June 27, 2007 News+Opinion » D. A. Smith

Ravenel's Arrest Highlights Hypocrisy 

He Ain't The Only One: Those family values guys are a laugh a minute

by D. A. Smith
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He Ain't The Only One: Those family values guys are a laugh a minute

Last week, State Treasurer Thomas Ravenel was indicted on a single federal charge of "conspiracy to possess cocaine with the intent to distribute" and was immediately suspended by Gov. Mark Sanford.

Allegedly, Ravenel has had possession of cocaine dating back to late 2005 and up to the point of his indictment, according to U.S. Attorney Reginald Lloyd.

It sounds to me like Ravenel got caught in the crosshairs of a little bit of rat-on-rat action. Having put himself in a position of risk, he is now enjoying the benefits of his investment.

I find it immensely entertaining that Ravenel, who came of age in the '80s, is accused of indulging in the GOP drug o' choice from the Reagan Era. A snoot full of booger-sugar — in this day and age?

Anyhoo, June has been a big month for South Carolina Republicans showing their true colors.

The Berkeley County Republican Party just requested an internal audit of its finances in the wake of the discovery that former chairman Bill Wilcox bounced a $429 check to the insurance carrier for its county convention site.

Now, one could make the argument that this was a garden-variety clerical error until you learn of a conviction and several pending charges against him for writing fraudulent checks under $500, according to a recent Post and Courier report.

Wilcox withdrew his candidacy before the April convention citing, I'm guessing, a desire to spend more time with his family.

Okay, lessee. Drugs? Check. Money? Check. What are we missing? Oh, yeah — SEX!

Also this month, state Rep. Thad Viers (R-Horry) pleaded no contest to charges that he had made phone calls to the then-boyfriend of his estranged wife, threatening physical harm and sexual assault against the man and his family.

What made Viers' conviction on a misdemeanor charge of unlawful communication all the more tasty was that he and the buddies who helped him were (allegedly) stupid enough to leave recorded messages of the threats.

According to The State, which obtained copies of the recordings, a caller to James "Jon" Zeigler's phone indicated he would sodomize Zeigler and his family, including his mother. The caller addressed Zeigler by a common racial epithet even though Zeigler is, by all accounts including his mother's, a white man.

The caller also questioned Zeigler's sexual orientation by addressing him as a "faggot" even though the caller had reason to believe Zeigler was banging the soon-to-be former Mrs. Viers.

Now there's some thinkin' going on there!

Fifth Circuit Asst. Solicitor Todd Wagoner told the magistrate's court that a caller had threatened to shoot Zeigler in the face and had frightened him to the point that Zeigler had begun sleeping with a shotgun.

It's a good thing for Zeigler that Republicans are such strong supporters of Second Amendment guarantees.

Rep. Todd Rutherford (D-Columbia) represented Viers and characterized Zeigler's complaint against Viers thusly, "This was an attempt of a paramour of my client's wife to get back at my client."

Oh, really.

It gets better as Rutherford said Viers was "under the influence of love" when he made the calls.

House Speaker Bobby Harrell (R-Chas) said in a statement that Viers will not face punishment or censure from the body for his crime: "The people have had their day in court and once again, our state's legal system has proven that no one is above the law."

Gov. Mark Sanford told The State he'd have canned Viers. "In life, there are consequences for anything we do. I think, particularly in positions of leadership, we're expected to lead by example."

Perhaps the boys should choose better examples as American political history is littered with the flamed-out careers of the self-indulgent.

Comments (6) RSS

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Investigate Andre Bauer as well. This other embarassment to SC politics needs to be suspended from office as well.

Posted by Del Nilppez on July 5, 2007 at 12:56 PM | Report this comment

More rhetoric. Dont you people ever get tired of spouting the same old rhetoric, as if you have no real thoughts on anything and can only regurgitate sound bites from talk radio. As for the generalizations, I may be liberal but I figured out a long time ago most politicans were crap. Theres the reason there's no such thing as real political discourse in this country. Spouting unfounded generalizations over and over and over again like a broken record does not make for intelligent discourse and, judging from posts on this website, thats all some people know how to do.

Posted by native on July 3, 2007 at 4:07 PM | Report this comment

This is one of the main differences between conservatives and liberals/socialists. Conservatives understand that every single politician is a corrupt whore. It doesn't matter if one has a little (D) or a little (R) next to their name. Liberals fail to understand this, be it from a disease of the mind, or just sheer stupidity. That is why liberals are destroying this once great nation. Liberals/socialists believe that every single person with the little (D) next to their name is a tireless servant of the people, who care nothing about money and power for themselves. Just ask William "Cold Cash" Jefferson. So, I will now write the response from the liberals who are unable to grasp the point. Well, Republicans... Well, Republicans... Well, Republicans...

Posted by hellhound4hire on July 3, 2007 at 2:44 PM | Report this comment

Be careful D... A.. One day a Democrat is going to make a mistake. I know the Democrats have been perfect up to this point, having never committed a single sin or broken a solitary law. Nevertheless, I don't think you can keep it up forever. Someday we will discover a Democrat who has used an illegal drug or has used his position for self-gain. There may even exist a Democrat who has lied or cheated on their spouse or has stolen money. Driven drunk? A Democrat child molester? A skeleton in the closet? It may not have happened yet but it could. And then... You lose your sainthood. And what’s worse, YOU become no better than a low life Republican! May God have mercy on our souls.

Posted by MikeRawlings on July 3, 2007 at 1:32 PM | Report this comment

da's right. ravenel never spouted that family values crap, so the lede doesn't make much sense. the dude's divorced, so of course he never talked about "family values." it's a shame he's being lumped in with those freaky christian coalition types. let's all get our facts straight: closet cokehead is way more glamorous!

Posted by chucktowngirl on June 28, 2007 at 10:53 AM | Report this comment

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