The truth behind the headlines Part 1: Let’s stand together with the victims of Bubba Copeland
Imagine waking up to find your world or that of a loved one turned upside down. A mother gets a call from her grown daughter, a successful business owner and young mother herself, that something unspeakable, something that defies reason and decency, has happened. Young women find their phones going off, ding, ding, ding. They’re receiving text messages with screenshots of themselves from years ago, candid photos, posted innocently on social media, now plastered across multiple websites alongside explicit and pornographic material. Worse still, the person responsible for all this was someone they trusted and thought they knew. People in Smith Station, Alabama, and the surrounding community lived these scenes last week when it was reported that their late Mayor F.L “Bubba” Copeland, senior pastor of neighboring Phenix City’s First Baptist Church, has been involved in a double-life for at least five or six years. Copeland was previously a school board member and a youth pastor. Their small-town reality, once described by Copeland as “Mayberry 2023,” suddenly became less like the perfect quaint town it seemed to be and more like the setting of a psychological thriller or horror film. Contrary to what you’ve likely heard, this is not a story of a man who, in the privacy of his own home, with the support of his wife, “wore women’s clothing and makeup.” The villain in this real-life horror story, and yes, there’s a villain, was not the reporter who brought the story to light or the outlet that published it; it was none other than the mayor/pastor himself, Bubba Copeland. After the first two parts in a multi-part series by 1819 News, detailing that he was living a double life, knowing that many of his victims now knew that he violated their privacy and anonymity, that he had shared erotic sexual fantasies that included one in which he committed violent and criminal acts, including as stalking, murder and rape, and revelations that he posted photos of local residents and friends (one as young as 14-15 years old), the mayor committed suicide. Make no mistake: This is not a story about the outing of a man whose only sin was to cross-dress. That is a lie that the media and some within the LGBTQ+ community are using to push their agenda, discredit his victims and their pain and vilify those who have and will come forward to speak out against his actions. “This didn’t have to happen,” has been said repeatedly, as if anyone thinks it did. The insinuation is that the news outlet reporting on the facts or the victims themselves were cheering for the story to end with Copeland’s death. No one was. Suicide is tragic and unnecessary. Those who have taken it upon themselves to make assumptions and then push them as a national narrative while failing to present the complete and graphic details of his abusive behavior and breach of public trust are furthering the damage of this already horrific situation. Two things can be true at the same time: Bubba’s death by suicide was a tragedy, and his victims, the ones who are publicly known and those grappling with their stories in whispers behind closed doors, are afraid they’ll be vilified, too scared to speak out, but deserve to be heard and to get answers and closure where possible. His death left many with questions. Questions like: Why did he do these things? How could he betray the people who trusted and respected him? What signs did I miss? How long has this been going on? Why are people covering up for him? What are people covering up for him? What more will become known? When will it come to light? What can be done? How will we move on? How will we heal? Some are saying the answers do not matter. Nothing matters now but protecting the legacy of this “innocent” man bullied to death. I don’t believe this, and you should not either. Getting answers is an essential part of healing. Why should we watch as people with influence and reach like a former U.S. Senator, the state’s most prominent media outlet, multiple national outlets and today, the Associated Press tell us to ignore those who are left picking up the pieces of the mess Copeland made? As one victim said, “Where are the prayers for the victims and THEIR families/children? Do they have the same support?” The answer is a resounding yes, and everyone who posted in support of Bubba Copeland should post in support of his victims, too. “You can’t call the innocent women & children who had their privacy violated ‘victims’ if there aren’t any criminal charges.” This is something I heard this week after joining “Leland Live” on Birmingham radio’s Talk 99.5 to break the news that victims had started coming forward and speaking publicly. You can listen to those three segments of me discussing their public statements on Nov. 6 starting here. You can also see a news segment from Columbus, Ga.’s WTVM that aired video and audio of several victims that same night here. Miriam Webster defines victim: There can be no doubt: These women, and at least one young man, and their loved ones are victims. Victims that people want to silence or ignore because the truth is uncomfortable, and they would rather the story be the lie that the mayor himself was a victim rather than a predator. If the use of the word predator offends you, then find me a better word for someone who has and would publish violent sexual fantasies involving stalking and murdering a family friend within the community — a friend who Copeland’s wife dressed as for “Career Day,” a friend who posted in support of he and his wife. Find a better word to describe a man who lifted images of people he knew, including a 14 or 15-year-old boy, and used them for his “personal” sexual hobby of pretending to be a transgender man. Find me a better word to describe a man who
