BluegrassReport blogger leaving Kentucky

Political blogger Mark Nickolas will move to Helena, Montana next week, he confirmed today in a telephone interview.

Nickolas, who authors the Democratic blog BluegrassReport.org, will continue to update the blog from Montana during the immediate future. He is exploring other long-term options, including selling the blog or transforming it into a publication focused on national politics, he said.

BluegrassReport has had more than 1.8 million visits and more than 5 million page views since launching on June 12, 2005.

"It's been a really good run," Nickolas said. "BluegrassReport has accomplished a lot and hopefully will continue to accomplish a lot."

A controversial figure, Nickolas has been highly critical of Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher and Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Lundergan.

The blog's traffic increased dramatically after it gained national attention in 2006 when Fletcher's administration began blocking state workers from accessing it and other sites. A lawsuit filed by Nickolas against Fletcher is still pending in federal court.

In January, Nickolas was indicted by a Franklin County grand jury on charges of failing to pay his state income taxes over a three year period. The indictment was later dismissed after Nickolas proved he had paid his income taxes in December of 2006.

Nickolas said the indictment was retribution for his criticism of Fletcher. "What this administration has done to me and others is reprehensible," he said.

Still, Nickolas said his decision to leave the state was not heavily influenced by the legal action. Instead, he said the decision of U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler to forego a run for governor sealed his decision.

"If there was any one reason why we both stayed here for the past few years, it was the possibility that Ben would run for governor," he said.

Nickolas was Chandler's campaign manager during his failed bid for governor in 2003.

Nickolas and his significant other, Chantel McCormick, do not have jobs lined up in Montana, he said. McCormick is a native of the state.

"We have a lot of friends up there," he said.

McCormick is a political fund-raising consultant who last worked for State Treasurer Jonathan Miller, who withdrew from the gubernatorial primary earlier this month. Democratic gubernatorial nominee Steve Beshear said today he wants Miller to be named chairman of the state Democratic Party next week.

UPDATE 9:40 p.m.: Kentucky's political bloggers have begun offering their reaction to the news that Nickolas is leaving Kentucky. Here are some links:

Ditch Mitch KY: "Today, Kentucky has an extremely healthy and active lefty blogosphere, and that’s been made possible by the example and work of Mark Nickolas. He made the mainstream media see and take seriously the possibilities of blogs."

Hillbilly Report: "Mark was my inspiration to start blogging at the age of 66 and this Hillbilly will really miss Mark. Best of luck to you Mark."

Kentucky Women: "Operating under scrutiny after being indicted for failure to pay taxes, although the indictment was later dismissed, Nickolas remained true to form in his attacks on both republicans and democrats."

On the Right!: "Although Mark and I disagreed on most issues he was very successful in stimulating political discourse in the Commonwealth."

The Rural Democrat: "I think BGR went beyond simply sharing a point of view, I think it shook most of our Internet cruising political junkies to their knees. It had an effect on me that was pure anger and shock."

The Kentucky Democrat: "This is sad news especially given the revolution he started here in the Commonwealth. What Mark has done for this state has been amazing. He took on Ernie Fletcher and Jerry Lundergan. He took on Bruce Lunsford."

And here's what Nickolas posted on his blog.

- John Stamper

Comments

Stivers, about Nickolas tax problems you wrote, "Mark created that problem for himself, but he owned up to it quickly ..."

Wait a minute, Nickolas is pulling a cunning FLIP/FLOP on that. Nickolas told Stamper, in this very piece "Nickolas said the indictment was retribution for his criticism of Fletcher. "What this administration has done to me and others is reprehensible," he said."

On the one hand, when it happened, he admitted it was his (Nickolas) fault and he owned up to it quickly. Then after he thought of how he could con people into thinking he is a martyr, he now says, it was Fletcher's fault.

Why wouldn't Stamper question the sly FLIP/FLOP from Nickolas on that?

I mean, either Nickolas admitted wrong doing OR it was Fletcher's fault? It is impossible for the truth to be both ...

As it happens, JAS is correct, in January it was Nickolas fault and Nickolas did quickly admit to wrongdoing and admitted that he willingly failed to file taxes for 3 years, THEN like a miracle sometime after January, Nickolas remember Fletcher FORCING MARK TO NOT FILE TAXES FOR THOSE 3 YEARS.

So much for Mark's Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa.

I wonder if Fletcher FORCED Nickolas to FAIL to show up for all those meeting between Nickolas and the State Revenue in November 2006 & December 2006 - which was the catalyst for the indictment.

