Tuesday 4/22/2008 DAILY NEWS DIGEST
Birmingham News - Presidential hopeful McCain visits Black Belt, Birmingham.
Birmingham News - Fundraising off to slow start in Court of Criminal Appeals races.
Birmingham News - U.S Supreme Court declines death row inmate’s appeal.
Birmingham News - The Birmingham News says that legislators should not be free to vote for other members.
Mobile Press-Register - Parents’ lobbying efforts result in restoration of funds for state’s Early Intervention Program.
Huntsville Times - Rep. Sue Schmitz (D-Toney) asks court to dismiss fraud case.
Huntsville Times - Redstone Arsenal Commander to address legislature about infrastructure needs to accommodate expected influx from BRAC shifting programs to Huntsville.
Daily Mountain Eagle - Walker County House members explain votes against gaming measure.
Montgomery Advertiser - The Montgomery Advertiser reviews growth in number of state employees.
Times-Journal - DeKalb County legislators support proposal to remove sales taxes from groceries.
Tuscaloosa News - Cavanaugh leads GOP rivals in fundraising for PSC presidency race.
Tuscaloosa News - The Tuscaloosa News calls for Senate to end inaction on gambling bill.
Washington Post - Campaigning in Alabama’s Black Belt, McCain acknowledges that winning over black voters will be a challenge.
Mobile Press-Register - “The Political Skinny,” the Press-Register’s weekly political roundup from Mobile, Montgomery and Washington.
Mobile Press-Register - GOP says it won’t release contributors to “Governor’s Circle,” those who pledge $10,000 annually for four year period.
FROM TODAY’S ANNISTON STAR:
Senate stalemate: Filibuster could mean end of bills as session nears end
Staff Writer
MONTGOMERY — With just seven more meeting days left in the legislative session, a stalemate in the Senate could be the death knell for bills that would curb illegal immigration, offer tax cuts to Alabamians and scholarships for Anniston students.
The Senate has been stuck in neutral since a bill reached the floor for debate that would change how electronic bingo is regulated at a dog track in Macon County.
The bill also would ensure no other electronic bingo operations could open to compete against the track.
There doesn’t seem to be any sign that the filibustering will relent. Proponents of the bill plan to continue their standoff when the Senate reconvenes today.
Meanwhile, bills that would eliminate the state’s sales tax on food and keep Alabamians from having to pay tax on the economic stimulus checks they will start receiving May 2 are languishing among the 160 general bills the House has already passed and that await Senate action.
“I would have hoped to have had an agreement by now and moved ahead,” said Sen. Parker Griffith, D-Huntsville. “There is a lot of positive legislation such as the tax cut on the stimulus money — we need to get that passed.”
Griffith, who is the sponsor of the Senate version of a bill to take the tax off of the federal rebate, said this session marks the second year that the Senate has been stymied by in-fighting, and he wonders if his fellow lawmakers realize what the bickering is doing to public perception.
“We will all collectively take responsibility for this,” said Griffith, who is hoping to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer, D-Huntsville.
Sen. Jim Preuitt, D-Talladega, said the bill that the Senate is stuck on is a local bill, and as a general rule of courtesy senators don’t kill local bills.
“Lately, you can’t get enough votes to pass a local bill, and that’s very unprecedented,” he said. “People are retaliating, and other members can’t get their local bills to the floor.”
That’s bad news for Anniston, because a bill that diverts a portion of an existing special school tax to scholarships is among those local bills that the Senate still has to consider.
Rep. Barbara Boyd, D-Anniston, who sponsored the legislation in the House, said the bill doesn’t have any statewide implications, but the mere fact that a filibuster is going on makes things trickier.
“They could get some out at the (11th) hour, but we’re running a big risk,” she said.
Speaker of the House Seth Hammett, D-Andalusia, said it wouldn’t be unusual for the Senate to pass more than 100 bills on the last day, so he’s still hopeful that the upper body can work through their differences and avoid a special session.
The Senate Republican Caucus has called for a vote on the Macon County legislation so that the body can move on to other things such as the general fund budget, which the House has already passed. The House will take up the Education Trust Fund budget today.
