Category Archives: Politics
Learn Something Every Day—Lessons from Alabama’s 2012 Legislative Session
I’m a big believer in the importance of continuous learning—every day, at least one thing new, and usually several. During this just-finished Legislative Session, to rephrase Lewis Carroll, I’ve learned far more than 6 impossible things before breakfast! Those of … Continue reading
Seven Days and a Pinch of Hope
As I write this evening, I am keenly aware of the seven legislative days Alabama has left in our regular session. So much is left to decide, especially about the budget. I hope you are also alert and continuing to … Continue reading
On the Legislation of Conscience
Among the several bills pending Alabama legislative action this spring, I am sorry to say our state has decided to extend its long arm into the realm of conscience. There are two bills pending, SB 105 and HB 375, titled … Continue reading
Filed under Alabama legislative session 2012, Politics, women's healthcare
Alabama: a Better Pledge to Sign
Tomorrow, our state House of Representatives will debate a budget worse than the worst one we imagined. I guess $ 400 million for Medicaid is no more impossible than $ 425 million—we were already at a fat-free budget before these … Continue reading
Filed under Alabama legislative session 2012, Children's Issues
Letter from Bazelon: Alabama’s Mental Health Funding Crisis
Interesting letter to Governor Bentley from the Bazelon people. This is the law firm involved in the Wyatt vs. Stickney case– if you don’t know about that, there is some good background on it by Dr. Fuller Torrey’s group. It is the … Continue reading
Filed under Alabama legislative session 2012, mental health, Uncategorized
Notes from Region I DMH Meeting
Notes from Region I DMH meeting, March 23, 2012, Huntsville Main Public Library, 10 am to 1 pm (This may be of interest to those of you who are preparing for mental health cuts, but I am mainly posting it … Continue reading
Filed under Alabama legislative session 2012, mental health
We Are Katniss
Yeah, I know—the LA Times is right. Every group you can think of is latching on to the Hunger Games as an allegory for its own cause. The archetype of a leader rising from the oppressed masses and inspiring revolution—it’s … Continue reading
Filed under Alabama legislative session 2012, Politics
Alabama’s Budget and Healthcare: A Plea for Sanity
Alabama, instead of going for a trickle-down economy, has settled on a suck–the-poor-dry scheme. We have the lowest overall state taxes but the highest income tax on the poor. While trying to run our state on the backs of the … Continue reading
Filed under Alabama legislative session 2012, Healthcare reform
Rally Against the War on Women, Huntsville, Alabama
Great rally today at Big Spring Park in Huntsville– speakers of every age, beautiful pear trees, music– here’s the text of my speech. The YouTube is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5gp9j7kFo8&feature=share This is what Spring in Alabama looks like! This winter, some of … Continue reading
Filed under Alabama legislative session 2012, women's healthcare
