Category: Editorial

By Harvey H. (“Hardy”) Jackson Thanksgiving was hardly over when it began. Regional magazines – Southern Living and such – started arriving with detailed instructions on how to have a “traditional Southern Christmas.” Newspapers chime in with “Feature” articles on the topic. On Facebook and in chat groups, internet friends swap recipes and ideas, all in an effort to make sure what is done “down here” ain’t like what they…

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…