Sen. Del Marsh, R-Anniston, said while he would like to see bills on immigration reform and property tax reappraisals, the budgets are what he believes the public cares about the most.
“Most citizens aren’t paying attention to these special-interest-type bills,” he said. “I’ve always believed that most people are busy running their own lives, working and making a living, and they assume that we’re going to get things done.”
Marsh said if for some reason the budgets don’t pass during the session, he believes Gov. Bob Riley would be prepared to call a special session.
An attempt to reach Riley’s office was unsuccessful Monday.
Preuitt, who sided with the Republican minority over rules changes that left the Republicans virtually powerless, said the problems that are playing out in the Senate are a direct result of that issue.
He said there could be ramifications at the polls for those who created the problems.
“Even some on the majority side are realizing that they’re overbearing and too demanding,” Preuitt said. “They want to control everything with an iron hand, just like a dictatorship, and until that changes, we will have more of the same.”
Sen. Kim Benefield, D-Woodland, said she’s sponsoring bills that she would like to see passed, but she was decidedly mum on how voters will react to the problems in the Senate when they go to the polls in 2010.
“I wouldn’t speculate on what voters would do in the future,” she said.
Re: Sue Schmitz. If the Fed’s are going after Alabamians who make huge salaries for little work, the need to check out my insurance agent. He belongs in Camp X-Ray.
Comment by Willie — April 22, 2008 @ 8:25 am
Does your insurance agent get my tax dollars?
Comment by Anonymous — April 22, 2008 @ 9:33 am
Why didn’t you include Brett Blackledge’s article exposing all the inconsistencies in the Democrats’ claim that Rove was involved in Siegelman’s prosecution? It’s a pretty lengthy and important story.
Comment by Anonymous — April 22, 2008 @ 9:43 am
Danny - a question here: Twinkle Andress still shows an unpaid $93,000 debt from her state treasurer campaign in 2002. Shouldn’t she pay that back with the funds she has raised for PSC? I mean, those creditors have ben waiting for 6 years . . .don’t they deserve their money? What does Twinkle say about that?
Comment by $93,000 — April 22, 2008 @ 10:27 am
Anonymous #3,
What are “all the inconsistencies” in the Democrats claim that Rove was involved in Siegelman’s prosecution? Does Blackledge explain why Rove refuses to testify under oath? And is Blackledge Roves’ spokeman or something?
Comment by bhmhomeboy — April 22, 2008 @ 11:57 am
Per #3 above. Bret Blackledge is a republican hack. His so called inconsistencies are nothing but Rove’s talking points.
Comment by Anonymous — April 22, 2008 @ 11:58 am
No - Brett Blackledge is not Rove’s spokesman. He is the winner of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for outstanding reporting. Your attacks on him do not help your credibility homeboy.
Comment by For homeboy — April 22, 2008 @ 12:00 pm
. . .and I would state that reublican hack does not generally equal Pulitzer Prize winner.
Comment by For homeboy — April 22, 2008 @ 12:02 pm
Well let’s take a look.
The report written by Democrat staffers on the House Judiciary Committee relies “on disputed allegations…”
“The Democratic report…frequently cites Internet postings by partisan bloggers working with Siegelman and his allies as evidence…”
The report relies heavily on the allegations of Jill Simpson, “which have changed at least twice.”
The report does not note that Simpson reportedly is angry over the fact that “she failed to win a state contract,” which led her to “lash out at Rob Riley and others…”
“Simpson last year contradicted [the committee report’s] characterization of her affidavit, which she said was not intended to target Rove…”
“Simpson stated in a July interview with The Birmingham News that she rejected requests to more clearly link Rove to the investigation because that’s not what she heard on the call.” AN ASIDE, WHO REQUESTED that she “more clearly link Rove” to this matter? Siegelman? Stan Pate? Tommy Gallion (who is Milton McGregor’s lawyer)? Because she admitted she met with all of them before appearing before the committee’s staffers.
“Simpson [later] changed her statement to more clearly link Rove to the case…”
“And months later, Simpson went even further in a television interview, saying Rove hired her to follow Siegelman in 2001 to find dirt on the Democrat.”
