Ron Sparks: "Important to be Proactive & Protect the Citizens of Alabama"

This illustrates Ron's strongest suit as a progressive (4.00 / 2)

The conviction, demonstrated by his actions as commissioner, that government can work to help citizens help themselves. He has gone all over the world marketing Alabama food products, has gone all over Alabama to get Alabama produce into school lunches, and has tirelessly promoted Farmer's markets up and down the state.  He's also used what powers that he has to stop dangerous imported food, for people and animals.

And that doesn't even get into the biofuels efforts.

Ron has a great pragmatic record as Commissioner of Agriculture and Industry, that he ought to be able to expand upon in his campaign for Governor.

I think he can go bigger than casinos.

"The War in Iraq is not the disease. The War in Iraq is a symptom. Arrogance is the disease" - Bill Richardson

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by: herding old cats @ Sat Nov 21, 2009 at 21:35:56 PM CST

Yep. (4.00 / 1)

I was wondering why we're just hearing about his accomplishments at the Dept. of Agriculture and Industries now, 7 months into his campaign?  It's been gambling, lottery and casino, just about nonstop up to now.  This is where his campaign should have begun, I think.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 09:58:25 AM CST

[ Parent ]

There is a lot to criticize about his campaign... (0.00 / 0)

but running as the "institutional experience" candidate against the "fundamental change" candidate did not work out so well last go round.  He has made a lot of goofy moves, but he has made sure that people understand know where he stands on at least one major issue.

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by: bluebearcat @ Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 11:46:39 AM CST

[ Parent ]

True (4.00 / 1)

The other part of that was that Obama surrounded himself with more capable people than did Clinton -- the decision to sink $4 million into the advice of consultant Mark Penn, and then follow the bad advice, probably hurt her a lot more than the experience meme.  And her "institutional experience" was sometimes a stretch -- remember the Bosnia fiasco?  We may be seeing some of the staff differences here too, and Sparks needs to be careful not to get caught in embarrassing gaffes, but he has real experience in Alabama government and I think he could make a more convincing case on his record than he can on gambling, especially as he still has no plan B if the gambling proposals fail.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 12:24:56 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Well, I'm really confused now. (0.00 / 0)

After all the vile characterizations of Sparks, I’ve read on this blog, I’m seeing someone here who looks and sounds like a big pussycat as he talks about  companion animals and emergency care for poultry during a hurricane. 

As I was not actually there (and as a transplant, Southern dialect is still a challenge to me) I would be interested in hearing if you thought this is some kind of calculated attempt to play to pet owners, people in animal rescue, etc. or if this was some window on who Sparks really is. I’ve certainly never heard a politician go on about such things – even referring to people’s love of their pets as “their children.”

"When you talk about the law discriminating, the law granting a privilege here, and a right here and denying it there, that's a civil rights issue. And I can't take that away from anybody." - Rev. Joseph Lowery

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by: rudyinbama @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 02:10:09 AM CST

Rudy, when I've criticized Sparks (4.00 / 1)

and when I've applauded Sparks on this blog, it's always been on issues.  And I think you'll find that to be true with all the front pagers and most regular commentors.

I've given Sparks kudos for his work on Broadband, improving rural schools, work to help farmers, and now this work at the Ag Department.

And I've kicked him around a bit on issues as well.  Like his opposition to making cock fighting a felony, the flip flop on unemployment benefits extensions, dithering on abortion, and the constant focus on gambling as the way out of our state's financial crisis.

btw... I've both praised and kicked Artur Davis around as well.

Now, we do have drop-in commentors who generally only respond to Davis and Sparks posts and diaries.  They're coming in with an agenda for or against one candidate or the other and it shows in their comments and attitude towards others on the blog.

That happens in primaries though.  We had a bit of that during 2008 between Obama, Clinton, Edwards, and Kucinich supporters.

And in the end we all came together for the general.  just like I expect we'll do next year.

As for Sparks "pets are like children" comment.  Well, maybe he has animals. As Agriculture Commissioner, he's certainly been around enough.  Also, maybe he's saavy enough to know that stressing that position to the "cat ladies" at LIA was guaranteed to draw a smile from us and from most animal-lovers at the blog too.

I'm not short.  I'm fun size!!

