http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/al-news/ en-us Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:00:36 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417958/posts TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Smokers in 12 states will be lighting -- and relighting -- fire-safe cigarettes designed to go out when they're not puffed as the result of new laws that go into effect Friday. The states are among the last to require that all cigarettes meet standards first implemented by New York six years ago. The states with laws going on the books this week are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. al.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417958/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 23:00:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417458/posts Trying to make sense out of the political analysis offered by MSNBC "Hardball" host Chris Matthews can often be a daunting task. And Matthews, a master of failed analogies - once calling West Point, home of the United States Military Academy "enemy territory" - doesn't give up easily. On the Dec. 29 broadcast of his MSNBC program, Matthews, who has no qualms with bearing the liberal moniker, took a shot at Alabama Congressman Parker Griffith, who switched parties last week, during his "Sideshow" segment. "First up, you know this fellow Parker Griffith?" Matthews said. "He is the Democratic congressman, or... Newsbusters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2417458/posts#comment Wed, 30 Dec 2009 06:16:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415454/posts More than six months after government officials seized his rare vintage military aircraft, Claude Hendrickson said he is still in the dark about why the airplane was confiscated and when and if it will be returned to him. Until the 1952 airplane -- believed to be one of only a handful of Douglas AD-4N Skyraiders in the U.S. -- is released from federal custody, Hendrickson said the aircraft will slowly deteriorate because he can't maintain it. In May, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents seized the Skyraider that Hendrickson purchased from a private collector in France. Hendrickson, a business owner... The Birmingham News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415454/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 21:14:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415336/posts Sgt. 1st Class Cliff Knight plans to take part of Alabama to Baghdad when he leaves for a yearlong tour of duty early next year. He's going to take watermelon seeds and see if they will sprout in the Iraqi soil. "I've already got my seeds picked out and look forward to getting them to grow," said Knight, a member of the 441st Ordnance Battalion with the Alabama Army National Guard. He lives in Decatur. Knight, 42, grows prize-winning watermelons, with some coming in at more than 130 pounds. An explosive ordnance disposal technician by trade, Knight will "mostly be... Huntsville Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2415336/posts#comment Sat, 26 Dec 2009 16:29:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414416/posts Parker Griffith's decision to step out of line and refuse to drink the Democratic Kool-Aid illustrates the Achilles Heel of the Democratic regime in Washington: The radical reign of Pelosi and Reid is held up by pillars of moderate and conservative Democrats who come from districts that regularly vote Republican. To survive in these red precincts, Democrats must act like Republicans, advocating a balanced budget, opposing big spending, and fighting against socialized medicine. But, in Washington, Pelosi and Reid use their backing to bring a radical left leadership to Congress. Once it sufficed for a moderate Democrat merely to vote... Jewish World Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414416/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 13:48:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414348/posts WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Freshman U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith, D-Ala., switched to the Republican party Tuesday and Democrats want their money back. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spent more than $1 million last year to help Griffith eke out a 51 percent victory in a north Alabama district that went for John McCain by 61 percent. Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., chairman of the DCCC, said that Griffith "has a duty and responsibility to return to Democratic members and the DCCC the financial resources that were invested in him." Griffith, an oncologist, said the healthcare bill was the major... UPI http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414348/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 08:59:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414317/posts DOTHAN, Ala. -- The mayor of the southeast Alabama town Taylor and a female companion have been arrested and charged with public lewdness after allegedly engaging in a sex act in a car parked at a Waffle House restaurant. The Dothan Eagle reporter that Taylor's 56-year-old Mayor Joel H. Napier and 34-year-old Cynthie Michelle Casper were observed in a state of undress in a 2008 Nissan Maxima at about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday at a Waffle House on Ross Clark Circle in Dothan. Interim Dothan Police Chief Larry Draughon said an officer witnessed the couple in the front seat of the... Alabama Press-Register http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2414317/posts#comment Thu, 24 Dec 2009 07:04:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413993/posts Senator Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., claimed Wednesday that a new Congressional Budget Office report shows that the health care reform bill in the Senate will "add billions to the deficit." "The president argued that this legislation would cut billions from Medicare, simultaneously expanding the program for nine additional years, and fully offsetting a spate of new government programs," Sessions said. "In actuality, that is impossible." He added, "New information from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) proves that the deficit-neutral score is false, and is based on the Democrats' use of clever manipulations of accounting rules." According to the CBO report, "savings... rttnews.