“The Democrats’ report on Siegelman’s case doesn’t note the significant changes in Simpson’s statements…”
Gee, looks to me like Blackledge is the only reporter bothering to look into this rather than writing the “He said, she said” type stuff (or the completely made-up stuff like many bloggers).
Comment by Anonymous — April 22, 2008 @ 12:13 pm
How does this basically get swept under the rug? He should be run out of office.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Lindsey calls remark “inappropriate.”
State Sen.Pat Lindsey, D-Butler, said Thursday that it was “inappropriate” of him to use the word “wetback” during a Tuesday debate on an illegal immigration bill.
“I shouldn’t have used that,” Lindsey said. “It’s probably demeaning to a group of people.”
The Senate’s Governmental Affairs Committee was considering legislation sponsored by state Sen.Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, to require that drivers license tests be administered in English.
The bill drew criticism fromGinny Russell of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, who said it would send the wrong message to foreign companies like Thyssen-Krupp AG and EADS, both of which are building economic projects in Mobile County. Russell said it would make it hard for the spouses of company executives to get licenses.
Lindsey agreed, calling the legislation a bad bill. “We’re not talking about wetbacks coming across the Rio Grande,” Lindsey said. “These are people flying here on 777s.”
“Wetback” is widely considered a slur directed at Mexicans.Sam Brooke of the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama called it “racist.”
Lindsey said he intended to use the word for “shock value” in criticizing a bill that would penalize spouses of business executives.
“I probably should have used a better word,” Lindsey said.
Comment by \”Wetback\” — are you kidding me?! — April 22, 2008 @ 12:20 pm
I never attacked Blackledge. And why won’t Karl Rove appear under oath like Jill Simpson did? What “outstanding reporting” won Blackledge a Pulitzer Prize?
Comment by bhmhomeboy — April 22, 2008 @ 1:05 pm
Why didn’t Siegalman go under oath in his own defense? Why won’t he do so now?
Comment by Margaret — April 22, 2008 @ 1:41 pm
Dem-o-crat (dem’ e krat) n. 1 of the criminal class; 2 of the clueless class; 3 of limited intelligence and incapable of reason (see: moron); 4 in essence, a hypocrite; 5 that species of animal lacking a spine, invertebrate.
In commenting on the Lindsey slip-of-the-tongue, I’d refer here to definition #4. When you join the Democrat Party, you’re given a “free pass” to utter any racial epithet or derogatory remark you’d like, the more public it is the better. It also helps to offer restitution in the form of doubled amounts of legislative largesse for minority extortion projects.
If you’re Trent Lott, you get tarred and feathered. If you’re Robert Byrd, Bill Clinton or Pat Lindsey you get lauded and excused.
A disgusting and outrageous double standard to be sure. But who cares if you’re a Democrat, right? See definition #3.
Comment by Scorpius — April 22, 2008 @ 1:48 pm
I looked up Twinkle’s report from the Treasurer’s race, and the debt that comment #4 referenced is money that she and her parents loaned her campaign. There aren’t any outstanding creditors, unless you count family as creditors. See for yourselves by clicking on the two reports that show loans and viewing the “Receipts from Other Sources” page: http://arc-sos.state.al.us/CGI/SOSELC11.mbr/output?P01=0034913
Comment by #4 is an idiot! — April 22, 2008 @ 2:25 pm
Anonymous in comment #3,
While we greatly appreciate the Digests that G puts together for us every day, there is (as he has said) “not a promise that the Digest contains every article that every individual might find interesting or appropriate.” Any reader is encouraged to include links to other stories of interest.
Comment by Danny — April 22, 2008 @ 3:05 pm
Scorpius,
You are the definition of what is wrong with our country.
Comment by bhmhomeboy — April 22, 2008 @ 3:10 pm
Oh, that hurts, Homey. (Sniff, sniff)
Allow me to really define myself for you, my friend. I love the one, true Almighty God. I love my family way more than I love myself. And I love this country beyond measure— in both good times and bad times.
I loathe the God-haters and hypocrites. I despise the malefactors who threaten and would dare harm my family and our way of life. And I absolutely detest the blood-sucking, “Blame America First” crowd which neither knows nor appreciates this country’s founding history and which, today, does everything it can to undermine its greatness among the nations of the world.
