Questions
Here’s a question: how many other governors were on the sidelines during a bowl game this year? Any? Because it turns out that it’s a great way for Joe Manchin to get TV time. Although I fail to see how that relates to his duties as Governor. No worries though. I’m sure he paid his own way. Right?
Oh, and I saw that Boss Garrison was there with him. Hey, I wonder what they talked about?
Now whatever you think of the Stewart hire, I saw something like this coming. When I read WVU hired a headhunter, I knew they were stalling. Why? Well, you might recall that WVU also hired a headhunter for the Presidential search. In that case, scuttlebutt had always been that the headhunter’s real job was to subtlety inform all the other interested candidates that the fix was in, that these aren’t the droids you’re looking for, and to move along. Something to think about. I for one, am just happy that they didn’t hire that OTHER William Stewart…
And as long as I’m asking questions, I wonder if any of the good people at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette or the Chronicle of Higher Education know that Mike Garrison hired a public relations firm to help manage his image during WVU’s presidential search before before David Hardesty even announced his retirement? But when your resume is lacking to the point where you wouldn’t even get an interview unless your BFF was the head of the Search Committee, you gotsta do what you gotsta do, right?
I wonder what they have up their sleeves this time…
January 4, 2008 at 4:08 pm
LOVE the Star Wars reference. Just love it.
January 4, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Look at Garrison’s blog entry…Mountaineers believe that character matters!! Go character!! More like stupid WV citizens are time and time played the fool by Garrison type people. When will it finally be “enough’s enough?”
What does it mean to be a Mountaineer?
January 4th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Mountaineers believe that character matters.
Mountaineers know that with hard work, they can overcome any obstacle.
Mountaineers cherish their family and friends, and put those they love ahead of themselves.
Mountaineers mean what they say, and they know that actions speak louder than words.
Mountaineers don’t give up.
These characteristics are the keys to success on the football field, and also in life. The WVU Mountaineer football team and coaching staff exemplified these traits in the 2008 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Their victory was a victory for WVU and for the people of West Virginia.
Our new Head Coach Bill Stewart has displayed Mountaineer values throughout his coaching career. We are very fortunate to have him leading our team.
I’d like to express my deepest thanks to the Mountaineer football team, Coach Stewart, and the coaching staff for representing what’s best about our University and our state. You showed the nation what it means to be a Mountaineer
January 5, 2008 at 12:29 am
Don’t forget, Garrison provided the double chin, bitch tits, and soon-to-come lower rankings,
January 5, 2008 at 10:20 am
An open comment to Ms. Bresch. I implore you to right this situation immediately. Your selfish actions are causing continued harm to the great institution WVU and to the reputation of your home state. The more time passes the more people and families will be affected by this scandal. People are spreading this on the Internet to accreditation agencies, print and broadcast news organizations, financial watchdog groups, etc. The only way to put this story to rest is to produce proof of your academic accomplishments at WVU. Do not think for a minute that this will go away on it’s own. There is too much at stake for Mylan, WVU and the State of WV. The amount to time that passes is directly porportional to the shame you bring to yourself, your immediate and extended family and to WVU.
January 5, 2008 at 10:23 am
Ditto that to Garrison, Goodwin, and Lang
January 5, 2008 at 12:12 pm
I busted Hoppy yesterday for not addressing the issue when he had the man who either paid for the classes or didn’t sitting next to him in Arizona. I understand that he didn’t get to be Mr. WVU, Broadcast Division by telling everything he knows (and you know he is the one “journalist” in WV knows everything about this) but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t make him as uncomfortable as possible with this.
He said that he had a response to what I said but that all he could say was “stay tuned”. That could be a diversion or it could be that he knows that something substantive is coming.
Either way, the powers-that-be listen to his show and if anybody wants to be heard on this issue call his show on Monday. 1-800-765-8255.
January 5, 2008 at 2:44 pm
LMAO. I heard you call in yesterday as I was out and about the town. Don’t call in during steam release. Hoppy doesn’t comment back. He takes it like a spanking administered to a bad, bad donkey.
