John Adams - A must read - a must see

This afternoon I was running errands in Sterling Virginia - a place that seems to have all the shops and services required by the Thomson family. At the luggage repair shop I met this talkative fellow who in the course of the conversation asked me if I had seen the HBO mini-series John Adams. I told the fellow that I had read the book and bought the entire collection of disks when they went on sale at Target over the weekend.

He told me - and I agree - this several hour long docudrama will complete your education on the Revolutionary War.

All my life, I have stood uncomfortably in faked reverence when someone wraps a flag around themselves and starts spouting off, idealistically, about our "forefathers."

The "forefathers" - it turns out - were just as "up in your face" as politicians today. This country's formative years were fragile and could have gone in several different directions.

Whether you are a Democrat or Republican ... or an Independent like myself, you should take the time to rent or buy "John Adams" and be proud of your beliefs. Contention is a good thing...

The Christian Wackadoo - Brother James Dobson

To call this guy a moral authority would be really stretching it. First he distances himself from John McCain and says there's no way he can vote for the man, and now he is attacking Barack Obama for being scripturally inaccurate in comments Obama made two years ago.

Heathen Episcopalian that I am, it is difficut for me to understand how Dobson got elevated to his present stature in the Christian Community.

Will someone please tell Dobson that no one is paying attention anymore?

1929!

Could this date be on the horizon for a repeat? Some people seem to think so. The banking business, in my humble opinion, is getting ready to take a huge hit. Good time to put some of those precious assetts into gold which I hear is past $982.00 dollars an ounce.

Some folks know where to go and guess what? It is not in the United States.

George Bush is trying to get ahead of the crisis, but friends - again in my humble opinion - he's already too late!

Making room in the jail

I personally do not believe the jail is large enough to handle it's upcoming influx. In fact new facilities may have to be built to accomodate all who are eligible.

Of course I don't think this is ever going to be the case. One fish will be sacrificed for all the rest. He won't be the biggest, but he will certainly be big enough to keep everyone talking for months.

The one who's in the jail doing the talking is not the one you think. A couple of freaking blithering idiot investigators have already had a go at him. He loves the attention.

You see, even though the charges are minor, he is truly afraid of what's looming ahead. He's got all that stuff in his files and then there is his imagination ...

Now of course if he and the other occupant get together, it's amazing what two fertile imaginations can concoct...

UPDATE: It happened quickly, the last guy I mentioned has been released. This boy truly knows something...

The Current Occupant of The Jail

I know .... the jail is full and has a lot of residents who are there for various reasons, but the one I'm talking about is one, that I am sure, some, would like to go away. What's all the controversy about this one prisoner?

It seems - just from reading the reports - that there are just as many interested parties who want this guy out of jail than want him in.

If he's out, is it easier to kill him? If he stays in, does he stand the chance of accidentally dying in jail?

Nevertheless, this dude is going to have a spectacular trial. If he has sold as many drugs as some say, he definitely can name names...Do you think his case will make it to trial?

Forgive me if I'm wrong about this, or do I detect that there might be a split among the ranks of law enforcement as how to handle this situation?

Let's cheer for the side that wants this prisoner to get his day in court!

Didn't I say that Don Siegelman would be back?

Check out my parody - Pardon?. Siegelmann is back in play. It's only a matter of time before Democratic political operatives begin slicing and dicing the Alabama Republican party and laying blame. From the news reports, it looks like eventually Siegelmann may end up with a full pardon. Run for cover Republicans!

Full Name Posting

My name is Michael H. Thomson. I put a lot of stuff out there. Some of it is rumor, some of it isn't. No matter what I put out there or in what form, my name is always prominent identifying me as the author. From now on out, postings to this site will not be published without full name disclosure. I might even go so far as to ask you for a telephone number to verify your identity. If you can't abide by these terms, don't expect your comments to be posted. Of course I will do my best to protect you by rewording some of you comments to prevent you from being sicced by lawyers or other scum.

I'm back!

It was an interesting journey, but I'm back. I'm very happy to see a new probate judge appointed in Escambia County. I don't know Emilie Mims, but her background and experience indicate that Governor Riley definitely made the right choice among others he could have picked.

Due to continuing health problems, AC will hibernate for the next 90 days.

It's time I give the computer a rest for a while. Thank you for you emails.

Mike Thomson.

Where to purchase "The Publisher"

THE PUBLISHER

Angioplasty

Okay, I'm back. Let me explain why I was gone. I think my experience might be helpful to someone who finds themselves in a similar situation to me a few weeks ago.

About four weeks ago I had to do some work in my garage. I was very cold and I had to walk up a steep hill to get to my workplace. I noticed a tightness in my chest and some slight pain. I thought it was due to the exertion of going up the hill. It happened again the following day. I still didn't pay very much attention to it. The pain was dull and extended across my chest and across my left shoulder. Two days later, a tragic event took place in my family. Dealing with it, again I felt the pain - only worse. I asked my wife to set me up an appointment with a cardiologist. I visited the cardiologist last Thursday and he arranged for me to have an angiogram on Monday at the INOVA Heart and Vascular Institue in Fairfax, Virginia. I had previously agreed that if the angiogram revealed vascular blockage that the surgeon could go ahead and do a balloon angioplasty procedure and insert a stainless steel stent.

