Monday, August 29, 2022

Brian Stelter, Trump & AL TV stations

9/3/22
Let's set the stage by all interested parties watching the above video of Brian Stelter's final show of
CNN Reliable Sources and make notes for discussion.
I have made the following notes.
3:41 "best obtainable version of the truth"
9:55 "all of cable news has commentary; it ought to have commentary"
10:12 "you need both [news and commentary]
33:48 "no crime for politicians to lie
34:21 "accelerated demise of local journalism"
35:00 "papers in glory years were owned by rich families but they did have sense of civic responsbility; they did see themselves partially at public servants" "now you have hedge funds taking over those papers an there is one thing - make money"
36:00 "when you take away the local coverage, the so called public servants, the politicians, will just run wild"
38:40 "people reduce conversation to just facts, facts is not enough, context, explanatory journalism"
40:11 "local TV news not very good"

9/4/22
EMAIL TO ALABAMA BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION
From: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: stinsley@al-ba.com <stinsley@al-ba.com>
Cc: mnelson@ua.edu <mnelson@ua.edu>; alfranks@uab.edu <alfranks@uab.edu>; jzb0124@auburn.edu <jzb0124@auburn.edu>; mcarey@samford.edu <mcarey@samford.edu>; cofieldj@montevallo.edu <cofieldj@montevallo.edu>
Sent: Sun, Sep 4, 2022 6:28 pm
Subject: Soliciting someone at Alabama Broadcasters Association to respond to me
Dear Ms. Tinsley,
For months I have been bugging Alabama TV stations about improving their coverage of the 2022 elections. See, e.g., https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/07/local-tv-failure-calling-on-other.html and http://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/07/al-tv-viewers-need-help-reaching-their.html.
I will be continuing this in the Labor Day to Election Day run in the 2022 midterm elections. See https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/08/brian-stelter-trump-al-tv-stations.html.
My bugging has included numerous emails to the TV stations using arbitrarily selected email addresses for personnel at the stations.
The stations have been essentially unresponsive to me. Brendan Kirby at Fox News 10 was responsive (see the second link given above) and Susana Schuler responded in early 2021 (see https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2021/01/open-reply-to-susana-schuler.html).
The purpose of this email is to solicit the Alabama Broadcasters Association to provide me with contact information for someone to whom I may send communications that invite a response on behalf of the Association and its members, and who may decide a response is appropriate and make a response. (It is fine if a response indicates I need to contact the individual TV stations.)
I hope you will provide me a contact person.
Thank you for your attention to this email.
Sincerely,
Rob Shattuck

9/5/22
9/10/22
From: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: comments@abc3340.com, programming@abc3340.com, Susana.Schuler@hearst.com, blong@hearst.com, wcromwell@cbs42.com, rmartin@cbs42.com, collin.gaston@wbrc.com, jama.killingsworth@waff.com, julie@waff.com, paul.caron@whnt.com, mwright@waaytv.com, sgallien@waaytv.com, eric.duncan@fox10tv.com, Randy.Merrow@fox10tv.com, news@mynbc15.com, dsingleton@mynbc15.com, PAlbrecht@wkrg.com, clombard@wkrg.com, robby.thomas@wtvy.com, stephen.crews@wtvy.com, TCole@wdhn.com, RWare@wdhn.com, mbunting@wsfa.com, sduff@wsfa.com, ghalbrooks@alabamanews.net, jrainey@alabamanews.net, sdiorio@wvua23.com, knorred@wvua23.com>
Cc: stinsley@al-ba.com <stinsley@al-ba.com>; mnelson@ua.edu <mnelson@ua.edu>; alfranks@uab.edu <alfranks@uab.edu>; jzb0124@auburn.edu <jzb0124@auburn.edu>; mcarey@samford.edu <mcarey@samford.edu>; cofieldj@montevallo.edu <cofieldj@montevallo.edu>
Sent: Sat, Sep 10, 2022 7:55 am
Subject: Email to Alabama Broadcasters Association
To whoever is interested:
Last Sunday I sent the below email to the Alabama Broadcasters Association.
Thank you.
Rob Shattuck
[Referenced email is the above September 4th email to Alabama Broadcasters Association and is not reproduced here.]

