There are several states where, if we as a nation cut them loose, we wouldn't suffer for it. Alabama is one of those states. Take whatever may be of value to the government out, and then burn it to the ground.

Alabama will vote to keep the language. The spokesmen will cite "tradition" and "history"

Coco LaFemme: There are several states where, if we as a nation cut them loose, we wouldn't suffer for it. Alabama is one of those states. Take whatever may be of value to the government out, and then burn it to the ground.

You'll miss the Redstone Arsenal.

skinink: "The second time won't be any easier than the first because Alabama's two largest black political groups are urging a "no" vote. They say the proposed changes would wipe out some racially charged language, but would retain segregation-era language saying there is no constitutional right to a public education in Alabama. And they've been joined by the state's main teachers' group in refusing to go along."
Is there anything a politician cannot properly fark up?

Well...

The Alabama Democratic Conference and the Alabama New South Alliance say the change, backed largely by white Republicans with a pro-business approach, looks like a "feel good" change but is not.

Amendment 4 would excise outdated language about poll taxes and separate schools that many consider racist. But the critics say the language being proposed as a substitute undermines funding for public education by reaffirming that there is no right to a public education at taxpayers' expense in Alabama.

Does that answer your question?

xanadian: What?

*rtfa*

Though it ended decades ago, segregation is still mandated by Alabama's constitution. But an effort to remove the outdated language isn't supported by everyone, including some African Americans.

WHAT!?? 

They say the proposed changes would wipe out some racially charged language, but would retain segregation-era language saying there is no constitutional right to a public education in Alabama.

Oh. Christ, Alabama, WTF

Public education is, by definition, socialism.

Plus, education also tends to turn republicans into democrats. So thats two reasons they dont want education in alabama.

kitsuneymg: Also. If you think Alabama is "dumb", please look up Huntsville and Redstone Arsenal. Basically, it's probably the highest educated city in the US. Silicon Valley might give us a run for the money, but the rest of the US is easily "dumber" than HSV.

I happen to have stunning eyes... it doesn't make the rest of me a supermodel.
a grain of sugar doesn't turn a dog turd into chocolate soufflé

There is no right to public education. You cannot have a right to something that must exist through the effort of others. A right, by definition, is something you must be allowed to have. But that's impossible if it requires another person to fulfill it. You have the right to free speech, but not the right to be listened to, because that involves someone else. You have the right to self-defense, but not to be defended by others, because that forces effort on another to serve you. You have the right to practice your religion, but not to make others practice it too, because again, that would involve the necessary actions of someone else to be fulfilled. If your "right" requires action on the part of another person to be fulfilled, it cannot by definition be a right. Public education (like public healthcare) absolutely requires someone else to act in order for it to be fulfilled. There has to be another person actively teaching the public for there to be public education. That's why it can't be a right. What if that teacher doesn't want to teach?

All rights exist naturally within you and are fulfilled by you alone. If they extend past you and require someone else to fulfill them for you, they cannot be a right.

CapeFearCadaver: You're an ass. Put down the whiskey.

I like the K in Magic... Are you a Wizard, too?

Huh. Kind of an angry little person, aren't you?

WorldCitizen: Rapmaster2000: Thank God, for Alabama. Otherwise, us Georgians would have no one to make fun of. I suppose we could make fun of North Florida, but that's really no different from Macon. It would feel hollow.

Don't worry. Indiana is fighting really hard to be the Alabama of the North. We want to make sure that even the South has someone to point at and make fun of.

As a Hoosier living in the South I... uh. I got nothing.

CapeFearCadaver: whidbey: WorldCitizen: Yeah, that's why we shouldn't be voting on equal/civil rights

I guess i don't understand, given the 14th Amendment, why doing that would even be legal in this country.

NC's Amendment One: "An Act to Amend the Constitution to Provide That Marriage Between One Man and One Woman is the Only Domestic Legal Union That Shall Be Valid or Recognized in This State."

Not only was is solely for the purpose of making gay marriage HARDER, considering it was already illegal here; but the way they worded it: "the Only Domestic Legal Union That Shall Be Valid or Recognized in This State."... it leaves ALL unmarried couples, gay or straight, completely in jeopardy. Victims of DV, Health Insurance, Hospital Visitation rights, Life insurance... the list goes on. Voted by majority. (not by my county, thankfully, but still)

I understand what they did.

What I don't get is how it could possibly be Constitutional .

Thank God, for Alabama. Otherwise, us Georgians would have no one to make fun of. I suppose we could make fun of North Florida, but that's really no different from Macon. It would feel hollow.

SolidShadow: Alabama should be ashamed.
It's 2012 for fark sakes!

We're not. Well, I am and 20% of real progressives are but we tend to keep our heads down and mouths shut because the stupid burns.

WorldCitizen: Yeah, that's why we shouldn't be voting on equal/civil rights

I guess i don't understand, given the 14th Amendment, why doing that would even be legal in this country.

