Shooting on Race Street

The Alabama Bureau of Investigation is looking into a shooting involving a police officer on Race Street earlier today. Witnesses at the scene stated that it appeared as though the police fired first, although they were too far away to make out if the assailant had a gun.

The ABI has Race Street cordoned off between the old Pilliod building and Highway 14.

Entire Bullock County Commission arrested

Entire Bullock County Commission arrested: "All five members of the Bullock County Commission have been arrested on felony charges of bid law violations.
According to the Montgomery Advertiser, the indictments charge each commissioner with one count of intentionally, knowingly or recklessly spending an amount greater than $15,000 for inmate food at the Bullock County Jail without entering into free and open competitive sealed bids.
The commissioners include: Ronald Wynord Smith, 56, of Union Springs; John Livingston Adams, 43; Dock McGowan, 82, of Banks; Alonza Ellis...

Who's Coming to Town?

Who or what is coming to Selma?

That's the question on the lips and whispered into ears around Dallas County since Tuesday night's City Council meeting. At the meeting, Councilwoman Benny Ruth Crenshaw questioned Mayor Evans about a $2 Billion investment to be made in Selma. Crenshaw inquired about the source of such a large amount of funding. The Councilwoman asked if it was China, or a foreign country, and, if so, what would be the potential ramifications.

Today, Mayor Evans made an appearance on a local radio station and took a number of questions regarding the potential large investment. The Mayor continued to avoid revealing the source, but indicated it would be coming from a foreign source. There were no further details on the source of the money.

The Mayor indicated that the money would be used for education and training, iterating that this would indirectly create jobs.

Skeptics were heard to argue that the potential project was much too large in scale to be solely considered by the Mayor and should have been brought to the City Council first. The Mayor countered by implying he was afraid it would hurt the chances of brokering the deal if too many details were leaked.

CONSTITUTION TOUR COMES TO SELMA

Selma, AL– On Saturday, February 26th at 2pm the 67 County Constitution Tour is making stops at the Vaughn-Smitherman Building in Selma and at 5pm in the auditorium of the Alabama Livestock Auction in Uniontown. The tour brings speakers who have appeared on national TV News networks and who have spoken around the country on a variety of Constitutionally-oriented issues; from citizen's rights to property rights.

Featured speakers include K. Carl Smith (the Conservative Messenger and Frederick Douglass Republican), Liberty Activist Marcelo D. Munoz, and Don Casey, Vice-Chairman of the Allegiance for Citizen's Rights.

More information about K. Carl Smith can be found online at www.conservativemessenger.org. The Alabama Campaign for Liberty can be found online at www.ALC4L.org. More information about the events can be found at www.SelmaLiberty.org.

According to organizers, you can expect to learn more about our Nation's founding document, what it means for you today and how it, and the rights it codifies, are in danger.

"Virtual Alabama" Allows Anyone with .gov or .edu Email to Spy on You

Alabama's Department of Homeland Security has an application that allows anyone with a .gov or .edu email address to use the privacy-invading tools the government has implemented to spy on anyone virtually anywhere in the State of Alabama. The 3 minute propaganda video on their website tries to explain how the live video feeds are used for 'keeping our community safer', yet details how the EPA is using Virtual Alabama 'extensively' to watch what you're doing in your yard (2:40), and that it is used for economic development and other non-safety issues (2:05). This program is clearly being used to spy on the citizens of Alabama.

As troubling as it may be that any government employee with an .edu or .gov email can get the software, that's not the main issue. The ruggedness of the screening process for obtaining an account is unknown. The issue is the privacy of Alabama's citizens, which has been ignored. Even if the screening process to be granted an account is extremely stringent, the ability of users to use this data in a malicious way is far too great.

Political opponents can use this to gain a god-like advantage by tracking every move of their opponents and critics without having to leave a computer. The system has been implemented with cameras in both Selma City Schools (January 2010), and Dallas County Schools (June 2010). This creates a risk for children, as well.

Bottom line: The cameras shouldn't be there in the first place. The realtime surveillance of innocent citizens is the kind of thing you'd expect from a tyrant, not from a free State in the United States of America. This program, even according to it's own promotional video, does very little towards it's professed goal of 'keeping our community safer', and goes a very long way to destroying the very rights that make our State and Country great.

