"The Storm is Passing Over"

During a recent episode of The Good Wife, the main character was asked if she was happy. She replied;

"Are we happy when the storm passes over or are we relieved?"

I am relieved to report me and mine are fine. We had relatively minor property damage, however many friends lost everything, some for the second time, due to a tornado. The death count is rising daily, damages continue to be assessed, power is gradually being restored.

As a life long resident of Tornado Ally, I have to ask, is it a coincidence the red, republican, Confederate Slave states are being bombarded with tornadoes, floods, and fires? Will the latest frightful day in Alabama put a stop to the human meaness?

But what about human meanness? Are we capable of coming to grips with that, limiting the havoc it wreaks? I'm not optimistic about that one. This blog chronicles the actions of numerous judges, lawyers, and individuals who have acted corruptly in our justice system, heaping major damage on their fellow human travelers. Like Mrs. Schnauzer and me, quite a few of these bad actors probably were fortunate to escape major damage in yesterday's storms. Did that cause any of them to stop for a moment, count their blessings, and vow to change their ways? I doubt it. Were many of them right back to their underhanded ways this morning? Probably so.

Probably so indeed. Which brings me to the politicization of President Obama's post storm visit to Alabama.

Even as Republicans have been kicking and screaming about the need to shrink government, even as they support a budget plan that would devastate government's ability to respond to disasters like this, when something like this happens they stand shoulder-to-shoulder with President Obama as government leaders eager to serve the people they represent. They aren't calling him a socialist, they aren't saying he was born in Kenya, they aren't accusing him of trying to kill grandma: they are just trying to do the right thing. It's just too bad it took a horrific storm to bring out that cooperative spirit.

I hate to say it, but as an African American supporter of President Obama, his actions continue to disappoint me. Don't get me wrong, although it took a tornado to bring him to Alabama, I'm glad he came. But, Tuscaloosa was not the only area hit hard by the storms. Entire neighborhoods were devastated in nearby Birmingham also.

President Obama did not carry Tuscaloosa County, and he will never carry Tuscaloosa County. President Obama did carry Jefferson County, and he can count on carrying Jefferson County again. So why did he pander to the ones who will never vote for him at the expense of those who will, and did, vote for him?

It made me sick to my stomach to watch the President and First Lady arrive in Tuscaloosa and as femaledog notes;

I'm glad the President and First Lady came to Alabama but, why didn't he visit Birmingham too? He went to the place that didn't vote for him and ignored the place that did. And why wasn't Rep. Terri Sewell, the states top Democrat the first person to greet President Obama instead of being 4th in line behind anti Socialist Bentley, I haven't seen his birth certificate Shelby, I gave you the middle finger and sent the Azalea Trail Maids to your inauguration parade, Jefferson Beauregard Sessions, and Birther Spencer Bacchus all republicans?

Representative Terri Sewell (D.Birmingham) and Mayor William Bell (D.Birmingham) should have been the first people to greet President Obama when he stepped off Air Force One. And speaking of Air Force One,  it should have landed in Birmingham FIRST, Obama should have spent time there FIRST, then motorcade on down the road to T-Town.

Pres. Obama and Al. Gov. Robert Bentley tour tornado devastation (Larry Downing/Reuters)

Sidebar with a sigh

If you look closely at the photograph attached to this diary of a VIP group walking with President Obama, I count nine individuals....Two in the front row, three in the middle row and four in the back, one of whom is barely visible as a pair of grey-trousered legs and the corner of a face. Two of them -- counting the President -- are non-white, one more may be.
The proportion of non-white persons in Alabama's population is about 29%, so 22%, or better 33%, persons of color (2 or 3 out of 9) would not be far out of line with the state population.
According to the same source, the proportion of persons in the population of Alabama who happen to be female is almost 52%. Female persons in the VIP group including President Obama: precisely zero.

How I wish the mainstream media would ask Spencer Bacchus, Dick Shelby, Jeff Sessions, and other republicans from devastated areas if they still back Paul Ryan's budget that guts FEMA and the National Weather Service?

How I wish the mainstream media would focus on the pain and suffering in Pratt City Alabama to the same extent they focus on Tuscaloosa and the Royal Wedding.

How I wish the mainstream media would ask the red republicans how they feel about public service workers and the Unions who represent them now.