9/17/22
From: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: Eric.Reynolds@fox10tv.com <Eric.Reynolds@fox10tv.com>
Cc: stinsley@al-ba.com <stinsley@al-ba.com>; susana.schuler@hearst.com <susana.schuler@hearst.com>
Sent: Sat, Sep 17, 2022 4:50 pm
Subject: Do Fox10 News Perspectives editorialize?
Dear Mr. Reynolds
https://www.fox10tv.com/2022/09/16/perspectives-looking-how-technology-is-being-used-protect/ caught my eye.
Are Fox10 News Perspectives only in the nature of online podcasts? Or are they aired on Fox10 cable TV?
More importantly, do the Perspectives ever do editorializing?
Per http://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/07/al-tv-viewers-need-help-reaching-their.html, Brendan Kirby seems categorical that Fox10 News does not editorialize.
If Brendan is correct that Fox10 News does not editorialize, I would be interested in your explanation of why Fox10 News does not editorialize.
I find it very bothersome that local TV stations in Alabama do not editorialize. See https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/08/brian-stelter-trump-al-tv-stations.html.
Thank you for whatever attention you give to this email.
Sincerely,
Rob Shattuck
Mountain Brook, AL

9/23/22  
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Saturday, August 13, 2022

Presidential power to declassify classified information

Using the U.S. Senate website contact forms for Sen. Shelby and Sen. Tuberville, I sent each of the them the below email message:

Please seek for an appropriate Senate committee (or committees) to hold hearings about the Presidential power to declassify classified information, including about how Donald Trump exercised or purported to exercise his Presidential power to declassify classified information, the extent to which the Congress has oversight power concerning the Presidential power to declassify classified information, and whether Congress should enact legislation concerning how the President shall exercise the President's power to declassify classified information.

I received back the below website reply from Sen. Shelby:

Thank you for contacting me. A representative will be in touch with you shortly.
Sincerely,
Richard Shelby
United States Senator, Alabama

I received back the below website reply from Sen. Tuberville:

Thank you for contacting me to share your thoughts on this important issue. As your U.S. Senator, I appreciate the opportunity to represent you in Washington D.C. and to address the concerns of all who call the great State of Alabama home.
Hearing directly from my constituents is extremely important to me. Your comment has been directed to the appropriate team member for careful review. If you are reaching out for assistance with casework or a federal agency, we have forwarded your message to one of our Constituent Service Representatives in Alabama.
I’d like to invite you to connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Using the U.S. House of Representatives website contact form for Rep. Gary Palmer, I sent him the below email message:

Please seek for the House Oversight committee (or other appropriate committee) to hold hearings about the Presidential power to declassify classified information, including about how Donald Trump exercised or purported to exercise his Presidential power to declassify classified information, the extent to which the Congress has oversight power concerning the Presidential power to declassify classified information, and whether Congress should enact legislation concerning how the President shall exercise the President's power to declassify classified information.

I received back the below website reply from Rep. Palmer:

Thank you, your message has been sent.

8/14/22
From: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: comments@abc3340.com, programming@abc3340.com, Susana.Schuler@hearst.com, blong@hearst.com, wcromwell@cbs42.com, rmartin@cbs42.com, collin.gaston@wbrc.com, jama.killingsworth@waff.com, julie@waff.com, paul.caron@whnt.com, mwright@waaytv.com, sgallien@waaytv.com, eric.duncan@fox10tv.com, Randy.Merrow@fox10tv.com, news@mynbc15.com, dsingleton@mynbc15.com, PAlbrecht@wkrg.com, clombard@wkrg.com, robby.thomas@wtvy.com, stephen.crews@wtvy.com, TCole@wdhn.com, RWare@wdhn.com, mbunting@wsfa.com, sduff@wsfa.com, ghalbrooks@alabamanews.net, jrainey@alabamanews.net, sdiorio@wvua23.com, knorred@wvua23.com
Sent: Sun, Aug 14, 2022 8:47 am
Subject: Holding Congressional hearings about Presidential power to declassify classified information
To AL TV stations:
Please ask Alabama's members of Congress whether Congress should hold hearings about the Presidential power to declassify classified information, including about how Donald Trump exercised or purported to exercise his Presidential power to declassify classified information, the extent to which the Congress has oversight power concerning the Presidential power to declassify classified information, and whether Congress should enact legislation concerning how the President shall exercise the President's power to declassify classified information.
[filed in https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/08/presidential-power-to-declassify.html]




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Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Who will talk to AL TV stations about rule of law?

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Sunday, August 7, 2022

What are your concerns about Mtn. Brook AL schools?

I live in Mountain Brook. I have no school age children or grandchildren.

I have a great deal of interest in the nationwide contentiousness regarding Critical Race Theory, etc., and what is being taught or not being taught to school children.

I have heard and read the charges and allegations that are flying around.

I am aware of specific cases and situations that have received national publicity. I do not know how representative those cases and situations are for schools, school systems and Boards of Education generally.