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by: countrycat @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 08:22:40 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Coming together as one (0.00 / 0)

It should have been easy for Clinton and Obama supporters to come together as their differences were mainly ones of style, generation and symbolism.  

It is near impossible to imagine myself supporting Davis given his record on social issues – unless, of course, Roy Moore or one of the other Republican theocratic bigots was the only alternative. True, there’s always the possibility that Sparks may reveal himself as bad for women and gays as Davis, but so far, he’s had the good sense to say nothing. 

 

As Cynthia Stewart has shown, times are changing – even in Alabama, and it's not acceptable to be asked to come together as one by a candidate who's left you out in the cold.

 

 

"When you talk about the law discriminating, the law granting a privilege here, and a right here and denying it there, that's a civil rights issue. And I can't take that away from anybody." - Rev. Joseph Lowery

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by: rudyinbama @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 14:20:59 PM CST

[ Parent ]

"Vile characterizations?" (0.00 / 0)

Show me, please.  You sound like Dale Jackson last time he interviewed Sparks:

Dale: What is your relationship with the liberal blog Left in Alabama?

Ron Sparks: It's pretty obvious if you read it, I don't have a very good  ... You know at one point in time ... I was the best thing since sliced bread ... I don't know what I've done to the Left in Alabama, to be honest with you.

Dale: They're the ones that I see talking ... and they're a pretty powerful group in Democratic circles.  They've turned on you pretty big and they're the one's that are constantly implying that you're saying racial things about how he can't win ... They've said some pretty troubling things racially ...

Show me these vile characterizations, please, so we can see what is troubling about them. 

 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:22:42 AM CST

[ Parent ]

That was a vile characterization mooncat, (0.00 / 0)

to say rudyinbama sounded like radio boy is a vile characterization. :)

Ok, tiptoeing on back up to the attic now.....

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

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by: Redeye @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:49:03 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I rarely listen to radio (0.00 / 0)

But I'd definitely agree with that. There are indeed certain people here whose posts 90 percent attitude and character assassination. Davis and Sparks can say practically the same thing, but there is always some reason to beat up on Sparks for saying it. I’m sure you’ve read these posts, that you know who I’m talking about, and obviously, according to the blurb you’ve chosen, Sparks has read them as well. 

As those persons are more interested in being belligerent than in making sense, I no longer respond to them, and I certainly will not do them the favor of quoting them to make my point.

 

"When you talk about the law discriminating, the law granting a privilege here, and a right here and denying it there, that's a civil rights issue. And I can't take that away from anybody." - Rev. Joseph Lowery

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by: rudyinbama @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 13:28:30 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I'm just as uninformed as before (4.00 / 1)

I don't actually read everything written on this blog -- there's just too much -- but I have read a lot of criticism of both candidates.  I'm hard pressed to recall anything that would rise to the level of vile about Sparks.

Personally, I would like to see more interest in calling out some of the Republican candidates for their wacky ideas -- Tim James' objections to subpoena power for the Ethics Commission, Robert Bentley's hopefully stillborn abortion legislation, and so forth.  Goodness knows there's plenty of material out there, but very little interest in taking it up and running with it.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 14:22:23 PM CST

[ Parent ]

sparks as gov (4.00 / 1)

ron sparks has qualities that attract democrats -- he has made speeches vilifying Republican use of the word "liberal" as a negative, and he has defied the right wingers by creating markets for Alabama farm products in Cuba.

Gambling is his major issue -- everyone who has thought about it knows it's the lousy way to raise state revenue but if we dont tax and regulate it in alabama the money is going to surrounding states. 

 charter schools -- if he's done the least research on it, he has to know well run charter schools are good, not bad, but it may make him more votes than it loses him to ridicule them, so he's against charter schools along with AEA. Well, if you go along with AEA on charter schools for the campaign funding support and the hope that educators will line up for you, what else do you knuckle under for, and to whom?

ALFA is a giant insurance industry that will continue to want to protect its profitibility (no more individual stockholders -- it bought all of us out) legislatively.

But it also wants to see legislation enacted sheilding from lawsuits the industrial hog operations that are making areas of Alabama unliveable for its neighbors, and dangerous for all of us. A family may have a contract to run the "factory" raising hogs, so ALFA likes to call them family farms, but they're hog meat factories, plain and simple. will sparks call them what they are and act as governor to protect us, not the giant corporations that really own the operations? 

