Much is being said about the increasingly shrinking Courier-Journal and other local newspapers. The blame is aplenty, and oftentimes bloggers get the fickle finger pointed at them.
However, as I pick up my morning CJ and note that it's the size of my old high school newspaper, I, too, wonder what is the problem.
Some say the newspapers failed to embrace the internet in a timely fashion and failed to take advantage of the medium.
Unfortunately, I see the culprit in another light. Giving away the news free and on-line has spurred a host of punsters and commentators who NEED the investigatory and local reporting of the news as the grist to run their blogging mills. If they turned off the news faucet, then the bloggers might not have anything to feast upon.
However, I also am wondering if now the newspapers are failing to aggressively address the local issues and rely more on the AP/UPI feeds.
For example, a recent post by Ed Springston makes some hard points about the local political landscape pointing his finger at Judge Fred Cowan and Commonwealth Attorney David Stengel with the following blast in his post entitled: UPDATES AND SUCH (Apr. 27)
Chris Thieneman has been taking some heat for his statements about involvement in a play to pay scheme back in 2000. For years I have been told about pay to play schemes by people who would not use their name for fear of retribution. These stories are from multiple sources and would involve so many prominent people your head will spin.
Thieneman going forward with this during this campaign was an extremely bold risk to take. Though Chris has spoken of this issue previously no one in media ever wanted to pursue it. Now as a Mayoral candidate Chris used that platform to bring it to light. Quite frankly, I am glad Chris came forward with this revelation.
Chris has put his own name and rep on the line to bring it to the forefront. Whether you agree or not this could be the beginning of the end of this travesty of politics here in Louisville. The days of pay to play are numbered and it starts with people like this willing to go public.
The scheme includes those such as Fred Cowan and some have even alluded to Dave Armstrong.
Can anyone say whistleblower?
Commonwealth Attorney Dave Stengel should already be investigating this and pursuing Cowan, which will lead to many others I assure you, but Stengel cannot. Why? Because Stengel himself is bought and paid for by the machine in my opinion. His involvement with the Jim King case, and his lack of fortitude in doing his job accordingly, was a major red flag to me of just how far he is involved.
After Stengel received a loan of more than $500,000 from King's bank, and the rumors of the reasons behind his divorce, it is obvious to many Stengel cannot do his job due to his "obligations" to others instead of those who elected him. You sure can buy a lot of friends with $500,000 can't you?
This will get very interesting to say the least so stay tuned as charges may be forthcoming.
And Jake Payne was on this too with Republican mayoral candidate Chris Thieneman admitted to a $10,000 political bribe. On video. At his Courier-Journal editorial board interview. Apparently, discussion about it all has touched a nerve. [The 'Ville Voice].
Did you see how the trail evolves with a synergistic effect as blog post builds upon blog post, and the best I can figure based upon dates of postings that the Ville Voice was first to connect the dots on the Thieneman-Cowan connection, followed by the PageOne Louisville and the Ville Voice. But, then I read the about pages and find that Jake Payne is the bard behind both blogs. It's sure hard to follow these folks without a program!
I would ask where is Andy Wolfson who is notorious for scratching behind the legal scene for stories, and if so, will he confirm, refute, or ignore the issues and concerns raised above. And should the Courier-Journal follow this story, then who is leading whom in local investigations and reporting? And should they write something, will credit be given to the local bloggers who prompt these leads. Remember it was Jacob Payne of the Louisville Page One Blog that brought the house of cards down on the UofL professor some time ago - Robert Felner.
Of course, it is worth noting that the video relied upon by Jake Payne was an interview of Thieneman stored at the Courier-Journal web site! Thus, the paper is not only unable to locate and develop a good story in the Ville but also they do not seem capable of unearthing a story in its own building. Ouch. [As you can see, this post is an on-going ramble of rabbit trails, ruminations, and new news sources, but I hope you enjoy this 'not so' beautiful mind!]
And of course, Jacob Payne provides a little oversight to the CJ in the following post entitled
C-J Voter Guide Plagued With Problems
By jake on Spotted
That Courier-Journal voter guide? Don’t bother with it. It’s riddled with problems (didn’t think it was a big deal til tons of people starting emailing us), not the least of which is this: * * *
And this my friend is how leads are gotten and stories broken - by YOU. See post from Page One.
Anonymous, unsolicited packages or envelopes sent to my home or office pretty much results in whatever it is getting tossed or lost.
Just the nature of the beast these days.
If you want to pass along a tip, please do so via email. There are plenty of free services you can sign up for without revealing your identity. If you must send something in physical form, please make plans with me to expect mail or packages. Even if you have to do so anonymously.
I greatly appreciate folks who keep me informed.
Many thanks from Jake.
Again, these investigations of local politicians and government officials are not and should not be witch hunts and diggers of dirt. A solid and honest investigation can swing both ways and nail or exonerate someone. Once their name hits the news, the Kings, Stengels and Cowans of this world are entitled to be cleared if the facts warrant it, and the pubic is entitled to know their elected officials misconduct if those facts warrant it. But, there is a limit to what a rug can cover and ignoring the elephants and donkies in the room accomplishes nothing but encourage others to violate the law and a public to lost trust in their elected officials.
Are you listening Mr. McGibben??? Do something!
"Once their name hits the news, the Kings, Stengels and Cowans of this world are entitled to be cleared if the facts warrant it, and the pubic is entitled to know their elected officials misconduct if those facts warrant it. But, there is a limit to what a rug can cover and ignoring the elephants and donkies in the room accomplishes nothing but encourage others to violate the law and a public to lost trust in their elected officials."
And that is the real bullet if you will. King spent two years trying to shut me up by using the supposed highest paid "cracker jack" attorneys in Kentucky. The facts in this case are so clear cut a first grader could follow it.
I beat the best attorneys he can buy and will continue to.
He has criminal investigations ongoing in this whole case and giving himself as much money as he thinks it will take to do what?
Buy another election. This time for himself.
The AG's office is basically doing nothing to further this case waiting instead to see how the primary works out.
If King wins they will try to push it under the rug, I won't let that happen I assure you, if he loses they then have to rethink how to handle it as King is "one of them."
We shall see.
The sad thing is if he actually purchases this election and then loses in court (and he will) he will then be a felon and forced to vacate the office.
Where is the justice to the voter in that equation?
That is why it is important to deal with these things expeditiously instead of playing the delay game.
We the people deserve better.
Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Ed Springston | Sunday, May 02, 2010 at 11:31 AM