Monkey Business in Monkeytown During Alabama's Lame Duck Special Session

*Updated--12/10
North Alabama's heavy hitter Dale Jackson of The Attack Machine reports today on some unsavory business going on during the Flash Harry's and Show Mules exhibit in the Alabama State House under the guise of ethics reforms. Outgoing Governor Riley says this a chance to pass some of the "toughest ethics laws in the nation." Well, he's half right, but he's had eight years to do this and Alabamians are not fooled by this latest attempt at legacy polishing bravado on his part, not all of them that is.

The Alabama Democratic Party released news on December 8th of the lame duck Riley's own recent failings to follow the laws that he is claiming to correct in this special session;

Montgomery - As Governor Bob Riley calls the Alabama Legislature into a special session on ethics, a move he could have made at any time in the last eight years, the Alabama Democratic Party has found that the Governor apparently violated Alabama's Fair Campaign Practices Act. According to disclosure forms on file with the Alabama Secretary of State's office, the Alabama Republican Party reported receiving contributions from the Bob Riley for Governor Committee in the amount of $2,010 on July 22nd and $10,000 on September 27th; however, Governor Riley's campaign has failed to file financial disclosures reporting the donations for the 2010 election cycle as is required by law.

That's the kind of irony that's become the norm rather than the exception because the penalty for late filing is little more than a slap on the wrist and promise you won't do it again, wink wink.

The blame lies with both sides of the aisle for the failure to pass meaningful reforms, but the 2007 veto of ethics reforms lies squarely with Mr. Aqua Net himself and his Bic pen veto. Suspicions were loudly whispered at the time that the veto was to protect the Governor's familial interests from detailed disclosures, and as they say, there's a grain of truth in even the wildest rumor.

One thing's for certain, the facts are irrefutable that this state ranks between 46th and 49th in corruption. It has never shown a real willingness to cut off the money pipeline from lobbyists gone wild and special interests helping our politicians helping themselves to a helluva lot more than they should be. And despite all the posturing going on in Montgomery right now, not one thing they're doing will stop the sale of Alabama's political process to the highest bidders.

Nothing in these current ethics bills will prevent lobbyists from jetting our legislators around on fab getaways and get togethers, with the high and mighty mohair blazered little kings, and wining and dining them on fare that most Alabamians can only afford to treat themselves to a couple of times a year. There will still be the hunting & fishing trips where most of the decisions for legislation are made, (bought) and the late night hoohahs in and around postal code 36104 (aka Storyville ) that brings out all sorts of characters to cavort and cajole with Alabama's politicians the night before session.

The attitude of entitlement on Goat Hill is evident when you walk the halls of the privileged and experience the palpable arrogance and aloofness up close and personal that is Alabama politics. It's the kind of experience that makes one yearn for a bar of Ivory soap and the nearest hose off spot when you leave.

Insiders that attended the public meeting last night in the old chambers of the State (nut) House tell us that they overheard conversations that went along these lines: (lobbyists talking) "We were nervous when we first heard about these reforms, but now that we've seen the bills we can get around them easy." (followed by snarky laughter and pats on the backs)

Unfortunately they're right and this is all just one big display designed to legacy build outgoing Governor Riled Up and give cover to the republican majority that now has the reins of the mule team on Goat Hill. There's a few good ones in there, but for the most part this is the same ol' barrel of monkeys it has always been and the rules of the game are unchanged: paid to play.

*Update--Doc's Political Parlor put up an interesting file detailing Riley's move for the Special Session on ethics reforms in their latest entry.

Governor Riley on Twitter (Ain't he cool wearing shades and on the motorcycle? Please.)  

Riley Lackey Jeff Emerson on Twitter 
Riley chalkboarder Todd Stacy on Twitter
ALLISON audio link to the Alabama Senate proceedings in real time.