Cameras a Bad Choice for Selma

The recent choice of the Selma City Council to approve cameras for use at traffic signals and for surveillance in high crime areas is a bad move for our city. Anecdotal evidence submitted by those who've had bad traffic experiences in our city is not evidence enough to sacrifice the privacy of residents and those who would use our city's streets, avenues and boulevards. Certainly, studies commissioned by the manufacturers of the cameras shouldn't be used as testimony to the usefulness of the cameras they are trying to sell.

Scientific studies done by universities have shown the opposite of what is claimed by proponents of the cameras; traffic-signal cameras DO NOT make streets safer, they CAUSE accidents, and surveillance cameras DO NOT reduce crime, they increase the chances that someone will have their right to privacy violated. Instead of wasting precious city funds on technology that has been proven not to work, the Selma Intelligencer suggests the city use the funds to better train its police force.

VOTE TODAY - But not in a free election...

If you haven't already, get out to the polls before they close! Don't let the rain stop you!

When you vote, you may notice that you are required to vote on only one ballot. Currently, voters must choos between the Democratic or Republican ballot. So, if you have a candidate on the GOP side you wish to support, and one on the Democratic ticket, you may not do so, by law.

Instituted under the premise of ending the practice of 'cross-over' voting, the two ballot system costs taxpayers both money and freedom of choice. In the opinion of the Selma Intelligencer, NEITHER ballot should be paid for by the taxpayer, nor should primaries be held at public expense. Primaries should be handled by the parties, and open to independent audit.

Political parties are not a part of government, and therefore should not use public funds. If the parties choose to have public elections to select their candidates, they should hire an independent polling firm and open those elections to public audit. In the interest of transparency and fairness, the parties could hire the same firm to handle the election. This firm could be instructed to place all candidates on one ballot to prevent so-called cross-overs by only allowing one selection per office in the election.

Taxpayer funding for the selection of candidates for primaries borders on legalized fraud and promotes an exclusive legal political duopoly. With the fraud rampant in the Democratic and Republican parties, it is highly unlikely that they will ever support any primary election reform. It is the opinion of the Selma Intelligencer, however, that they should.

Magazine Brings Mobile Museum to Selma

The American Legacy Magazine mobile museum will be making a stop in Selma this Thursday. The museum showcases black history newsmakers from the last century. The semi trailer housing the exhibits will be set up for display from 10am until 6pm Thursday February 26th in the Selma Mall parking lot.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We hope you've had a wonderful, merry Christmas, and that you'll have an even better New Year. The Selma Intelligencer BETA will be taking a break for the next few days, coming back better and with more stories on the 5th of January. In the meantime, check back often for links to your latest State and National news.

Thank you for reading, and see you next year!

Alabama Cuts State Jobs

The Alabama State Employees Association is cutting it's workforce by as many as 3,000 workers. Budget shortfalls have caused many departments to evaluate where cuts will have to be made.

This follows an announcement last week by Governor Bob Riley of spending cuts due to lowered tax revenue.

1st Ever Yearly Loss for Toyota

The japanese auto maker Toyota is forecasting it's first ever annual operating loss. Lowered sales in the companies largest markets and high steel prices have prompted cutbacks. The company was planning to build another plant in the southeast US, but is putting that project on hold.

Katsuaki Watanabe, the company's president, vowed to make the company lean enough to survive a massive decrease in auto sales.

Artur Davis to Run for Governor

Rep. Artur Davis stated yesterday that he would make a formal announcement in February to run for Governor. After some very early indications that he might seek a Senate seat, rumors began circulating months ago that he would seek the Gubernatorial post. His statement yesterday seems to confirm those rumors.

Bob Riley, Alabama's current governor, will be unable to run in 2010 due to Alabama's 2 consecutive term limit.

Davis is currently the Alabama 7th District Representitive to the U.S. House, which includes Selma. Davis is not originally from the area, but grew up in Montgomery.

Christmas Charities

The Christmas season is a time for sharing and giving. With all of the gift-giving and fellowship, some, this season, won't be able to experience the full joy of the holdiays. With all the layoffs and cutbacks, this year is particularly hard on some families.

If you have extra, or just want to give something, there are numerous Christmas charities.

Toys for Tots, operated by the US Marine Corps, is probably the most popular Christmas charity. Call Sgt. John McKinney at 334-294-7091 to drop off toys for the program.

My Two Front Teeth is a charity that allows people to sponsor individual children for Christmas. The children select one toy they would like for Christmas. This is listed on their website where with one click you can see what gift the child would like. With a credit card, you can purchase the gift. Volunteers then purchase and wrap the presents.