Alabama Media Group repeatedly misleads readers, dismisses victims, in Smith Station Bubba Copeland coverage
The narrative that Alabama Media Group owners of AL.com clearly want its readers to believe is straightforward: a competing digital news site recklessly outed the late Smith Station Mayor F.L. “Bubba” Copeland, lead pastor at the First Baptist Church of Phenix City, for “wearing women’s clothing and makeup,” seemingly leading to his suicide. This line about clothing and makeup has been used repeatedly, appearing verbatim in eight out of 10 different news and editorial stories by eight different reporters of AL.com. The reality of the original reporting done by 1819 News, however, is far more complicated, and the mayor’s behavior was far more sinister. The original two stories, the firsts in a series that sources say 1819 News respectfully paused, rather than continuing after Copeland’s death, detail a public official not only “wearing women’s clothing and makeup,” but also publishing violent erotic fiction of people in his community, posting images of himself in various states of undress with explicit captions, posting images that have been confirmed to have been of at least one local minor and several local young women and other distressing behavior. Is it possible that it would be irresponsible of an outlet to report on these facts, which have been verified by multiple sources? NBC News did not think so. They described the situation accurately, adding a few key and relevant details saying, “His death came two days after 1819 News, a conservative Alabama news site, published pictures of him wearing women’s clothing and makeup, and the same day the site published a follow-up article stating that Copeland wrote and shared a violent fictional story online featuring a woman he knew in real life and posted photos of minors and women online without their consent.”
Robert Aderholt joins letter demanding answers about new gun restrictions
On Tuesday, Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL04) joined a letter by Congressman Mark Green, Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, to the Biden Administration demanding answers on restrictions on civilian firearm exports. Chairman Green’s letter to the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), an agency of the Department of Commerce, was signed by 86 other lawmakers. “President Biden has made it clear through his actions that he has no desire to uphold the Second Amendment,” said Rep. Aderholt. “He has previously moved to restrict hunting and archery programs in schools, and now he is he is prohibiting law-abiding businesses from selling their firearms overseas.” “First, President [Joe] Biden tried to strip funding from hunting and archery programs in our schools because of his antipathy for the Second Amendment,” said Rep. Green. “Now, he is prohibiting law-abiding businesses from selling their firearms overseas. This administration must explain itself.” In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “As long as evil persists, there will always be a need for good people to defend themselves and their loved ones. The need for the Second Amendment was not limited to the American Revolution nor the American Republic. Every person has a right to self-defense. Not only does BIS’s pause on firearms export licenses leave people even more vulnerable, but it will also push buyers to look elsewhere to meet their customers’ demands.” “Belligerent actors are becoming more aggressive and emboldened; regimes like Iran and China are posturing toward force and increasing their military capabilities,” the members of Congress continued. “The surprise attacks against Israel should dispel any notion that BIS can justly or accurately assess who needs firearms for defense and who does not.” The lawmakers conclude: “We demand that the Department end this ridiculous hypocrisy and continue the issuance of export licenses for firearms, related components, and ammunition. Continuing this pause will only weaken law-abiding civilians and hand criminal actors a monopoly of force. We also urge that BIS’s final assessment not deprive innocent people of the means for self-defense.” Congressmen Mike Rogers (R-AL03), Barry Moore (R-AL02), and Gary Palmer (R-AL06) were also cosigners. This letter was endorsed by The National Rifle Association (NRA), National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), Gun Owners of America (GOA), American Suppressors Association (ASA), the Firearms & Ammunition Import/Export Roundtable, and Heritage Action. Robert Aderholt has represented Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District since 1996. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Statewide burn ban issued by Gov. Kay Ivey
