Alabama

updated 12:03 a.m.

5 Reasons the Climate Bill is Not Dead

Cross-posted from The Huffington Post The Weekly Standard ran a cover story this week called, " In Denial: The Meltdown of the Climate Campaign ." Despite the cute play on words about who is denying what, the article got it all wrong. Climate change legislation is not dead--not as long as publications like this keep putting it on its cover.   As one experienced senator recently told an...
Left in Alabama - Sun 6:02 p.m.

Counterpunch: Constitutional convention, yes or no?

This was posted earlier and garnered a little discussion, but I'd like to bring it back for the Sunday afternoon crowd.   Basically, the proprietor of Politics Alabama (a blogger of Libertarian bent) and I are doing a few one minute each, pro/con discussions on topical issues and calling the series Counterpunch .  The first is related to constitutional reform; look for a new ep...
Left in Alabama - Sun 12:21 p.m. - 3 clicks 3 clicks

Least Valuable Dems  Based on Face Value Votes

FiveThirtyEight has a great diary from last night about the least valuable Dems based on taking votes at face value. Dennis Kucinich finishes as the least valuable Dem Artur Davis (AL-07) ,running for Ala. Gov and not seeking a 5th term in Congress,  finishes as the second least valuable Dem cross posted at Progressive Electorate ...
DailyKos (Alabama) - Sun 8:45 a.m. - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Least Valuable Dems Based on Face Value Votes

DailyKos (Alabama) - Sun 8:06 a.m. - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Idiocracy

The higher any DK entry highlighting LIA gets, the higher the profile of this website. To that end, I want to subscribe to fellow LIA-DKers, so come say howdy ! Here's a new video about the late return of paranoid politics. The song is by the defunct band "idiot" on their CD it's all a lie, which was pressed before the movie Idiocracy was a glimmer in the eye. ...
Left in Alabama - Sat 9:48 p.m.

Spring Forward!

Don't forget to set your clocks forward tonight, or you'll be late all day tomorrow! Consider this an open thread - are spring flowers blooming in your neighborhood? ...
Left in Alabama - Sat 5:29 p.m.

Parker Griffith CAN Lose

Parker Griffith is throwing lots of ads at his district, especially on Fox affiliates. I'll let you watch an ad from one of his primary opponents while you get over that surprise: More after the jump! ...
DailyKos (Alabama) - Sat 5:04 p.m.

For Anyone in Alabama with Progressive Bumper Stickers on Your Car

You better read this.  The author of this Daily Kos piece is a friend here in Huntsville and I'm copying their story for all to read. Citation for Dem Bumper Stickers in Alabama Yes, it's true. I just encountered an experience that I wish upon no one, but that I'm sure happens too often in America. I live in Huntsville, Alabama. I was driving home from the downtown area ...
Left in Alabama - Sat 7:25 a.m. - 4 clicks 4 clicks

Citation for Dem Bumper Stickers in Alabama

Yes, it's true. I just encountered an experience that I wish upon no one, but that I'm sure happens too often in America. ...
DailyKos (Alabama) - Fri 11:46 p.m. - 5 clicks 5 clicks

Support for Health Care Reform Rebounds

I have a couple of interesting polling memos to share.  The first is from a Democracy Corps analysis of a number of recent polls on the health care reform bill. In the wake of the Massachusetts special election, public surveys showed support for health care reform declining to record lows.  Yet, in recent weeks, support for reform has started to recover in nearly every publi...
Left in Alabama - Fri 9:26 p.m.

What Is Ron Sparks Selling?

Every new day brings at least one new Sparks for Governor "press release" into my email inbox.  And each one is more dreadful than the last.  They've taken a plunge downward: from semi-hysterical and over-caffeinated comic pieces to truly nasty, poorly-sourced mud-slinging. I don't write that lightly and I don't like criticizing a fellow Democrat in this manner.  Bu...
Left in Alabama - Fri 12:19 p.m. - 3 clicks 3 clicks

AL-07: Eddison Walters in Birmingham

Last Friday Eddison Walters told the Birmingham Downtown Democrats, "I'm pretty sure we already know what the problems are facing this district. So I'm going to try to talk about some solutions."   The solutions he proposed revolve around nurturing small businesses and creating new green industry in the district. All the Democratic candidates for the 7th congressional distri...
Left in Alabama - Fri 11:21 a.m. - 5 clicks 5 clicks

Artur Davis to Open Huntsville HQ Today

Rep. Artur Davis will speak to a lunch meeting of the North Alabama Chamber of Commerce today in Huntsville and then attend the Grand Opening of his campaign's Huntsville Headquarters at 5:30 pm.  The HQ will be at 228 Holmes Ave. NE, Suite 216.  The public is invited to attend. The campaign recently released this video of a visit to Gee's Bend. ...
Left in Alabama - Fri 8:47 a.m. - 6 clicks 6 clicks

Once Again, Alabama Comes Out Just Ahead of Mississippi

We've seen it before in Alabama when Cynthia Stewart wanted to bring her girlfriend to the prom and the school refused.  The ACLU of Alabama intervened and the school relented : From an ACLU of Alabama press release: The American Civil Liberties Union today applauded Franklin County School System officials for reversing their decision barring a lesbian student from attending th...
Left in Alabama - Fri 8:47 a.m. - 3 clicks 3 clicks

AL-07: Shelia Smoot in Birmingham

Shelia Smoot made sure the Birmingham Downtown Democrats knew she is the candidate "On your side" at their meeting last Friday.  "Don't send a rookie to Congress," she said.  Not coincidentally, Smoot hosts a daily radio show on WAGG 610 in Birmingham called "Smoot on Your Side" All the Democratic candidates for the 7th congressional district spoke at the Downtown D...
Left in Alabama - Fri 7:05 a.m. - 3 clicks 3 clicks

A Few Minutes With Artur Davis

Folks, I've spent the last two weeks dealing with computer crashes, software glitches, and equipment malfunctions. My apologies for the length of time it took to get this in the can. ...
Left in Alabama - Fri 6:01 a.m. - 4 clicks 4 clicks

A Supreme Court case that all supporters of Constitutional Reform should know about

The main reason I support Constitutional Reform in Alabama goes back to a U.S. Supreme Court case I read in law school, Hunter v. Underwood , 471 U.S. 222 (1985).  It is from that case that I learned about the overtly racist origins of our current Alabama constitution of 1901. Since then, I feel a shame in my gut for the invidious racism that underlies the fundamental document that creates ...
Left in Alabama - Fri 5:28 a.m. - 7 clicks 7 clicks

Alabama Bingo: How to Lance the Boil?

