Welcome to the Mobile Bay Times, a web-zine devoted to the people, places, issues and history, food and good times in the Mobile Bay area. Please check back for regular updates, features and commentary.
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Feb. 28, 2008
Press-Register investigative reporter Eddie Curran scorches CBS' 60 Minutes for sloppy, one-sided journalism in report on prosecution of ex-Gov. Don Siegelman. Birmingham attorney Doug Jones responds to Curran's criticism of his interview with 60 Minutes.
Former Mobile County Commissioner Dan Wiley died at his home here this morning. He was 64.
The Search for the Next Soccer Mom: A tip sheet to which political party benefits from emerging demographic trends.
"The attempted assassination of Sukarno last week had all the earmarks of a CIA operation. Everyone in the room was killed except Sukarno." -- William F. Buckley Jr., 1925-2008.
Feb. 27, 2008
The Political Round-Up: What's in Mike Dow's political future? (the long and short of it); Dubose rebuffed; statesmen/women within today's legislative hallways?; Malaysia Sun, citing zero sources, has scoop or jumps gun on $40 billion tanker contract to EADS; Dewey Beats Truman (or not).
Is it an Attorneys General-Tort Bar cabal or a taxpayer's godsend? Or can the use of private contingency fee lawyers in pursuit of public civil claims be a racket in one state and a blessing in another, depending upon its administration?
NYT editorial says glitch in broadcast of 60 Minutes' Siegelman piece may prove costly to Huntsville station.
State Sen. Hank Sanders: The power of the vote.
Feb. 26, 2008
Looking for clouds in a big, blue sky: What is Mobile's biggest, but most easily corrected problem?
White Shoe, Black Hat: Michael Clayton's devastating critique of the legal profession.
Through the Looking Glass: Politics, prosecutions and the press. Eddie Curran on 'the gibberish' being advanced in defense of the imprisoned Don Siegelman.
Obama gets dressed: Kenya believe it?
The surge is not a success, says Michael Kinsley.
Feb. 25, 2008
If Don Siegelman didn't have bad luck, he'd have no luck at all. Or was luck not in the equation? CBS's 60 Minutes asks, did Alabama's ex-governor get a raw deal?
Lawsuit, Inc.: Exposing the state Attorney General/trial bar racket. Alabama lawyers take a more studied view.
Should Hillary Clinton withdraw from the Democratic presidential race for the sake of party unity? Vote on it.
Feb. 23, 2008
The Political Round-Up: Eyes on the school board; Artur on 'false choices;' Political decisions aren't solo; 'Mister Democrat' giddy; Many robes pinch-hitting for DuBose; Go Red; Shelby to speak; Park it.
Bill Wynne, former chief federal probation officer for the U.S. Southern District of Alabama, has served as chairman of the state Board of Pardons and Paroles since July. But now, he's official.
In celebration of Black History Month, a salute to the Black Farmers Settlement Initiative will be held from 5-8 p.m. tonight at Franklin Street Baptist Church, 2113 St. Stephens Road, Dr. Wesley A. James, Pastor. For more information call Robert Battles at 251-518-1262.
Feb. 22, 2008
Beware political process that alienates voters: Graddick, Baxley on 1986, superdelegates.
First Take: The debate belongs to Obama, but the best (and) last moment belongs to Hillary.
Of hogs and pigs, language and lawyers, big dogs and underdogs: election finance rules and contortions to fit needs.
Feb. 21, 2008
State Sen. Hank Sanders: 'Why black history month?'
Mississippi's criminal forensics disaster.
Steve Flowers: McCain has big lead, Democrats still battling.
Feb. 20, 2008
The Road to Digression: 'Odd he was a pederast. The True Gentleman should really not be a pederast ...'
Feb. 19, 2008
Let the ailing Guy Hunt be a lesson to the national Democratic Party, say a number of Alabamians who recall a time when a party dispute seemed to exalt insiders above ordinary voters. (subscribers only.)
Feds raid state legislator's office.
Feb. 18, 2008
Same ol' same ol': GOP flaking out with appointment of Bonner to Appropriations, according to Wall Street Journal.
Feb. 17, 2008
Steve Flowers: Huckabee should do something about that 5 o'clock shadow.
State Sen. Hank Sanders: Rumors globe trot while the truth ties its shoelaces.
Feb. 15, 2008
Clinton's congressional black support crumbling? Reps. John Lewis, David Scott switch to Obama.
Feb. 14, 2008
Jo Bonner tapped for plum committee assignment. Not everyone applauds.
“Performance Comparisons for Alabama’s Largest School Systems,”
remarks and PowerPoint presentation by Jim Williams, Executive Director, Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama, to Mobile County School System Administrators and Leadership Mobile.
For example:
"Here we look at percentages of core spending that go to instruction-related activities, and Mobile slips all the way to the bottom of the ranking for the 12 large systems in Alabama. Note that all of the large urban systems rank in the bottom half of the 12, and of the 131 systems statewide; but Mobile ranks especially low, putting only 80% into instruction-related activities. Looking within this at the direct instructional percentage of 60 on the left, only Birmingham has a lower percentage among the 12. Baldwin County also is relatively low in the instruction-related percentage. Again, this is only an indicator, but it suggests looking for ways to increase the money allocated for instructional activities within the Mobile system."
Feb. 13, 2008
Should Hillary Clinton withdraw from the Democratic presidential race for the sake of party unity? Vote on it.
Is Hillary doomed? Don't bet on it. March 4, buckeyes and bluebonnets will tell the tale. On the other hand, her ship is taking on water. Will she bail?
America's most miserable cities: Detroit tops the list. Or should that be bottoms?
Feb. 12, 2008
The Political Round-Up: City mouse, country mouse; Lodmell addresses arrest (sort of); Local Dems puffed up; South of Southwest; Coastal flooding talk; Waste water on tap.
High taxes don't redistribute income; they redistribute people.
Tort baron draws a deuce.
Feb. 11, 2008
Feb. 10, 2008
Feb. 9, 2008
Feb. 8, 2008
For political 'junkies,' Tuesday was 'super.'
Mitt-less: Why Romney bombed; A PowerPoint candidate who was all points and no power. Romney really connected with voters only when he said 'goodbye.'
So much for Beltway harmony, Reid shoots for 60.
Feb. 7, 2008
Suspended judge the quarry "of people who are trying to get me."
Feb. 6, 2008
State Sen. Hank Sanders: 'Heck of a week,' lots to sketch.
Steve Flowers: Do polls really tell the whole story?
Feb. 5, 2008
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