Our Opinions
9/11 anniversary
      Tuesday, Sept. 11 marked the sixth anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Nearly 3,000 lives were lost that day. Perhaps even worse, a nation lost its feelings of security within its own borders.
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Iraq dilemma
      The day before the 9/11 anniversary, a congressional hearing addressed a direct result of that awful day- the war in Iraq. Gen. David Petraeus did a commendable job in explaining the military's operations there. His remarks were predictable- that progress is being made and that the U.S.
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Face the Nation
Ask the right questions
Bob Schieffer
      For months now, the administration has been telling us, let's wait until we hear from General Petraeus before we decide where to go next in Iraq. Well, tomorrow [this past Monday] we hear. The atmosphere is much like the time during the Vietnam War, when the commander then, General William West...
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Strange case from Alabama
"[T]he Siegelman and Thompson cases are a reminder that when the power of the state to imprison people is put in the wrong hands, lives can be ruined and democracy can be threatened."
By Adam Cohen
      Alberto Gonzales is out as attorney general, but there is still a lot of questionable Justice Department activity for Congress to sort through. The imprisonment of Don Siegelman, a former Democratic governor of Alabama, should be at the top of the list.
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Cartoon
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Inside the Statehouse
Thompson will be GOP nominee
Steve Flowers
      Very seldom will I venture a prediction on a major race like president, especially over a year out and with each party having ten candidates openly vying for their nomination. In addition, it is the most open presidential race in my lifetime.
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Guest Columnist
Ode to Fuffel
Autumn Calvert
      My first cousin, Russell, was more like a big brother to me than a first cousin. He was my hero, and I wanted to be just like him. If Russell ordered a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch, I ordered a grilled cheese. If Russell thought a movie was cool, I thought the movie was cool.
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Congress Reports
Alabama's fair share of water
Jo Bonner
      As we know all too well, a large portion of the southeastern United States is experiencing severe and, in some cases, record drought conditions.
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Airport Diaries
Hartfield-Jackson International: World's busiest airport
Gail Marshall
      I visited Hartfield - Jackson International Airport in Atlanta a few days after it received the prestigious honor of being named the most efficient and cost effective airport in North America on Aug. 1.
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Letter to the Editor
Lock sheriff up in his own jail
      Dear Editor, I enjoy reading your on-line service. For those of us who own homes in Clarke County but live in Mobile, it helps us keep up with the news. I for one, along with many others, are wondering why Clarke County needs judges.
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Pictures From The Past
      Jack Chapman eyes a tire tube being carried by Walter Snodgrass in front of Chapman's O.K. Service Station in Grove Hill in this undated photo, likely from the 1960s provided by Bea Chapman, Jack's widow. The last of four 1935 lawmen in a photo submitted by Jackson Assistant Police Chief Mark Harr...
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Refusing to invest in yourself • Taxes per person
Alabama residents pay less in taxes than people in most other states.
      State and local taxes per person, fiscal year 2005 TOP FIVE New York $5,752 Connecticut $5,398 Wyoming $5,251 New Jersey $4,890 Massachusetts $4,470 National median $3,387 BOTTOM FIVE South Carolina $2,
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