Austin Smith Clem Must Be Kept Away From Children

Austin Smith Clem was found guilty of molesting and repeatedly raping a teenager, but will spend no time in prison for it. The more I hear from his attorney, the more outrageous this story gets: “It would seem to be relatively mild,” Totten tells Mother Jones. “But [Clem’s] lifestyle for the next six years is […]

Does the Right to Life End at Birth? Part 1

April 7, 2011: When Alabama’s new Republican House majority moves to vote on a bill that would make abortions illegal after the 20th week of gestation, Democrats filibuster. The result is an unflinching conversation about the priorities of faith-based politics. Merika Coleman objects to the majority’s changes to the Special Order Calendar; Kerry Rich, the […]

Does the Right to Life End at Birth? Part 2

Dexter Grimsley questions Kerry Rich, sponsor of an abortion bill, on his understanding of the medical science of fetal pain; Barbara Boyd questions the majority’s overreach; Alvin Ward reminds the sponsor about the costs of previous suits brought against the state over unconstitutional legislation; Juandalynn Givan excoriates the sponsor for basing the bill on faith […]

Does the Right to Life End at Birth? Part 3

Christopher John England points out the bill’s problematic disagreement with Supreme Court precedent; Pebblin Warren discusses infanticide and back-alley abortions as the unintended consequences of abortion restrictions; Joseph Mitchell attempts to amend the bill to use the word “fetus” instead of “child;” Paul Lee moves for cloture; Alvin Ward and Mary Moore denounce the move […]