By Staff
Bob Ingram, Alabama Scene
MONTGOMERY–In the spirit of the season, what I offer you in this space today are what might be called "stocking stuffers." Maybe one or two of the items will interest you…
Exxon Mobil Corp., to no one's surprise, has appealed the $11.9 billion jury award against the company, which was awarded by a Montgomery jury on allegations that Exxon had violated its off-shore oil leasing contracts with the state.
While no one expects this award to stand up, it has created a lot of talk. For example, if the verdict stands–and it won't–the two legal firms which represented the state would be paid 17 percent of the award in legal fees.
That means that Jere Beasley would be entitled to half of that fee…which would be…are you ready for this…$982 million.
But like I said, Beasley hasn't started spending that money just yet.
But what I find both puzzling and amusing is that the new operation is sponosored by the YMCA of Macon County…that's the Young Men's Christian Association. The "Y" will be paid a handsome $10,500-a-week in profits from the bingo operation.
I never thought I would live long enough to see a Christian organization sponsoring and profiting from a gambling operation in Alabama.
It reminds me of an advertising slogan of years ago..but I can't remember the product: "We've come a long way, baby…"
We have indeed.
My friend had to explain it to me too. It's an acronymn for 'Get Rid Of Walker and Lowder." And while AU President William Walker and AU trustee-with-plane Bobby Lowder may not like the suggestion it was too good not to share.
For all his achievements in business, industry and in public service, Cabiniss will probably be best remembered for a withering description made of him by U. S. Sen. Howell Heflin in that 1990 campaign.
Heflin has turned some good phrases in his years in the political arena, but few were more well-turned thas his word portrait of Cabiniss: "He's a Gucci-clothed, Mercedes-driving, Jacuzzi-soaking, Perrier-drinking Republican."
And then there was Barney Weeks, the dapper, chain-smoking president of the AFL-CIO of Alabama…and at that time organized labor was a far more potent force in this state than it is today. Weeks died last week at the age of 90 and I was pleased that his passing did not go unnoticed by the daily press. He deserved the send-off he got.
He was a good man and more working people than union members benefited from his service.