STOP CRIME, NOT CANNABIS …
By FITSNEWS || Years ago this website supported the nomination of Mark Keel as head of the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). We’d dealt with Keel in the past and viewed him as a straight shooter, a guy who would play things by the book and resist political encroachment on this core function of government.
Unfortunately, Keel has failed in his role as the Palmetto State’s top cop.
According to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), South Carolina has the highest rate of crime of any state in the nation. The Palmetto State’s total crime rate was 4,381 per 100,000 citizens – well above the national average of 3,098. Violent crimes are also more prevalent in the Palmetto State, which saw 558.8 such incidents per 100,000 citizens – also well above the national rate of 367.9.
In other words your life, liberty and property is far less safe and secure in South Carolina than it is in any other state in the nation.
So if Keel hasn’t been doing his job (and these numbers make it abundantly clear he hasn’t), what is he up to?
Well, his agency has been actively (and hypocritically) protecting state government’s monopoly on gambling. That’s the racket enabling “leaders” like S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley to rail against the evils of gambling (while denying thousands of private sector jobs associated with the industry) – even as they run a scandalous racket of their own.
Now Keel is cracking down on the baby steps taken in the Palmetto State when it comes to decriminalizing marijuana.
Specifically, the SLED chief has launched a vendetta against the exceedingly limited medical marijuana law passed by South Carolina last year at the urging of S.C. Sen. Tom Davis. This legislation – a small step in the direction of decriminalizing marijuana for medical purposes – was passed to provide relief to patients suffering from specific ailments.
And it’s working …
South Carolinians suffering from specific types of seizures are getting the relief they need – further proof that cannabis has real medicinal value. Also, Davis’ legislation has prompted other lawmakers to introduce broader medical marijuana bills – so that more South Carolinians can get the help they need.
Of course the legalization of pot isn’t a medical issue to us, it’s a liberty issue … which is why we have consistently argued that the state should decriminalize all drugs for medicinal and recreational use.
Keel? He and other leaders are questioning whether the law signed by South Carolina is even valid – arguing that federal law supersedes state law on this issue. Meanwhile, we’ve heard reports his agency is working behind the scenes to sabotage hearings Davis is holding on the expansion of medical marijuana laws. Specifically, we’ve been informed by multiple sources that SLED’s representative on Davis’ medical marijuana committee – toxicologist Wendy Bell – has been “making snide and dismissive remarks about those testifying” on behalf of legalization.
Interesting …
First of all, South Carolina’s law – like the broader legalization bills passed in Colorado and Washington State – is perfectly valid.
“The General Assembly did not … condition the legality of a person’s possession or consumption of cannabis oil in South Carolina on the federal government taking action to address marijuana’s legal status,” Davis wrote by way of responding to Keel.
“As a matter of state policy, such federal action is not required,” Davis added.
He’s correct …
Keel’s job is to enforce state law, not look for ways to undermine it. We’re not sure what’s motivating his assault on the state’s nascent medical marijuana movement, but it needs to stop … and Keel needs to start doing his job.
More broadly speaking, South Carolina needs to start fully embracing market-based reforms … not continue looking for ways to kill them in the crib.
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46 comments
Until ALL the liberal/socialists, Obama voters leave SC you are not going to see a significant decrease in crime.
And we have a winner in the “Blame SC Crime on Obama” contest!
An unregistered guest troll, of course.
How many republican officials have pled guilty to crimes in the last several years? Politicians, sheriffs, operatives (including the founder of this blog) who vote republican are responsible for many crimes in SC.
Didnt FITS make a libelous claim about Haley and another about the USC Baseball program….if Keel did his job…this website would have more than just the many temporary crashes.
GrandTango’s site is never down. Must be that NotWorthTheEffort™ Web Security. By keeping his readership near zero, it renders his crappy blog almost invisible to potential attackers!
Reality check: Live in ignorance if you will. I completed my experiment, and I am right. There is a LARGE market for what I present. I bet FITS knows it too. If he does not, the right people do, because they have seen the numbers. I’ve just slowed down for a brief period, until all is in place.
