Connected to the QCD & PNS? No

According to the boat crash rumor mill, our blog is in cahoots with the Quad-Cities Daily and Pen-N-Sword to publish misinformation concerning the June 8th Shoal Creek boat crash that claimed two lives. We're basically going to address that fallacy in this blog, but in case any readers are out of the loop, our blog has  been so dishonest as to state the cabin cruiser moved to the shore when it actually moved to the marina. Pardon us if we're not nautical enough for some, but isn't that the same thing? Isn't the marina on the shore? That should tell you the mentality of some of these newly acquired critics.

So has the QCD and PNS likewise been publishing false news about the crash? It's pretty easy to look at their sites and see what's been published. Here are two lists.

From the QCD:

Two Dead...

Names Released...

Contrary to Rumor Mill...

Identity of Cabin Cruiser Owner/Operator...

You will notice that the most recent QCD article names Mark McBryer as both owner and operator of the cabin cruiser. We have linked some of these articles on our FB page, but have nothing to do with the content. If you have problems with content, please contact the QCD.

From PNS:

Two Die...

Operator of Cabin Cruiser...

Owner of Boat Arrested...

PNS has amended the last article to clarify that Wooten was the operator. If you have problems with the content of the above three articles, please contact PNS.

As to banning, yes, we will ban you for filthy language. It's our longstanding policy. Do we enjoy doing it? Not usually, but if you've just accused us of taking illicit money from homicidal killers to cover up their guilt, yes, we do enjoy it a little.

Don't use profane or vulgar words, don't make libelous statements, don't threaten anyone, and you won't be banned. Pretty simple!

Thank & Like These Pages!

Pages on Facebook dedicated to animal welfare aren't difficult to find, but what about actual news sites? While not dedicated exclusively to local animals, the Shoals is lucky to have two sites that dedicate major space to animal adoption and welfare.

First, the Quad-Cities Daily. This "online newspaper" regularly features a list of animals available for adoption locally, as well as featuring upcoming fundraisers for our furry friends. Be sure to like the Quad-Cities Daily on Facebook:

Quad-Cities Daily

Next is Pen-N-Sword. PNS is a news magazine that regularly presents not only upcoming animal centered events, but offers investigative reporting into local situations and lobbying in Montgomery. Like to be sure not to miss any of its articles:

Pen-N-Sword

Thanks from all of us at Shoalanda Speaks!

Pay Arrestees for Their Pics?

Mug Shot

We certainly received some interesting comments on our blog yesterday. Some were in favor of having to pay those arrested if the arresting agency made money on their mugshots. Our guess is these law enforcement agencies will reply that no money is made when one considers the down time in preparing these shots for the purchasers. That's pretty much the rationale for charging for accident reports and similar documents.

Want to purchase court documents? Visit your local courthouse and see how much the circuit clerk charges for these per page. They may be public, but that doesn't mean free.

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What about sites copying photos or even articles? Is it a crime? It depends. The owners/editors of both Pen N Sword and the Quad-Cities Daily are not commenting on this topic for legal reasons, but we did talk with someone who publishes a news magazine outside the Shoals. Here's an owner's take on this type of pilfering:

Photos are entirely different from articles. Photographs can certainly be easily copied but even if the original publisher didn't take these shots, it may still be a type of theft. Many online publishers purchase expensive software to make these shots as presentable as possible. They also invest time in cropping, adjusting exposure, and otherwise enhancing these shots. So, yes, when someone copies, it's stealing.

Copy (the words in an article) is certainly off limits. Even if the site using the copy gives written credit, the original site loses viewers. Why take the time to visit a site if you can read the same article on the site you're already reading? When these sites lose viewers, they lose advertising revenue. Not only are they losing revenue, they're making it for whoever stole their material. 

There you have it...



Shoalanda

"Busted 'N the Shoals" is Busted!

Busted 'N the Shoals is a local online "news site." Busted is also a one-trick pony. The only content that Busted produces is local mug shots. Is that so bad? No, that's not what's so bad.

