Mark Kennedy

Now the Whole State is Killing Time in the "Beason Line"

October 1, 2011 by Left in Alabama

Yesterday - September 30 - was the end of the month and a Friday, which meant that car tag renewal lines would be long.  But I was shocked when I passed the satellite office in Parkway Place Mall in Huntsville & saw over 70 people lined up.  The queue spilled out of the office, snaked down the hall, and blocked part of the Belk's store entrance.

I asked one woman near the front how long she'd been in line.  "Almost 3 hours," she said.  "This is a giant f@*kup."

When ADP chair Mark Kennedy spoke in Huntsville last month, he discussed the service cuts in Jefferson County due to Scott Beason killing the bill to preserve funding of county services.  Kennedy described plans to sell t-shirts to those in line:  "I MISSED WORK STANDING IN THE BEASON LINE." 

Judge Blackburn's Ruling On Alabama Immigration Law

September 28, 2011 by Left in Alabama

US District Court Judge Sharon Lovelace Blackburn has ruled on the DOJ's court challenge to Alabama's Beason-Hammon Immigration Law which has been called the nation's cruelest.  As you can see from the court order, she blocked four disputed sections of the Alabama law, but allowed five others to stand.

The Judge granted the DOJ's motion with respect to Sections 11(a), 13, 16, and 17 of H.B. 56.  That is, the State of Alabama will not be permitted to execute or enforce these sections of the law, pending final judgment:

No Republican Willing to Defend Beason-Hammon Immigration Law

September 17, 2011 by Left in Alabama

Awhile back ADP Chairman Mark Kennedy challenged his GOP counterpart to a debate on the Beason-Hammon Immigration law.  Of course, GOP Chairman Bill Armistead declined to debate Kennedy.  Not only is the Republican leader unwilling to defend Alabama's worst in the nation immigration law, it appears that no Republican period wants to defend it.

The nonpartisan Birmingham Pledge Foundation is hosting a discussion of the immigration law on September 22.  Judge Mark Kennedy will speak against the law but so far no Republican is brave enough to step up and defend it.  

ADP Chair Mark Kennedy: "Pray for Me & My Big Mouth!"

September 9, 2011 by Left in Alabama

"We are people of honor."  When is the last time anyone in politics used the word "honor" with regards to behavior & responsibility?  ADP Chair Mark Kennedy does and it's one reason why I have so much respect for him & the work he's doing.

Speaking in Huntsville last week, Kennedy discussed the massive debt he inherited when he became party chair.  And yet, even with a $587,000 bank note hanging over his head, he asked the crowd to donate to their local party organizations first.

Here's the video clip & partial transcript.

ADP Chair Mark Kennedy Bringing "Enthusiasm & Hope for the Future"

September 9, 2011 by Left in Alabama

If ADP Chair Mark Kennedy keeps this up, we may soon see him riding around in a "Plain Talk Express" bus.  Speaking in Huntsville last week, Kennedy discussed Congressman Mo Brooks: "Most folks call him 'Crazy Mo' and when I hear him talk, I can't believe what I hear."

Kennedy also called on the packed crowd to help the party recruit qualified candidates and warned about continuing assaults on Constitutional rights at both the federal and state levels.

The best part was this quote:  "But what I do is bring you a lot of enthusiasm and hope for the future." When is the last time the party leadership offered us either of these?  It's been a long dry spell...

Here's the video & partial transcript. Enjoy!