SC

GOP Leading Ladies Battle In SC

GOVERNOR LASHES OUT AT STATE SENATOR OVER EMBATTLED WELFARE CZARINA A frustrated S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley launched a social media broadside against one of her longtime political allies this week – angry that the lawmaker in question joined other state Senators in challenging her embattled welfare director. Haley blasted S.C….

GOVERNOR LASHES OUT AT STATE SENATOR OVER EMBATTLED WELFARE CZARINA

A frustrated S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley launched a social media broadside against one of her longtime political allies this week – angry that the lawmaker in question joined other state Senators in challenging her embattled welfare director.

Haley blasted S.C. Sen. Katrina Shealy (R-Lexington) – accusing her of spreading rumors about S.C. Department of Social Services (SCDSS) director Lillian Koller, whose rank incompetence is about to be the focus of a national ABC News report.

Specifically, Haley accused Shealy and another woman of spreading a rumor that Koller is an atheist (which last time we checked was true).

“(Diretor) Koller is not an Atheist,” Haley wrote to a woman on her Facebook page. “I wish you and Sen. Shealy would quit spreading that lie. She is Jewish and the daughter of Holocaust survivors.”

Shealy was livid at Haley’s accusation – and immediately rebuked it.

“I am very disappointed to read that the Governor would say that I am spreading rumors that Director Koller is an atheist,” she wrote in response to Haley’s comment. “The fact is I told her staff about a rumor I heard in confidence and they clarified to me that she was Jewish.”

“It is a shame that words spoken in confidence with your staff are repeated on your Facebook Page,” Shealy continued, addressing Haley.

On her own Facebook page, Shealy elaborated about her encounter with Haley’s staff.

“I asked the Governor’s staff about a rumor that was going around back months ago in confidence and they told me in a private meeting that director Koller was Jewish – I accepted that answer and that was the end of that conversation and that was the last time I talked about it other than when someone else ask me the question and I told them she was Jewish!” Shealy wrote. “Now I am being reprimanded on the Governor’s Facebook Page saying I am spreading rumors… Someone owes me an apology!!!”

Shealy is a staunch ally of Haley’s. In fact she has gone out of her way during the ongoing investigation of Koller to prevent the proceedings from turning into a political attack on the governor’s office.

FITS has been on top of the scandals at SCDSS from day one … doing the work the state’s mainstream media either could not or would not do.

Earlier this year, though, one local television station finally got around to confirming a shocking story that was published by this website last summer. We’re referring to the tragic tale of Robert Guilyard Jr., a four-year-old boy who was placed into an abusive home by  Koller’s agency despite repeated warnings about his safety.

Because those warnings went unheeded, Guilyard was beaten to death in the home.

We called on Haley to fire Koller in the aftermath of that tragedy – not just because there was actual blood on her hands, but because the Guilyard tragedy was the latest in a long line of examples of her unfitness for office.

There’s the ongoing failure of this agency’s child support enforcement database – or the total lack of follow-through Koller’s agency has shown with regard to a food stamp waiver touted by Haley in her so-called “war on fat.” There are also questionable consultant payments and allegations of cooked books at its “welfare to work” program (as well as its food stamp system).

(For a recent report detailing one of these scams, CLICK HERE).

Despite this abysmal record, Haley has refused to fire Koller.

Lawmakers familiar with the disaster at SCDSS are becoming increasingly frustrated with the governor over the issue, though. In fact we’re told S.C. Senate President John Courson has privately told his colleagues he believes Koller should be fired.

UPDATE: The Haley-Shealy Facebook spat has just gone national.

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71 comments

Karen April 16, 2014 at 7:52 pm

Haley is a vindictive Bitch and the voters are now getting to see that for sure. If Haley is re-elected she will continue to sell herself and the people of this state to the highest bidder.

