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Stop telling people that Alabama is better than this. It’s not.

This is who we are. We are the state that just told rape victims they have to carry their rape babies to term. We are the state that just told pre-teen girls that they have to carry their incest babies to term. This is who we are. Stop telling me otherwise. Please. I’m sick of … Continued
May 15, 2019

No surprise at all: Lawmakers are already trying to get their hands on gas tax money

Two months. That’s how long it took for Alabama politicians to break all of those oh-so-sincere promises to you about the gas tax. Two months ago, when the Legislature was debating this 10-cent gas tax increase — the one that can be increased another penny for years to come — there was one often-repeated promise … Continued
May 14, 2019

Prison issues — front and center

Folks, taking care of prisoners is not a popular political issue. However, every so often Alabama politicians pragmatically have to acquiesce to the mandates of federal judges and grant our transgressing citizens their rights as determined by the courts. Federal Courts have determined that our felons deserve the rights to adequate imprisonment. You just cannot … Continued
May 1, 2019

From the puppy mill to the bill mill

As a state, Alabama traditionally ranks from pretty terrible to just plain awful in child welfare. If Alabama were a parent, it would be reported to DHR for child neglect. If we’re that bad in child welfare, you only get one guess where Alabama stands in animal welfare. Right. Below awful. That doesn’t mean we … Continued
April 11, 2019

Those who ignore the past cannot see the future

As I read the pontifications of present and former politicians who have all the answers for education in Alabama, my first inclination is to laugh. But I don’t because it is obvious that they have either forgotten the state’s past – or never knew it. So instead of reason or logic, they only preach fantasy, totally … Continued
April 8, 2019

The Poarch Creeks want fairness. Let’s give it to them.

It’s nice to see that the Poarch Band of Creek Indians is suddenly interested in competition. That’s been the go-to talking point of late — “(The tribe) just wants the opportunity to compete for the right to offer similar gaming,” a talk radio show host proclaimed last week. Moments after the PCI CEO was on … Continued
March 26, 2019

Stupid is as stupid does

I hate new years. Not because it’s another year. That’s going to happen, regardless of what we might want. The calendar days end, and the new calendar days begin. We can’t stop it. I hate new years because of the silly expectations. We expect the new year to encourage us to exercise more, or to … Continued
January 3, 2019

Should Medicaid expansion be on the 2019 legislative agenda? Experts say it has to be

In Alabama, Republican politicians have ignored the question of Medicaid expansion or rejected it outright, refusing to bring the issue to the floor of the state Legislature, but an outgoing Republican senator and hospital officials are pushing for it to be on the 2019 legislative agenda. Voters appear to be on the side against expansion, … Continued
December 7, 2018

A real outsider

Donald Trump got a lot of votes in Alabama. Even today, after two years of implementing policies that have undeniably hurt this state, he still enjoys healthy support in Alabama. While it would be easy to tie that support to Alabama’s history of racism and Trump’s tendency to say racist things and support racist people … Continued
December 6, 2018

Brewbaker: Advice for new legislators

Congratulations on your election. Public service is a high calling but as recent history has shown, it can get you in trouble in a heartbeat. So as an ex-legislator who has survived his career and is now safe in “Bucks Pocket,” here is a little advice. 1. Watch out for all the “new friends” you … Continued
November 12, 2018