Beattygate Just Won’t Quit
FRONT PAGE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE, NEW ACCUSATIONS OF DEAL-MAKING KEEP SUPREME COURT STORY ON FRONTBURNER
FITSNews – May 21, 2007 - Over the next 48 hours, the next justice of the S.C. Supreme Court will be chosen, with sources telling FITSNews that the legislative election could come down to a single vote. Critics allege that the selection process up to this point has been rife with scandal and replete with favor-trading. And because we’ve reported on that, the whole thing has not surprisingly resulted in some misdirected venom aimed at us.
Of course all that pales in comparison now that the race is on television – not to mention its inner workings plastered on the front page of the state’s largest newspaper.
As “Beattygate” heads for the homestretch, there are also new allegations of unethical legislative deal-making. A highly-placed source in the S.C. House of Representatives tells FITSNews that State Rep. Harry Cato, the Republican who – along with former GOP Majority Leader Annette Young (pictured above) – is leading the charge for the election of Democratic Judge Donald W. Beatty, may have promised the chairmanship of the powerful House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee to two different legislators in exchange for their votes. Of course the only problem with that plan is that there is only one chairmanship.
Cato, who is actively using the Supreme Court election to campaign for Speaker of the House, is reported to have promised the coveted LCI chair to State Representatives Converse Chellis and Bill Sandifer. The promise to Chellis, who is already linked to the Beattygate scandal through other connections, may have been intended to secure his support as a floor leader in the fight to elect Beatty, whereas it appears the offer to Sandifer was merely contingent on his vote.
Comments
By Sleepless In Columbia on May 21st, 2007 at 11:18 am
Thank you FITS News for exposing this mess. Instead of focusing on merit, these politicians, who are supposed to represent us as leaders, have once again put personal benefit above public gain.
Every single one of the vote traders you’ve identified needs to be publicly investigated and voted out of office in the next election cycle, as well as future judicial candidates aligned with them. In addition, the South Carolina Supreme Court, Bar, and judicial screening panel should undertake their own investigation of improper campaigning by candidates with special interest groups.
Let’s put a stop to vote trading once and for all. The vote tomorrow should be on merit and fairness alone.
By G.L. on May 21st, 2007 at 12:40 pm
I agree. This has become a mess. Let’s change the law to become like many other states and let the people vote for Supreme Court judges or let the Governor appoint them.
By Scott on May 21st, 2007 at 2:35 pm
As a voter in South Carolina, I am sickened by the actions of so-called conservatives at the State House who believe that they are furthernig good government by voting for Don Beatty.
They should know that we voters aren’t stupid. A vote for Don Beatty is a vote for abortion rights. A vote for Don Beatty is a vote against the Second Amendment. A vote for Don Beatty is a vote for judicial activism. A vote for Don Beatty is a vote for unbridled government spending. A vote for Don Beatty is a vote for the least qualified candidate in the field.
Come on, act like a majority. Vote for a conservative judge.
By StillAtIt on May 21st, 2007 at 2:41 pm
NEWS FLASH – BELDAR RETURNS!
May 21, 2007 – Beldar of Remulak has returned! And, he’s assimilated the body of the half-human creature formerly known as sic(k) willie. He can be recognized by his total lack of ethics, his constant rumormongering, his fat shiny head and his pudgy bloated face.
Beldar has never been known for being fashion conscious and may be wearing a crew neck white t-shirt when a vee neck would make more fashion sense.
BELIEVEITNOT.NEWS located Beldar recently in the Vista consuming mass quantities of fermented beverages in his attempt to build up his empty beer can collection for a duel with Boss Hogg. He invited us to join him as he drank a six pack – all at once.
In an exclusive to BELIEVEITNOT.NEWS Beldar said, “My return to Earth was prompted by U.S. immigration reform. In light of my previous illegal status I will apply for a Z Visa. I desire Temporary Worker status so I can continue to spread slimy false rumors, sling mud and attack those who do not believe in the Remulak Platform.â€
When asked about other family members who came here with him in 1993 for world domination, he responded, “They are “Remulakians In Name Only!†True Remulakians, like me, never give up on world domination. True Remulakians never stop spreading gossip and lies and attacking those who don’t agree with the Remulakian Platform!â€
Beldar has started his own Midland’s area political consulting firm, ViewRemulak. He is pictured here holding a list of his paying clients as he sucks on a lemon seed.
-BELIEVEITNOT.NEWS EXCLUSIVE
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By FITSNews on May 21st, 2007 at 3:17 pm
B-I-N-
Are you kidding us? Wife beaters! Sic Willie wears wife beaters!
Jesus, you go on and on about Star Trek, somehow stumble upon a vee neck/ crew neck reference and yet you still miss the hanging curveball that’s just dangling there right over the middle of the plate?
Whoever’s paying you clearly isn’t getting their nickel’s worth today.
For the record, it really pains us to come around and clean up after you like this.
-FITSNews
By American Candidate on May 21st, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Wow. That was pretty pathetic.
By Ducky on May 21st, 2007 at 3:44 pm
WTF? Really this kid has too much time on his hands.
By Mark S. on May 21st, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Anyone who has seen Will lately will have to admit the Beldar comparison was pretty right on and darn funny.
By Jake on May 21st, 2007 at 4:35 pm
B-I-N is truly a great American. Keep it up! You’re doing Gods work and we appreciate it.
By David B. on May 21st, 2007 at 4:40 pm
“Remulakians In Name Only!†Now I don’t care who you are, that’s funny!
