Kingfish note: This submission is several hundred words longer than what recently appeared in several newspapers. The freedom of the internet.
Close followers of Mississippi politics are probably aware of a public relations war between two non-profits, one from your state, the other from Alabama, and regarding Mississippi Power's Kemper coal plant.
In one corner: JobKeeper Alliance, a Montgomery-based non-profit, and Patrick Cagle, it's lone employee.
In the other: Bigger Pie Forum, a Mississippi-based nonprofit devoted to pro-growth economic policy in Mississippi.
I’m the “private detective” in the story. I will get there in a moment.
First, a little background.
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| Curran |
Somehow, speculation permitted, JobKeeper and a connected Alabama group, Partnership for Affordable Clean Energy (PACE), got wind of Bigger Pie’s activities and injected themselves into this Mississippi matter.
JobKeeper has come at Bigger Pie with a multi-media onslaught, including but not limited to: large newspaper ads featuring a “smelly fish”; ads on talk radio and Facebook; mass emails to Mississippi’s elected leaders; numerous op-ed pieces by Cagle; even handbills and yard signs plastered throughout the Neshoba County Fair.
Cagle, incidentally, is the son of the long-time former head of security at Alabama Power. That company, like Mississippi Power, is a subsidiary of the Southern Company.
JobKeeper has spilled a lot of ink and spent a small fortune on a matter related to Kemper while saying next to nothing about the plant itself. Rates have already been hiked 15 percent as a result of the $5 billion mess. Mississippi Power wants to increase them more, to 22 percent — and ultimately more than that, argue Bigger Pie and others.
In August and again two weeks ago, Cagle penned op-eds in the Clarion-Ledger blasting away at Bigger Pie while skimming over Kemper.
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| Cagle |
He declared that “private investigators (were) accosting our organization." I was identified as a political operative who had "knocked on doors, fired of accusatory e-mails, and cold-called" JobKeeper as well as its "affiliates."
I realize this story would be more interesting if it involved breaking and entering, a hail of gunfire, even just one punch thrown. But alas, not.
Here is the far duller truth.
Bigger Pie did engage my services. They were concerned about the barrage of public accusations. They wanted to know who these people were.
I'm a former investigative reporter from Mobile who wrote many stories on Alabama politics. I now operate a one-person legal research business.
A pattern emerged early on -- the targets of JobKeeper and PACE were people and organizations who posed a threat to the profits of Mississippi Power and Alabama Power.
I decided to focus on Alabama, home of both non-profits.
I learned that both groups have participated in a malicious, well orchestrated scheme to ruin Alabama Public Service Commissioner Terry Dunn's political career by branding him as a left-wing environmentalist. He is no such thing.
Dunn is a successful small businessman and three-time delegate to the Republican convention.
More to the point: He is the first commissioner in 30 years to question Alabama Power’s industry-leading rate of return, or allowed profit. Dunn is also the first to seek the sort of rate hearings that are routine in other states, including Mississippi.
The power company seems to control the state Republican Party, which is backing an opponent to Dunn in next year's primary.
In fact, your former governor is coming to Alabama in less than two weeks to hold a fund-raiser for Dunn's opponent.
That's right: Haley Barbour, chairman of the Republican National Committee, lobbyist for the Southern Company, and one of the most prolific fundraisers in American history -- is heading up a fund-raiser to help defeat a Republican incumbent in a state public service commission race.
No, the "accosting" by the private eye.
As part of my research, I went to JobKeeper's office to review its tax return for 2012, the year of its formation. The returns of non-profits must be provided upon request.
Before entering, I knocked on the door of the building in which Cagle has an office. The receptionist said Cagle was out. Unaware of his sensitivity to such things, I called him.
He said JobKeeper’s return wasn't yet available, due to an extension. He asked why I wanted to see it. Rather than lie, I told him I was working for Bigger Pie.
I asked a couple of questions, such as about who funds JobKeeper. He replied, reasonably, that he would answer questions from a reporter but not from an investigator for Bigger Pie.
