Redeye's Post Election Post Mortum Blogstroll

by: Redeye

Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 22:59:11 PM CST

Pay attention all you candidates out there who pander to the right wing/conservative/moderate white crowd at the expense of your base,  Give us a reason to vote for you or we'll stay our Donkeys' at home.

The choice is yours. Give us a reason to vote for you, or we sit home. And you aren't going to make up the margins with conservative voters. They already know exactly who they're voting for, and it ain't you.

You got that?

Look out blacks, gays and minorities in Virginia, you may be going back in time.

Republicans Robert F. McDonnell who is now Governor Elect, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and state Sen. Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II, who is now Attorney General, Elect. As the washington post noted, "by some accounts, the three represent the most conservative Republican ticket to run in Virginia in many years."

Watch and snicker alert; Troy King family values video. link on AAPP.  WTF?

The Rude Pundit breaks it all down as only The Rude Pundit can in The Rude Pundit Style.  Warning, raw.

Forget what the assholes on TV are saying about the various elections and initiatives from last night. Who gives a shit what Michael Steele is crowing about? 

My sentiments exactly.  There's lots more.

repubs really have nothing to gloat or cheer about.  They are still a regional rump party. h/t mooncat.

Across the country, Democrats still hold 60 legislative chambers and control 55 percent of the nation's partisan legislative seats. Our current position remains a solid one heading into the final election before the Census and the next round of Congressional and legislative redistricting.

The Legal Schnauzer says The Huntsville Times deserves our Most Deceptive Headline Award.   You think?

We've heard about selective prosecutions and political prosecutions under the George W. Bush Department of Justice. But the Alex Latifi case in Alabama can best be described as a "racial prosecution." And that makes it one of the ugliest Bush fiascoes of all.

"Teaching Hate"

by: Redeye

Thu Sep 10, 2009 at 09:13:58 AM CDT

 Updated with links. By George I think I've got it!~Redeye

That is what my mother believes happened in schools across America in wake of the recent "controversy" regarding President Obama's back to school address to public school students. After reading the account in yesterday's Huntsville Times I have to agree with her.

 All white is not right. I'm talking to you Huntsville Times. Why were only white students from the two predominately white High Schools interviewed? What about black students reaction from the four predominately black high schools? Why did you choose to only report on the schools that "opted out" of hearing the President's speech?

Where was the first HCS African American female school board member during all of this? I'm still finding it hard to believe she and the first HCS African American School chief allowed teachers and principals to "opt out" of letting students hear the first African American President of the United States' back to school address. As my mother said, you better believe if Dr. James I. Dawson were still a member of the board there wouldn't have been any "opting out". He had the character and the courage to place himself on the right side of issues, even when it was unpopular to do so. He didn't trade his race for politics. He stood for equality and justice. Where is the equality and justice in this?

 Do parents screen all the movies that are shown in classrooms? Do Principals makes sure the movies have something to do with the lesson plan? Do parents and principals screen lesson plans to make sure they meet their approval? No. No. And no. It was only THIS President. Good job educators. You're doing a heck of a job molding the minds of our future doctors, lawyers, judges, teachers, nurses, and elected officials.

 Ok, we get it. You hate black people. The question is why? You say black people want the "government to take care of them", translation, welfare. Nothing could be farther from the truth, but even if it were true, you didn't have a problem with the government taking care of black people during 200 years of slavery. As a matter of fact, if I recall correctly, there was a Civil War fought so government could continue to take care of black people. If the south had won the Civil War, the government would still be taking care of black people. Black folks don't want the government to take care of them. Black folks want the government to protect their right to liberty and justice for all. Black folks are not the enemy.

 For the sake of our country and our future let's stop teaching hate and start teaching tolerance. All this hate is hurting us.

Want To Be A Frequent Flyer? Auburn University Has An Opening For A New Trustee!

by: countrycat

Fri Aug 07, 2009 at 16:26:25 PM CDT

Auburn University is accepting applications for an opening on its frequent flyer club board of trustees!

Applicants must be a resident of the district and less than 70 years old at their time of appointment.

The Auburn Board consists of one trustee from each congressional district as they were constituted in 1961, a trustee representing Lee County, three at-large trustees and the governor as an ex-officio member.

Candidates can submit applications to Auburn University Trustee Selection Committee, Attn: Grant Davis, 105 Samford Hall, Auburn, AL 36849.

Now kids, this is a cushy gig.  As you may remember, back in March, the Huntsville Times reported that the university had spent almost half a million dollars flying trustees and university officials around the country (including good old Tunica, MS) and around the state (most notably from Auburn to BIRMINGHAM - 14 trips) on private jets.  Most of which belonged to the athletic department.

Well hell, at least some department at the school is well-fixed for funds.  Because, as a PACT parent, it's hard for me to keep from gagging when university officials poor mouth about funding and tuition, when we know that they spend more time in the air than the average migratory bird.