By Will Folks on May 21st, 2007 at 5:05 pm
I was removed forcibly from the womb using forceps. I don’t remember it but I am sure it hurt. But not as much as this hurts.
Mommy you said they wouldn’t laugh at me!
(unconsolable crying)
By Benjamin Wright on May 22nd, 2007 at 8:19 am
It is very disturbing when some conservative groups come to the table with only one thing in mind…using the splinters from the table as darts. Now, this proverbial table of “Goodwill” has been damaged by those conservative groups who’s only mission is to divide the country with a vile venom of partisanship.
By RLindsey on May 22nd, 2007 at 8:35 am
Scott: Beatty never voted for abortion rights. However , he did vote to prevent tax dollars from being spent on anything having to do with abortions; He co-sponsored the concealed weapons permit bill that is current law.; He is a fiscal conservative; and he understands that judges do not make the law, legislators do. finally, he received 9 of 10 votes from the judicial merit selection committ. Your candidate only received 6, and his legal experience is limited to divorces and child support cases.
By VernonB on May 22nd, 2007 at 8:39 am
None of Bruce William’s supporters who are financing these attacks have yet to produce any evidence that Bruce Williams is a conservative (he voted for Clinton). Did they talk to him? Did he agree to rule in thier favor, or are they just racist as their ad suggests/
By GKP on May 22nd, 2007 at 9:37 am
According to the SC Bar Evaluation, Beatty (who some have tried to tout here and elsewhere as the best candidate based strictly on merit) was rated LAST among all candidates in effective settlements, LAST in absence of favoritism, and LAST in being influenced by the identity of the lawyers. Wow, there is a list to be proud of.
PS: Beatty did not vote “for abortion rights,” as I don’t think any such bill has ever been offered in this state in those exact terms. He did, however, vote against the informed choice initiative. Split hairs all you want on that one.
By Krystal Parker on May 22nd, 2007 at 9:59 am
Last, Wow look a your Presidents track record and how many times in his life was he first (ranked first in his graduation class, or what) Beatty is the best candidate.Your candidate leagal experience is limited!
By Martha Young on May 22nd, 2007 at 10:05 am
I don’t understand how groups who call themselves “Christian Conservatives” can tear down their fellow man with lies and inuendo. These people create “slick spins” and speak “cruel rhetoric” to get their way, regardless of who is hurt by their deed. ( I don’t know how they sleep at night)
Normally, I don’t make comments on political issues, but I’m tired of good and decent people being beat down by certain groups who claim to speak for the “Moral Majority”.
Judge Don Beatty is an honorable, intelligent, hard working man who deserves to be appointed to the S.C. Supreme Court.
By GKP on May 22nd, 2007 at 10:39 am
Krystal…so let me get this straight..since we elected the least qualified candidate president (and, by the way, the other choice was no rocket scientist either) we will be best served by doing the same for the SC Supreme Court?
I don’t know whether that should make me laugh or cry. It appears that the enlightened view of “learning from our mistakes” has been replaced by simple retaliation for its own sake. Scientific method replaced by “nanny-nanny-boo-boo.” Excellent thinking.
As for the last comment regarding Beatty’s deserving to serve, the issue is not one of whether he deserves the job. All 3 candidates are honorable, intelligent, and hardworking. But this job is not an honorarium. It is an appointment to one of the most important legislative positions (yes, it is a legislative post these days…that is part of the problem) in the state.
What is getting ready to happen is that race, geography, and personal political ambition on the part of certain legislators will become the determining factors in selecting a Supreme Court Justice.
And that should make you cry.
By VernonB on May 22nd, 2007 at 11:04 am
GKP: wHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO INTIMIDATE THE JUDICIARY NOW? tHE DEMAGOGUES DO NOT WANT TO DISCLOSE THEIR FINANCIAL BACKERS AND EXPENDITURES AND A LAWSUIT INVOLVING THIS IS PENDING AND WILL LIKELY END UP IN THE SC SUPREME COURT. THE FEDERAL COURT HAS ALREADY REBUFFED THE DEMAGOGUES.
HUUM.
HAVE THE DEMAGOGUES BOUGHT ENOUGH INFLUENCE TO BUY THEM A JUDGE?
HUMM.
By Beldar on May 22nd, 2007 at 12:31 pm
I, Beldar or Remulak, thank everyone for taking the hit count of this pathetic post up so high in my honor. The half-human sic(k) willie folks out did himself in puffing up the posts here.
By Arnold Horshashcachk on May 22nd, 2007 at 10:52 pm
Will:
Just do what a friend told you to do and grow the hell up. Quit inventing fake commenters! It just isn’t cute anymore. It was cute once or twice, but to keep this type of thing going on and on makes no sense. There are people we both know who will help you find a job. You just need to leave Columbia and find yourself. Travel for awhile, freelance some articles and maybe just maybe write that screenplay that everyone keeps talking about!
Somebody you know actually knows the Weinsteins.
But maybe that guy is just Queer…as FOLKS.
By yep on May 23rd, 2007 at 1:22 pm
Despite the hoopla, Beatty won. I would be interested to see whether any investigation follows on this whole vote trading thing.
By Sleepless In Columbia on May 23rd, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Another interesting investigation would involve ties between a certain judicial candidate and the sponsors of the attack ad on Judge Beatty.
By The Palmetto Scoop on May 24th, 2007 at 11:08 am
Oh Sic Willie, we were just messin’ with you. We were just hurt that your link appears in our blogroll, yet our link is conspicuously absent in the FITSNews blogroll.
And after all, if you remove The Palmetto Scoop from the equation, you run the best blog in South Carolina.
- T.E., The Palmetto Scoop
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