I told him I understood but would be sending him some questions and intended to publish both the questions and responses on a website. He said he would review them and possibly respond. The call ended amicably.
Here are two of the questions I posed to Cagle. (The letters and questions to JobKeeper and PACE can be read in their entirety at biggerpieforum.org.)
Why did JobKeeper become involved in the situation in Mississippi regarding Mississippi Power’s Kemper plant?
Would you deny that you have participated in public relations/political strategy sessions with employees and officers of Alabama Power (including Southern Company Services and Mississippi Power), as well as for consultants working on the company’s behalf?
JobKeeper's response was to issue the above described press release, ads, and letter to lawmakers.
Bigger Pie did hire me. However, my findings regarding the Dunn situation alarmed me. I decided to pursue it as a journalistic effort. I have told Bigger Pie I will not accept payment from them. To do so would hurt the credibility of my hard work and my findings.
JobKeeper and PACE can preach holier than thou about jobs. But boil them down to their essence, and what they really stand for is destroying the reputations of anyone who dares object to efforts by Mississippi Power and Alabama Power to have their way at their respective public service commissions.
These heavily, if mysteriously, funded one-person associations (PACE doesn't even have an office) injected themselves into the Mississippi debate for one reason: To attack Bigger Pie for urging the PSC to reject Mississippi Power’s request to unload more of its Kemper overcharges on some 186,000 mostly coastal residents and small businesses.
In Alabama, the real purpose of the effort to destroy Dunn politically is to ensure that Alabama Power’s profit margins remain sky high by removing the greatest threat to the 30-year status quo.
If you don’t believe that’s what this pair really stands for, contact them.
Ask JobKeeper's Cagle and Lance Brown of PACE to provide their positions on Mississippi Power's rate increase request.
Ask them if Alabama Power's rate of return should be reduced to national norms, or even halfway down to the norms.
Ask them if they've ever participated in public relations/political strategy sessions with employees and officers of Mississippi Power, Alabama Power, the related Southern Company Services, as well as for lobbyists, consultants or lawyers working for any companies or entities in the Southern Company family.
For that matter, ask the above named power companies the same question, but regarding JobKeeper and PACE.
Cagle can be reached at patrick@jobkeeperalliance.org and (334) 354-0107.
Lance Brown of PACE can be reached at lance@energyfairness.org and (334) 294-9673.
I’d love to hear what they say, or for that matter, any tales of involvement in the Kemper situation involving one of Alabama's best known political consultants, Mr. Joe Perkins.
I can be reached at eddcurran@aol.com and (251) 454-1911.
Eddie Curran is a former investigative reporter with the Mobile Press Register who now operates a one-person legal research business in Mobile. While licensed as a private investigator, he doesn't own a gun, tail people, or engage in any work that even might result in physical harm to him. The web-site for his project is: isalabamapowerbehindthemask.com.
This post is sponsored content. Bigger Pie Forum purchased distribution rights on this website
27 comments:
Why won't facebook let me share this story?
Touche Kingfish.
How can anyone state that JJ doesn't produce responsible journalism?
On another note, JJ posted the recent involvement of our esteemed governor in the BCBS debacle, several days before any other news agency reported it
Thanks KF.
This story should be instructive to all about how politics actually works and why voters should be skeptical about poltical attacks on others.
Isn't Bigger Pie funded with state tax dollars? Why are our tax dollars being spent on this? While it might be appropriate for a private organization or PAC to wade into this political battle, I am at a loss as to why we are funding this as taxpayers.
Also, how does Bigger Pie keep its non-profit status while engaging in political activity? I suspect that is the reason for the "I'm not getting paid for this" disclaimer rather than the goodness of Mr. Curran's heart. I can assure you somebody is paying him, even if it is not Bigger Pie directly.
I agree this is all instructive of how politics works. There are no good guys anymore, just self interest and lining my side's pockets. Mr. Curran and Bigger Pie included.