I'm thinking that I should apply!  As an almuna, I could bring an interesting perspective to this whole issue.  AND, I've served on numerous statewide boards and never expected to be flown to meetings - or even be reimbursed for travel expenses.  Maybe Auburn can take my share of the flight $ and apply it to my daughter's tuition in 2012.

Follow me on the flip for an interesting story about this report that explains a lot about the mostly sorry state of journalism in Alabama.

Auburn Trustees and Officials Are Flying High: $492,640 Spent on Private Jets

by: countrycat

Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 11:32:10 AM CDT

Remember when university officials at both Auburn and Alabama rebuffed the PACT board's requests for tuition assistance? Their excuse was quite legitimate: legislative funding cuts have left them strapped for funds and requiring steep tuition hikes for students.

But Huntsville Times reporter, Bob Lowry, (whose PACT reporting has made him one of my favorite Alabama journalists) seems to have uncovered another issue:  Auburn University officials and trustees' jet-setting ways have cost the university almost half a million dollars during the 2008-08 fiscal year.

Auburn University spent nearly $500,000 flying its administrators and board of trustee members on its two corporate jets during the past fiscal year, records show.

The University of Alabama spent considerably less during the same period - $30,500 - for flights on its lone jet, and trustees rarely were aboard.

Lowry's article contains a full page of flight logs from both Alabama and Auburn. 

Perusing them last night, I was blown away by some of the descriptions, destinations, and charges.  For instance, on October 9, 2007, Auburn University spent $4747 to fly "unidentified passengers" to Tunica, MS.

TUNICA?  For what?  Perhaps this is the new funding strategy for Auburn's development staff.  Maybe the slots and craps tables look like more of a sure thing than the Alabama legislature.  But darn, couldn't they at least have done their gambling in Alabama?

Almost as entertaining as the descriptions of the flights is the explanation by Auburn spokesman, Mike Clardy, for the numerous private flights instead of commercial:

Clardy said it's more practical for the university to use its own jets even though commercial travel through the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is less than 90 minutes from Auburn and the Montgomery Regional Airport is only an hour away.

He noted that traveling through Atlanta also involves a time zone change. 

"...involves a time zone change." Remember kids: this is a major university in the United States. 

More examples on the flip....

NPR blamed for "exaggeration" of right wing "scholar"

by: Captain Plaid

Fri Jan 23, 2009 at 20:41:59 PM CST

Heavenly Riches

by: Go Blue

Fri Jan 16, 2009 at 12:16:12 PM CST

A friend of mine, Thomas Jackson Russell III, recently was picked to be a community columnist for the Huntsville Times. As such he would write one column per month for the next year. Imagine Jackie's suprise when his first column was rejected for its ideology.

To read the column that was too hot for the Huntsville Times continue below the fold..........

Has the Huntsville Times Gone All "Fair and Balanced?"

by: mooncat

Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 08:45:56 AM CDT

You know, kind of like FOX News.  For some time now the Times has been running "on the left" and "on the right" columns on its editorial page, which is OK.  After all, it assures we see at least one sort of left-leaning column rather than the all conservative line-up some Southern papers dish up.

I'd hate to think the Huntsville Times is moving toward that false "balance" in the news pages that can't present anything controversial unless they find an opposing view to balance it -- any opposing view, no matter how trivial or factually lacking.  You've seen this kind of coverage over and over on the climate change issue.  On one side is a respected scientist presenting peer-reviewed results.  On the other is a global warming nay-sayer casting aspersions backed by very little.  One of those guys doesn't deserve the attention.  But I digress.  Back to my story.  Why do I ask if the Times is becoming FOX-like?

Well, the Madison County Democrats (several local organizations) are hosting a Debate Watch Party for the last Obama-McCain presidential debate tonight at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Education Building.  They'll have Senate hopeful Vivian Figures for a meet and greet at 6:30, the party will crank up around 7, then everyone will settle down to watch the debate on the big screen at 8 pm.  The group has already hosted a couple of these parties, which were lots of fun and drew crowds in the 200 to 300 range.  The Huntsville Times has run a notice of the event in their Local section several times this week, which is pretty nice.  Now, I know some of the folks pulling this together and one of them told me the Times is unlikely to send a reporter to the Debate Watch to interview people and get their reactions unless they can find a corresponding Debate Watch Party being hosted by local Republicans.  Which they apparently can't.  Curious, I checked the McCain website and didn't see even one Alabama event listed.

So, the Huntsville Times can't do a "fair and balanced" story about local reactions to tonight's presidential debate because the Republicans aren't having so much as a house party.  They can't mention the Democrats unless they find corresponding Republicans to balance the story.  Maybe that will leave room for them to cover the real story here: Why are Democrats fired up enough to fill an auditorium with Obama fans excited about, and paying attention to this election, but local Republicans are so disinterested or apathetic they aren't hosting even a small party?  That difference in excitement level is the real story this election season, even in Alabama, and I'd hate for the Times to miss the scoop.

