Queen Jean Was “Double Booked”
We’ll admit that the scheduling shenanigans of S.C. Chief Justice Jean Toal aren’t anywhere near as sensational as her two vehicular “hit-and-runs” or the rash of recent scandals involving her corrupt court.
But they go directly to the “trust factor,” or the willingness of people to continue giving Toal the benefit of the doubt when she lies through her teeth about much more important issues.
Truth be told, when we reported earlier today that Toal had bailed at the last minute on giving a Courthouse re-dedication speech in poor, rural Hampton County on Friday, we figured she really did have an “emergency conflict.”
Obviously, we envisioned this “conflict” as involving multiple adult beverages (and Toal’s loyal “butch brigade”), but we figured she would at least be smart enough to avoid getting caught in an embarrassing lie.
Boy were we wrong.
Grab onto your hose and socks and pull, Hampton County residents, because here’s the skinny …
There was no “emergency conflict” that kept the Chief Justice from attending your fair town last week, she was simply “double-booked.”
In fact, at the precise time Toal was supposed to be in Hampton County attending the first of two ceremonies re-dedicating the Courthouse, she was actually giving a speech on “ethics” at a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) forum in Greenville, S.C.
Here’s the Greenville Bar Association’s February newsletter – which includes a reference to Toal’s speech – and sources at the Bar confirmed to FITS today that the event not only went off as planned (with Toal obviously in attendance), but it had been on the Chief Justice’s schedule for months.
In fact, Toal’s office reconfirmed her commitment to the Friday Greenville Bar event three weeks ago when the local association’s newsletter was going to press.
So much for an “emergency conflict,” folks.
So tell us, Queen Jean, how do you explain bailing on a bunch of poor, black people celebrating a once-in-a-lifetime ceremony so you could hob-nob with rich white lawyers at routine legal training event? Particularly after you set the date for the Hampton County event and insisted that you be its keynote speaker?
Most importantly, though, why did you lie about it?
We look forward to hearing an explanation …
Comments
By StupidShouldHurtMore (SSHM) on February 16th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Wow … FITSNews playing the race card … now THATS a first. Proves to me what someone told me the other day: Will missed his calling in life – should have been a novelist – a writer of fiction and prose.
Because only an author of fiction could take a scheduling oversight and turn it into a racial issue.
Maybe becoming an understudy to Nicholas Sparks could help you Will.
- SSHM
By William on February 16th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
She is a horrible person, which makes her perferct for a leadership role in SC State Government.
By fitsnews on February 16th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
SSHM,
We play the race card all the time – including calling the President of the United States “Yo-Bama” and referencing U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn’s “pimp hand.”
It’s just funny that everybody is always making such a fuss about helping out the “Corridor of Shame” but they’ll ditch events there in a heartbeat if the big Greenville money comes a-callin’.
So we suppose it was more of a “class card” that we played than anything else, but for what it’s worth we plan on continuing to make fun of poor people.
Double so if they’re poor and retarded.
-FITS
P.S. – We love Nicholas Sparks! NAR = Swoon!
By Fed Up Againe on February 16th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Crock-O-Justice Shitola = South Caro-Schmucka
Keep up the good work, Fits!
By Upstate Rulz on February 16th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
On behalf of the “Big Greenville Money”, I find your statements offensive. We contribute more to the tax base of this fair state and thus deserve priority when it comes allocation of resources, namely the attention of extremely sexy state supreme court justices. Jealously is a sin and will get you nowhere, midlands scum. Go eat sand, hug a pine tree, and pull for the Lamecocks.
By Tradd on February 16th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
The people of Hampton County come out the winners here. What the hell were they thinking inviting that worthless drunk to visit their county. The people of Hampton County are better off not having that Stain come and taint their county.
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' on February 16th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Great story, Will. I agree with Tradd that the people of Hampton County came out the winners by avoiding having that drunken blowhard steal the spotlight with her empty hyperbole. The only way Toal could’ve made the ceremony better than by skipping it would be by sending Stephanie Nye in her place. Miss Nye is really hot, as you’ve noted on this site before.