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William Wallace April 16, 2014 at 8:11 pm

Karen,
You are absolutely correct and on target! You are one, who is not brain dead, looks at the facts and sees the forrest for the trees. Unfortunately, there are too many blind limmings who will follow Haley to their demise and the detriment of the State and all our futures, especially our vulnerable children.
Haley is a slug, a failure, self serving liar and needs to go.
I hope Shealy will grow a pair, stand firm for the children and the State, finally see this incompetent and dillusional Governor for what she truly is!
Stand your ground Kat, or many of us will see our mistake in voting for you! Just as we have in voting for Haley!!

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William Wallace April 16, 2014 at 8:16 pm

Sorry…Lemmings

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br549 April 16, 2014 at 9:14 pm

Thank you Buz and I will have you on my new CBS gig!??

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hazel April 17, 2014 at 11:05 am

Yes, Kat. Haley is a one termer. You have a very bright political future if you stand firm and stay true to your convictions.

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br549 April 16, 2014 at 9:09 pm

Thank you Elizabeth and congrats to bro for CBS gig!??

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Nikki is in a pickle, or...... April 16, 2014 at 10:31 pm

We need a bikini mud wrestling match to settle the bad blood between Katrina and Nikki.

Let’s hold the match in Edisto and call it the “Plough Rumble Spectacular”.

We’ll sell tickets & pickles to the crowd to raise funds for abused kids in the SCDSS.

After the match the winner gets a jar of pickles, to do whatever she would like to with them.

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hazel April 17, 2014 at 11:48 am

Actually Katrina has a really nice figure. Nikki? Let’s just say some women just don’t need to seen in a bathing suit.

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hazel April 17, 2014 at 11:49 am

EDIT need to be seen.

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Deo Vindice SC April 17, 2014 at 5:50 pm

You are kinda right about that. Kat has skeeter bites, but I’ll take skeeter bites for 200. WW1 flying suit Nik pants are messy. Top it off with curry, I’m with Kat.

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Smirks April 17, 2014 at 7:05 am

and the voters are now getting to see that for sure.

Her approval rating begs to differ. They either don’t see jack shit because they are uninformed (and/or don’t care), or they forget.

She will win her reelection easily, as will Graham. SC never learns.

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Angry Voter April 17, 2014 at 11:17 am

Karen is right “vindictive Bitch”.
Fitz headline “Leading ladies”.
I would agree with Karen, Haley is a “BITCH”! I would never consider Haley a “Lady”!

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RogueElephant April 20, 2014 at 11:57 am

Katrina on the other hand richly deserves the title lady.

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miss suzanne April 17, 2014 at 11:46 am

Like a prostitute?

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up ours April 17, 2014 at 9:52 pm

What an abysmal administration!!

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James April 16, 2014 at 8:00 pm

Oh Mrs. Sealy you know Haley can be the only one right and in the spotlight. ..you are getting a taste of what she is really about…intimidation and fear.

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William Wallace April 16, 2014 at 8:12 pm

Amen James!

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I prayed she'd get better April 16, 2014 at 8:18 pm

Our governor is one of the most vindictive SOBs I have ever met. Don’t let the door hit yeah on the way out.

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Former Haley Supporter April 16, 2014 at 8:28 pm

I watched the hearing today. Everything Sic has said about Koller is correct. She is way over her head and a borderline psychopath. Thank you to Sens. Shealey and Lourie. Nikki lost my support a while ago but when she doubled down today behind Koller it clinched it for me. DSS, DOR, Unemployment, SLED…. this does not end until Nikki and company are run out of office.

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Cindy Thomas April 16, 2014 at 8:29 pm

Mrs. Shealy you should run against Haley you got my vote for standing up to the witch unlike the coward lawmakers we have in office.

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Slartibartfast April 16, 2014 at 9:12 pm

I love a good cat-fight, don’t you?

But the real story is the slush funds that both DSS and DDSN control – literally tens of millions of dollars. While the children are cared for directly by people earning pittances, people in management can ALL be found in the public state earnings online listings – look in the $75,000 – $200,000 category. I’m not jealous – I have plenty. I am furious that our tax money hires incompetents and soulless fools in our top-heavy bureaucracy. But you know who would suffer, if the legislature cut their budgets? Only the children and the direct care-givers.