If you read this story http://www.techcorr.com/news/Articles/Article.cfm?ID=1766
Sasol is betting over $10 Billion on cheap natural gas; yet Mississippi Power wants to bet on coal!
I can assure you somebody is paying him, even if it is not Bigger Pie directly.
Who is paying you October 21, 2013 at 11:46 AM?
This is Eddie Curran. To date, I have received 3 contributions, totaling $280.
I certainly hope I receive a lot more. I've spent $3,000 to $4,000 of my own money, and that includes paying people for help with video and travel, etc. I've stopped counting my hours. I would guess 400 to 500 but that's probably low. If you don't believe me there's nothing I can do about that.
Nobody is paying me, 1:31. I guess my heart and/or curiosity must be as big as Mr. Curran. And, I'll take him at his word on what he has received, and applaud his candor that he hopes to receive more $$$$ down the line. Can we all agree this is political on both sides?
But, again, remind me why my tax dollars are being spent on this? Because Mr. Curran admits he was paid for prior work by Bigger Pie.
The Alabama-based C4s -- PACE and Job Keeper -- have not been honest about their ties to Southern Company and reasons for attacking Bigger Pie.
Bigger Pie has not been honest about the way it is funded. The assertion that money made by using taxpayers' money doesn't belong to taxpayers defies logic. They most certainly deserve an audit.
All of these groups are dirty.
The Kemper plant and the activities of Southern Company (through subsidiaries Mississippi Power and Alabama Power) are far dirtier.
3:52, show us how your tax dollars paid for Curran's prior work.
IN reply to Mr. anonymous about my pay..i have never admitted, said, etc., that bigger pie paid me. initially, i was hired to research two alabama non-profits who were attacking bigger pie. my research into things in alabama led me to decide to do it as a journalism project and to seek donations. otherwise i'd go broke and my wife would kill me. But, since you obviously didn't read the article, here is is again: Bigger Pie HAS NOT PAID ME A DIME, FROM ANY SOURCE OF FUNDS. NADA. ZIP. LIVE WITH IT
Did Bigger Pie pay to have your article published here? Or, did you pay for that?
5:14, do you understand the difference between publishing and distribution?
>>>Did Bigger Pie pay to have your article published here? Or, did you pay for that?<<<
Who pays you to post coments lie this? Stoopid like this doesn't just grow on free trees.
Amazing how much money is being spent on advertising and PR that reaches so many people that don't care and don't have the capacity to understand.
Big friggin deal who paid for anything. Is anyone from Kemper or Southern going to actually refute anything? I really don't have a dog in this fight, really don't. Not much on my radar but you know, after awhile, I'm getting tired of hearing who paid for who and want to know more about the pros and cons of what is actually alleged about Kemper.
Because right now, all the personal attacks sound like there are no facts on the Kemper side. Might want to try actually defending your side instead of being Paul Begala.
Amen KF!
The " instructive" part of this story is that those who can't defend their proposals/ actions/policies on the facts, engage in personal attacks on those who try to stop their schemes and by buying themselves politicians, stirring up fear and making threats.
Mr. Curran is not the only person I've seen in politics or reporting who try to bring facts to light simply because it's the right thing to do. They don't have a profit motive and because they don't stand to gain, they should be given more credence than a paid hack. Invariably,such rare,brave folks get trashed.
Thank you, Mr. Curran, for taking the time to gather information and sharing it with your fellow citizens. Thank you for understanding how important the truth is if we are to save this democracy from those who can't put self interest aside for the good of their community, State or Nation.
Worse now, we have those who should know they've been duped and lied to by certain politicians and yet STILL they support them.
IF a politician is supporting Kemper,he is either a fool or a liar.If a person is supporting Kemper, they have something to gain. The facts do NOT support Kemper. If they did, if future demands and benefits justified the cost, Southern Power could prove it with the facts.
"Who paid for...."
