McConnell, Barker Lied About Hunley Project
S.C. Senate President Glenn McConnell and Clemson University President James Barker made false statements to the press and the public about the University’s involvement in the H.L. Hunley project, according to documents obtained by FITS in a related investigation.
They may have also violated the state Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in concealing these documents from legitimate requests made by members of the media.
Additionally, an effort to expose McConnell and Barker’s false statements and potential violation of the state’s FOIA laws was dismissed by the office of S.C. Attorney General Henry McMaster, who along with McConnell is represented by the same consulting firm that also handles publicity for the Hunley.
The sensational documents – which were discovered during a FITS investigation of allegations that McConnell improperly pressured the S.C. State Ports Authority on Hunley-related issues – clearly show that statements made by McConnell on the floor of the S.C. Senate and by Barker to members of the media were patently, and perhaps deliberately, false.
The documents also show how Clemson trustees warmed to the multimillion dollar Hunley project – which it can now conclusively be stated was McConnell’s idea all along – out of a desire to curry favor with the powerful Lowcountry leader.
“We are in a legislative state where a close relationship with the President Pro Tem of the Senate is good for Clemson,” reads an excerpt from one of the University’s internal documents.
Another excerpt paraphrases a Clemson trustee as reaching the conclusion that “the more (Clemson) can gain from our association (with McConnell), the better.”
In addition to being provided to McMaster’s Office, copies of the documents were also provided to Ken Wingate of the Commission on Higher Education and The State newspaper more than two months ago.
Amazing.
Stay tuned for much, much more …
Comments
By Pat Hendrix on February 24th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
And in other news:
Dog bites man.
By fitsnews on February 24th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
We’re anticipating a lot of “yawn” comments on this one, Pat.
And that’s precisely the problem, these people are elected or appointed to positions of public trust – overseeing millions in public money – and then they take the floor of the Senate or take to the pages of our MSM outlets and they LIE.
And everybody just says “ho hum,” no big deal.
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' on February 24th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
Will, I’m afraid you’re right about the yawn factor. As Bob Dole would say, “where’s the outrage?” Stupid taters.
By Jackson on February 24th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
“one of the University’s internal documents”
Great source of information. Fantastic.
By CL on February 24th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
You seem to be fixated on Clemson lately. If you wanted people to get fired up by this story, then maybe you could have provided a summary of or a link to the false statements allegedly made by Barker. Right now, your allegations have no context.
Speaking of Clemson stories, what ever happened to your claims regarding the Fred Allen – Angie Leidenger “affair”? I don’t mean to go all BIN on you, but I was just curious why it had been scrubbed from the archives.
By Tim on February 24th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Good work, Sic. The fetishism around this damned sunken submarine has pissed me off for years.
By fitsnews on February 24th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
CL-
These are not allegations, they are documented facts.
We’re not alleging McConnell and Barker lied – they did lie. If something is alleged, we say alleged. If it’s documented, we say “this is what happened.”
There are plenty of documents to back this story up (and we’ll be publishing as many as we can). The quote in today’s story is from an April 7, 2004 memo to President Barker from a Board of Trustees Secretary informing him of the Board’s disposition on the Hunley project. It is one of DOZENS of documents to come into our possession.
As to your Allen-Leidinger reference, we made an editorial decision that we stand by in relation to the story you reference.
Finally, we uncovered this information while digging on a totally unrelated issue (McConnell and the SPA), so the whole “fixated on Clemson” thing is presumably just something you wrote to make yourself feel better.
-FITS
By Pat Hendrix on February 24th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Look fellas, despite the reflexive and silly use of “Marxism” and the blinkered outlook of the writers, I like fits. You call people out for being stupid. Well done. But the fact is that universities are going to suck up to powerful legislators like McConnell. I mean, sure, I like to make fun of the guy and his gaggle of Neo-Confederate hangers-on (oh, and his terrible hair piece), but this is business as usual. It’s as predictable as the sun rising in the east.
Nonetheless, keep it up. SC is so backwards, someobody has to stay on these guys asses. Just avoid the hyperbole.
By A(nother) Citizen on February 24th, 2009 at 8:02 pm
The “yawn” factor that gets so many of us is that there simply is nothing we can do. Yes, it’s true. Yes, it’s outrageous. But McConnell has the power and only those in Charleston can unseat him — the rest of us are screwed.
The manure in Clemson definitely comes from more than just cows. Problem is that it’s now piled high enough that those outside the hallowed walls can smell it. Why did Dan Cooper get an honorary degree? Why are there only internal promotions among Barker’s circle? Why is there less and less information available on the University web site about anything of substance? Oh, and check out the HR site for all the current positions in the midst of the hiring freeze.
