Howard Monroe And The Morning Show

Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClelland this week offered a wide raning list of allegations against the Bush administration, among them:

• planning for the war in Iraq as much as a year before the public explanations began and waging a propaganda campaign rather than the truth to garner support    
• being "in denial" for a week after Hurricane Katrina--leading to long delays in federal response     
• being in a constant "campaign mode" rather than governing

His critics have had little to say about the charges. Instead they call him disloyal, a bitter man, an angry ex-employee, a sell-out for money, a pawn of the liberals, and even---thank you Rush Limbaugh--a Pillsbury dough boy.

But what they did NOT call him was wrong.

It will be a very differnt City Council that confronts Wheeling City Manager Bob Herron beginning in July.

Three newcomers join 3 incumbents and the incumbents who are coming back have not always been supporters of the "status quo".

As you can hear in our podcast elsewhere on this page--and as was reported front page in the Intell this week--Mayor-elect Andy McKenzie has been very vocal--VERY vocal--about the need for change, a new attitude, a new look and perhaps some new blood at 1600 Chapline.

Talk of the Town and Wild Side host Scott Shalaway took his Saturday Morning show on the road to Oglebay Institute's Schrader Environmental Education Center on Saturday. Live from the balcony that overlooks the head of the treetop birdwalk and trails into the woods, Shalaway talked with OI officials and others about the Center's activities.

I debated whether to post this video....but what the heck. Here's a sample of how some of America saw West Virginia on election night. It's from Jon Stewart's Daily Show on Comedy Central.

Did I toss too many "soft balls" at Hillary Clinton today? At least one of my callers thinks so. You can decide for yourself: listen to the podcast of our interview in our podast section on the right side of this page.

Andy McKenzie clearly wants to bring about change. He thinks a lot of folks--including me--are trying to downplay the power a new mayor can bring if he hasd the will to lead a charge for change. You can listen to that interview segment in our podcasts as well. (Thanks to Senator NcKenzie for being so flexible in working around the Clinton interview.)

Natalie Tennnat called in to make a last minute pitch for votes in her run for Secretary of State.

West Lib President Rob Capehart came in and we kicked around the WV Supreme Court race. I am really ticked off at all the negative ads in that race by just about ALL of the candidates.

Our UN reporter Dan Patterson gave us the low down on disaster aid to Myanmar.

Good day! Great to be back!

Now that we've all had a chance to review "The Plan" for the City of Wheling, let's talk about it Monday.

The Intell has the complete plan on their web site.

I have concerns. As exciting and thought-provoking as the plan and its pretty pictures are, what reason do we have to believe that there is a demand for these "Music City" venues? Are there tourist groups clamouring to come somewhere for this kind of a venue? Do we believe the local citizens are going to come to more music events (we have plenty at the Port and elsewhere in town)? Other than just deciding this is a nice idea, why do expect this to generate any increased economic activity.

What are we trying to acheive with this plan? I have said for years there are 3 basic reasons to do government-sponsored development: to increase the tax base, to provide jobs, to improve the quality of life of the people currently living here. Where are the new jobs coming from? Does this increase the tax base somehow?

The City's proposal to tear down the 1100 block and create green space makes the Downtown area a better place for those of us who are already here to live and work, but does this wide ranging new plan really make our current citizens any better off?

And why in the world did we pay some outside consultant $70,000 dollars to prepare this?

I am wildly unconvinced.

Let's talk on The Morning Show. Or you can post your thought by clicking "comment" right below.

LETTER TO HOME

Hello from Bermuda!

I had planned to do a lot of updates for you including pictures direct from my cell phone to the web but couldn't do it. My cell phone worked on the open seas--but the Windows Mobile connection on my Palm treo wouldn't--connect. In Bermuda even my cell couldn't connect--although just about every one else from our group had no problems at all.

Perhaps it was some kind of karmic signal that I wan't supposed to be doing any work or communication with the folks back home!

I'll detail it for you on line and on the air when I get back.

Josua P and Pedro seem to have kept the station alive. Some minor problems Sunday night and Thursday morn, but I guess the guys worked through them.

Hillary still fighting. I see it was close but the Indianna win was enough to keep going.

Lots of new announcements from the Highlands--but still nothing to hang our hat on for Wild Escapes.

No newspaper on the ship, of course, but a daily "Newsletter" compiles the important news of the day. Interesting to note that in addition to the Barrack-Hillary battles and other major national stories, the WVU Faculty Senate vote of no confidence in Mike Garrison made the ship board news.

Back to talk on Monday!!