What's the best course to put Alabama's bingo/slot machine controversy to bed?  Davis wants Up or Down Vote Sparks wants Special Session Hank Sanders wants to Lance the Boil Let's take a closer look at some Democratic proposals to deal with this Bingo mess -- or the Bingo Boil as Sen. Hank Sanders calls it . Bingo came to a head this week – sort of.  ...
Left in Alabama - Thu 2:37 p.m. - 6 clicks 6 clicks

Dueling for Dollars With Parker Griffith

Temporary AL-05 Congressman Parker Griffith and his new best friend, Congressman John Boehner, weren't the only attractions in Huntsville, AL on Monday.  The labor unions in North Alabama also held their promised monthly news conference demanding their money back from Griffith.  Just a few minutes later, Griffith and Boehner held a "press availability."  The Griffith/Boehn...
Left in Alabama - Thu 11:22 a.m. - 6 clicks 6 clicks

AL-07: Earl Hilliard, Jr. in Birmingham

Earl Hilliard, Jr. is no stranger to the Harbert Center where the Birmingham Downtown Democrats met last Friday.  "As a child I used to sit in this room and I thought I'd go into politics, then when I got a little older I thought maybe I wouldn't go into politics."   Hilliard left Alabama and left politics for a while, but after a stint in California and Washington, DC, he ...
Left in Alabama - Thu 9:08 a.m. - 5 clicks 5 clicks

Siegelman Shines Spotlight on Obama's Folly

Former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman knows the dangers of a dysfunctional justice department in a way that most Americans only can imagine. So when Siegelman points out that the Barack Obama administration is acting irrationally on justice matters, citizens would be wise to pay attention. Siegelman still is appealing unlawful convictions obtained against him under the George W. Bush DOJ, so he ...
Legal Schnauzer - Thu 7:20 a.m. - 5 clicks 5 clicks

Rove's New Book is Compared to a "Hoax"

Former Bush White House strategist Karl Rove has a new book coming out, and it is drawing a strong response from several quarters. One of those quarters belongs to former ambassador Joe Wilson and his wife, Valerie Plame Wilson. The Wilsons contend that Rove played a central role in outing Valerie Plame Wilson as a covert CIA officer, and they say Courage and Consequence is a poor attempt to re...
Legal Schnauzer - Thu 7:20 a.m.

Qualifying Opens in Madison County, Sparks Speaking Tonight

The Madison County Democratic Executive Committee will meet tonight at 7 pm at the Optimist Rec. Center, 703 Oakwood Ave. E, in Huntsville (just east of Andrew Jackson Way and I-565 on Oakwood Ave.) Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries (and gubernatorial candidate) Ron Sparks will be the guest speaker. Qualifying for county offices and the C...
Left in Alabama - Thu 7:20 a.m. - 5 clicks 5 clicks

Two More Events in Huntsville

I just saw these on Twitter: Rep. Laura Hall to host “One Woman Can Change The World” to celebrate Women's History Month in Huntsville. If not for the fact that this is at 7 am, Friday morning I would definitely attend, just not sure I can drag myself to Huntsville at that hour.   http://bit.ly/chsfCp   Artur Davis to speak to North Alabama African-Ameri...
Left in Alabama - Thu 7:20 a.m. - 7 clicks 7 clicks

AL-07: Terri Sewell in Birmingham

Terri Sewell was unambiguous in her support for health care reform at the Downtown Democrats' lunch in Birmingham last Friday.  She declared, "I will go to Congress and make sure that health care gets passed.  A comprehensive health care bill that includes a public option." Sewell may not be the most polished public speaker in the field, but she came across as serious about the...
Left in Alabama - Wed 6:43 p.m. - 8 clicks 8 clicks

Unintended Consequences - Medicaid Help

Alabama's state budget year runs from October 1 to September 30th.  Normally that's no big deal, but next year it puts us in danger of losing out on 3 months of higher federal Medicaid reimbursement from a provision in the Jobs for Main Street Act and its counterpart in the Senate.  Congress extended federal medical assistance percentages (FMAPs) to provide a higher rate of...
Left in Alabama - Wed 4:20 p.m. - 5 clicks 5 clicks

AL-07: Patricia Evans Mokolo in Birmingham

Left in Alabama - Wed 11:28 a.m. - 10 clicks 10 clicks

Remember the Posting Rules for Candidates at LIA

Left in Alabama - Wed 10:06 a.m. - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Debt Collectors Resort to Fraud In An Effort to Exclude Evidence

Lawyers for debt collectors have filed fraudulent documents in U.S. district court, seeking to unlawfully exclude evidence that points to multiple violations of federal law. The motions probably amount to attempted fraud on the court and represent the latest action in a lawsuit my wife and I filed against Pennsylvania-based NCO and Birmingham-based law firm Ingram & Associates. The suit alleg...
Legal Schnauzer - Wed 9:48 a.m. - 11 clicks 11 clicks

Workplace Violence Strikes Another University Campus

Less than one month after fatal shootings at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), workplace violence has struck on another campus. Nathaniel Brown, a custodian at Ohio State University, shot and killed his supervisor early Tuesday morning and wounded another boss before turning the gun on himself. The Ohio State incident did not involve any students or faculty members. It comes after...
Legal Schnauzer - Wed 9:21 a.m. - 10 clicks 10 clicks

Obama's Economy

Left in Alabama - Wed 8:25 a.m. - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Hallelujah! Parker Griffith Found His 2008 Money!

Left in Alabama - Tue 7:09 p.m. - 2 clicks 2 clicks

David Walker On The Truth About The National Debt

Left in Alabama - Tue 6:05 p.m. - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Parker Griffith! Wake Up and Smell the TEA.

Left in Alabama - Tue 5:27 p.m. - 8 clicks 8 clicks

Health Care Robocall Targets Parker Griffith

Left in Alabama - Tue 2:44 p.m. - 3 clicks 3 clicks

AL-03 Josh Segall Launches New Web Site

Left in Alabama - Tue 2:04 p.m. - 10 clicks 10 clicks

Keeping the Pressure on Davis...

Left in Alabama - Tue 12:21 p.m. - 8 clicks 8 clicks

A Corporate Mindset Is Taking Over Higher Education

A small, public university in Alabama made a major decision last week, and it illustrates an alarming trend in higher education. The University of Montevallo , which sits in Shelby County about 30 miles south of Birmingham, is a liberal-arts school with an enrollment of about 3,100 students. The school had been searching for a new president for several months and announced last week that it had ...
Legal Schnauzer - Tue 11:03 a.m. - 7 clicks 7 clicks

MoveOn.org 's HealthCare Survey

Left in Alabama - Tue 11:03 a.m. - 2 clicks 2 clicks

My Favorite Lawyer

Regular readers could get the idea that I don't much care for lawyers. (How anyone could get that impression is beyond me.) The truth, however, is a bit more complicated than that. While the villains in our Legal Schnauzer tale tend to be lawyers, the heroes also often are lawyers. Unfortunately, the villains greatly outnumber the heroes. Perhaps that's why I have great admiration for some law...
Legal Schnauzer - Tue 10:01 a.m. - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Obama yesterday: "Roll Tide!"

.  President Obama traveled to Pennsylvania yesterday and talked about something dealing some legislation having to do with some stuff and blah, blah, blah . . .  But the important thing he did was welcome the Crimson Tide to the White House : .  President Obama also quoted Paul 'Bear' Bryant:  "The most important thing for any winning team is a win...
DailyKos (Alabama) - Tue 5:07 a.m. - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Sen Hinton Mitchem Retiring

Left in Alabama - Mon 9:27 p.m. - 9 clicks 9 clicks

The man with the tan and The one from no man's land

Tonight the man with the Tan joined the Congressman in no man's land for a GOP fundraiser in Huntsville, AL. Parker Griffith, as you might recall, is the former Howard Dean supporter and Congressman who switched to the GOP in hopes of boosting his re-election chances. Forces aligned as the good side joined the dark side for a bipartisan protest of tonights Boehner/Griffith $100 a head fu...
DailyKos (Alabama) - Mon 7:48 p.m. - 6 clicks 6 clicks

Parker Griffith Sneaks Into His Own Fundraiser - UPDATED, more photos

Left in Alabama - Mon 6:20 p.m. - 5 clicks 5 clicks

Bipartisan Protest of John Boehner and Parker Griffith (AL-05) Fundraiser

DailyKos (Alabama) - Mon 6:20 p.m. - 4 clicks 4 clicks

Why I Cannot Vote for Artur Davis

Left in Alabama - Mon 5:08 p.m. - 8 clicks 8 clicks

Jesse Jackson Leads Bingo March in Montgomery

Left in Alabama - Mon 3:07 p.m. - 7 clicks 7 clicks

Counterpunch! Episode #1

Left in Alabama - Mon 3:07 p.m. - 2 clicks 2 clicks

NASA, Jobs and Politics---Developing News

Left in Alabama - Mon 3:07 p.m. - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Griffith's Best Defense: "You should've known I was a liar."

Left in Alabama - Mon 3:07 p.m. - 6 clicks 6 clicks

Jeremy Sherer - PACT Is Just ONE Important Part of Alabama Treasurer's Responsibilities

Left in Alabama - Mon 3:07 p.m. - 5 clicks 5 clicks

Bipartisan Griffith/Boehner Protest Update

Left in Alabama - Mon 3:07 p.m. - 3 clicks 3 clicks

Larry Langford Case Shows That Justice Is Far From Color Blind

Former Birmingham Mayor Larry Langford was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on Friday for his conviction on corruption-related charges. The facts and the law, as we understand them, indicate that Langford probably was doing some things he should not have been doing. And the former mayor's actions might indeed have violated federal bribery and fraud laws--even though our impulse is to que...
Legal Schnauzer - Mon 3:07 p.m. - 7 clicks 7 clicks

Is Bingo Crusade Causing Bob Riley to Come Unhinged?

Maybe it was the specter of Jesse Jackson coming to Alabama to support workers at electronic-bingo facilities. Maybe it was a circuit judge ruling that the governor's anti-gambling task force could not raid the state's best-known gaming facility, allowing VictoryLand to reopen. Whatever the cause, Alabama Governor Bob Riley is showing signs of what we can only describe as a psychological dist...
Legal Schnauzer - Mon 3:07 p.m. - 8 clicks 8 clicks

AL-05: Parker Griffith on Committee Assignments

Left in Alabama - Mon 3:07 p.m. - 6 clicks 6 clicks

PSC Candidate Terry Dunn (Republican) and the "Hidden Obama Agenda"

Left in Alabama - Mon 3:07 p.m. - 4 clicks 4 clicks

Artur Davis to Open Huntsville Field Office on March 12

Left in Alabama - Mar 7 - 6 clicks 6 clicks

Dear Republicans, Parker Griffith Doesn't Need YOUR Money

Left in Alabama - Mar 7 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

GOP Brings T'baggers/Liberals Together in the South

Right out of the gate: h/t to 'mooncat' and Left in Alabama & to Real Clear Politics for this   No Laugh-Track Needed, the Guffaws Should Come Naturally  This is a rather simple, "Before & After" thing.  First, though, The Setting:    In 2008 Huntsville, Alabama, physician Parker Griffith ran for Congress, for Ala's 5th Congressional Distric...
DailyKos (Alabama) - Mar 7 - 4 clicks 4 clicks

