Political Jackwagons Round II--Rep. Jim McClendon-R Springville and Supporting Cast

On a local radio show this morning, Springville's little big man confirmed his ongoing malady of hoof and mouth disease and removed all doubt to listeners that he is a jackhole without a clue of the ability of Alabama's citizens to recognize legislative BS disguised as "true ethics reform."

If you missed it, you missed quite a show from one of Alabama's talkers who is 99% of the time in the tank for the Republicans. We consider him to be a jackhole too, who is quite full of himself and one of the most condescending and argumentative big mouths to ever sit behind a microphone. Look for Senator "bonehead" Beason to host his show on Friday. Yes, really, a buffoon of a politician who has had his tail kicked all over Alabama for his limp rag lobbyist bill was the only possible choice to fill in for Friday's show.

That's another story entirely--state sponsored radio.

Back to McClendon. Here's a little (in essence) excerpt from the show about the supposed loophole repair by "sausage maker" McClendon that came about because of Beason's ineptitude: (slight paraphrasing)

Host:  "Representative McClendon why didn't you include a reporting requirement for the legislators and the gifters to them that would require that they report everything? I mean how are the people going to know who's giving what to our legislators without a reporting requirement?"
McClendon:  "The people will catch them. My opponent in the next election will catch it. If anybody down here does anything wrong it will go before a DA and the Ethics Commission and they'll prosecute it."

The host was incensed about this and let McClendon know about it in no uncertain terms. Good for him, finally! Callers that followed this exchange once again showed the goats on the hill that they are smart enough (despite Beason thinking they aren't) to know a pig in a poke when they see one. It is not the people's responsibility to follow these jerks around and be the police patrol of ethics when they screw up. But if that's the way they want it, we could oblige them. We'll be happy to post any verifiable information and photographs that serve the people and transparency.

Be careful what you wish for Mr. McClendon.

We surmise that the host took a harder line because the show that follows his was covered in a CBS 42 News story on Monday, and since Mr. loud mouth is such a publicity whore he caught on quick and changed direction with today's show. The end result was a benefit to the folks and we applaud that despite our suspicion that his motives were rooted in self promotion of himself and his self important talk show.

Here's the problem with McClendon: he's been in office too long and has gotten far too comfortable running unopposed and unquestioned, but each campaign cycle he raises $200K plus for reasons we still don't understand. It may not be illegal, but it smells. He's got a Napoleon complex and he isn't afraid to use it every chance he gets. But this morning he let his mouth overload his behind because he was confident that this radio host would play softball with him as he does with all the Republican legislators who come on as guests. McClendon ended the call with : "Matt, you know you're my hero...." Translation: I know you'll cover our behinds like you always do.

Rude awakening today wasn't it Representative McClendon?

A caller spilled the beans on the "best kept secret in the state house" called the Joe Ron Room on the sixth floor of the legislative building. That's a playpen that the legislators retire to for a little fun and frolic with their lobbyist nannies who allegedly ply them with alcohol in a building that is not supposed to allow alcohol.

We've heard stories from sources inside this room when the fun was flowing full tilt that one day we may reveal if our lawyers will clear it. These boys don't like having their dresses pulled up and they'll come after you with every attack dog they can whistle up, so caution is prudence.

But we know and so do others.

Representative McClendon fails to mention that he is on the House Ethics Commission Committee and its members are elected/appointed by the legislature. It is a body that is similar to the fox watching the hen house and it would be illogical to presume that this body would take any harsh action against its own. Nice try though Jimmy boy.

The other problem that media outlets refuse to discuss, as did Mr. McClendon and every other jackwagon on Goat Hill, is that the penalties for ethics violations are weak. It does no good to give the EC subpoena power if you do not strengthen the penalties. It's a job half done and they know it, but why the media doesn't pick up on it baffles us. Well, not really. They're all puppets for the masters and their oily PR men (and women, with one up and coming to watch: Stephen Bradley's daughter Hallie Bradley with Alabama Power.)

Tune into the audio from the Alabama State House today for more from Jimmy boy and his playmates to see how this goes along. So far, it's been more entertaining than reality TV to listen to the braying from the floor of these jackasses that strut around as the sharpest show ponies in the arena of a "new day in Alabama politics."

Senate audio *(recessed until 10:00 Tuesday night CST)

House audio

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