Wendy McElroy: Who is mentally ill?

  The current push toward gun control is being presented in a particularly dangerous and dishonest manner. It is being framed in terms of mental health and packaged in a way that almost guarantees victory for the advocates of control. The debating point proffered is, “How do we keep guns away from the mentally ill?”

  Thus far, President Obama’s answer has been vague and administrative enough to avoid the need for Congressional approval.

Charles C. Haynes: In Texas schools, failing grade for Bible courses

  Fifty years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional the devotional use of the Bible by public schools, in its ruling on Abington Township v. Schempp.

  But many school districts in the Lone Star State still haven’t gotten the message, according to a report released last month by the Texas Freedom Network (TFN) entitled “Reading, Writing and Religion.”

Gary Palmer: The Ranking that matters

  As the 2013 Legislative Session gets under way, Alabama Republican legislators will be dealing with a lot of facts and figures as they try to pass sensible budgets, eliminate wasteful and inefficient spending, and pay back the money being taken from the Alabama Trust Fund. If the Republican legislative agenda is any indication, there is a number that they clearly understand… Number 1.

An Open letter to Rep. Kurt Wallace

  Though you do not represent me in the Alabama Legislature - and for that I am unspeakably thankful - as a matter of conscience, I do need to inform you that you are in no position to tell anyone what constitutes a family.

  In correspondence between you and a constituent, you arrogantly, ignorantly and divisively told a woman, “…by definition a ‘family’ is a husband, wife, and children.” In another patronizing bit of communication, you told a constituent: “Stop trying to play God.” The latter bit of communication is especially humorous… because who the hell do you think YOU are telling anyone what makes a family?

Gene Policinski: Civil rights movement rode assembly, petition to greater freedom

  Assembly and petition are the “quiet freedoms” among the five rights set out in the First Amendment.

  Speech, press and religion are more often – or at least, more obviously – in the headlines.

  But during Black History Month, in February, the quiet kids on this corner of the constitutional block deserve at least as much attention as their better-known brethren.

Steve Flowers: Inside the Statehouse: The Alabama Legislature by the numbers

  The 2013 regular legislative session begins this week. There are a myriad of issues that must be dealt with during their four month journey. The most pressing will be resolving the current funding crisis in the state’s general fund budget.

  As the 140 delegates take their seats and settle in to wrestle with resolving the state’s dilemma, I am reminded of my earliest days observing the legislature. It is nostalgic to think back to my very first legislative endeavors. I began as a House Page in the mid 1960’s. That was almost 50 years ago. When I worked the House floor as a young teenager delivering notes and getting coffee, the membership was much different. At that time all the House and Senate members were white male Democrats. The scenario today is much different and diverse.

Jacob G. Hornberger: One more life ruined by the Drug War

  The drug war has just taken another victim. This time the feds have ruined the life of Marc Gerson, a star law student at Georgetown University, who, according to the Washington Post, “was Phi Beta Kappa at Georgetown, a top economics student and an award-winning debater.” Washington, D.C., federal judge Reggie B. Walton has just sentenced Gerson to serve four years in the penitentiary, which also effectively eliminates his dream of practicing law.

Hot sweaty men... seriously!

  Check out ringside photos from last night’s WWE house show in Montgomery! https://www.facebook.com/CapCityFreePress For many other photo albums and content from the Capital City Free Press, ‘like’ us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapCityFreePress We would like that. :-)

Michael Josephson: The Power of words

  “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.”

  Really? Insults, teasing, gossip, and verbal abuse can inflict deeper and more enduring pain than guns and knives.

Philip E. Wolgin: Top 10 reasons why it’s time for immigration reform

The momentum for reform

1. Congressional leaders from both parties agree on the principles for reform. Just this week the bipartisan “Gang of 8”—a coalition including Sens. Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), Lindsay Graham (R-SC), John McCain (R-AZ), and Marco Rubio (R-FL)—in the Senate released strong principles for immigration reform, signaling broad agreement for a pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States. In the House, Rep. John Carter (R-TX) has been leading secret bipartisan negotiations to produce an immigration bill, while Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) told “Meet the Press” host David Gregory that he was “cautiously optimistic” on the prospect of reform. Other signs that a bipartisan reform agreement is not far off: