December 31, 2005
Yes, there is a ski resort in Alabama
Hoping for temperatures to drop
It's on Lookout Mountain. They are complaining about the absurdly nice weather we're having, which has kept it too warm for their snow machines. I am not particularly sympathetic, because if you're going to run a ski resort in Alabama of all places you have to expect this. Plus it's just super nice out and has been for the last several days.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 04:17 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Be fair
43 slayings unsolved in city this year
That means there have been about 60 solved slayings. Wait, that's not exactly good news, is it?
Posted by Mac Thomason at 03:36 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 30, 2005
Good news for auto makers
Whether you're making luxury SUVs like Mercedes, or cheap-ass crap like Kia, Alabama will give you lots and lots of money to build your plants here and employ our semi-skilled workforce.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 04:57 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
To be fair
5 cars robbed, including Katrina evacuees
The robbers involved probably didn't know that the cars belonged to evacuees. Not that they necessarily cared.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 02:05 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
You know why?
Sheriff's plan stirs fears of profiling
'Cause that's pretty much what it is. Two African-American members of the Jefferson County Commission (my old buds Larry Langford and Shelia Smoot) are nervous about Mike Hale's plan to create a database to track illegal immigrants. Two white commissioners -- Gary White and Bettye Fine Collins -- support the program to various degrees.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 01:30 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 29, 2005
What, all of them?
Hispanics file suit against Hoover
That's a very awkward headline... The lawsuit was actually filed on behalf of someone who was deported after getting picked up after a traffic accident in Hoover.
Hoover police and elected leaders are trying to drive Hispanics out of the city through a pattern that includes racial profiling, illegal searches and unlawful incarceration, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court.The suit... also claims the city created its Department of Homeland Security and Immigration solely to police the Hispanic population. The department then began a scheme that would force the migration of Hispanics out of Hoover, the suit contends.
Yeah, that all sounds pretty much accurate. Hard to prove, though.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 08:35 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Grand Theft Beaver
Beaver statue stolen from Pelham site
Now someone stole a statue of a beaver dressed up for Christmas. This is a felony because the statue is solid brass and valued at $1000. I suspect that the thief did not realize this at the time.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 01:40 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 28, 2005
Another terrific idea!
Sheriff to track illegal residents
This way, you can convince the crackers that you're doing something about illegal immigration while not actually doing anything. And if you want someone to roust, you can just look on the computer and find a good candidate.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 01:08 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
December 27, 2005
The countdown
Homicide toll stands at 102 so far this year
I missed the rollover to 100 over Christmas -- I think it was actually on Christmas Eve night.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:54 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
And what's wrong with that?
Legislator directed $1.5 million in state funds to family's nonprofit
I mean, it's a nonprofit! Sure, his wife and son were paid by the nonprofit. And sure, he and his wife run the thing. But it's for a good cause! Right?
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:57 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
December 26, 2005
Okay, that's weird
Stolen figure of baby Jesus returned to OLS
So somebody stole the baby Jesus figurine from the Nativity scene outside Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic church. Then they got a replacement (a $15 doll) and that was stolen too. Then they got a real replacement, and that was stolen, and you'd think that they'd put up a camera or something. Then the replacement figure was put back (with "minor damage to one hand", which is creepy) Christmas morning.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:29 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
December 25, 2005
I have to admit it
Bachus seeks plum banking committee chair in eighth term
Spencer Bachus would probably be a pretty good fit for the banking chair. I mean, I'd prefer a Democrat, and hopefully the Democrats can take back the House so he'll have to settle for ranking minority, but as conservative Republicans go, he's not that bad.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 03:55 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 24, 2005
Tying it in to the season
Fans of the sky illuminate problems of light pollution
When the wise men followed the star to Bethlehem, they apparently didn't have to deal with light pollution from acorn-styled street lamps along the way.
Sure, all the light is wasteful (so much just shines up for the edification of night-flying birds) but I don't think you're going to get very far complaining about how it's messing up stargazing. For one thing, most people don't realize how messed up the view of the sky is.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:20 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
December 23, 2005
Okay, it's not gambling. For now
Race Course raided; judge halts seizure
After about 300 of 1,320 "sweepstakes" machines were seized, a judge issued a restraining order stopping the seizure. But until the hearing (Jan. 3) the machines can't be used.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:05 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 22, 2005
I guess it is gambling after all
al.com: NewsFlash - JeffCo deputies conduct raid, seize machines at Birmingham track
Oops!
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:15 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
My cousin the basketweaver
Actually, as far as I know I'm not related to Jesse Thomason. On the other hand, it's not that common a name.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:13 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 21, 2005
Squeaker
Fragile beach mice survive hurricanes
There have been hurricanes before, there will be hurricanes again. The Alabama beach mouse has survived them all. So far. The population is so low now and the range so restricted (thanks to development) that one blow could, theoretically, be the last.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:27 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
I'm on their side
Felons' rights to vote at issue
But I don't think they'll have much luck.
The suit, filed by the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, contends that Alabama Secretary of State Nancy Worley violates Alabama's constitution by requiring all felons to apply to the Board of Pardons and Paroles to have voting rights restored.The suit says the state constitution is clear that people convicted of certain felonies including DUI and drug possession - unlike murder, rape or robbery - do not lose their voting rights and do not need to apply for an eligibility certificate from the board.
Apparently, only felonies with "moral turpitude" are supposed to take away voting rights. They've asked "Troy King" to define "moral turpitude", which is probably a bad idea, since he has a really broad definition.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:29 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
How is that supposed to work?
U.S. orders city to allow middle school transfers
You have seventeen "failing" schools under NCLB. You have three successful schools. You're supposed to allow the entire populations of the seventeen schools, should they so desire, to transfer to the three schools? I think that the problem here is pretty obvious.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:21 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
December 20, 2005
No, not McAlisters!
UAB gets backing to demolish buildings
First, they're taking away people's food choices:
The development would be on the lots of Captain D's, Arby's, Panda Express, McAlister's Deli and the former McDonald's.
But also, I was struck by what they're building, a "facility for women, infants and oncology." I was thinking that's a pretty odd grab-bag. Turns out that they're putting a "Women and Infants Facility" (because bearing and caring for infants is women's proper role, I guess) and a Radiation/Oncology Center in the same building.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:36 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
We suck!
UA football grad rate worst in SEC
The only Division I schools with worse graduation rates were these august institutions: Florida Atlantic, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, San Jose State and Texas-El Paso. The story doesn't actually say what the graduation rate was but it's probably far below fifty percent.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 08:20 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 19, 2005
Delusions of grandeur, actually
Railroad Park inspires grand visions
I mean, who comes up with this stuff?
Its backers want it to be to Birmingham what Central Park is to New York City: An oasis that creates a transition from the decidedly urban landscape around it into a pedestrian-friendly scene where people congregate, escape and hold special events.
Central Park!
Posted by Mac Thomason at 07:17 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
December 17, 2005
Gone South
The University of South Alabama wants, apparently, to duplicate every school offered by any other University in the state. The Alabama Commission on Higher Education (isn't ACHE a great acronym?), however, rejected their proposal for a pharmacy school. (There are already two in the state, one at Auburn and one at Samford.)
Posted by Mac Thomason at 02:27 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 16, 2005
It's not gambling
It just looks like a casino, but it's a "sweepstakes". It's not gambling. That would be illegal.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 08:33 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Takeoff
RSA investments yield relatively lean returns
The head of the Retirement Systems of Alabama says that the reason he had a bad year and three year period was that he's put a lot of money into bonds instead of stocks and stocks were up. It has nothing to do with him buying an airline that went bankrupt, so forget about that.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 08:12 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 15, 2005
Hot ornaments
Stolen ornaments resurface in Daphne
First off, I think stealing Christmas tree ornaments is low. Second, I think Christmas tree ornaments honoring people buried in the cemetary housing the tree are macabre. Third, I can't imagine wanting to hang those ornaments where I live, so I'm not surprised that the thieves dumped them at a Wendy's. They kept the tree, though. Whatever happened to just backing over a tree with your car?
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:47 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Pork chops
Congress cuts special projects
That's the Great Big Education Pork Bill. Porkmeister Shelby, predictably, is "disappointed". The Evil Little Troll, meanwhile, likes it. Shelby, however, is happy to note that "there's always another bill and another year." Yes, Dick, there is.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:28 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
How conservative
State set to track patients' use of drugs
Because someone, somewhere, might be getting high, doctors and pharmacists in Alabama are supposed to report everybody's drug use to the state. This is constitutional?
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:17 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
Anything, for football
Alabama upgrades cost $20 million more than planned
Yes, the expansion of the UA football stadium will cost $120 million instead of $100 million. But there will be even more luxury boxes!
Posted by Mac Thomason at 08:34 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 14, 2005
And we're not even halfway through
al.com: NewsFlash - Alabama Power announces third price hike this month
Merry Christmas, y'all! I suggest you go easy on the Christmas tree lights this year.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 02:19 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Yeah, that's rough
Woman denied probation in case of soliciting murder
I mean, it's not like she succeeded. Sending someone to jail just for trying to have someone murdered is pretty harsh. Surely she wouldn't do that again.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 08:22 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 13, 2005
Or so they say
Barnes & Noble to anchor Midtown
I really want a Barnes & Noble in Tuscaloosa, but we've been down this road before. This is essentially the same development that was last supposed to bring in a B&N and a Best Buy but where construction never began.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:05 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 12, 2005
Thanks again, Kat
al.com: NewsFlash - Black Belt agency on hold with Katrina recovery
So Hurricane Katrina devastated some of the poorest parts of the country. The response is... to delay creation of an agency to promote economic development in those areas! Artur Davis says he's not even going to bother introducing the legislation this term, and the sponsor of the Senate version, Zell Miller, is of course no longer in office and is also utterly insane.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:54 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
It's about time
Pelham, Alabaster may limit occupancy
I mean, I heard that there was this family of immigrants, you know? And they moved into an apartment, and then they brought in three other families, and some of them were sleeping in the bathtub, because you know that immigrants don't bathe, you know? And then, they got evicted, because they don't pay rent, you know? And the landlord, he found out that there were immigrants living in the crawl spaces, you know?
Posted by Mac Thomason at 08:40 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 11, 2005
Oh, they'll be fine
DA says office lacks crucial funding
Tuscaloosa County's contribution to the District Attorney's office has stayed at $200,000 for fourteen years. In addition to inflation, the workload has doubled in that time.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 01:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Hooray, state!
Mobile home dealers want to be able to haul 20-foot structures around, because they aren't blocking traffic enough with the current 16-foot maximum. The Department of Transportation says no.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:25 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 10, 2005
You mean...
People who buy houses in subdivisions will have to go to boxes in central mail stations to get their mail? Like... apartment dwellers?!?
Posted by Mac Thomason at 04:33 PM | Comments (9) | TrackBack
December 09, 2005
Boy, there's a shocker
Thomas B. Fordham Foundation - The State of State Science Standards 2005
Alabama, naturally, gets an F. Not even a high F -- a 42. Is anyone at all surprised? Some of this is for anti-evolutionism, but that's hardly all of it -- evolution was worth only three points.
I really want someone to ask about this at the gubernatorial debates. The Republicans in particular (Roy's head will explode) but the Democrats, with their ties to the teachers' union, won't come out of it too well either.
(Via Pharyngula.)