Hold the Laugh Track: BiPartisanship Achieved, Pink Pony Awarded

DailyKos (Alabama) - Mar 7 - 4 clicks 4 clicks

AL-GOV: Lending Expert Says Ron Sparks' Loan "Almost Unheard Of"

Left in Alabama - Mar 6 - 8 clicks 8 clicks

Dr. Griffith to Deliver Republican Message

Left in Alabama - Mar 6 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

AL-03: Mike Rogers has a Lot of Gall

Left in Alabama - Mar 5 - 6 clicks 6 clicks

Sarah Palin and the GOP Embrace the Spirit of George Wallace

Why do Americans continue to elect Republicans, even though the party's candidates consistently have failed to provide competent or ethical governance? The answer, according to an intriguing new piece from Scott Horton of Harper's , lies in the racially tinged politics of Alabama. And that can only lead to two words--George Wallace. Sarah Palin, the GOP's current shining light on the national ...
Legal Schnauzer - Mar 5 - 5 clicks 5 clicks

AFL-CIO Announces Griffith/Boehner Press Conference

Left in Alabama - Mar 5 - 6 clicks 6 clicks

AL-03: Mike Rogers Opposes Jobs Plan

Left in Alabama - Mar 5 - 5 clicks 5 clicks

Parker Griffith Inspires Bipartisan Protest

Left in Alabama - Mar 5 - 5 clicks 5 clicks

Ron Sparks Claims Constitutional Convention Will Raise Taxes

Left in Alabama - Mar 5 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

Monday Night Rumble: Griffith & Boehner vs....just about everybody.

Left in Alabama - Mar 4 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Alabama District 9 Senator Mitchem has a surprise for Democrats

Left in Alabama - Mar 4 - 6 clicks 6 clicks

Stand Up. Speak Your Truth. Do the Right Thing.

Left in Alabama - Mar 4 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

AL-GOV: Primary Predictions

Left in Alabama - Mar 4 - 4 clicks 4 clicks

Luck Be A Lady ... to Larry

Left in Alabama - Mar 4 - 5 clicks 5 clicks

New York Times Displays Shoddy Reporting on Amy Bishop Story

People hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the recent tragic events on the campus at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) are not likely to find it from reporting in The New York Times, purportedly the nation's leading newspaper. The Times has invested considerable resources on the UAH shootings, which left three faculty members dead and three others wounded. Much of the repor...
Legal Schnauzer - Mar 4 - 8 clicks 8 clicks

Open Thread - Hero Worship Edition

Left in Alabama - Mar 4 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

No, We're Not a Broken People

Left in Alabama - Mar 3 - 4 clicks 4 clicks

AL-05: Parker Griffith Continues to Build Bridges, As Only Parker Can

Left in Alabama - Mar 3 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

Everyone's Buzzing About Broadband This Week

Left in Alabama - Mar 3 - 4 clicks 4 clicks

Bedford's Bingo Bill Fails in Senate - Updated

Left in Alabama - Mar 3 - 5 clicks 5 clicks

Why Young People Must Call Congress About Climate - Repeatedly

Left in Alabama - Mar 3 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

UAH Tries to Keep Alumni Critic at a Distance in Wake of Shootings

Officials at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) have tried to separate student leaders from a prominent alumnus who spoke out about the school's poor work environment following recent fatal shootings on the campus. Samuel Parks, a former student-body president who graduated in May 2009, says administrators have instructed him not to communicate with current student leaders. That came ...
Legal Schnauzer - Mar 3 - 13 clicks 13 clicks

Three Dog Night Teaches a Lesson About the Modern Economy

Mrs. Schnauzer and I recently took a walk down memory lane by attending a Three Dog Night concert in Birmingham. It turned out to be more than a musical adventure; it also helped put the modern American economy in perspective. The concert was at the Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center on the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) campus. UAB is my former employer, and I hate to giv...
Legal Schnauzer - Mar 3 - 7 clicks 7 clicks

AL-GOV: $500,000 Questions Just Won't Quit ...

Left in Alabama - Mar 3 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

Cockfighting Bill In Alabama Legislature Again This Year

Left in Alabama - Mar 2 - 7 clicks 7 clicks

Davis Calls on Rangel to give up Ways & Means Chairmanship

Left in Alabama - Mar 2 - 6 clicks 6 clicks

The Ron Sparks Campaign Has Had Too Much Caffeine

Left in Alabama - Mar 2 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

AL-07: Hilliard Jr. Recieves IBEW Endorsement

Left in Alabama - Mar 2

Spokesman For Alabama Governor Takes Hypocrisy To New Levels

A spokesman for Alabama Governor Bob Riley decried what he called "low-road tactics" when a pro-bingo crowd shouted down the governor and his wife during an anti-bingo rally last week on the State House steps. Hypocrisy among Republicans is so blatant that it takes a lot for one example to stand out. But Riley spokesman Jeff Emerson definitely managed to stand out with his latest whopper. That'...
Legal Schnauzer - Mar 2 - 5 clicks 5 clicks

Lies of Debt Collectors "Shock the Conscience"

Mrs. Schnauzer and I have a couple of veteran attorneys, Darrell Cartwright and Allan Armstrong, handling our lawsuit against unethical debt collectors. We suspect that Cartwright and Armstrong have been around long enough to encounter quite a few people who have a serious problem telling the truth. But even long-time lawyers have been taken aback by the disinformation generated by the defendants...
Legal Schnauzer - Mar 2

Open Thread - Snow Again Edition!

Left in Alabama - Mar 2 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Politics, NASA and Huntsville Jobs

Left in Alabama - Mar 2 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

Follow the Gambling Gourd

For the old man is waiting to carry you to bingo! Yes, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are expected to attend a pro-bingo rally in Montgomery. Because it’s about justice! ...
Birmingham Blues - Mar 2 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Is the story of Phenix City relevant?