But this story goes even deeper, involving big-business hospitals and billion dollar colleges, all of which would be worth it, if they gave good and honest service. But they don’t, and we would have to suffer, like toy sailboats before the storm of their false indignation, were we to criticize in a forum that matters.

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Circular Thought April 17, 2014 at 8:30 am

“But this story goes even deeper, involving big-business hospitals and billion dollar colleges, all of which would be worth it, if they gave good and honest service. But they don’t, and we would have to suffer, like toy sailboats before the storm of their false indignation, were we to criticize in a forum that matters.”

There is no incentive for them to provide good service. They have protected and/or monopoly markets granted to them by government.

The people generally speaking have no faith in free markets, but they complain and wonder why those enjoying monopoly and/or government funded ‘services’ don’t perform.

Instead of trying to think creatively about how we can use free markets to better lives(because most people simply don’t believe in free markets), they take people’s money after decrying impossibility(yes, there could be a free market for unwanted children even…but the thought horrifies people) and then get the results associated with any government run or protected monopoly and throw up their hands and say “there’s no other option” to justify it all.

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former staffer April 16, 2014 at 9:36 pm

Sen Shealy has to speak out. Leatherman has given her an ultimatum. Either she is helpful to him or she loses funding for a significant program in which she has interest.

Leatherman controls the Senate like a shepard does his flock. Shealy and Haley will make up. Shealy will get her money. Leatherman gets what he wants which is discord amongst those that he opposes.

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former senate employee April 17, 2014 at 3:50 am

Leatherman is not like a shepard! He and Peeler (Republican Majority Leader) rule with an iron fist! They are self consumed (like Haley) vindictive, controlling, egotist, like VLAD The IMPALER, tyrants and sociopaths…and Peeler the infamous skirt chaser (immoral and unethical)!

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anonymous April 17, 2014 at 8:51 am

All of these descriptions apply to Jean Toal also. Just sayin’.

So now all 3 branches of SC Government are covered.

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former Capitol Employee April 17, 2014 at 12:24 pm

You are correct! I had to work with all of these people , at one time.
If the voters knew the behind the behind the cloak room doors and office doors activities and discussions, 98% would be defeated!

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nitrat April 16, 2014 at 9:44 pm

Hey, Sic, did you like it today when Lillian was dumping all over the incompetence of her predecessors, Mark Sanford’s appointees?

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Smirks April 17, 2014 at 7:08 am

I’d have been surprised if she didn’t. It has to be someone else’s fault, just has to be! lol…

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rebellozit April 16, 2014 at 9:45 pm

What is the big deal? If you are jewish you do not believe Jesus Christ is our Lord and Saviour.If you are an atheist you do not believe Jesus Christ is our Lord and Saviour.
Koller apparently is either jewish or athiest? So what.Those attacking her mock the Christian faith and followers of that faith and have no standing.They disguise their hatred of Christianity by stating they are ‘fiscally’ conservative yet ‘socially’ liberal.RINOS’ whose only goal is to destroy what is left of the Falwell/Reagan ‘ Moral Majority’ in the Republican Party and people of faith in the Tea Party.
Go for it ‘Folks’. :-)

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Religious Vomit April 17, 2014 at 12:57 pm

Who gives a shit? Falwell and Raygun are dead as all fuck and the Moral Majority in America seems to be the one’s without a god.

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jimlewisowb April 16, 2014 at 10:04 pm

Oh boy, a big boy pissing contest between two Queens

Looks like maintenance is going to have to install a couple pink urinals over at the State House – one in the Governor’s wing and one in the Senate wing

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Hyperbolic Horseshit April 16, 2014 at 10:13 pm

Leading Ladies my ass. Shealey, a first term Senator from an urban, but backwater district, and Haley, a first term Governor from a backwater district in an urban setting. Neither of whom has a smidgeon of accumen nor aptitude.