It turned out that I had two blockages and received two stents. I spent Monday night in the hospital and was released yesterday. Here's the deal: If I had discounted my symptoms there's a good chance I wouldn't be writing this blog today...

Until next time... To read more about angioplasty click here.

No posts for a while...

There will be no posts on this blog for at least a week or a few days more than that. Keep sending you emails and correspondence. Everythings fine. I have something going on that will focus my attention 100% for the next few days.

Shocking non-fiction book about Brewton murder

I came across this today on the Brewton Standard message board. It looks like a good read. Here is the excerpt that the publicist is putting everywhere:

Murder Creek: The "Unfortunate Incident" That Befell Annie Jean Barnes
ISBN: 9781579660734
Publisher: River City Publishing

In this intense true story, Joe Formichella examines all aspects of the unsolved crime that inspired Suzanne Hudson's critically acclaimed 2004 novel In a Temple of Trees. When Annie Jean Barnes died one evening in 1966 outside an exclusive hunting camp retreat near small-town Brewton, Alabama, it seemed all the wealthy town fathers were culpable. But at the behest of those who were likely responsible, the crime was swept under the rug and details ignored by investigators. The publication of Hudson's novel, however, brought the ghost of Annie Jean back to life. Joe Formichella, in classic investigative style, reopens the case and questions a multitude of crime experts, law enforcement officers, and citizens alike--including many who, so it was said, would never speak about the "unfortunate incident" of Annie Jean's death. A gripping tale of how the upper class often gets its way through violence and coercion.

It's being distributed everywhere, so you can go to any of your favorite bookstores i.e. Amazon, Barnes and Noble etc. and order it.

Shelby Opposes Landfill

EVERGREEN, AL - Senator Richard Shelby addressed the concerns of Conecuh County citizens about out-of-state garbage coming into Alabama. “It is not a good image of the state to bring in garbage. We have the technology to develop and create energy where the garbage is developed. I would fight to keep a landfill out of my county also.”

When asked about water contamination issues near the existing Timberlands Landfill, Shelby had this to say:

Senator Shelby stated he was not knowledgeable of the mercury con-taminated soil being moved to the landfill in Escambia County, but he would not drink the water if he lived that close to a landfill.

A pro-landfill advocate speaks and U.S. Senator Shelby definitively reponds:

Evergreen resident Mike Fordham introduced himself as a supporter of the proposed landfill, and stated that the landfill was going to be a solid waste treatment facility for green energy. Several people in attendance objected saying this has never been proposed. Mr. Fordham said unlawful garbage dumps are a problem in this county because of the lack of garbage service, and this would be a solution. Senator Shelby answered “I don’t want garbage from New Jersey or any other state coming into Alabama. Conecuh County, and every county, should have a county-wide garbage pick-up service and the commissioners should be the ones to implement, control and support this service.”

Is Crime Being Underreported in East Brewton?

These are state crime statistics from Alabama.com:

Brewton rapes 3; East Brewton rapes 0

Brewton robbery 8; East Brewton 1

Brewton assault 62; East Brewton 3

Brewton burglary 53; East Brewton 10

Brewton larceny 142; East Brewton 43

Brewton motor vehicle theft 8; East Brewton 4

Look at the startling difference between Brewton's larceny(theft) rate and East Brewton's! It would be easy to say that obviously there are more thieves in Brewton than there are in East Brewton, but checking the statistics across the state, Brewton's figures are about par - in fact a little below par when compared to a similar sized city like Jackson which had 237 larcenies for the same period. The burglary and assault rates between Brewton and East Brewton seem a little "out of whack" if you look at them closely. Is it reasonable to believe that Brewton had 59 more "ass whuppings" than East Brewton for the same period?

East Brewton residents tell Alabama Confidential a different story than is revealed in Al.com's crime stats. One writes:

So many people have had their property stolen, whether from a break in or just from someone coming right onto their premises to take it. People are constantly walking the streets at all hours of the night. My neighbor has told me several times that she has spotted people leaving the street and walking right through the middle of her yard

Another comment:

I feel that one of the big problems in this town is that you have a mayor and Chief of Police who cannot remain focused on their jobs. The mayor works in Brewton as a car salesman (yet is always asking the residents here to shop in East Brewton), and the Chief of Police is working weekends as a security guard ... in Montgomery. When the cat's away...

Is it true that there are as many as four fences in East Brewton accepting stolen goods and that some of those stolen goods are winding up in a Birmingham pawn shop owned by the brother of one of the fences? Is it also true that the money being reaped in by the stolen goods is being used for the wholesale purchase of drugs which are resold in Brewton and East Brewton?

One reader goes so far to speculate that some East Brewton police might be participants in the crime wave that is victimizing the citizens of East Brewton. That's a pretty strong charge, but indicative of the frustration residents have when faced with a logjam of unsolved crimes.