I am inclined to believe that this matter is being overblown by a vocal minority and does not represent the sentiment of most parents.

8/14/22 (draft)
In the Mountain City Council elections there are three Mainstream Mountain Brook candidates and three Mountain Brook Families candidates. 

The "platform" of the Mountain Brook Families is set out at https://www.mountainbrookfamilies.org/issues.


This school year will be the first since Alabama lawmakers prohibited some public school teachers from instructing or holding classroom discussions about gender identity or sexual orientation. Under the new law, educators, if they need to talk about sex or gender, should stick to “developmentally appropriate” content.
And while state education officials contend that teachers are not crossing that line, LOCAL Alabama, a political advocacy group, says otherwise.
. . . .
Sinclair, whose children attend public school, declined to specify how many examples her group has collected so far. She said most examples are in one of three of the categories listed on the form: Divisive concepts or critical race theory, comprehensive sexuality education and sexually explicit content.
. . .
State Superintendent Eric Mackey has acknowledged there are a few cases every year where a teacher is accused of stepping outside of teaching the state’s standards, but those types of cases are generally handled at the local school board level and are not widespread.
Mackey said he thinks some people are confused about what the board’s ban actually covers.

Mountain Brook voters should read the Mountain Brook Families "platform" and think about the concerns expressed in said "platform" in the context of other problems faced by Mountain Brook schools and school children. (Because the "platform" is representative of what is being propounded concerning public education and school children in many states and localities around the country, the "problems" I refer to can be considered in a larger context than just Mountain Brook).

Other problems that should be thought about include:
1. Childhood obesity:
2. School discipline:
3. Increased anxiety, depression and suicide occurring among school children;
4. Adverse effect of cell phones and social media on learning in schools; and
5. Bullying. 

I think Mountain Brook voters should hear from Mountain Brook teachers in deciding about how concerned the voters should be about the concerns of Mountain Brook Families.

I will vote for the three Mainstream Mountain Brook families because I think their concerns will be a distraction, and counterproductive, to addressing other problems facing Mountain Brook schools (and public education elsewhere in the United States).

8/15/22 Mtn. Brook teachers should speak to Mtn. Brook parents

8/16/22 Smith, Shelton, Pritchard campaigning
Candidates Smith, Shelton and Pritchard should have written handouts for passing out at tonight's "meet and greet" on the City Hall lawn. 
Such handouts should also be passed out elsewhere, such as to parents in the car waiting lines at the Mountain Brook elementary schools and the junior high school and even to high school students in their cars who are stopped on Bethune and Oakdale roads waiting for the light to change to enter the parking lot at the start of the day.

8/20/22

8/21/22 email to Mountain Brook friends
From: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: [email addresses omitted]
Sent: Sun, Aug 21, 2022 5:38 pm
Subject: Mountain Brook Families vs. Mainstream Mountain Brook on Tuesday
To Mountain Brook friends:
In the Mountain Brook City Council elections on Tuesday, I wish to express support for the Mainstream Mountain Brook candidates Smith, Shelton and Pritchard against the Mountain Brook Families candidates Powanda, Davis and Osband.
You can and should read the Mountain Brook Families issues of "Politics in the Classroom" and "Social Emotional Learning," which are set out at https://www.mountainbrookfamilies.org/issues.
I consider the above views of the Mountain Brook Families in the context of the culture war and division that rages in the United States.
In the culture war, I think the extremes on the two political sides represent a minority of Americans; which minority controls the politics, political discourse and governance, doesn't want compromise, and uses and wants the culture war and division to help them in their power seeking.
I think a majority of Americans are moderate in the center, don't want the raging culture war and division, and are amenable to compromise, but said majority of Americans is sidelined politically.
I think the Mountain Brook Families are mainly interested in fighting culture war.
I think the culture war distracts from addressing critical challenges facing schools, education, school children and parents.
As a sampling of such challenges, consider the below:
Guest: Alabama can’t fumble the ball on $3 billion of COVID school relief
Recent report details Alabama’s teacher shortage
A Remedy for Public Schools Catches On With community schools, acting locally is proving a winning idea
Digital Detox: Mother of Six Shares Her Advice for Getting Kids Unhooked from Technology
The CDC finds a depression epidemic among teens — that it created
Childcare issues still snarl work for parents of young children
I think the Mainstream Mountain Brook candidates will be more open and attuned to addressing critical challenges facing schools, education, school children and parents, and not bent on fighting culture war.
Sincerely,
Rob
[To be filed (without email addresses) in https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/08/what-are-your-concerns-about-mtn-brook.html]

