Tuesday 11/13/2007 DAILY NEWS DIGEST
Birmingham News - Number of Hispanic students in Alabama schools increases 12%.
Daily Mountain Eagle - U.S. Rep. Aderholt endorses Romney in GOP presidential primary.
Times Daily - U.S. Rep. Artur Davis sets sights on governor’s race in 2010.
Times Daily - The Times Daily urges legislature to give serious consideration to proposals to abandon partisan election of appellate judges.
Mobile Press-Register - Mobile Water Service to seek injunction against DOT to stop work on road project, cites environmental concerns.
Mobile Press-Register - Press-Register warns Democratic legislative leaders of attempt to redraw congressional districts.
Huntsville Times - The Huntsville Times views rumors of redrawing congressional districts during next legislative session as “a bad idea.”
Montgomery Advertiser - The Montgomery Advertiser contends that congressional redistricting could result in House becoming embroiled in controversy usually seen only in Senate.
Tuscaloosa News - The Tuscaloosa News finds surprising that legislators apparently have forgotten voter anger at last year’s partisan battles, would consider taking on congressional redistricting.
Daily Home - FBI joins search for Sen. Preuitt’s missing grandson.
Redistricting means enhancing political power. The Republican party realized this which is why they engaged in a wholesale redrawing of district lines and gerrymandering. When you look at what we have now in terms of district lines it’s scary. So what are Democrats planning to do? I suggest that it may be their attempt to right the wrongs that took place while Republicans were in control. It is in the best interest of the citizens not be marginalized and to have their vote count, with the hope that it will give them a voice in elective governance. Those who would oppose this need to be asked why.
Comment by Bhmhomeboy — November 13, 2007 @ 7:55 am
When did the Republicans redraw the district lines in Alabama?
Comment by Margaret — November 13, 2007 @ 8:15 am
When were the Republicans in control of the Alabama Legislature?
Comment by Roy — November 13, 2007 @ 8:31 am
Never.
Comment by Margaret — November 13, 2007 @ 8:37 am
1880’s or thereabouts was when the Republicans had a state house majority and were able to draw district lines unhindered.
Comment by waltm — November 13, 2007 @ 8:38 am
The GOP hasn’t controlled either legislative body since Reconstruction. Try again.
Comment by Blake — November 13, 2007 @ 9:20 am
I think redrawing the lines are a great idea. It’s ridiculous that we don’t have more seats that are at least competitive for Democrats in this state. It would be a bloody battle . . . but Democrats might as well do it while they are in power (because they might not be next time around, and you know the Republicans would do the same thing). One question: does the governor have to sign a new plan? I was under the impression that they did, which would obviously be an obstacle. But I might be wrong.
Comment by ptclearer — November 13, 2007 @ 10:54 am
Elbridge Gerry (gerrymandering) was a Democrat.
Comment by Reactionary — November 13, 2007 @ 11:51 am
Republicans have redrawn lines by running to federal court, rather than by fighting it out in the legislature. They have continued this effort through the efforts of Mark Montiel the last few years, in at least two more lawsuits that have been unsuccessful. But after the 1990 census, Republicans ran to a friendly federal court in Mobile and filed their lawsuit there rahter than even attempt to use the legislative process.
Comment by Hunt&Wesch — November 13, 2007 @ 11:59 am
Republicans filed the lawsuits because the lines the Democrats drew violated the “one man one vote” principle. There is a large variance in the numbers of voters in district to make sure that the Democrats would retain control.
Comment by Susan — November 13, 2007 @ 1:29 pm
Anyone that doesn’t think there should be redistricting should go over to www.leftinAlabama.com and look at the map.
Comment by bhmhomeboy — November 13, 2007 @ 4:14 pm
The map is under the “Don’t take a knife to a gun fight” link. It looks like Stevie Wonder drew the district lines.
Comment by bhmhomeboy — November 13, 2007 @ 4:53 pm
Susan- you obviously weren’t around when the suit after the 1990 census was filed. The census results came back right at the end of the regular session when there was not time to draw ANY lines - good or bad. There was consensus that there would be a special session for redistricting. Instead of calling the special session that had been agreed to, Gov. Hunt and other Republican leaders ran to court. So don’t say that Republicans only file suit because the “one man, one vote” rule is violated. By the way, why was it ok for Tom DeLay and his buddies to redraw in the middle of things in Texas but so wrong for states where Democrats control things to take a page from their book?
Comment by Hunt&Wesch — November 13, 2007 @ 7:44 pm
Never fear, according to leftinAlabama.com, Democrats have taken redistricting off the table. Republicans win and we the people lose again. Oh well, it was a nice dream while it lasted.
Comment by Bhmhomeboy — November 13, 2007 @ 10:44 pm
It seems to me that the Alabama Democratic Party has quit representing “we the people.” They have given themselves a huge pay raise, they continue to tax poor families who earn only $12,000, refuse to regulate pay day loan businesses that prey on the poor and uneducated, and refuse to pass any of the transparency reforms they promised us.
Comment by Margaret — November 14, 2007 @ 8:11 am
[…] While some Democrats may salivate at the idea, the hullabaloo (e.g., there are four editorials here) around Sunday’s Associated Press story is starting to feel more like much ado about nothing. […]
Pingback by Speaker Hammett: Re-districting “Bad idea” » Doc’s Political Parlor — November 14, 2007 @ 8:53 am
Democrats NOR Republicans are representing “We the People”, they are respresenting “Me, Myself and I” with the help of special interest. Why don’t Republicans work with Democrats to ease the tax burden on poor families? Pay day loan buisnesses aren’t the only things that prey on the poor and uneducated. Why not fix the reasons they are poor and uneducated? I guess that would be to much like right.
Comment by Bhmhomeboy — November 14, 2007 @ 10:42 am
Hey Bhmhomeboy, Gov. Riley asked the legislature to make the number a family has to earn to start paying taxes to be $20,000. Hubbert stepped in and pressured the Democrats to make it $12,000. As for payday loan business, the real reason we can’t get reform is because some of our Senators own a bunch of them. They don’t want to regulate something that is so personally lucrative. But you are pretty right that neither is adequately representing the people. What suggestions would you make to fix the problem of the poor and uneducated?
Comment by Margaret — November 14, 2007 @ 12:14 pm
The first thing that needs to be done is re writing the Alabama Constitution.
Comment by bhmhomeboy — November 14, 2007 @ 1:51 pm