Gary Palmer: The Picture Obama should release

  In the aftermath of 9/11, Osama bin Laden became public enemy number one. With his public confession to the 9/11 murders and his subsequent threats and taunts about the destruction of the United States, he issued his own death warrant. On May 2nd, 2011 that warrant was expertly served by U.S. Navy Seal Team #6.

  So what does the death of Osama bin Laden really mean?

  It brings at least some measure of closure to the 9/11 mass murders but it certainly doesn't mean our war against terrorism is over.  In fact, it indicates that the war against terrorism has added another dimension.

John Podesta, Carl Pope, Gene Karpinski: Cleaner cars, less foreign oil

  America is suffering from another oil price shock less than three years after prices hit a record of $147 per barrel in July 2008. Over the past month oil prices rose by over $20 per barrel, or more than 25 percent. This price hike reflects political instability in many oil-producing Persian Gulf nations. And Wall Street speculators have preyed upon oil users’ fears about supply interruptions to bid up the price to over $100 per barrel.

Steve Flowers: Inside The Statehouse: Stuck in this old Constitution

  Our Alabama Constitution is very antiquated. One of the flaws inherent in the document is that it does not allow local county governments very much authority or power. Therefore, county governments have to channel most changes or actions into local acts that have to be advertised in their local paper for four weeks and then taken to the state legislature to be enacted. As a result, the entire state legislature must act on a local bill for Fayette County that might only involve something as mundane as paving a road or buying a tractor.

Jennifer Marshall: Marriage an ideal, not a fairy tale

  In America, little girls were glued to the television from before dawn, enthralled by Diana’s dress with its billows of silk taffeta, 10,000 pearls and 25-foot train. To a young girl’s eye, the only blemish of this perfect day was that the bride’s signature feathered hair succumbed to the summer humidity.

  But not even flat bangs could detract from the fairy tale dream of marriage played out with such pomp.

  Nor was the nobility of the moment lost on adults. As ABC’s Ted Koppel commented that evening:

  Today’s marriage between Charles and Diana was … a hugely magnified version of what most of us hope for, the idealized beginning of what is meant to ripen into the perfect partnership of a man and a woman.”

Gene Policinski: Take time out to celebrate World Press Freedom Day

  Thanks to the First Amendment, I’m free to write these words — and you’re free to read them.

  But for about 84% of the approximately 6.9 billion people with whom we share this planet, that’s not the case. They live in nations where the press is only “partly” free from government control or criminal intimidation, or not free at all.

  Those global press freedom figures are from a 2010 report by Freedom House, an independent human rights organization, which has compiled such data annually since 1980. The group’s 2011 report will be issued May 2.

Ian M. MacIsaac: Fear and loathing in a Buckingham Palace bathroom

  Despite the Deep South rapidly becoming a war-zone, the events in Japan and Libya, and the release of Obama's birth certificate, it seems very likely that a larger percentage of Americans than Britons watched Friday's royal wedding between William and Catherine. Americans have long had a weird fascination with the monarchy and especially the royal family, but it seems particularly noticeable with so many actually consequential events occurring as we speak.

  I have to say I was surprised I didn't hear more complaints about the nature of this wedding from Americans. In an age where everyone in the states seems to be worried where their tax dollars are going and what their government's wasting money on now, I couldn't believe my eyes as I saw these same Americans--both those I know personally and those on CNN and NBC who fawned over the event all day--cheer the use of mind-boggling amounts of British taxpayer money for a wedding between two figures who literally do nothing.

Dr. John Hill: Legislature making progress now that gambling's a non-issue

  Few research reports more clearly illustrate the dangers of expanding gambling in a state-and the benefits of getting rid of it altogether-than two papers released last month.

  The first study, which was conducted by the University of Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions, flips the long-common wisdom that alcoholism is more prevalent than gambling problems. Rather, according to the Institute, the opposite is true.

Laurence M. Vance: Is there a right to live where you choose?

  In addition to certain days being designated as holidays, the federal government and various organizations have also singled out certain days, weeks, and months as times to emphasize a particular issue or commemorate a group or event.

  Some of these are well known, like Earth Day (April 22) and Black History Month (February); others are fairly obscure, like National Cancer Survivors Day (June 1) and National Missing Children’s Day (May 1).

  In addition to being Poetry Month, Dental Health Month, National Cancer Control Month, Parkinson Awareness Month, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month, the month of April is also National Fair Housing Month.

Steve Flowers: Inside The Statehouse: Watching the new regime

  As I approach my 60th birthday it occurs to me occasionally that I have witnessed and been part of a good many legislative sessions. I started my observations in 1963 as a 12 year old page when George Wallace was in his first year as governor.

  If you count Lurleen’s two years, Wallace was Governor of Alabama 18 years. You generally get good at something the longer you work at it. This was the case with Wallace and his ability to work the legislature. He became a master at getting his agenda through the legislative labyrinth.

Gary Palmer: State legislators must not cave to AEA pressure

  Andrew Biggs' testimony regarding state and municipal debt should be required reading for every Alabama state legislator.  And every Alabama citizen should know what Biggs projects regarding the debt obligations that we taxpayers now face.

  Biggs, a former principal Deputy Commissioner of the Social Security Administration and former Associate Director of the National Economic Council, reported to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform that states are facing a debt crisis of enormous proportions, most of which is in obligations for pensions and health benefits for state employees.