Jacob G. Hornberger: Military tribunals are un-American

  Last month New York jurors convicted Osama bin Laden’s son-in-law, a man named Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, of terrorism-related offenses in a trial in federal district court in New York City. The New York Times reported that "his swift conviction on all counts would seem to serve as a rejoinder to critics of the Obama administration’s efforts to try suspected terrorists in civilian courts, rather than before a military tribunal."

Charles C. Haynes: Gay marriage, religious freedom and the need for civil dialogue

  In recent months, legislators in more than a dozen states — from Hawaii to Georgia — have attempted to enact laws they describe as necessary to protect religious freedom.

  Some are broad "religious freedom restoration acts" very similar to laws already on the books in many states. Others are amendments to existing laws aimed at allowing businesses to deny wedding services to gay couples on religious grounds.

Steve Flowers: Inside the Statehouse: Agriculture is still king in Alabama

  Alabama has seen its share of industrial recruitment coups in the past few years. In fact, 20 years ago the landing of Mercedes was the impetus that has catapulted us to the top of the nation in automobile manufacturing. Mercedes, Honda, Hyundai and the peripheral support manufacturing companies have placed us in the top three states in America when it comes to automobile manufacturing jobs.

David G. Bronner: America's infrastructure

  Recently it was revealed that snipers took out 17 of 20 large transformers in about 20 minutes at a Silicon Valley PG&E substation last April, requiring 27 days and $16 million to repair. The California attack on the PG&E substation is considered "the most significant incident of domestic terrorism involving our power grid that has ever occurred," according to the former chairman of the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC).

The Ryan budget is a broken record of failed trickle-down economics

  For the past three years, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) has been trotting out the same conservative, top-down policies that have failed the nation’s middle- and working-class families, seniors, and the economy. The House Republican budget is built around the tenet that nearly everyone else must sacrifice in order to continue to give billions of dollars in tax breaks to millionaires, big corporations, and Big Oil. At every turn, the House Republican budget reveals its vision of an economy and government that only works for the wealthiest individuals and special corporate interests at the cost of everyone else.

Gene Policinski: ‘Abracadabra!’ Judge says Teller’s trick is protected

  Now you see it. Now you don’t … or don’t copy it, at least.

  Magician Teller of "Penn and Teller" sued another magician in 2012 in federal court in Nevada over what Teller asserted was a copycat performance of Teller’s signature trick, "Shadows," and his competitor’s offer to sell the secret behind the illusion.

Montgomery-based "Death to the World" film premiere slated for Saturday

  In February 2013, we highlighted a film project that was getting underway in Montgomery that features Capital City Free Press managing editor Josh Carples as an actor. We talked about the fundraiser here and interviewed director Shane Gillis here.

    The film, "Death to the World," is now complete, and the company behind it, Foolish Henry Films, is having a screening this Saturday in Montgomery at the Capri Theatre. The one-time showing starts at 9:15 p.m. and standard Capri ticket prices apply.

  The film’s synopsis says, "Since Nick’s arrival, Weston has been plagued by fear and murder. The unprepared police force has proven to be an asset to Nick, and the small town has become a safe haven for his dark deeds. Nick’s life begins to unravel, however, as new relationships threaten to reveal his secret – a secret he has killed to protect. But he soon discovers that he is not the only one with secrets...."

  "This has been a very fun project to be a part of," said Carples, who also serves as director of Public Relations for Foolish Henry Films. "The cast and crew have been a pleasure to work with, and I hope that people enjoy the finished product."

Copyright © Capital City Free Press

Catch Steve Flowers' verdict on this legislative session tonight on CBS 8

  Don't miss political analyst and Capital City Free Press contributor Steve Flowers tonight on CBS 8/WAKA/Alabama News Network @ 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.! The regular session of the Alabama Legislature ends today and we always look forward to the Flowers' verdict.

Sam Fulwood III: Of bats, gloves, and an all-in nation

  Baseball season gets underway this week, bringing with it the springtime hopes that a favored team will remain active into fall’s World Series.

  I can’t escape the annual optimism that coincides with the first professional pitch of the year. What red-blooded American can resist feeling a sense of promise and potential that the start of a new baseball season represents? And, not to get all George Will up in here, but baseball truly is a metaphor for our national cultural life.

Steve Flowers: Inside the Statehouse: Alabama loses spot as most conservative state

  The Gallup poll has come out with their ranking of the most conservative and most liberal states in America.

  Last year we were ranked as the most conservative in the country. We lost that mantle to Wyoming this year. In fact, we fell dramatically to number ten. In past years either Alabama or one of our sister southern Bible Belt states took home the title. This year the Western states made inroads into our group in the top ten rankings.