On Wednesday, Gov. Kay Ivey issued a statewide ‘No Burn Order.’ The Governor signed a statewide Drought Emergency Declaration – often called a ‘No Burn Order’ – prohibiting all outdoor burning in Alabama. This order is effective November 9, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. Central Standard Time. “Alabama is currently experiencing extremely dry conditions, which greatly increases the potential for dangerous wildfire activity,” said Gov. Ivey. “State Forester Rick Oates and his team have been working around-the-clock to keep our forests safe and fires contained, and I commend them for their efforts to protect Alabamians, our homes, and our wildlife. This declaration is meant to prevent unnecessary burning, reducing the chance of avoidable fires. I urge Alabamians to heed this warning.” According to the Alabama Forest Commission’s drought monitor, all 67 Alabama counties are experiencing unusually dry conditions, with 23 counties, mostly in North Alabama and Southwest Alabama, experiencing extreme drought. The Governor had previously issued a statewide Fire Alert on October 24. Wednesday’s order by the governor upgrades that. Since October 24, the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) firefighters have responded to 352 wildfires that have already burned 3,199 acres across the state. “These burning restrictions are a necessary result of the ongoing lack of precipitation and high probability of fuel ignition,” said State Forester Rick Oates. “During the last month, we’ve seen an increase not only in the number of wildfires but also in the size of those fires. With this prolonged drought, conditions are such that any outdoor fire can rapidly spread out of control, taking longer – and more firefighting resources – to contain and ultimately control. Even though we are predicted to get a small amount of rain this weekend, it will not be enough to lessen the wildfire danger.” The Drought Emergency Declaration order will remain in effect until rescinded by the State Forester. To report people burning in violation of this law, contact your local law enforcement. Over 72% of Alabama is forested, so forest fires present a real danger to both life and property, For more information on the current wildfire situation in the state, visit the Alabama Forestry Commission’s website. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Five Democrats have qualified for Second Congressional District
Five Democrats have qualified to run for Congress in the Second Congressional District. The list of qualified candidates includes James Averhart, State Rep. Napoleon Bracy, State Rep. Jeremy Gray, Phyllis Harvey-Hall, and Willie J. Lenard. James Averhart is a retired U.S. Marine, who ran previously in CD1 against Jerry Carl in 2020. He lives in Mobile. “The American citizenry deserves and expects more of its leadership,” Averhart said. “We should no longer settle for those who continue to promulgate untruths and spew divisive rhetoric. We deserve leadership who will extol the truth and hold in high regard a united nation.” Napoleon Bracy is a long-time State Representative representing Prichard – one of the poorest major cities in Alabama. Bracy works for Austal USA. “We are taking this thing to Congress,” Bracy said. “This district is made up of so many cities, communities, and neighborhoods just like the one I grew up in—places hurting with high poverty and crime rates, unemployment that just doesn’t have a lot of opportunities, some of it is because they’ve been overlooked. This gives us an opportunity to finally have a seat at the table and get the things we deserve.” Jeremy Gray represents Lee and Russell Counties in the Alabama House of Representatives. “It’s time for a new generation of leadership to bend the arc of justice,” Gray said. “Because the American Dream should be a promise, not a privilege.” “For too many in Alabama, working hard simply isn’t enough to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads,” Gray said. “Our community needs leadership so that we have opportunities not just to get by but to thrive. “For too many in Alabama, working hard simply isn’t enough to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads. Our community needs leadership so that we have opportunities not just to get by but to thrive. That’s why I’m excited to announce that I’m running for Congress – to give voice to these challenges in Washington and to find solutions that will improve the lives of everyone in our community.” “Growing up in Opelika, I was raised in a small house by a single mother and my grandma,” Gray continued. “We lived paycheck to paycheck. But in my Grandma’s house, we made space for everyone. On the football field, I learned the value of teamwork. In the Alabama State House, I fought for the most vulnerable among us.” Gray is the House Minority Whip. Phyllis Harvey-Hall ran for the Second Congressional District in 2022 and 2020, losing both times to Barry Moore (R). Hall is a career educator with both bachelor’s and advanced degrees, “It’s time that Alabama’s 2nd district has a leader that will represent them and bring communities together,” said Harvey-Hall on Facebook. “It’s time for Alabama to have a leader that will fight for everyone to have a better quality of life.” Willie J. Lenard is much less known at this point. He has qualified but has not yet released a statement or started a campaign website. We will have more details in the coming days. State Sens. Kirk Hatcher and Merika Coleman have talked about running but, to this point, have not qualified with the Alabama Democratic Party. Friday is the last day to qualify with either major party. The primary is on March 5. The eventual winner of the Democratic party nomination will face the Republican nominee a year from now in the November election. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
