WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.Editorials 2011

  • Thursday, December 29 2011 7:20 PM EST2011-12-30 00:20:44 GMT
    What's 12 feet tall, weighs in at 600 pounds, is currently sitting high atop the RSA BankTrust building in Mobile and is planned to drop 317 feet in 60 seconds down the side of that spectacular building?

  • Tuesday, December 27 2011 7:20 PM EST2011-12-28 00:20:46 GMT
    We are closing the book this week on a year that saw many changes, challenges and opportunities. What a year for our world as we sat witness to a number of epic events. 

  • Thursday, December 22 2011 7:20 PM EST2011-12-23 00:20:45 GMT
    Seems we have angels amongst us.  All across our country families are finding out their holiday layaway accounts have been paid off.

  • Tuesday, December 20 2011 7:20 PM EST2011-12-21 00:20:50 GMT
    It's the holiday season and many of us are focused on family and food, presents and, of course, giving. We like to give. It makes us feel good to do something for others. As you consider the gifts for

  • Thursday, December 15 2011 7:45 PM EST2011-12-16 00:45:58 GMT
    Seems this is Alabama's year for unintended legislative consequences.  We are all too aware of what our state is currently dealing with regarding the issues arising from our Immigration Law and now an unfortunate twist with our ethics law is rearing its head around the holidays.

  • Tuesday, December 13 2011 9:37 PM EST2011-12-14 02:37:58 GMT
    The National Transportation board recommended this week that states should ban all driver use of cell phones and other portable electronic devices, except in emergencies. 

  • Thursday, December 8 2011 7:25 PM EST2011-12-09 00:25:23 GMT
    There are many people in need here in Alabama throughout the year, but as Thanksgiving leads to Christmas time, their need seems more pronounced, especially in an unstable economy.

  • Wednesday, December 7 2011 5:23 PM EST2011-12-07 22:23:51 GMT
    Speaking as a former High School football player on a team that went 3 and 37 over 4 years it was a true pleasure watching our local young men play winning football this weekend and bring home the Class

  • Friday, December 2 2011 10:02 AM EST2011-12-02 15:02:08 GMT
    Most would agree that prepaid college programs are a good idea.  Lock in college tuition at current rates and when you head off to college your costs are covered at future rates.

  • Tuesday, November 29 2011 7:20 PM EST2011-11-30 00:20:55 GMT
    Jobs, Jobs, Jobs – there's been a lot of talk lately about what can be done to spur job creation in our country and further reduce unemployment.

  • Monday, November 21 2011 7:21 PM EST2011-11-22 00:21:38 GMT
    Editorial: Be thankful Its Thanksgiving week and here are a few things you might be thankful for. Be thankful that, even in this recession, America still has the strongest economy in the world. If

  • Tuesday, November 15 2011 7:33 PM EST2011-11-16 00:33:53 GMT
    The alleged appalling acts by a former Penn State assistant football coach and founder of a group home for troubled boys has the country reeling.

  • Thursday, November 10 2011 7:41 PM EST2011-11-11 00:41:41 GMT
    This week our nation will commemorate and honor America's military veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

  • Tuesday, November 8 2011 7:25 PM EST2011-11-09 00:25:52 GMT
    The U.S. Justice Department, which is among the groups suing Alabama over its new immigration law, recently sent letters to school superintendents in our state, asking for information about student enrollment.

  • Thursday, November 3 2011 7:29 PM EDT2011-11-03 23:29:17 GMT
    More times than not I tend to see both sides of an argument and can appreciate differing points of view. This is absolutely, positively not one of those cases. The Westboro Baptist Church out of Topeka,

  • Tuesday, November 1 2011 7:26 PM EDT2011-11-01 23:26:18 GMT
    This week the Governor's office said there isn't a need for a special session of the Legislature to address the looming retirement of thousands of teachers.  The RSA predicts 1,800 to 2,000 teachers will retire on December 1st to avoid higher health insurance costs.