Will sparks call out enemies of constitutional reform, will he call out the Chambers of commerce and the Alabama Business Council -- the defeaters of Democratic policy and objectives? 

We can and do disagree with positions and votes by Rep. Artur Davis, but Davis has campaigned so far on the issues themselves -- saying why he voted a certain way and took a certain position. Sparks campaign so far has been more attack, attack attack and try to demean and ridicule Davis.

Davis is campaigning with an attitude that says the governor's office is a high office and campaigning for it deserves a dignified debate. Sparks' press release tirades dont have class, and demean him.  

 

 

 

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by: ivan @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 07:44:28 AM CST

I think Sparks is a better candidate (0.00 / 0)

than his campaign shows.  Sorry, I don't know a better way to say that.

His campaign during the summer and early fall was just dreadful and some of the back and forth between the campaigns was childish as well.

Hopefully, we're getting to a phase where we hear more about issues and policy.  We've seen both candidates up close and personal; now it's time to learn what they stand for and how strongly they'll fight for their agendas.

I'm not short.  I'm fun size!!

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by: countrycat @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 08:26:01 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I think you probably right, but the luster-free campaign so far does matter (4.00 / 1)

Based on past history, Sparks should have been a better candidate than he has been.  By that I mean that he should have run a better campaign than he has.  As Ivan said, the governor is a high office and deserves a more dignified and substantive campaign than we have seen from Sparks, at least based on the written material coming out of his campaign.  Now, when you get the candidate in person, he's considerably better than the wild spin in his press releases, but I assume the press releases also bear his seal of approval.  It's confusing as hell to figure out who Sparks really is in this race.

And the kind of campaign he runs isn't irrelevant to what kind of governor he will be or whether he can successfully implement his agenda.  Both Don Siegelman and Bob Riley had to launch campaigns to enact major pieces of their agenda shortly after they took office -- the education lottery for Siegelman and Amendment One tax reform for Riley.  Both were defeated and that hamstrung both administrations.  Riley was able to recover in his second term, but the lottery loss probably cost Siegelman the election in 2002.  In the case of Amendment One, there is fairly broad agreement that strategic errors contributed to that defeat (underestimated opposition and asked for too much) and I've heard some similar complaints about the education lottery having to do with the structure of the legislation. 

My point in all this is that our next governor will certainly have to do the same thing -- launch a campaign to have some major piece of his platform enacted.  With Sparks it is gambling and with Davis it is reform.  They will have to hit the ground running and run a strong effort from day one or their proposals will also go down in flames.  Sparks may finally be about to hit his stride in the governor's race, but we're halfway to the primary.  He's fiddled around for 7 months.  He can't afford to do that as governor.  Davis has run a competent, consistent campaign from day one.  That is -- no getting around it -- a point in his favor, and one that gets harder for Sparks to overcome as time goes by.

 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:57:40 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Absolutely Ivan (0.00 / 0)

Too little too late Sparks, we know who you are both in public and private.  He has no real position on issues and it shows.  I thank Mooncat for spending time with him and attempting to help this guy out but he is a shallow as a puddle.

He will not make a move without checking in with his masters at ALFA and his position on charter schools reflect a simplistic understanding of AEA leadership bullet points.  Are they a curea llf or the disasterous education system in this state, no but real discussion shold occur.  What does Alabama have to lose being near the bottom anyway? As the son of two AEA members a revolt is in progress if AEA hitches its wagon to Sparks.

June 2010 is near.

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by: Takenoprisoners @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 08:31:25 AM CST

[ Parent ]

hold on.... (4.00 / 1)

I thank Mooncat for spending time with him and attempting to help this guy

This wasn't a pity interview.  We'd been after Sparks for months to sit down with us because this is a Democratic blog and a lot of people here are either already supporting Sparks for governor or interested in learning more about his campaign.

We're trying to arrange interviews with all the Democratic candidates for statewide office. 

Especially in the lower-tier races, it's hard for candidates to raise a lot of money and get publicity.  We want to help them get their message out to the public.

I'm not short.  I'm fun size!!

