On the one hand, I would want to Justice Department to sue the bejeezus out of these criminals for cruel and unusual punishment in not feeding inmates proper food. But also, I have to say that if the people of Alabama want this kind of insane corruption enshrined in the state laws, then let them eat the shit that they so plainly enjoy.
Through a common father and mother who are also brother and sister?
1 Like
This law would be fine as long as the inmates get to spit roast this fattened hog.
1 Like
I used to think the same thing, that America is successful because we avoided the type of naked, blatant corruption the plagues Russia and some Latin American countries. Things like having to pay petty bureaucrats for basic services. But then I realized that corruption is built into the political system here. Monied interests can (relatively cheaply) buy any politicians they want in this country or threaten them with primary challenges to make sure they fall in line. Our elected leadership spends more time fundraising and currying favor than they do working on the challenges that face us all as a nation. We live in an extraordinarily corrupt country, John Roberts America.
3 Likes
Wait. Alabama has liberal media?
1 Like
I am my own grandpa. 
Someone remind me, why exactly did we let these people back in the Union?
3 Likes
And all totally tax-free. Amazing.
1 Like
First, I think that this is a law that should be repealed, as it is an open invitation to corruption and dirty dealing.
Second, donāt blame the media when they are simply reporting a story on your completely legal and transparent financial dealings, if you have no problem with it, why should anyone else?
Third, may you someday eat the food that you provided to the inmates for a year.
3 Likes
What about tax laws? Is he declaring this as income to the IRS?
4 Likes
Thatās the name of my indie garage band!
5 Likes
You still pay federal taxes on income earned from the state, no?
Doesnāt mean the income was generated from federal monies ā simply that some of the state monies end up being forwarded on to the IRS.
Not sure I understand what your point is hereā¦
Maybe Entrekin can get āConstitutional attorneyā and Reagan/Bush-era White House counsel David Rivkin to speak for him, just as he was vouching for Scott Pruitt on NPR this morning, basically offering the new doctrine of Republican infallibility. Upholding basic ethical standards? Thatās playing politics!!!
1 Like
The incarcerated are Alabamians too, no?
I think we can all be clear that they do not deserve this. Given widespread vote suppression ( especially pre wwIi) Iām not sure we can be confident that they personally voted for it
2 Likes
If he goes to church, itās probably to help himself to the collection plate as it goes by. Oh, and the free coffee.
1 Like
My goodness Alabama is so corrupt from its governor on down.
1 Like
Like I said before, the issue of feeding prisoners rotten food represents a violation of the constitution, and the federal government should intervene, vigorously.
The issue of legalizing letting local officials skim from taxpayer moneys is something else. At some point, the people are responsible for the government they choose, even though theyāre directly choosing only legislators and governor and not directly choosing legalized graft. If they donāt like legalized graft, then they should vote into office new legislators who will stop it.
This is a representative democracy. It is messy. The populace is to a large degree ignorant and apathetic. You canāt just wave your wish wand and make it ideal. Should the federal government restrict legalized graft at the state and local level? Iām not so sure. I do support federal legislation restricting asset forfeiture from non-convicted and sentenced persons, for instance. But this particular thing is something that should be pursued by Alabamans, which if I lived there I certainly would.
Of course that assumes equal access to the ballot for all eligible voters, which should also be vigorously enforced by the federal government.
3 Likes
This is legal. Take that in for a minute. They are allowed to take money left over from funds intended to feed prisoners. In 2018 America, that is legal.
FFS, Alabama, have you no shame?
5 Likes
Honest question ā whatās new about this story, which came to light a month or two ago? I think TPM reported on it at the time, but it may just have been AP reports. Usually stories like this bubble up again when new information comes to light or thereās activity on the judicial front (like charges brought), but that doesnāt seem to be obvious here.