WVNN’s Next Candidate Get Together!!!

Where: Mason’s Pub at Downtown Huntsville
When: February 26th from 5PM-8PM
Who: Elected Officials, candidates for public office and the general public

Click here for more info!

Show notes 2/5: Griffith gets a job, GOP Congresscritters pretend it’s important and Schipp needs to die…

Guest today:

• Tim Knox of Madison Magazine

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This is hilarious to watch Republican Congressman stumble all over themselves to make it appear that Griffith giving up a committee that deals directly with NASA (when programs are being scrapped) and picking up a committee that covers crib safety is some equal trade off.

After 47 days without a committee assignment, U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith may have found a seat overseeing national energy policy and health care reform.

Republican leaders on Thursday recommended Griffith for the Energy and Commerce Committee, one of the oldest standing committees in Congress.

Griffith thinks its GREAT!

“This appointment to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce is a great victory for the Tennessee Valley and our state,” Griffith said in a statement. “This assignment will give me a voice in the continuing debates over health care reform legislation as well as new energy regulations that affect every Alabama family.”

[...]

“Alabama has not had a seat on this committee for more than 15 years,” Griffith said, “and I am honored to bring this representation back to our state.”

You moron, you had a seat on Transportation and Science and Technology which deals with NASA funding and now you get to work on cable mergers?

Griffith’s new committee holds a wide jurisdiction, overseeing energy policy, health care, foreign commerce, consumer protections, tourism, medical research and foreign communications.

[...]

In the last few weeks, the committee has held a variety of hearings on crib safety, a cable company merger, an oil company merger, childhood obesity, coal waste and deceptive funeral home practices.

Wait… deceptive funeral home practices? He may be an expert in that field….

I can’t wait till Griffith solves childhood obesity!

The GOP of course scurries to tow the line…

In particular, U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt, R- Haleyville, noted the committee’s role in energy policy affects TVA concerns in North Alabama.”More than half the legislation that passes the House comes through the Energy and Commerce Committee,” said Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Mobile.

Mo Brooks, candidate for Congress isn’t buying it…

“This is a disaster for the Tennessee Valley,” said Mo Brooks, a member of the Madison County Commission who is seeking the Republican nomination for Griffith’s seat. “When we need someone who can help fight the Constellation battle, we have lost the Science and Technology Committee where that battle will be fought.”

Brooks also said Griffith could have used his other former assignment to help steer road dollars to North Alabama to help with growth. “If this was Houston with oil wells or Louisiana with refineries, it would be wonderful. But it’s not. It’s very much a disappointment.”

Les Phillip, candidate for Congress, slams Griffith as well…

Les Phillip, a former Navy helicopter pilot who is also seeking the Republican nomination, said: “I guess it sounds like a good committee. I hope he enjoys it, because he might not be there after Jan. 11.”

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B-12

I-am getting raided

BINGO!

You win a government crackdown on illegal gaming and closed casinos!

Newspaper editors are arguing in favor of breaking laws…

What’s in store for Macon County if you get your way? The unemployment rate is about 12 percent. If VictoryLand is put out of business, that rate would climb above 20 percent. VictoryLand is the largest employer and taxpayer in the entire Black Belt Foundation area comprised of 12 counties. Think about that. There would be hundreds of thousands of unemployment dollars expended. Then there is the cost of medical care for the uninsured. Surely, that has crossed your mind.

Last week, a plant that had been upgraded and refurbished reopened in Selma, which is in the Black Belt. According to reports, the   jobs for that facility would impact five counties. What are we talking about, maybe 300 jobs. The Mann Bait Company in Eufaula had a nice blurb the other day with about 15 jobs involved.

VictoryLand provided jobs for residents of several counties including Macon. Remember, not 15 jobs, not 200 or 300, but almost 2,000.

As for the “Christian Coalition”, it is a front group for gambling with “Christian” in the name… they must think you are stupid.

Campaign finance reports show one of the state’s leading faith-based groups, the Christian Coalition of Alabama, has received donations from political action committees financed largely by gambling interests.

Race PAC filed finance reports showing it gave $8,000 last year to the Christian Coalition after receiving donations directly from gambling interests and from other PACs funded mostly by gambling interests.

A sister PAC, Watch PAC, reported $4,500 in contributions last year to the Christian Coalition after gambling interests provided money to the PAC, according to a review of reports by The Associated Press.

And we wonder why they are out touting polls saying people don’t want the laws enforced.

Governor Robert Riley seems to be losing the support of the people that voted him into office in Alabama almost daily. The latest blow to Riley’s popularity came from an anti-gambling group in the state.

The Christian Coalition is a group that is heavily opposed to any form of gambling, but that did not stop them from releasing the results of a poll that show that their opinion is not shared by the majority of people in Alabama. The poll revealed that two-thirds of Alabamians are against the raids that are taking place at entertainment establishments across the state.

The bold part is a lie, they are not opposed to gambling.

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Schipp: Life or Death?

The seven-man, five-woman jury deliberated for about six hours over two days before deciding to convict Shipp of capital murder, which carries two possible sentences: death or life in prison.

