Just curious here, as I am trying to take the temperature of the folks on these blogs and how they are reacting to CC and its' continued escalation with the Governors office. I have tried to be neutral in the proceedings, and just comment on what is in the news, although I do have an opinion and use other means other than my on air position to make my voice heard. Do we as radio personalities need to talk about it, and risk possible backlash, should they be unafraid to give a position, whether left or right or hug the middle of the road and just hang on? I would really like to get your side as this is a real big deal here in Houston County. I don't want to brand anybody, or get anyone in trouble, but if you feel comfortable posting, please do so. For the record, I do support Country Crossing and am excited of the possibilities, as well as the jobs that it can bring. Thanks!
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Opinion: How should radio Wiregrass stations handle Country Crossing situation?
- Thread starter Xenophobe
- Start date
I am not neutral. The media should continue to cover it as a news story and little more. These raids, besides costing the taxpayers of the state of Alabama hundreds of thousands of dollars per incident, are probably not even legal. The governor of a state's job as I understand it is NOT to police whether he thinks the operators are legal or illegal. That is the job of law enforcement. Now that the "no-bid contract" issue is temporarily swept up under the rug, Mr. Riley can continue to harass bingo machine operators all over the state to turn the focus away from him to honest taxpaying citizens whom are trying to remain employed. Notice how easy it is to get these restraining orders? It's easy because these raids are misplaced, mistimed, and illegal over entities which have received constitutional amendments to operate. For a governor who is trying to create jobs in the state of Alabama, he sure is bending over backward (or forward, depending upon your orientation) to see a lot of existing jobs are temporarily or permanently terminated.
But I ramble. Be sure to get both sides of the story, and let the public decide. And, of course, be sure to hear, cogitate, and report what the public decides, because it is the public who will pull the levers and color in the boxes of November ballots.
But I ramble. Be sure to get both sides of the story, and let the public decide. And, of course, be sure to hear, cogitate, and report what the public decides, because it is the public who will pull the levers and color in the boxes of November ballots.
I am of the belief that Gov. Riley is trying to parlay all of this into a Senate or Representative post in Washington. Figuring that the Conservitives in the Bible Belt will vote him in on the "I cleaned up Alabama from the plague of gambling" platform. But if that's true, there is NO WAY he can say he is doing that while the biggest Bingo Hall is no more than 30 minutes from Montgomery. The Dothan Eagle has a superior article on their Opinion page today, and I encourage you all to read it. Riley will not go against Milton McGregor and Victoryland, because I think Milton will have him, how shall we say, "kneecapped".
B
BamaGrrl
Guest
Xenophobe said:
Dude, Bob Riley has already been a Rep in Congress... He did 3 terms then quit (like he promised he would) and then ran for State Goober. I think he'd rather be an elder statesman than do many more politics.
But should the 'raids' be covered? Absolutely. It's a news story. If you're doing a talk show, then you can opinionate on the air about it all you want.
O.K... Unless you are a news talk station... I don't see any reason to say anything. You focus on your format. I play "The Greatest Hits of All Time" ... The only thing I'd have to say about Country Crossing is their name if an artist we played was going to be there in concert. If they buy ads we play their spots.. and if they get closed down the sales dept. closes the account. No reason for a jock on any music station to be pushing any kind of political agenda. If you are a talk station .. knock yourself out. If your station does news, give the news. Tell the latest and let it go.
For every person who likes your opinion, someone else won't.... just play the music and let Country Crossing fight their own battle.
For what it's worth.. and I'm not taking sides.. but The Gov. is responsible for seeing the laws of the state are enforced. If you read Alabama law, Gambling is illegal. A slot machine is not Bingo. That's just the facts. But more power to Country Crossing, Victory Land, it's not my place to tell people what they should or shouldn't do for fun.
For every person who likes your opinion, someone else won't.... just play the music and let Country Crossing fight their own battle.
For what it's worth.. and I'm not taking sides.. but The Gov. is responsible for seeing the laws of the state are enforced. If you read Alabama law, Gambling is illegal. A slot machine is not Bingo. That's just the facts. But more power to Country Crossing, Victory Land, it's not my place to tell people what they should or shouldn't do for fun.