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by: countrycat @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 08:38:01 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Countrycat was there, too (4.00 / 1)

And we aren't doing interviews to help Sparks or other candidates, but to help our readers make informed decisions.  Believe me, we're chasing the hope of better government, not trying to be political groupies here.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 11:04:23 AM CST

[ Parent ]

No Disrespect Mooncat (4.00 / 1)

I thank you for being fair and your honesty and directness will be a big help to Davis against the Repug challenger in 2010.  Keep his feet to the fire like you do and he will be the greatest Dem Gov in the history of Alabama. 

I appreciate your work and your style.  I wish others that post were as intellectually honest.  Bravo

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by: Takenoprisoners @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 16:31:36 PM CST

[ Parent ]

With all due respect my friend Ivan, (0.00 / 0)

The only "issues" Davis has "campaigned on" are constitution and ethics reform,  the later which is laughable after his vote against health care reform for political gain, but I digress.   Constitution reform, ethics reform and the PACT debacle are noble issues, but they are middle class issues.  They are not resonating with voters people who don't have access to affordable quality health care.  They are not resonating with the voters who have to send their students to under achieving, under funded public schools (more on this later).  They aren't resonating with voters who can't afford groceries much less a PACT plan.  One thing I can say about Ron Sparks he is talking about "kitchen table issues", and I've never doubted or questioned his democratic values or his progressive principles.

That said, Ron Sparks is not perfect.  I still don't understand why he refused to run against Vivian Figures in the democratic senatorial primary. I firmly believe he would be sitting in the United States Senate today instead of Jefferson Beaureguard Sessions III.   There was also the will he/won't he, on again/off again, guessing game regarding his run for Governor I didn't like.  However, once he was in the race, he has picked up some notable endorsement from liberals/progressives and organizations I respect.  He may have been slow out of the barn, but I believe he's running a competitive race.

Congressman Artur Davis was the featured speaker last night at the Funset Social and Charity Club's 26th annual Beautillian Ball at the Von Braun Civic Center.   The large audience (not sure how many the North Hall seats but it was full) consisted of the  Huntsville/Madison County African American middle to upper middle class. Since there was no media present (I wonder why?), I'll give a synoposis of what I can recall :

He told the 35 young African American men (Beaux) who were introduced to Society he felt sure he was looking at future NFL General Managers, Fortune 500 Companies CEO's, President of the United States and the second African American Governor of the state of Alabama (this drew a few chuckles).  He told the young men to remember their fellow Beaux and it was their obligation to reach back and bring bring the young men who weren't fortunate enough to be a part of this event into the fold. 

He told the 35 young African American Women (Belles) he was looking at the future Hillary Clinton.  Huh?

He told the audience the next time they see or hear the media say black parents weren't involved, or black folks couldn't be successful to think about the people who were in the room tonight. Blah, blah, bab, bab.

His lovely wife Tara Davis was introduced as well as a campaign staffer ( don't recall his name).  The audicence response was polite, but subdued.  Other than the elected officals (Councilmen Showers and Culver, Judge Sybil Cleveland), and the Funset Social and Charity Club Officiers, I didn't see a ground swell of people breaking their necks trying to touch his coat, I mean talk to him. :)

I'm sure there are some "good charter schools", that's not the issue.  The issue is charters schools will benefit the fortunate few and leave the masses behind.  Sparks has indicated he's not opposed to Charter Schools IF something is done to make sure those who can't attend Charter Schools have equal access to a quality education.  And for the record, I support the members and leadership Alabama Education Association 100%.  I'd rather have a candidate/elected official who has their support as not.

Both candidates and their supporters (Davis supporters more so IMHO) are in attack mode, but I say that's politics.  As my Daddy says, if you can't run with the big dogs then stay your Donkey on the porch. :)

  

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

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by: Redeye @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 10:35:15 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Systemic issues (4.00 / 1)

The only "issues" Davis has "campaigned on" are constitution and ethics reform,  the later which is laughable after his vote against health care reform for political gain, but I digress.

 Do you view everything through the prism of that vote?  Are you suggesting that Congressman Davis was bought by the insurance industry?  Ethics reform is not dealing with that vote--it is dealing with the fact that Alabama is up with Louisiana in the amount of political corruption occuring in the state.  It is an essential issue, and any candidate running for Governor of Alabama in 2010 needs a substantial plan for ethics reform (especially as a Democrat).