To which of the above crowds do you proudly proclaim your fealty?
Comment by Scorpius — April 22, 2008 @ 3:44 pm
To #3 above. I start my morning review of papers with those from al.com. I began the review of papers this morning at about 4:30 a.m., and the article you referenced above was not posted at the site at that time. As Danny says, there’s no guarantee that everything you (or I) would find interesting is in the digest - and I would have included that article had it been posted at the time I was reviewing the Birmingham News for today.
Comment by G — April 22, 2008 @ 6:13 pm
Sour Puss,
Once again I find you frothing at the mouth with more venomous rhetoric laced with paper patriotism. You know, I’m proud you love the Almighty God and so do I, but in this country I don’t have to. As for your family, I too would probably love them more than I do you, but I don’t have to. Its generally a given that you love your family, isn’t it. As for loving my country, I’ve actualy proved it by laying my life on the line for it, but I didn’t have to.
You loathe God-haters and hypocrites? What the hell are those? Alice Cooper and Newt Gingrich? You “detest the blood-sucking, ‘Blame America First’ crowd which neither knows nor appreciates this country’s founding history and which, today, does everything it can to undermine its greatness among the nations of the world.” Really. Exactly what role did you play in this country’s founding history? I’ll bet its as a blood-sucking paper patriot hypocrite…and I bet you don’t sleep well at night. Or even worse, you do.
You weirdos holding how much you either love God or America, or hate abortion and hate queers over everyone’s head are really too much. Medieval times are over, Bub. And though I realize the fiscal conservatives and big business types basically raped you Inquisition-minions into believing in your bum party, they’re done with you now and are pretty well looking to throw you under whichever Agnostic bus you crawled out from under. So please, read a book, not the dictionary, and attempt to socialize yourself into the 21st century as best you can.
Junior wins at Talladega.
Comment by Gunney Highway — April 22, 2008 @ 10:45 pm
Gomer Highway, let me be the first to thank you for your service to our country. Truly Admirable. (Salute!)
Unfortunately, I must inform you that the VA Hospital has dramatically cut your meds, or it appears they never extracted all the shrapnel from your skull when you got fragged by your own troops for being an obnoxious, pain-in-the-ass single-push up potato-skinning KP regular.
I know, you’re one of those delusional flunkies like John “Rambo” Kerry, who recommended himself for high honors for such valor as fingernail clipping and filming what a latrine looks like on his 8mm.
Do I really have to spell out what God-haters and hypocrites are? I’ll go real s-l-o-w for you, Gomer Hiway: A-C-L-U, A…t…h…e…i…s…t…s and ___________ (fill in the blank) Democrat elected officials— and the rest of their enabling ilk.
As for the remainder of your blithering idiocy, I’ll spare myself the utter waste of energy tapping out a response.
I suggest you go cuddle up with whatever bottle of booze induces temporary mitigation of your acute anxiety and stay off the internet until the blue returns to your sky… if it ever does.
Oh, for laughs, Sgt. Dork, I’d love for you to shovel your pro-Dem notions to the Talladega crowd on Sunday. If you thought the fragging you received was bad in Basrah, wait until the NASCAR gang throws you in front of Junior’s passing car in Turn 2.
Comment by Scorpius — April 23, 2008 @ 2:34 pm
Scorpius, go hang at Talladega. No one cares one whit what you think, and most find your comments offensive and repulsive.
Comment by Anonymous — April 23, 2008 @ 3:43 pm
If no one cares “one whit,” why the response?
I hope you Dems are indeed offended. I’ve been equally offended and repulsed by Liberals and their cockeyed, mendacious agenda for the last 40 years.
Its past time for the fleas to be sprayed.
Comment by Scorpius — April 23, 2008 @ 4:33 pm
Scrotumpius, great comment! What a great example of a god-fearing Republican. I’ll simply ask WWJD?
Comment by JRay — April 23, 2008 @ 5:07 pm
Ultimately, EVERY knee will bow and every tongue confess, JRay.