January 5, 2008 at 2:48 pm
And, let’s just think for a minute. Would it not be absolutely freaking hilarious, that something as pedestrian as trying to scam a degree for the gov’s daughter, not some sex scandal, or some payoff, or bribe, or the ham handed way Manchin deals with state employees, or some other “job related” type action on manchin’s part, is what causes manchin to fall? Wouldn’t that just be the epitome of karma?
January 5, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Don’t call in during steam release. Hoppy doesn’t comment back
He’s done it before and he’ll do it again if he feels it necessary.
January 5, 2008 at 3:27 pm
p.s., How’d I sound?
January 5, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Yeah, he’ll comment once in a blue moon, but usually only when it’s something so obtuse, he can’t let it go.
If it’s critical of him, he won’t respond, especially when the criticism is true.
January 5, 2008 at 6:32 pm
im sure there were lots of other Govs on the sidelines. did you watch all the games ?
January 5, 2008 at 10:05 pm
yeah, hippie killer, garrison ran around the state visiting colleges with the chancellor and then meeting with reporters to say how great the college was. it was a big joke in higher education circles that he was trying to build a stack of press clippings to help himself become president of wvu. none of us took it too seriously. boy were we wrong. next time i’ll listen to you.
January 6, 2008 at 1:21 am
Why doesn’t somebody simply ask Governor Manchin if his daughter received her MBA? I know he deferred to the University but you’ve got to be kidding me if a father does not know his daughter received this academic milestone. Wouldn’t the family at least have gone to dinner to celebrate? Something to acknowledge the hard work done over the years. Here’s a headstart to a willing journalistic gumshoe:
“Governor Manchin, did your daughter receive her MBA from WVU?”
“If yes, then when did you become aware of this milestone in your daughters life? When it actually happened 10 years ago or more recently when this story broke in the press?”
“If no, well then the consequences are obvious.”
January 6, 2008 at 12:17 pm
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has another editorial today criticizing the search committee (and the Wheeling newspaper):
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08006/846843-192.stm
January 6, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Speaking of someone who needs to hire a pr firm: Today in the Chas Sunday paper, Mark A. Bates writes an impassioned letter on behalf of the embattled Commissioner Reid-Smith entitled REID-SMITH IS NOT WHAT CRITICS SAY. In the first paragraph Bates proclaims: “In his 48 years, Randall has experienced more culture and history than any of us could possibly ever experience in a lifetime.” Just in case you were wondering. That’ll teach ‘em.
January 6, 2008 at 8:00 pm
the governor made an appearance at the basketball game tonight too - doesn’t he have anything better to do?
January 6, 2008 at 9:08 pm
I would makew the assumption that the faculty at WVU would have to be furious about all of this…the integrity to thier institutution is at stake and they KNOW that all pertinent documents are stored about previous students in thier departments. Anyone with an MBA from there would have to be furious. I am no conspiracy theorist, but this is pitiful.
January 6, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Why do you think the GOP is so quiet about this? This was tailor-made for them. It is a perfect opportunity to embarass the governor and perhaps the Democrat party……..yet, they sit there silently.
This state has gots to get a two-party system.
P.S. That letter writer is dead wrong - Randall Reid-Smith is an idiot!
January 7, 2008 at 10:44 am
Betty Ireland is bored with being Secretary of State and Vic Sprouse is probably too busy having another affair. Maybe he’ll write something about Heathergate for THE RECORD. That RRS letter kills me. This guy has experienced more culture and history than ANY OF US COULD POSSIBLY EVER EXPERIENCE IN A LIFETIME? Wow! that’s quite a statement. Who is the US? A remedial English class? We just wish the first openly gay appointment had done a good job.
January 7, 2008 at 10:52 am
Sprouse should end every sentence with “Giggity, Giggity, AW-RIGHT!!”