Samaritan's Purse is an organization that allows you to help on an internationals scale. Their Operation Christmas Child has garnered world renown for it's charity work.

There are many more charities that do work on Christmas. The Salvation Army, the Make a Wish foundation and others all contribute a lot during the holidays.

If you don't have enough to buy gifts, you can always volunteer to help these charities. They are always looking for gift wrappers, delivery people, etc.

Broadcasters to Shut Off Analog Signal Today

Alabama television broadcasters will be shutting off analog television broadcasts today at 5:25 PM. The move will only be temporary, however, and analog signals will return at 5:26. Some stations will not cease broadcasting, but will air a one minute message indicating that viewers need to upgrade to a digital converter or digital television.

Unemployment Hotline Overwhelmed

Recently unemployed Alabamans are reporting extremely long hold times on their required weekly phone calls to the State Government. One Selma resident reported a 1 hour and 24 minute wait, Monday, before anyone came on the line to help. This seems to be the norm, as unemployment numbers rise.

To cope with the rising demand on the state's jobless hotline, the Department of Industrial Relations, last week, instituted a new policy of allowing only those whose social security numbers ending with 0-4 to call in on Mondays, and those ending in 5-9 to call on Tuesday. Wednesday-Friday will be open for anyone. But, if Monday was any indication, it doesn't seem to be working.

Chizik Back on the Plains

Newly hired Auburn University Head Football Coach, Gene Chizik, takes the reigns after leaving his only head-coaching position a troublesome 5-19. This doesn't bother some Auburn fans, however, who remember him as the defensive coordinator for the undefeated Auburn Tigers a few years back, and the National Championship he brought to Texas as an assistant coach.

Chizik came to Iowa State 2 years ago to work with a program that was 4-8 the season before he arrived. The team's record saw no improvement, going 3-9 and 2-10 in his 2 seasons at Iowa State, but, as some will point out, Chizik had yet to play with a team made up of his own recruits.

"Guidestones" Vandalized

A monument dedicated to a one world order erected 30 years ago in Georgia has been vandalized. Graffiti denouncing a "New World Order" and some profanity were spray painted on the stone monument.

The Georgia Guidestones are a monument with the following message written in multiple languages:

1. Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature.
2. Guide reproduction wisely - improving fitness and diversity.
3. Unite humanity with a living new language.
4. Rule passion - faith - tradition - and all things with tempered reason.
5. Protect people and nations with fair laws and just courts.
6. Let all nations rule internally resolving external disputes in a world court.
7. Avoid petty laws and useless officials.
8. Balance personal rights with social duties.
9. Prize truth - beauty - love - seeking harmony with the infinite.
10.Be not a cancer on the earth - Leave room for nature - Leave room for nature.

In order to maintain a population of 500 million, as the stone calls for, 90% of the world's population would have to be eliminated, leading some to believe the stone is a threat to humanity by the secretive group that had the stones erected. The stones have an explanatory tablet nearby where etched in stone is the description the group gives it's self:
A SMALL GROUP
OF AMERICANS WHO SEEK
THE AGE OF REASON

Just when the stones were vandalized was not made clear, but why seems apparent from the graffiti.

Obama PR Team Gets First Test

The spin team for President-elect Obama will get it's first test with the scandal surrounding the Senate seat he vacated. In November, it was reported that Mr. Obama spoke with the Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, regarding a replacement for the seat. Earlier this week, the President-elect told the Associated Press that he hadn't spoken with the Governor.

Governor Blagojevich is embroiled in controversy after reportedly trying to sell the vacant Senate seat, a seat for which he has the responsibility to appoint a replacement.

British to Pull Out of Iraq

British troops are set to pull out of Iraq beginning at the end of January.

Since the invasion almost 6 years ago, the UK has had a significant presense in Iraq, specifically in the Basra province.

The British Command plans to have all combat troops out of Iraq by June. A small contingency of training personnel will remain, but will only number in the hundreds.

Allen Makes Presidential Debut

Dr. Geraldine Allen made her first appearance at a City Council meeting, tonight, since her election as City Council President.

Chief Riley and Sheriff Huffman also made an appearance together to request funding for the Crimestoppers program. Councilwoman Keith, a former member of the Crimestoppers board, suggested the program follow through with filing as a non-profit organization.

Other items discussed included the Good Samaritan Hospital, a near $20,000 deficit for November, and provisions for river activities.