Working the refs at the Huntsville Times

by: herding old cats

Mon Aug 11, 2008 at 23:04:19 PM CDT

The Huntsville Times has a new editor, Kevin Wendt.  On Sunday, Mr. Wendt had a column in the opinion section in which he asked the readership generally what they wanted to see in the paper - what kind of issues & coverage and such.  So far, so good.  But at the end of the column was this little bit:

A balanced newspaper

One concern many readers have already voiced to me is their feeling the opinion pages lean to the left. While I don't have any pronouncements at this time, I wanted to acknowledge to those who share this opinion that it's an issue I'm aware of and will be working on. I asked some who wrote me over the past two weeks to share with me the sources they go to for news and opinion, and I would encourage any of you to do the same.

Guess what, the local wingnuts are already working the ref, leaning on the editor to purge raving left-wing liberals like Garrison Keillor, Richard Reeves, or Ellen Goodman.  Mr. Wendt, no matter how many right-wingers you add to the editorial page, you will never satisfy these people.  They do not want "balance", they want propaganda and the party line.

If you are in the Huntsville Times circulation zone, and you think it needs more voices from the reality-based community, now's the time to speak up!

 Contact them:

Letters to the Editor policy

Letters, of no more than 250 words, must bear writer's full name including middle initial, address with zip code and daytime phone number. Middle initials and zip codes will be published. Other information is used for verification but not published or given to other parties.

Individual letter-writers may be limited to one published letter every 30 days. The Times does not publish poetry. Letters become the property of The Huntsville Times and will not be returned. Letters may be edited and may be re-used in any medium.

Mail to: Your Views, The Huntsville Times, P.O. Box 1487, Huntsville AL 35807. Fax to: 532-4420 (typed letters only). E-mail to: letters@htimes.com.

All Politics are Local and National

by: Redeye

Tue Jun 24, 2008 at 15:48:49 PM CDT

Will The Real Wayne Parker Please Stand Up?

Evidently there are two wealthy and influential gentlemen named Wayne Parker in Huntsville, AL.  One just happens to be the GOP Congressional District 05 candidate and the other happens to be a member of the Board of Directors of Westminister Christian Academy, which recently sold their property to the Downtown Rescue Mission, who were made an offer they couldn't refuse by the City of Huntsville. For those of you who are confused I refer you to this link.

 A previous  letter writer to the Huntsville Times believes that Wayne Parker (WCA Board Member) has a connection to the "Rescue Mission Charade".  He called for an investigation by the Huntsville Times and suggested they start with the "usual suspects like Wayne Parker".  For some reason, The Times seems reluctant to look beyond the surface of this matter.  A previous article by the Times revealed a private investors role in the matter but few details (emphasis mine).

The city is committing up to $1 million in federal urban renewal grants to back the private development loan.

"What he's doing is borrowing the money to buy the property, renovate, and pay soft costs such as drawings and marketing," said Huntsville Community Development Director Jerry Galloway. "We're guaranteeing to the bank if 20 percent of the units aren't sold, community development will buy them up before they go into foreclosure."

Reynolds said the grant money, appropriated through the Housing and Urban Development agency, is designed to be "leveraged" with private investments.

Reynolds shared the first public details of the Lowe village redevelopment plans Tuesday during an interview with The Times.

Galloway and Reynolds said the homeless shelter relocation is crucial to making the Lowe Mill area attractive to buyers.

"The outside consultants we hired said that the mission would have to be relocated and the new houses and refurbishment of houses under way for a year before we could deliver the first condos," Reynolds said.

The condo development and mill house renovations will be done under the auspices of First Priority Management, headed by Ann Crews, Reynolds said. Names of other investors and partners were not immediately available.

  

The following letter was printed in todays' Huntsville Times accusing the previous letter writer of trying to implicate candidate Wayne Parker in the "Rescue Mission/Westminister  fiasco".

Huntsville Times

Disservice to Parker

In regard to the letter to the editor from Michael Thrasher of June 18, the Wayne Parker running for the 5th Congressional District seat is not now nor ever has been on the board of Westminster Christian Academy.

There is a Wayne Parker on the board at Westminster but not the one running for the congressional seat. Thrasher didn't do his homework before he sent his letter to The Times. Before he accuses someone of being the "usual suspects" and being in a secretive backroom political payback, he should know his facts correctly.

<!-- ALABAMALIVE/Tacoda_AL_ROS_Story -->

He has done the candidate Wayne Parker an injustice, as anyone with common sense or any sense at all would know that the interpretation in the minds of the reader is that Wayne Parker, the candidate, is involved in the Rescue Mission/Westminster fiasco.