  • Friday, October 28 2011 3:08 PM EDT2011-10-28 19:08:01 GMT
    Come Monday ghouls and goblins, Captain Americas, Green Lanterns, baseball players, ballerinas and yes even Charlie Sheen's will be knocking on your doors with smiles and resounding "Trick or Treats!"  Another year has flown by and Halloween is once again upon us.

  • Friday, October 28 2011 3:00 PM EDT2011-10-28 19:00:36 GMT
    The ruling is in and Alabama's current property tax system does not unconstitutionally discriminate against black and poor schoolchildren. So says U.S. District Judge Lynwood Smith in an 854-page ruling.

  • Tuesday, October 25 2011 7:33 PM EDT2011-10-25 23:33:22 GMT
    If you've had the opportunity to tour the Montgomery Hyundai Motor Manufacturing plant on one of the trams you've participated in the following chant directed towards team members led by an enthusiastic tour guide – 1, 2, 3 Hyundai!

  • Wednesday, October 19 2011 1:28 PM EDT2011-10-19 17:28:22 GMT
    I took the liberty of reviewing the Alabama State Superintendent of Education ad this week and found the language in the ad for prospective candidates on point. Here's an excerpt, and I quote, "This is

  • Friday, October 14 2011 12:30 AM EDT2011-10-14 04:30:39 GMT
    It dawned on me as I listened to a powerful speech this week given by Jessica Brookshire, founder of K.A.R.M.A....

  • Friday, October 14 2011 12:02 AM EDT2011-10-14 04:02:44 GMT
    Our "Bullying" editorial prompted this feedback: "It's bad enough being the target of bullies but to have it recorded and passed around to everyone they know is more than any adolescent is emotionally

  • Thursday, October 6 2011 8:01 PM EDT2011-10-07 00:01:03 GMT
    Alabama – the United States – our world - just lost another precious child this week to suspected case of bullying. Children and teens with bright futures are deciding more and more often to take their

  • Tuesday, October 4 2011 7:46 PM EDT2011-10-04 23:46:55 GMT
    Our state has certainly been receiving a lot of national attention lately.  The talk of the country is the most recent ruling by Federal Judge Sharon Lovelace Blackburn allowing major portions of Alabama's immigration law to be implemented.

  • Thursday, September 29 2011 7:33 PM EDT2011-09-29 23:33:05 GMT
    A recent unfortunate incident at a Montgomery public park has prompted local officials and law enforcement to revise reservation policies at parks for group gatherings. From this point forward all reservation

  • Tuesday, September 27 2011 7:25 PM EDT2011-09-27 23:25:40 GMT
    Those of us with children have all had moments of panic when we could not locate our kids only to find them a short time later at a friend's house.  What a relief that was.

  • Thursday, September 22 2011 7:26 PM EDT2011-09-22 23:26:10 GMT
    Bounce TV, the country's first-ever free over- the-air broadcast television network targeted to African-Americans will launch on WSFA 12.2 Monday, September 26th. 

  • Tuesday, September 20 2011 7:25 PM EDT2011-09-20 23:25:58 GMT
    Last Wednesday's report from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the U.S. Coast Guard on the Gulf oil spill of 2010 was even more damning to BP than the President's panel findings earlier this year. 

  • Thursday, September 15 2011 7:25 PM EDT2011-09-15 23:25:50 GMT
    Last week in President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress he urged all lawmakers "to clear the way for a series of trade agreements that would make it easier for...

  • Tuesday, September 13 2011 7:59 PM EDT2011-09-13 23:59:31 GMT
    I can honestly say I have never heard from my children's mouths "I don't know what I'm going to wear today!" Why – because they have always been in a school uniform. Montgomery Public Schools are now

  • Tuesday, September 6 2011 9:28 PM EDT2011-09-07 01:28:24 GMT
    Ten years ago this Sunday the worst terrorist attacks in our nation's history occurred.  All of us most likely can remember where we were when the planes...

