March 16, 2015

In a new interview with the Los Angeles Times, the attorney of Federal District Judge Mark F. Fuller (11th Circuit, Alabama, Middle District) says Fuller was simply "defending himself" against his wife when she called 911, said she was being beaten, requested an ambulance, and was then found bloodied by police in an Atlanta hotel room in August of 2014.

That claim would appear to be at odds with the available audio evidence from the 911 call, segments of which were aired on MSNBC last year, and since obtained in full by The BRAD BLOG via public records request from the Atlanta Police Department. We publish the audio, in full, below for the first time, as it appears to contradict new claims by Fuller's attorney.

The interview with the LATimes also appears to confirm that the special five-judge panel convened by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to investigate the disturbing incident and make recommendations for action to that Circuit Court's Judicial Council is investigating very similar claims of domestic violence and substance abuse made by Fuller's first wife Lisa during their 2012 divorce proceedings.

According to the paper's Timothy M. Phelps, Fuller's Birmingham attorney "and longtime friend" Barry Ragsdale explained during a lengthy recent interview that the incident last summer which led to the arrest of Fuller at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Atlanta began after Fuller's current wife Kelli accused the judge of having an affair with his law clerk. That claim is consistent with the initial police report, though Ragsdale --- who has also dismissed allegations of infidelity and abuse made by Fuller's first wife as little more than "nonsense" and "gossip" --- goes a bit farther in defense of the judge this time. ...

http://bradblog.com/?p=11079

Misuse of Campaign Funds: Erick Erickson: Schock should resign

March 10, 2015

The conservative editor-in-chief of Red State is calling for Rep. Aaron Schock’s resignation amid a scandal involving the use of public and campaign funds.

“Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.) has proven himself incapable of handling his own money, the money of his donors, and taxpayer money,” Erick Erickson wrote Tuesday on the conservative blog “Red State.” “He has lived excessively off the backs of taxpayers who must be reimbursed and off of donors to whom he is now a servant.”

In recent weeks, reports have surfaced giving a behind-the-scenes look at the congressman’s lavish spending. Under Schock’s leadership, gifts given at swanky nightclubs in London and payments made during a golf fundraiser went unreported. Reports have revealed expensive private jets, stays at five-star resorts and a remodeling of his Capitol Hill office to resemble “Downton Abbey.” ...

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/03/red-state-erick-erickson-aaron-schock-115928.html#ixzz3Ufk9L4Gh

Racism: Alday says he's not racist; GOP leaders decry statements

State Rep. Gene Alday, R-Walls, who came under fire after his racist comments appeared in a Clarion-Ledger article Sunday about public education, said today his remarks were out of context and that he's a nice guy.

"I'm not a bad person, and that makes me look like an evil person," Alday said Monday. "I didn't do anything wrong. The guy made me look like a fool."

The comments in question refer to African-Americans in his hometown of Walls, a small community in Desoto County. Alday, 57, said that he comes "from a town where all the blacks are getting food stamps and what I call 'welfare crazy checks.' They don't work."

He also said that when he went to the emergency room one time, "I liked to died. I laid in there for hours because they (blacks) were in there being treated for gunshots."

Since then, people around the state have condemned the remarks with some calling for his resignation.

House Democrats, including members of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus, held a press conference saying they're concerned Alday's words reflect the general sentiment among GOP leadership. They're calling for a serious discussion with top elected officials to address the issues. ...

http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2015/02/16/gene-alday-says-not-racist/23496505/