January 7, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Joe Manchin sees appearing at all these sports events as campaigning opportunities. And all the endless parties at party central, the newfangled and soon to be “upgraded with needless banquet facilities” Governor’s Mansion. And all his trips abroad (with a bunch of rich friends who will vote for him and give $) and around the nation for any reason he can think of ……..all this is much about getting more popular as “economic development” or anything else. Most of this, of course, we taxpayers pay for. Remember the Sago disaster when he actually still cared about what was best for WEST VIRGINIA instead of entirely focusing on what will best get him to DC? Remember when he was really trying to get prescription pill costs lowered for seniors? Heather’s promotion at Mylan put a stop to that. Wonder if the Pittsburgh reporters have figured out that connection yet? Somebody tell Joe Morris next time you run into him. I really liked the Manchins when they started, but they completely sold out immediately because they set their sights on getting to DC pronto. Friends of Coal and Mike Pushkar “Pusscat” are considered the campaign bankroll. Since the Goodwins sold out Lloyd Jackson and backed the Manchins for governor (why the hell else do you think a Italian Catholic from the Fairmont area won the conservative southern coalfields?)…… well, the point is, we are stuck with them until they get to Washington. Then who? Earl Ray? Is that better or worse?
January 7, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Joe Manchin has been regarded as a pathological liar (for real, no exaggeration) since he was in the state Senate, if not before.
I know I’m cynical, but I have to disagree with Mata Hari, in that I don’t believe he cared what was best for WV during the Sago disaster; what he cared about then and always has is what’s best for him.
For God’s sake, can’t someone look into this situation with his daughter, Garrison, Goodwin, et al., and the poor dumb people of this State know what’s being done to them?
January 7, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I don’t believe he cared what was best for WV during the Sago disaster; what he cared about then…
Sago was one of those rare moments where doing what was best for West Virginia was doing what was best for the governor He was at least smart enough to see that.
Hoppy said today that he’ll have Manchin on tomorrow and will ask about the degree.
I think it’s great that this blog seems to be the place to come for the straight poop on this story.
January 7, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Well, who wouldn’t show up to give comfort and support to victims of an accident like Sago? He’d have looked like a complete prick if he hadn’t. That is totally non-controversial. What amazes me is that he came out looking like a hero, when in fact, a friend in the DEP pointed out (months before Sago) that the administration had eased up on inspections and regulations as a reward/favor to coal operators… and predicted that disaster would follow.
This dude’s legacy will be a legislated football rivalry, lots of parties, destruction of the Governor’s Mansion and a really stupid slogan. Depressing.
January 7, 2008 at 6:41 pm
It was federal law that allowed those bullshit foam stoppings and it is federal law that allows rooms to be sealed without a means of monitoring the level of methane. I’m not singing his praises I’m just saying he handled himself better than a lot of his predecessors.
January 7, 2008 at 7:54 pm
HK…I know this is not the place for it…but, if you get a chance - take a look at the amount of art grants money disseminated each year to the projects of the members of Arts Commission. Even the chairwoman has money going to the very job where she works……………………………….
Phil Kabler are you listening? Give RRS a call.
Sorry for that station break……Now back to Heather Bresch.
January 7, 2008 at 11:17 pm
The Pittsburgh Post Gazette called the law school today to inquire as to whether Hippie Killer completed the necessary credits to graduate. The initial response from the law school was he did not graduate. Since HK is a prominent Mountaineer, with the state’s #2 blog, the Office of the President began a quiet inquiry. A careful search of the law school Registrar’s office found several old records (no surprise there), one of which could have been the missing transcript. After announcing that the missing credits were found and HK graduated “with honors,” the paper shredder was kept busy all night.
Congrats, HK!
January 8, 2008 at 12:15 am
Someone should investigate the HEPC’s rigged sale of WVNET’s land to Mylan. Last month Mylan staked out state land they don’t own. Today Mylan brought surveyors in to survey state land they don’t own.
Taylor’s acting like everything’s on the up-and-up, but everyone here knows the fix is in between Joe Manchin and Brian Noland and Heather Bresch and we all better just get out of the way, litterally.
West Virginia deserves better than these crooks.
January 8, 2008 at 12:34 am
Well, the reasons why my records were hard to find is because the STAR system has always had trouble keeping track of negative GPA’s.