How I wish President Obama had bought relief to the people who voted for him instead of the people who didn't. 

EXCUSE NUMBER 10: “You can't expect him to address issues like black unemployment, which has been double the white rate forever. He's not the president of Black America, and you can't expect him to act like it. He's the president of the United States of America...”
QUICK ANSWER: Obama wasn't drafted, he volunteered for the job, he campaigned for it, said he was “Joshua” to Dr. King's Moses, and lectured us on the Fierce Urgency of Now. He campaigned like a “civil rights leader.” His web site said “Join the Movement!” If the black president can't or won't address black mass incarceration, black unemployment, HIV-AIDS, the foreclosure crisis and other matters that disproportionately affect our communities, then why do we have any kind of collective racial obligation to support him?

If the person we elect runs like a democrat then governs like a republican, for republicans, by the republicans, why do we have any kind of collective racial obligation to support him? What choice do we have?

The Storm is Passing Over for some, but not for all.  I am not relieved.

I wonder how long it's going to take the Tea Baggers to realize they've been p'unked?

It's pretty clear that the Tea Party members are being set up for a big disappointment. There is little chance that the politicians they are supporting are going to do what the members think they're going to do once in office. The members might supply the votes, but the big corporations behind so many of the things that the Tea Party members hate are the ones supplying the money and organization. These politicians, once in office, will understand that the big money can go after them just as well is it went for them this time, if they don't do what they're told by their big corporate founders. But on the other hand, there will be lucrative lobbying jobs waiting for them if they play along. They are going to disappoint the Tea Party members, no question. What will Tea Party members do then?

Like AL 05 gop Congress Critter Tea Party elect Mo Brooks,Senator-elect Tea Publican Rand Paul is already flip flopping on whether he supports a ban on earmarks.

Grassroots activists are not happy with Alabama Republican congressional candidate Mo Brooks, who endorsed — and then reneged his support for — a national Tea Party-backed agenda after taking heat from his Democratic opponent over the document’s opposition to earmarks.

To repeat: Republicans aren't going to repeal ObamaCare. For one thing the republican majority of the Supreme Court won't let them. For another thing, the repeal of HCR would ad $455 Billion to the deficit.

Tea Party darling Senator-elect Marco Rubio now says he has nothing to do with the Tea Party.

Marco Rubio a Teabagger? Whatever would have given you that idea? If by “Tea Party” you mean “Wants To Run For President Some Day Party,” then yes, he is a member, but only if that’s what you mean. [Miami Herald]

What jobs are republicans going to create?

If, in the future, Republicans ever again ask “Where are the jobs?” it will be because they’ve forgotten where they buried the ones they killed. For now, though, it’s clear they remember all too well. Like a serial killer returning to a favorite dump site to reminisce or further ravage a corpse, Republicans are returning to the scene of the crime for a bit of fun with the still-fresh remains of 240,000 jobs the GOP killed off last month.

I wonder IF the TeaBaggers will realize they've been p'unked?

It's pretty clear that the Tea Party members are being set up for a big disappointment. There is little chance that the politicians they are supporting are going to do what the members think they're going to do once in office. The members might supply the votes, but the big corporations behind so many of the things that the Tea Party members hate are the ones supplying the money and organization. These politicians, once in office, will understand that the big money can go after them just as well is it went for them this time, if they don't do what they're told by their big corporate funders. But on the other hand, there will be lucrative lobbying jobs waiting for them if they play along. They are going to disappoint the Tea Party members, no question. What will Tea Party members do then?

What indeed? Got popcorn?

Redeye's Week in Review

This week in Alabama poliTricks begin with the Shirley Sherroding of Ron Sparks. His detractors claim he endorsed Dick Shelby and therefore is not loyal to the party. Of course these are the same folks who gave Artur Davis a free pass for voting against health care reform and the hate crimes bill for his political gain. They also appear to be trying to draw a comparison to the outrage loyal democrats felt when Artur Davis (DINO) endorsed republican gubernatorial nominee Robert Bentley. Apples and Corn. But it's nice to see them having some party unity/loyalty for a change.

Well almost. It appears some are still in Denial and still playing the black democrats are racist card because the State Democratic Executive Committee operated by party rules and didn't replace the black woman who won the election with the white woman who lost the election because the black woman had to surrender her law license after she won the election. Whew.