It's no secret that one of the owners of Pen N Sword is a retired local detective, and at times he's privy to information not yet made public. Several months ago, Pen N Sword had an exclusive on a most wanted fugitive in the northwest Alabama area. Shortly thereafter, Busted not only ran the enhanced photo from PNS, but also published the PNS article word for word. When we mentioned it to the detective, he merely laughed. Unfortunately, overlooking such hijinks seems only to have made the site worse.

Due to some new software at the Florence-Lauderdale Detention Center, mugshots for most of November and all of December have not been available until today. Our friends at the Quad-Cities Daily pay for the privilege of bringing their readers this information. Several mugshots from November were finally published today--all bearing the hallmark of QCD close to the bottom edge.

Guess what? Busted posted each of these photos, hallmark and all. We're pretty sure the owners at the QCD don't mind one or two being used in stories related to various crimes, but when another online site takes all of them without paying? We're pretty sure that's called theft...

Like the Quad-Cities Daily

Like Pen N Sword



Shoalanda

We Lost Three in November

The Shoals area lost three young men in November. Why? We don't know the backgrounds of these three men except for what's been reported and many e-mails which could...or could not...contain some insight into their lives.

One we've heard little about. One we know was an athlete with a good future ahead of him. One came from a good family, but reportedly had mental problems leading to a checkered past. All three are now dead, and two of them were murdered in cold blood. Again we ask why?

It's a month until New Year's and the usually stale resolutions. We're asking all the men out there reading our blog today, as well as women, to look around you. Who needs some extra guidance? Who has no male role model? You don't have to adopt a child to influence him or her. Go for it!

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While we have received some information on the murder of Bree Rutland, as mentioned above, much of it can't be verified by us. We have two local news sites which have done an excellent job in getting the news out to the public. Let's support them all we can...

The Quad-Cities Daily

Pen-N-Sword

Shoalanda

Saluting Jim Smith

Many in the Shoals know of Jim Smith and his wonderful book Walk Through Town. Jim has frequently provided historical details for our blog, as well as offering some columns for us and other blogs to publish.

We've learned that Jim has had some serious health problems, and want to wish him well in his recuperation. We also want to commend Jim and his lovely wife for taking time to visit with Kerry Gilbert during Jim's hospitalization. The Shoals has some wonderful talent in every area of the arts, and we need to take special care of it.

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Monday is fast approaching. That's P-Day for the TimesDaily; after August 25th, readers will have to purchase a subscription to read the full TD online. We've heard many say it's just not worth it them. If you've never checked out these local sites, do so now. We think you'll be pleasantly surprised, and as always, they're completely free:

Pen-N-Sword

Quad-Cities Daily

Shoalanda

Lauderdale County Didn't Want it?!

One of our most astute commenters on Facebook mentioned moving the Alabama Music Hall of Fame to Veterans Park in Lauderdale County. He felt the proximity to the Marriott would ensure some steady patrons. Good idea?

It certainly shows promise, but apparently no one in any position of power in Lauderdale embraced that idea. Why? We can only assume the HOF is in such a death spiral that no one who has actually seen it recently would want it--not even to get back at Colbert County for their stand on the new RegionalCare hospital.

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Liberal, Conservative, or somewhere in between? A recent comment by an old friend mentioned the conservative leanings of Pen-N-Sword. We had to think about that one. There's very little political commentary on that site--mainly local news. We have noticed that PNS publishes press releases from both federal and state elected officials.

Yes, like him or not, Mo Brooks is the U.S. Representative for many of us. All of us would do well to monitor the mindset of any of our officials in Washington. As for the state representatives who send PNS glowing commentaries of what they've been up to, we've noticed they all seem to be of the Democratic variety.

We decided to ask how these are chosen. It seems that PNS publishes the commentaries that are sent to them from our elected officials. If readers want a more...or less...liberal take on politics, encourage your elected officials to send out regular press releases

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Under the topic of "Semantics Can Be a Dangerous Game," we see where some opposing a state abortion clinic have begun using the term "pre-born." Let's hope none of our Alabama legislators takes up that sadly lacking effort to oppose these clinics. Any laws to protect the "pre-born" would have to prove that those affected were indeed going to be born--something no one can do.

