(AP)--The "Blogging 11" were arraigned today at the Federal Courthouse. Each plead "not guilty" to the 65-count indictment charging they took favors from restaurants in exchange for glowing reviews. The defendants included bloggers from "Eat Gump," "Midtown Montgomery Living," "Lunch in the Gump," "Urban Spoon," "Lost in Montgomery," and "The Adventures of Pirate Bendy."
The crowd outside was not all pro-blogger. One man, who called himself "George" held a sign depicting a cloud of shoes circling Montgomery. "The other shoes are about the drop," he said with a mysterious grin.
[Portions of article dealing with other blogs deleted]
Lunch in the Gump's Corn B. Carp refused to repeat his "I was baited!" quote made at his arrest last week. He deferred all questions to the head of his legal team Reginald T. McLucid who introduced the remainder of the team: David Copperfield and Chuckles the Clown. "This will be a dog and pony show to rival Barnum and Bailey," Mr. McLucid said as Copperfield made the 125-page indictment disappear in a puff of smoke.
"Poof!"
Also with "Team Carp" was a large oriental gentleman wearing a red silk robe and sandals presumed to be former wrestler Tojo Yamamoto and rumored to be Blogger # 2 referenced in the indictment.
Supporters of the indicted bloggers rallied outside the courthouse carrying signs. One woman, who would only say her name was "Tammy E", held a sign that read: "Cornbread, You Changed My Life!" When interviewed she said she was afraid to go out to many lunch spots in Montgomery until the "Lunch in the Gump" blog appeared. "I believe the Carp is innocent," she added, "I am here because I believe this is an injustice."
The crowd outside was not all pro-blogger. One man, who called himself "George" held a sign depicting a cloud of shoes circling Montgomery. "The other shoes are about the drop," he said with a mysterious grin.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Capell Howard set the trial for all eleven on April 4, 2011. At the present time, no motions for separate trials have been filed.
After the arraignment was over, the Blogging 11 enjoyed a fine lunch at Reggie's Place in the basement of the courthouse. Reggies was reviewed on Lunch in the Gump months ago.
Thanks for taking the fear out of lunching in the gump!!
ReplyDeleteAccording to Joe Hagler, no more shoes will drop until after the coming elections. When Hagler speaks, the world takes notice, or so he thinks. So far, I do not find any evidence of anyone paying any attention to anything said by Joe Hagler.
ReplyDeleteRegarding food in The Gump, since I am not a member of any bar association (except the Life Alumni of Down The Street Cafe), and I am not an officer of the court (except maybe the Food Court at Montgomery Mall), I can only assume that "Reggie's" in the federal courthouse is named after the inimitable Reggie Hamner, former chief in the YMCA Indian Guides, former president of the Alabama Bar Association, and the man most responsible for creating the mighty winged federal edifice that obliterated a block of Molton Street. Am I correct in this suppostion?
Anyway, having gained my knowledge of "Reggie's" here, first, it occurs to me that there are many hidden eateries in various government buildings in The Gump. Some of them are anonymous meat-and-threes, some of them are brand-name sandwich emporiums, one has a bar serving alcohol "using your tax dollars", and some of them are a decent place to have lunch.
Perhaps The Gumpers have visited some of these "statey" gastronomical bastions in white buildings or buildings with green roofs, all in the heart of The Gump?
Very perceptive and correct on all counts. George needs to be given a password and access to post his own reviews in my non-humble opinion.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Pots, for your kind opinion. It would be an honor and a privilege, fraught with public responsibility.
ReplyDeleteGeorge: Send your e-mail address to cornbread@lunchinthegump.com and we will send you an invitation to serve as one of our esteemed authors.
ReplyDeleteAfter studying the indictment and watching my client I'm convinced that had the trap been baited with red likker and a brunette then maybe just maybe ole CC might have bitten. As it stands, bring it on.
ReplyDelete