Was it his intention to cost Wayne votes with this letter or just poor judgment on his part sending a letter with facts that weren't thoroughly checked out?

Sally Fleming Walker,

Huntsville, 35802

I don't know if Sally Flemings' accusations regarding the letter writers' motives are correct however, I did arrive at the false conclusion they were one in the same.  For that reason I would like to express my sincere apology to candidate Wayne Parker.

The Downtown Rescue Mission is a common denominator between the two men.  Candidate Wayne Parker wants to represent the voters in the district in which the Downtown Rescue Mission has relocated.  WCA Boardmember Wayne Parker partly responsible for the relocation of the Downtown Rescue Mission to it's present location.  I believe the public deserves to hear from both Wayne Parkers regarding this matter. 

Candidate Wayne Parker needs to tell voters his views on how the deal was conducted and how he feels about relocating the Mission into densely populated middle class neighborhood. 

Westminister Christian Academy Board Member Wayne Parker, needs to tell us if he is one of the investors in the Lowe Mill Development.

Will the real Wayne Parker please stand up?

Some LiA Background Links on this issue:

http://www.leftinalabama.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1870

http://www.leftinalabama.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1828

http://www.leftinalabama.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1751

http://www.leftinalabama.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1736

http://www.leftinalabama.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1707

http://www.leftinalabama.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1693

http://www.leftinalabama.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1559

http://www.leftinalabama.com/userDiary.do?  (nextId=1&personId=216 

*Note-The Mission segment is in the Redeye Rant portion in the above link.

http://www.leftinalabama.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1970

http://www.leftinalabama.com/showComment.do?commentId=4954

Who is Killing Journalism?

by: mooncat

Tue May 27, 2008 at 11:00:55 AM CDT

The internet is killing print journalism?  No, this is definitely attempted suicide:

What newspapers need to make them more useful and compelling, according to the [Hackensack] Record's obviously airtight and unassailable marketing survey, is to get rid of their "liberal bias." And rather than waste a lot of time hiring crackerjack reporters and editors and setting them loose on the community to tell stories that the people of Hackensack could not possibly ignore, the Record is hauling editors into meetings with the marketing staff, where they will be schooled in the art of wringing every last bit of potentially controversial substance from their stories. I'm sorry, I mean from their "product." And we all know -- from those same kinds of marketing surveys -- that if you offer news stories that don't make anyone angry, readers will start beating down the newsroom doors for more. They just can't get enough watered-down mush. The survey said so!

Last weekend the Huntsville Times introduced it's new editor, Kevin Wendt -- and they did it in the paper's Business (wtf?) section. 

Wendt, 30, who has held a number of positions at the Mercury News in his eight years there, now oversees its copy desk and sports and design/graphics departments.

... 

Wendt first visited Huntsville in early May, and his driving tour of the area with Times Publisher and Editor Bob Ludwig included Redstone Arsenal, UAH and Cummings Research Park.

"I saw a lot of investment, a lot of growth, a lot of interesting things going on in the city," Wendt said. "There's something that reminded me of that 'Let's go create something' culture that is so prevalent in the Silicon Valley."

Let's hope this isn't a sign that the Times will be "wringing every last bit of potentially controversial substance from their stories" to please the marketing staff.  Heaven knows, they don't have any "liberal bias" to get rid of.  Watered down mush pushed by the bean counters is killing print journalism, the internet is just an interested bystander.

Huntsville Times Editor Retires

by: mooncat

Sun Oct 07, 2007 at 14:12:52 PM CDT

This was in the Sunday HT:

The Huntsville Times Publisher Bob Ludwig will assume the additional duties of editor as Melinda Gorham takes early retirement for medical reasons.

The Times moved right when Gorham took over as editor.  My bet is that Ludwig will move the paper even further rightward.  At some point they're just going to become irrelevant.  What's your local media like?

Shoddy Reporting on Bush's Visit

by: Trent Thompson

Fri Jun 22, 2007 at 11:50:24 AM CDT

(Crossposted at the AlaDems blog)

In a fluff piece in today's paper, the Huntsville Times laid it on thick for President Bush.

Calling North Alabama's response to the visit a "lovefest," the Times also cited Bush's job approval rating:

The president's approval rating is hovering at 35 percent, but he couldn't tell that when he visited North Alabama on Thursday.

I'm not quite sure where the Times is getting their 35% figure, but it's certainly not backed up by the facts. In a poll just released yesterday, Newsweek pegged Bush's approval at 26%.

In all of June, only one respected polling outfit has shown an approval rating at or above 35%. That was the ABC News poll, which showed Bush with 35% approval. My high school math skills are just a bit rusty, but I think it's sorta hard for the highest figure in a data set of ten to be the "hovering" point.