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We've often commented on the legal problems that surround the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office. Is it the only such office in Northwest Alabama to suffer from a lack of leadership? Apparently many in Lawrence County feel that Sheriff Gene Mitchell has his own set of problems. More on this later...



Shoalanda

Get 15 Free! What a Deal?

Yes, the announcement has finally come that the TimesDaily online will no longer be free, except for 15 articles each 30 days. So we get half a view every day? We're not sure how many of us will pay the $8.00 charge to subscribe for the online version, but before we do, we should be aware of alternatives.

Al.com offers Birmingham, Huntsville, and Mobile news online. The state coverage is great, as is the sports. Locally we have several alternatives which we've mentioned before. The Quad-Cities Daily this week is featuring Handy Festival Photos, so take a look if you haven't.

For those readers in Franklin County, the Franklin County Times is still free online, as is the Franklin Free Press which offers a tremendous amount of news on the softer side plus high school sports.

We have no doubt the TimesDaily will make a tidy profit off its new venture, but we also know it will lose some readers...and advertisers.

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Hobbies? Addictions? Hobbies are great. Collect antique hat pins or European fishing lures? Go for it, but if your hobbies are actually addictions that ruin your life, we have to ask why?

It seems one Florence woman has already lost her children (or perhaps grandchildren), now she's been arrested again. The Pen-N-Sword story is below. What does it take to convince someone they need help? If you know someone that has a drug problem, you have every right to give up on them, but we hope you don't.

Some just take longer than others to see the light. Look at Robert Downey Jr. There's a success story that should inspire us not to give up.

Angela Brooke Lowery Arrested on Drug Charges

 

 

 

Shoalanda

What the TimesDaily Doesn't Tell Us...Or Is That Ronnie Willis?

Saturday morning saw an escape from the Florence-Lauderdale Detention Center. Perhaps you read about it in the TimesDaily...or perhaps you were lucky enough to read about it in Pen-N-Sword. These two news outlets gave different accounts of why the escapee Jerry Don Crowden was incarcerated to begin with.

We often hear, and we at Shoalanda usually agree, that the TD is a cheerleader for local business and nothing more. This could be the reason the possibility of danger to the public was played down, yet the Florence Police Department page on Facebook gave at least part of the info on Crowden that PNS published. The difference?

Reading the article in today's TD that announces Crowden's capture, we notice that the info on Crowden came from Ronnie Willis' office. Perhaps that's the problem?

No, Jerry Don Crowden wasn't arrested in May for his most recent crime spree. He was returned here from prison in May for additional court appearances. Obviously he didn't want to go back. Perhaps now he'll be incarcerated for the rest of his natural life. The Shoals will be safer.

Jerry Don Crowden

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Have you often wondered what the Certificate of Need Board is and why it has so much authority over local health care? You can thank the Federal government for the original CON premise. Tomorrow we'll talk about it in some depth and what an unfavorable ruling for RegionalCare could mean.



Shoalanda

Shoals Traffic Cams & More

If you haven't visited the Quad-Cities Daily recently, you're missing out on more than just local arrests. The QCD has added Shoals traffic cams to their menu. While the broadcast images are stills, they update quickly and provide readers with an idea of what road conditions are like at any given time. The feed currently airs sites in Florence, Sheffield, and Muscle Shoals.

Shoals Traffic Cams

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Pen-N-Sword has also been updating its Missing in North Alabama section as well as Shoals Most Wanted. Trader tells us the site will be adding two to three of the most wanted each week and will ultimately have a complete list and back story on all those missing from Alabama counties north of Birmingham.

Missing in North Alabama

Most Wanted in the Shoals

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We notice one of the most wanted is Gerald Winston Surratt Jr. Surratt was once arrested in Sheffield for sexual assault, but a grand jury failed to indict. At that time, a source in the Florence Police Department told us Surratt was the subject of an investigation into various robberies, most using a pass key. At that time, Surratt was a maintenance man at a local apartment complex.

