OP-ED: Where Are America’s True Leaders? Alabama’s Senators Show Us What’s Wrong with Politics Today

From misinformation to moral cowardice, Alabama’s Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville symbolize a deeper crisis in American leadership — one our democracy can’t afford to ignore.

Leadership in Washington is supposed to mean something — courage in the face of pressure, truth in the face of lies, and integrity when compromise is easy. But in today’s America, those qualities seem to have vanished, replaced by self-promotion, misinformation, and blind party loyalty.

Nowhere is this decline more visible than in Alabama’s own Senate delegation.

Sen. Katie Britt, hailed early on as a “fresh conservative voice,” has quickly become a symbol of what’s wrong with modern politics — more interested in echoing talking points than in taking principled stands. Her carefully polished speeches and social-media appearances project confidence, but behind that veneer lies a politician too afraid to challenge the falsehoods poisoning our public discourse. When leadership demands courage, silence is complicity.

Then there’s Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the former football coach who built his campaign on empty slogans and nostalgia. His time in office has been marked not by statesmanship but by spectacle. His months-long hold on military promotions didn’t strengthen national defense — it weakened it. His false claims, partisan bluster, and disregard for the truth are an embarrassment to Alabama and a betrayal of the oath he took to serve.

🔴Political Blame Game: Government Shutdown Erupts Despite Full Republican Control

As Washington descends into chaos, President Trump, the Speaker, and Senate Majority Leader point fingers at Democrats—raising questions about accountability and leadership under one-party rule.

WASHINGTON, D.C. | The federal government has once again ground to a halt, triggering confusion and anger across the nation as millions of Americans face furloughs, delayed paychecks, and disrupted public services. However, this time, the political dynamics are unlike those of previous shutdowns: Republicans hold control of the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives—yet the administration is blaming Democrats for the impasse.

Despite unified control, President Donald Trump, House Speaker, and Senate Majority Leader each took to the airwaves and social media, asserting that Democrats’ “obstruction tactics” were to blame for the shutdown. The contradiction has sparked outrage among voters, political analysts, and independent observers who note that Republicans have full authority to pass funding measures without opposition support.

“This is not about Democrats stopping progress,” said U.S. House of Representative from Georgia's 14th District and one former congressional staffer. “This is about dysfunction within the ruling party itself—competing egos, lack of coordination, and a failure of governance.” --- Marjorie Taylor Greene, U.S. House of Representative, 14th District, Georgia

Help Starts Here: 2-1-1 Connects Families to Lifesaving Resources Across Communities

Available 24/7 by phone or text, the 2-1-1 system provides direct access to food, housing, healthcare, and emergency assistance for millions of Americans in need.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. | In times of crisis or uncertainty, knowing where to turn can make all the difference. That’s where 2-1-1 steps in — a simple, three-digit number connecting individuals and families to vital community resources, anytime and anywhere.

By dialing 2-1-1, callers are linked to trained specialists who can guide them through a vast database of local, state, and national programs. Whether it’s finding emergency shelter, food assistance, mental health support, or transportation options for medical appointments, 2-1-1 helps bridge the gap between those in need and the services that can help.

“Help starts here — that’s more than a slogan,” said a 2-1-1 regional coordinator. “It’s a lifeline for people facing tough times. Our operators are trained to listen, assess, and connect callers with real solutions.”

Designed to be inclusive and accessible, the 2-1-1 service particularly benefits the elderly, people with disabilities, veterans, and low-income families. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week — ensuring that help is always just a call or text away.

For those who prefer to text, assistance is also available through a mobile platform. Simply text your ZIP code to 898-211, and a live 2-1-1 specialist will respond with personalized support and local referrals.

Top 10 Time: Vanderbilt Cracks AP Top 10 After Stunning SEC Surge

The Commodores’ historic climb continues as Vanderbilt enters the Associated Press Top 10 for the first time in over 75 years, signaling a seismic shift in SEC football power dynamics.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. | The unthinkable is now a reality: Vanderbilt football is officially a Top 10 team in the nation.

In this week’s Associated Press Top 25 poll, the Commodores vaulted into the No. 9 spot, marking their first Top 10 appearance since 1948. The stunning rise reflects a season of disciplined defense, balanced offense, and a team that has defied every preseason projection in the Southeastern Conference.

