Thanks to the revival of Alabama journalism coming via 1819 News, I find myself called out for rude and less than professional commentary.
When Apryl Marie Fogel of 1819 News penned recent articles critical of one of my clients – the Alabama Education Association (AEA) – I went into defensive mode, offering offensive remarks last Friday on the Yaffee radio show on WVNN in Huntsville that I now regret.
I sought to defend my client from recent articles questioning the conservative intent and credentials of the AEA. In my zeal to defend, I used an inflammatory metaphor, saying that 1819 News had AEA Derangement Syndrome.
As a professional, I believe that words and their delivery matter, and after reading my own remarks, I knew they were uncalled for and not up to my standard. As a longtime Republican conservative political consultant, I should have known better.
I’m especially embarrassed for my rude remarks falsely characterizing the efficacy of the Alabama Policy Institute. This stalwart organization does not deserve the cheap swipe I took in their direction. In fact, their record is such that I only hurt myself in suggesting their irrelevance.
The good news is that straightforward political reporting and the ability to debate others never disappears thanks to the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. Although I missed badly in this recent round of debates, I take full responsibility for my words and intend to return to my personal standards in the future.
The AEA is the largest association in Alabama, representing almost 90,000 hard-working professional educators who pay for and deserve a strong voice in our state capitol. Conservatism has full leadership in our state and our AEA friends are adjusting with the times. They acknowledge and own their past and present affiliations with Democratic interests; nevertheless, they seek to adjust to the views and needs of their increasingly conservative membership.
Our friends at 1819 News have a right to scrutinize and honestly question all things political. That’s not only healthy for our republic, but it also presents a good opportunity for an association like the AEA to give credible and professional answers to the questions raised. Thus, I seek to help give our state’s teachers a voice among the conservative electorate, and I will continue to do so, as I believe this organization has much to offer in securing a better Alabama.
As for the AEA's words and actions, I believe most of us can rally around the notion of trust-but-verify regarding their conservative intent. As the book of James says, we are ultimately known by our works.
The days ahead will bring policy debate, argumentation, questions, and even allegations. We are blessed to live in a country where we have the freedom to challenge each other, seeking to make our state the best it can be not only in education, but in government, politics and journalism as well.
Going forward, I will represent my clients with a commitment to build and solve rather than the opposite.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to [email protected].
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