And I would bet you a million dollars on this. My numbers were better than FITS’ comparing my first 5 months to his first five months…He sucked in you Dumb@$$#$ by making false claims against the woman you hate and by showing half-clothed skanks. The fact that FITS has destroyed a couple of political careers can, and WILL, be used against him, when my next marketing move ensues.
One advertiser – who’s ad actually ran on here, told me he feels like he needs to take a shower after visiting FITS…that sentiment is pervasive. And it will serve me well (I’m not blocked because of vulgar content) …And really P!$$ you off in the long run…
As soon as I make time to move to the next stage, you’ll end up even more obsessed w/ me than you are now…if that’s possible….LMAO….
The only one who is “obsessed” here is you – with yourself. Try to stop looking and admiring – your own reflection in the mirror.
I LOVE it when I P!$$ off people like you. Provocation is 75% of it..and I’ve become a master of it…and unlike FITS, I offer much better content and substance to the people desperate to pay me for it…That HAS TO kill you….LMAO…
And get this: I have another product that is doing EVEN better…. (: …And that’s the only reason I’m not still stuffing SCPSD down your throats…but I will again….
Enjoy….
“I LOVE it when I P!$$ off people like you. Provocation is 75% of it..and I’ve become a master of it…”
How very Christ-like, Tango.
Jesus went ballistic at the Temple. He was appalled by the likes of you. It is VERY un-Christian to Ignore injustice and evil. I have an OBLIGATION to attack it. God demands it. It’s how we freed the slaves from Democrat owners and stopped Hitler from his race-hate murders.
And it is also the height of the Devil’s work to use unholy, and hateful, judges – like you – to attack Christians. You try to use Christ, to shut us up.
I find you ugly and most disgusting. You HATE God (See Democrat National Convention 2012) but you liberals try to use God’s word to manipulate that, that you so fear as completion to your political religion of rot, immorality and decadence.
Miller ain’t leaving Ohio State. Let em make fools of themselves and DON”T buy into it.
See ya in hell, buddy!
For the non-believer, your sin allows you to be separated from God. That is Hell. And until you repent, and become enlightened, you will not feel that hell, on this earth. The Devil keeps it from you…and only an openness to God can change that. If you ever See, you will then understand the excruciating pain the rejection of God inflicts.
I truly pray you repent. It does not hurt me if you don’t…but I have felt alienation from God, and realized how agonizing sin is, for God to see. God is always there for his children. I ask you to choose light, because the only alternative is darkness and death. Justice will be met…even if not in this life. And if you tarry in disbelief, you may pay a price you are now immune from acknowledging awaits you…
GrandTango, even Jesus would ridicule your stupid ass. If he was real. Since he’s not I guess he can be whatever you want him to be. How would you describe Tango Jesus?
Sounds like you’re in need.Want me and a couple buddies over to triple penetrate you?
Does the guy shower with you?
That’s why you are here commenting constantly on this blog, because your blog is so busy and successful? People who think like you typically can’t read and are computer illiterate. I bet you do feel like a genius, when you cavort with deeply dumb peers.
What is laughable…is that you identify my commenting on this site as a liability, or as a negative. Yet the ONLY time you can even come close to offering any thought that is not copied and pasted from Salon.com, the DNC or CNN, is as it pertains to me.
To connect the dots for you..if my helping generate activity on this site is as pathetic as you claim…you out yourself as even more pathetic, since my stature and relevance, is the only thing that can provoke you to any action that requires even a modicum of something resembling intellect….
If I were really as meaningless as you wish I were, you would not do exactly to me, what you bash me for doing on FITS…
On the other hand, I readily admit you are very much worth a comment, as is FITS…because you represent the ignorance, hate and Dumb@$$#ry that is infecting our country at epidemic levels. I contend that you attack me, only because I define you for the F*#king idiot you are…and FITS his corruption and vapidness, that leads idiots like you…
very few even know of its existence. And the ones who do don’t waste their life on it. Never trust a website that could put spyware and malware on your system. Don’t want no Trojans either.