By Lauren on February 16th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Will–she pissed off a bunch of “white people” as well who live in Hampton. You should know that the movers and shakers in Hampton, just as in places like Manning or Walterboro, are whites who are still hanging-on to their towns. I would bet that the majority of the crowd who cam out for a courthouse dedication were white, or at least it was a 50-50% crowd.
By fitsnews on February 16th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
“Movers and shakers in Hampton …”
That’s just funny.
-FITS
By StupidShouldHurtMore (SSHM) on February 16th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
@FITS,
Wow … poking fun at Hampton County. C’mon, as a “bastion of conservative thought,” certainly you MUST know the significance of Hampton County. Especially delicious is the irony to what you are reporting.
C’mon FITS, think … this isn’t a Final Jeopardy-style question.
Here’s a hint: It’s all about the VENUE.
- SSHM
By Ben on February 16th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Really? Wow! Come on, really? So the CJ decided to speak at the CLE rather than attend a ceremony in Hampton because she is a racist. Wow, this is so factually wrong. For instance, here’s a link her husband’s lawfirm:
http://www.jtblawfirm.com/about_attorneys.php
Notice anything interesting? How about that Bill Toal is the only white attorney out of the six at the firm? It must be because he’s so racist. Rosalyn W. Frierson is the Director of Court Adminstration for the state of South Carolina. This is probably one of the hardest jobs in the whole Department. She’s black and Jean Toal hired her. Justice’s Toal’s administrative assistant, who is the Chief’s right hand, is a black lady. Justice Toal will be the first to tell you that without her AA she would be lost.
Second, and just as ironic, that courthouse was funded (at least $1,000,000 of it) by John E. Parker a local attorney that made Hampton County famous for S.C.’s venue law loophole. He’s a very rich, white male. He made a killing on using the loophole as a way to generate millions of dollars by bringing lawsuits against corporations, not where the “wrong” took place, but in rural Hampton County where he knew everyone on the jury. The payouts were astounding. In fact, it was this loophole that began talk of what later prompted the highly talked about tort reform bill years ago. Jean Toal supported that bill. Perhaps Will would say because she’s racist.
Maybe Justice Toal should have gone to Hampton rather than Greenville but to take the actual facts and deduce that she is racist is ridiculous. Sometimes we pay too close attention to the size of the target and not enough attention to the quality of the ammunition. In this case, it’s horseshit.
By Ben on February 16th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Yep Lauren, you better hold on to those towns before the blacks take over……..hold on, Lauren, just a thought, when joining in on a witch hunt by commenting to an article that alleges someone is racist and ridicules them for it, it might be best to gardner your comment in a way so as not to show how apparently racist YOU are. She a thought. I’m sure you’re brillant n’ stuff. Keep on movin and shakin girl.
By sclawyerIII on February 16th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I think the people most upset that Toal didn’t show at the rededication would have been white folks, very rich white lawyers.
The letting down black people thing is more than a little silly.
By Ben on February 16th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Lauren its also hilarious that you put “white people” in quotes. That’s great. Perhaps you’ve decided to offer the shortest quotation ever. Or even more cerebral, perhaps these aren’t really white people at all, only imposters. Another point — does the fact that white people were pissed too make it any different? ……..not unless you’re a racist.
By Hickory Hill on February 16th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Perry Buckner did a great job. I agree with Tradd. The good folks of Hampton County were the winners Friday. Bet your babe, Stephanie Nye wasn’t about to go to Hampton County. Last time her old law firm was down there, Nelson Mullins, I think they left about 2.6 mill from their clients’ pockets for the good folks of our county. We’ve got internet service down here, city folks.
By fitsnews on February 16th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Cool! it’s a Lord of the Flies day on the comment page!
We love days like this.
Oh, and Hampton = Judicial Hellhole. Which makes it not unlike the rest of the state.
