Left In Alabama - Recent Comments

Worley is speaking Tuesday in Birmingham at the Over the Mountain Democrats

Roy — Sat, 18 May 2013 23:53:51 GMT

Someone needs to ask her some hard questions:

1. What is her plan to pay off the $400,000 debt facing the party?

2. Why does live in Montgomery, yet is elected to represent a district in North Alabama?

3. Why do the SDEC Bylaws define "minority" for purposes of SDEC representation as ONLY black folks, but does include Hispanic or any other minority?

4 Would she support a change in the Bylaws that would include a more expansive definition of "minority" (consistent with national Democratic Party rules)?

5. Why does she continue to publicly claim that Judge Kennedy stole things from party HQ, but refuses to provide a list of what she claims is missing?

6. How can she justify attacking Miranda Joseph?

Whoops

BamaRainbow — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:56:08 GMT

When I posted the above, those 1s all showed the correct numbers from the FTC FAQ page. The numbers should actually read 28-31 in order.

You don't understand the law, then

BamaRainbow — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:54:23 GMT

From the FTC's own FAQs page for consumers regarding the Do Not Call registry (http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0108-national-do-not-call-registry)

If I register my number on the National Do Not Call Registry, will it stop all telemarketing calls?

No. Placing your number on the National Do Not Call Registry will stop most telemarketing calls, but not all. Because of limitations in the jurisdiction of the FTC and FCC, calls from or on behalf of political organizations, charities, and telephone surveyors would still be permitted, as would calls from companies with which you have an existing business relationship, or those to whom you’ve provided express agreement in writing to receive their calls. However, if you ask a company with which you have an existing business relationship to place your number on its own do-not-call list, it must honor your request. You should keep a record of the date you make the request.

Are calls from political organizations or calls soliciting for charities covered?

Political solicitations are not covered by the TSR at all, since they are not included in its definition of “telemarketing.” Charities are not covered by the requirements of the national registry. However, if a third-party telemarketer is calling on behalf of a charity, a consumer may ask not to receive any more calls from, or on behalf of, that specific charity. If a third-party telemarketer calls again on behalf of that charity, the telemarketer may be subject to a fine of up to $16,000 .

What about telephone surveys?

If the call is really for the sole purpose of conducting a survey, it is not covered. Only telemarketing calls are covered — that is, calls that solicit sales of goods or services. Callers purporting to take a survey, but also offering to sell goods or services, must comply with the National Do Not Call Registry.

My number is on the National Do Not Call Registry. After I bought something from a company, a telemarketer representing that organization called me. Is this a violation?

No. By purchasing something from the company, you established a business relationship with the company. As a result, even if you put your number on the National Do Not Call Registry, that company may call you for up to 18 months after your last purchase or delivery from it, or your last payment to it, unless you ask the company not to call again. In that case, the company must honor your request not to call. If they subsequently call you again, they may be subject to a fine of up to $16,000 .

An established business relationship with a company also will be created if you make an inquiry to the company, or submit an application to it. This kind of established business relationship exists for three months after the inquiry or application. During this time, the company can call you.

If you make a specific request to that company not to call you, however, then the company may not call you, even if you have an established business relationship with that company. You should keep a record of the date you make the request.

---------------------

This has been the way the law has worked since inception. It was specifically written to cover ONLY "telemarketing" (largely because political groups and charitable organizations specifically requested the exemptions). There are, however, supposed to be rules governing what hours political and charity calls can be made that fall in line with the telemarketing regulations. Basically, if a political group calls you with their pitch for their candidate or slate of candidates, your only real options are (1) not answer an unknown phone number or (2) hang up after the pitch begins. As long as they're not in violation of any other specific aspect of the law regarding "Do Not Call" (such as selling you a product--I'm not sure about the legality regarding soliciting donations), your threat to report them will have no effect--especially since I'd be willing to bet that these groups provide their callers with a specific set of guidelines as to what is and what isn't legal.

Also, in the wake of Citizens United, we've seen a massive explosion in groups (mostly right-wing) applying for tax-exempt status which would allow them to be exempted from the "Do Not Call" registry--one of the little things that hasn't been discussed in the wake of the IRS "scandal" regarding all those teabagging, (un)patriot, and liberty (for the "right" people only) groups.

