# So the governor of South Carolina is MISSING? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 22, 2009, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655 "2009-06-22T22:30:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2009, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/21 "2009-06-23T22:46:47Z")
> [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](#): > > He has a brother and nephew that he doesn’t talk about much in the “used commodoties” business. With the recession, they’ve been having more business than they can stand, and he’s been helping to drive the truck. Last I saw John (my classmate), his business was basically Brand Smart for furniture and home supplies, selling overstocks, last years models, odd lots, canceled orders and the like. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Woo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7c8e57/32.png) [@Dr.Woo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Woo)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2009, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/22 "2009-06-23T22:53:31Z")
> [@TheMadHun](#): > > Two words: Face lift Or a secret abortion. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2009, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/23 "2009-06-23T23:01:58Z")
[This just in:](http://www.wyff4.com/news/19837234/detail.html) > [@](#): > > On Tuesday, sources told News 4’s Nigel Robertson that a state vehicle is missing and was tracked down, not to the Appalachian Trail, but to the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta. > > Sources told Robertson that a federal agent spotted Sanford in the airport boarding a plane. Robertson was told that the governor was not accompanied by security detail. ---
**Author:** ![Pyper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pyper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pyper)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/24 "2009-06-24T01:31:53Z")
It sounds to me as if he is attempting to flee some sort of criminal activity that hasn’t come to light yet, like embezzling or something of the sort. ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/25 "2009-06-24T01:49:37Z")
Reminds me of Dick Cheney. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/26 "2009-06-24T03:54:11Z")
:mad: Can’t a man go for a walk on the weekend without his boss constantly trying to get him on his cell?! ---
**Author:** ![Shot\_Clock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Shot\_Clock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_Clock)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/27 "2009-06-24T04:45:37Z")
> [@Pyper](#): > > It sounds to me as if he is attempting to flee some sort of criminal activity that hasn’t come to light yet, like embezzling or something of the sort. South Carolinian here. I’m afraid I gotta disagree on this assessment. Governor Sanford is many things: a carpetbagger, erratic, flaky, an enemy of public education, a cuckoo, nuttier than a damned fruitcake, and, worst of all, a _ **Floridian** _ \. But he’s not a thief or a dishonest public servant by any stretch of the imagination. The guy drives me crazy. His world view is shaped by the fact that he cannot, for the life of him, understand why everyone isn’t as rich as he is. To him, those who are not rich must be lazy. That said- as far as I can tell his ethics and moral principles are generally more sound than the average politician. He’s the last politician in the world I would expect to be committing any crimes or acts of moral turpitude. I don’t know what the hell he’s been doing the past few days, but I’m fairly certain its nothing criminal. He does have some 'splainin to do when he gets back, though. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/28 "2009-06-24T08:07:24Z")
> [@Shirley\_Ujest](#): > > Let’s hope it is something like writing his memoirs and everything is OK and he didn’t do a [Harold Holt.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Holt) The Harold Holt disappearance is one of those things that has always made me proud to be Australian. I mean, how many countries in the twentieth century could just _lose_ a Prime Minister? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/29 "2009-06-24T08:23:34Z")
> [@](#): > > I mean, how many countries in the twentieth century could just lose a Prime Minister? Sweden did. Sort of anyway. As far as I know, they still haven’t figured out who killed Olof Palme back in 1986. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 9:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/30 "2009-06-24T09:48:15Z")
Following the action at TPM, I’d noticed that they referred to Sanford’s spokespersons by the shorthand ‘Spox.’ Having never encountered this particular shorthand before, and being familiar with the use of ‘x’ as a shorthand for ‘cks’ (e.g. ‘sux’) in this age of texting and Twittter, I kept on reading it as ‘Spocks’ before having to correct myself. That led to thoughts of a world where Presidents, governors, legislators, etc. all had a few Vulcans on staff. “Governor, this bill you’re about to sign is extremely illogical.” I could deal with that. ---
**Author:** ![legalsnugs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@legalsnugs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/legalsnugs)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/31 "2009-06-24T12:50:54Z")
Well, apparently he took a short hop to [Buenos Aires](http://www.thestate.com/local/story/838823.html)!!! > [@](#): > > When asked why his staff said he was on the Appalachian Trail, Sanford replied, “I don’t know.” Although, to me, lots of his story still doesn’t ring true, but who knows? The rich are different. So maybe he can buy another Father’s Day with his four sons. ☹ Absolutely vile. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/32 "2009-06-24T12:55:24Z")
> [@legalsnugs](#): > > Although, to me, lots of his story still doesn’t ring true, but who knows? I’m not sure I buy it either. What a weird story: when they said he was hiking, I thought it was odd but not a particularly big deal. Since then it’s only gotten more confusing. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/33 "2009-06-24T13:14:56Z")
Yes, we all just hop down to Buenos Aires to “cruise along the coast” in a car. Riiiiiiight. Of course, who really cares what he was doing. The only issues here are two: First, why did his staff lie/obfuscate about the location (certainly they knew he wasn’t on the AT when they were talking to the media this week), and Second, why didn’t he make sure that someone else in the government knew what he was doing so that, in an emergency, everyone would know who to go to for authority? Putz. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/34 "2009-06-24T13:15:52Z")
Cue the Evita jokes… “Stand back, Buenos Aires! Because you ought to know what’cha gonna get in me Just a little touch of right-wing tool quality!” “Don’t cry for me, Carolina! You know I (almost) never left you…” ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/35 "2009-06-24T13:18:06Z")
He doesn’t know why his staff thought he was on the Appalachian Trail? Maybe it was the sleeping bag and camping gear in the state car that he apparently abandoned at Columbia, SC, airport? Of course the speculation is that he wasn’t on the Appalachian Trail, but rather on some Argentinian tail… ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/36 "2009-06-24T13:37:55Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Second, why didn’t he make sure that someone else in the government knew what he was doing so that, in an emergency, everyone would know who to go to for authority? Apparently even the Governor of South Carolina doesn’t think South Carolinians give a shit about what he’s doing. ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/37 "2009-06-24T13:52:18Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > The Harold Holt disappearance is one of those things that has always made me proud to be Australian. I mean, how many countries in the twentieth century could just _lose_ a Prime Minister? 🙂 “Must’ve been one great party, dude!” Something about that isn’t right… Australia… I got it! [crocodile dundee accent]“Must’ve been one great party, Strewth!”[/crocodile dundee accent] 😛 ---
**Author:** ![SanibelMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@SanibelMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanibelMan)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/38 "2009-06-24T14:17:40Z")
Are we sure his name isn’t really “Clinton Tyree”? Maybe he’ll end up subsisting off of grubs in the swamps. (Brownie points to anyone who gets the reference) ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/39 "2009-06-24T14:54:58Z")
> [@Shot\_Clock](#): > > The guy drives me crazy. His world view is shaped by the fact that he cannot, for the life of him, understand why everyone isn’t as rich as he is. Thank you for putting that so succinctly. It’s right on the money. I actually typed “right on the mark” and then I remembered his name and it was too bad to be an intentional pun and I couldn’t leave it in once I realized. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2009, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655/40 "2009-06-24T15:07:23Z")
> [@SanibelMan](#): > > Are we sure his name isn’t really “Clinton Tyree”? Maybe he’ll end up subsisting off of grubs in the swamps. > > (Brownie points to anyone who gets the reference) You think he went down there to tie himself to a bridge during a storm? That’s just weird… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-the-governor-of-south-carolina-is-missing/500655.md?page=3)