Votelaw, Edward Still's blog on law and politics

I used to be a journalist-until last February 9th, 2002.
That was the Day the Birmingham News reported Don Siegelman was being investigated by a Federal Grand Jury.
Siegelman had a "systematic habit" of "skirting the press", and he "did it" BIG TIME on that particular day. He was making each journalist do a "one on one" for the sake of "spin control".

He stood me up for 3 hours and all I needed were two ten second soundbites like 1. "Your response" and 2. "Your legal recourse". Big Deal.

Nevertheless, after the "scandal" hit the front page, Siegelman started underwriting the cost of "For the Record" Nightly Public Affairs Program, which is a "classic example" of Power "controlling the information".

That is just one example. I have known a lot of Veteran Journalists in the Press Corps since 1985.

A lot of them told me they knew a lot more than they were "allowed to write about" but, were "subjected to editing". I suppose Editors have their "own agendas" and only God knows WHY.

Now the Bob Riley Referendum failed.

The "underlying reason" is the fact the Siegelman Administration has been under a Justice Department Investigation and the first conviction/plea bargain "went down" against the Former Head of ADECA this year.

Moreover, Roger Bedford and Mike Millican are facing extortion charges in Marion County and the Inictment was handed down in December 2001.

WHY nobody came out and directly mentioned this is "total denial".

I have a strong conclusion to that issue but, will reserve my opinion pending the outcome of the D.O.J. Investigation and the Extortion Trial.

The "solution" is to (simply) change the Ethics Laws to require FULL FINANCIAl DISCLOSURE-as in adjacent States.

However, I feel there is too much "Conflict of Interest" for this to take place at the "Goat Hill Comedy Campfire" starring "The Good Ole Boys".

Too bad. Can't tell Who's "on the take" until you "open the books"....