Why Gossip Abounds...

In the two posts that precede this one, you will notice no names or places are mentioned but everyone assumes the story has validity or these posts would not have gotten over 942 hits in 3 days. Many of the visitors are from out of the state of Alabama. On my web tracking program, I can see where some people read the columns and forwarded them on to people out of town and in many cases to people in other states. Here are a couple of comments:

You didn't tell the whole story. You neglected to mention who was chasing whom, and why they were chasing (which is how the telephone pole was hit). Perhaps your 'source' didn't know that part.

Obviously, the above came from someone who has "inside" information. Is it relevant "who was chasing whom?" People chasing each other with alcohol in them on the streets of a small town are pretty dangerous. Here's another comment:

I noticed your article on the party and I think your out of line here. There were dui charges filed and things are not as you would seem.

Another person with "inside" information. Is there a public record on these charges? DUI is a pretty serious offense. Did these arrests make the local paper?

Transparency is a term used a lot these days. Gossip abounds in the absence of transparency. When city and county officials in any jurisdiction make it difficult for citizens to obtain public information - transparency does not exist. When newspapers, radio, and tv stations fail to investigate and report on situations involving public safety and the common good of a community - transparency does not exist.

I spoke recenty with a person who for several years was involved in with a news company that owned several small hometown papers throughout the country. She said one of the reasons these papers did not report "real" news was their vunerability to their major advertisers i.e if you tick off one of your major advertisers, you could go out of business. While I can understand that argument somewhat,there are many aggressive "independent" small town newspapers that could rival their big city brothers and sisters in going after the news. These independents realize that it is real news that draws advertisers.

I'm in the gossip business. In the absence of "real news" people come to me with stories and tales. Some have validity and some don't. In most cases the "tale" has been circulating long before it reaches Alabama Confidential. I wouldn't write it if you didn't read it. Keep those emails coming!

Just a sampling the places linking on to this site by forwarded email links today:

Mobile
Nashville
River Falls
Brewton
Houston
Mary Esther
Woodstock,Al
Pensacola
St Louis
Birmingham
Philadelphia,Pa
Monroeville
Leominister,Mass
Miami
Bay Minette
Milton,FL
McIntosh,AL
Jay
Atmore
Eufala
Montgomery
Singapore[Wow!]
Columbia,SC
Hattiesburg,MS
Campo,Colorado
Tampa,FL
New Bern,NC

The most interesting email link to my site today was from someone at the national organization of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Some of you are concerned about the safety of your children or loved ones with so many drunks and dopeheads driving on the streets these days. Small towns have always been plagued with what is commonly known as "selective" enforcement of driving laws. Mothers against Drunk Driving seeks even,fair, and aggressive enforcement of DUI laws. These people are "tigers" on this issue. If you think your community needs help or maybe you wish to form a local chapter, here is some contact information:

Address: MADD National Office
511 E. John Carpenter Frwy
Suite 700
Irving, TX 75062
Phone: 800-GET-MADD (800-438-6233)
Local 214-744-6233
Victim Services 24-Hour Help Line
877-MADD-HELP (877-623-3435)

Fax: 972-869-2206/07


Many of you are starting to realize that we truly live in a global community. You might be disillusioned to know that sometimes what happens in "Vegas" does not necessarily stay there. Analyze the biggest crime, corruption, and tawdry human interest stories that appear on CNN,Fox,and MSNBC. The majority come from small towns. The internet,blogs,cell,satellite communication,and low cost long distance service have changed our lives and made even the most remote places in the world highly accessible. So why is it that some people think a small town in Alabama can be "hidden" forever?

Mike Thomson (Just one of the 342 people from out of state[who've been to AC in the last 3 days] who are interested in what goes on in a certain town).

Until next time...