Are you suggesting that God isn’t offended and angered when people assert that Life and the universe in which we live was not His creation? That what He created, any man should callously destroy? That His name and His laws and acknowledgement of Him should be airbrushed, ignored and impugned? That those who prey upon and capitalize at the expense of the poor should go unpunished? That savage heathens who deny the truth of His Son should be accepted as moral equals? That the followers of a false religion and its “prophet” should be pampered and absolved of the hate they propagate? That unchecked— even flagrant— violations of His natural order and design be celebrated and regarded as normal, or, rather, “alternative?”
Hmmmmmmmm. I don’t have to ask what He would do. I know what He’s going to do. And the Fidel Castros, Barry Lynns, Barney Franks, and Louis Farakans of the world will find out as Hitler, Carl Sagan, Madeline Murray O’Hare, Yasser Arafat and Muhammed did.
He is a just and sovereign God. As a Believer, just realizing how far I fall short every day of His righteousness, I absolutely and assuredly fear for those who deny or mock Him.
Comment by Scorpius — April 23, 2008 @ 7:06 pm
Scorpius, my question was not directed to you.
Comment by JRay — April 23, 2008 @ 7:46 pm
I think you should fear HIm. Your life is a sad example, and certainly does not reflect a loving and just God.
Comment by Anonymous — April 23, 2008 @ 8:05 pm
Scorpius’ hatred for the troops is really something else. I had him pinned as a self-righteous neo-conservative, not a Fred Phelps-wannabe.
Comment by SamfordDem — April 23, 2008 @ 8:15 pm
Wow, Sam, I had you pinned as a snot-nosed dolt. Looks like I win the prize for accurate assessments today. If you knew how just how inane your remark was you’d be embarrassed to ever comment publicly on a computer again.
And to Anonymous (#…666?), you don’t know the least bit about me to say anything at all about my life.
I’m not out to win your approval. I’m not even here to win you over. I’m here to humble the proud and to mock the wise.
And believe me, I’m deriving much joy at the expense of the proud and the wise.
Now, if y’all will excuse me, I’ve got to go catch my favorite TV show, “Are You Smarter Than a SamfordDem?”
Comment by Scorpius — April 23, 2008 @ 9:11 pm
it’s sad..you are truly pathetic.
Comment by Anonymous — April 23, 2008 @ 9:20 pm
That is what I mean. The members of Phelps’ family who were able to escape Westboro Baptist have claimed that Phelps is obsessed with doing anything he can to tick others off; his only joy in life comes from attempting to humiliate and enrage others. His case is so extreme that many think it he has a real mental illness.
So, since my support for certain Democratic candidates automatically means I also support the ACLU, the “Blame America First” crowd, illegal immigrants, gays, criminals, terrorists, the USSR, and mosquitoes infected with the West Nile virus, Scorpius’ hatred for our troops and his recent comments must mean that Scorpio could have the same mental illness as Fred Phelps.
Comment by SamfordDem — April 23, 2008 @ 10:44 pm
Sour Puss,
Good to hear from you, Friend. It’s fairly remarkable that you posess the gumption to respond, and I sort of respect the detachment a paper patriot such as yourself must develop to indeed do so. I mean at the end of the day, you’ve certainly never done anything for this great country you so tenaciously defend through the use of the Webster’s Dictionary. Keep going for it Weirdo.
The VA has cut my meds. Probably. A poorly run VA Administration has made headlines that sort of predispose any position a rational human being would take here, so I’m glad you’ve made this point for me. I’m not on any medication except for my sinuses, which feel like I’m breathing through Elmer’s Glue right now. Thank you for the attention.
As for my service, I guess you’ve never walked into a house wearing 75 lbs of gear in 130 degree heat. In the corner bedroom rests two savages waiting on a strange salvation. I’m going to give it to them - two to the chest, one to the head - and repeat. But that bastard is fortified and he and his friend are waiting because they can. You know, we’ll enter that room and we’ll clear the house after we sift through the dust and the gun powder and the death. It stinks. And it burns.
On to the next one. One saw gunner down and fifteen blocks to go. Stay alert.
