Thursday, July 24, 2008

Fulmer first denies ever receiving subpoena, suddenly "finds" it on his way out of town.....

In one of the strangest twists to a pretty much otherwise non-story, Phillip Fulmer denied ever receiving a subpoena this morning upon his arrival at SEC Media Days in interviews throughout the day, but it has just been reported that Fulmer has actually since "located" this non-existent document. Fulmer's attorney, Jeff Hagood, told the Knoxville News-Sentinel this afternoon
"Phillip was getting out of his car and focused on other things, as you might imagine, getting ready to face an audience of about 800 people or so," Hagood told the newspaper. "Someone basically threw something at him. They didn't look official, as far as he was concerned. It didn't look like a law enforcement person or that ilk. He didn't pay attention to what it was."


My complete disbelief at today's festivities could be because I'm an attorney, but I'm not totally convinced of this. It seems that some of what went on today was the result of arrogance on the part of Phillip Fulmer, not his lack of legal training or knowledge. Fulmer went as far as calling the topic "B.S." "And I would have some other choice words if there weren't so many cameras in here," he said in one of today's interviews.

At this point it is appropriate for me to declare my allegiance and it is to neither Tennessee or Alabama, my allegiance is with the Auburn Tigers, so I have no dog in this fight and really had no thoughts either way until today.

Obviously, Fulmer's statements were not illegal or anything he could get in trouble over, but they are troubling to me. Why didn't he just explain this alleged mass confusion that met him when he arrived at the Galleria during the first interview and that he wasn't going to comment on anything concerning a lawsuit until he had spoken with his attorney? To me, this seems like the easiest and most reasonable way to handle what went on this morning, but Fulmer chose the worst path possible. He not only denied this incident ever even happened, he mocked the people saying it did occur. Nothing may ever really materialize from the lawsuit, but I am going to make a bold prediction that today could mark the beginning of the end for Phillip Fulmer as the head football coach for the University of Tennessee. Sphere: Related Content

UT's Phillip Fulmer welcomed to SEC Media Days with a subpoena

As Phillip Fulmer arrived at SEC Media Days a few minutes ago he was given a present - a subpoena to appear at a deposition on September 25th regarding the case against the NCAA brought by University of Alabama booster Wendall Smith. News is quickly breaking from the Wynfrey Hotel here in Birmingham and I will try to update the story throughout the day. You can read the news that is known HERE Sphere: Related Content

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Birmingham's Survival Plan

Well, the wait for an update on this story wasn't very long at all. You can read the details of La La's plan HERE. Sphere: Related Content

La La has a secret??

According to The Birmingham News, Larry Langford has a secret he is calling his "Birmingham Survival Kit." It took great self-restraint to not make just one of the many jokes that immediately came to mind when I think about any "secret" La La may have, but I only have so much time in my day. Apparently, this secret has something to do with Langford's new plan to pay for streetcars, scholarships and a dome stadium without raising any more taxes or going to the bond market. I guess I can see one positive in this plan - Langford may actually realize that Birmingham cannot afford these initiatives he continues to propose.

This must be one heck of a "survival kit" if it will allow the city to pay for all of these items without raising taxes or using the bond market. I am almost scared to find out what this secret is for many reasons, but I think the fact that Langford even mentions the bond market as a financial option for this city may be the most frightening. I guess he's forgotten the SEC complaint currently pending against him and others for their past dealings in the bond market. There is a really good article by Joe Mysak that explains the issues involved in huge ball of wax much better than I can. You can read that piece HERE.

You can check out the story regarding La La's secret HERE. I am sure I will be updating this story very soon with details of the secret. I can't wait....... Sphere: Related Content