Alabama
updated
9:25 a.m.
Contains only posts that are ID'd as local content. An explanation. Want to help improve our local content filter? Add keywords here.
Joseph Holt decided he'd had enough of neighborhood thugs selling drugs on his property in the Kingston area of east Birmingham. So he confronted the thugs, told them to get off his property, and wound up getting shot in the foot as a result. Holt's story teaches a valuable lesson about the importance of standing up for your private-property rights . And it resonates here at Legal Schnauzer be...
Legal Schnauzer - 9:25 a.m.
Birmingham attorney Jeremy Sherer formally announced his candidacy for State Treasurer this morning -- and he did it online via video posted at www.shererin2010.com . Sherer reiterated his pledge to honor contractual obligations to Alabama Prepaid Affordable College Tuition (PACT) contract holders, saying “My first priority upon being elected will be to bring quick resolution to Alabama...
Left in Alabama - 7:18 a.m.
A July 4 "tea party" at the Verizon Wireless Music Center in Pelham, Alabama, drew a crowd of about 3,000 , according to a police estimate. We had wondered in a recent post if the tea-party phenomenon was a sign of a growing mental-health problem . After all, the events seem designed to blame one president and his party (Barack Obama, Democrat) for problems that largely arose, or worsened, unde...
Legal Schnauzer - Sun 9:55 p.m. - 2 clicks 
Rep. Parker Griffith hosted a health care forum in Huntsville last Thursday. I walked away from that event with an understanding that some folks are extremely concerned about the care that will be available to them if 48 million uninsured Americans suddenly enter the health care system. The fear is very real. Others are inexplicably convinced that for-profit bean counters will b...
Left in Alabama - Sun 9:55 p.m. - 2 clicks
Will Alabama Gov. Bob Riley, SC Gov. Mark Sanford(R, Appalachian Trail) and other lame duck Republicans follow Sarah Palin's lead and resign now rather than stick it out until their terms are up? Sanford obviously has better things to do than run a state. Riley's another lame duck and, according to the Palin Doctrine , so little can be accomplished in that sad state that...
Left in Alabama - Sun 4:30 a.m. - 3 clicks
I'm starting to wonder if modern conservatism is morphing into a new form of brain disease. Here's why: I've noticed in recent days a lot of red, white and blue signs at intersections in my community near Birmingham, Alabama. I couldn't make out all of the lettering on the signs, but it looked like they referenced a "tea party" on July 4. My first thought? "Didn't we have enough of this nonsense...
Legal Schnauzer - Sat 9:45 a.m. - 9 clicks
As various news outlets have reported this spring, the economic situation is causing many families to change summer vaction plans. From USA Today : People are taking shorter vacations, in distance and duration. They are searching for bargains and booking hotel rooms at the last minute to get the best possible deals. Many who normally fly are driving this year. Like the Whites, they'r...
Left in Alabama - Fri 8:29 a.m. - 8 clicks
Or whatever we used to say when we were kids. Mac’s post informing us that, while Mississippi is the very fattest state, Alabama is closing on them fast, reminded me that I got an email from “City of Mobile” this afternoon urging me to consider auditioning for NBC’s reality show, “The Biggest Loser.” I reproduce [...]...
Birmingham Blues - Thu 8:09 p.m. - 8 clicks
Ron Sparks made a major campaign address today in Montgomery and announced major themes of his campaign for governor. Today, I am asking the people of Alabama to make me their Governor. I am asking for this honor because I believe we can make a difference in the lives of working families, business owners, farmers and factory workers across Alabama. But you know, I've been around pol...
Left in Alabama - Thu 12:10 p.m. - 5 clicks
It is called Tricare and is for active and retired military and is provided by the Department of Defense. Please check out this EXCELLENT article from Alternet about how the states that are complaining the loudest about a government option in the healthcare overhaul are the same ones with the most people already using a government funded option. In this year's health reform debate, ...
Left in Alabama - Thu 12:10 p.m. - 9 clicks
I've been hoping for a flood of progressive Democrats seeking office in 2010, and we scored a couple of good ones today: Jeremy Scherer for Treasurer and Susan Pace Hamill for House District 63 in Tuscaloosa. Jeremy Scherer to run for State Treasurer “I believe government can actually benefit the lives of the people, so long as it upholds the public’s trust,” said She...
Left in Alabama - Thu 8:59 a.m. - 3 clicks
U.S. Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL) is consulting two U.S. senators about the nomination of a U.S. attorney for the Barack Obama administation, according to a new report on the Web. Nothing unusual about that, right? Well, here is the strange part. According to a guest article at The Wayne Madsen Report , Davis is consulting Alabama senators Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions, both Republicans. Why woul...
Legal Schnauzer - Thu 6:47 a.m. - 13 clicks
There aren't that many opportunities to interact with your Congressman in person. Don't miss this one! TOWN HALL MEETING HEALTHCARE REFORM with U.S. CONGRESSMAN PARKER GRIFFITH Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 5:30 – 6:30 PM Davidson Center 3D Digital Theater U.S. Space and Rocket Center 1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805 – Free of Cha...