And again, we don’t think the Chief Justice is a racist so much as she is a liar. And a caste snob.
And maybe a fan of Mexican food, if you catch our drift.
By StupidShouldHurtMore (SSHM) on February 16th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
@Fitsnews . . .
No … Hampton does not equal Judicial Hellhole.
Hampton County has been known for quite sometime as a county that favors the plaintiff and favors large settlements for said plaintiff. It was also (and some could argue, still is) a favorite place to venue shop. At least it was, prior to 2005.
/yawn
- SSHM
By Mab on February 16th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
I hate to admit this, but I think I catch your drift, Sic Willie.
And I hate the fact that I have caught it…
@@@
…I stand corrupted.
By Cracked on February 16th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
We think someone should have sent Judge Harrington. I’m sure you will agree she is much easier on the eye – and no Hampton County residents would be harmed in the giving of her speech, or her travel to and from the county.
By BIN News Editorial Staff on February 16th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Jean,
If what sic(K) willie is reporting is true: You’re fired.
Period. Done. Clean out your desk.
It pains us (greatly) to agree with sic(k) willie.
If you can prove him wrong, we will reevaluate.
We never rely on sic(k) willie.
In this case././… There is other evidence.
Jean, you are fired.
BIN News Editorial Staff
Flair and Balanced
P.S. BIN News will be independently considering other S.C. Officials in the near future to see where we can fire dead heads to save taxpayer money. How many SC “Supremes” do we really need? Would we miss a few?
By Mab on February 16th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Bin,
That was mighty altruistic of you.
By fitsnews on February 16th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
SSHM-
According to the American Tort Reform Association, Hampton County was a “Judicial Hellhole” through 2005. It has since been “delisted.”
-FITS
By BIN News Editorial Staff on February 16th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Thanks Mab. Or MAB? PiCk oNe. Since most BIN sTAff mEMbers only have a “mINmaLLy adequate” eduKAtion (thanks to our L3gisl@ture), we trust you understand our concern at the use of the word “altruistic.”
It is not a word most of sic(k) willie’s rEAdeRs understand. Please, keep it at 3rd grade level, so we all kanUNnderst@nd.
And, sic(k) willie, you should not under-estimate the “movers and shakers” in Hampton County. We can stick a “Low Country” up you asspirations.
BIN News
Flair and Balanced
By Pictureless Ben on February 17th, 2009 at 1:20 am
Uh, so here’s my attempt to make all this discussion relevant to one central theme. Hampton was a judicial hellhole because of an old venue law that was changed during tort reform. And Jean Toal supported tort reform, against her own financial interest through the income of her husband and against the interests of the SCTLA, which was run at the time by Luther Battiste, Jean Toal’s husband’s law partner. John E. Parker gave a dookey load of money to the refurbising of the local courthouse, which might explain the high white turnout at the opening. (Also his law partner, Mark Ball, was president of the SCTLA in 2007). So, because Jean felt bad for dissing her peeps publically on the tort reform issue, she insisted that she attend the opening of the courthouse. Then perhaps she realized that she might project the image that she’s pandering to the very get rich quick lawyers that she spoke against during tort reform, so she decided not to go. Wow isn’t this interesting? I could just go on and on. See this type of writing is what I call fact based speculation. Its an art (a very entertaining art I might add), not a science and its bullshit. This is what Will does and why he is so popular. Its easy to believe because all the components of the story are true, except the ultimate conclusion, which is merely speculation. And by hiding speculation in a sea of facts Will can make it look like the truth. And the speculation doesn’t even have to be reasonable when your audience already hates the target. I mean look at this article. The only nonspeculative fact about the target, Jean Toal, is that she had a scheduling conflict. Well, according to the second commenter, this fact alone makes Jean Toal “a horrible person.” Really? If Jean Toal would have been against Tort Reform you can bet Will would have printed a story involving her husband’s ties to the president of the SCTLA at the time. But that didn’t happen, but it could have. Will had at least a 50% chance that Jean Toal would be against tort reform and he could have printed a great story using fact based speculation and almost all of his readers would have believed it. But, it would have been bullshit, like everything else Will writes. It is truly an art to be able to do engage in fact based speculation. Will is a master at it. Perhaps he rationalizes and reconciles his dishonesty on this blog by telling himself that he’s an artist, not a real reporter. If he were a reporter rather than an artist, he wouldn’t speculate so much. But he’s got an brillant artistic mind and a hightened freedom to express himself. Unfortunately while he gets more cocky, he gets more sloppy. I mean should reason and logic provide that Jean Toal is a racist or even a liar because she had a scheduling conflict? No, but will people believe it? Yes, because people believe Will is a reporter. This makes Will feel dangerous, in a power grubbing kind of way. It fuels his cockiness. But it is just bullshit. Much like the first commenter said, Will would have been a hell of a novelist. Good ole bullshit, except you don’t have to lie and say its true for it to sell.