Under head coach Clark Lea, a Vanderbilt alumnus who has methodically rebuilt the program around culture and accountability, the Commodores have transformed from an SEC afterthought into a legitimate contender. With recent victories over ranked opponents and a trademark physicality that’s disrupted traditional SEC hierarchies, Vanderbilt’s ascension has the college football world buzzing.

“We’ve built this brick by brick,” Lea said following Sunday’s AP poll release. “Our players believe in what we’re doing, and that belief is showing up on the field every Saturday.”

Alabama Extends SEC Dominance, Crushes No. 11 Tennessee 37-20 in Statement Win

Ty Simpson leads the Crimson Tide with 253 passing yards and two touchdowns as Alabama earns its fourth straight victory over a ranked opponent, matching the nation’s longest home winning streak.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. | The No. 6 Alabama Crimson Tide continued its midseason surge Saturday night, overpowering No. 11 Tennessee 37-20 at Bryant-Denny Stadium to secure its fourth consecutive win over a ranked SEC opponent and extend its home dominance to 16 games — the longest active streak in Division I football.

Quarterback Ty Simpson delivered another poised performance under pressure, completing 19-of-29 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns, finding Isaiah Horton and Rico Scott in the end zone. Freshman sensation Ryan Williams led all receivers with 87 yards on five catches, while running backs Daniel Hill and Jam Miller each found paydirt on the ground.

However, it was Alabama’s defense — relentless, disciplined, and opportunistic — that turned the game into a statement victory. In one of the defining moments of the season, cornerback Zabien Brown picked off Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar at the one-yard line and raced 99 yards for a touchdown as time expired in the first half, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

Defensive end Yhonzae Pierre recorded three sacks — the first Alabama defender to do so since Christian Harris in the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship. The Crimson Tide defense also forced a safety, held Tennessee to just seven first-half points, and set the tone from the opening drive.

With the victory, head coach Kalen DeBoer improved to 19-3 (.863) all-time against Associated Press Top 25 opponents, including a 7-1 record since taking over the Alabama program. His 15-2 mark in ranked matchups at the Division I level is the best winning percentage among active FBS coaches with at least ten such games.

The win also marked a historic milestone for Alabama, as it became the first team in SEC history to defeat four straight ranked conference opponents without a bye week.

“This team is building something special,” DeBoer said postgame. “We’re learning how to dominate every phase — offense, defense, and special teams — week after week. That’s championship football.”

Big Tigers Prevail in Overtime Thriller: No. 16 Missouri Edges Auburn 23-17 at Jordan-Hare

Missouri’s defense holds firm in the second extra period as Auburn’s offense stalls, marking another frustrating SEC loss for the Tigers under Hugh Freeze.

AUBURN, Ala. | In a gritty, error-marred affair, the Missouri Tigers upended the Auburn Tigers 23-17 in double overtime Saturday night at a packed Jordan‑Hare Stadium, handing Auburn its fourth straight SEC loss and improving Missouri to 6-1 (2-1 SEC). 

Missouri opened the second extra period strongly, converting a third-and-10 and then capping the drive with quarterback Beau Pribula’s 3-yard touchdown run. Auburn’s two-point try went incomplete, leaving the Tigers down six. On Auburn’s ensuing possession, two loss-of-yardage plays put them out of rhythm and on fourth down their incompletion sealed the win for the Visitors. 

Earlier, Auburn got on the board first when quarterback Jackson Arnold scored from the one on the Tigers’ initial possession. But consistency eluded the home side throughout the night. Auburn kicker Alex McPherson missed a 50-yard field goal attempt in overtime, his third miss of the evening. 

Missouri’s defensive resilience proved the difference. Linebacker Zion Young twice sacked Arnold in the fourth quarter, and the Tigers held Auburn in check during key moments. On offense, running back Ahmad Hardy logged 58 yards and two scores, tying the game at 17-17 with 5:07 to play in regulation. 

Second-Half Surge Propels No. 12 Georgia Tech Past Duke to Stay Perfect at 7-0

After a sluggish first half, the undefeated Yellow Jackets exploded offensively behind Haynes King’s 325 total yards and a record-setting defensive score to top Duke 27-18 in Durham.