There have also been calls for Nikki Still supporters to ramp up a write-in campaign, but Still herself so far is not enthused about it. However, letter after letter in the paper and voter after voter in person tell me that write-in is exactly what they are going to do. Many feel like a vote for French is a vote for the race based system that has infected the Democratic Party.

So we will write in our vote for Nikki Still.

And you say progressives are in denial?

Meanwhile under the Alabama racism radar. As so often happens in Alabama, race became an issue. Alabama Governor Wallace, I mean Riley is being investigated by the U.S. Justice department for refusing to pay legal fees because most of the firms attorneys are black.

The days of political retaliation and institutional racism in Alabama should remain only on the silver screens of Hollywood," King wrote. "The Governor of this Great State should treat all races and ethnicity's equally be they majority or minority, favored or disfavored. Although this Court truly hopes these allegations prove to be false, only depositions and inquiry into the facts will show the truth."

So where is the outrage from The Birmingham News, John Archibald, leaning Left in Alabama, Bessemer Opinions, James Lassiter of the JeffCo. New South Coalition and three members of the SCLC? Surely unlike some progressives you aren't refusing to address the problem.

America's favorite Christian Conservative Southern Pastor says "We won't burn the Quran if you move an Islamic center and mosque away from New York's ground zero". Don't the lawyers on TeeVee call that extortion? Yes, we have lost our minds and the media we have helped.

So how the heck did we allow this Terry Jones to get this much attention. Startling. The Media has majorly failed us in their over-coverage and more than 15 minutes of fame for this guy. Might be the most over-extended 15 minutes in the history of media sensationalism.

Break the broken media..shut em down!

Quit treating the media as if they really are carrying news stories.
Starting today, I am not going to watch propaganda and all of that junk on tv. Wanna bet I am a healthier person when I start this. Of course the pharmas want you to watch Fox or CNN or MSNBC because your blood pressure rises and they then can sell you drugs. It's a fix.
Wake up. The Cable news networks and radio talk shows are dragging America down in the mud and into a ditch. They are causing division and hatred and we should not be supporting this type of behavior.

This is the same media that allowed Bush and Dick to use our grief over 911 to send our sons and daughters to war.

Juan Cole say the media is a security threat to America.

News junkies who watch a lot of television broadcasts could not help but notice with puzzlement that as the cosmic catastrophe unfolded in Pakistan, it was nearly invisible on American networks. I did a LexisNexis search for the terms “Pakistan” and “flood” in broadcast transcripts (covering mostly American networks) from July 31st to September 4th, and it returned only about 1,100 hits. A search for the name of troubled actress Lindsay Lohan returned 653 search results in the same period and one for “Iraq,” more than 3,000 hits (the most the search engine will count). A search for “mosque" and "New York” yielded 1,300 hits. Put another way, the American media, whipped into an artificial frenzy by anti-Muslim bigots like New York gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio and GOP hatemonger Newt Gingrich, were far more interested in the possible construction of a Muslim-owned interfaith community center two long blocks from the old World Trade Center site than in the sight of millions of hapless Pakistani flood victims.

In case you are wondering what tricks the gop infused, media enabled Tea Party has in store for President Obama if/when they regain control of Congress here is a preview. h/t Digby

"Not only has the Obama administration promoted dangerous and unsustainable policies, but it has also engaged in corrupt and illegal activities such as bribery, a crime the Founders specifically cited as an impeachable offense. Moreover, this report details numerous instances of Obama lying to the American people, a pattern which clearly indicates a character defect that in itself endangers America. Given this, we believe impeachment is necessary for the future survival of America," says the report.

It's not to late for President Obama to avoid his Waterloo.

It’s not too late for Obama to turn his presidency around, reconnect with the supporters who propelled him to the White House, attack the gridlock in Washington and reclaim his ambitious legislative agenda. But to do so, he’ll need fewer Rahm’s in the building.

What a week. Redeye tiptoeing away from the computer to go pray.
Peace be with you.

Update: White Privilege disguised as a race issue

It continues to be a source of consternation to the Alabama, white power structure they keep being outsmarted by the State Democratic Executive Committee led by their arch enemy Dr. Joe L. Reed.

Just like Andrew Breitbart took a snippet of Shirley Sherrods' speech to the NAACP out of context to illustrate so called "black racism", The Big Mules, aided and abetted by some white democrats, accuse the SDEC of blatant racism because they didn't select the white women who lost the election to replace the black woman who won the election after she was removed from the ballot.