Left in Alabama - Mar 2

PACT Bill in Senate. Is there cause for worry?

Left in Alabama - Mar 1 - 6 clicks 6 clicks

National Repubs Raising Cash for Griffith

Left in Alabama - Mar 1 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

AG Candidates to Speak in Madison County

Left in Alabama - Mar 1 - 4 clicks 4 clicks

Dear Abby and Flatulence: A Can't-Miss Combination

The newspaper industry is struggling, but don't count me among those bloggers who seem to almost look forward to the death of dailies. I got into reading and writing because of a love for newspapers. That led to a 30-year career in journalism, and I want to see the "old gray ladies" stick around. I've been reading newspapers cover to cover for years. But I originally was drawn to them by two fac...
Legal Schnauzer - Mar 1 - 4 clicks 4 clicks

Josef Stalin's Spirit Lives on Through the Paul Minor Case in Mississippi

Is America a country of colossal contradictions? Consider that, a little more than a year ago, we elected our first African-American president, a step many people would consider a sign of progress. But at the same time, the spirit of Russian dictator Josef Stalin lives on in America--and evidence of that came last week with the latest ruling in the Paul Minor case. Stalin, of course, was known f...
Legal Schnauzer - Mar 1 - 4 clicks 4 clicks

Parker Griffith Mailing "prepared, published & mailed at taxpayer expense"

Left in Alabama - Mar 1 - 5 clicks 5 clicks

AL-02: Bobby Bright is in Better Shape than Predicted

Left in Alabama - Mar 1 - 5 clicks 5 clicks

Some things aren't worth dying for

Red State Diaries - Feb 28 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

What Happened In Florence

Left in Alabama - Feb 28 - 6 clicks 6 clicks

Shelby's Pentagon Holds ... "I don't have any idea" if they're qualified.

Left in Alabama - Feb 28 - 6 clicks 6 clicks

For Your Lazy Sunday: Meet Landon

Left in Alabama - Feb 28 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

Alt Energy in Ala: Where's OUR Leadership?

Left in Alabama - Feb 28 - 4 clicks 4 clicks

Alabama Popcorn Futures Rise On Hot Democratic Primary

Left in Alabama - Feb 27 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

Say Yes

Left in Alabama - Feb 27 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

DC Hubbub and What it Means For the Climate Bill

Left in Alabama - Feb 27 - 4 clicks 4 clicks

Saturday is a Big Day for Health Care in Huntsville

Left in Alabama - Feb 26 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

AL-GOV: Sparks took out a personal loan to raise $500,000

Left in Alabama - Feb 26 - 6 clicks 6 clicks

Riley & Tyson

Left in Alabama - Feb 26 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

AL-05: Steve Raby Qualifies

Left in Alabama - Feb 26 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

Open Critter Thread

Left in Alabama - Feb 26

Michel Nicrosi Making the Rounds in North Alabama

Left in Alabama - Feb 26 - 4 clicks 4 clicks

The Nat'l Scene: Media Heathers' Clownful "Balancing Act" on Full Display in Wake of HCR Summit.

Left in Alabama - Feb 26

Patty Murray - Would You Like Pepper Sauce with that Foot?

Left in Alabama - Feb 26

What will tomorrow bring?

Left in Alabama - Feb 25 - 6 clicks 6 clicks

Boehner Appoints Parker Griffith to "Truth" Squad

Left in Alabama - Feb 25 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

Artur Davis on the Airwaves

Left in Alabama - Feb 25 - 7 clicks 7 clicks

The Debt Collector's Creed: Lie Early and Lie Often

We have established that, based on my experience, debt collectors will target you even when they have little or no documentation to show that you owe the alleged debt. We also have established that debt collectors, when caught in the act and forced to account for their violations of federal and state laws, will go to great lengths to keep from disclosing information about how they do business....
Legal Schnauzer - Feb 25

Riley Aide Threatens Christian Coalition Leader Over Gambling

An associate of Alabama Governor Bob Riley threatened a Christian Coalition leader over gambling issues, according to a lawsuit filed in Montgomery County Circuit Court in May 2007. Dr. Randy Brinson, chairman of the Christian Coalition of Alabama, states in the lawsuit that he supported a bill in the Alabama House of Representatives that would tax and regulate gambling and help fund Medicaid. Br...
Legal Schnauzer - Feb 25 - 6 clicks 6 clicks

Health Care Summit

Left in Alabama - Feb 25

Don't Get Byrned!

Left in Alabama - Feb 24 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

"The Republican party is a wholly owned subsidiary of insurance companies"

Left in Alabama - Feb 24 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

AL-GOV: $500,000 Question, One More Time ...

Left in Alabama - Feb 24 - 4 clicks 4 clicks

Debt Collectors Scurry Into Cover-Up Mode

We've established, based on my experiences, that debt collectors will target you even when they have no documents to show you have a cardholder agreement--much less that you owe a debt. So what happens when you catch on to the debt-collection scheme and file a lawsuit alleging violations of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)--and perhaps alleging fraud and other state-law claims? Yo...
Legal Schnauzer - Feb 24 - 5 clicks 5 clicks

Alabama Bingo Raids Coincide With Layoffs at Mississippi Casinos

Governor Bob Riley's campaign to shut down electronic bingo in Alabama started at about the same time a Mississippi Choctaw casino was laying off employees. Do you see a connection? Bob Gambacurta, writing at the Montgomery Independent , sure does. And it shows that the story of disgraced GOP lobbyist Jack Abramoff still resonates in the Deep South. Gambacurta also raises a critical point about...
Legal Schnauzer - Feb 24 - 5 clicks 5 clicks

Homebrew in Alabama?

