If you wonder where the money in the Fifth Column the tip jar goes, I just picked up “Afflicting the Comfortable: Journalism and Politics in West Virginia” by Thomas Stafford. It’s a book that comes up often in the comments — and frankly, I’m embarrassed to admit that I haven’t read it yet. But no more!
But the book I was actually looking for is “Don’t Buy Another Vote, I Won’t Pay for a Landslide: The Sordid And Continuing History of Political Corruption in West Virginia,” by Allen Loughry. I hear it’s a good read. But does anyone find it supremely ironic that author is a clerk for Spike “Monaco” Maynard? I’m not faulting the guy — after all, it’s hard to get a job on the “other side” when there really isn’t an other side. At least not in West Virginia.
Anyway. I’ve got some reading to do…
May 1, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Don’t buy another vote is a fantastic read. In addition to the interesting history and politics, the stories are just damned entertaining. I wonder if we get an addendum about the WV Supremes? I seriously doubt it.
May 1, 2008 at 4:55 pm
I’ve read Dr. Loughry’s book (Don’t buy another vote) and I’ll admit that prior to reading it I was skeptical with a capitol S. I figured that it would be slanted hard one way or the other, i.e., attacking Democrats and taking up for Republicans or attacking Republicans and taking up for Democrats. I was 100% surprised and it is hands-down the best book I have ever written. I don’t say that lightly. I have a copy of it in front of me right now and his bio is quite impressive. He has four law degrees and has worked for a governor, congressman, attorney general, and now the supreme court. I hate to be drinking to Kool-Aid so badly, but I am dead serious that this book is awesome. As far as working for O’le Spike, I asked a friend of mine who knows him and also works at the supreme court about that, and he said that he is “assigned” to Spike but works for all of the Justices whatever that means. Knowing the crazy egos of all five of those people I am guessing that it is pretty crazy working for that bunch. Quite frankly, I don’t care who he works for because it doesn’t show. He worked for McGraw and he tells it like it is regarding that shaky politician. And, even more, I am wondering why “they” haven’t already taken him down for standing up to some of these scoundrels.
I have several parts bookmarked and talk about it with my friends often. For instance, in 2006 people in southern WV were still going to jail for buying votes with 1/2 pints of whiskey (ch. 7). What? I mean, I am not completely naive, but in 2006? That is disgusting. The book runs the gambit of early WV history right up until now. I was VERY surprised overall because I have no idea if he is a Democrat or Republican and that makes it even more credible. He even offers several ideas for reform and all of them didn’t make complete sense until I read the book, but after reading it more than once, I want to recruit this guy for Governor! Anyway, sorry for rambling, but it is very hard for me to get excited about anyone even close to this squalid corrupt system, but I truly think he is the real deal!
May 1, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Sorry…one more thing…the pictures are awesome. There must be 80 pages from Devil Anse to Arch Moore to Mother Jones, etc…. Awesome read! Every single school kid should read it, but the powers to be would never let that happen. For instance, McGraw’s wife (Jorea Marple) is second in charge of the St. School Board so she would surely block it.
May 1, 2008 at 8:22 pm
When it came out, I did a quick review of it on my blog:
http://wvpoliticalsweatbox.blogspot.com/2006/06/im-still-cynical-but.html
Having read the whole thing now, I can safely say it takes aim pretty equally at D’s and R’s both. The only thing I get a bit disappointed with is the somewhat blaise manner in which he talks about the Kennedy involvement with WV. He kind of gives them a slight pass on some of their vote buying activities under the guise of “they were just playing the game the way it’s played in WV.”
But overall, a very, very good read.
May 1, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Fuck. I was totally expecting hookers and blow. Donkeys, even.
May 1, 2008 at 9:21 pm
There were no donkeys, but I actually do remember mention of one hooker and it is ironic because it was then Chief of Staff Mike Garrison’s aid who was arrested for soliciting a hooker in Charleston. I am serious about that. It is in the book. I am not joking! He resigned, but Garrison didn’t learn from his example. Then, after that, Gov. Wise was caught with his little Swiss Miss and he refused to resign. I also remember several things dealing with political druggies. It even has a story about an attorney general who hired a hitman to kill his deputy attorney general. Anyway….
May 2, 2008 at 4:39 am
The photo of Governor Moore and SOS A. James Manchin at the basketball game is worth the price of the book.
May 2, 2008 at 6:18 am
I have read Loughry’s book (Don’t buy another vote) and I considered it one of the best read’s of West Virginia’s history to date. It contains the sordid stories of our past and challenges for our future. Challenges by the way that it would do us well to begin considering in light of the last few months…. shall we say…. distractions!
May 2, 2008 at 8:17 am
I’ve read Loughry’s book, too. Unbelievable read. Well worth every penny. Every citizen in WV needs to read and have a copy. The coverage of the history was so in depth. Re. the historical part of this book - - It’s a shame that the WV history taught in the schools is not as inclusive. I may have enjoyed learning about it more. As for the rest of the book, every politician - and Garrison - - of course, those are one in the same - - needs to read this. If even a fraction of the reforms suggested in Loughry’s pages were impletmented….WV would be a vastly different state…for the better. Maybe this guy needs to take over the state - - or atleast WVU.
May 2, 2008 at 8:48 am
I read Loughry’s book when it first came out and I’m going to get it out and look through it again to make sure, but I remember being turned off by all of the “I”s in it. It seemed like he was doing a good job making his point when all of a sudden he injects himself into it, almost like a campaign commercial in the middle of a PBS documentary.
Stafford’s memoir is by far the better of the two, IMHO.
May 2, 2008 at 9:07 am
I strongly disagree. I have read both of them and Stafford’s memoir was lacking in many ways. As far as the “I’s” in DBAV that was a huge appeal and certainly wasn’t overwhelming by any means. At the end of several chapters he included some analysis and it made me feel like I was a reading a novel. It made it much more real to me. It wasn’t a bunch of bare boring facts in some academic setting about some distant characters. To me it showed how this stuff affects all of us personally. It was a story and it was incredible. I am not knocking the guy since he had the balls to put his name on it and stand up to these scoundrels.
May 2, 2008 at 11:55 am
Pages 151 and 152 are prime examples of what I’m talking about. The broken shoe anecdote is classic “Humble Beginnings” campaign commercial crap.
I’m not saying that the book isn’t worth reading - it really is a must read. But he would have had more impact, in my opinion, if he had not left me with the impression that this was the precursor to his run for Congress.
That and not having Maynard and McCain vouching for his efforts.
May 2, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Oh, the “I’s” in Loughry’s book are plentiful. One gets the sense he’s quite taken with himself.
But, be content to just ignore that for the vanity that it is, and just pay attention to the stories.
Really good. And yes, it’s the perfect tome on why this state is fucked beyond all hope.
May 2, 2008 at 12:58 pm
What?? That’s the focus? The use of “I?” And with regards to McCain and Maynard….seems to be balanced with Caperton plus Byrd, Charlie Peters, Prof. Raskin of AU (extremely liberal). I have friends that know Loughry and a few that have worked with him and he is definately not vain. Idealistic, hopeful, etc. (which, if this state has any say, will sadly be pounded out of him in time). Because he writes a book and puts in personal accounts and stories, that makes him vain?? Are you kidding? If anything, that’s the reason it doesn’t read like a dry, boring textbook. I think it’s sad that this book hasn’t gotten more coverage quite frankly. Maybe there’s still hope.
May 7, 2008 at 10:29 pm
I had heard that Mike G. was in line to be the next Governor, not a US Senator.