Category: Editorial

By Larry Lee When State Superintendent of Education Mike Sentance told the state school board Dec. 8 that the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Education had determined that the state’s high school graduation rate was inaccurate, reaction was swift and true to form. Members of the legislature who consistently oppose public education were quick to tell media that there should be consequences for  deceiving the public. (Would…

By Congressman Bradley Byrne Over the last few weeks, reporters with television cameras have stood watch in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York City to see who is coming and going from meetings with President-elect Donald Trump. Most of the visitors are there to talk to the President-elect about opportunities to serve in his administration, and based on the announcements so far, it is safe to say that…

By Steve Flowers While the presidential race played out this year, several things happened in Alabama politics that went under the radar. First, a federal appeals court upheld the legislature’s banning PAC to PAC transfers. The new Republican legislative majority that marched into the Statehouse in 2011 set out to destroy and bury the last bastion of Democratic power in the state – the once omnipotent Alabama Education Association. They…

By SUSAN MCCONNELL Guest Columnist At the end of every Christmas season, I make a list of items I need to purchase before the next Christmas. This year, when I pulled out my list, there was only one item written on the paper: “I need a Joseph!” No wrapping paper, gift tags, tree lights or bows. Just a Joseph. And then I remembered the manger scene. Joseph was broken! He is made of paper mache and…

By Harvey H. (“Hardy”) Jackson You will note that after Thanksgiving I write a lot about Christmas. You didn’t notice? Well, I do. I love the season. I watch Christmas movies instead of basketball. OK, I’ll watch “Pawn Stars” before basketball. My favorite Christmas movie is “The Lion in Winter.” Some say it isn’t a Christmas movie. They also say it isn’t a comedy. They are wrong. I also go…