There is this final chilling reader comment:

One of my biggest fears is what is next? Right now, they are not afraid to break into homes or garages when no one is home. I feel it is only a matter of time before they break into an occupied home and, God forbid, kill someone.

Pardon?

WASHINGTON D.C. - Just two days after her inauguration, President Hillary Clinton issued a pardon to former Alabama governor Don Siegelman. Siegelman serving a seven year sentence on Federal corruption charges received the news the evening before while engaging in a game of squash at the federal prison in Oakdale,Louisiana.

"This comes as a complete surprise!" Siegelman commented to reporters accompanying U.S. Attorney General and ex-president Bill Clinton who personally delivered the pardon documents. Attorney General Clinton declined comment except to say, "We'll soon be changing the name on Don's cell to "prisoner Rove."

Sources close to Siegelman expected that he would soon be appointed U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama in Montgomery. Siegelman is reported commenting, "The Spanish Inquistion will look like a girl scout barbeque when I get through with those lying bastards who stuck me in this hellhole."

???????

Are you brave enough to wear it? If you are, in the next couple of weeks, the new website Alabamaconfidential.com will begin. On it you can order T-shirts, coozies, books, etc. Alabamaconfidential.blogspot.com will remain,however,the primary source of gossipy information.

Just a Reminder...

Sometimes things happen, everybody gets excited and the crisis is averted. So it happened in October of 2004 when Edward Dubose's parole hearing was scheduled for November 1 of that year.

Edward Dubose was convicted in the murder and rape of Brewton teenager, Stephanie Marie King. After much petitioning from Sallie King[mother] and Stephanie's many friends, Edward Dubose was denied parole. Sometimes the passage of time causes things to be forgotten. Sometimes things fall through the cracks in the floor...

According to a paragraph in the Alabama Pardon and Parole policies:

11. If parole has been denied, the Board shall determine whether and when the case shall next be docketed for consideration, not to exceed five (5) years. The case will be considered again as near as practicable to the specified month and year.

The "five (5) years)" will arrive on November 1, 2009. That's next year. Here is something to consider for activists protesting Dubose's next parole hearing:

Limestone Prison where Dubose is imprisoned is experiencing severe overcrowding problems. Reportedly this month they shipped 60 prisoners to Louisiana.

MONTGOMERY — Sixty male inmates from the Limestone Correctional Facility were moved to a facility in Louisiana on Friday, the Alabama Department of Corrections said. The transfers are an effort to reduce prison overcrowding and keep state inmates out of county jails beyond the 30-day time limit.
http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturd...6/briefs.shtml

These factors and time could work in Dubose's favor. It is not too early to start petitions.

It takes Guts!

Those who have read my columns here or at Thomsontalks, know that I have a disdain for editorial cowardice on the part of small town newspapers - or any other kind of newspapers for that matter. This blog exists to get people talking about subjects that local papers shy away from. I can't say,however,that Bo Bolton, publisher of the Monroe Journal shys away from reporting news. He did something this past Thursday that few small town papers in this day and time would do. Bo went wading into a fight going on in a church.

According to this past Thursday's article:

Jo Ann Snowden is standing firm in refusing to release Morning Star Baptist Church financial records as long as she remains the "official church secretary." In October, the Monroeville church filed suit against Snowden, who was hired as church secretary 30 years ago, for failing to return church property including its financial records. The church said that it had made repeated requests for the return of its property from its former secretary.

There is more to this story:

In her response filed Friday in the circuit clerk's office at the Monroe County Courthouse, Snowden said she was elected to office by a vote of the church's congregation and that she cannot be removed from office or relieved of her responsibilities before her term expires except by a vote of the congregation.
"There has been no vote of the congregation taken at a duly-called and properly-conducted congregational meeting to remove defendant (Snowden) from the office of church secretary," her response says. Snowden also says that about a year ago the church leadership attempted to "bribe" her for the records. She said that on Jan. 30, 2007 the church's pastor John Tucker and Albert Mobley, chairman of the Board of Deacons, without church approval requested that she return church records in return for what she "believed to have been an offer of bribery in the amount of $2,142.74."Snowden said she returned the "alleged bribery check" about a week later and said she could not accept pay for work that she had not been allowed to perform."

My comments about Bolton are thus: Bo Bolton did what he was supposed to do. There was an issue in his town of public interest. He reported on it - no matter whose toes he stepped on. Keep watching the news, this could very well turn out to be a national story. I guess in a way it already is...

Until Next Time...

World War II Memorial - Washington, D.C.

32,000 Alabamians served in World War II. 4000 died during the war.

Some of you visit Washington D.C. and more than a few of you work here. If you haven't done so, be sure to visit the National World War II Memorial which was dedicated last spring. I knew and know more than a few WWII veterans during the time I lived in Alabama. I am personally acquainted and friends with an Alabamian who survived the Bataan Death March. Paul Lankford and I served together from 1971 until 1977 and I was privileged to help him as he compiled his memoirs for the Air War College in Montgomery in 1972.

Read Paul Lankford's Story

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