If you don't show up to a meeting with the TAXMAN -- anyone of us would have been facing the same indictment. How did Fletcher do it? I mean, wow, he not only forced Nickolas to not file taxes for 3 years Fletcher also forced Nickolas to blow off meetings with the tax man. Wow, Fletcher sure has superpowers over Nickolas.

Any taxpayer who fails to file taxes for 3 years would have faced the same thing Nickolas did. Anyone with an ounce of logic, just an ounce is all that's required, can figure out that any taxpayer would have faced the same stuff Nickolas did if WE did what Nickolas did. It was not political in January, according to Nickolas, but it is now? What a martyr that guy, huh?

I guess we will never know how Fletcher managed to force the poor political victim Mark Nickolas to NOT file taxes for 3 years.

Say what you want about Nickolas, but the real tradegy here is Chantel leaving! She's so hot I'd move to Montana if I got to see her everyday!

Sure are a whole lot of accusations and claims but not much evidence or credible backup at all... I wonder why that is? Don't hate the player, folks, hate that you don't have what it takes to even get in the game!

can anyone cite those "deceitful, untrue rumors" (we'll just overlook the fact that rumors by their nature are not confirmed, factual information, hence, they are rumors)?

It was nice to have a forum for those of us with 3-digit IQs to discuss issues of importance, read accurate accounts and follow breaking news. BGR set the standard for demanding accountability from the people we elect to serve us. Best of luck to Mark and Chantel.

[Jim Anderson Stivers in Frankfort]

Lift from a previous post:

As it happens, JAS is correct, in January it was Nickolas fault and Nickolas did quickly admit to wrongdoing and admitted that he willingly failed to file taxes for 3 years.
11:31,

Mr. Anon,

I find rather troubling that you would disguise your identity and post as anon. You statements are surely based on what is fair.
And you always want to see JUSTICE DONE. Individuals, posting with such high value principals are always welcome to a free speech forum.

AHHH, yes . . . your hate message would not be as evident, if you did not reply in a manner that clearly shows, in your own words, you are NOT really interested in justice, as you are, the opportunity to hammer Mark N. If the blog readers knew your real name, I am sure we could figure out why you have this "thing in your head."

In the years ahead, as the political blogs change the face of politics, all across America you can sit back in your rocking chair and say . . ."Wow . . I was part of that."

I mean this can't be such a terrible placeas you seem to enjoy your manic ride by posting here.

JIM ANDERSON STIVERS

[JW]

Mr. Stivers, just because someone has a dissenting opinion does not equate to hate of an individual. Mr. Nickolas spewed misinformation and disinformation from his blog with little negative recourse from mainstream media. Maybe things are different on Carla Ct. but I personally want to know the real facts, not suppositions. Mr. Nickolas' negativity was a slant against the KDP whether he meant it or not. The KDP should be above the negativity and focus on campaign issues, since that is what influences the voter.

[Jim Anderson Stivers]

JW: I assume JW is the initials, someones initials from a previous anon post.

First of all I don't know why you find it necessary to mention my home address on this blog. If I had wanted to post my home address I would have listed in my profile.

I find that in "bad taste."

To the question of the KDP.

Mark N. did write what you would consider negative things about the KDP and especially about its chair. There were many other dissenting comments about the KDP also.

Yet, you single out Mark N. as the one that
created some kind of unfair thing toward the KDP. The change coming, at the KDP, has no one to blame but Jerry Lundergan and his close associates.

Dissenting opinions are always welcome that is what blogs are about. And I am sure with as many attorneys as we have in Kentucky if your claims of lies and misinformation were true, surely someone would be in serious trouble.

To desent is one thing,but to descent with anger and, not allow the real facts to govern, is a little too much.

[JW]

Mr. Stivers, I always use the initials JW and do not post anonymous. Mr. Nickolas is in fact, embroiled in a lawsuit alleging slander by a couple in Jefferson Co. due to the information contained in his blogs, which apparently was not true.

JAS - calm down. Let me make this simple for you.
YOU WROTE about Nickolas' tax problems at 10:27 - 6th. paragraph, "Mark created that problem for himself, but he owned up to it quickly."

John Stamper wrote, "Nickolas said the indictment was retribution for his criticism of Fletcher. "What this administration has done to me and others is reprehensible," he said.

As YOU said, in January 2007 when he was exposed for tax evasion (willingly not filing taxes for 3 years) Nickolas admitted HE himself, CREATED his own tax problems because he FORGOT to file his taxes for 3 years straight.

