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Abernathy Strategies
RepublicanGazette
Thursday, April 3, 2008 "When news breaks, we fix it" Published daily except some days
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The Republican Gazette welcomes Emails to the Editor and press releases. All submitted items must include the name and contact information for the author of the article, and all articles will only be published with the author's name included. Thank you for reading and participating in The Republican Gazette, another of West Virginia's most biased publications.
All opinions are those of The Republican Gazette and its editor, Gary Abernathy, except letters or commentary signed by others, and do not reflect the views of anyone else, including clients of Abernathy Strategies.
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RUSS WEEKS
Weeks: 'I would have vetoed the retro pay'
Republican gubernatorial candidate Russ Weeks appeared on "Talkline" with Hoppy Kercheval on Wednesday, telling the talk show host he will proceed with plans to sue the state legislature and Gov. Joe Manchin over the retroactive per diem payments lawmakers have been receiving, and added, "If I was governor, I would have vetoed it."Weeks told Hoppy, "It's just the wrong thing to do with the situation in West Virginia, economically, the way people are hurting on all these taxes, it's just not a good thing to do, in my opinion." Weeks plans to meet with an attorney this week to formulate the suit. Under a new law, he must also notify the state 30 days in advance of filing the suit.Manchin dresses down Burton over Kentucky meeting of Brickstreet
Governor disagrees that insurance company is a private enterprise
George Hohmann, business editor for the Charleston Daily Mail, wrote a fascinating story on Wednesday offering a keen insight into the relationship between Gov. Joe Manchin and Brickstreet Insurance CEO Greg Burton, as well as the governor's own view of the company itself.Writing about a controversy over Brickstreet deciding to hold an annual meeting at a Kentucky resort, rather than somewhere in West Virginia, Hohmann reported that Manchin apparently first learned of that fact at a press conference he was holding on a different matter.When asked about Brickstreet holding its big meeting in Kentucky, the governor replied, "Why?" Then, Hohmann wrote:When told that BrickStreet officials refused to comment for the story, Manchin said, "Bull," wheeled around and asked Press Secretary Matt Turner to get BrickStreet President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Burton on the phone.Standing in the parking lot of CSX Transportation's regional headquarters here, Manchin talked briefly with Burton.After ending the conversation, Manchin said, "I think it's wrong for a company born out of West Virginia, by West Virginians and for West Virginians to do this.""They say it was a scheduling conflict," Manchin said. "I think you make every effort possible to schedule the meeting in West Virginia. I would have moved it (the meeting date) until they found the availability."Later, after reporting a comment from a Brickstreet official basically saying the company did not have to explain its activities because it is a private company, Hohmann wrote:Manchin said he doesn't accept BrickStreet's argument that it is a private company and, therefore, does not need to explain its activities. BrickStreet writes about $500 million in premiums a year. Manchin noted that BrickStreet received that franchise when the state created it.So, while Brickstreet Mutual considers itself a private company helmed by Greg Burton, clearly Manchin considers it a public company over which he is personally in charge, as demonstrated by the fact he immediately dialed up Burton and apparently read him the riot act over holding a meeting in Kentucky without asking him first.Is Brickstreet public or private? For all its claims of being just another private company, the governor obviously disagrees, and considers himself the boss.Nick Casey rips John Unger in reply to Unger's whining
Ever since dropping his campaign for Congress, State Sen. John Unger has blamed everyone but himself for the fact he pulled the plug on his race at the last possible moment.Apparently fed up with him, Democrat Chairman Nick Casey wrote a response to Unger that was published this week in the Shepherdstown Observer.Casey wrote, "Unfortunately, (Unger) was unrealistic about how to win. He expected others to raise the necessary money, to find him a treasurer, to secure a staff and headquarters space and to do the hard work that only the candidate can do. Despite the outpouring of support and overwhelming time devoted to him by the DCCC, our West Virginia Congressmen, the Governor and the State party, it was just not enough to motivate him to run.”Casey’s added, “On Saturday 26 2008, just hours before the filing deadline, Senator Unger made the personal decision not to run. I know of no one who criticizes his personal decision. However, it is disingenuous for him to say his decision was based on lack of support the DCCC, Governor Manchin or the West Virginia State Democrat Party.”Nothing like party harmony.The Don
and the maid
The media has no more favorite whipping boy than Don Blankenship, CEO of Massey Energy, so when it can grab hold of some juicy personal gossip on top of the business controversies, the more fun for everybody.This week's Don Attack has been focused on a lawsuit brought by a former maid, who claims she was unjustly denied jobless benefits after she quit.Attorneys for the maid have painted Blankenship as sort of an evil coal baron version of Faye Dunaway's over-the-top "Mommie Dearest" performance, throwing tantrums and screaming, "No wire hangers!" In fact, what has not been reported is that there were apparently other issues involving the maid's behavior which have to date been ignored, and which, if understood, would cast the whole episode in a completely different light. But that would be no fun at all. Don Blankenship's maid quit her job, and it is treated as a newsworthy item. Imagine the attention he would get were he to change barbers, or switch auto mechanics. Can you imagine the notes left for Justice Starcher's paper boy?
When Justice Larry Starcher writes a legal opinion, it usually includes very little law and a whole lot of personal opinion and outrage. To search a Starcher opinion for a legal angle is to embark on the proverbial odyssey in search of a haystack's needle. But it is always entertaining.It makes one wonder if the good justice is just as passionate and outraged about everything else he writes. For example, one can only imagine Justice Starcher leaving a note for his newspaper carrier:"Dear LeRoy,"Imagine my disappointment when I came home to discover, once again, my Gazette hidden among the bushes along my front porch. I think it is only fair to you and me both that we settle this dispute once and for all. You claim that my porch is too distant from the road to toss the newspaper. I insist that my sidewalk is well maintained and easily accessible by your bicycle. "Since our dispute has generated intense interest among the neighbors, I believe it is only fair that you appear in person on my porch this Friday at 8 a.m. where we will resolve this matter. In the interest of fairness, please feel free to bring along any witnesses who might be available to buttress your claims, and I will do the same."Or, imagine if Justice Starcher was ever banned from a local restaurant for name calling:"Dear Mr. Alacarte,"For many years, I have patronized your restaurant as a faithful customer, always enjoying my steak and potato and paying my bill promptly, with a generous tip. Imagine my surprise when, on Tuesday last, I was asked to vacate the premises simply because I referred to the manager as a 'clown' and a 'cancer on the restaurant industry.' "I assure you, I can continue to fairly and honestly enjoy your fine food, while still believing your management to be less than competent. In fact, as a customer in good standing, I have an obligation to speak out when service is less than desirable. "Plus, I cannot help but be aware that another of your favored customers is a gentleman who, 20 years ago, provided you with a substantial investment in order for you to open your establishment. "It sickens me to know that just because someone spent several thousand dollars on your behalf, he is welcome in your eatery, while I have been asked to recuse myself permanently simply for expressing my views."Please be on notice that I will be on your front step at 9 a.m. on Monday to hear your argument in favor of my continued banishment. I believe your other customers deserve the courtesy of knowing exactly why you have taken this unnecessary and arbitrary course of action. Please clear space for television cameras as well." 