Left in Alabama - Feb 24 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

Send Your Grocery Ticket to the Legislature

Left in Alabama - Feb 24 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

Ron Sparks' Economic Plan

Left in Alabama - Feb 24 - 4 clicks 4 clicks

Alabama House of Representatives representing the status quo on Constitutional Reform

Left in Alabama - Feb 23

Alabama Attorney General Candidate - Giles Perkins - in Birmingham

Left in Alabama - Feb 23 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Debt-Collection Fraud Starts With the Basics

We know that the debt-collection industry played a major role in electing Scott Brown to Ted Kennedy's U.S. Senate seat from Massachusetts, and that's largely because the industry opposes health-care and consumer-protection reforms. So its appropriate that we take a critical look at an industry that is trying to flex its political muscle on the national stage. My wife and I have filed a lawsuit...
Legal Schnauzer - Feb 23 - 4 clicks 4 clicks

Rob Riley Fined $10,000 in Campaign-Ethics Case

Rob Riley, the son of Alabama Governor Bob Riley, paid a $10,000 fine in 2008 for his role in a decade-old campaign-finance ethics case. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) announced the fine in a press release dated June 20, 2008 . But we can find no record that the story was reported in any of Alabama's major newspapers. Was the story covered up by Alabama's mainstream press, and if so, why...
Legal Schnauzer - Feb 23 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

Downtown Dems will feature AL-07 Candidates in March

Left in Alabama - Feb 23 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

AL-05: Mitchell Howie Kicks Off Candidacy

Left in Alabama - Feb 23 - 4 clicks 4 clicks

Enough with, "Is he black enough?"

Left in Alabama - Feb 23

The Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates and Economic Development

Left in Alabama - Feb 22 - 4 clicks 4 clicks

Why Climate Change Deniers Should Still Support Green Energy

Left in Alabama - Feb 22 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

City of Bessemer Considering Paying Councilwoman's Legal Bills

Left in Alabama - Feb 22 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Alabama Attorney General Candidates - Michel Nicrosi & James Anderson - in Birmingham

Left in Alabama - Feb 22 - 8 clicks 8 clicks

What does HD40 loss portend?

Left in Alabama - Feb 22

Story of UAH Shootings Takes on Broader Dimensions

Coverage of the fatal shootings at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) so far has focused on the crime itself and the background of the alleged perpetrator, neuroscientist Amy Bishop. But we are seeing signs of a more complex story starting to emerge, one that includes a focus on the workplace environment at UAH--and the actions and inactions of University of Alabama officials. A promi...
Legal Schnauzer - Feb 22 - 4 clicks 4 clicks

Is the Obama DOJ Practicing Deceit in the Paul Minor Case?

The Barack Obama administration hardly has distinguished itself on matters of justice. With the latest news from the Paul Minor case in Mississippi, the Obama Department of Justice (DOJ) appears to be clueless and perhaps downright deceitful. A report in the Jackson Clarion-Ledger indicates something still is seriously wrong with the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of Mississ...
Legal Schnauzer - Feb 22 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

AL-07: Earl Hilliard, Jr. to hold press conference announcing ALFA endorsement

Left in Alabama - Feb 22 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

Internet Access: Alabama Is At the Bottom Again!

Left in Alabama - Feb 21 - 4 clicks 4 clicks

AL-Gov.: Another set of candidate interviews

Left in Alabama - Feb 21

Bob Schieffer on Political Reality

Left in Alabama - Feb 21

I am not Pam Miles

Left in Alabama - Feb 21 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

AL-GOV: $500,000 Question for Ron Sparks

Left in Alabama - Feb 21 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

AL-05: Mitchell Howie To Announce Monday in 7 Counties

Left in Alabama - Feb 21 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Neil Gaiman on Anti-South Prejudice

DailyKos (Alabama) - Feb 20

A busy week ahead for Constitutional Reform--Your help is needed

Left in Alabama - Feb 20 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

New GOP Plan to Encourage Economic Development?

Left in Alabama - Feb 20 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

On the Road with LiA ... to Montgomery

Left in Alabama - Feb 19 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

AL-05: Steve Raby

Left in Alabama - Feb 19

AL-05: Parker Griffith "did an about face" after election

Left in Alabama - Feb 19 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

What Role Did "Crazy" Comment Play In Shootings at UAH?

The story of last Friday's fatal shootings on the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) campus has taken a number of twists and turns, most of them focusing on the background of neuroscientist Amy Bishop, who has been charged in the case. But perhaps the most stunning development since news of the shootings first broke came in a report two days ago from The Chronicle of Higher Education . An...
Legal Schnauzer - Feb 19 - 6 clicks 6 clicks

Parker Griffith Using Part of Ron Sparks' Stump Speech -- Friday Open Thread

Left in Alabama - Feb 19 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Teach for America (TFA) is coming to the Black Belt

Left in Alabama - Feb 19 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

SD-7: Jeff Enfinger Talks Transportation

Left in Alabama - Feb 19 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Man flies plane into IRS building in Austin

Left in Alabama - Feb 18

I just got polled and they asked if Obama is Muslim

DailyKos (Alabama) - Feb 18

Jeremy Sherer Explains How Alabama's Constitution Affects Transportation & Development in the State

Left in Alabama - Feb 18 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

What Kind of Party do Alabama Democrats want?

Left in Alabama - Feb 18 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Parker Griffith Gets In A Catfight - Can't Explain Why Voters Should Trust Him

Left in Alabama - Feb 18 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Ron Sparks' Half Million Dollar Loan remains a puzzle

Left in Alabama - Feb 18 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Ron Sparks Spreads Lies About a New Constitution

Left in Alabama - Feb 18 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

Did Mismanagement Lead to Alabama Campus Shootings?

Legal Schnauzer - Feb 18 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

The Many Faces of Parker Griffith

Left in Alabama - Feb 17 - 5 clicks 5 clicks

Must-See: PBS Frontline's The Warning

Left in Alabama - Feb 17 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Two Racists at Work: A Sample of Alabama Political Correctness in the Year 2010.