Marshall, who is black, had her law license suspended, and that caused her to be removed as the Democratic Party nominee for a Jefferson County judgeship. That led the Alabama Democratic Executive Committee (ADEC) to replace Marshall with Elisabeth French, who is black, instead of Nicole Gordon Still, who is white and was runnerup to Marshall in the primary election.

Like blogger bluebearcat I can't for the life of me understand why some democrats have their undies in a wad because an African-American Democrat is getting an appointment over a white Riley appointee. Then it hit me.... It's about putting Joe Reed in his place.... disguised as a race issue..

Now, some of the SDEC members probably totally discounted race when they voted and others used that as their primary reason for selecting one candidate over another. But I think overall the basic struggle was over who was going to install "their" person in the seat.
Reed &company just lucked out that Still is white. It gave them a way to disguise a power struggle as a racial issue.

The Kenya Lavender Marshall/Niki Still saga is the perfect example of the culture of cronyism and control disguised as a race issue by the white power structure.

Living in the belly of the beast, you hear about all kinds of strange alliances that seem to make no sense, but what they do is to preserve certain folks' power and leverage, and that upsets them more than race or most anything else.

Isn't it ironic a letter by James Lassiter of the JeffCo New South Coalition on behalf of Niki Still found it's way on the front page of leaning Left in Alabama?

Isn't it ironic three members of SCLC held a press conference in Kelly Ingram Park to denounce the "blatant racism" against Nike Still, the white female candidate, but didn't say a mumbling word in defense of Kenya Lavender Marshall?

 Kendra Lavender Marshall is the real victim IMHO. We wouldn't even be having this discussion if she hadn't been removed from the ballot after she won the election. Only in America can the candidate with the most vote lose.

Isn't it ironic how some are quick to point to the video of the SDEC meeting as proof of blatant black racism, but totally ignore the video of Kendra Lavender Marshall giving her side of the story? She is being convicted without a trail. It's innocent until PROVEN guilty in a court of law, not the court of public opinion. Remember?

To those life-long committed democrats who wish they could leave the Party, but they can't stomach Republicans and there's nowhere else to go.   Uh, now you know how black folks feel about the democratic party. The party needs our votes to get elected, but after using us to win the election all bets are off and the Strom Thurmond wing of the democratic party takes over. We find ourselves asking what to do and where to go too.

To those loyal (?) Democrats who say they are not interested in supporting the State party or in helping anyone that supports Joe Reed, you need to either lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way. Joe Reed is not the enemy of democrats. Strike that, Joe Reed is not the enemy of the democratic wing of the democratic party. You know, the wing that stands up for the least of these. The wing that supports access to quality health care for ALL Alabamians. The wing that supports public schools and public school teachers. The wing that supports labor. The wing that supports equal rights, civil rights and human rights.

I'm going to conclude with what Boris Badenov said;

Regardless of who endorsed or supported Nikki Still or who wanted her to remain there, the voters did not want her in the position of judge anymore. That is all that matters. How could the SDEC "re-appoint" a judge to the same positon that she had just been fired from by the voters not 2months earlier? That would be stupid. Oh, and Riley appointing her did not help.

The SDEC is not stupid.
Elisabeth French is the nominee.
It's not about race.
It's about white privilege/power disguised as race.

Updated: Blatant show of White Privilege hiding behind the skirts of the JeffCo New South Coalition

So, who exactly is using the JeffCo New South Coalition to say publicly what the white privileged variety says behind closed doors? There is an unsigned letter posted on leaning Left in Alabama calling for Elisabeth French to reject her nomination and alleging Judge Nicole "Niki" Still is the victim of racism by the SDEC.

The Alabama Democratic Party's decision to appoint a black woman for fear that having an unopposed white woman on the ballot, would reduce voter turnout, is an insult that should enrage blacks everywhere.

To this end, the Jefferson County Chapter of Alabama New South Coalition calls for Elisabeth French to reject her recent appointment as the Democratic nominee for Circuit Court Judge, thus sending the message that she refuses to support racism and bias in any form.

The Alabama Democratic Party appointed French out of fear having an unopposed white woman on the ballot, would reduce voter turnout? Who knew?

Could it be the Birmingham News Editorial Board?