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413993/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:42:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413933/posts MOBILE, Alabama - A shoplifter is caught by police, but not before he is caught by his dreadlocks. Mobile police say Gregory York stuffed steaks and several other items in his pants and tried to walk out of the Greer's Food Tiger on Broad Street Tuesday afternoon. The manager grabbed York by his shirt and dreadlocks. Some of the merchandise fell out of York's pants. But he got away with at least two packs of steaks. Wkrg.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413933/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:15:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413914/posts MOBILE, Ala. -- Three manatees have been sighted in the area within the last week, despite water temperatures considered far to chilly for the warm-blooded mammals. Local scientists are trying to keep tabs on the trio in the hopes of avoiding a repeat of last year, when two manatees died in Mobile Bay of cold exposure. Mobile Press Register http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413914/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:46:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413811/posts After 59 years, Army Master Sgt. Silas W. Wilson is coming home tonight, and the fact he will be in a flag-draped casket does not diminish the feeling of anticipation and closure in the heart of a daughter who never knew him. "When I was a child, from the time I had any memory at all, I knew what had hap­pened," Marie Wilson Cleghorn said Tues­day night. "And for 59 years, I've prayed ev­ery day that my daddy would come home one way or another. "It's 22 years too late for my mother to be this happy, and it's eight... The Birmingham News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413811/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:47:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413728/posts Saying goodbye to the Democratic Party comes with a price for U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith: It means he will lose his committee assignments on Capitol Hill, a spokesman for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi told The Times Tuesday. Griffith served on three committees: Science and Technology, Small Business, and Transportation and Infrastructure. Those Democratic-controlled committee assignments are now gone, and the GOP is unlikely to put Griffith on any committee over the next two weeks. "His assignments will be stripped away, and appointments will be made to other members," said Pelosi spokesman Brendan Daly. "It will be up to... Huntsville Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413728/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:59:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413699/posts HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) - A U.S. House Democrat who opposes the health care overhaul announced Tuesday he is defecting to the GOP, another blow to Democrats ahead of the midterm elections. U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith spoke to reporters at his home in northern Alabama, a region that relies heavily on defense and aerospace jobs. My Way News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413699/posts#comment Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:20:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413174/posts What is this 1993 again? We've got a huge vote coming up on a healthcare overhaul, and now southern Democrats are deserting their party in favor of the GOP. Talk about a shift from last year. If someone told you in November 2008, that politicians would be jumping to the GOP, you'd have thought they were nuts. POLITICO: POLITICO has learned that Rep. Parker Griffith, a freshman Democrat from Alabama, will announce today that he’s switching parties to become a Republican. According to a senior GOP aide familiar with the decision, the announcement will take place in this afternoon in... The Business Insider http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413174/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 19:07:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413270/posts Rep. Parker Griffith (D-AL R-AL) might be facing some opposition on right after his party switch, but he is being welcomed to the GOP by one top name: Sarah Palin. Palin posted this on her Twitter account: "Congratulations Alabama!And all Americans concerned about Capitol Hill's current agenda;Rep Parker Griffith just did the right thing.Welcome" Other big right-wing names, such as the Club For Growth and Erick Erickson, are already laying the groundwork for a primary challenge against Griffith by what they would think of as a truly loyal conservative. But so far at least, Palin is greeting the new GOP... TPM http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413270/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:04:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413093/posts Usually one does not see Congressmen or Senators flipping parties to join the minority. However, Politico’s Josh Kraushaar has a scoop that Blue Dog Democrat Parker Griffith of Alabama, a freshman in Congress, has seen enough of Nancy Pelosi’s leadership. He will join Republicans in a move that has far more symbolic than substantive impact — for now: POLITICO has learned that Rep. Parker Griffith, a freshman Democrat from Alabama, will announce today that he’s switching parties to become a Republican. According to a senior GOP aide familiar with the decision, the announcement will take place in this afternoon in... Hot Air http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413093/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:31:51 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413069/posts Politico is reporting that Rep. Parker Griffith, a Democratic freshman from Alabama, has flipped sides and will caucus with the Republican Party: POLITICO has learned that Rep. Parker Griffith, a freshman Democrat from Alabama, will announce today that he’s switching parties to become a Republican. According to a senior GOP aide familiar with the decision, the announcement will take place in this afternoon in his home district in northern Alabama. Griffith’s party switch comes on the eve of a pivotal congressional health care vote and will send a jolt through a Democratic House Caucus that has already been unnerved by... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413069/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:06:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413007/posts POLITICO has learned that Rep. Parker Griffith, a freshman Democrat from Alabama, will announce today that he’s switching parties to become a Republican. According to a senior GOP aide familiar with the decision, the announcement will take place in this afternoon in his home district in northern Alabama. Politico http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413007/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:05:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413082/posts Rep. Parker Griffith, a freshman Democrat from Alabama, is switching parties to become a Republican, Fox News has confirmed. Griffith is expected to make a formal announcement in an afternoon press conference on Tuesday. Griffith succeeded former Democratic Rep. Bud Cramer of Alabama, who retired earlier this year in a hard-fought contest for his northern Alabama seat. Republicans thought that district would be hard for Democrats to hold without Cramer on the ballot, but Griffith defeated Republican Wayne Parker by four percentage points -- even though Republican presidential nominee John McCain won every county in the district. Former President George... FOX News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413082/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:17:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413071/posts WASHINGTON – Senior House aides say freshman Democratic lawmaker Parker Griffith of Alabama is switching to the Republican Party. -- Griffith is a radiation oncologist. His switch comes as Congress is trying to pass a much-contested health care bill. Democrats will still control the House by a substantial margin. AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413071/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:08:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413043/posts POLITICO has learned that Rep. Parker Griffith, a freshman Democrat from Alabama, will announce today that he’s switching parties to become a Republican. According to two senior GOP aides familiar with the decision, the announcement will take place this afternoon in Griffith's district in northern Alabama. Griffith’s party switch comes on the eve of a pivotal congressional health care vote and will send a jolt through a Democratic House Caucus that has already been unnerved by the recent retirements of a handful of members who, like Griffith, hail from districts that offer prime pickup opportunities for the GOP in 2010.... Politico http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2413043/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:36:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412787/posts In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, word has come that we New Yorkers are the sad sacks of the United States. This is something of a surprise. Sure, we complain a lot. Grumbling could qualify as the official state sport. But are we really the unhappiest of them all? It seems so, judging from a study by two economics professors, newly published in Science magazine. The academics — Andrew J. Oswald, of the University of Warwick in Britain, and Stephen Wu, of Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y. — examined piles of data, tossed them into a... NY Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412787/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:48:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411629/posts SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Seven U.S. banks were closed by regulators on Friday, bring the total this year to 140 as the effects of the credit crisis continued to be felt across the country. What's more, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. established temporary institutions to help close two of the failed banks. Dow Jones / Market Watch http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411629/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 13:48:35 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409929/posts BEAVER -- The Beaver County Sheriff's Office has arrested three men suspected in a series of burglaries. According to the Spectrum, deputies said Luis M. Lopez, Andy F. Lopez, and Oren T. Hounchell admitted to varying levels of involvement in a series of break-ins at homes, stores and the Beaver City Library. They were also found in possession of an undisclosed amount of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. All three face multiple burglary and drug charges. Deputies discovered a set of footprints left in the snow after one of the home burglaries. They followed those footprints to the Hounchell's home. The... ksl.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409929/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:44:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409701/posts Representative Cam Ward Introduces Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act November 25, 2009 (ALABASTER, ALABAMA) – Representative Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) today announced the introduction of the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act. The act, which Rep. Ward is sponsoring is aimed at preventing child abductions in the state of Alabama. Child abduction is one of the most frightening and heartbreaking crimes faced by parents and families today. According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, despite the familiar image in the news of children abducted by predatory strangers, the majority of child abductions are perpetrated by family members. To combat... Republican Cam Ward Web Site http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2409701/posts#comment Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:34:30 GMT