Left in Alabama - Wed 8:01 p.m. - 6 clicks
Statement from Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb: “I am honored to have been sought out and encouraged to run for Governor by so many Alabamians from all walks of life. Their support has been humbling and perhaps made this decision the most difficult I have ever been called upon to make. First and foremost, I want the best for the people of Alabama, whom I have attempted to faithfully...
Left in Alabama - Wed 11:46 a.m. - 2 clicks
Oklahoma Pol Blames Gays "And Other Debauchery" For Bad Economy Although it appears that Oklahoma legislator, Sally Kern, would fit right in with some segment of our population. WHEREAS, we believe our economic woes are consequences of our greater national moral crisis; and WHEREAS, this nation has become a world leader in promoting abortion, pornography, same sex marriage, sex traffick...
Left in Alabama - Wed 11:46 a.m. - 5 clicks
We've shown that, in upholding the convictions against former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman and former HealthSouth CEO Richad Scrushy, the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals committed one error after another. These errors were in crucial areas: statute of limitations, elements of bribery, jury instructions, and hearsay. Finally, we turn to the evidence itself. Was it sufficient to prove bribery...
Legal Schnauzer - Wed 9:53 a.m. - 8 clicks
Longtime readers know that the name "Swatek" is the equivalent of a dirty word here at Legal Schnauzer . William E. Swatek , an attorney based in Pelham, Alabama, started my legal headaches by filing a bogus lawsuit against me on behalf of our difficult neighbor, Mike McGarity. Bill Swatek has a 30-year history of sleaze in the legal profession, including a suspension of his license for acts of...
Legal Schnauzer - Wed 9:36 a.m. - 10 clicks
We recently introduced our series of posts about the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and its unlawful ruling on the Don Siegelman case. Now it's time to dive into the details. Here is part 1 of "The Cheating of Don Siegelman." ---------------------------- The U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals cheated former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman in multiple ways. The most glaring examp...
Legal Schnauzer - Jun 24 - 2 clicks
For the second time in the past eight months or so, a key character in my wrongful termination at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has left the institution for what appears to be a lesser job. The latest to jump ship is Gary Mans, who was director of public relations at UAB . Mans recently joined the communications staff at the University of Louisville, where he is director of the ...
Legal Schnauzer - Jun 24 - 5 clicks
Sunday was Father's Day for most Americans. But at The Birmingham News, it apparently was "Kiss Alice Martin's Fanny" Day. Martin, who has spent the past eight years butchering the law as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, stepped down last Friday. The News , her biggest booster, sent her out with enough bouquets to choke a brontosaurus. Columnist Robin DeMonia weighs in with...
Legal Schnauzer - Jun 22 - 6 clicks
Here is a trivia question for you sports fans out there: What is the most corrupt major-college athletics program in the country? Answer: The University of Alabama Crimson Tide. UA, which was put on NCAA probation last week over a textbook-disbursement scandal, now has been hit with four major-infractions cases in the past 14 years. That's more than any other major university sports program. ...
Legal Schnauzer - Jun 19 - 4 clicks
Alice Martin will resign as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Alabama on Friday, ending a tenure that might have set a new standard for corruption and incompetence in the history of our justice system. What will we remember most about Martin's eight-year "Reign of Error"? A highlight for me has to be the comment from Scott Horton, Harper's legal-affairs contributor and Columbia Unive...
Legal Schnauzer - Jun 17 - 3 clicks
We are starting to see the fallout from the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that upheld most of the convictions against former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman and codefendant Richard Scrushy. In the wake of that ruling, federal prosecutors asked that Siegelman be given a 20-year prison sentence , almost three times his original sentence of seven years. Then the full 11th Circuit denied...
Legal Schnauzer - Jun 16 - 4 clicks
Convictions in the Don Siegelman case should be set aside because of misconduct by the chief of the U.S. Justice Department's Public Integrity Section (PIN), says an Alabama attorney and whistleblower. Jill Simpson says PIN Chief William Welch failed to investigate charges of misconduct against U.S. District Judge Mark Fuller, who oversaw the Siegelman case. PIN holds exclusive jurisdiction ov...
Legal Schnauzer - Jun 16 - 4 clicks
The prosecution of former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman is perhaps the best known example of a criminal case that was infected with apparent judicial bias. But two recent news reports, originating from West Virginia and Georgia, shine an unusually bright spotlight on the problem of compromised judges. And veteran journalist/attorney Andrew Kreig has used those reports to help produce a compelli...
Legal Schnauzer - Jun 16 - 2 clicks
Reports about corruption in any court are troubling. But possible misconduct in domestic-relations court is particularly alarming. Based on conversations I've had with friends and acquaintances, it sounds like going through a divorce can be one of life's most painful experiences. When you throw children into the mix, the stakes--and emotions--can become very high. Since starting this blog in Jun...
Legal Schnauzer - Jun 16 - 3 clicks
When you've been in the blogging/citizen journalism "business" for awhile, you develop a sense for topics that are likely to strike a nerve--and draw a heated response. Such was the case with our recent post about apparent corruption in domestic-relations court in Jefferson County, Alabama. As we noted in the post, domestic-relations cases tend to generate high emotions, even when a court is ha...