The jury will enter the sentencing phase today. Jurors will hear evidence of aggravating factors related to Shipp’s crime that the prosecution hopes will show he deserves the death penalty. The defense team of Robert Tuten and Jake Watson will introduce evidence of mitigating factors related to Shipp and the events that night in trying to avoid a death sentence.

Death.

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Do buyouts save money?

Yes.

The City of Huntsville’s early retirement buyout plan could cost taxpayers more than $2 million up front, but could also save the city as much as $6.4 million in annual salary.

Both of those figures could change, however, depending on how many employees follow through on plans to take the buyout.

Mayor Tommy Battle said 108 of the 256 municipal workers eligible for the buyout signed up before Monday’s deadline.

In exchange for retiring early, they will be given $500 for every year of government service plus a cash payment equal to 60 percent of their accrued sick leave.

Now the school board may do it too.

Huntsville City Schools should consider offering employee buyouts to save money, a school board member said Thursday.

“I have had so many teachers come up to me and say, ‘I’ve had 28 years in. Give me a carrot and I’m gone,’ ” Topper Birney said.

But at a time of slashed budgets and likelihood of teacher layoffs later, are there carrots to offer?

“I’ve got one question,” board member Laurie McCaulley countered. “Where are we going to get it from?”

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Remember the recruiting obsession=pedophilia conversation?

Exhibit A…

One day after pulling together one of the top-ranked recruiting classes in the nation, USC coach Lane Kiffin was already looking further down road, like way down the road.

According the Delaware News Journal, Kiffin coaxed a verbal commitment out of 13-year-old quarterback David Stills Thursday night.

“I’m very excited but I was very, very nervous,” the seventh-grader told the News Journal about talking to Kiffin over the phone. “It was very cool but my heart was beating so fast, and I was scared. But after it was over, I was so excited and pumped.”

7th grader.

Bob Riley is Hitler or something…

From BobLovesBingo…

Show notes 2/4: AL-05 $$$, gambling and not every gay guy wants to bone you…

Guest today:

• Every Thursday at 8:00 AM – Doctor of Political Science.Dr. Jess Brown of Athens State University

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Another look at GOP fundraising from the Huntsville Times…

Les Phillip, a political rookie, raised more money than either of his opponents at the end of 2009, suddenly providing all three Republican candidates to represent North Alabama in Congress the financial ammunition for a heated three-way primary.

“The momentum has shifted to us,” Phillip said this week. “We’re not going to be slowing down. (U.S. Rep.) Parker (Griffith) needs a lot more money to convince people that he’s something that he’s not.”

“Political rookie”? Did Mo Brooks write this?

The other fact that is missing here is that Phillip spent his money raising money outside of the district (he spends 80 cents to make a dollar) and unless he is able to stop the bleeding I don’t see how he has enough to build his brand.

Mo Brooks, a Republican Madison County commissioner, trailed the pack last quarter, raising just $47,700 in the final three months of 2009. But Brooks also saw a late surge, as he received a quarter of his contributions the day Griffith switched.

If he can build on anti-Griffith “Mo”mentum he may be able to raise a lot of money. Brooks also seems to be running a very frugal campaign but he is also utilizing a lot of free media and is a walking sound bite.

STILL… Brooks and Phillip need to raise a lot more money.

Griffith, who leapt into the GOP primary for District 5 on Dec. 22 when he switched from the Democratic to the Republican Party, ran second in fundraising last quarter. He added $172,000 to his war chest last quarter, a third of which arrived after he switched parties.

That’s over in $50,000 in 9 days sucked away from GOP donors.

Best line of the article…

Griffith e-mailed a statement late Tuesday saying, “I am proud of the financial support I have received for this campaign which has put us in a strong position to reach out to voters and talk about my conservative record and the issues that matter to North Alabama.”

Me too… me too.

Griffith continued to spend liberally last quarter, giving thousands to various Democratic groups, spending $650 for flower deliveries and $1,000 on three trips to the Huntsville liquor store Great Spirits, paying $3,819 to one restaurant alone; he made eight payments to Johnny’s Half Shell in Washington.

His single largest expense was $12,560 spent to rent a suite for a campaign fundraiser during the Alabama-Florida SEC championship game at the Georgia Dome.

By the way… The Democrats STILL have no candidate, but surely they have a big name heavy hitter ready to fire up their base just waiting to jump in.

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I am tired of hearing about the “Chrtistian Coalition” their polls are garbage and their support for gambling is ridiculous.

Randy Brinson, chairman of the coalition, said his organization opposes gambling in any form, but decided to release the poll because the issue “is moving in the wrong direction.”

“We want to make it clear we are adamantly opposed to gambling in the state of Alabama,” he said.

But Jeff Emerson, Riley’s chief spokesman, said since Brinson has become director of the coalition, it has become a supporter of illegal gambling in Alabama.

“Any poll it claims to have done on the issue of gambling is very suspect since recent financial disclosure reports show Randy Brinson’s Christian Coalition has taken thousands of dollars from a PAC funded by gambling interests, including Milton McGregor and Ronnie Gilley.”