Posted by Mac Thomason at 04:11 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
Thanks again, Roy
Bias-era language may stay until '07
The legislature is still scared of Roy Moore and his Bigot Brigade, so won't even consider putting a measure to remove segregationist language from the Alabama constitution. By the way, "Bias-era"? Isn't that cute? There's no racial bias today, that's for sure.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 03:30 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Larry Langford, scofflaw
Langford rebuffs official training
Madman/genius Larry Langford says that he doesn't have to complete the 50 hours of training required of county commissioners because he already took a course like that at Harvard. There's no actual penalty for not doing it.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 01:35 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Well, safe as it usually is
Extensive tests show Alabama seafood safe
No Katrina runoff pollution in the seafood, which is good news, I guess. Harvest season is over anyway.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 11:07 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
The eternal construction zone
There has been construction going on at the Birmingham airport for... I don't know how long. A long time. Certainly long enough for me to have made several trips there to wait for someone at the gate, and you can't even do that anymore. And now they're going to tear down the old terminal and replace it, which will carry construction to 2020. If there's even a commercial airline industry in 2020.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:51 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 08, 2005
That's the Birmingham School Board for you
Schools' costly hand scanners give board second thoughts
$1.2 million for hand scanners to clock teachers in and out even though they're salaried employees, not hourly. Meanwhile, the kids are eating the paint chips that are flaking off the walls because they're tastier than the lunches. But it's a state-of-the-arm system!
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:21 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Baptist teachers get uppity
Faculty protest creation speech
Samford University is a Baptist school, but its professors are, you know, actual scholars. So they're not at all happy about the idea of bringing in an "Intelligent Design" crackpot to talk. The college president knows ID is a load of crap but he thinks it's just peachy to bring the clown in anyway.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:04 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
December 07, 2005
It's Bible time again
Bill would let schools offer Bible courses
Actually, a high school elective course in Bible literacy would be a good idea, if they'd really teach it. Teach it, say, like the course I got in Catholic high school. But instead, we'd probably get something on the Roy Moore level of scholarship, because the first time someone taught, say, the documentary hypothesis of the Pentateuch, the religious fanatics would burn down the school.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 02:53 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
You can't go home, but you can't stay here
FEMA: Evacuees' time at hotels running out
FEMA is going to move them into apartment rentals now. Well, they'll help them find apartments and then pay for them. It makes sense, in that they're going to be here a while yet and renting out whole hotels is pretty costly. But they don't have furniture and appliances, things like that.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 01:30 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Well, gee, that's just swell
Electric rates to rise 10.6% Jan. 1
The PSC agreed to raise the energy cost-recovery rate that Alabama Power collects from customers to help pay its cost of natural gas, coal and other fuel that powers its generators.
So when fuel costs go down, you'll take back the increase, right guys? Right? Why are you laughing?
One of the three public service commissioners voted against the rate hike. Unfortunately, that commissioner was George Wallace Jr.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 11:19 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
December 06, 2005
Today's mean personal attack
Sharpton calls on blacks to continue fight for rights
Blacks, especially young people, must continue the fight for social justice because the struggle for fairness in America isn't over, the Rev. Al Sharpton said Monday at a remembrance of the bus boycott that started here 50 years earlier.
The presence of Sharpton at this occasion would only be appropriate if Rosa Parks had been lying about being arrested and actually had her own car.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 02:06 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
That'll show them
McWane Inc., execs fined, get probation
Why can't these guys ever go to jail, huh? Dump toxic waste in the river and you get probation. Surely nobody's going to do that again, huh?
Posted by Mac Thomason at 12:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 05, 2005
Today in puns
Susan likes these, so I'd thought I'd share:
The Alabama Farmers Federation and its associated insurance companies withstood another withering hurricane season to sustain a period of growth, organization executives told members gathered here Sunday evening.
Ha. Ha. Ha.
Anyway, ALFA, which is evil, paid out almost $300 million in hurricane claims this year after paying out about $325 million last year. But their various tax breaks and other measures the legislature has passed to favor them helped them do just fine overall. Their stock price is up almost 20 percent and has more than doubled over the last six years.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 08:49 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 04, 2005
An odd group
Awaiting a landmark decision on Foster Auditorium
Foster, the "schoolhouse door" which George Wallace stood in front of once upon a time, and now a National Historic Landmark, is dilapitated and needs repairs. Of course, there's no money for it, and really there's nothing they need it for. But that's beside the point. I just wanted to share this with you:
Well-known people such as Robert F. Kennedy, John Glenn, Jane Fonda and George Wallace spoke to capacity crowds.