I feel your pain regarding telemarketers but, unfortunately, the FTC doesn't count political groups or charities as such. If you want that changed, you have to go through Congress to get them to change the law. I'd be wary of that though. We're liable to get the law overturned completely, given the GOPers controlling the House and Obama's weakness when dealing with them.

Hoo ha!

Doggone — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:55:11 GMT

That's a good response!

When I lived in Maryland, our street was plagued with "missionaries" intent on saving my soul.

Finally, I developed a response. When they came a knocking I would immediately identify their religious group and say, "You came to my house because you want to learn more about the Episcopal Church, right? Here's a pamphlet. I want to explain the Episcopal Church to you!"

Zoom! Off they went, and i was not bothered any further.

I've had good luck

countrycat — Wed, 15 May 2013 15:50:10 GMT

when I offered to pray with them so they could ask forgiveness for the scams they're selling, laws they're breaking, etc.

After a bit of "witnessing," they're quite eager to hang up and try another victim.

It seems to have stopped the calls from a couple of groups too.

Help Wanted

mpmarus — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:10:22 GMT

Alabama Democratic Party looking for a chairman but does anyone want the job?

You would have wonder if anyone would apply for the job. Nancy Worley and Joe Reed are wondering that very same thing.

Maybe

Doggone — Wed, 15 May 2013 04:43:40 GMT

Maybe she's a double agent, or something like that.

These calls come especially during election times.

Sundog — Wed, 15 May 2013 02:15:04 GMT

I now started telling people I am on the Do Not Call List and will report them. So what good is the Do Not Call List except as a deterrent. It doesn't stop them before, just afterward.

Finally!

mpmarus — Wed, 15 May 2013 02:06:04 GMT

Posted on the ADP Blog:

Chair Nancy Worley has called for a special meeting of the State Democratic Executive Committee of Alabama on Saturday, June 1, 2013.

I get rightwing calls now and then

mooncat — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:54:04 GMT

Almost always "unknown" and I only answer if it is an area code where I have family, etc.

Normally I try to keep them on the line as long as possible, expressing extreme disappointment with the way Republicans are behaving these days. Have to say, the folks they hire to man the phones these days aren't very good at dealing with people who don't swallow the talking points.

Too far out/unbelievable

mooncat — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:45:26 GMT

This really is a case of truth being stranger than fiction is allowed to be. No producer would touch a sitcom with such irrational characters and a nonsensical plot

It sure has seemed that way ...

mooncat — Wed, 15 May 2013 01:40:05 GMT

... for some years now. No doubt she considers herself a staunch Dem, but her actions have been helping the other side for quite some time,

Wow.

Dardango — Tue, 14 May 2013 23:51:45 GMT

This would make a great sitcom.

How long do you put something off

mpmarus — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:23:27 GMT

before it's no longer "forthwith"? She's quoted in Al.com saying last Friday she'd been chair for 18 days. That doesn't sound long but figure an additional 10 days once the meeting notices go out & I sure haven't gotten one.

BTW, lest the Executive Board plead poverty ("we can't afford to mail out notices") I suspect they all have cell phones. And a list of SDEC members.

DINO?

Doggone — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:26:49 GMT

Seems as if Ms. Worley is working for the other side.

Block unknown callers

profindagump — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:03:30 GMT

Life is too short to waste on idiots spamming your phone. Google "block unknown callers"; it will be liberatory. (If you're on a landline, sorry.)

And the crazy christians know that no one wants to hear them. Thrusting themselves in your face is how they get the jollies otherwised denied to them by their no-fundamentalism. It's a pathology, not a theology.

I doubt that

BamaRainbow — Sat, 11 May 2013 06:33:51 GMT

I think he KNOWS his constituents are stupid. After all, they elected him, didn't they?

ironies

ivan — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:56:58 GMT

unless he's beaten in a primary, chances are better than 50-50 he'll be reelected. ads will flood mailboxes and tv about the democrats being the "baby killer party," "socialists," "tax raisers," and we'll have a few pennies to counter their big bucks. Unless, we all get enough contributions in to the new democratic majority democrats to counter it.