Bob Riley is right on gambling, I think we should allow it, but the legislature will not touch this issue because they know it is an unpopular idea. We can not allow people to openly break the law in this state and then say…

What about the jobs?

QUIT BREAKING THE LAW!

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THE GAYS ARE COMING!

While prepping for my show today I was listen to Bill Bennett’s “Boring Morning in America” and he had people on talking about how they don’t want a homosexual in the bunk next to them “looking at them” or “rubbing elbows with them.”

BECAUSE IF YOU RUB ELBOWS WITH A GAY YOU MAY CATCH IT!

I hope you idiots who feel this way are ready to marginalize yourself into oblivion.

If you feel this way here is a clue… stop talking, your side will never win with this stupid argument.

Here is the apporpriate argument…

Homophobia is rampant in the military and allowing gays into the military WILL adversely affect unit cohesion. But it WILL NOT be because of the gays, it will be because of the other soldiers and how they will react to it. And in a scenario like that the lack of unit cohesion will get people KILLED, directly via murder or indirectly via unnessecary disruption in a war zone.

I don’t care if your argument is “the gays want to bone me” but do America a favor and use my argument.

Idiot.

What products have been created by NASA and space exploration?

From spacecoalition.com…

360 Degree Camera
3-D Synthetic Vision Flight Displays
Advanced Hydrogen Sensors
Advanced Lubricants
Advanced Welding Torch
Aerodynamic Bicycle Wheels
Air Catalysts for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Aircraft Collision Avoidance
Aircraft Design Analysis
Airline Wheelchairs
Airliner TV Transmission Via Satellite
AiroCide TiO2 Air Purifier
Anthrax Smoke Detector
Arteriosclerosis Detection
Artificial Heart
Astronaut Plant Bag
Athletic Shoes
Audiometric System for Hearing Assessment
Automated Urinalysis
Automatic Insulin Pump
Automotive Design

Automotive Insulation
BAFCO Linear Actuators
Balance Evaluation System
Biomass Production System for Education
Bioreactor Demonstration System
Bioreactor Human Tissue Growth
Bone Analyzer
Breast Biopsy
Breast Cancer Screening
Bridge Safety Improvements
Cabin Pressure Altitude Monitor and Warning System
Camera on a Chip
Cardiac Pacemaker
Cataract Surgery Tools
Chemical Warfare Hood
Chromosome Analysis
Clean Room Apparel
Clean Water for Homes
Coastal Zone Color Scanner
Compact Blood Diagnostic Equipment
Compact Fire and Rescue Extraction Devices
Composite Forceps
Composite Materials Development – Golf Clubs
Computer Joysticks
Computer-Aided Tomography (CAT Scanner)

Computer Reader for the Blind
Convection Oven
Cool Vest Therapeutic Suits
Cordless Power Tools and Appliances
Corporate Jet Wing Designs
Corrosion Protection Coating
Crop Dusting Improvements
Crop Growing Improvements
DeBakey Heart Pump
Dental Arch Wire
Digital Mammography
Diving Optical Profiler
DMI Remote Sensing Fish-Finding Service
Doppler Radar
Ear Thermometer
Edible Toothpaste
Electric Car
Emission Testing
Emulsified Zero-Valent Iron Remediation
Energy Storage Systems
Engine Coatings
Engine Design
Engine Lubricant
Failsafe Flashlight
Fetal Heart Monitor
Fire Detection Systems
Firefighter Breathing System
Firefighter Radios
Firefighting Equipment
Fireman’s Air Tanks
Fitness Equipment
Flame Detector
Foam-In-Place Seating Technology
Freeze Drying Technologies
Gas Detector
Gasoline Vapor Recovery
Geosynchronous Orbiting
Golf Ball Aerodynamics
GPS Navigation
Helmet Padding
High Temperature Soldering Blocks
High-Pressure Waterstripping
Historical Document Condition Analysis
Home Insulation
Human Tissue Stimulator
Implantable Heart Aid
Improved Aircraft Engines
Inertial Motion-Tracking for Virtual Reality
Infrared Camera
Infrared Thermometer
Insulation
Insulin Pumps
Interactive Computer Training
InTime Agricultural Remote Sensing
Invisible Braces
Kidney Dialysis
Land Mine Removal Device
Laser Angioplasty
Laser Heart Surgery
Laser Wire Stripper
Lead Poison Detection
Lifeshears – Emergency Rescue Cutters
Lightning Protection
Low Vision Enhancement System (LVES)
Lubricant Coating Process
Machine Tool Software
Magnetic Bearing System
Magnetic Liquids
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Medical Gas Analyzer
Methane-Powered Vehicles
Microelectromechanical Systems
Microlasers
Miniature Accelerometers
Modified Carbon Nanotube Materials
Ocean Fluorometer
Ocular Screening
Oil Spill Control
PackBot Tactical Mobile Robot
Palate Surgery Technology
Personal Storm Warning System
Pesticide-Free Mosquito Killing System
Phenotype MicroArray
Photodynamic Therapy
Physical Therapy
Pill Sized Transmitter
Plantronics Wireless Communications Devices
Portable X-Ray Device
Precision Lightning Strike Location System
Programmable Pacemaker
PRO-SAN Non-Toxic Microbicidal Santizer
Prosthesis Material
Protective Clothing
PureSense Water and Air Purification Systems
Quartz Clock
Radiant Barrier Technology
Radiation Hazard Detector
Real-Time Emergency Action Coordination Tool
Remote Controlled Light Switch
Remote Command and Control Appliances
Ribbed Swimsuit
Robotic Arms
Robotic Hands
Satellite Computer Data Transmission
Satellite Computer Image Transmission
Satellite Crop Growth & Monitoring
Satellite Fishing Technology
Satellite Stabilization
Satellite Telephone Signal Transmission
Satellite TV Transmission
School Bus Improvements
Secure Mobile Router System
Self-Locking Fasteners
Self-Righting Life Raft
Ski Boots
Skin Care Product Effectiveness Technology
Smoke Detector Improvements
Smoke Penetrating Forest Fire Analysis
Solar Power Technologies
Solid State High-Power Transmitters
Space Pens
SpiraFlex Resistance Exercise Device
Stadium Roofing Fabric
Standing Wave Reflectometer Wire Analyzer
Studless Winter Tires
Sunglasses Blocking Harmful Rays
Surgical Brain Tumor Probe
Temper Foam Technology
Temperature Pill
Thermal Gloves and Boots
Thermal Protection Insulation
Three-dimensional Thermal Tomography in Radiation Oncology
Tire Deflating Devices – MagnumSpike
Tollbooth Air Purification
Ultrasound Scanners
Ultrasound Skin Damage Assesment
VEGGIE – Deployable Vegetable System
Vehicle Brake Improvements
Vehicle Tracking
Velcro
Video Stabilization
Virtual Reality
Vision Screening System
Voice Controlled Wheelchair
Warfighter Accelerated Recovery
Waste Heat Energy Conversion
Waste Water Purification
Water Purification
Weight Saving Composite Materials
Welding Sensor System
Whale Tracking Technologies
Windshear Prediction
WindTracer for Tracking Aircraft Wake Vortices
Wireless Communications
ZipNut

