http://bhamweekly.com/birmingham/articles.sec-10-1-politics.html CNN, FOX, and MSNBC can't get enough of politics. In fact many of their reporters refer to themselves as political junkies. At the end of the day, a junkie is a junkie. Junkies will do whatever they have to do to get that next fix. They don't care what it is and where it comes from as long as they can get high.]]> At the pool the other day, I heard a George Michael song. That sentence alone raises too many questions to answer in the small space available here. (Why was he listening to a radio station, let alone one that plays George Michael songs? ]]> If you’re here looking for what has recently become a predictable dose of political satire, I’m sorry. This is not your week. The little yellow light on my satirical-faux-conversation tank is burning bright. I’m tapped out for now, man.]]> It’s Independence Week; what better time to brush up on that most American of American stories: Paul Revere’s ride. Now, the way I always understood it, Paul Revere rode from Boston to near Lexington, warning Americans that the British troops were making their move. But then Tea Party historian Sarah Palin gave us a more authoritative account:]]> I’m sure you were shocked by the wanton display by a politician last week, a man who surely knows better but was so blinded by his ego and insulated by his base that he felt he could get away with anything.]]> The presidency of Barack Obama ended April 4. It was a pretty good one, given that it lasted only two years. He managed to get some health care reform enacted, rescued a couple of car makers and generally helped the nation weather an economic tsunami resulting from eight years of a Bushquake.]]> Fifty years ago, beginning April 17, 1961, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency—using Cuban exile air and ground forces—tried unsuccessfully to invade Cuba and spark an uprising against President Fidel Castro. ]]> Just slightly more than a year ago, Birmingham was faced with a 77 million dollar deficit. The city was reeling from the many misdeeds of former Mayor Larry Langford, and the city government was in shambles. On top of that, we were in the midst of the great recession, which hit all of us hard and created a bleak landscape where progress for the city and hope for a better future seemed distant at best.]]> In something of a break with custom, U.S. Rep. Artur Davis has said he will not endorse or campaign for his primary opponent, state Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks, who beat Davis in June to become the Democratic nominee for governor of Alabama.]]> Since late last year, the Grants Mill Road bridge over Lake Purdy has been closed because the city could not enforce vehicle weight restrictions on the bridge. This has created quite a problem for Birmingham, Jefferson County and Shelby County residents who used the bridge—they currently have to take a six-mile detour to get to their destinations. ]]> As a native Californian, I was excited when I moved to Birmingham in November 1999. From all appearances, the Magic City had nothing but an upside. How could a place with three fouryear colleges, including a major medical school; thriving nightlife; a burgeoning food scene; and a great music tradition be anything but exciting and ready to burst at the seams?]]> The vote tallies are the unofficial results of the Dec. 8 2009 special election for Birmingham’s mayor, as posted in City Hall at 9:21 p.m. on Tuesday night. The commentary is ours. Patrick Co]]> In a five-to-four vote, Birmingham’s City Council elected Councilor Roderick Royal as its new President Tuesday morning, making him acting mayor until voters select a new mayor in a special election. ]]> Don’t believe for a second that this saga ends with the conviction of Larry Langford. This story is just beginning. And if you think the $235,000 worth of jewelry, clothes and cash Langford received i]]> Former Birmingham Mayor Richard Arrington said today that he will not run for the office he left a decade ago. Earlier this year, Arrington helped form the New Jefferson County Citizens Coalition, ]]> Almost two years after its debt structure collapsed, Jefferson County is suing JPMorgan, among others, for fraud, conspiracy and unjust enrichment. In a lawsuit filed Friday in Jefferson County Cir]]> To screw things up this badly requires a group effort. Sure, there was the Montgomery investment banker, Bill Blount. And the lobbyist Al LaPierre. But the plot that did in Jefferson County went much ]]> Former Jefferson County Commissioner Mary Buckelew was sentenced to three years of probation, community service and ordered to pay a $20,000 fine on Thursday. [caption id="attachment_10321" align="]]>