  • Thursday, September 1 2011 8:22 PM EDT2011-09-02 00:22:03 GMT
    One would think when an Alabama soldier serving abroad in Afghanistan risking his life so we can all live peacefully in pursuit of liberty and happiness asks for a state flag– he would get it. Well this

  • Tuesday, August 30 2011 7:25 PM EDT2011-08-30 23:25:50 GMT
    For as long as I can remember, there have been pleas from concerned Alabamians for the revision of our state's 1901 constitution. 

  • Thursday, August 25 2011 9:17 PM EDT2011-08-26 01:17:29 GMT
    This weekend history will be made as our country celebrates and memorializes someone who contributed greatly to our history as a nation. That someone is Martin Luther King, Jr.

  • Tuesday, August 23 2011 7:25 PM EDT2011-08-23 23:25:38 GMT
    Labor Day, the first Monday in September each year, constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.  That's the "official" definition of this day by the U.S. Department of Labor.

  • Thursday, August 18 2011 7:25 PM EDT2011-08-18 23:25:55 GMT
    A new survey is out looking into Child Poverty and unfortunately Alabama is at the back of the line.

  • Wednesday, August 17 2011 7:25 PM EDT2011-08-17 23:25:34 GMT
    Remember that first day back to school when you were a child?  There was as much joyful anticipation as there was anxiety about that day.

  • Thursday, August 11 2011 7:18 PM EDT2011-08-11 23:18:48 GMT
    Whether you agreed with the verdicts or lack thereof in the Federal bingo corruption trial – the judicial system worked.

  • Tuesday, August 9 2011 8:11 PM EDT2011-08-10 00:11:05 GMT
    Drastic times call for drastic measures and last week Standard & Poor's took the unprecedented step in lowering the rating on U.S. Government debt from AAA to AA+ - a first in our nation's history. They

  • Thursday, August 4 2011 7:25 PM EDT2011-08-04 23:25:44 GMT
    On Monday Alabama  schools' Adequate Yearly Progress report came out.  49 state school systems including 377 schools did not make AYP this year.

  • Tuesday, August 2 2011 7:22 PM EDT2011-08-02 23:22:03 GMT
    Another fascinating episode in American politics ended this week as Congress finally came to a compromise agreement on raising the national debt ceiling.

  • Thursday, July 28 2011 7:24 PM EDT2011-07-28 23:24:56 GMT
    Last week Troy University decided to ban smoking on campus. They join the nearly 500 colleges in America that have done so… many, like Troy, in an effort to promote healthier living. While that is a

  • Tuesday, July 26 2011 7:26 PM EDT2011-07-26 23:26:00 GMT
    Last week, with the final landing of the space shuttle Atlantis, an era of American history came to an end. It is especially poignant for Alabamians because the rockets that launched the shuttles came from the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.

  • Thursday, July 21 2011 7:26 PM EDT2011-07-21 23:26:01 GMT
    All you dog lovers pay close attention. We have less than two weeks to get Montgomery, Alabama to the top of the PetSafe "Bark for Your Park" national contest awards one city $100,000 for the construction

  • Monday, July 18 2011 11:15 PM EDT2011-07-19 03:15:54 GMT
    The future of television is bright and we want to ensure it stays that way. Congress is currently considering action as part of the debt and budget negotiations that could threaten your ability to view

  • Thursday, July 14 2011 7:26 PM EDT2011-07-14 23:26:02 GMT
    Everyone take a deep breath and sit back down. That's what congressional leaders are doing this week at the White House to resolve and forestall an economic catastrophe. If you have been in front of

  • Tuesday, July 12 2011 8:41 PM EDT2011-07-13 00:41:23 GMT
    Our Immigration Considerations editorial prompted this differing feedback: "The toxic partisan atmosphere in Alabama to these our fellow citizens is detrimental to all of us. A reasonable, simple pathway

  • Friday, July 8 2011 12:22 PM EDT2011-07-08 16:22:51 GMT
    Alabama's recently passed Immigration Law has been quite the topic of debate recently.  While we all agree that laws must be obeyed, we should also agree that things are not always black and white. 