I eventually set a goal of keeping my GPA higher than my blood alcohol level, but by that point, it was too late. As Lawbot would say, whatevs.
January 8, 2008 at 3:04 am
What is the connection between this transcript business, Fred Armstrong’s firing, WVU’s lying…………………………
and Larry Groce? Don’t let him off the hook. This stinks of Mountain Stage.
January 8, 2008 at 8:19 am
This stinks of Mountain Stage.
Providing the soundtrack of our corruption. The stream in the theme may have excessive amounts of fecal coliform.
January 8, 2008 at 11:33 am
You had me up until “the stinks of Mountain Stage thing…” Maybe reign in a bit there, kids. A second cup of coffee, a dose of ritalin, whatever. Focus. To my knowledge, Larry Groce does not have the power to fire Fred Armstrong or grant Masters degrees. He did buy me lunch once. It was a fish sandwich. So, Larry has the power to buy fish sandwiches. Not sure how that one fits in, but it was a pretty good fish sandwich.
January 8, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Agree with Bill Lynch here. You’ve got the Chronicle of Higher Ed reading this blog and QUOTING IT. Stay on target. Mountain Stage has somehow managed to be a success OUTSIDE of the powers that be. They have to fight them basically daily. That’s why you don’t have a Goodwin or Manchin apiring star as host. I don’t begrudge the Mountain Stage people success and/or a fairly decent retirement. They deserve it. Relatively speaking, they are straight up, friendly and helpful to other worthy causes besides their own. I know, I used to think they’d be douchebags also, but after working with several of them over the years, they are really allright, forward thinking (for this state) and not complete political pawns. No, I don’t like everything about Mountian Stage, but I admire what they have consistently pulled off. Larry, Michael Lipton, Andy Ridenour and Francis Fisher are particularly decent people (as much as any of us are……c’mon let’s be real, we all bitch with fake names in blogs). Michael really did help out Amazing Delores and Hasil and some similar ones to a great degree. I was there some when he’d serve as bondsman, counselor and social worker for them. Usually at his own expense. The regular middle of the night drunken rambling phone calls where he talked them out of suicide are proof enough. It’s really pretty wonderful what he’s done with the Music Hall of Fame thing. Larry’s surprising easy to work with at FestivALL. On said subject, whatever you think of Danny Jones, it is at leat a refreshing change of pace to have a mayor who WANTS to try to have an arts festival. A fair variety of people who don’t HAVE to are doing the best they can in the circumstances we have here in the arts scene. I agree that others clearly bilk the systems for their own gain and there is an epidemic of conflict of interest in the way arts funding comes down. Who is the chairwoman of WV Commission of the Arts now? Of course, they are appointed by the Commissioner and Governor.
January 8, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Well, surely after pointing out all of their fine and admirable characteristics you (and they) could find at least some humor in implying that the folks who produce Mountain Stage would be involved in Heathergate. It would be like putting Suzanne Vega in the middle of the Bork Confirmation Hearings. OK, it might not be that funny, but the attempt is pretty obvious. It’s this kind over-sensitivity that gives progressives a bad name.
He did buy me lunch once. It was a fish sandwich.
From Junk Food Junkie to Pusher Man!! I knew it!
January 8, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Not Bork, but maybe Bjork. Well, I wish… man, that would be cool, but like Bruce Springsteen playing Mountain Stage, it is never going to happen.
And yeah, it was a fried fish sandwich. He was probably trying to kill me, but slowly.
January 8, 2008 at 1:21 pm
He was trying to get you hooked, man! God Damn the Pusher Man! You would think that a Junk Food Junkie would have more compassion, man.
Questions? Yeah, I’ve got some about that video. McKensie Phillips singing Groce’s song on The Jackson’s Variety Show? Big, Big questions of the existential type.
January 8, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Junk Food Junkie Link, Take 2.
January 8, 2008 at 1:49 pm
“Bill Lynch Says:
You had me up until “the stinks of Mountain Stage thing…” Maybe reign in a bit there, kids.”
“Reign” instead of “rein”? Nice Freudian slip there, still thinking of the Manchin dynasty? :)