Your hyperbole is nothing if not supremely absurd.

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beenthere April 16, 2014 at 10:38 pm

The rumors about Koller’s religious affiliation and sexual orientation have been rampant @ DSS since day 1 of her arrival. Who cares, but it looked like she was fishing for sympathy today in her opening remarks. What a conniving witch she must be. Thanks to Senators Lourie and Shealy for standing up to Koller and her goons. Unless I am losing my mind, anyone who watched to today clearly saw she was lying through her teeth and being intentionally vague in her answers. Over and over I heard, “Director Koller could you just answer yes or no”. She might have once I believe. The rest was numbers this and numbers that. Quote after quote from some book she read. Thank you Senator Shealy for pointing out that children and families “are not numbers, they are individual human beings”. Koller and Haley obviously don’t feel the same. Over 45 letters to one Senator from CURRENT DSS employees begging for their names not be used for fear of retaliation, but still pointing out Koller is lying and being deceptive to the Senate Committee! Koller denying the contents of these letters and all the complaints from these past years and indicating these people are lying? I think everyone knows who is lying, and that would be Koller and her managers @ DSS. Gov Haley, how can you let this go on because you think it will reflect poorly on you politically?

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RogueElephant April 16, 2014 at 11:00 pm

I don’t know this Koller woman and don’t really care either way. But I do know Katrina Shealy. One of the very few politicians I would trust. I started out in 08 supporting her because she was running against Jake the snake. When the fiasco of 2012 came along I had gained more respect for her. As she has proven to be the senator I hoped she would be I have come to the conclusion that she is in a league with Loftis and few others–Great politicians. So : If she says Koller needs to go, Koller needs to go. Haley hasn’t really impressed me but with the lack of viable opposition she will get my vote.

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Fed Up Republican April 17, 2014 at 3:45 am

That is the problem, you will vote for her although, “Haley hasn’t really impressed ” you!! Have you listened to Tom Ervin? Your vote for Haley, is one reason we end up with these incompetent, self serving idiots!
Please wake up and take off those rose colored glasses!
Haley needs to go!

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RogueElephant April 20, 2014 at 12:04 pm

Is Tom Ervin running in the primary ? He signed up then backed out then was to be on the ballot because he had paid the filing fee then he wanted off so he could run as a petition candidate. Not very conducive to a winning candidate. I need to know more but it ain’t looking good from here.

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ReElect. Nikki April 17, 2014 at 7:55 am

She will “get” your vote because she is the Republican and you vote Republican.Drop the “rogue” act.Ive seen your kind for years,all talk no action.When you get in that booth?Swish!Straight Republican,but they really dont “impress you.

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RogueElephant April 17, 2014 at 8:08 am

Ever hear of that thing called reality ?

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euwe max April 17, 2014 at 10:15 am

It’s a liberal hoax!

That’s what I heard,

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RogueElephant April 17, 2014 at 10:39 am

liberal hoax, Hmmmmmmmm redundant ?

Jack April 17, 2014 at 10:47 am

Hmmm, you mean in the same way honest Republican is an oxymoron.

euwe max April 17, 2014 at 12:32 pm

Today, being a Republican is shameful.

RogueElephant April 17, 2014 at 5:22 pm

I have been a proud Republican since 1964. Barry Goldwater stood in the Cow Palace and said:”Extremism in the cause of liberty is no vice, moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” I was 17 yrs. old then and I still believe it. The Republican creed and ten commandments has served me pretty well since then. You are referring to those who call themselves Republicans but act otherwise. They are RINOs and only bring shame to an otherwise great party. The pitty is there are so many of them who have let power and money over rule right and good. Look up the Republican creed and read it. You might not want to be a liberal-tarian any more.

euwe max April 17, 2014 at 5:58 pm

I have been a proud Republican since 1964. Barry Goldwater stood in the Cow Palace and said:”Extremism in the cause of liberty is no vice, moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” I was 17 yrs. old then and I still believe it. The Republican creed and ten commandments has served me pretty well since then.

