Column

HBO Alzheimer’s Project includes Cousin Cliff

Cousin Cliff’s last TV appearance may be the one for which he’ll be best remembered. Arguably the best-known performer ever to ply his trade in the Birmingham television market, the ebullient entertai

Column

What does it mean that the U.S. has tortured?

By Courtney Haden

At the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, beginning in May 1946, 28 men were brought to trial before the world. They were the top tier of Japanese war criminals, and their number includ

Column

The Prime of Ms. Jane Trechsel

By Courtney Haden

I did so want to hold forth on topical topics of interest this week, but they turned out to be last week’s: tea parties and Texas secession. Mind you, I’m glad the discomfited and the discombobulat

Column

Bachus to the Future

Socialists? So what? If Spencer Bachus wants to really scare us, perhaps he could come up with a list of Congressmen in league with the banking cabal that still threatens to overturn the global financial system.

By Courtney Haden

I seem to have guessed wrong yet again, for just the other week I was convinced we might be living 1931 all over again. Turns out, it’s really 1950. That was the glorious year one Joseph McCarth

Column

Interview: Lilly Ledbetter

Her name can be found on groundbreaking lawsuits, a Supreme Court decision and headlines around the world, but when Jacksonville resident Lilly Ledbetter had a historic fair pay act named after her last year, it could be said that this quintessential work

By Courtney Haden

Her name can be found on groundbreaking lawsuits, a Supreme Court decision and headlines around the world, but when Jacksonville resident Lilly Ledbetter had a historic fair pay act named after her la

Column

'Only Yesterday' reminds readers that past is prologue

I spent last weekend in 1931, and I have it to tell you, it seemed mighty similar to 2009.

By Kyle Whitmire

I spent last weekend in 1931, and I have it to tell you, it seemed mighty similar to 2009. My host was the late author Frederick Lewis Allen, who wrote his remarkably vital cultural history, Only Y

Column

Witnessing the witlessness of certain U.S. senators

By Courtney Haden

An intriguing byproduct of a new administration is a renewed interest in civics. Perhaps our quadrennial reacquaintance with the electoral process makes us more attuned to the creaks and shimmies of t

Column

Reinstating Hank Williams to the Grand Ole Opry

What makes Hank the perfect underdog is a historic willingness to throw everything away.

By Glenny Brock

Yesterday may have been National Underdog Day. Or maybe tomorrow is. There seems to be a dispute about which square on the calendar belongs to the little guy. In any case, Birmingham Weekly columnist

Column

Another open letter to Artur Davis

Further questions on the Alabama congressman's support of FISA

By Glenny Brock

Three weeks ago, Birmingham Weekly columnist Courtney Haden made plain his disappointment with the way Rep. Artur Davis voted on the FISA Amendments Act, the latest re-tooling of Foreign Intelligence

Column

Commentary: Davis on the defense

By Glenny Brock

Two weeks ago, Birmingham Weekly columnist Courtney Haden made plain his disappointment with the way Rep. Artur Davis voted on the FISA Amendments Act, the latest re-tooling of Foreign Intelligence Su