Show notes 2/3: Mayor Battle writes a letter to the POTUS and Wayne Parker getting into the AL-05?

Guest today:

• 8:00 AM: Mayor Tommy Battle on his letter to President Barack Obama.

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NASA NASA NASA NASA!

I talked to the AP yesterday, but they misquoted me on the impact of the decision to kill the Constellation program…

President Barack Obama’s decision to scrap NASA’s back-to-the-moon program in favor of private spacecraft created an outrage in places like Huntsville, where jobs depend on a return lunar trip.

The new direction has stirred more than paycheck concerns, though. Some in Huntsville, where German rocket scientists first figured out how to send people to the moon, believe the shift could crush America’s spaceflight psyche.

“People here care about going to the moon. The last thing they want to do is have our astronauts become cargo on some company’s space ship,” said Dale Jackson, host of a morning radio show WVNN in Huntsville, which is nicknamed “Rocket City.”

What I actually said…

“People here care about going to the moon. The last thing they want to do is have our astronauts become cargo on some [other country]’s space ship,” said Dale Jackson, host of a morning radio show WVNN in Huntsville, which is nicknamed “Rocket City.”

NASA budget is not complete…

Marshall Space Flight Center engineers are continuing to work on Ares rocket designs, even though the White House has announced plans to kill the program and shop new rocket work to private companies, center Director Robert Lightfoot said Tuesday.

Under law, any changes to the Ares program will have to be examined by Congress with the possibility of hearings as the proposed budget is worked across Capitol Hill this year. Work on Ares continues because the program is still in the 2010 budget year, Lightfoot said.

President Barack Obama’s proposed $19 billion budget for NASA, which eliminates the Constellation program to return to the moon on Ares rockets, is for fiscal 2011.

“We are in the middle of preliminary design work,” Lightfoot said. “As you might guess, this is still a big distraction.”

Lightfoot said Marshall can’t change its course until Congress acts.

“You have to remember this is going to change. This isn’t the final budget at all, and by Oct. 1 – at the earliest – this will be a different budget. It always happens that way,” said Lightfoot, who has been with NASA 20 years.

The federal fiscal year will begin Oct. 1, but Congress has missed that deadline consistently since 2001.

The Alabama delegation in Washington has pledged to fight the cuts, with U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa, continually pledging support for the Ares program.

Steve Cook, former Ares manager at Marshall, said debates in Congress and across the nation are crucial “to this sweeping change because it is such a major one. Congress will most definitely play a role in this.”

Cook said that while work continues on Ares, the looming threat of cancellation could affect the more than 2,000 people across North Alabama who work on the program.

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Rookie State Senator Paul Sanford kills a ridiculous $1 billion dollar “stimulus bill“…

A three-week effort to pass a $1 billion road construction bill in the Alabama Senate, sponsored by Sen. Lowell Barron, has failed.

Barron, D-Fyffe, tried to cut off a filibuster on the “roads and bridges” bill Tuesday afternoon, but it fell one vote short of the number needed for cloture. The vote was 20-11.