Constitution reform, ethics reform and the PACT debacle are noble issues, but they are middle class issues.  They are not resonating with voters people who don't have access to affordable quality health care.  They are not resonating with the voters who have to send their students to under achieving, under funded public schools (more on this later).  They aren't resonating with voters who can't afford groceries much less a PACT plan.  One thing I can say about Ron Sparks he is talking about "kitchen table issues", and I've never doubted or questioned his democratic values or his progressive principles. 

No, Constitutional reform on the surface is a kitchen table issue.  However, dig deeper.  As I have posted numerous times on here, this is a SYSTEMIC issue.  Why do we not fund schools at fair amount in this state.  In 1901, the Big Mule-Black Belt alliance decided on state constitution that kept taxes low, and the powers that be have fought off any attempt to address this.  Health care--again, state funding issues affect this.  The way Davis is speakin on this issue, he is connecting the dots.  He is pointing out the fact that at the core, this document contines to hinder our state, holding it behind.  Do we want to have these same problems 25 years into the future?  Or do we have the courage to address the systemic problems now, allowing for us to benefit all citizens now? 

 

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by: csduke @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 13:15:45 PM CST

[ Parent ]

No csduke (0.00 / 0)

I don't view everything through the prism of that one vote.  It's a whole bunch of stuff.  His voting against affordable health care reform was the  straw that broke the camels back.  I know ethics refrom is not dealing with that one vote, but I do believe it was unethical of him to vote against the interest of his constituents and to pander to the right at their expense for his own political gain.  And no, I'm not suggesting Congressman Davis is  bought by the insurance company.  Those are your words, not mine.  Project much?

Davis may well be connecting the Constitution reform dots for you, but his constituents in Perry County have  much larger problems.  Davis may be connecting the reform dots for you but his constitutents who don't have access to affordable health care are praying they don't get sick and die.

Davis isn't the only one pointing out the  the fact that at the core this document continues to hinder our state.  And he's not the only one who can point out this document continues to hinder our state.  IMHO whomever is governor is going to have to deal with the constitution reform movement.  Plus that what good is a new constitution and ethics reform if you get sick and die because you don't  have have access to quality, affordable health care? 

I'm just saying....

 

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

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by: Redeye @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 22:32:00 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Constitution Reform (4.00 / 3)

If the large timber tracts in Perry County were taxed at a more nearly fair rate, the local government wouldn't be so desperate for revenue that they would welcome income from the hazardous waste dump.  And if the landowners had to pay more property tax, the might find something more profitable to do with all those thousands of acres, something that might employ more people than acres of trees do.  It all goes back to the 1901 Constitution.

And if anyone else running for governor is talking about dealing with constitution reform -- other than shoving it under a rock -- I haven't heard it.  It's possible to focus so much on the individual problems, like the uninsured, that you ignore the root causes.  And if you don't fix those, the individual problems aren't likely to respond to patches either.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 22:45:56 PM CST

[ Parent ]

You honestly believe that Davis... (4.00 / 1)

can a) get a bill through the Alabama Legislature calling for a new Constitutional Convention with the power to allow for future tax increases, b) convince the majority of Alabamians to vote for said document allowing for future tax increases, and c) push those tax increases themselves through the Alabama legislature once the new Constitution is in place.

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by: bluebearcat @ Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 11:56:46 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I believe some governor has to or the state will be ungovernable (4.00 / 2)

Davis is willing to take up the challenge.  As long as we are convinced these things can't happen, they damned sure won't.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 12:14:22 PM CST

[ Parent ]

What does that mean? (4.00 / 1)

The large audience (not sure how many the North Hall seats but it was full) consisted of the  Huntsville/Madison County African American middle to upper middle class. Since there was no media present (I wonder why?),

 

Is there normally media coverage?  Are you suggesting that Davis' people kept the media out?  Or that the media shunned the event for some reason?

It sounds like the kind of event where we'll see photos on Tuesday or Wednesda in the HSV Times society section (or whatever they call it now).

Was it intended to be a news conference or some other event where TV and print reporters would attend?

I'm not short.  I'm fun size!!