After the grand jury failed to indict Surratt in Colbert County, we received a scathing e-mail from him informing us that he had been cleared of all charges and to remove our blog concerning his case. It was only a few weeks later that formal charges were brought against the Florence resident, and he's now on the run.



Shoalanda

Congrats Quad-Cities Daily!

Our friends at the Quad-Cities Daily have now attained two million page views! That's no small potatoes, considering the size of this area. Obviously, their mug shots provide a wide audience, but the QCD is also the go-to page for anything Sheffield. They also publish more local photographs than any other site.

Steve, Sheri, and Mary, you should all be proud!

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Be sure to like the QCD on Facebook to have their latest reports arrive on your page:

The Quad-Cities Daily

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Our fiends at Pen-N-Sword haven't been resting on their laurels either. Besides their growing section of the Shoals Most Wanted, they've added a section featuring individuals missing from North Alabama. You can access these two sections via our blog at top and left sidebar. They also publish the monthly UNA crime logs and news from four area colleges.

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Be sure to like PNS on Facebook to receive their updates as they're published.

Pen-N-Sword 

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While we're at it, if you haven't already, be sure to like our blog to receive the latest links:

Shoalanda Speaks

Shoalanda

The Waiting Game

We had been waiting to publish today for a report from the Hershel Dale Graham Felony Murder trial. As of yet we haven't received word from the contributor, so we'll offer a few updates on various topics.

1. The Brown Recluse wants her fans to know the comment concerning a regular Saturday column for the TimesDaily was an April Fool. We inferred as much since we've never seen the TotallyDecatur use a local author on a regular, or even irregular, basis. You can still read TBR on her deeply insightful blog featured on our sidebar. She's taking part in the A to Z Blogging Challenge this month.

2. Pen-N-Sword is reporting accused rapist Deion Bonton has been released from the Florence-Lauderdale Detention Center on bond.

3. Home invader Blake Austin Hines remains incarcerated in that facility. No word on his still to be captured cohorts.

4. Andrew Daniel Scott also left the detention center today via judge's order. We received no more details from our source and don't know if Hottie Scottie is entering drug rehab or is being allowed home before a trial. We hope this involves a plea that will demand serious counseling for Scott.

5. A reader commented with tongue in cheek concerning the huge awards sure to come from any suits against Angel Gieske, an unlicensed counselor who seems to have taken local DHR and several others for quite an unpleasant ride. No, we're pretty sure most of the money Gieske made from this felonious project is now spent. That may make it harder to find an attorney willing to participate in any lawsuit. The main thrust of these lawsuits should be to ensure Gieske doesn't just move her con from Alabama to still another state; however, if Medicaid does follow through, Gieske will be moving...

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Who knew Boz could yodel?





Shoalanda

Scooping Bernie & Sherhonda...

We often have readers who send us artwork, poems, songs, or catch phrases related to our blog. We don't usually publish them--not because they aren't articulate, funny, or catchy, but because we are composed of many here. Some who don't write regularly do contribute regularly. It's a team effort.

Still, one song recently sent to us comes to mind. One verse says:

I wanna write just like Shoalanda,
I wanna scoop Bernie and Sherhonda.

For those who may not be familiar with our newspaper, the Totally Decatur, Bernie and Sheronda refer to two writers, both very accomplished. Yet, it's not hard to scoop them (In fairness, Bernie Delinski is the only one of the two who does hard news). Why?

There may be a thousand "whys," but obviously one salient point is that only good news should cross the printing press concerning Shoals business. Should it really be this way? A good newspaper can publish bad news without it being editorial in nature; that seems to be something the TimesDaily hasn't learned.

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Now we come to two scoops from earlier today. First from the Quad-Cities Daily:

Fernando King Arrest

Here's the scoop from Pen-N-Sword that has to have been covered up by the TD:

Navistar is Gone

We have to ask why the powers that be in Decatur didn't want this published...