However, Barron immediately pulled the bill from consideration. That will allow him to try to bring it up later in the session.

Barron’s bill would take $100,000 per year for 10 years from a state savings account called the Alabama Trust Fund. Barron has said the state needs better roads to recruit industry.

For some reason some believe we still need a “flawed” (their word not mine) bill…

As written, this bill has several flaws. For instance, it is being sold as a stimulus plan to create jobs. As a jobs stimulus, it is horrible. It would not create the first job until months down the road after the public has had a chance to vote on it. And it makes no sense to have a job stimulus plan that lasts for a decade.The bill also could open the way for legislators to pressure the Department of Transportation on which projects to fund.

But despite those flaws, Barron’s bill may have been the only realistic way over the next few years for the state and counties to have the money to address major backlogs in highway projects and maintenance.

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My prediction on AL-05’s GOP Primary from yesterday seems like their was some sense behind it after all…

My Prediction:

Mo Brooks – 51%
Parker Griffith and his money – 40%
Les Phillip – 9%

Results as of now?

Mo Brooks – 49%
Parker Griffith and his money – 21%
Les Phillip – 26%

Hmmm…

Look at the audience of my show and this website, much more conservative than even primary voters and Griffith is still pulling 21%? If anything I had Griffith too low and Brooks too high.

But what now that Wayne Parker may be getting in?

Wayne Parker, who has tried three times to win Griffith’s congressional seat for the GOP, said he’s considering a fourth run.Parker narrowly lost to Griffith 52-48 percent in 2008, when Griffith was a Democrat. He came within 2,000 votes of unseating Democratic U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer in 1994, and he lost by a wider margin to Cramer in 1996.

Here is the poll…

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HHA bill changes in the Senate…

A bill that would affect the appointment of Huntsville Housing Authority board members was approved Tuesday by a Senate committee, but with a drastic makeover.Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville, abandoned his original legislation that would have taken appointment power from the mayor and given it to members of the Huntsville City Council. Under his revised bill, the mayor’s appointments would have to be confirmed by council members. “The City Council expressed they weren’t really interested in having that responsibility (to appoint board members),” he said.

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Alabama’s Legislature believes teachers ethic is an unacceptable issue…

The Alabama House on Tuesday followed the Senate’s lead and overrode Gov. Bob Riley’s veto of a resolution that rejected a teacher ethics code proposed by the state school board.But the vote in the 105-member House was by the slimmest of margins. It required 53 votes to override the veto, and the resolution was adopted on a 53-25 vote.

The Senate and House earlier voted to reject the state Board of Education’s proposed code, but Riley vetoed the legislative action.

The Senate last week voted 22-10 to override the veto of the code, which Democrats called vague and unenforceable.

House Minority Leader Rep. Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn, complained that there had been “a lot of arm twisting” in the House over the issue. He said the Board of Education’s plan would give the code of ethics “more teeth.”

“This (recommendation made by the Legislative Council) would make it harder to get rid of bad teachers,” he said. “Let’s face it. This is what this is all about.”

But Rep. Ken Guin, D-Carbon Hill, said the proposed code is vague and “doesn’t create a good working environment.”

Guin couldn’t say the AEA owns him?

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Kay Ivey signs the gas tax pledge…

With rows of gasoline pumps behind her, Republican gubernatorial candidate Kay Ivey Tuesday morning signed a pledge to return more gasoline tax money to Madison County for roads and bridges if she’s elected.

“It’s your money, and you certainly deserve to get it back,” Ivey said before signing a large cardboard replica of the pledge at the Kangaroo station on University Drive.

The County Commission and the Huntsville and Madison city councils have adopted resolutions asking the candidates for governor to sign a pledge to spend at least 80 cents on road work in Madison County for every $1 collected in gasoline taxes in the county. The resolution came on the heels of a study that showed only 53 cents for every $1 collected in gas taxes came back to the county over 15 years.

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Cop killer Kenneth Shipp did not mean to hurt anyone…

Shipp was interviewed a few hours after Freeman’s death by Major Crimes Unit investigator David Owens and was asked about the previous night. Shipp had been drinking and taking pills the day of the shooting and recalled fragments of what happened.

Asked if he knew why he was in jail, Shipp said, “I shot someone. Did I hurt him?”

After Owens told Shipp he had killed a police officer, there was a long silence on the recording. Shipp laid his head on the table for a brief period at the news, Owens later testified.

Owens asked Shipp what he had to say about Freeman’s being killed.

“What can I say? I didn’t mean to hurt anybody,” Shipp said.

Well gee, why don’t we let him go?

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Bingo battle rages on!

Gov. Bob Riley contends electronic bingo is illegal, but Attorney General Troy King argues it is legal in certain places.

The head of the Governor’s Task Force on Illegal Gambling, John Tyson, said Tuesday during a meeting with Times editors and reporters that the attorney general is “flat-out wrong.”

“We wouldn’t be (raiding bingo halls) if (King) were doing his job,” said Tyson, the Mobile County district attorney. “The task force is here to, one, enforce the law, and two, re-establish the rule of the law.”

For more than five years, Riley and King have differed on the legality of electronic bingo in Alabama.

