countrycat Posts

In a striking juxtaposition, TV viewers tonight can choose between a documentary about voting rights in Mississippi 50 years ago or they can watch the same issue playing out in primary returns. Tonight, we'll see if tea party "poll watchers" were successful in discouraging black voters.

Alabama's Court of Criminal Appeals struck down Alabama's law against sodomy because it conflicted with Lawrence v. Texas, a 2003 SCOTUS ruling that found state anti-sodomy laws to be unconstitutional. Now, in most states, a state appellate court upholding federal law is pretty unremarkable. But, Alabama isn't exactly "most" states.

No doubt Decatur, Alabama, tubing manufacturer, Wolverine, is thrilled that the state is funding a competitor. Not just any competitor: Chinese-owned "Golden Dragon Copper" has opened in Wilcox County and is getting a pretty sweet deal.

As the federal court hearing on Alabama's TRAP bill continues, there was some really chilling testimony last week from an former undercover agent who has worked on domestic terrorism cases. It's worth recapping here as part of our coverage because this weekend marks the 5th anniversary of Dr. George Tiller's murder in Wichita, KS — as he was attending church.

Without a doubt, the situation at the Veterans Administration is a scandal. But the GOP plan to focus on this as an campaign issue doesn't pass the smell test. Republicans are well known for selective outrage and indignation — not to mention short memories. So let's review some recent history.

So far, Alabama State Senator Scott Beason's signature anti-immigrant legislation, HB56, has stuck the whole state in Beason lines, hurt Alabama farmers, captured foreign auto executives, stained the state's reputation around the world, and cost real money that the state does not have. The latest court settlement brings Alabama's legal costs defending the overreaching bill to over half a million dollars.

Nearly every year, the Hunstville/Decature International Airport tops the list of most expensive airports in the country. And nearly every year, Alabama throws more and more money at the big airlines to lower fares and improve customer service.

Alabama's lack of marriage equality means that same sex couples can't file joint returns forcing them to pay more in taxes than they would otherwise. After DOMA's demise, the federal government recognized gay marriages the way they did all legal marriages, but some states — including Alabama — still require for separate tax filings.

As one attendee described today's public hearing, it was "7 white guys, 1 black woman, and 1 white female secretary" in session to discuss laws that impact the women of Alabama. And the guys decided that they know better than the gals and their doctors how to handle the female reproductive system. Committee votes for HB490, HB493, and HB494 were all 7-1.

Alabama's voter ID law gets its first test when primary voters go to the polls on June 3rd. Every voter will be required to present one form of state-mandated photo ID, so the effort is on to make sure every would-be voter has the proper identification. Residents are eligible to get a free non-driver's ID from the Department of Public safety or a free photo voter ID card from the state.

HB360 prohibits Alabama local governments from requiring employers within their jurisdiction to offer any sort of paid sick leave, vacation time, or leave that's not already mandated by the federal government. You know how Republicans say they're against "big government" and that we should "return power to the states?" Well, the Alabama Legislature neglects to mention that they want the power to stop at the state level.

Hold on to your lady parts, because Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard and his minions think they're better qualified than you — or your doctor — to determine what happens to them. Four bills passed the Alabama House yesterday, as a group of Knights of Columbus men in full regalia cheered the state's latest assault on women's reproductive rights and, by extension, the state budget.

The Alabama legislature now has four religion bills pending, even as the House has effectively killed the payday loan regulation bill, refuses to consider Medicaid expansion, and has a bill filled that declares parts of the ACA "null and void" in the state. Perhaps, the GOP supermajority thinks the state can just pray away its many problems.

In plain language, the Kansas Legislature may try to remove the state's obligation to fund public schools and strip courts of any ability to intervene from the state's constitution. While that battle has garnered some attention, the beginnings of similar movements in Alabama among the GOP super-majority are taking shape in dark corners of the state's legislature.

If the intent is to prove that Democrats can also have dumb ideas, why then Mobile area Rep. Joseph Mitchell has outdone himself with 2 pre-filed bills. One would set up "pivileged communications" for legislators and the other could possibly help legislators thwart ethics & criminal investigations.  I'm seeing a pattern here...

Anti-choice protestors are increasing in intensity and expanding their presence in the Alabama city of Huntsville. For over a year, they've staked out the Alabama Women's Center and provided sidewalk counseling that takes the form of prayers (through a bullhorn), shouting, graphic signs, and songs (like the unforgettable hit, "Happy Birthday, Dead Baby"). The ramped up effort will include hospitals, private practices and even outside a middle school.

Alright there, all you Obama voters and those slackers who stayed home on election day instead of supporting the 2012 version of Thurston Howell, III for president, Ann Romney wonders how you can possibly look at yourselves in the mirror now. Because the government shutdown is all your fault.

Alabama Representative Jo Bonner (R) announced his retirement from Congress last month so he could enter the family business: working for the University of Alabama. Bonner's sister, Judy Bonner, is the university's president. The former Congressman will be the Vice Chancellor for Government Relations & Economic Development — a position that sounds suspiciously like "high paid lobbyist."

As prompted by the state's new immigration laws, the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners is requiring already-licensed and credentialed medical doctors to prove their citizenship. It's an asinine move that will, at best, waste a lot of time and government resources or, in the worst case scenario, take away doctors from a state already in dire need of better medical care.

What happens when one of the Internet's most popular porn sites compares Gallup's annual survey of the "most religious cities" with its own meta-data? Alabama has a whopping three cities in a Top 10 dominated by areas throughout the South.