Hobo Jr.: The Guvnah was the first integrated strip joint in Birmingham. It burned down under mysterious circumstances in 1971.

I'm guessing that not so mysteriously alcohol was involved.

libranoelrose: Hickory-smoked: smitty04: People in Alabama also do not trust their politicians.

Though, in Birmingham, they love the governor.

I just knew that if I kept reading this thread long enough something would make me laugh. Bravo!

People always misinterpret that line.

The Guvnah was the first integrated strip joint in Birmingham. It burned down under mysterious circumstances in 1971.

hasty ambush: Is ther a "right" to public education.? Yes, it is a good thing but a right like free speech or gun ownership? I don't think so.

It is a government provided service like a fire deparment or a public park but not a right.

One could argue that you can't have an effective democracy without an well-educated public...

cmb53208: LouDobbsAwaaaay: Cut this tumor loose from the rest of the country.

On second thought, maybe not: we did after all give the nation Scott Walker, Paul Ryan, and Ron Johnson. Those three people don't exactly make Wisconsin look very bright.

As far as segregation goes, two words: Milwaukee suburbs

Nothing says segregation like English Station area of Chicago.

Vectron: Republicans. Damned if you do. Damned if you don't.

There is always the right way and then there is the Republican way. They can take anything that sounds good and pervert it to maximum Derp.

xanadian: What?

*rtfa*

Though it ended decades ago, segregation is still mandated by Alabama's constitution. But an effort to remove the outdated language isn't supported by everyone, including some African Americans.

WHAT!?? 

They say the proposed changes would wipe out some racially charged language, but would retain segregation-era language saying there is no constitutional right to a public education in Alabama.

Oh. Christ, Alabama, WTF

It's not just Alabama; these stupid bait-n-switch amendments and propositions are pretty much standard fair these days. People need to read the entire proposition before voting on it ("Free kittens for everyone...and the addition of a poll tax" Vote YES on Prop 100...for free kittens!)

cmb53208: I vote Arizona, a desert wasteland where old bigots go to die. You're out Arizona.

Actually, Arizona would make for one hell of a solar panel array.

smitty04: People in Alabama also do not trust their politicians.Dale


nor should they. Google Shadrack McGill, Roy Moore, Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, Don Seigelman, Tim James, Larry Langford, Dale Peterson, Parker Griffith

do I really need to go on? I can, I just don't want to.

Point is, the Alabama constitution is a convoluted mess. The ideal thing to do would be throw it out and write a new one, but the fact of the matter is, the new constitution that the lunatics in Montgomery come up with will undoubtedly be 900x worse than whatever is on the books now

lohphat: LouDobbsAwaaaay: Cut this tumor loose from the rest of the country.

Like the EU considered ejecting Greece from its union for being a fiscal drain, the US should eject states taking more federal aide than they contribute for the same reason.

Ejecting them, no.

They need a good biatchslap to make them fly right.

I'm sure Mercedes, Honda and Hyundai would be happy to have an uneducated Alabama labor force. "Would you like fries with that" would be music to the ears of all those folks from states that still believe in readin', 'ritin' and 'rithmetic.'  Of course those companies may just move after getting tired of being harassed by the local geniuses with badges.

lohphat: Gyrfalcon:
OurRacists' priorities sure are screwed up.

FTFY

Well, to be fair, I'd say they've got their priorities quite in a row.

They hate people, basically.

Hobo Jr.: As an Alabamian, I am getting a kick....oh wait, I'm not.

And before you ask, there has been a call for a new constitutional convention for the past 20 years.

So they're just phoning it in, is what you're saying...

As an Alabamian, I am getting a kick....oh wait, I'm not.

And before you ask, there has been a call for a new constitutional convention for the past 20 years.

The United States should be segregated from Alabama.

Britney Spear's Speculum: Alabama will vote to keep the language. The spokesmen will cite "tradition" and "history"

Democrats are dying out in Alabama (George Wallace is gone), sounds like it is time to throw the whole thing out and start over again.

Way to kill the stereotype, guys.

As opposed to northern states where they don't bother to vote on it. They just do it.

doyner: Alabama has the most ridiculous, long, and wordy state constitution in the US.

they're just trying to look smart, what with them words and such

Darth_Lukecash: Somacandra: Why would you need a substitute amendment? The revision should just strike out the offending language, including the ban on publicly funded education.

According to the article- the original amendment took out everything-but was rejected because people were afraid that taxes would go up because of public schools.

This isn't a race issue- but weather or not they want their kids to be educated. Or rather- pay for it.

Alabama also puts everything in the state Constitution. There's stuff about taxing pig farming in there.

doyner: Alabama has the most ridiculous, long, and wordy state constitution in the US.

I think it's actually the longest in the world.

Alabama don't need no edumacatin'. We's smart enough as it is. Ey, Cletus Jr, git the calcumalator. A fly needs swattin'.