campbell said in a
closing argument to the jury at the Richland County courthouse

Campbell
also told the jury that in the final months of Robert’s life, at least
five relatives and others who knew of the boy’s plight repeatedly
contacted the S.C. Department of Services and asked its workers to
intervene and take the child out of an abusive situation.

But DSS did nothing as Robert was tortured by his cruel parents in those final months and weeks, Campbell said.

The
parents “would grab him by the left arm, hold him to beat him, and it
would be broken, who can say how many times. How painful is that?”
Campbell asked the jury.

On trial are Courtney Thompson, 25, and
Robert Guinyard Sr., 29. They are charged with homicide by child abuse,
which carries a sentence of from 20 years to life in prison, and
unlawful conduct toward a child.

When they were arrested last July, they were unemployed and the parents of three other children.

The
jury was charged by Judge Robert Hood and was to begin deliiberating
shortly after 3 p.m. The trial has lasted seven days and more than 40
witnesses testified.

Read
more here:
http://www.thestate.com/2014/05/28/3472668/prosecutor-dss-ignored-many-pleas.html?sp=/99/205/&ihp=1#storylink=cpy

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Sam cook May 29, 2014 at 6:02 am

Haley will be a one term governor because of Koller………..

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Brenda May 29, 2014 at 8:24 am

They need to put up billboards on the interstates with this little boys picture with his words praying to god to save him. Haley has let this happen and she needs to be removed from office. DSS is a total failure just like all of Haleys agencies.

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Gringo May 29, 2014 at 8:26 am

Nikki Haley only cares about Nikki Haley.

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nitrat May 29, 2014 at 9:07 am

Post and Courier 5-25-14:
“Haley added that she will continue to stand by Koller.

“We are a great partnership and I think it’s because I love the fact that she’s a mom, but I love the fact that she very much sees things like I do, which is never being satisfied,” Haley said of Koller. “And that’s the one type of person I want at this agency, someone who is never going to be OK with the conditions of what we see.” ”
Is that stupid, or what? Using that logic of ‘she’s a mom’, Haley could just as well say she could stand by these mothers who kill there children with their boyfriends.
You people who voted for Haley should be very, very ashamed of your lack of judgment. And, you’re about to do it again, aren’t you? All because of the R after her name.
That makes you as warped as she is. As culpable for these children’s deaths as she is.

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tater salad May 29, 2014 at 3:53 pm

She’s probably a terrible mom.

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Squishy123 May 29, 2014 at 11:04 am

Sonny Crockett-wannabe can talk all he wants, it still isn’t going to help Sheheen.

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jj May 29, 2014 at 10:26 pm

Wonder if the Feds will weigh in since the old Sheriff is subject to the Hatch Act unless running for his own re election
An employee covered by the Hatch Act may not engage in political activity while

on duty, in a government room or building, while wearing an official uniform, or using a

government vehicle. 5 U.S.C. § 7324. Political activity is defined as activity directed toward

the success or failure of a political party, candidate for a partisan political office or partisan

political group. 5 C.F.R. § 734.101.

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