Heads and tales: On the road again
By Wade Kwon
Taken for a ride: It’s all well and good when public officials, such as a city council member, take the bus to show how lousy the bus is. The media lands a nice one-day story. But then, they go back to their comfy cars, often subsidized by taxpayers, and the problems remain. Such was the case Thursday for a transit meeting, taking place on National Dump the Pump Day. “(Transit authority head Hugo) Isom said he would have participated in the observance but the bus heading to his office doesn’t arrive till 10 a.m.” Since a judge ordered the prison chief to fix overcrowding or face jail time, we recommend a similar sentence to public officials: Whatever shape you leave the bus system in, you’re sentenced to abandon your cars and ride the lines for five to 10 years, no parole.
• Councilwoman’s bus ride highlights difficulties [Birmingham News]
Up from bribery: Alabama’s quest to become a civil rights tourist destination has become popular with at least one faction: lobbyists. The Center for the Public Integrity, a Washington nonprofit investigative organization, says that they’re funding junkets to sites in Selma, Montgomery and Birmingham to cozy up to members of Congress. The Faith and Politics Institute in Washington has arranged seven trips in nine years for lobbyists and lawmakers, which included a tour of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The head of the Faith and Politics Institute said, “From my 20 years of experience in Washington, however, I know well … most lobbyists are not depraved evildoers exploiting the public interest for private gain.” Yes, but we’re pretty sure the Constitution still says a lobbyist counts as only three-fifths of a person.
• Rights tours criticized [Atlanta Journal-Constitution]
Save our ships: Down in Bayou La Batre, shrimp season kicked off on Wednesday. But shrimpers have one small problem: Their boats can’t leave port. They’re not even in the water, but in the trees. Nine months after Hurricane Katrina, the seafaring town is still looking for recovery help. Ironically, some voters are crediting Gov. Riley’s response to the crisis for their votes in last week’s primary. [narrated slide show]
You can help ongoing recovery efforts.
• 100-Ton Symbols of a Recovery Still Suspended [New York Times]
Also:
- Immigrants gather to watch World Cup, scare barflies
- Local deadbeat dads still expect Father’s Day gifts
- Midfield pharmacy offering Flag Day sale on expired condoms, pregnancy tests
• • •
Send us your news tips.