The fact that that a paper-patriot like yourself would ever question the provider of the wet blanket that sissies like you sleep under is without question fascinating. I fully understand that you wimps occupy 95% of the Republincanary Party, but I laugh at your lack of shame. Please do some push-ups. More than ten for Christ’s sake.
You obviously aren’t familiar with Talladega Country either, Boy. We’s Yellow-Dawgs up here.
Comment by Gunney Highway — April 23, 2008 @ 11:19 pm
Good gritty stories, Gomer Highway. Again, you’re to be commended for your honorable, selfless service and courage.
But I have two other friends whose sons are Special Forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan (one is serving his third tour) and they aren’t boasting about their experiences (and theirs are EVERY bit as compelling as yours!) and trying to play the guilt card on those that are too old to serve now. My uncle was in Korea and Vietnam (retired as a full-bird Colonel). They’re humble, not haughty, as you are.
So, regardless of how heroic and hair-raising your military background may be, it doesn’t give you a right to be a jerk and not be called one. And you certainly aren’t infallible and unquestionably wise, as your political views prove.
As we are well aware, Kerry and Gore served in Vietnam. And while I applaud their service, too, they’re twits and a danger to this country and I don’t intend to excuse that away just because they might have been awarded a Bronze Star or 3 Purple Hearts.
As for your remark about Talladega County, I’m very familiar with it and all I’ll say is that your comment explains a lot about Talladega County. Ruff ruff.
Comment by Scorpius — April 24, 2008 @ 10:14 am
Man, if ANYONE on here has proven themselves to be a jerk, it’s you. You say that Gunny’s military background doesn’t give him “a right to be a jerk and not to be called one.” Just wondering, obviously you think something gives you that right - what is it?
Comment by Anonymous — April 24, 2008 @ 10:32 am
Obviously, I don’t. I certainly expect to be called a jerk by pecker-headed Libs like you. But I’m not gettin my panties in a wad about it.
Again, I’m not here to win a popularity contest. I’m simply throwing salt on slugs.
So long as Danny kindly allows me to express my views on his site— however much they offend your idiotic political sensibilities— I’ll continue to sting Orion.
BTW, I’m now done with this thread.
Comment by Scorpius — April 24, 2008 @ 11:21 am
“BTW, I’m now done with this thread.”
No surprise there - i guess it hurt your feelings to be noted as a jerk. tsk, tsk.
Comment by Anonymous — April 24, 2008 @ 11:23 am
Okay, I lied. Gotta make an observation here.
This thread is a PERFECT example in which to showcase a typical exchange with Liberals.
I began my first comment by noting the hypocrisy of the Democrats as it related to the race argument. If white Republicans speak unkind, impolite utterances or use inappropriate slurs, then the offended Libs screech in outrage, organize a rally, harrass the offender and condemn him to hell and make sure that the media is there to catch it all.
Here you had an elected Democrat refer to a minority class as “wetbacks,” and nary a peep is heard. Why???
Are the Hispanics unworthy of outrage? Are there double standards between minority classes? There certainly are between parties.
This brings to mind the rabid whores of N.O.W. who excoriated Bob Packwood and manufactured disgusting allegations against Clarence Thomas, but were all too silent on an extremely believable allegation of rape against Bill Clinton. Not only that instance, but the accusations by Paula Jones and Kathleen Willy.
This is nothing short of HYPOCRISY!!!!!!
Now, I dared to point this out, hoping to generate some real back and forth over the issue and instead of outrage and embarrassment from his Democrat bretheren denouncing his comments, I received personal ad hominem attacks from no less than 5 Libs (maybe more– how many “anonymous” posters are there on this thread?).
Is this what passes for debate among Libs? Obviously, YES!
I’m a jerk? Whatever.
How many of you Kumbaya Libs have remarked even ONCE in this thread about how wrong Lindsey was? I’ll tell you: Not a single frickin’ one of you.
Shameful.
NOW, I’m done.
Comment by Scorpius — April 24, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
I’m so glad that you’ve found perfection!
Please, keep your word and let’s not hear from you again in this thread. But, of course, GOP folks can NEVER keep their word.
Comment by Anonymous — April 24, 2008 @ 1:02 pm