Monday, October 21, 2013

Bigger Pie "private eye" Eddie Curran gives his side of the story


 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.

Curran
Over the past two years, Bigger Pie and its volunteers have advocated the position that Mississippi Power customers should not have to bear any more of the financial burden of the budget-busting $5 billion Kemper plant and its experimental "coal gasification" technology.

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.

Cagle
Since the last op-ed, JobKeeper has put out, in succession, a press release, large ads in the Clarion-Ledger and Sun Times, and a letter e-mailed to Mississippi lawmakers. Cagle charged that Bigger Pie was spending “public funds” on “a private investigator to attempt to intimidate our organization."

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:

Anonymous said...

Why won't facebook let me share this story?

The Great Modeefus said...

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

Anonymous said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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!

Anonymous said...

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?

Eddie Curran said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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.

Anonymous said...

3:52, show us how your tax dollars paid for Curran's prior work.

Eddie Curran said...

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

Anonymous said...

Did Bigger Pie pay to have your article published here? Or, did you pay for that?

Anonymous said...

5:14, do you understand the difference between publishing and distribution?

Anonymous said...

>>>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.

Anonymous said...

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.

Kingfish said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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.

Anonymous said...

"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."

Anonymous said...

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.

Eddie Curran said...

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!

Anonymous said...

I went ahead and kicked in $30 via PayPal to your cell number cause I want the DVD. Good luck!

Pugnacious said...

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.

Pugnacious said...

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?

Not Tom Head said...

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.

Pugnacious said...

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!

Anonymous said...

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.

Anonymous said...

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.



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.