There are hundreds if not thousands of strains of marijuana . Most, if not all, have a call sign/street name. Some of the newest strains to hit the market for the Christmas Season are:
Wild Thai Ryder
Yellow Amnesia
Sherry Berry Chocolate
Beast Mode
Boggle Dragon
Fuzzy Sugaree
TripleProof BlueMoonshine
PutYourDickontheFloor
Given the recent stance by the Thin Blue Line, aka Mark Keel Inc., in regards to medical marijuana a new strain is going to hit the South Carolina market in time for the Christmas Season:
CockroachCunnilingus
SLED had been abused and misused when Stewart was at the helm by politicians and the like. Just asked SC Court Administration. If SLED really did “their job,” we would see judges and lawyers in this state being arrested and locked up
Not to mention that after two years NO PROGRESS WHATSOEVER on details of the DOR hacking which SLED is SUPPOSED to be actively investigating
Yep, Keel needs to go if for no other reason than the DOR hacking fuck-up
Keel doesn’t have the man balls to go against SC state politicians. He is too job scared. Plus, I bet he gets ‘perks’ to stay quiet.
The DOR is still the same. Only the top 2 men are gone. The upper eschelon circled the wagons and pretended to change and gave themselves fat raises. Look at the pay before and after the hack.
SLED’s primary function is to whitewash pol scandal and give them back door information to Fed investigations on them.
Like when SLED gave a secret tip to Arthur Ravenel (former state senator and US Congressman) the FBI was spying on his son, Thomas. Why isn’t SLED policing the General Assembly? Why does it take public pressure to make law enforcement do its job when it comes to white collar criminals in government??????
SLED became a total political tool around 1987 and reached it’s politically influenced apex around 2006. SLED along with the Lexington County Sheriffs Department participated in a request for and initiation of a State Grand Jury investigation of the husband of former Lt. Governor’s paramour. The investigation was without merit and found to be such. It was an attempt to damage and discredit the husband prior to divorce hearing and to damage his credibility.
No doubt this was carried out due to family connections to a high ranking Senator and Supreme Court Justice.
A little tax payer funded attempt to smear which failed; but, what was the cost to the taxpayer of the illicit, political payoff?
This is the way of our incestuous State Government and it’s agencies.
Earlier than 87… the organized stuff running, gambling, and prostitution is run out of or through our elected officials offices. Home grown pot, meth, and so on impacts the imported cocaine and pot. So that is where enforcement actions are focused. When have you ever seen one of our Representatives, congressmen, judges, solicitors, lawyers, accountants, or really affluent citizens arrested involvement in the aforementioned criminal activity. It’s a multi billion dollar business on both sides of the law and as usual; the tax payer gets screwed. ..
Thanks for your support on the issue of medical marijuana use. You go too far, however, in asserting all drugs should be decriminalized. I suspect the retro attitude toward MJ is just in keeping with all recent state stands. Gay marriage becomes possible? Fight it too the death. Fair treatment for immigrants? Jump on the losing side! I’m surprised by your report on crime. I thought SC actually was doing good there.
Dan you seem confused this morning? Try a ’40’ before you hit the ‘crack’ pipe-then go look in the mirror and you just might see yourself as Pedro the homo. :-)
You sound easy.Let’s go get a sausage dog.
Spartanburg sheriff “Chuckie” Wright is also actively opposing the MJ situation and is doing everything he can as president of the SC Sheriff’s Association to undermine the movement to legitmize the MJ issue.
Saw it the other night on WSPA (channel 7).
They are afraid of losing the cash cow that comes from seizing assets involved with drug busts.
That’s the bottom line!!!!!!!
I’m surprised that “Chuckie” is not proposing drug testing if you airline ticket shows a return from Washington or Colorado or mandating GPS systems that show that you have driven to/from Washington or Colorado – but stranger things have happened!!!!!
I’m surprised that “Chuckie” is not proposing drug testing if you airline ticket shows a return from Washington or Colorado or mandating GPS systems that show that you have driven to/from Washington or Colorado
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Colorado and Oregon have concealed carry reciprocity with South Carolina, but not vice versa.. sounds like something SC would do – harass people from liberal states.
I did not know that but I’m not surprised.
The whole concealed carry thing is a bunch of BS anyway and from what I’ve read, “Chuckie” wants it to stay the way it is now so he can keep his fiefdom (and the control thereof) intact.