DailyKos (Alabama) - Feb 17

Montevallo Young Dems Hosting Ron Sparks Next Week

Left in Alabama - Feb 17 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

Alabama Bingo Theater Continues

Left in Alabama - Feb 17 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

Effin' Bayh

Left in Alabama - Feb 17

Two Idiots at Work: A Sample of Alabama Political Correctness in the Year 2010.

DailyKos (Alabama) - Feb 17

University of Louisville Fraud Case Has Connections to Alabama

Legal Schnauzer - Feb 17 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Honorable? Are we talking about the same Parker Griffith?

Left in Alabama - Feb 17 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

AL-05: Mitchell Howie To File Qualifying Papers Today

Left in Alabama - Feb 17 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

A Long Road to Recovery

Left in Alabama - Feb 17

Alabama Federation of Democratic Women Membership Coffee Sunday, Feb. 21

Left in Alabama - Feb 17 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

GOP Candidate Wins Special Election in HD-40

Left in Alabama - Feb 16

Labor Organizations Grill Parker Griffith

Left in Alabama - Feb 16 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Governor Davis: A fantasy in black and white

Left in Alabama - Feb 16

Rep. Todd's Public Transportation Bill in Committee Tomorrow

Left in Alabama - Feb 16 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

AL-07: Earl Hilliard, Jr. Endorsed by Fire Fighters

Left in Alabama - Feb 16 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Parker Griffith's Town Hall Phone Call

Left in Alabama - Feb 16

Was Monkey Business Involved With Alabama Supreme Court's Bingo Ruling?

Legal Schnauzer - Feb 16 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Raising the Specter of Bob Riley and Federal Crimes

Legal Schnauzer - Feb 16 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

AL-07: Terri Sewell Formally Kicks Off Campaign

Left in Alabama - Feb 16

HD-40 Special Election Today in Calhoun County

Left in Alabama - Feb 16 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Alabama shooter an academic fraud (with evidence)

DailyKos (Alabama) - Feb 15 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

AL-GOV: Bradley Byrne can't pick a side on anything

Left in Alabama - Feb 15 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

AL-GOV: Still wondering about that hefty loan from Ron Sparks ...

Left in Alabama - Feb 15 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

For Parkinson’s Disease, Could the Tonic be Chronic?

DailyKos (Alabama) - Feb 15

Sen. Evan Bayh to Retire

Left in Alabama - Feb 15 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

AL-05: In Defense of Steve Raby

Left in Alabama - Feb 15

Alabama Jury Awards $2.7 Million in Sexual-Harassment Case

Legal Schnauzer - Feb 15 - 4 clicks 4 clicks

"Give the Money Back, Griffith" Rally Moves Indoors

Left in Alabama - Feb 15

Why Do Cats and Captions Make Us Laugh Out Loud?

Legal Schnauzer - Feb 15 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

Alabama suspect demanded getaway car in 1986

DailyKos (Alabama) - Feb 14

The Day the Music Died....

Left in Alabama - Feb 14

Griffith Friendly Fire Hit -- Rachel Maddow Show

Left in Alabama - Feb 14

What book should progressives be reading right now?

Left in Alabama - Feb 14

Monday @ 11 am: Give the Money Back, Parker Griffith!

Left in Alabama - Feb 14

Happy Valentine's Day, 2010

Left in Alabama - Feb 14

Clancy Sigal: WE have let Obama down

Left in Alabama - Feb 14

The question for the ages; no matter what you've heard; just for fun

Left in Alabama - Feb 13 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

Did Univ. of Alabama suspect murder before? (Updated x 2)

DailyKos (Alabama) - Feb 13

Did Univ. of Alabama suspect murder before? (Updated)

DailyKos (Alabama) - Feb 13

Did Univ. of Alabama suspect murder before?

DailyKos (Alabama) - Feb 13

Sparks Bingo Press Release

Left in Alabama - Feb 13

ADP Accuses Republican of Filing Irregularities in HD-40 Special Election

Left in Alabama - Feb 13

How to make a movement

Left in Alabama - Feb 13

AL-GOV: About that half million dollar loan ...

Left in Alabama - Feb 13

AL-05: Griffith "hasn't made contact with" NRCC

Left in Alabama - Feb 12

The shooting in Alabama

DailyKos (Alabama) - Feb 12

Ricky Whaley will be on the Kudzu Vine Sunday Night

Left in Alabama - Feb 12

As many as 10 people injured in UAH shooting

Left in Alabama - Feb 12

AL-GOV: Artur Davis is popular in AL-07

Left in Alabama - Feb 12

AL-05: Raby's Republican Contributions?

Left in Alabama - Feb 12

Richard Shelby Deserves a Thrashing--And He's Getting One

Legal Schnauzer - Feb 12 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Bullies and Bystanders

Left in Alabama - Feb 12

New Poll: Americans Hate Dems! (Or not...)

Left in Alabama - Feb 12

Gambling Standoff: This is what Backbone Looks Like

Left in Alabama - Feb 12

Does Parker Griffith have a Heart, or is he doing a Bill Frist?

Left in Alabama - Feb 11

House Republicans Living in an Alternate Reality

Left in Alabama - Feb 11

and You Thought the Alabama Statehouse Was Bad

Left in Alabama - Feb 11

Debt-Collection Industry Helped Pave the Way for Scott Brown's Victory in Massachusetts

Legal Schnauzer - Feb 11 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Is the NRCC Incompetent?

Left in Alabama - Feb 11 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

The Deep South Is Driving the GOP's Rightward Slant

Legal Schnauzer - Feb 11

Charley Grimsley Challenge Raises the Question: What Are Our Standards for Candidates?