8/23/22

8/29/22

9/1/22 

 9/3/22

Email to H.E.A.L. Inc.
From: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>T
o: info@healunited.org <info@healunited.org>
Sent: Fri, Jan 13, 2023 5:17 pm
Subject: For Program Director Cristina Saunders - email to Christy Swaid
Dear Ms. Saunders,
On Tuesday, I sent the below email to Christy Swaid.
I don't know how busy Ms. Swaid is or whether my email says anything to which Ms. Swaid would care to react.
My email complains about Alabama Republicans who are beating the drum about Alabama teachers indoctrinating their students in socialism, critical race theory and gender fluidity, and who, I think, are wrongfully keeping Alabama parents, teachers and school boards from doing more addressing of more serious problems that beset Alabama children, including the problem that id the focus of HEAL's mission to Improve children’s health and transform health culture through education and practice of healthy lifestyle behaviors.
If you you think any of HEAL's directors, advisory board, partners and collaborators feel as strongly as I do that Alabama Republicans are acting in ways that are unhelpful to HEAL fulfilling its mission, I would like it very much to talk with them.
Thank you for your attention to this email. I look forward to any response you may be able to give me.
Sincerely,
Rob Shattuck
Mountain Brook
From: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: cswaid@icloud.com <cswaid@icloud.com>
Sent: Tue, Jan 10, 2023 11:33 am
Subject: indoctrinated K-12 children versus unhealthy K-12 children
Dear Christy,
I am a political gadfly, currently perturbed by how Alabama Republicans are beating the drum about Alabama teachers indoctrinating their students in socialism, critical race theory and gender fluidity.
I am dubious about the validity of what the Republicans say.
If there is merit to what they say, I believe the matter can and should be worked out at the local level among Alabama parents, teachers and school boards.
More importantly, I believe the Republicans are wrongfully keeping Alabama parents, teachers and school boards from doing more addressing of more serious problems that beset Alabama children, including the ones you are working on of childhood obesity and bad health habits.(See https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/08/what-are-your-concerns-about-mtn-brook.html where I indicate other problems that need more attention.)
Our new Senator Britt, in her election campaign, beat the drum a lot on the indoctrination matter, and she is continuing on it. (Watch the video at https://twitter.com/Truth_Gazette/status/1611403775356592129.)
With your years of interacting with Alabama students, teachers, parents and school boards, I am sure you have a much more informed view than I about what I say above, and you have your own conclusions about whether Republicans are doing Alabama a disservice in how they are harping on the "indoctrination" matter.
If you believe Alabama Republicans are doing Alabama a disservice, I hope you try to convey that belief to parties of influence in Alabama with whom you interact. Maybe you know Senator Britt and can even be so bold as to say to her, "Katie, get real about the serious problems besetting Alabama children, stop dwelling on 'indoctrination', and get working hard on inspiring policies and actions that will help regarding our national childhood obesity problem and other big problems that are besetting our children."
Thank you for your attention to this email, Christy.
Sincerely,
Rob Shattuck
Mountain Brook
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Wednesday, August 3, 2022

What questions will #al02 TV stations manage to ask Rep. Barry Moore?

8/8/22
From: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>To: robby.thomas@wtvy.com, stephen.crews@wtvy.com, TCole@wdhn.com, RWare@wdhn.com, adolan@wdfx34.com, rpowell@wdfx34.com, bcalhoun@wmbb.com, kpeck@wmbb.com, donna.bell@wjhg.com, roberto.jimenez@wjhg.com
Sent: Mon, Aug 8, 2022 6:02 am
Subject: Local TV stations and Rep. Barry Moore's August town halls
To local TV stations serving Alabama's 2nd Congressional district:
I live in the Alabama 6th Congressional district (Gary Palmer's district).
I nonetheless consider what Rep. Barry Moore says and does as significantly affecting all Alabamians, and I have an interest in questions he is called on to answer in connection with the August town halls he has scheduled.
I hope your TV stations are taking an interest in what questions Rep. Moore's constituents are asking him in his town halls and what his answers are.
I hope your TV stations are yourselves thinking about questions Rep. Moore should be asked and are attempting to ask such questions yourselves.
Thank you.
[to be filed in https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/08/what-questions-will-dothan-tv-stations.html]