——-
You don’t *seem* like a Republican… but I’ve seen you upvote Damned Tango… I’m conflicted.

RogueElephant April 18, 2014 at 8:25 am

I upvote statements I agree with. Isn’t that what the arrows are for ?

euwe max April 18, 2014 at 8:40 am

I’m not blaming you, or criticizing you… just observing the curious fact that you agree with Damned Tango.

Barry Goldwater April 18, 2014 at 12:41 pm

“There is no position on which people are so immovable as their religious beliefs. There is no more powerful ally one can claim in a debate than Jesus Christ, or God, or Allah, or whatever one calls this supreme being. But like any powerful weapon, the use of God’s name on one’s behalf should be used sparingly. The religious factions that are growing throughout our land are not using their religious clout with wisdom. They are trying to force government leaders into following their position 100 percent. If you disagree with these religious groups on a particular moral issue, they complain, they threaten you with a loss of money or votes or both. I’m frankly sick and tired of the political preachers across this country telling me as a citizen that if I want to be a moral person, I must believe in ‘A,’ ‘B,’ ‘C,’ and ‘D.’ Just who do they think they are? And from where do they presume to claim the right to dictate their moral beliefs to me? And I am even more angry as a legislator who must endure the threats of every religious group who thinks it has some God-granted right to control my vote on every roll call in the Senate. I am warning them today: I will fight them every step of the way if they try to dictate their moral convictions to all Americans in the name of ‘conservatism.’ “

RogueElephant April 17, 2014 at 8:07 am

#1 I don’t vote for Democrats, Philosophical difference. #2 A liberal-tarian will get >10% of the vote WHOOPTIE. The place to vote is the primary. Who is running against her in the primary ??? Do I think she is the best governor we could have ? NO. Do I think she is the governor we will get ? YES. Now, what was the question again ?

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GrandTango April 17, 2014 at 10:27 am

Your think like a majority of the voters in successful (or Conservative) districts and counties, but you have about 1% of the voice…because the media (FITS included) is so left-centric.

You offer Great (and true) commentary, as usual. That is not common, here or anywhere.

Shealy is one of the most ROCK SOLID leaders I’ve witnessed. She is in the class w/ Loftis (as you note) but he is a better communicator. He is also attacked more forcefully because he is a White Male.

Shealy took out a white-male democrat, and she has not done anything to make me think she is NOT a solid Conservative, who will do what she said, in the campaign.

She is also behind some of the changes in Lexington (Town.)

I’ve always believed you get rid of the democrats first, then wade through the Republicans, to purify the offices. Get rid of the RINOs. Knotts was a democrat, calling himself an “R”…But Lexington County Council has plenty of RINOS on it…we need to purge them, too.

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Deo Vindice SC April 17, 2014 at 6:20 pm

Splain it to me again, how you purify republicans and successful conservatives and come up with rock solid republicans(aka Nikki) and do what they say??? That one is from the Mitt handbook, right ?

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GrandTango April 18, 2014 at 12:21 pm

1 vote out RINOs to purify – see Lindsey Graham.

2 GOP districts are cradles of success. Corridor of Shame is all democrat.

3 Haley is OK..but not total Conervative. We could do better. But a D – as the option – makes her look like a great choice. Because D is such a failure.

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Lexington Voter April 17, 2014 at 9:55 pm

I’ve heard she is aligned with the Peelers. If this is true she will wither on the vine, just like Frazier, Halfacre, Owens, Myers, Metts!

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GrandTango April 18, 2014 at 10:49 am

As long as her actions are CONSERVATIVE ….it does not matter.

I brought up the Town because her influence shows a more Right direction.

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euwe max April 17, 2014 at 3:43 am

apparently, when they handed out balls in the south, they gave them all to the women.

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miss suzanne April 17, 2014 at 10:57 am

Another day…another enemy…right Nimrata?