NOW... with his cunning martyr flip/flop, he is telling Stamper, who is telling the world, that FLETCHER IS THE REASON NICKOLAS DID NOT FILE TAXES FOR 3 YEARS. AND HOW DARE THE KY. REVENUE COME AFTER ME FOR NOT FILING MY TAXES FOR 3 YEARS. Come the F&$K on! If any one of us forgot or failed to file taxes for 3 years the Revenue Cabinet WILL COME GET US!

Not only has Nickolas done the martyr-me flip/flop, John Stamper who is supposed to have respect for "truth in print" did not even bother to ask Nickolas,

"Hey Nickolas how did Fletcher force you to not file taxes for 3 years? How is that you think you should not be questioned for not filing taxes for 3 years? Why did you take full responsibility in January when you (nickolas) said you (nickolas) FORGOT to file your taxes and NOW ALL OF THE SUDDEN YOU ARE SAYING IT IS FLETCHER'S FAULT?"

See Jim, that's how it works. If you or I or stamper or anyone else in this country does not file taxes for 3 years in a row, the state & federal GMEN will come after you! That's why the GMEN went after Nickolas. Nickolas did NOT FILE TAXES IN 3 YEARS! GET IT JIM? It is NOTHING to do with Fletcher ... it had to do with the FACT that Mark Nickolas, a grown man, did NOT file taxes for 3 years! IT IS, WAS, AND ALWAYS SHALL BE MARK NICKOLAS' FAULT THE GMEN CAME KNOCKING ON HIS DOOR.

I just want to know WHY Stamper REFUSES to ask Mark Nickolas questions to statements from him that don't even come close to the truth. WHAT IS THAT ABOUT? PROTECTION?

Lifted from another thread:

"pol watchers must not have picked up on the most recent lawsuit filed against political blogger, Mark Nickolas.

Mark Nickolas is being sued in Jefferson County for SLANDER.

Court Case Number: 07-CI-002369
Plantiff: MIDWEST MERGER MANAGEMENT LLC
DEFENDENT: Foundation for Kentucky's Future MARK NICKOLAS
County: JEFFERSON

How did the HL not see that political story about that political blogger????"

JAS & CO. Nickolas has lied and tried to ruin and destroy the lives of men/woman who have respectfully served this Commonwealth their whole lives ... I only do not mention their names because I have too much respect for them to have them relive the Nickolas lies.

Nickolas deleted & banned folks that tried to set the record straight. BGR was no open forum, BGR was a tyrant blog.

The air in Ky. smells cleaner already.

The only problem is this. Nickolas can write his trash from anywhere and still hurt the good people trying to serve this Commonwealth. Since he will be out of state he is skipping out on his tax bill. The bill whose money belongs to the PEOPLE. Putting it real simply, the money Nickolas owes the state is money that belongs to WE THE PEOPLE.

The people who Nickolas has maliciously tried to ruin are people, good or bad, that have SERVED this Commonwealth. Maybe even SERVED BY WINNING THE ELECTIONS. Nickolas has done NOTHING to serve this Commonwealth. In fact, by failing to file taxes for 3 years, he has STOLEN from this Commonwealth.

Nickolas is like any disease.... glad to see him & his girlfriend (who has been fired more than once from campaigns when $$$$ goes MISSSING) GO GO GO LEAVE LEAVE LEAVE!!!

[Jim Anderson Stivers]

11:05 PM

Congratulations on being self appointed.
Prosecutor, Judge and Jury.

HAHAHAHAHAHA ... Nickolas thinks he can SELL that piece of smelly, vile, repulsive BLOG?!?! Other than his few scampering regulars -- who would pay money for it? It is a PIT, a vile repugnant PIT.

It would take at least a YEAR to disinfect the BLOG!

Jonathan Miller is the creator, that makes him ... kind of ... the rightful new owner. Miller, why don't you take over the blog and stop using other despicable creators as YOUR MOUTHPIECE?

btw: How's that lawsuit Nickolas has against the governor? The one where he thinks a judge is really going to buy his crap that his BLOG isn't really a BLOG and where he thinks any judge will buy his & Jennifer Moore's crap that Nickolas is a journalist and not just some scummy creep that write lies about people Nickolas & Miller don't like?

HEY NICKOLAS --- IT IS A BLOG!!! YOU ARE NO JOURNALIST!!!

HEY MILLER -- STOP HIDING BEHIND YOUR MOUTHPIECES.