8/11/22 1/3/24
From: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: eric.duncan@fox10tv.com <eric.duncan@fox10tv.com>; Randy.Merrow@fox10tv.com <randy.merrow@fox10tv.com>; news@mynbc15.com <news@mynbc15.com>; dsingleton@mynbc15.com <dsingleton@mynbc15.com>; PAlbrecht@wkrg.com <palbrecht@wkrg.com>; clombard@wkrg.com <clombard@wkrg.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at 09:31:25 AM CST
Subject: Will Mobile TV stations ask Barry Moore questions today?
Barry Moore is having a telephone town hall today at 6 p.m. Will Mobile TV stations try to ask him questions in the telephone town hall? Will Mobile TV stations at least listen to the town hall so they can report what voters asked Barry Moore and what his answers are?
(For filing in https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/08/what-questions-will-dothan-tv-stations.html)
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More for Alabama's journalistically challenged TV stations

8/5/22 From: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: comments@abc3340.com, programming@abc3340.com, Susana.Schuler@hearst.com, blong@hearst.com, wcromwell@cbs42.com, rmartin@cbs42.com, collin.gaston@wbrc.com, jama.killingsworth@waff.com, julie@waff.com, paul.caron@whnt.com, mwright@waaytv.com, sgallien@waaytv.com, eric.duncan@fox10tv.com, Randy.Merrow@fox10tv.com, news@mynbc15.com, dsingleton@mynbc15.com, PAlbrecht@wkrg.com, clombard@wkrg.com, robby.thomas@wtvy.com, stephen.crews@wtvy.com, TCole@wdhn.com, RWare@wdhn.com, mbunting@wsfa.com, sduff@wsfa.com, ghalbrooks@alabamanews.net, jrainey@alabamanews.net, sdiorio@wvua23.com, knorred@wvua23.com
Sent: Fri, Aug 5, 2022 5:37 am
Subject: AL TV stations and "in the weeds" political reporting for their viewing areas
Todd Stacy, the new host of the Capitol Journal political TV show on Alabama Public Television, is "[t]oying with the idea of bringing back the 'In the Weeds' podcast on a regular basis."
Do Alabama TV stations think they do sufficient "in the weeds" political reporting for their viewing areas?
Please consider same.
Thank you.
[to be filed in https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/08/more-for-alabamas-journalistically.html]

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Tuesday, August 2, 2022

To Gov. Kristi Noem & Mr. Herschel Walker: Are we screwed on the climate?

From: Rob Shattuck <rdshatt@aol.com>
To: algop@algop.org <algop@algop.org>
Cc: comments@abc3340.com, programming@abc3340.com, Susana.Schuler@hearst.com, blong@hearst.com, wcromwell@cbs42.com, rmartin@cbs42.com, collin.gaston@wbrc.com, jama.killingsworth@waff.com, julie@waff.com, paul.caron@whnt.com, mwright@waaytv.com, sgallien@waaytv.com, eric.duncan@fox10tv.com, Randy.Merrow@fox10tv.com, news@mynbc15.com, dsingleton@mynbc15.com, PAlbrecht@wkrg.com, clombard@wkrg.com, robby.thomas@wtvy.com, stephen.crews@wtvy.com, TCole@wdhn.com, RWare@wdhn.com, mbunting@wsfa.com, sduff@wsfa.com, ghalbrooks@alabamanews.net, jrainey@alabamanews.net, sdiorio@wvua23.com, knorred@wvua23.com, dsutter@troy.edu, christy@nsstc.uah.edu
Sent: Tue, Aug 2, 2022 9:16 am
Subject: For Gov. Kristi Noem & Mr. Herschel Walker: Are we screwed on the climate?
Dear Gov. Noem and Mr. Walker (c/o ALGOP),
At the ALGOP Summer Dinner on August 12th at which you are speakers, please address this question:
Are we screwed on the climate?
I hope Alabama TV stations will editorialize about the foregoing very important question and report to their viewers whatever you might say about the same.
I have copied Professor Daniel Sutter of Troy University on this email due to the publication yesterday of his opinion piece In Defense of Fossil Fuels.
I have copied UAH Professor John Christy on this email because of his standing as a climate scientist (and with whom I have previously communicated). Prof.Christy and Danish economist Bjorn Lomborg have argued against climate alarmism (see https://cei.org/blog/bjorn-lomborg-and-john-christy-shred-climate-alarmism/). Recently Bjorn Lomborg had the following appearance on the Wall Street Journal Editorial Report: https://video.foxnews.com/v/6309914996112?playlist_id=930909810001#sp=show-clips.
Thank you very much.
[To be filed in https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2019/09/climate-change.html; https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/07/local-tv-failure-calling-on-other.html and https://al6thcongdist-ihaveuntiljan13.blogspot.com/2022/08/to-gov-kristi-noem-mr-herschel-walker.html]

8/4/22 8/11/22
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