  • Thursday, July 7 2011 1:59 PM EDT2011-07-07 17:59:14 GMT
    There are times when remembering dates and events can be challenging. Think about how hard it is to remember joyous occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. When the events are tragic it is human

  • Thursday, June 30 2011 7:46 PM EDT2011-06-30 23:46:05 GMT
    Independence Day, Fourth of July, "The day I catch up on yard work?!?" However you refer to the 4th it's a holiday we all look forward to each year for different reasons. 

  • Tuesday, June 28 2011 8:49 PM EDT2011-06-29 00:49:39 GMT
    It took a while to get Alabama on this dance floor but finally we are there. Governor Robert Bentley this month signed into law House Bill 361, the Matthew John Dahl DUI Prevention Act. With his signature,

  • Thursday, June 23 2011 8:18 PM EDT2011-06-24 00:18:54 GMT
    By the fall of 2012 all cigarette makers will have graphic warning labels on cigarette packs depicting the health risks of smoking. These warnings, soon to be on the front and back of all packs, will constitute

  • June 21, 2011 06:59 PM CDT2011-06-23 20:20:36 GMT
    State lawmakers started this year's regular session by filing 265 bills for review, in­including important bills dealing with our state budget, il­legal immigration and school board redistricting as detailed

  • Thursday, June 16 2011 7:59 PM EDT2011-06-16 23:59:00 GMT
    I received plenty of feedback on my editorial questioning the wisdom of Alabama's new immigration law.  One viewer wrote:

  • Tuesday, June 14 2011 7:25 PM EDT2011-06-14 23:25:46 GMT
    Last week the state legislature passed, and Governor Bentley signed, what everyone agrees is the toughest immigration law in the nation.

  • Monday, June 13 2011 4:38 PM EDT2011-06-13 20:38:42 GMT
    This editorial aired on Tuesday, June 7th.  There was an error in the use of the word "blocked" in the 4th paragraph.  The correct word should have been "modified".  My apologies.

  • Thursday, June 9 2011 8:52 PM EDT2011-06-10 00:52:04 GMT
    The 2010-2011 school term has come to an end, and now is the ideal time to help our children prepare for their 2011-2012 school year.

  • Thursday, June 2 2011 7:25 PM EDT2011-06-03 00:25:50 GMT
    Last week the Alabama Legislature passed and Governor Bentley signed into law the "Students First" Tenure and Fair Dismissal Reform Act. This new law preserves tenure protection for teachers while giving

  • Wednesday, June 1 2011 1:39 PM EDT2011-06-01 18:39:53 GMT
    Alabama currently has four Affiliated Double A, Minor League Baseball teams out of only 30 in the United States. These teams, which hold value for our state and communities, face serious issues if the current ethics reform bill passes without a proposed amendment. 

  • Thursday, May 26 2011 10:48 PM EDT2011-05-27 02:48:12 GMT
    Earlier this week Governor Bentley signed into law a bill that will guarantee adequate funding of the State Ethics Commission for the foreseeable future.   I applaud him and the current state legislators, many of whom promised to make this happen if elected.

  • Tuesday, May 24 2011 7:25 PM EDT2011-05-24 23:25:27 GMT
    Last week we received a long, thoughtful email from a viewer in Tallassee. She expressed her concerns about how the internet, social networking, Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and the like are eroding teenagers' sense of responsibility for their actions. 

  • Friday, May 20 2011 12:47 PM EDT2011-05-20 17:47:25 GMT
    Unfortunately that day we editorialized on over a month ago has arrived. On Monday our government reached the $14.3 trillion dollar limit on federal borrowing. That's it – not one more penny can be borrowed

  • Tuesday, May 17 2011 8:37 PM EDT2011-05-18 00:37:59 GMT
    The list of acts performing at Jubilee has truly been a who's who of the music industry, but...

  • Thursday, May 12 2011 9:16 PM EDT2011-05-13 02:16:41 GMT
    Those school districts dealing with recent tornado damage will have one less thing to worry about-making up missed school days.