Shoalanda

Two Quick Quizes...

You're having dinner with an old friend at his luxurious chateau. At some point, he pulls a gun on you and fires. The gun jams, what do you do?

A. Run for the border.

B. Knock the gun from his hand and throw it in the shrubbery as you hastily leave.

C. Pen a blog about proper dining etiquette.

D. Stab your host multiple times, slit his throat, take the gun and shoot him in the back of the head, then steal a car to escape law enforcement.

E. Option "D" plus stab his girlfriend for good measure.

Let's just say if you picked "E" as Shannon Brewer did, you may have good reason to fear a Capital Murder indictment.

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Zombies are attacking the White House, Capitol Building, and Pentagon. What's your best bet to receive immediate news updates?

A. Fox News reporters who blame the Democrats.

B. ABC where news execs are desperately trying to channel the ghost of Peter Jennings.

C. Your great-aunt Ethel who dated a congressman while working in D.C. during WWII.

D. Tweets from visiting tourists caught in the crossfire since they thought the whole thing was part of a normal congressional debate.

In today's world, the savvy person chooses "D." Fox, ABC, and all other news outlets have their own desk jockey monitoring the wonderful world of Twitter. Your second best bet would be a local blog where the writers will add astute insight on the back story without fear of losing their jobs. Not the 1918 New York Times, is it?

We regularly read comments from a vocal few who claim such local publications as the Quad-Cities Daily and Pen N Sword aren't "real" news outlets. This week, the QCD scooped the TimesDaily on both arrests in the Dorian Hamilton murder case, while PNS is the only publication to mention the alleged attempted rape on the UNA campus. No, it's not 1918 anymore. Hats off to both Internet news sources.

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Want to get regular updates from the QCD & PNS? Like them on Facebook:

Quad-Cities Daily

Pen N Sword

Shoalanda

Bail Fails/More Most Wanted

We've previously discussed the wide disparity in charges involving murder in Alabama: Capital Punishment Charges Not Administered Fairly. Now we're adding the bail/no bail conundrum to our list of "things that make no sense."

Yesterday we blogged on murder suspect Angel Campos, charged with Capital Murder, receiving a bond amount of 500K. Campos is a man with a lengthy record of domestic violence. He's accused of beating and stabbing his estranged wife to death--quite a vicious and personal crime.

Today we've read that a Limestone County judge has refused Joel Moyers bail. Moyers has no record, shot a man he had never met and held no animosity toward, and claims he was simply attempting to stop a suspicious vehicle.

If you, gentle readers, heard of these two cases, which one would you select to have bail? Campos or Moyers? It's not really difficult, except apparently in Alabama.

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We've recently added a link at the top of our blog to the Most Wanted section of Pen-N-Sword. The Quad-Cities Daily also has a new Most Wanted section. Be sure to check out both of these; you might earn some reward money...and who wouldn't want that?

Shoals Most Wanted

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So how much did the plans for the Railroad Bridge fetch? Four bidders participated, and the winning bid was $107.50. Now that's some dedication to history...or bridges.

Shoalanda

Dastardly Duo: Huntsville & Keller?

David, a reader and friend, has sent us this profound assessment of the symbiotic relationship between Huntsville and Keller Hospitals:

It should be crystal clear to everyone, Huntsville Hospital would love nothing better than to close down open heart procedures at ECM so patients could be transferred to their facility for the procedure and they are using Helen Keller Hospital's challenge to the CON to do so. A coronary artery bypass surgery is a cash cow for a hospital averaging over $60,000 for a ten day stay (that's $6000/day compared to an average cost of $2025/day for all hospital stays), and since the daily cost decreases in the days after surgery with the average daily cost at end of stay being around $1800/day, earlier discharge results in a higher daily average.