Meanwhile, Chester County is a gang war zone. Where is the support local police are supposed to receive from SLED? All the Tahoes and helicopters in the world won’t help unless you use them for the purpose for which they were purchased. Instead, we have a bunch of people with cobwebs growing on them while they wait for their police retirement to kick in. New leadership and new standards are in order
I was curious why SLED wasn’t in Chester the way they went into Colleton. Do they have to be requested by local authorities and no one in Chester knows?
Did you see the Rock Hill Herald story about all this people in Chester and Lancaster out on bond for violent crimes while there is a years long backlog of violent crimes waiting for court?
And, the solicitors raise holy hell when the SC Supreme Court rules that the circuit judges should be in charge of the dockets and not the solicitors.
SLED is there-sorta-Sheriff Underwood is former agent.
Dr. Herb Kleber: Yes, I was recently asked to write a commentary for the American Journal of Psychiatry on this subject. It was entitled, “Physicians and Medical Marijuana,” and it argued that physicians have no business being involved in this arena at all. We cannot as physicians prescribe something where the dose, the frequency, the duration, potency, and the purity are unknown. When I prescribe Prozac, I know exactly what I’m prescribing. You know, 20 milligrams once a day, and it’s FDA-approved and we assume that it’s pure; it’s not contaminated and that if I say twenty milligrams, that’s what you get. With medical marijuana,you have no notion of what the person is going to get. I believe there are important constituents
in the marijuana plant that could eventually become FDA approved agents. But “Medical Marijuana” programs are not the way to go.My favorite article on medical marijuana was an interview by a New York Times reporter of a physician in Colorado. The reporter was allowed to sit in on an interview with a patient requesting medical marijuana. The whole thing took less than five minutes, and there were
basically two questions and no hands-on physical. “Do you have any conditions for which marijuana might be helpful” and the person answered, “Yes, my back is killing me.” And, “Do you have any condition for which marijuana might be harmful?” “Of course not.” “Go out and see my assistant. Pay her $150, and she’ll give you the medical marijuana card.” And after the individual left, the doctor turned to the reporter and said, “I made a million dollars last year working only three days a week and the wonderful thing about this law is you need a new card
The reason why it can’t be FDA approved is because it’s currently listed as Schedule I — along with heroin and meth — with “no accepted medicinal uses.” This severely limits what the FDA can do with marijuana. This is a reason to CHANGE the laws, and to do more research into efficacy and proper dosage, not a reason to hold to a status quo born out of Reefer Madness.
He’s simply saying this is the wrong way to go.Physicians needn’t be involved.It needs to be legalized,but you shouldn’t have to go to a doctor,and get a card.
Everything is just peachy here in Colorado now that cannabis has been re-legalized. There is absolutely no reason for it to be illegal in the US any longer. Heck, I’ll even be getting a sales tax refund next year thanks to weed tourists.
Speaking of unnecessary state agencies.
Actually except for the labs there is no real reason for SLED to exist.Indeed,if it went away,no one would notice it was gone.
I’m happy you have so much confidence in an elected sheriff and their at-will deputies to always do a decent criminal investigation.
Never, ever trust a man with a mustache! It shows he is hiding something.
“…. Keel hasn’t been doing his job (and these numbers make it abundantly clear he hasn’t)..”
The Numbers
Mr. Keel has been at the head of SEC since July 2011.
According to the following link crime rates have declined in all 10 categories of crime (second table). South Carolina’s ranking among the other states, while bad, has improved in 8 of 10 categories and stayed the same in two (third table).
has improved
http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/sccrime.htm
Keel’s priorities are a matter of public record, as SLED has gone from officers dedicated to alcohol-enforcement when he started to forty three now. Just this past year, he asked to add sixty five agents with almost half going to harass bars and restaurants and just four to try and get a handle on the meth labs throughout the state. Why would they manage their resources that way when Keel’s himself testified to the legislature that they were “we’re getting beat up on meth labs”? I don’t think there is any question to which of the two is more dangerous, so there must be alternative motives besides public safety at play. Maybe fining local businesses and confiscating questionable games is more lucrative…