By Todd on February 17th, 2009 at 7:14 am
P Ben: You have done exactly what you accuse Sic Willie of doing: You have twisted the facts to make some point you personally do not want to believe. Jean Toal wilfully, knowingly and intentionally accepted two invitations to speak on the same day. Weeks in advance and on opposite ends of the state. She or someone on her behalf called Hampton FRIDAY morning and said an “unavoidable conflict” had arisen. (Judge Buckner’s words). She lied. You’re acting like BIN does most of the time. You’re trying to divert this fact that Jean Toal lied into some story about how little character and integrity Willie may or may not have. He at least admits he’s a low life. She lied, P Ben. Again. The rest of your rant is rather entertaining BS, but not relevant to the story. Queen Jean lied again.
By Pictureless Ben on February 17th, 2009 at 8:44 am
ok, the story says she told the Hamptonites she said she had an “emergency conflict” and now Todd is saying that she said she had an “unavoidable conflict.” Which one is it? Todd also, how many Chief Justices do you think set their own schedule? So this willfully, knowingly and intentionally accepted two invitations concept is bogus. Why would anyone intentionally do this? You’ve just made that up. What is it guys? To be honest I would say that speaking in front of 300 lawyers at the end of the CLE year so that lawyers can get the credit they need for the 2008 CLE year is a pretty “unavoidable conflict.” Not “an emergency conflict” but an “unavoidable” one. The fact that Todd thinks that this is some conspiracy Jean Toal thought up to leave the courthouse opening without a speaker is ridiculous. There’s no basis for it and its pure unreasonable speculation.
By Mincing Words on February 17th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Good Lord, everybody. Settle down! The facts are this: the Queen DID dis Hampton County. She is not the only Supreme Court Justice who could have done the legal update at the CLE. In fact, there are four others. Plus a whole handful of Court of Appeals judges. And don’t forget the lapdog(s). Or Freeman.
I don’t know that Queen Jean is either racist, or classist, or any other “ist.” I do know she is arrogant, and this (IMHO) seems more of an instance of arrogance. As in, “oh, I forgot I wedged my way into this courthouse opening when the last big CLE of the year was getting shored up. I know my name is on the program and everything. Sorry. My bad.”
By trish on February 17th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Here is my feeling on this. I was at the CLE in Greenville. I know that Justice Toal was booked well in advance. I don’t have any idea how far in advance the courthouse dedication was scheduled. I don’t think that her failure to attend the event in Hampton shows racism or elitism. However, she clearly double booked, and she (or her staff) must have known at the time that the second invitation was accepted that she had a conflict. If it slipped through the cracks, it was sloppy planning. But it was not an unavoidable conflict, nor an emergency conflict. And the lawyers at the CLE could have just as easily gotten their ethics hour from someone else.
By MAB on February 17th, 2009 at 11:19 am
GOD ALMIGHTY!
If it was ethics hour for lawyers, they SHOULD HAVE gotten it from someone else!