Bluegrassreport.org has hurt Democrats throughout the state, that's why most Democrats secretly try to avoid Mark.

8:59 - You got that right. Democrats try to avoid Miller as well - which is why this job gift from Beshear to Miller is going to cost Beshear some votes.

Mr. Stamper,

I see you have deleted leavewillya's post? Why? Did your friend, Mark Nickolas, call you crying? I thought that post by leavewillya was so AWESOME I copied it & sent it to some political friends of mine.

There was no slander in that thread at all! You, once again have shown that you CENSOR NONSLANDEROUS POSTS. The big John Stamper CENSORS.

PITIFUL - Why don't you go follow your little rat friend to Montana?

James Stivers,

It saddens me that you, of all people, have been so gullible. I like you and it saddens me when anyone I like is so desperate for something that they believe a slander-shooter like Mark Nickolas.

Take Lou Dobbs, as an example of a man who digs deep to find the TRUTH about: politicians, economics, policies, etc. Everything Dobbs finds is substantiated with credible sources. Lou Dobbs does NOT make up lies to underscore his position. Mark Nickolas does make up lies to underscore his position.

If someone like Dobbs mixed his medium with lies & truths ... no one would bother giving him an ounce of credibility because no one would know WHEN he was telling the truth and WHEN he was telling lies.

Add slander into the pot. If Dobbs started making malicious lies about politicians, public leader, etc., people would begin to HATE Dobbs.

Mark Nickolas wrote threads with malice and with no substantiation at all when he accused the ky. supreme court justices of making back room deals with the governor. NO back room deals were discussed. NO Justice on the Kentucky Bench would break the law by cutting deals. There was NO proof, NO substantiation .. NOTHING to even resemble the malicious claim by Nickolas regarding that.

Mark Nickolas wrote threads that certain candidates were adulterers. NO PROOF, NO SUBSTATION. When posters commented and PROVED to Nickolas that Nickolas was WRONG -- He simply deleted & banned the posters. Nickolas wrote that thread with malice and to intentionally hurt a candidate and never, ever retracted the thread even after he was given proof that there was NO proof the candidate committed adultery.

Mark Nickolas filed "Complaints" on judges running for office that were tossed out for NO MERIT. Nickolas KNEW the Complaints he filed were tossed out with NO MERIT and never let the readers know that his Complaint ended up in the landfill. Nickolas filed the frivolous Complaint against the judge that was running against a judge Nickolas supported. After the Complaint was tossed out, posts telling that were deleted.

There are so many more threads than the ones I just described that illustrate Mark Nickolas wrote threads with the sole purpose to damage reputations of men/women in this state when Nickolas had NO substantiation, NO proof and NO confirmation of his malevolent claims.

Political blogs to discuss REAL TRUTHFUL going's on in politics is a good idea. Exposing corruption with FACTS that can be substantiated is a good thing. Nickolas did not do that. Nickolas did NOT and could NOT substantiate most of what he wrote, because most of what he wrote was made-up lies, like the ones I illustrated above.

This pol watchers blog is headed in the same direction Nickolas' blog headed. It is becoming a blog where it's content is lacking credibility. Pol Watchers has been deleting posts that are not libelous, not slanderous but which EXPOSE the dishonesty of Pol Watcher's friends.

Pol Watchers used to be a much more reliable place for news, so I thought anyway. Now, it's the Pol Watcher/BGR blog. Same posters, same nasty hate talk, same deletions, same arrogance, same unsubstantiated news, same half-baked stories, same NON investigation, same NON reporting.

It won't be long when people who read these things label the Pol Watcher's hosts the same way they have labeled Nickolas .... take your pick on what reputation that means.

Bias is something "we the people" CAN tolerate and DO expect. Untruths, lies, deleting of posts that EXPOSE corruption amongst friend's of the blog host are NOT tolerated, NOT expected and will end up giving this Pol Watchers the same reputation BGR has.

Personally, I could care less about this blog or any other blog losing credibility. I am not naive enough to even assume I will get any meaningful truth out of any political blog and it isn't bec. of BIAS, it is bec. ALL of these political blogs are just hate sites that irresponsibly prop up one candidate by NOT REPORTING THE WHOLE STORY.

*** Kind of like this thread about Nickolas. Stamper did NOT report the whole story bec. he is trying to PROP up his friend. Like it or not, deleting this post will NOT give Stamper back the credibility he is losing with the readers & politicians in this state.

The only thing that would bother me about Nickolas leaving this state is if Nickolas skips out on his tax bill.