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CharlesDikkens April 17, 2014 at 11:36 am

All of these women are crazy – imagine Carrol Campbell calling out a State Senator on his Facebook page for “spreading rumors,” and the State Senator then denying it by admitting it. “I did NOT spread a rumor – instead, I asked her staff about a rumor…” Classic. And a rumor about, wait… her religion???? WTF does that have to do with anything? Meanwhile DSS is a disaster and kids are dead and no one will take responsibility for anything. What a sad clown show.

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TheCoast April 17, 2014 at 12:00 pm

Could we please have an adult Governor? She puts a picture of herself in a bathrobe on Facebook because she locked herself out of the mansion – I can’t think of another SC Governor who would have thought that was appropriate. Now, she is fighting with Senator Shealy via Facebook. Wouldn’t a private phone call been more appropriate and more professional? Nikki Haley is an embarrassment to South Carolina and especially all the females who have succeeded without such childish antics.

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Joel April 17, 2014 at 11:52 am

Lillian does not make the Jews proud.

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swampland April 18, 2014 at 5:23 pm

FITS is fortunate to have the spokesperson for “the Jews” among his readers.

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Centrist View April 17, 2014 at 1:28 pm

Today….. a U.S. News & World Report write up.

Nikki Haley’s Embarrassing Facebook Fight
http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/jimmy-williams/2014/04/17/nikki-haleys-facebook-spat-is-embarrassing

Tomorrow…..Comedy Central

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gunj April 17, 2014 at 4:05 pm

Next Nimrata will threaten to slam her up against the wall. Mack daddy bully.

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major major April 17, 2014 at 1:41 pm

Lots of stupid on display here. First, being Jewish and being an atheist are not mutually exclusive. Second, who cares if she’s one, the other, or both? There’s plenty to criticize regarding Koller’s job performance without resorting to ethnic or religious smears.

Haley and Shealy both look petty, vindictive and immature.

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ravenhaired vixen April 17, 2014 at 2:02 pm

It doesn’t matter if Koller is Atheist, Jewish, a nudist, whatever. The religion card is petty. What matters is that she is incompetent and incapable of leading this Agency….and just maybe a little crazy.

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ReElect Nikki April 17, 2014 at 2:31 pm

Apparently, the poll showing Nikki cruising to reelection(15 points ahead of Sheheen) has upset Fits so much that he hasnt been able to do any new posts today.

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beenthere April 17, 2014 at 4:42 pm

Remember the last time Haley had a big lead, she almost blew it. This kind of negative publicity involving DSS and what is happening to children and families could end up costing her this big lead and her chance of being re-elected! Maybe her handlers will convince her to get rid of Koller and the other DSS managers before it is too late. If not, SC will be better off without Haley and Koller.

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Anon. April 17, 2014 at 4:47 pm

Nikki Haley is a bully. There I said it.

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Thomas April 18, 2014 at 8:57 am

Total lack of judgement by both. Fix it ladies, it is very ugly for both of you at this point in time. u-g-l-y

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oops April 18, 2014 at 10:19 am

Newsflash to Senator Shealy and Gov. Haley. Koller is an outspoken atheist and a lesbian. This is a well known fact to all who work @ DSS. Just the type of person who should be responsible for the well-being of abused/neglected children in SC ………..sickening! Koller has no moral compass whatsoever. Gov. Haley you are nothing but a disappointment to all citizens of SC.

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BlackMagic84 April 18, 2014 at 10:31 am

I see Haley bitch slapped Sister Shealy. Haley is keeping Sister Shealy in her place. No one up stages teflon Haley.

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swampland April 18, 2014 at 3:29 pm

Shealy was just curious as to whether Koller is an atheist or Jewish. Not that it matters to Shealy, who is definitely not a bigot. She just likes to keep with who is a non-Christian, you know, in a non-bigoted way. Anyone who thinks differently, especially atheists and Jews, owes her an apology.

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anti-Nikki conservative April 18, 2014 at 5:17 pm

It’s about time Katrina realized what a petty and vindictive person that Nikki is.

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