What’s done in one county in Alabama must be done in all counties in the state, Tyson said.

“Following the rule of law means we are all equal,” Tyson said. “That means it’s not fair for us to run (bingo) out of (a certain number) of counties, but leave it in (a number of) other counties.”

The Alabama Supreme Court ruled Friday that bingo requires players to take certain actions and that machines are not allowed to play bingo for them. The machines used in most Alabama bingo halls do not qualify under last week’s ruling, Tyson said.

That ruling raised even more questions about electronic gaming at places such as VictoryLand in Shorter and Country Crossing in Dothan. As the task force planned raids on both businesses, they were met with restraining orders before action could be taken. Over the weekend, both businesses closed to the public.

Laura Hall chimes in? Really!

The attempted raids by the governor’s gaming task force over the past weeks looks more and more like some sort of strange revenge movie rather than law enforcement. Massing state troopers in the middle of the night, early morning court injunctions and stays, lawyers standing in doorways, moving trucks coming in, and then everyone leaves and it goes away until the whole show comes back. It is for lack of a better word: crazy.

It is also dangerous, costing the taxpayers millions, and making a mockery of how law enforcement and the laws of the state are supposed to work. It is threatening the jobs of thousands while there is often no other employment.

Worst of all, it gets us no closer to the fundamental legal questions about electronic bingo. It is time the showboating and the personal settling of scores stop, before someone gets hurt and irreparable harm happens.

AL-05 prediction (as of today)…

My Prediction:

Mo Brooks – 51%
Parker Griffith and his money – 40%
Les Phillip – 9%

Your thoughts?

Show notes 2/2: AL-05 $$$, Governor debate brings about talking points and more NASA fallout….

Guests today:

• 6:45 AM – Former NASA administrator Mike Griffin
• 7:30 AM – Candidate for Governor Bradley Byrne

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I think I need to put Brian LeCompte from flashpointblog.com on the payroll…

He has a great piece on AL-05 fundraising…

The 2009, 4th quarter FEC reports for Parker Griffith, Mo Brooks, and Les Phillip are in and here’s a look into the numbers…

Griffith:

Unsurprisingly, Parker Griffith has a substantial cash advantage over the competition.  His cash on hand is a whopping $714,836 with no debt.  He took in $174,005 ($70,105 from individuals and $101,900 from PACs).  While this is lot of money it is a substantial drop off from the first three quarters of 2009.  He pulled in – or at least recorded – $52,700 in contributions after he switched parties on Dec. 22 ($18,800 of it from individuals).  At least 10 donors have contributed the maximum for both the primary and general elections.  Only 16% of Griffith’s itemized contributions for the 4th quarter came from zip codes within the 5th district.

Brooks:

Mo Brooks raised $47,709 during Q4 and has raised a total of $114,340 to date (all from individuals).  He also has loaned his campaign $100,000.  He only has recorded total expenditures of a little over $3,000 to date and has $211,303 cash on hand.  Of his itemized contributions for the election cycle, 92% come from zip codes within the 5th district.

Phillip:

Les Phillip raised an impressive $228,535 during Q4 and has raised a total of $313,798 to date (all from individuals).  He has loaned his campaign $50,000.  He recorded expenditures of just under $200k for the quarter and has $66,108 cash on hand.  His expenditures for the quarter included $180,419 for fundraising and mail expenses as well as $146 to a dentist for “campaign medical expenses.”  To put it another way, he spent 79% of money he raised for the quarter trying to raise more money.  Not great, but a better return on investment than the Huckabee event he hosted last year.  Of his itemized contributions for the election cycle, only 23% come from zip codes within the 5th district.

There is an interesting sidebar to Phillip’s contributions: he has an inordinate amount of “unitemized” contributions (only contributions of $200 or more are required to be disclosed).  Of his total contributions to date, 77% are unitemized.  The other two candidates claim well under 10% in unitemized contributions.  It would be interesting to delve inside those numbers for Phillip to see if it breaks down along the same lines as his itemized contributions regarding in-district support.  It seems from my vantage point that Phillip is tapping into national fundraising sources, probably through Tea Party channels, while Brooks is relying on local donors and Griffith is shaking down PACs.

This furthers my theory that I have seen repeated recently: Internet support does not equal real support.

See: Ron Paul and Roy Moore

I am not saying their is no support for Les Phillip, I am saying this…

1. Phillip has very little name recognition so he is spending money on mailers to get his name out.
2. Brooks has name recognition so he is banking money for later in the race.
3. Griffith has horrible name recognition and will need to raise a lot more money to buy this primary.

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Politicians weigh-in on NASA’s budget…

“Congress cannot and will not sit back and watch the reckless abandonment of sound principles, a proven track record … and the destruction of our human space flight program,” Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa, said in a statement.

[...]

n his statement, Shelby said the administration’s budget “begins the death march for the future of U.S. human space flight.”Starting with the late John F. Kennedy, “we’ve been blessed with having presidents … who have supported this vision,” Sessions said in an interview. “It’s pretty clear now that we don’t have that.”

