Kentucky

Much is being said about the increasingly shrinking Courier-Journal and other local newspapers.  The blame is aplenty, and oftentimes bloggers get the fickle finger pointed at them.

However, as I pick up my morning CJ and note that it's the size of my old high school newspaper, I, too, wonder what is the problem.

Some say the newspapers failed to embrace the internet in a timely fashion and failed to take advantage of the medium. 

Unfortunately, I see the culprit in another light.  Giving away the news free and on-line has spurred a host of punsters and commentators who NEED the investigatory and local reporting of the news as the grist to run their blogging mills.  If they turned off the news faucet, then the bloggers might not have anything to feast upon.

However, I also am wondering if now the newspapers are failing to aggressively address the local issues and rely more on the AP/UPI feeds.

For example, a recent post by Ed Springston makes some hard points about the local political landscape pointing his finger at Judge Fred Cowan and Commonwealth Attorney David Stengel with the following blast in his post entitled:  UPDATES AND SUCH (Apr. 27)

Chris Thieneman has been taking some heat for his statements about involvement in a play to pay scheme back in 2000. For years I have been told about pay to play schemes by people who would not use their name for fear of retribution. These stories are from multiple sources and would involve so many prominent people your head will spin.

Thieneman going forward with this during this campaign was an extremely bold risk to take. Though Chris has spoken of this issue previously no one in media ever wanted to pursue it. Now as a Mayoral candidate Chris used that platform to bring it to light. Quite frankly, I am glad Chris came forward with this revelation.



Chris has put his own name and rep on the line to bring it to the forefront. Whether you agree or not this could be the beginning of the end of this travesty of politics here in Louisville. The days of pay to play are numbered and it starts with people like this willing to go public.



The scheme includes those such as Fred Cowan and some have even alluded to Dave Armstrong.



Can anyone say whistleblower?



Commonwealth Attorney Dave Stengel should already be investigating this and pursuing Cowan, which will lead to many others I assure you, but Stengel cannot. Why? Because Stengel himself is bought and paid for by the machine in my opinion. His involvement with the Jim King case, and his lack of fortitude in doing his job accordingly, was a major red flag to me of just how far he is involved.



After Stengel received a loan of more than $500,000 from King's bank, and the rumors of the reasons behind his divorce, it is obvious to many Stengel cannot do his job due to his "obligations" to others instead of those who elected him. You sure can buy a lot of friends with $500,000 can't you?

This will get very interesting to say the least so stay tuned as charges may be forthcoming.

I would ask where is Andy Wolfson who is notorious for scratching behind the legal scene for stories, and if so, will he confirm, refute, or ignore the issues and concerns raised above.  And should the Courier-Journal follow this story, then who is leading whom in local investigations and reporting?  And should they write something, will credit be given to the local bloggers who prompt these leads.  Remember it was Jacob Payne of the Louisville Page One Blog that brought the house of cards down on the UofL professor some time ago - Robert Felner.