  • Tuesday, May 10 2011 7:30 PM EDT2011-05-11 00:30:41 GMT
    At the beginning of this year Baptist Health, Jackson Hospital and HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital jointly implemented a tobacco-free campus policy. This smoke-free policy included their sidewalks,

  • Friday, May 6 2011 2:47 PM EDT2011-05-06 19:47:20 GMT
    It's hard to believe in a time like this when our state is in the process of rebuilding and recovering there are those that will see this as an opportunity to take advantage of the situation and the suffering people involved.

  • Wednesday, May 4 2011 6:57 PM EDT2011-05-04 23:57:06 GMT
    Last week marked an historic week of severe weather and tragic loss of property and life in Alabama. Currently there are a reported 200+ deaths in Alabama attributed to the violent storms and tornadoes.

  • Tuesday, April 26 2011 7:30 PM EDT2011-04-27 00:30:40 GMT
    We can all agree that education is the foundation of a strong and vibrant society. 

  • Thursday, April 21 2011 7:47 PM EDT2011-04-22 00:47:46 GMT
    The Montgomery Public School System is saving energy, saving money and ultimately saving teachers jobs.

  • Wednesday, April 20 2011 2:09 PM EDT2011-04-20 19:09:50 GMT
    Our nation's debt is currently north of $14 Trillion dollars. That's right TRILLION with 12 zero's...

  • Thursday, April 14 2011 7:23 PM EDT2011-04-15 00:23:29 GMT
    April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and events will be scheduled throughout the state to bring public awareness and education to the citizens of Alabama. 

  • Tuesday, April 12 2011 7:31 PM EDT2011-04-13 00:31:06 GMT
    Challenging as the 2012 budget will be 2013 is even more daunting. $263 million from the oil and gas trust fund in the 2012 budget will not be available in 2013.

  • Thursday, April 7 2011 6:57 PM EDT2011-04-07 23:57:42 GMT
    The words "Play ball" will fill the air again this week as the Montgomery Biscuits open their 2011 season.  It's hard to believe that it was only 7 years ago that minor league baseball returned to the River Region at Riverwalk Stadium.

  • Thursday, April 7 2011 11:37 AM EDT2011-04-07 16:37:43 GMT
    MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - When the entire state of Alabama is being asked to do the same or more with less – wouldn't you think all state legislators would be willing to share in the sacrifice? You would

  • Thursday, March 31 2011 7:30 PM EDT2011-04-01 00:30:27 GMT
    Alabama lawmakers are discussing a bill that would stop people from suing restaurants because they ate there and became obese.

  • Wednesday, March 30 2011 1:11 PM EDT2011-03-30 18:11:42 GMT
    Change is in the air.  The winter chill is all but a memory with warm spring winds and pollen returning with vigor.

  • Friday, March 25 2011 5:32 AM EDT2011-03-25 09:32:07 GMT
    Montgomery's best days are ahead and that makes leaving here extra tough.  When I arrived, education shortcomings led the concerns list.

  • Tuesday, March 22 2011 7:21 PM EDT2011-03-22 23:21:17 GMT
    After last week's editorial supporting a statewide ban on texting while driving, we received these comments from viewers...

  • Friday, March 18 2011 6:30 PM EDT2011-03-18 22:30:17 GMT
    You've got to love the expression, "the elephant in the room". It means that we should stop avoiding the obvious, and it came up recently in an editorial board meeting discussion on education and property taxes.

  • Tuesday, March 15 2011 7:30 PM EDT2011-03-15 23:30:58 GMT
    Alabama has one of the worst teen fatality rates in the country and teenagers love to text message.  Any distraction while driving is dangerous, but numerous studies have shown that texting is one of the worst, and that a ban on texting reduces accidents.

  • Thursday, March 3 2011 7:30 PM EST2011-03-04 00:30:49 GMT
    Just before the state of the state address last year we editorialized cuts were needed and new revenue streams developed to pass a balanced budget.