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by: countrycat @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 15:53:42 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Usual Propaganda form the same poster (0.00 / 0)

I talked to a family member at this event.  The Congressman arrived a few minutes late after the event started and unfortunately the program went on and on so people were probably both hungry and tired.  What Redeye conviently failed to mention was that the Congressman's talk was inturruped numerous times due to applause from the audience.  He left just prior to dinner and didn't have the chance to mingle with the crowd.  He even mentioned he would be brief so that dinner could start.  Mmmm, thoughtful about his audience.  Since you say you were there Redeye, even you shold have appreciated that gesture. 

This was an annual event and not sure why the press would attend.  Davis continues to exhibit class and decorum by not having to beg cameras to be present like Sparks.  My contacts in the media say he calls constantly to try to engineer coverage but his topics are of no interest and his operation is weak.

Redeye, if you are going to paint a negative picture at least use the right colors.  I heard the Congressman would be in attendance and since I could not attend I had other people in the audience give a me an accurate summary.  The message last night was on point and could not be given by anyone other than Davis and certainly not Sparks.

Every time you attempt to lie or stretch the truth in this forum you will be challenged. 

June 2010

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by: Takenoprisoners @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 16:26:56 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I don't recall the Congressmans talk being interrupted several times (4.00 / 1)

by applause.  I do recall there being applause when he referred to President Barack Obama's election.  I stand by my characterzation the applause was polite but subdued. 

I thought I said Artur Davis left right after his speech?  And yes he did say his remarks would be brief since we hadn't eaten yet.  And yes I appreciated that his remarks were brief. :)

takenoprisoners, you say your contacts in the media say Sparks calls constantly to to engineer coverage but his topics are of no interest and his operation is weak and you say If I'm going to paint a negative picture at least use the right colors?  LOL!

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

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by: Redeye @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 22:50:13 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Etu countrycat? (2.50 / 2)

No I'm not suggesting Davis kept the  media out.  Those are your words not mine. I wondered why there was no media coverage of a sitting United States Congressman and Alabama Gubernatorial Candidate addressing a large group of African American voters.  That's  what I was wondering.  Now I'm wondering why you thought I was suggesting Davis kept the media out.  Why would Davis keep the media out?  Politicians love publicity, especially postive publicity.  Now I'm really wondering why there was no media present......

Hmmm....

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

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by: Redeye @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 22:39:08 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Innuendo again ... (4.00 / 2)

I'm tired of it.  Do you have anything positive to say about anyone or anything?  If so, please say it here because the constant snarking, sniping and insinuation of wrongdoing is tiresome in the extreme, and a complete waste of energy.

Tell us something positive and leave your negative energy somewhere else -- it doesn't empower us, it holds us back.

 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 22:51:36 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Are you talking to me? (0.00 / 0)

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

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by: Redeye @ Sun Nov 22, 2009 at 23:04:21 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Yes, I'm talking to you n/t (0.00 / 0)

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 08:54:24 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I don't know what you're talking about . :) (0.00 / 0)

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

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by: Redeye @ Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 09:34:47 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Really? I thought my comment was quite clear ... n/t (0.00 / 0)

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 12:01:07 PM CST

[ Parent ]

It's a social event (0.00 / 0)

Why would the media not attend?  The event is a social event.  It is one that will be covered by a society reporter, not the news media.  In that context, Davis was not addressing a larger group of African-American voters; he was addressing a large group of African-Americans there to honor their sons and daughters (whom the focus of the night should be upon, not the guest speaker).  And I wasn't there, but I'd imagine Davis's speech had very little to do with his campaign and more to do with recognizing and encouraging the next generation of leaders in our community.

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by: csduke @ Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 07:11:15 AM CST

[ Parent ]

You're right csduke (0.00 / 0)

The media doesn't attend and report on social events when elected officials and candidates are the keynote speaker.  And you're correct Davis did recognize and enourage the next generation of leaders in our community.

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

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by: Redeye @ Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 09:38:35 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Why not contact the organizers and ASK if the media was invited? (4.00 / 1)

They should know why or why not.  Or have some knowledge about why they didn't show if media guys were invited.

That would end the speculation.

I just remembered this other data point that I think is germane.

Davis spoke at a local church's scholarship banquet in New Market a few weeks ago.  It was less than 5 miles from my house but I only knew about it because I saw a little announcement in the Times religion section on the day it was scheduled. 

