By Bill Britt
Alabama Political Reporter
There is a rumor going around that the Alabama Political Reporter is affiliated with Yellow Hammer Politics.
This is not true.
We are an independent news organization founded, owned and financed by Bill and Susan Britt. We have no partners, no investors, no political advisors and no political agenda or affiliation.
Rumors like lies are generally circulate to do damage.
Sadly, rumors also like lies tend to skew reality if allowed to persist becoming–at least in some people’s minds–facts.
When Susan and I decided to launch the Alabama Political Reporter we had a goal that we work for everyday. That goal is to inform, educate and alert the citizens, politicians, policy makers, opinion leaders and business professionals about politics in Alabama.
That is what wakes us in the morning and puts us to bed every night.
We do not care about party affiliation we care about facts. We want to make our home, Alabama, a better place for all.
We care about the truth wherever it may lead. We never judge a story on who it will help or who it will hinder but only on the merits of the story itself.
I do not belong to any political party. I am a journalist. I live by a code of ethics imposed by 23 years of working as a professional newsman.
I believe in the tradition of honest reporting based on fact not opinion.
Now, there are times when I write my opinions and for the most part they are conservative. On most issues Susan and I are conservative. But when we think of conservatism we are thinking about proven principles, the rule of law and the tradition of thinkers going back millennia. We do not base our belief system on whim and fancy but proven theories. This does not mean we are not open to new ideas, far from it. But we weight those ideas against principle.
We believe that journalist are the fourth estate of government and that honest reporting is what stands between us a tyranny.
Even before we started and often since I have reached out to the Democratic party. I called, emailed and pleaded for them to work with us, give us information at least put us on their mailing list. My calls have been unanswered. I have recently begun to hear regularly from the Minority Leader’s office and I am thankful.
As for the Democrat Party I have yet to hear from them.
Likewise, I have reached out to the AEA to little or no avail.
One thing you can rest assured of, we will not be easy on those who ignore us.
Anyone who knows Susan and myself knows that above all we are fair, even if we do not agree with you we will be fair. We are also very open people and prayerfully honest.
Yes, we have our failings, but fairness is not among them.
We would never intentionally do harm or favor a story line because it is to our liking.
I know that Montgomery has people both democrat and republican that will destroy those who disagree with them. They will even destroy people because they can. God will never find me guilty of that sin. I believe in a higher power than politics and it is to that power alone I owe my allegiance.
I do not know much about Yellow Hammer and frankly I don’t care.
They do what they do and that is their business, not mine.
If I were going to be a bird, I would not be a song bird but would follow Benjamin Franklin’s suggestion for our national symbol.
I would be a wild turkey. “For the truth [is] the Turkey is in comparison [to an Eagle, is] a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America . . . He is besides, though a little vain [and] silly, a bird of courage, and would not hesitate to attack…” or defend.
Yes, there are many who think I am a real turkey, I am okay with that too.
Our goal from the outset of this project was to make Alabama even better by reporting honest, accurate news about politics. I hope you think we are doing our job.
To those who spread rumors, please stop, you are only embarrassing yourself.
Do we have friends that are republicans? Yes. And we have a couple of democrats I call friends. We do not judge people on party, there are scoundrels and good folks in both. We judge people on character, honesty and fact.
Susan and I are open to all.
To those who think we are not open to all put us to the test, please give us a call.
Bill Britt: (205) 405-8361 or bbritt@alreporter.com
Susan Britt: (205) 405-8561 or sbritt@alreporter.com