Sessions also questioned the wisdom of breaking up “a fabulous team of scientists” and said he found it inconceivable NASA could save money by starting over with a private company.

In a news release, Aderholt sounded a similar theme. “Under the president’s plan,” he said, “there is no telling how many years taxpayers could be on the hook while these programs come up to speed.”

Davis, who is running for governor, said in a separate release that he would work with other lawmakers to push the administration to reverse course and that the possible loss of 2,200 jobs “is an unacceptable blow to North Alabama’s economy.”

For Griffith, the White House announcement comes barely a month after he jumped parties and was subsequently stripped of his committee assignments – including a seat on the House science and technology panel – by majority Democrats. The freshman lawmaker has yet to get any new assignments as a Republican.

“Not necessarily,” Griffith replied Monday when asked whether he would be better positioned to affect the debate if he were still on the science committee. “This is an appropriations question; this is a money question.

“My greatest leverage is going to be working with my delegation,” Griffith said, “working with our NASA caucus, working with our people who are very keenly interested in space … who see space exploration as the heart and soul of America,” whether in Texas, Florida, California or elsewhere.

• GRIFFITH’S STATEMENT ON OBAMA’S BUDGET PROPOSAL
• Huntsville’s Mayor Tommy Battle writes to President Obama…
• Ron Sparks Statement On President Obama’s Decision Regarding Constellation Program
• ADERHOLT STATEMENT ON THE PRESIDENT’S NASA BUDGET PROPOSAL TO CUT CONSTELLATION
• PHILLIP CAMPAIGN RESPONDS TO 2011 NASA BUDGET CUTS

Huntsville’s leaders chime in…

Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said local leaders plan to lobby lawmakers in Washington to keep the Ares work alive.

“We’ve invested billions of dollars in it; it’s a proven technology,” Battle said. “We do not need to have a rudderless ship sitting there with NASA. We do not need to take manned space flight off the table for the next 10 to 15 years.”

“We’re going to working to make sure we do everything we can to get this program put back in.”

NASA’s chief financial officer, Beth Robinson, said the proposed NASA budget will be “really, really good for Marshall” Space Flight Center, though few details were available. Marshall Director Robert Lightfoot plans a news briefing today on Marshall’s role as outlined in the budget.

The budget shifts priorities from going back to the moon to developing advanced technologies, including advanced propulsion research and climate research done at Marshall. It also proposes that NASA take on the development of a new heavy-lift rocket by developing improved rocket engines, materials and ways to fuel rockets in what are basically floating gas stations in space.

Robinson said Marshall should have major roles in all those programs. “Marshall is a very diverse center. This is good for Marshall,” Robinson said.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said the budget was a deep commitment by the Obama White House to continue NASA efforts, including manned space flight. The $19 billion overall budget is $700 million more than NASA got this year.

“I’ve read a lot about the (NASA) budget being cut or being stable or whatever, but this is an extraordinary show of support in these tough budget times,” Bolden said.

The budget proposal moves about $3 billion a year, now being spent on the NASA moon plan, or Constellation, to new programs.

Bolden said the Ares program, although a good concept that had spawned excellent work, was not useful because it is behind schedule and over budget.

But backing out of Constellation, including the Ares rockets, will cost the taxpayer $2.5 billion over the next two years, said NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver.

“There will be some close out costs, with about $1.9 billion being spent in 2011,” Garver said.

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Education Governor’s debate yesterday was a good oppurtunity to hear talking points.

Patricia McCarter sums it up pretty well…

For Democratic U.S. Rep. Artur Davis of Birmingham, that central message was growing jobs and a revenue stream through constitutional reform.

For Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks, it was lottery, lottery, lottery – and to tax gambling.

For Republican Dr. Robert Bentley, state representative from Tuscaloosa, it was to budget more conservatively by using a rolling 15-year average of the state’s revenues.

For Republican Bradley Byrne, former two-year college chancellor, it was all about smarter budgeting.

For Republican State Treasurer Kay Ivey, it was to cut administrative costs and bureaucratic red tape.

For Republican Tim James, a businessman from Greenville, it was for the state and schools to learn to live within their means and attack the state’s 40 percent dropout rate.

For Republican Bill Johnson, former Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs director, it was to tax gaming operations in the state.

For Republican James Potts, financial adviser from Bibb County, it was to audit school systems and superintendents so people can see where the money is going.

These debates need to be a bit more interactive, but I can tell the candidates don’t want to do that.

FYI: Roy Moore is avoiding these things like the plague because he ridiculously believes he has the nomination locked up. If he can pull 51% in a 7 person primary, with big name opponents then he needs to run for President.

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Redstone Arsenal tax zone?

House Speaker Seth Hammett has committed to give first priority on Tuesday to a bill that would allow Huntsville to establish a special tax increment finance, or TIF, district for a $1 billion development at Redstone Arsenal.Rep. Randy Hinshaw, D-Meridianville, the House sponsor of the legislation, said the bill will be the first one considered by the full House when it convenes Tuesday at 1 p.m.

A Senate committee has also approved the bill, but it’s stacked behind other legislation because of a session-long delay in the upper chamber over a $1 billion highway bill. Republicans are using stalling tactics to prevent a vote on the highway bill.