By Faith Blumenstock on February 17th, 2009 at 11:21 am
The person who wrote the original article I think was spouting more sour grapes than truth. How do you get to racism, when the real crux is that money talks. Just because you are a money hungry and rude, self serving politician, doesn’t make you a racist. I live in Hampton and find less racial descrimination here, than up north. Hampton may be ignored because of its low financial standings and not because of its large (for a small area) black population. And what does Johnny Parker have to do with how Toal behaves? Wasn’t her office responsible for choosing the date of the dedication and did she not insist on being the keynote speaker?
By Todd on February 17th, 2009 at 11:24 am
P Ben, you ignorant fool.
I was there. Judge Buckner said, “Unavoidable conflict” and John E. Parker said “unavoidable emergency.” She knew exactly what she was doing.
By Ben on February 17th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Trish is absolutely right. It was sloppiness or even perhaps bad judgment, but not racism, elitism or conspiracy. That’s the problem with this article. If Justice Toal would have attended the courthouse opening, I’m sure Will would have posted a picture of her standing at the podium with a caption saying something like, “Queen Jean Panders to Judicial Hellhole.” The fact of the matter is, if Will doesn’t like you or his clients don’t like you, he’s going to defame you and he’s going to disguise lies with fact based speculation. And its going to be funny and entertaining and most of the people that read it will believe it because they want to believe it, not because its credible or even logical but because most people are very loyal to their own agenda. And they would justify their peddling in bullshit on the grounds that the ends justified the means, or in Will’s case, for the self satisfaction of creating highly entertaining art and getting a paycheck for it.
By fitsnews on February 17th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Ben-
You say that:
“The fact of the matter is, if Will doesn’t like you or his clients don’t like you, he’s going to defame you and he’s going to disguise lies with fact based speculation. And its going to be funny and entertaining and most of the people that read it will believe it because they want to believe it, not because its credible or even logical but because most people are very loyal to their own agenda. And they would justify their peddling in bullshit on the grounds that the ends justified the means, or in Will’s case, for the self satisfaction of creating highly entertaining art and getting a paycheck for it.”
You forgot to mention how Sic trades good coverage in exchange for sexual favors and GREAT coverage if there’s some girl-on-girl involved.
-FITS
By Ben on February 17th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
So Todd, you say “she knew exactly what she was doing” are you suggesting that Jean Toal purposefully requested to attend the courthouse opening with the intention of never going in an attempt to ruin the ceremony? Gosh I’m so ignorant I missed that elborate and seemingly uneffective conspiracy. Its so dumb it must be true. Todd, you a thought. You so brillant. And you know what, I’ve also heard that John E. Parker never lies and poops peppermint. Seriously, he’ll shoot straight with you and then give you a dinner mint to clean your palate. He’s amazing.
By Todd on February 17th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Ben: Let’s call a truce and agree to disagree. Want to go fishing with me this weekend on the Coosawhatchie River out there near Hickory Hill? Come on down.
By Mincing Words on February 17th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
I’m not so sure I am convinced that Ben isn’t BIN… Ranting and raving, all about nothing, convinced that FITSNEWS’ readers don’t think for themselves. Don’t look now, Ben/BIN, but a lot of us are lawyers, judging by these entries. We pretty much wrote the book on thinking for ourselves. And FITS is just damn funny.
By Pictureless Ben on February 18th, 2009 at 12:03 am
Sounds like fun Todd. Let’s bring Mincing Words with us. We can use his red herrings as bait.
By frank on February 21st, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Jean Troll lying and getting caught?? That is no suprise to me at all and should not be for many on here either. Jean Troll is the most unethical person to be giving a ethics update to anyone. Another example of her do as I say do, not as I do bullshit! What ever happen to her violating the Rules of the Court when she was caught on video grandstanding on how she handled McMaster in a criminal case and then the video is then taken off the internet. Jean your credibility has been shot for years now and all you are doing is continually embarassing yourself, but most of all you are embarassing oue State’s highest court and the lower courts. Resign your position and take your unethical butt home for good!!!