I would support the north eastern senators and representatives in revenge votes

SaintSatinStain — Thu, 09 May 2013 23:30:41 GMT

I would support the north eastern senators and representatives in revenge votes to not help Alabama if I didn't live here.

Take New Jersey, it pays more into the federal treasury than it gets back; Alabama gets back more than it pays into the federal treasury. Who are the dependent? Who eats more at the federal trough?

Read the examination of the statement above; it's only downgraded to "Mostly True."

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2012/jan/26/blog-posting/red-state-socialism-graphic-says-gop-leaning-state/

Of course, there's another alternative

jthomas666 — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:28:21 GMT

That he thinks that the rank and file AL voter will gleefully accept that it's all the Democrats fault w/o bothering to fact check.

In other words, he thinks that his constituents are stupid.

He's clueless on everything else

jthomas666 — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:25:16 GMT

Why should we expect anything different wrt his knowledge of HOW HIS FRAKKING JOB WORKS!!!

Food

Ricoleech — Wed, 08 May 2013 05:21:04 GMT

Its a good thing that the updations have been made in the city but only the thing is that the customers must be satisfied with these updations.

prix location appartement

Whacked out on ASBVME kool-aid...

BoyHowdy — Fri, 03 May 2013 19:37:58 GMT

In recent months the ALVPOA has begun promoting the dillusional scenario fed to them by Dr. Ronald Welch and Dr. Robert Pitman of the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners in which the existance of low-cost, non-profit spay/neuter clinics will lead to the demise of the veterinary profession in Alabama.

However, Pitman and Welch's dillusional fantasies appear dependent on ignoring the fact that low-cost, non-profit spay/neuter clinics have been operating in Alabama since 2007 and that all four of Alabama's non-profit spay/neuter clinics were issued premise permits by the ASBVME that allowed them to begin operating and that every veterinarian that performs veterinary services in these clinics is licensed by the ASBVME.

If non-profit spay/neuter clinics pose the threat to the veterinary profession that the ASBVME and the ALVPOA allege, then one would think evidence of this prophesied destruction of the veterinary profession would have become evident by now.

I would challenge Dr. Pitman, Dr. Welch and the ALVPOA to provide evidence of even ONE for-profit, full-service veterinary practice that has closed as a result of the operation of a non-profit spay/neuter clinic in this state. To the contrary, there is evidence that there has been an increase in the number of for-profit, full-service veterinary clinics operating in Alabama since 2007, when the first non-profit spay/neuter clinic began operating.

Update from the US Humane Society

countrycat — Fri, 03 May 2013 18:53:07 GMT

Senate pro tem Del Marsh has still not placed HB188 on the Senate calendar. There are three legislative days left. Since the first of the week, Senator Marsh’s level of commitment to get this bill passed has wavered.

He is receiving a great deal of pressure from Senator Bussman, because Bussman’s bill SB25, is in a House committee that most likely will not schedule a hearing prior to end of session.

Senator Marsh has long been supportive of this issue and the only chance we have to get this bill on the Senate floor, will be for everyone-everyone- to make a call to him at home, this weekend.

Make your call during reasonable hours- be polite. Tell Senator Marsh that you know he controls the Senate calendar and that HB188 must come to the Senate floor for the vote it deserves.

Tell him he will have to decide whose interests come first- the citizens of our state or those of Senator Bussman.
.
The number is 256-237-1931

(do not accept any statements that anyone other than Marsh controls the Senate calendar- HE CONTROLS THE CALENDAR)

Beginning Monday- there will be a second task on this issue, so please stay with this.

Finally, here is current status on the other bills affecting animals:

SB 25- the BAD spay neuter bill- assigned to House Boards ,Agencies and Commissions committee- not scheduled
HB27/SB393- felony cruelty bill- may be on senate floor next week
HB51- abuse and torture reporting bill- in Senate Judiciary committee next Tuesday
HB238- shelter reporting act- in Senate AG & F committee next Wednesday
HB259- protects police, search and rescue dogs and handlers- passed Senate committee, poised for Senate floor next week

Tense times, I know- flex your dialing fingers!

People! Great idea!

Smedley — Fri, 03 May 2013 13:48:37 GMT

Yes, people instead of a donkey! The values and goals for which the party stands (or should stand), rather than the party per se (given the local history of that party not standing up for those values)! Excellent!