  • Wednesday, March 2 2011 3:10 PM EST2011-03-02 20:10:45 GMT
    MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) Legislation to create and secure jobs is most welcome this new legislative session. Expanding incentives, expanding deductions from state taxes of health care costs by small businesses

  • Thursday, February 24 2011 7:30 PM EST2011-02-25 00:30:54 GMT
    Many of you took exception to our Toomer's Corner editorial.

  • Tuesday, February 22 2011 7:30 PM EST2011-02-23 00:30:54 GMT
    How people react to unfortunate events speaks volumes. The reaction of both Auburn and Alabama fans to the poisoning of the 130 year old oak trees at Toomer's corner in Auburn has been impressive. 

  • Thursday, February 17 2011 7:31 PM EST2011-02-18 00:31:08 GMT
    Directional signage in downtown Montgomery has been a long time coming but well worth the wait.  We certainly applaud the efforts of the city to make it happen.

  • Tuesday, February 15 2011 7:30 PM EST2011-02-16 00:30:55 GMT
    Our editorial "Cut the Debt" received quite a bit of response.

  • Thursday, February 10 2011 7:30 PM EST2011-02-11 00:30:55 GMT
    Creating and keeping jobs dominates state house activity. One sure fire way to create several thousand jobs is for the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company to get the contract to...

  • Tuesday, February 8 2011 7:30 PM EST2011-02-09 00:30:59 GMT
    There are a lot of questions floating around this week.

  • Thursday, February 3 2011 7:30 PM EST2011-02-04 00:30:45 GMT
    Where can you check out movies, CDs, and books at no charge? Take computer classes at no charge or just use computers provided for you for free? Tap into Alabama's virtual library database providing

  • Tuesday, February 1 2011 7:31 PM EST2011-02-02 00:31:20 GMT
    Babies born today will face a grim reality by the time they are in college: interest on the debt and benefits for Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security will consume the entire federal budget.  There will be no money left for anything else.

  • Thursday, January 27 2011 7:30 PM EST2011-01-28 00:30:37 GMT
    MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - Alabama no longer ranks at the bottom nationally among states for education performance. In fact, it ranks higher than 25 other states, including Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, California

  • Tuesday, January 25 2011 7:30 PM EST2011-01-26 00:30:15 GMT
    In December 2008 we editorialized how positive it was that Montgomery would be making the Coosa Street crossing a quiet zone, private crossing so the loud train whistles would stop for folks trying to sleep at downtown hotels.  Now it seems

  • Thursday, January 20 2011 7:30 PM EST2011-01-21 00:30:14 GMT
    Montgomery Public Schools have lost 32 million dollars the past two years due to funding cuts...

  • Tuesday, January 18 2011 7:30 PM EST2011-01-19 00:30:23 GMT
    Job creation is Governor Robert Bentley's top priority. One region  that continues to trail the rest of the state: The Black Belt.

  • Thursday, January 13 2011 7:30 PM EST2011-01-14 00:30:36 GMT
    In response to a recent WSFA editorial which endorsed Troy University for elevation to a higher conference within the NCAA...

  • Tuesday, January 11 2011 9:23 PM EST2011-01-12 02:23:11 GMT
    Recently, we decided the City of Montgomery needed a brand that would carry us into the next 30 years - locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.  That led to the development of what we call the Dreams Campaign.

  • Thursday, January 6 2011 7:30 PM EST2011-01-07 00:30:24 GMT
    MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - Our editorial suggesting ways to deal with the unfunded liability for state employee pensions and health care didn't sit well with state workers. One emailed "I find your comments

  • Tuesday, January 4 2011 7:30 PM EST2011-01-05 00:30:35 GMT
    Not that long ago the Retirement Systems of Alabama had the assets to fund 100 percent of retirement liabilities...

  • Thursday, December 30 2010 7:30 PM EST2010-12-31 00:30:17 GMT
    Resolutions abound as the new year rolls in and the WSFA team will join you in making them.

  • To reply to an editorial or to make a suggestion for future editorials, email Collin Gaston, V.P. & General Manager of WSFA 12 News