Let's Talk Some Real Turkeys

It's November, so what's more apt than some turkey talk. No, we're not going to discuss fowl, but something...someone...foul. If you haven't read any news today, here's an interesting update:

Sonny Dewaine Tibbs

What was Coach Tibbs thinking? Sure, we know the joke about how some men (all men?) think. Yet most manage to keep their pants zipped. What happened with Sonny Dewaine Tibbs? What has he given up?

He may still have his job until the Franklin County Board of Education meets, but he won't have it long. He won't have his teaching license long either. We don't know his wife or how she will react to his affair, but we do know Sonny boy has lost her trust. He may have lost her. If there is a divorce, you may as well say he's lost his three children also. Finally, if his "victim's" parents are inclined to help Franklin County prosecute, you can bet he may very well lose his freedom, along with all that money paid for bail and legal fees.

We may assume that no matter what he's lost, he will still have his career as a professional wrestler. Special, isn't it?

Now that we've discussed Coach Tibbs, what about the 17 year-old girl? We have no idea why a young woman would want to have sex with a married man approaching middle age, but some do. Even if her family is so louche as to not think twice about her sexual faux pas, you can be sure her classmates will not be that kind. In a school the size of Vina, everyone knows who the girl is. So do her neighbors. Any reputable college may look twice at her application for admission, assuming she even wants to further her education. The well to do, educated suitors won't be knocking at her door either. We have to wonder if she still thinks it was worth it...



Shoalanda

Help Our Country, Help UNA, Help Yourself

The University of North Alabama's ROTC program has had a reprieve. The long-time fixture at the university is now on probation. The army isn't for everyone, but if you have any inclination to serve your country, check out the program at UNA. Your commitment doesn't have to be forever, and it offers rewards that last a lifetime.

*****

On the "Justice Isn't Always Justice" front, we just read of a man who was sentenced to 11 months in jail for having sex with an inflatable pool toy. It was his third similar offense; his victims being two rafts and one blow-up pumpkin. Hmmmm, boff an inanimate object in Ohio and get 11 months--kill a man in Alabama and get 24 months. What's wrong with this picture?



Shoalanda

Thelma Resigns!

Long time readers and critics of Cherokee government know Thelma--whose last name has changed from time to time. If you're not familiar with the one-time diva of the Cherokee Town Council, here are some links:

Who Shot Thelma?

I'm Your Puppet

The Dark Town

Now Thelma has resigned abruptly. Former mayor Chuck Lansdell is long gone. Former town attorney Rebecca Narmore is currently harassing other Colbert towns as the attorney for the E-911 Board. Who will be left to offer comic relief? Pardon the typo, "comic relief" should have been erudite guidance...ahem.

*****

Live in Florence? Now Bowser and Fluffy will require a license. If they aren't neutered, that license will be expensive. Do the the right thing!



Shoalanda

What Next for Lyndsey Brooke Grindol?

Lyndsey Brooke Grindol now faces a January 13th trial date. Charged with child abuse, Grindol could face a year in prison for the alleged attack that left her then 19 month-old daughter Madilynn with a broken arm. That's a big "could" since a jury might decide to convict her of domestic violence, a misdemeanor, or even give Grindol her freedom.

The Florence woman is a graduate of Northwest Shoals Community College and currently holds an EMT license. A knowledgeable source wrote:  She recently was kicked out of Mid-Lauderdale Fire Department for taking Madilynn to fire calls at all hours and leaving her buckled in her car seat. This was after many warnings not to bring the baby to fire calls.

At least one of six father candidates for Madilynn has taken a DNA test and been eliminated. The young child is living with a neighbor of Grindol at this time. It would seem almost anything is preferable to her living with such an abusive mother.

Grindol, 25, is also the biological mother of a young son who lives with his father. Where's a good spay/neuter program when you need one?



Shoalanda

Illegal Arrest of Blogger?

"Legal Schnauzer" After Alleged Arrest Beating

Not all political blogs are equal. Our own blog does not report on the real or alleged marital infidelities of elected officials, or anyone else, unless these sexploits have become common knowledge via another news source or affect Alabama taxpayers, and usually not even then.

That was not true of Roger Shuler, known in Alabama cyberspace as the Legal Schnauzer. He has been reporting on the son of former Alabama governor Bob Riley, as well as our current attorney general. Whether true or not, these blogs should become the object of civil suits, not criminal, but it hasn't quite worked that way.

Shuler is currently in jail. You can read his story here: Corruption Fighting Reporter

Scary, isn't it?



Shoalanda

Criminal Appeals & Appealing Criminals

Attorneys for Hershel Dale Graham presented their arguments for a retrial in Graham's manslaughter conviction last Wednesday. Franklin County Judge Terry Dempsey has taken the matter under advisement and will issue his findings at a later date.

Most initial appeals are never granted. After all, Graham's attorneys are essentially asking that Dempsey find himself or his rulings negligent in some way. If the appeal is denied, Graham's attorneys will then seek the next highest court in their attempt to free their client.

Did we say "free?" Graham is basically still free after being convicted in the shooting death of David Andrasik. If the rotund retired wrestler is as ill as his attorneys have claimed, he may never make it to prison to serve any time.

*****

Several readers have e-mailed us that Jason Green no longer wears an ankle monitor. Green is awaiting trial in Franklin County after being charged two years ago in the murder of Shay Ledlow. If these reports are true, it could be that Green has put up a larger amount of bail in order to have greater freedom in his comings and goings.

Shay's family is still waiting for justice...



Shoalanda

Who Houses the Homeless?

The Alabama Department of Transportation wants to do away with a Huntsville camp for the homeless. Some DOT bigwigs want to built a new camp for the (mostly) men who live under bridges in the Madison County seat. That idea in itself is controversial, but let's consider just the problem of not having a home, and, yes, there are those in the Shoals who do not.

Some of these are exploited by relatives. Others have had illnesses. There's not just one agency which helps those that far down on their luck, and many turn their backs on them. While the Salvation Army is indeed a church, it at least provides temporary shelter for some of these homeless. Kudos to the SA and other organizations which help those in a great time of need.

Do all want to be helped? Sadly, no. The following true stories are not to discourage anyone from helping those truly in need, but are related to show just what alcohol can do to a once productive person.

"Dave" lived and worked in Huntsville. He drank after he left work and all weekend. He made good money in construction, but spent the most of it on liquor, preferring booze even to a roof over his head. When he was hospitalized due to a work-related accident, he chose to be released to a men's shelter rather than go to his brother's home where he would not be allowed to bring potables.

"Les" was much closer to home. He grew up in East Florence and had fallen victim to alcoholism early in life. He drew a small veteran's benefit and some food stamps. It was never enough to support his need for drink, and he eventually moved into a cave on an East Florence hillside.

A small grocer took pity on Les and gave him a sandwich each day. One day the grocer noticed his Nyquil stock was diminished quite regularly, but he never remembered selling any of the cold medicine. A visit to the small cave across the street found Nyquil bottles littering the ground around Les' makeshift home.

How do you help these people? Should we? At least in Les' case, he had served his country. Both Les and Dave had once been productive members of society. Should we ignore them because we have no money? Or are we ignoring them because we (read: government) choose to spend money on those who are not even citizens?

And what if these men totally refuse help? That's the ethical rub, isn't it?



Shoalanda