Xenophobe, great post, man. That's exactly what this board is all about IMO.
No longer in the area, this has been fascinating to watch play out from afar. I know nothing about the political motives of the Governor, but the Victoryland issue seems to put all of this to rest. Why Riley would persist in what seems to be selective harassment is beyond my scope. I sincerely hope that CC takes off in a big way, allowing for a substantial number of jobs in an area that has lots of great people. Good post, Zeeno...I must concur with darkman.
Thanks to you folks who have taken the time to post an answer.
Bama Grrl - "Dude, Bob Riley has already been a Rep in Congress... He did 3 terms then quit (like he promised he would) and then ran for State Goober. I think he'd rather be an elder statesman than do many more politics."
Apologizes, BG as I did not do my research about Riley's prior government standing, and am duly chastised. I should have looked before I posted that missive. Thank you for the info though. I still am puzzled as to where Riley is coming from. What does he have to gain from all of this? (and yes, I know that is a retorical question)
Thanks Assassin, I take it that things are good in Arkansas, if you are still hailing from there. Here's wishing you a great 2010.
I just can not understand what Victoryland has over Riley. Perhaps it is that VL has been there longer (?) than Riley has been office and the ties run too deep there. It surely is going to be an interesting year here in Houston County.
Bama Grrl - "Dude, Bob Riley has already been a Rep in Congress... He did 3 terms then quit (like he promised he would) and then ran for State Goober. I think he'd rather be an elder statesman than do many more politics."
Apologizes, BG as I did not do my research about Riley's prior government standing, and am duly chastised. I should have looked before I posted that missive. Thank you for the info though. I still am puzzled as to where Riley is coming from. What does he have to gain from all of this? (and yes, I know that is a retorical question)
Thanks Assassin, I take it that things are good in Arkansas, if you are still hailing from there. Here's wishing you a great 2010.
I just can not understand what Victoryland has over Riley. Perhaps it is that VL has been there longer (?) than Riley has been office and the ties run too deep there. It surely is going to be an interesting year here in Houston County.
Xenophope,
I heard some folks on talk radio in Mont. speculating about the Gov. Comments ranged from him wanting to leave a "legacy" of taking a stand against Gambling. Some folks believe it's a Republican party push to make the Pubs look like they are fighting for right wing values!
or could it be that because he's on the way out he's taking some parting shots as he leaves office at folks that have been fighting him on the Gambling issue.... and as we all know that has caused other problems with issues the Gov. has pushed during his time in office. I wonder?
I heard some folks on talk radio in Mont. speculating about the Gov. Comments ranged from him wanting to leave a "legacy" of taking a stand against Gambling. Some folks believe it's a Republican party push to make the Pubs look like they are fighting for right wing values!
or could it be that because he's on the way out he's taking some parting shots as he leaves office at folks that have been fighting him on the Gambling issue.... and as we all know that has caused other problems with issues the Gov. has pushed during his time in office. I wonder?
If it were me I would look to my Program Director for guidance.
R
ricky
Guest
Ouch!
BRETT MASON
If it were me I would look to my Program Director for guidance.
Certainly, but I am not talking about going on air with anything. Please take no offense, but his post was just to ask how radio personalities and others on this forum are viewing the situation we have in front of us, and to give us a forum to talk about it. Nothing that is said here will be going over the air, but we are just as frustrated as everyone else in the Wiregrass as to how this will shake down. We are talking about major possible revenue and exposure for our little area of the country. As mentioned in an earlier post I have other means, such as this one, to make my opinion known, not using the airwaves to voice my concerns.
Thanks for taking time to post, and being a part of this conversation, Brett!
If it were me I would look to my Program Director for guidance.
Certainly, but I am not talking about going on air with anything. Please take no offense, but his post was just to ask how radio personalities and others on this forum are viewing the situation we have in front of us, and to give us a forum to talk about it. Nothing that is said here will be going over the air, but we are just as frustrated as everyone else in the Wiregrass as to how this will shake down. We are talking about major possible revenue and exposure for our little area of the country. As mentioned in an earlier post I have other means, such as this one, to make my opinion known, not using the airwaves to voice my concerns.
Thanks for taking time to post, and being a part of this conversation, Brett!
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