The World Around You

I am having a rather long, drawn out conversation with an individual in the comment thread of an old post on Roy Moore. I’d be interested in other’s opinions on the posts so far.

I contend that she has run out of ammo and is now resorting to personal attacks. Please check in with your own opinion.

Governor Riley’s proposed budget for Alabama for the fiscal year that begins October 1 has now been posted online. See for yourself what will be cut. I’ll be pointing out some of the things that particularly concern me soon.

Governor Bob Riley will release his proposed budget for Alabama today. The Birmingham News reports,

Battered women, sexually-abused children, HIV patients, disabled youngsters who want to go to summer camp - services to these Alabamians are among the items dropping off the state budget.

Alabama’s mandate for less government means state funding is set to be slashed for non-state agencies that run a variety of social service programs. Some lawmakers are saying these groups likely will be wiped off the state budget altogether after Tuesday’s failure of Gov. Bob Riley’s tax plan.

“They’ve said it’s gone. Kiss it goodbye,” said Kathie Hiers, chief executive of AIDS Alabama.

What I find truly absurd and laughable is this quote,

Former state Sen. Bill Armistead, who campaigned against the tax package, was a vocal supporter for Child Advocacy Centers while in the Legislature.

He was surprised to learn of the pending cuts. Other areas should go first, he said Thursday.

“It seems they’re looking at cutting those areas that would have the greatest negative impact on Alabama families,” Armistead said. “They ought to be looking at reducing the bureaucracy in Montgomery.”

The fact that the opponents get the luxury of being shocked at having exactly what was predicted to happen is precisely what was wrong with this whole campaign. They get to spend the whole campaign telling people the Governor is lying and then when people find out he wasn’t the opposition just says, “Oops”. This isn’t the first time the people of Alabama have been snookered by the naysayers, but I hope it is the last.

First, they are slashing the bureaucracy. Reports have stated that at least a dozen state agencies will be disbanded and a couple thousand employees will lose their jobs. Also, the community grants that were used by the legislature for programs in their districts are on the chopping block. But, that still doesn’t make up the hole we are in. So then the decision comes down to do we cut more state agencies or do we eliminate funding to other agencies?

It comes down to making tough choices, which the opposition to the Governor’s plan claimed we would never have to make because the deficit didn’t really exist. I feel like co-opting the title of Al Franken’s new book, “Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them”, to define those who opposed the Governor’s plan.

Can you hear me now?
Can you hear me now?
Can you hear me now?

Celebrity deaths always seem to come in waves. This morning we hear of the deaths of Johnny Cash and John Ritter. They were both giants in their chosen field and they both deserve to be remembered and honored today. My condolences go out to their families and friends.