Not all at the same time, of course.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 06:27 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
And yet again
Alabama Power requests another rate increase
Please. This one is to pay for hurricane damage. Understandable. But I don't see anything about it being temporary or giving people a rebate if we ever have a year without a major hurricane again.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 06:21 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Well, that's just terrible
Capital cases often filed, yet only a third succeed
What's more, most of the time you still can't get the death penalty. How shall Troy King slake his bloodlust?
Posted by Mac Thomason at 06:16 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
December 03, 2005
Swamped
State has 29 boats stuck in swamps
Katrina again. Boats got lifted out of the Gulf and deposited in the swamps around Bayou la Batre. The owners can't afford to get them removed, so they'll just sit there until the next hurricane I guess.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 02:40 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Fish full of mercury
State set to toughen fish mercury standards
Alabama was using the FDA standard before issuing fish advisories. The plan is to start using the EPA standard. The FDA allows five times as much mercury. At any event, this means that fish in basically every stream in the state will carry a warning from now on. Well, they won't actually be on the fish. You know what I mean.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 01:55 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
December 02, 2005
In the mix
Gas price drop met by mixed views
I was wondering who was against a drop in gas prices. Hippies at the UA art department, maybe. But instead, it's some people who think that they haven't dropped enough.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 01:34 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Homicide for the holidays
al.com: NewsFlash - City's murder rate near 100 with overnight death
97 murders in Birmingham this year, with 29 days to go. They should hit 100 around the 13th or 14th but it's been a bit chilly lately so the murderers might have to stay indoors.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:37 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Sacrificial Anne
Sen. Smith getting closer to entering Alabama governor's race
State Senator Harri Anne "Maybe We Could Dress Her Like A Boy" Smith apparently really is running for Governor. She's hired a campaign consultant and everything. Nobody knows why she's doing this, since her chances of getting the Republican nomination basically come down to one of Moore or Riley being convicted of murdering the other.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 09:22 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
December 01, 2005
I have one question
Transit Authority to hit the road for meetings
The Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority is going to move its meetings between the various cities it serves. Will they take the bus?
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:37 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Crazy things someone actually said
The Crimson White Online - Wallace set to run for Lt. Gov.
George Wallace Jr., everybody:
Wallace, a former state treasurer and public service commissioner, said he thought his father left a legacy of bringing all Alabamians together, especially in his later years, and he plans to continue that legacy. He said he has plans for improving the Black Belt and to help bring Alabamians together in the same way his father did.
For instance, by speaking to hate groups. That always brings people together.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:22 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
November 30, 2005
Guess what!
Guard searched for WMDs in Iraq
They didn't find any! They did find cornstarch.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 11:01 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Too bad, guys
Fuel cost recovery will be hot topic on Dec. 6
What with fuel prices nosediving, suddenly Alabama Power's rate hike doesn't seem quite so pressing. Well, except to Alabama Power. The Public Service Commission has delayed the hike until January, after a meeting to discuss other options.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:23 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
November 29, 2005
Oh, no, not Arkansas!
al.com: NewsFlash - Gov. calls on Arkansans to avoid traveling to Aruba
One state has joined in Bob Riley's pandering boycott now. 48 to go!
It is the official policy of this site to recommend that anyone asked to boycott strongly consider vacationing in Aruba. Arkies, this means you.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 07:13 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Nobody wants to see that
Man charged with indecent exposure
A Jefferson County man faces indecent exposure charges in several cities over a series of incidents in which women reported being approached by a man wearing see-through pants."He'd approach the women and ask if they could see what he had, and of course they could," Pelham police Lt. Scott Tucker said.
Good one, Lieutenant. This guy apparently has been doing this all over Jefferson and Shelby Counties of late. The incident gives rise to several questions, foremost of which is "Where does one buy see-through pants?" I'd guess the Internet.
Posted by Mac Thomason at 10:26 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
I hate truckers
Firefighter dies after firetruck, 18-wheeler collide
There. I said it, and I'll say it again. Apparently they aren't familiar with rules like "fire trucks have right of way" and "listen for the siren". The firefighter who was killed was the grandson of the mayor; the fire truck out of service is a large part of Calera's fire protection, since the city has had to get Alabaster to step in for backup while it's repaired.
Posted by Mac Th