Make no mistake, Helen Keller officials don't want to downsize any new facility Regional Care wants to build, they want to stop it cold in it's tracks by any means possible. The statements of how a new facility attracting more patients proves that. With the growing trend for primary care practitioners to admit their patients to a hospitalist (physicians hired by the hospital to see inpatients) it is becoming easier to give patients a choice where two or more hospitals in the area utilize hopitalist physicians. And who wouldn't want to be admitted to a brand new hospital for treatment?

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Hot Wheelz? Definitely hot and definitely an asset to the community:

OK POTENTIAL HOT WHEELZ, TOMORROW NIGHT AT RANCHO VIEJO ACROSS FROM K-MART IN MUSCLE SHOALS, OUR 1ST PUBLIC MEETING WILL BE BETWEEN 7-7:30 COME TO THE BACK WE WILL HAVE A TABLE SET UP. A LOT TO TALK ABOUT, WE HAVE A BENEFIT COMING UP, AND WE HAVE DECIDED TO DO A "HOT WHEELZ" Hottie's On Two Wheelz, Calendar, to raise money for our community!!! We have so many exciting things coming up with the weather starting to get pretty, we are gonna brighten things up too. Neon Pink Shirts with HOTTIE'S riding on 2 wheelz in our area to raise money for those in need!!!! $25 to join, have it with you, and $20 for this months members fee, if you don't have it right now, that's fine, we will work with you. Can't wait to meet so many who are interested!!!! See you tomorrow night!!!!

We'll have more on this great organization later. In the mean time, you can like their Facebook page at:

Hot Wheelz Hotties

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Check out Pen-N-Sword's new Shoals Most Wanted; you'll find in depth bios of area ne'er-do-wells, as well as information on any rewards.

Shoalanda

Superfluous Bills? Superfluous Legislature!

To say that the State of Alabama has problems is to put it mildly. Eliminate the feel good and personal interest bills and our legislature might just get something done. "Might" is still a pretty big word there.

Personal interest bill? A number of years ago a state legislator introduced a bill making it illegal to honk horns or play radios or initiate any other noise on streets and land adjacent to known hunting property during hunting seasons. Why? One of his friends had been upset by passing motorists and neighbors ruining his dove hunting...

BTW, such a law if passed, wouldn't hold up in court. "Judge, I was attempting to make the 18-wheeler headed toward me in my lane aware of my presence." "Judge, I was playing music to calm my grandson who was teething." You get the idea.

Now we "need" a state amendment to uphold a federal amendment? "Well, constituents, at least I did something." Please, yes, please, do something, but be sure it's the right thing and not something utterly useless.

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Why would Anon Ghost hack American Legion Post 11's website? We have no idea. Not too many subversive Legionairres around that we've noticed. Our opinion is it was easy to hack, so this group had a go at it. It's also possible the group is composed mainly of those from other countries who wouldn't know the American Legion from the Symbionese Liberation Army.

The Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department is a different matter. For several weeks, Pen-N-Sword has been working on a detailed report of various ongoing legal wranglings in that office. Expect an interesting investigative article coming soon.

And there are those who ask why Ronnie (PassMeTheDonutsYouPrettyYoungThing) Willis would want to retire?



Shoalanda

Bradford & Blame

Cities are like people; they have to grow and evolve. Florence and Tuscumbia are the senior citizens of the Shoals. Muscle Shoals was the brainchild of Henry Ford and experienced years of failure to thrive. We've heard many in Sheffield government laughed when Hwy 43 was scheduled to be rerouted; why would they want it? Yet Muscle Shoals did want it and grew into an unorganized series of metal buildings, mini-malls, and gasoline stations.

The city government is very similar to the the physical town itself. Attempts to form a downtown area can be compared to attempts to reform city departments that have been without proper regulation for too long. We regularly receive complaints about its police department--many we have attributed to those who have run afoul of the law, in other words, suspect.

Today Pen-N-Sword published an article by J.J. Ray which lauded Mayor Bradford, proclaiming tales of turtle murder are smoke and mirrors to take the heat off Greg Scoggins. As we did two days ago, we agree. Any crimes committed by Mayor David Bradford should have no bearing on the fate of former officer Scoggins. They should have a bearing on Bradford's political future.

