By Looking At The First 12 Paragraphs In This Story, How Can You Tell The Mayor Of Birmingham, AL Is A Dem?

December 1, 2008 by frankls
Filed under: Asia, Europe, Hot Topics, Space, Sport, Stuff, US, entertainment

FBI arrests Birmingham, Alabama, mayor – CNN.com
The FBI on Monday arrested the mayor of Birmingham, Alabama, on federal charges including conspiracy, bribery, fraud, money laundering and filing false income tax returns.

Larry Langford, 62, is named in an indictment that alleges criminal activity while he was a county commissioner, said U.S. Attorney Alice Martin.
As president of the Jefferson County Commission and head of its department of finance and general services from November 2002 until about November 2006, Langford put his personal affairs ahead of those of the county, Martin said.

See more here FBI arrests Birmingham, Alabama, mayor – CNN.com

By Looking At The First 12 Paragraphs In This Story, How Can You Tell The Mayor Of Birmingham, AL Is A Dem?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/birmingham_mayor

It's easy. He was arrested on corruption charges and the AP neglects to mention his party affiliation until the 13th paragraph.

If the man were a Republican, the lead would read "The mayor of Alabama's largest city, Republican Larry Langford, was arrested Monday on federal bribery and fraud charges connected to a multibillion-dollar sewer bond deal that has driven the surrounding county to the brink of bankruptcy. Federal prosecutors in Birmingham said Republican Langford, Montgomery investment banker and Republican Bill Blount and Republican lobbyist Al LaPierre were charged in the 101-count indictment released Monday. The charges also include money laundering and filing false tax returns. Did we happen to mention he's a Republican?"

Wouldn't it be nice if the AP at least pretended to be non-partisan?

Simon: You're correct on the paragraph. I missed that. However, you're wrong regarding proper placement of that fact. If party affiliation belongs in the lead when it's a Republican (which the AP manages to do consistently), it belongs in the lead when it's a Democrat.

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