Frankly, that's a cry from the ignorant. This country has become accustomed to accept information spoonfed them as accurate, when it most likely never is. We have been conditioned to accept less than truthful disclosure, obfuscation, outright lies, and pandering with even a hint of question, but if someone is getting paid, we need to be concerned, regardless of the factual information.
This is a result of our national push for mimic teaching, replacing critical thinking.
We are a nation of hard drives that store and regurgitate the information provided us.... garbage in/garbage out. We should strive to be the processors that calculate, process, qualify, quantify and verify the information using programming taught to us.
It won't matter who paid if you could think for yourself and weigh the information provided and determine for yourself if you have enough information, if it's adequate to make a determination and what determination to make.
By asking "who paid" is simply admitting "I'm stupid."
Where do I go to make a contribution to this journalistic effort? I'd like to donate $25 to Mr. Curran so that his wife doesn't kill him.
Thanks You Kingfish! And also you, Mr. Good Anonymous! He who wishes to send $25...go to my site and do paypal or by check to: 133 Silverwood; Mobile, AL, 36607. I'm serious, even if you are not. (my site is: isalabamabehindthemask.com)I didn't tell my wife i wasn't taking money from Bigger Pie until after i'd announced it on my web-site and well after i told them i wouldn't. i am up S--t Creek but with lots of $25s, who knows.
the truth be known i know very little about the facts of kemper pro and con. my interest, especially from what i'm finding in alabama, is more about learning who is doing the attacking, and who for, or rather, proving it beyond a shadow of a doubt so BAd Anonymous can't even doubt it. It sure wouldn't help if some reporters with news organizations posed the questions broadly to the respective power companies, such as with examples like I put in my piece. They can refuse to answer me, not so a reporter with the backing of a paper or some such. As to the questions: Mississippi Power might be able to say: No, not us, but can they say, no, not us, our lawyers, our political consultants, our Southern Company brethren? that said, i'm focusing my energies on Alabama as they have gone after an elected regulator and what i've learned disgusted and motivated me. what's happened to bigger pie is confirmation of what lawyers call "pattern and practice." A tip to the JobKeeper Alliance: Go after the big fish. By that I mean, the Wall Street Journal. Heck, they're the ones that seem, just based on my reading, to be the ones that are really kicking Kemper's butt. Take on the WSJ, ye bad boy from Montgomery. Give em one of your semlly fish ads. also..can you please send me a "hard copy" fo the ad bad mouthing me? i want to frame it. damn i'm long winded. Keep it up Kingfish!
I went ahead and kicked in $30 via PayPal to your cell number cause I want the DVD. Good luck!
Maybe Detective Curran can teamup with Greg Pallast at getting those responsible for the deaths of Jake Horton and his two pilots, blown to pieces as their aircraft flew over the skies of south Georgia as they were enroute to testify against the Southern Company. Justice delayed is justice denied.
Meanwhile back at the ranch in Columbus, petroleum alchemists Gates and Khosla have pledged$100,000,000 to KIOR II to convert one ton of pulpwood biomass into 92 gallons of diesel. That's got to be some catalytic converter! And with pulpwood selling for $2 per ton at the mill, that's the mother of all profit margins. I wonder why Sasol and the the German chemists never discovered this catalytic process?
Coal electric power is dirty business. Its stealing clean water and air to make a profit. The nukes are doing the same in a very cruel way to the future humans. Louisiana gave away their health and taxation power to their resident companies. Thanks to Mr. Curran for putting the record straight here.
Louisiana gave away their health and taxation power to their resident companies.~Tom Head
Only after the REAL Kingfish was murdered by Standard Oil and the ***s!
9:04
Coal electric power is a business to make a profit by providing a product that everyone uses - electricity.
Someone stole your thinker in a very cruel way and here's to hoping you didn't produce any future humans.
Very interesting to hear about the folks targeting Dunn there. Commish Bentz did the same with his opponent. Ran ads saying the guy was endorsed by the Sierra Club. I'd like to chip in to both Mr. Dunn and Mr. Curran. Good luck gentlemen. And be careful.
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