Mayor David Bradford by J.J. Ray

It will be three years before Muscle Shoals has its next municipal election. Surely there are honest and caring citizens who would be willing to take the helm of this growing city. Tommy Oswalt comes to mind. We urge all citizens of Muscle Shoals to start thinking about its future under an honest and transparent government.

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How many have prayed for our president today? Okay, if you don't pray at all, you get a pass. For those who do offer up prayers, we hope each of you prayed that our president will have a productive and safe second term. Did we vote for him? No. That doesn't mean we can't wish him the best...



Shoalanda

Coaches, Fathers, and Other Figures

Aubie & A Truly Great Coach

We doubt too many are honoring Gene Chizik today, but lest any feel too sorry for this one-time icon at Auburn University, the Birmingham News is reporting some very interesting details concerning his days as head coach, especially after the university's national championship. Here's a few interesting revelations:

* Almost all mandatory workouts became optional.
* Many players stopped attending classes and/or doing classwork.
* Private security became the norm--players had to be forced to follow Chizik's dictates.

In  other words, when the annals of this decade's Southeastern football are written, Gene Chizik will be considered Auburn's answer to Mike Price.

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Years ago Gary Crosby, son of Bing Crosby, penned the story of his life growing up with a famous singer/actor for a father. It wasn't pretty. It seems when informed of the sudden death of his famous father, he simply finished the golf game he was playing at the time.

Often we see those honored in local or even national media and we know their private lives were nothing like their public persona. If you want to know what a man...or woman...is like, ask their children.

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Other figures? Let's arbitrarily use an institution as a "figure." The print media today is in serious trouble. We don't blame even our local paper, if you can call it that, for scrounging for every reader it can get.

Yet, while local news once predominated the TimesDaily's online headlines, that's no longer so. Click on many stories thinking you'll find something of local interest and you'll instead be confronted with national stories that have little to do with us in the Shoals.

Obviously we should want to know what's going on nationally and internationally, but the TD is not the first place most of us look for that kind of news. That's why we're glad to have the Quad-Cities Daily and Pen-N-Sword to fall back on...no, wait, to make our first choice for what's happening in the Shoals.



Shoalanda

Bubba on John Barleycorn

When my pappy caught me with his stash of Playboys, I told him the truth...I was readin' the articles. So today I can truthfully tell all y'all that I just love to read the Quad-Cities Daily for all them fine articles Steve and Sheri Wiggins write and Mary Carton too. The mug shots have absolutely nothin' to do with me visitin' the site everday. Course, I do look at 'em while I'm there, and that got me to thinkin'.

There was one young man there, not much older than my Bubba III, who was charged with bein' a minor in possession of alcohol, ol' John Barleycorn as my pappy used to say. Actually most of 'em there were in the hoosegow because of drinkin', but this one young fella really stood out. If he coulda just waited two days and a few hours, he woulda been legal. Instead, for his 21st birthday he got his picture splashed all over the Shoals and all the way down to Dog Ear. I just gotta ask if it was worth it?

Seems most of the alcohol arrests are in Shurfield. Last time I looked they even got 'em one of them Eyetalian movie stars. So my advice to everone is not to drink, but if you hafta drink, don't drive in Shurfield.

Bubba Leroy Smuckpucker II
Dog Ear, Alabama

Editor's note: We currently have two submissions for Bubba's new profile picture. We'll wait until November 1st to select the one we feel best represents our correspondent from Dog Ear; send your entries to shoalanda.speaks@gmail.com.

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Update on Lance Martin attack: Link

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Lance's family has contacted both us and Pen-N-Sword concerning the hunt for Lance's attackers. They have been particularly disappointed in lack of coverage by the TimesDaily. We have no way of knowing how the TD prioritizes its daily news articles, but we do know much news never reaches its pages. The days of a single news source are over. We can assure readers that we, Pen-N-Sword, and the Quad-Cities Daily are happy to receive your input and news articles. In return we ask that you publicize us as much as possible. Many thanks.

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Shoalanda