When Mooncat and I saw one of Davis' staffers at the PACT board meeting in Montgomery, I asked her why they didn't let us know or publicize it.  She said that they normally don't when it's a church function or a private/charity-type group because those organizaitons have a different agenda and they usually invite the Congressman to speak on topics other than his personal political aspirations.

Having the media (even bloggers) there could take away from the organization's message and make it more of a political event.

It could be that was why the media wasn't at this weekend's event.  I don't know, but the info we got from Davis' staff about the previous event is factual, not speculative.

 

I'm not short.  I'm fun size!!

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by: countrycat @ Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 11:13:33 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Actually countrycat (0.00 / 0)

Davis had to cancel speaking at the New Hope Baptist Churches annual scholarship banquet because he had to get back to Washington to vote against the affordable health care reform bill. 

The organizers advertised Artur Davis would be the keynote speaker at the 26th annual Funset Social and Charity Club Beautillian Ball prior to the event, just like the organizers at New Hope Bapstist Church adversited Davis would speak at their annual scholarship banquet.

And God forbid the media we have, or pesky bloggers, take away from the *ahem* organization's messeage by reporting what a public official does or says at "private" events.  :)

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

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by: Redeye @ Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 11:33:30 AM CST

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PS (0.00 / 0)

Artur Davis was introduced as the sitting Unted States Congressman from Alabama's 7th Congressional District and a current gubernatorial candidate and hopefully Alabama's future governor.  Davis told the young men, one of them would be elected the second African American governor of Alabama.  But that's not political or related to his campaign?

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

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by: Redeye @ Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 11:41:07 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Correction (0.00 / 0)

It's Hopewell Missionary Baptist church not New Hope Baptist church.

 

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

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by: Redeye @ Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 11:56:18 AM CST

[ Parent ]

But that doesn't address the substance of my comment. (4.00 / 1)

Do you know if the media was invited to the event this past weekend?

If not, why?  Was it because Davis' people vetoed it?  If so, why?  If not, quit insuinating they did and that there's  something to hide when Davis speaks at #$% PUBLIC events.

If the media was invited, do the organizers know why they didn't appear?

And if the Davis campaign doesn't publicize private events, there's nothing to prevent the groups themselves from doing just that - as the church did. 

My point was pretty clear - I thought anyway: that the campaign distinguishes between campaign events and events for other groups and causes when publicizing campaign events through press releases and the Web site.

But please, feel free to continue to make it all about your dislike for Davis.  

I'm done here because this discussion long ago became reality-free zone.

I'm not short.  I'm fun size!!

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by: countrycat @ Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 12:16:00 PM CST

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Counting down for Redeye to get in the last word (0.00 / 0)

10, 9, 8, ...

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 12:26:54 PM CST

[ Parent ]

LOL! You got to "8" (4.00 / 1)

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by: Gayla @ Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 14:21:38 PM CST

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I didn't know the media had to be specifcally invited (0.00 / 0)

to events where public officials were going to address the public.

Again, I'm not insinuating the Davis people vetoed the media being there.  I was simply wondering why the media we have didn't cover a postive event iwhere Davis was the keynote speaker, much the same way you wondered why the Davis camp didn't send out a press release about his speaking at Hopewell Baptist Chruch's annual scholarship banquet.

Davis spoke at a local church's scholarship banquet in New Market a few weeks ago.  It was less than 5 miles from my house but I only knew about it because I saw a little announcement in the Times religion section on the day it was scheduled. 

When Mooncat and I saw one of Davis' staffers at the PACT board meeting in Montgomery, I asked her why they didn't let us know or publicize it.

This is not about Davis, it's about the media we have not covering postive events in the African American community.

Again, I do not dislake Davis personally.  He's a fine young man.  I do dislike his vote against the affordable health care reform bill, the Hate Crimes bill and his position on displaying the confederate flag in Auburn, Rev. Jerimiah Wright speaking in Selma and the Azeala Trail Maids being Alabamas only official representative in the inaugeral parade.

I'm able to seperate my personal feelings about Davis the person and my personal objection to what he does in his capacity as a duly elected public official.

The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

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by: Redeye @ Mon Nov 23, 2009 at 13:11:48 PM CST

[ Parent ]