politicians

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The consequences of GOP governance were on full display last week

We all hear your dog whistles. If there is anything good and/or beneficial to come from the catastrophe that is Donald Trump roaming aimlessly about the White House, it is that there has been an awakening of sorts in this country when it comes to recognizing racism. We’ve turned calling the cops on black people … Continued

October 30, 2018

Comforting the afflicted, afflicting the comfortable

One of the fundamental goals of journalism is to see things as they are and to report them accurately. Conversely, one of journalism’s greatest failures is to see a story through a particular ideological prism which renders the reporting inaccurate. While point-of-view commentary can be part of an editorial’s framework, it should be based in … Continued

October 29, 2018

I dare you

In a recent interview with the Jasper-based Daily Mountain Eagle, Republican Lt. Gov. nominee Will Ainsworth said, “I’m tired of Alabama being last in important areas such as education, and I’m tired of our politicians on both sides being embarrassments to our state.” In one sentence, Ainsworth captures the feelings of a majority of Alabamians … Continued

October 2, 2018

Are Republicans and Democrats all the same?

Two sides of the same coin. You hear that expression a lot these days, usually in reference to Republicans and Democrats. And it’s usually uttered by someone who is claiming to be equally disenchanted with both parties. The politicians are all alike, they’ll tell you. But it’s not true. And anyone who insists it is … Continued

July 9, 2018

Ethics Commission again rewrites campaign finance laws

Ignorance of the law is no defense, unless you happen to be a person who makes the laws. The Alabama Ethics Commission on Wednesday voted unanimously to — for the third time — wipe away the fees levied against politicians, donors and political action committees who violated campaign finance laws by filing reports late. In … Continued

June 7, 2018

We deserve transparent, accessible, servant leadership

What exactly is it that would make a 43 year-old everyday father and businessman decide he was what Northwest Alabama needed as a state senator in Montgomery? The answer lies somewhere between having a passion for the community and being tired of self-serving politicians with a knack for corruption. My name is Eric Aycock, and … Continued

May 28, 2018

No Mo, please: It’s time to vote out dumb people

Smart people reside in Alabama. Curious, intelligent, open-minded, reasonable, rational people live within Alabama’s borders. It’s true. I know them. I’ve talked with them. There are a lot of them. Many of them kept Roy Moore from being our Senator and they work every day to make the state and the world a little better … Continued

May 18, 2018

A message from Kay Ivey: Pander, pander, pander

A few minutes before 8 on Wednesday evening, an urgent press release from Gov. Kay Ivey hit my email inbox. Subject line: “Governor Kay Ivey responds to Mobile teacher being prevented from wearing ‘Just Pray’ shirt.” Before blacking out from the unstoppable stupidity of such an email, a realization hit me. It’s pander season. It’s … Continued

May 3, 2018

Thank goodness, I’m an “outside agitator”

I guess I’m an outside agitator. Alabama politicians love to throw that phrase around. Seems like anytime somebody disagrees with one of Alabama’s horrible laws or policies or acts, the politicos throw out that line, or something like it. In defending his law to prohibit removing monuments more than 40 years old, state Sen. Gerald … Continued

April 26, 2018

Scott Dawson criticizes Ivey on decision to sign HB317

Friday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed controversial HB317 into law. GOP gubernatorial primary opponent Scott Dawson reacted to Ivey’s signing of House Bill 317. “After decades in politics and over a million dollars in special interest money, today’s signing of House Bill 317 is to be expected from Kay Ivey,” Dawson said. “Follow the money … Continued

April 9, 2018