Definitely want to know what will happen next.
By Dig it all up on February 24th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Sic Willie,
You go get ‘em. This Hunley thing has stunk for a long while under McConnell’s handling. Most people do not understand that McConnell runs a civil war business in North Charleston and it sure appears as if McConnell wants this Hunley close to his own private business. So if he is pushing Clemson for Hunley related favors, it is related to his own business interests and that is just wrong.
the Mayor Mount Pleasant did not even try to lure the Hunley away from North Charleston and McConnell so as to put it next to the battleship in Charleston harbor where it would logically seem to fit.
If you want government to be about special interests and not looking out for the average guy then yawn and go back to sleep – just remember all the politicians want is for you to pay your taxes – no questions asked.
By me on February 24th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
good find, what can we expect from this since no one seems to be pursuing it except you?
By Grover on February 24th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Frankly, Hunley not much of an issue itself. Doesn’t get any state money, except for security, which is to guard state property that while boring as hell, has value and draws national media and paying tourists. Hey, I don’t get it, either, but unlike most state “tourist attractions,” the Hunley is funded with private money. Problem is what goes on behind closed doors with legislators and universities. The universities have no accountability, their boards are appointed by legislators and their spending isn’t run through state accounting system. It’s how those guys fund their pet projects. Hunley probably most honest venture of the lot. Will, if you want real “sizzle” and big-dollar legislative sucking up, check out Innovista and connect the dots.
By BIN News Editorial Staff on February 25th, 2009 at 1:03 am
Brought to you by the same “scam dog” who brought us the bogus claim of a Midlands’ elected official with a Strom problem.
The same paid political wacko who claimed the gub’ner paid off the family of some “poor little black girl” down here in Beaufort. He even tried to FOI the gub’ners laptop. What a stupid stunt. It flopped.
The same nutball who claimed SLED has a “beat down squad.” Gee, sic(k) willie, who paid you to attack SLED?
Have you ever seen sic(k) willie present facts, details, proof of any of these wacko stories. No. None. No details. No witnesses. No proof. Nothing.
This post is not even worth a yawn.
BIN News Editorial Staff
Flair and Balanced
By Tim on February 25th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Grover, the private money around the Hunley project is in fact part of the problem…most of it is donated to curry favor with Gen. Lee-McConnell.
By Michael Rodgers on February 25th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Exactly right, Tim.
http://takedowntheflag.wordpress.com/2009/02/25/the-state-of-the-state/
By Free marketer on February 25th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
better watch the gen. lee reference. gonna make longstreet unhappy.
By Pete on February 25th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Can’t wait until this mess ends up before our most sainted bastion of honesty, integrity and virtue: Queen Jean and her do-boys. No wonder the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee (McConnell) won’t do anything about Jean Toal. She’s going to ultimately decide whether he actually committed all of these allegation. I hate to quote Sic, but Sheesh. When will this circus end?
By Repete on February 25th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
This statewide circus would end if we could put all the natives in these key posts in a holding tank of some kind and BRING IN SOME TEMPS!
Maybe some Asians.
That’s not a racial stereotype. They are smart AND virtuous. As opposed to being smart, but with a criminal mind.
By franksboy on February 26th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Jim Barker —LIE?? —- What you mean, boy?? That just can’t be so. You gotta be kiddin’. That young fella just doesn’t have it in him. Not Jim!! Our favorite leader of the “Barker Buddies and Associate VP’s(??) You know he wouldn’t do that. :-( What’s the world coming to? Before you know it, he’ll be giving big ol’ raises to his favorite few, ignoring the shenanigans of his staff and friends and standing way above the masses who (in his opinion) can always be fooled by a few holier than thou words and reference to the “Top 20″ Goal that justifies it all!
By Grover on February 26th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Fair point, Tim. But I do think a lot of the money that rolls in that thing has nothing to do with McConnell. Sure, those guys are wacky, but there are lots of confederate-philes who dig this stuff, and they’re all over the country. Not defending the “sytem” these guys have to grease each other’s palms, and no doubt any company with a registered lobbyist has ponied up for McConnell’s baby. We need more disclosure on the financial dealings of these guys and groups they are affiliated with. But I still contend the bigger worms are in all the public dollars that are being shuffled around. At least McConnell and Co. concede the Hunley is subject to FOIA, and they don’t take state money. Too many others do, and keep it hidden.
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