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Joey Kennedy

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Joey Kennedy

Joey Kennedy, a Pulitzer Prize winner, writes a column each week for the Alabama Political Reporter. You can email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter.

A hard lesson we never learn

I’m just finishing the first hectic week of classes at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I teach in the English Department. This semester I have two composition classes and an American literature. I also work with the University Honors Program. Our major study in American lit will be the novels Their Eyes Were Watching … Continued
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August 30, 2019
Opinion

Opinion

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Violence is THE American value

So U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, R-Fairhope, believes that the way to end violence in this country is to “return to American values.” A Monday column by Byrne on Alabama Political Reporter was so history-challenged that it would have gotten an F on a sophomore history paper. The American values – self-governance, kindness, virtue – have kept us … Continued
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August 22, 2019
Opinion

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An exclusive interview with me

I’m in my 45th year as a professional journalist. During that time, I’ve written sports, covered government meetings, been an investigative reporter, and written opinion. I’ve written opinion only for more than 30 of those years. For the past four years, I’ve written a weekly column for Alabama Political Reporter, and it’s been a lot … Continued
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August 16, 2019
Opinion

Opinion

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Race to the bottom

What is it about Donald Trump that attracts such a following in Alabama? He’s from New York, after all, and being from the Northeast almost always generates skepticism in Alabama voters. Folks, he’s a Yankee. As for his politics, Trump is playing conservative right now, but he’s actually been all over the place. He supported … Continued
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August 8, 2019
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Moms Demand Action and so should we

Something is wrong with us. Yes, us. Here in the United States. Us. US. U.S. Just this past weekend, we had mass shootings at a garlic festival in northern California, at a block party in Brooklyn, and at a Walmart store in northwestern Mississippi. And there were five more. They’re happening so fast, we can’t … Continued
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August 1, 2019
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Yeah, people are ‘disgruntled’

We have to give credit to the staff at the University of Alabama’s Crimson White newspaper. They carefully and accurately reported a difficult story about the hiring of the university’s new director of the Office of Student Media. That’s what good journalism is all about. One of the top candidates for UA director of student … Continued
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July 25, 2019
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A letter from Melania

My older friend asked me to get her mail from the front-porch mailbox at her home on a recent afternoon. I grabbed the stack, and one particular “letter” immediately caught my attention. The return address simply read “Melania Trump” in big, blue letters. The bottom right corner of the envelope was stamped: “Check Enclosed.” I … Continued
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July 18, 2019
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We can, if we will, but will we?

Some of my detractors swear I hate Alabama. I don’t. I love Alabama. Because I criticize our state, week in and week out, I know, that doesn’t mean I don’t love our state. Maybe I just believe in tough love. I came to Alabama in 1977. I was born in Texas, grew up in deep … Continued
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July 12, 2019
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Happy Birthday, America! Don’t be a jerk (or a Trump)

Happy Birthday, America! You are 243 years old. We love you. Thank you, America. Is there ever a country is good as ours? I don’t think so. But I’m sure the people in France or Italy or Great Britain would disagree. They are proud nations. We’re not particularly special in being a nation, are we? … Continued
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July 4, 2019
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We like to lose, so we lose

Sen. Doug Jones has been a good U.S. senator for Alabama. The best we’ve had in a long time. Sen. Richard Shelby made it his career, and remember, Shelby is a turncoat. He was a Democrat, until being a Democrat was a no-no. Then he became a Republican. He’s served Alabama pretty well. But mostly … Continued
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June 27, 2019