The Senate sponsor of the arsenal bill, Sen. Tom Butler, D-Madison, has said that once the highway bill clears the Senate floor, a vote should be taken quickly on the arsenal because it has the support of Sen. Lowell Barron, D-Fyffe, chairman of the Rules Committee.

The entire Tennessee Valley House and Senate delegations have signed on to the bill, and it has met no resistance so far in House and Senate committees.

GRIFFITH’S STATEMENT ON OBAMA’S BUDGET PROPOSAL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2010
Contact: Brecke Latham
(202) 225-4801

GRIFFITH’S STATEMENT ON OBAMA’S BUDGET PROPOSAL

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Parker Griffith made the following statement regarding President Obama’s budget proposal which was submitted to Congress today.

“The President’s budget proposal reaches new records – it takes spending to a new record of $3.8 trillion in FY 2011, drives the deficit to a new record of $1.6 trillion, raises taxes by over $2 trillion through 2020, and in addition – doubles the debt in five years and triples it in 10,” said Griffith. “Even though the Administration’s decision for discretionary spending was a move in the right direction, the freeze is obviously not enough.

“This proposal highlights how the Administration is spending, taxing and borrowing too much. The President is suggesting that by spending more money and raising taxes, it will improve our economy. However, to have real economic growth, we need to cut taxes, eliminate wasteful spending, and reduce burdensome over-regulation.

“Currently, our country has the largest deficit in history – 10.6 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. The solution of getting out of a hole is not by digging deeper. Especially now, when American families are being more careful with their budgets – they expect the very same from their Congress.

Huntsville’s Mayor Tommy Battle writes to President Obama…

From al.com…

Dear Mr. President,

Many would argue that putting a man on the moon was mankind’s greatest scientific achievement. What will be mankind’s next great achievement?

As mayor of Huntsville, Alabama, I feel that this is a timely and appropriate question when considering the actions taken toward the Constellation human space flight program in the proposed federal budget for the 2011 fiscal year.

As I’m sure you know, it is in Huntsville’s DNA to be part of this nation’s exploration of space. This community, along with scientist and engineers from through-out this country, have been part of the team to design, build, and fly rockets, carrying astronauts to earth orbit, the moon and I am confident one day to Mars. This team over these past fifty years has included thousands of men and women who call Huntsville home, and who have dedicated their lives to America’s space program.

Throughout the generations of our space history, the NASA-Marshall team of civil servants and contractors has understood the challenges and the commitment to excellence that began as part of Dr. Von Braun’s vision. Our fathers, our mothers, our sons, our daughters, our friends and colleagues understand the complex challenges of space travel. This is what we do. We go to work each day mindful of the inherit danger of space travel. We celebrate the accomplishments; we remember each and every tragedy. We dedicate ourselves to always, and continuously, work to make space travel as safe as we possibly can.

President John F. Kennedy challenged America’s spirit and ingenuity – daring us to reach the moon. America rose to meet this challenge, and all mankind rallied around one of the most significant moments in human history. With the cuts to the Constellation program, and in particular to the Ares I rocket, I’m concerned that our spirit as a country, our ability to rise up and meet the most daunting of challenges is in danger of not only falling behind other countries, but that we are in danger of diminishing that American spirit all-together.

Over the past five decades NASA has assembled the greatest intellectual pool of scientists and engineers ever to be brought together. If that pool of talent is allowed to disburse it would take decades to re-assemble.

NASA has left its imprint on our community, our nation…on the moon – and on all mankind.

U.S. Senator Richard Shelby very accurately summarized NASA’s work with Constellation, when he said:

“Constellation is the only path forward that maintains America’s leadership in space. The successful test launch of the Ares I rocket in October represented years of work and great advancement in our Nation’s human space flight program. To discard Ares I as the foundation of space exploration without demonstrated capability or proven superiority of an alternative vehicle, is irresponsible and not cost-effective. There is no other rocket today that is as safe, or that has successfully demonstrated it can meet the country’s needs for the exploration of space.”

While the domestic challenges facing our country are undoubtedly great, and while the world works tirelessly to meet and exceed the accomplishments of the American dream – I respectfully ask you to please, sir, not give up on the Constellation program. Doing so does not just negate the billions of dollars already invested in safe, manned space flight – canceling this program puts limits on the dreams of our country.

The challenges we are facing should not eliminate a future for our nation. These realities can instead inspire us to again meet the challenges we face head-on with a renewed sense of purpose. Neil Armstrong took one step that proved to be a giant leap for mankind. His one step forever gave proof that America’s potential is limitless.

The United States has always prided itself on being a world leader. Space exploration has always been a national effort that instills pride in most Americans. I respectfully request that you re-think your proposed 2011 budget and give NASA the tools necessary to keep the United States a leader in space, exploration and technology.

I have no doubt that America’s resolve, our ingenuity and that American spirit can still overcome the intractable. But for that to happen, our nation will look to you to challenge us – and to let it be known what that next great achievement, for all mankind, will be.

Sincerely,

Tommy Battle

Mayor

City of Huntsville, Alabama”