It is highly disingenuous for the News to state that this was the primary reason Still was overlooked when the video shows otherwise. What is becoming too apparent, however, is that the News continues to stir this pot, as if by doing so the Committee will change its mind due to the public outcry it can generate. In other words, it appears that the News has an agenda.

I'm calling on Judge Niki Still to reject white privilege, thus sending the message that she refuses to support race baiting in any form. Show some class and stop being a sore loser.

Elisabeth French is a class act;

I can not express enough gratitude to each of you. I am so humbled by and so proud of the support I received today. You have given me an opportunity, and for that I can’t thank you enough.

I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge Kenya Marshall and let all of you know that she is in my thoughts and prayers. I also want to thank Judge Nikki Still for her dedicated service to the people of Jefferson County.

As we go forward, I pledge to you that I will be a fair, honest and compassionate judge. My courtroom will be a level playing field for all plaintiffs, defendants and lawyers.

Talking with you and getting to know each of you has been a great privilege. The friends that I have made during this campaign are some of the best people I have ever known. I hope that you too will call me a friend.

I can’t thank you enough for the trust you have given me. You have my pledge and my promise that I will not let you down.

All of my thanks,


Elisabeth French

P.S. I also want to let each of you know that I will be donating $2,400 to the Democratic Party, which would be the equivalent my qualifying fee.

Paid for by Elisabeth French for Circuit Judge
P.O. Box 43651 Birmingham, AL 35243

If anyone is the victim of racism it's Kendra Lavender Smith. I guess we are supposed to over look the FACT there are some who want to replace the African American female who won the election FAIR and SQUARE with with the white female candidate who lost the election fair and square.

I guess we are supposed to over look the fact the charges against Kendra Lavender Smith were raised AFTER she won the election by the powerful Alabama Bar Association. Are we supposed to overlook Kendra Lavender Marshall hasn't been CHARGED or CONVICTED of a crime? Are we supposed to over look her side of the story?

Marshall said she admitted to the charges and agreed to the four-year suspension of her license only because of threats from the State Bar disciplinary committee. In fact, Marshall denied that she had misused client funds.

I guess we are supposed to ignore the FACT this issue reeks of republican polititricks.

Legal Schnauzer has learned that Still, through her prominent lawyer father, has ties to the Riley's. That, plus the curious timing of the charges against Marshall, indicate political considerations are at least partially driving the process.

Race seemingly has played a strong factor in the case since the Alabama State Bar announced on August 3 that it was temporarily suspending Marshall's license over charges that she misappropriated $30,000 in a client's fund. Marshall and three other lawyers who have expressed an interest in the court position are black; Still is white.

I guess it's racism because the Alabama Democratic Party didn't fall for the Rope a Dope.

By choosing Elisabeth French over Nicole Gordon Still for the judicial nomination in Birmingham, the Alabama Democratic Executive Committee (ADEC) revealed a distaste for anyone with connections to the state's political and corporate elite. Because the decision involved a judgeship, the ADEC also seemed to be expressing its concern about the justice system--in Alabama and beyond.

There is a blatant show of racism all right, but not by the Alabama Democratic Party. Strike that, not by the Brass Knuckle Wing of the Democratic Party.

We also think it's a good thing to "out" some of the New Mules who probably played a role in the effort to oust Kenya Lavender Marshall, who had won the Democratic primary, and force in Nicole Gordon Still, the runner up.

One of these New Mules, we suspect, is prominent Birmingham attorney Bruce L. Gordon. His name has not been mentioned in mainstream-press coverage of last week's drama. But our research indicates he probably was a key character in the chain of events that led to Elisabeth French's selection.

Glenn Beck used Alveda King, the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to appropriate Martin Luther King's legacy. Who is using the JeffCo New South Coalition and three members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in an attempt to put Joe Reed in his place?

Now, Joe Reed, Joe Turnham and John Rogers no longer need to concern themselves with how many people will show up to the polls, but must now move to retain democrats thinking of fleeing the Democratic Party after such a blatant show of racism.

Psst! Those democrats thinking of fleeing the Democratic Party because you think this is a blatant show of racism....See Ya! I'm sure the gop will welcome you with open arms. This isn't a blatant show of racism, this is a blatant show of the power of the privileged. Those who have the power have the privilege. Those who have the privilege have the power.