Legal Schnauzer - Jun 16 - 5 clicks
This story reminded me to comment on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals decision in L.K.D.H. v. Planned Parenthood of Alabama, Inc. (I would love to link to the decision but Alabama does not make its judicial opinions available on-line.) Basically, Mom wanted an abortion, which Planned Parenthood of Alabama (PPA) botched, allegedly injuring Child and Mom. Mom sued for her own injuries and for t...
Alablawg - Jun 16 - 7 clicks
Back in January, Circuit Judge Scott Vowell correctly decided that the "Sweepstakes" machines at the Birmingham Race Course are legal. The case is now before the state Supreme Court. Moore and Riley have filed briefs asking the court to reverse. Here is Judge Vowell's opinion. I'll summarize it for you in case you don't want to read it. In Alabama, lotteries are illegal. The law defines a lot...
Alablawg - Jun 16 - 5 clicks
I watched the evening news tonight just so I could see the latest political ads. Mini-Moore and Justice Nabers do not disappoint. Particulary entertaining is the picture of Justice Nabers face on a hundred dollar bill . Though I guess we can't vote for either of them, seeing as how they are both flaming liberals. Big Luther and little George are likewise exchanging the "L" word. Troy King is maki...
Alablawg - Jun 16 - 4 clicks
To spend time reading the news today. This being Alabama in late May, there won't be many more days like this, so I'm going to enjoy as much of it as I can. I will, however provide Bob Riley's response to Don Siegelman's new ad: "Think of it this way," Riley said, "If he didn't say that, what would he say? "In politics, you get known by who your friends are and who your enemies are, and eve...
Alablawg - Jun 16 - 5 clicks
None of the Moore-ons came within twenty points of the incumbents . Riley almost doubled up Moore; Woodall had two-and-a-half times the votes as did Fowler; ditto Stewart over Zeigler. This was the Super Bowl XXIV (San Fran 55, Denver 10) of primaries; the 1996 Fiesta Bowl (Nebraska 62, Florida 24) of elections. The electorate took to the Moore-ons' message like consumers took to New Coke. They...
Alablawg - Jun 16 - 3 clicks
As expected, the anti-gay people amendment passed . Supporters had plenty of compelling reasons for it. John Giles, head of Alabama’s Christian Coalition, tells us "Marriage is a sacrament.” Of course he fails to explain why the civil law should attempt to enforce his own views of that religious doctrine. The bill’s sponsor thinks gay people are icky : "I [introduced the amendment] after a ...
Alablawg - Jun 16 - 4 clicks
I'd be pretty depressed right now. Not just because they could not surmount the great wall Alabama has erected between third parties and the ballot, either. I just finished watching For the Record. (There is no video up on the website yet, or I'd link to it). The guests were two Ph.Ds in political science. The host asked them if the Libertarians "deserved" to be on the November ballot in Alabama....
Alablawg - Jun 16 - 4 clicks
Molly Ivins in today’s Anniston Star: I believe what we have here is a difference over moral values. The Republicans are worried about the flag, gay marriage and the terrible burden of the estate tax on the rich. The rest of us are obviously unnecessarily worried about war, peace, the economy, the environment and civilization. Another reason to vote Republican — they have a shorter list. Ye...
Alablawg - Jun 16 - 4 clicks
I have offered many opinions on the State Supreme Court races. However, I have been silent on the other legal office up for grabs this fall: Attorney General. That is because I am unimpressed with the A.G. candidates. Because Larry Darby is Larry Darby , I’ll just compare his Democratic opponent John Tyson with the two Republicans – incumbent Troy King and challenger Mark Montiel. The A.G. is...
Alablawg - Jun 16 - 3 clicks
And voted for the Federal kill the homos! anti-gay marriage amendment . Shelby offered the same irrational emotional appeal as do most supporters: For ages, in every culture, human beings have understood that marriage is critical to the well-being of families. And because families pass along values and shape character, marriage is also critical to the health of society," Shelby said. "Our p...
Alablawg - Jun 16
Have done their job. Once again, our choice in Alabama is between the Republicans and the Republicans who call themselves Democrats. From Loretta Nall's blog : The colorful Libertarian Party nominee for governor, Loretta Nall, said Monday she will run as a write-in candidate after failing to get enough signatures to get her name on the general election ballot. "I'm not dropping out," Nall sa...
Alablawg - Jun 16 - 3 clicks
Here is the case in a nutshell. The Board that oversees the Department of Environmental Management consists of seven people. According to Section 22-22A-6(b)(6) of the Alabama Code, on of those people must: be a biologist or an ecologist possessing as a minimum a bachelor's degree from an accredited university and shall have training in environmental matters. Pat Byington is the current ‘ecolog...
Alablawg - Jun 16 - 3 clicks
Jeff at the original Politics in Alabama is asking how Darby got 160,000 votes. Thus far, the apparent consensus, and certainly the charitable view, is that there were a bunch of uninformed voters on Tuesday. Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, head of the Alabama Republican Party, however, has her own ideas : “I really think it's the fact that the Democratic Party has gone out of the mainstream,” ...
Alablawg - Jun 16 - 5 clicks
