The Story Of The Phantom Raider

* Picture from The Phantom Raider comic / Kid Colt ©1965
I've seen a lot of activity on ATLIBERTYTOSAY over the last few days as more people have discovered the site ... due mostly to my coverage of the 2009 election.

One person finding my site was Ellen Sells who ran for Liberty City Council. Last night she posted the following comment:

"... I am sure there are some issues we can all agree on, as well as some probably not. Now, as far as getting out the vote, I think the City knew exactly what it was doing ... i.e. changing the polling places, cpu gliches, [and] a total lack of respect for its citizens... [their] right to be heard and [their] right to vote. It is very disappointing and it saddens me, but hopefully right will prevail! "

Ms. Sells also added other comments that I was incorrect in stating that she opposed Liberty Idol.

This comment was made by someone who identifies themselves as Joe Taxpayer:

"I'm not sure you could find one single person in Liberty (well, maybe there are a few crab-apples!) who OPPOSES Liberty Idol.

What alot of people worry about is the fact that we use up all of our economic development money for 8-10 karaoke concerts each year, and Mr. Costner both controls the money (due to his position on the Chamber Board), and also takes credit at work for the $$$ he is bringing into his boss, Charter Cable.

Why does it cost ANYTHING to do Liberty Idol? Why can't we save our tax dollars and put on the show ourselves? Why do we have to give TENS OF THOUSANDS of our tax dollars to a company that doesn't even provide service in our town?

These are the questions that need to be answered, and are the same concerns that Mr. Hughes and [Ms Sells] brought up. Unfortunately, alot of people mischaracterized their simple questions, and started telling people the two were "against Liberty Idol."

My reply is:

I never said, "oppose" - I said, "somewhat oppose". I never said they want to end Liberty Idol or are against it. I clarified that succinctly in Eddie Hughes interview. I feel as though a lot are trying to hash words out with me so they don't seem like they are against Liberty Idol - to garner public support. Again, this has all been clarified - using many ways to describe it.

For those that question my vocabulary, I suggest this:

Give me MORE reasons you are FOR Liberty Idol than you have given AGAINST it.

So far, it seems like a 5 to 1 against - which can be inferred as opposed to.

I don't want any enemies on this site. However, it is very important that everyone see the importance of inference, association, and what reporting is (or at least what it should be).

What do I mean by that?

Let's take a look at each:

Inference:

It is easily inferred that Ms. Sells campaign of "more transparency" for city government refers to (at least in part) Liberty Idol. If that wasn't her intention by making this remark to news sources and on a campaign flyer I saw in a downtown Liberty window; then I apologize - but to make it clear - that's how it comes across. To give three cliches for clarification; I'm no spring chicken. I wasn't born yesterday. I don't want to sugar coat anything here.

This being said, nothing should be inferred by MY comments. I made it clear to both mayoral candidates that I would refuse to promote either one of them publicly. I merely wanted to get information out about both candidates. This site is about information. What we all have to understand about information is that often people read between the lines - often where there isn't any further meaning.

Association:

Ms. Sells associated herself with transparency of our local government - Eddie Hughes did also. Ms Sells also made this comment:

I have never posted anything referring to Liberty Idol; and although I like Eddie Hughes and I did vote for him, I don't think one has anything to do with the other. I am sure there are some issues we can all agree on, as well as some probably not.

Again, the association was there.

Eddie Hughes had this to say in his ATLIBERTYTOSAY interview:

@LibertyToSay:What is your opinion about Liberty Idol?

Hughes:"I'm in favor of it, I'm not sure of its net gain for the city."

@LibertyToSay:What about the rumor that you might do away with Liberty Idol?

Hughes: "I won't do away with Liberty Idol ... I'm not really sure how the rumor got started, but I have a few ideas. I actually had the original gazebo built for Liberty Idol's use - we had a ribbon cutting with Lindsay Graham."

I could infer, as could most - Eddie Hughes is somewhat opposed to Liberty Idol - even though his comments were actually rather positive.

I feel I understand Ms. Sells comments about inferences and associations; personally. When I went to the October Liberty City Council Meeting to introduce myself and my website, I was pulled aside by Peggy McClanahan (at least I think that's who it was) and told the following:

"Whew ... we thought you were a phantom raider!"

I asked,

"What is a phantom raider?"

She replied,

"We thought you were Eddie Hughes or someone he had hired to make good comments about him before the election."

The funny thing about that comment is - I had offered to interview Mayor Deese FIRST - he initially refused (well ... delayed) the interview. I THEN called Eddie Hughes and he agreed immediately to the interview. We met, conducted the interview at the library, I went home, verfied a few statements, and posted it.

It seems that because some THOUGHT that Mr. Hughes statements in my interview were inaccurate that it was a campaign post for him. This offended me greatly because, before the interview with Mr. Hughes, I had posted over 40 articles. It was opportune, and somewhat planned to start this site just before the election - I knew there would be a lot to publish - a lot that I could put a unique, more personalized spin on.

Truth be told, Mr. Hughes gave me a lot of fodder concerning "city transparency". I refused to publish it before the election as I knew that it would not only damage my blossoming relationship with the city, but would also INFER that I was supporting one candidate over the other.

What is reporting? (Or ... what should it be?)

This is a hard question to answer. I am fortunate to have had a federal court answer it specifically as it relates to me. In 2005, I was sued for defamation, copyright infringement, and invasion of privacy by a local company for an article I posted on my technology blog. The court ruled that I was protected under the Lanham Act from all charges. Specifically, my blog set a precedent for blogs as news reporting. The judge in my case ruled that I had protected free speech because my blog's overall purpose is "news and news commentary".

I told my wife just this morning that, "I am Fox News, but better".

The Fox News motto is, "Fair and balanced."

Not only have I been fair to all candidates, but I have been purposely balanced. This isn't just so I can seem this way - it's how I am. I attend Conservatives Of The Upstate meetings - I identify mostly with Conservative Republicans. I supported Fred Thompson (R) in the primaries. However, I voted for Obama in the last presidential election. I oppose universal healthcare. I oppose the bank bailouts - yet I posted an article on ATLIBERTYTOSAY in support of Obama's message to schoolchildren.

It is my opinion, that anyone, from this point on that refuses to discuss anything politically - openly with me - because of my perceived political affiliation or claiming they don't know me or my motifs; is hiding something - period.