Comments on: Langford consultant has tricky ties

By: "The Man"

"The Man" — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:45:41 +0000

Having been active in the Birmingham arena of politics for some 10 years now it is amazing this is all now just coming out. But then again I’ve amassed enough information over the years to put everyone from Arrington to Langford in the federal pen. Just saving it up for a rainy day in case they ever look at me for something. Just my little “scorch the earth” policy attatched to my “get out of jail free” card.

By: Birmingham Blues » Blog Archive » Stop the Presses: City Council Exercises Oversight!

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 02:22:24 +0000

[...] week, Kyle Whitmire reported that Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford was proposing that the city pay $150,000 to the Stuart Group [...]

By: Helen

Helen — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:11:55 +0000

Ralph, anyone who has read Kyle’s columns or other articles over the years does not doubt his competence as a journalist, whether you agree or not with his point of view. The only thing Kyle is “guilty” of is careful but lively writing, along with some healthy irreverence.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:49:06 +0000

Speaking of innuendo, Ralph, your comments are larded with it. You imply that Kyle is not a "real" journalist because he posts stories on the Birmingham Weekly's blog. You imply that he doesn't corroborate his stories before he posts them. I'm afraid you're the one who is guilty of not checking the facts before you write. I don't know how you define a "real" journalist, but Kyle has been employed by two real newspapers for a number of years; he writes investigative stories and opinion pieces for the Weekly, a real newspaper that has been in business since 1997, and he also writes for the New York Times, a real newspaper that has been in business somewhat longer. His journalistic credentials and ethics don't magically disappear simply because his stories are posted online. The Weekly has recognized the fast pace of today's news and chosen, wisely in my opinion, to supplement its print format with web-based updates. The Birmingham News does the same thing with its online breaking news. You might also note that bloggers, with increasing frequency, are breaking stories that the traditional media has either missed or chosen to ignore. On the national level, Talking Points Memo followed the US Attorney firing scandal for months before it broke in the mainstream media, while the blog's authors were mocked as conspiracy theorists by Time magazine's Washington Bureau Chief, who later had to eat his words. Locally, you can check out Doc's Political Parlor, where Danny often reports stories that are related to him by state legislators or others in the know before those stories make it into the newspapers.

By: c. s. stople

c. s. stople — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:37:25 +0000

Mr.Whitmire,

I am interested in Mr Frank Stuart Sr. Background, education, hometown, usually someone in his position as leader of a consulting group has his resume posted.
Just interested?
CS

By: Past is Prologue with Dynamic Duo; Katopodis/Langford « Musings on Birmingham

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:27:51 +0000

[...] Langford and their first endeavor with bringing computers to the community. The two are also at the heart of the current effort to bring XO computers to Birmingham school children. The problem is that [...]

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 19:09:45 +0000

To expound with an example if I’m a bit vague: Larry Langford’s budget has not made mathematical sense. It hasn’t since he took office. That seems to me as a resident like a fairly large story, and one that is easily pursued. The numbers simply don’t add up. Kyle wrote a few pieces on it, the News (in my readings, please correct me if I’m wrong) has largely ignored what is a fairly large fiscal issue. A mayor with a history of financial difficulties (of which has been obvious for a long time) has a budget that simply does not make mathematical sense. As a taxpayer, I want to know where my money is going, and I certainly want those responsible for spending it to be held accountable.

Again, perhaps I missed it. Please direct me to these articles (all of which should be archived on al.com) if I did.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 18:45:08 +0000

Ralph, I think I wasn’t clear. The Birmingham News has only recently begun reporting on some of the rather obvious problems with the Langford administration (giving him a fairly large pass so far). There are of course different standards for a newspaper on what they can run with. However, up until recently they have not, IMO, been doing their job as the fourth estate. While you may take umbrage with Kyle’s writing, he has been investigating and reporting an obviously corrupt administration before it even took office. I cannot say the same for the Birmingham News.

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:34:14 +0000

To even a casual observer of Birmingham politics the nature of Larry Langford was easily detectable from miles away. He is a career politician and a crooked one at that. Why did the citizen’s of Birmingham elect him? Why does our current City Council support him? I am glad that the reporting is being done to expose Langford’s past, but seriously – Why has it taken so long? Now the damage is compounded and we will all pay the price for this mess.

By: Sally

Sally — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 01:23:50 +0000

I just read the series of articles on Langford and am pretty impressed with the fact that he goes about his extortion of city money so brazenly. In New Jersey they are much more sophisticated about it. Keep it hidden while still in power.

Does anyone read in Alabama? Are you really going to put up with this? I would demand of my Council representatives to wake up – otherwise you are going to have a Big Apple kind of mess.

It has to piss you off, this guy getting richer and his friends as well on your taxpayer money. For God’s sake. Don’t let the whole Country have another reason to laugh at Alabama.

-A Rainbow City transplant who loves our State!

By: Birmingham Blues » Blog Archive » Birmingham’s Own Gay Porn Scandal

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 22:12:46 +0000

[...] read the whole article. Then check out this piece at Mixed Media. Birmingham is in deep shit. I hope the City Council will start digging it [...]

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 20:03:33 +0000

Good article. When did the Birmingham News grow a pair and start reporting on these scandals? It was just Kyle for a good long time.

It is slowly looking like a matter of ‘when’ not ‘if’ Larry goes to jail…