Other than that, who cares if the guy stays or goes. He is so meaningless, his opinions are meaningless, no one gives him credibility bec. he's told too many lies, he is a joke. Nickolas has never done anything for this state except grow hatred. That's all he has accomplished, the growth of hatred, hate speech, that's what his posters write & that's what he writes, pure hate.

10:35, don't know if you are from the herald-leader's circulation area or not, but all of those of us who are know what the H-L is. It's a Democrat arse-kissing, liberal-loving, conservative-hating, Christianity-bashing corporately-owned newspaper that has no connection to what the people in central and eastern Kentucky are like. I don't care if Kelly is from Ashland or Mueller is from "Tommyhawk" (that's close to "Eye-nez") or Davis is from Owensboro or Keeling is from Springfield, they collectively don't have a clue. They aren't interested in reporting anything that goes against their editorial philosophy. Had the reported about the grand jury's biases and Doug Doerting's deceit, the general public would have seen the personnel investigation for what it was, which was Stumbo's power play. Instead of printing the facts that would have served to make Fletcher look better, they printed e-mail messages between (I think) Ralph Hacker and Dave Disponett pondering if Fletcher should resign. Now, in the grand scheme of things, which was more newsworthy? Facts about the investigation or idle e-mail chit chat between two Republicans?

This blog is pretty much the same thing, as one would expect since it's a herald-leader appendage.

If you want the facts, you'll have to read the conservative blogs. They aren't afraid to print the truth. Unfortunately the Internet doesn't have the same reach as the printed newspaper does. Plus the TV stations pick up all the stuff that's in the paper but they never use the blogs as sources of info.

Conservative Republicans face an uphill battle in this state as it is, given the registration numbers, the Democrats' lust for power on the state level, and the number of conservative D's who are yellow dogs despite their beliefs being 180 degrees from the party's platforms. The media bias as shown by the Herald and the Courier-Journal doesn't help.

8:32 - As a democrat I should be offended by what you wrote. Since you are right, I can't be offended, I can only acknowledge taht you are right.

I need to make one correction to your post, the HL & this blog are NOT liberal, I am.

The HL & this blog have an agenda that is not liberal or conservative. The HL & this blog delete liberal & conservative posts.

This blog does have an agenda, they back corrupt people & corrupt politicians ... please do not call this blog liberal, they are NOT. I AM.

Oh Mark, Please don't leave! I don't know how I can live without your blog. It's THE blog. I live your blog, I live your hatred, I go to gas stations and talk as vile as you do to people there. I lie to the clerk, I call her dirty names that I learn from you ... sure I got punched once, but it was worth it, I did it all in your name, your blog, forever and ever amen.

Mark Nicholas is a joke. Nobody in the Democrat party really respects him. They laugh behind his back.

[Dale Rhoades]

bluegrassreport.org was/is nothing more than a circle jerk for Bush and Republican bashers. Disagree with Nickolas and you were banned from posting. He covered for the dimo's. He's a carpet bagger and Kentucky is a far better place without the likes of him breathing our air.

bluegrassreport and it's creator were and still are very important to the political discussion in kentucky. never before have progressives had a forum to call their own. i truly hope that BGR will be able to live on once mark and chantel are on to their new adventure.

best to you both and godspeed!

[jstyvers]

James Stivers,

It saddens me that you, of all people, have been so gullible. I like you and it saddens me when anyone I like is so desperate for something that they believe a slander-shooter like Mark Nickolas.

Today I noticed your post and your hard feelings toward Mark N. I have no problem with you not liking, not reading, not wanting to participate in BGR.

Mark N. personal problems are his own affair
and they will be settled as the state has already dismissed charges and the proof that Mark N. paid his taxes.

Is there more to this? Don't know, but you seem to be well informed on this subject.
Perhaps you could substate your claims in the post. That way, you would have credibility
in your hate post of Mark N.

Mark N. is his own person and he has introduced Kentucky to a new forum of free speech. That free speech, however you deem the content,will continue. And we have a new beginning at the KDP. If noth8ing else that was a significant accomplishment. Lets just hope that a new broom sweeps clean.

Five million pages and 1.8 M hits that is a pretty good demographic for a new blog.

Thanks to Mark N. for creating this forum and regardless of your personal feelings for
Mark N., this blog does post some very substantial information. I am sorry you have this anger but . . . .SE la vee.

Oh, Yes, I don't know you since you are anon but thanks for saying you like me. Maybe we have met at some time?