Thomas Ravenel

We all know the story of how a relatively squeaky clean, southern boy, Thomas Ravenel, now former treasurer, Republican, son of controversial Congressman Arthur Ravenel was indicted in June 2007 on federal cocaine charges with a current investigation in progress even as I write this. What you may not know is that I actually had the chance to talk to him by way of one of our local radio talk shows,The Rocky D Show a daily noon program. What did I ask him? "Why won't you or can't you reveal the others in your cocaine involvement?" Prior to being able to speak to him, I like many callers had the opportunity to hear others speak to him and had a chance to hear more of what he had to say about his drug involvement. He was complaining about how people don't like his name Ravenel and it makes him a target for criticism. Of course Rocky D was in very much agreeing with him. He even went as far as to say that people don't like Thomas Ravenel because in a "nut-shell" he's like his dad a good old Southerner with all its trappings. And me not from the South but now I feel I am fairly educated and informed by the so-called all things Confederate have no love lost for Mr. Thomas Ravenel. But before I move ahead let me go back to the question I asked him on the phone on Rocky D's show. Why hasn't he revealed the other "players" in his cocaine involvement? He claims it's because of a on-going investigation. Of course he has been sentenced to 10 months in prison. A light term if you ask me. Even if this was his first drug offense. The guy is a fake. He's an arrogant fake. His family was questioned numerous times about Mr. Ravenels cocaine and drug involvement. And basically they were not forthcoming. They lied and covered up for him. But of course. His dad former Congressman Arthur Ravenel owns a Confederate souvenir shop in Charleston South Carolina. A former Democrat and member of the Moultrie Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans and was "Pro" Confederate flag against its removal from the statehouse on July 1st 2000. Also Ravenel after he switched from the Democratic party to the Republican party in the early 1960's went on to lose 5 straight elections in his state. On top of that his mouth being the good old boy that he is lands him continually in "hot-water" with the NAACP, civil rights groups and even the organization for persons with Disabilities and Special Needs. He once, I am not sure if it was intentional or just because he's an old guy. Referred to the NAACP as the National Association for Retarded People. This could have been an accident we all know too well how the late Senator Strom Thurmond bumbled his speech and put South Carolina on the map many times in ridicule as he moved to centenary age. So maybe it was a mistake. But then with Confederate types and with Confederate stuff that happens in this state and in the South. The former politician may have been trying to get back at the NAACP which initially forced SC and the nation to consider seriously thinking about finally removing the Confederate flag off the statehouse dome. In fact if you recall even our sitting United States President, Bill Clinton and his Vice President Albert Gore asked the state legislature to have it removed. Because it did more harm then good in the state. Of course the NAACP launched a economic boycott which will stay in place until it is finally removed from the grounds near the Confederate soldiers memorial and put in a museum. With all that being said. It was a damnatory revelation when his son, 45 year old, businessman,Citadel graduate with an MBA and the SC Treasurer made news when he was indicted on federal cocaine charges. He was served while he was out dining with friends. The charges allege that he was involved with cocaine through an intermediary in Charleston and his name is public record and recently another intermediary was publicly revealed but he is on the lam according to reports he may be in his home country of Italy, leaving Ravenel and the other intermediary to take the heat and the prison time. Which brings me back to the question I asked him on the Rocky D show: Why doesn't he reveal the other people. Though many have been redacted off his official transcript to the feds he still knows who they are and I am sure he has biographical information on them. In fact me knowing how this place can be. I'll give you a couple of examples. We have a Lieutenant Governor who is a licensed Constable but who numerous times was charged with reckless driving even beyond what I (the writer) was charged with. What happened to him? Well he made SC and the people in it look like a bunch of dumb and ignorant hillbillies. Because our Justice Department and our law enforcement (Highway Patrol and other law enforcement) were not doing their job. And that basically our Lieutenant Governor was just a youngster that really had more time then sense. Secondly refer back to Thomas Ravenel. We have a current Judge Jean Toal who serves on the bench issuing out judgments but who numerous times has been involved in hit and run accidents. And this stupid and moronic southerner leaves the scene of the crimes and has the nerve to explain that she was not aware or did not see anything wrong with her actions. And I could go on and on perhaps in my next opinion installment on associated content. But to get back to why I don't believe that T-Rav ( a current moniker from the college and younger crowd) is going to "dime" out his fellow players in his cocaine involvemet. Number one I know he's scared. He even told me on the Rocky D show he doesn't know if it would take time off his sentence to reveal them and I don't think he cared. Number two in the back of mind according to a news article that was done on him in THE State paper (A news source in Columbia SC) some of the other people at the so-called cocaine parties may be prominent individuals or connected to prominent people in all types of white collar circles of socio-economic-political and business and so on. Only time will reveal. In the meanwhile we all await Thomas Ravenel's fate and I sure his dad does too.