Left in Alabama - Feb 11

ACORN Tactics Applied to Abortion Services

DailyKos (Alabama) - Feb 11

Big Turnout at Montgomery Black Farmer Rally

Left in Alabama - Feb 11

PSA/Baselice Republican Poll

Left in Alabama - Feb 11

Tell the EPA to Regulate Coal Ash Dumping - National Resources Defense Council Action Alert

Left in Alabama - Feb 11

Taze Shepard Interview

Left in Alabama - Feb 11 - 4 clicks 4 clicks

On Health Care, Vegas-Style, Or, Figure It Out In The Ambulance, Chump

Left in Alabama - Feb 10

I just got a survey call

Left in Alabama - Feb 10

AL-05: It's Official - Taze Shepard is Running for Congress

Left in Alabama - Feb 10

Handwritten Hate Mail I received today

Left in Alabama - Feb 10 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Update on Forever Wild Program Reauthorization Status

Left in Alabama - Feb 10

A Quick Word About Traditional Values

Left in Alabama - Feb 10

Time for Tim Kaine to leave as DNC chair

Left in Alabama - Feb 10

AL-05: We now have a third candidate entering the race

Left in Alabama - Feb 10

Life Out of Death - Your Final Gift Could Save Lives

Left in Alabama - Feb 10

Artur Davis, Tommy Battle Fighting for Manned Space Program

Left in Alabama - Feb 10

Rahm Emanuel: We're Not Re-Litigating the Past

Legal Schnauzer - Feb 10 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

Let the polling begin

A robo-poll called the house last night, and my husband cleverly pretended to be a 27-year-old Republican likely voter. Way to stick it to The Man! The meat of the polls was: “If the election was  tomorrow, would you vote for…Republican Mitt Romney, Democrat Barack Obama, or Tea-Party Candidate Sarah Palin?” The poll asked this [...]...
Birmingham Blues - Feb 10

Live Together, Die Alone: Help Haiti Now

Left in Alabama - Feb 10

AL-05: Taze Shepard to Enter Congressional Race Tomorrow

Left in Alabama - Feb 9 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Jacksonville State Administration Engaged in Electioneering?

Left in Alabama - Feb 9

AL-07: Terri Sewell Picks Up Another Endorsement

Left in Alabama - Feb 9 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Left In Alabama's Haiti Benefit Ends Feb. 14 - Place Your Orders Now!

Left in Alabama - Feb 9 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

and Bingo was his name o...

Left in Alabama - Feb 9 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

UAB Lies to the EEOC About My Discrimination Case

Legal Schnauzer - Feb 9

What Should Obama Learn from Richard Shelby's Game of "Alabama Hold 'Em"?

Legal Schnauzer - Feb 9

AL-05: Mitchell Howie Definitely In Congressional Race

Left in Alabama - Feb 9 - 4 clicks 4 clicks

Programming Note

Left in Alabama - Feb 9

If Kay Ivey Speaks in Huntsville but the Paper Doesn't Quote Her... Did It Really Happen?

Left in Alabama - Feb 9 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Literacy Tests: Republicans Want Them Back

Left in Alabama - Feb 9

Shelby Caves, Releases Most Holds

Left in Alabama - Feb 8

Kids Count Rankings

Left in Alabama - Feb 8

Rep. John Murtha Dead at 77

Left in Alabama - Feb 8

We can't be quiet when people lie.

Left in Alabama - Feb 8

Another Filing Reminder for Ron Sparks 2010

Left in Alabama - Feb 8 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Hitler Movie Parodies: The Joke That Keeps On Giving

Legal Schnauzer - Feb 8 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

Are Universities Breeding Grounds for Discrimination?

Legal Schnauzer - Feb 8 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Alabama and the search for a New South Governor

Left in Alabama - Feb 8

Time for Recess appointments

DailyKos (Alabama) - Feb 8

The Revolution Will Be Monetized

Left in Alabama - Feb 8

Alabama Musings

Left in Alabama - Feb 8

Alabama Christian Coalition Gubernatorial Forum

Left in Alabama - Feb 8 - 3 clicks 3 clicks

Proof Positive that the GOP talk about Bipartisanship is Phony

Left in Alabama - Feb 7

Republicans are not Fiscal Conservatives

Left in Alabama - Feb 7

Illinois wife-beater drops out of race

Left in Alabama - Feb 7

Sarah don't need no stinkin' teleprompter

Left in Alabama - Feb 7

Some Sunday Funnies.

Left in Alabama - Feb 7

One Last Smile: A Tribute

Left in Alabama - Feb 6

Disastrous Primary Outcome in Illinois -- Could it happen in Alabama?

Left in Alabama - Feb 6 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

From Unconfirmed Sources ...

Left in Alabama - Feb 6

More on Taze Shepard

Left in Alabama - Feb 6 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

Gambling Developments

Left in Alabama - Feb 6

An Update and Rant

Left in Alabama - Feb 6

On the Road with LiA ... to Birmingham

Left in Alabama - Feb 5

Serious Question? UPDATE

Left in Alabama - Feb 5

Let Them Eat pork

DailyKos (Alabama) - Feb 5

Ms. Piggieheart speaks.

Left in Alabama - Feb 5

School Shooting at Discovery Middle School

Left in Alabama - Feb 5 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

It's Time For Obama to Play Rough With Richard Shelby

Legal Schnauzer - Feb 5 - 4 clicks 4 clicks

The Mother of All Rants or @#&@#& is Going On?

DailyKos (Alabama) - Feb 5

Today's Health Care Debate Similar to Fight for TVA?

Left in Alabama - Feb 5

SD-7: Jeff Enfinger is Running

Left in Alabama - Feb 5

AL-05: Griffith's Reelection "In Jeopardy"

Left in Alabama - Feb 5

Alabama Supreme Court Says Gambling Raids are Fine

Left in Alabama - Feb 5

Shelby Holds Up Obama Nominees (UPDATE)

Left in Alabama - Feb 5 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

AL-05: Who is Taze Shepard?

Left in Alabama - Feb 4

Bradley Byrne: For The Road Bill Before He Was Against It

Left in Alabama - Feb 4 - 2 clicks 2 clicks

AL-05: Griffith Finally Gets Committee, First Democrat to Announce Candidacy Soon

Left in Alabama - Feb 4