DURHAM, N.C. | The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets proved once again why they’re one of the most complete teams in college football, shaking off early struggles to surge past Duke 27-18 on Saturday night. With the victory, No. 12 Georgia Tech (7-0, 4-0 ACC) remains unbeaten, marking its best start since 1966 and its first 4-0 start in Atlantic Coast Conference play since 1998.

The Jackets’ offense was nearly invisible early on, managing just 110 total yards in the first half. But a defensive gem from Omar Daniels — a school-record 95-yard fumble return for a touchdown — kept the team even at 7-7 going into the locker room.

That spark carried into the second half. Quarterback Haynes King once again showcased his dual-threat ability, amassing 325 total yards (205 passing, 120 rushing), including 240 in the second half. King directed four consecutive scoring drives after halftime, capped by a 28-yard touchdown run that effectively sealed the victory with just over two minutes remaining.

The Yellow Jackets’ offensive turnaround featured drives of 63, 89, 72, and 71 yards — all ending in points. Meanwhile, the defense adjusted flawlessly, holding the Blue Devils to just 116 yards in the second half before a late score made the final tally more respectable.

On defense, Jy Gilmore led the charge with 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a half-sack, and two pass breakups. The Jackets’ defense collectively logged five pass deflections, two sacks, and four quarterback hurries, neutralizing Duke QB Darian Mensah after his strong first half.

Georgia Tech now turns its attention to Homecoming at Bobby Dodd Stadium, where it will face Syracuse next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for noon as the Jackets look to extend their unbeaten streak and strengthen their case as a legitimate College Football Playoff contender.

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-- By Michele Robinson

© Copyright 2025 JWT Communications. All rights reserved. This article cannot be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or distributed in any form without written permission.

Q&A on Trump’s Attempt to Deploy National Guard to Portland and Chicago

Donald Trump made crime a centerpiece of his 2024 presidential campaign. But he has surprised even himself, he said at an Oct. 15 press conference, with the intensity of federal efforts he has directed at cities, in what he says is an effort to fight crime, most controversially by sending military troops into cities such as Portland and Chicago, over the objection of local elected officials.

“I didn’t realize I was going to make this such a big factor,” Trump said. “And now it’s like a passion for me. … I did get elected for crime, but I didn’t get elected for what we’re doing. This is many, many steps above.”

Trump had said for weeks that he would send National Guard troops to Chicago, wrongly claiming on social media that the city is the “MURDER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.” As we’ve written, the city has a high number of murders among U.S. cities, but not the highest murder rate in the U.S., let alone the world. The homicide rate has been declining this year, mirroring the general trend among U.S. cities.

As for Portland, Trump claimed the city has been overrun by “antifa thugs” who have “repeatedly attacked our officers and laid siege to federal property in an attempt to violently stop the execution of federal law.” And, he said, the city “is burning to the ground,” which is false.

On Sept. 28, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a memo mobilizing 200 Oregon National Guard troops for 60 days. And on Oct. 4, Hegseth federalized 300 Illinois National Guard members and later deployed more than 200 members of the Texas National Guard in Chicago. Mayors in both cities and the state governors have opposed the deployments, accusing the president of exacerbating conflict. Their lawyers have called the administration’s claims of a crisis “manufactured” and “wildly hyperbolic.” Courts have since temporarily delayed deployment of federal troops in both cities.

WIC Becomes a Political Football in Shutdown

The Trump administration has said that while the federal government is shut down, tariff revenue will be used to fund a key federal program that provides food aid and other services to nearly 7 million low-income women and young children. However, as the shutdown entered its second week, Republicans and Democrats blamed each other for the program being in financial distress.

U.S. residents are divided on which political party deserves blame for the government being partially shut down. Still, politicians on both sides are right that the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC, will remain in jeopardy the longer the shutdown continues. 

“There’s a low-income food program, the WIC program, that my mom actually used when I was a baby. That program is about to be underfunded, and it’s about to get cut off because Chuck Schumer won’t open the government,” Vice President JD Vance said in an Oct. 9 Cabinet meeting, blaming the Senate Democratic leader for the program’s finances.

Meanwhile, some Democratic lawmakers have used social media to counter claims such as Vance’s, placing the blame on Republicans.

“Funding for WIC is running out because of the government shutdown. American women and children will lose food assistance as a direct result of Republicans’ partisan policies,” Rep. Sarah McBride of Delaware wrote in an Oct. 9 Facebook post highlighting the potential impact for people in her state. “Cruelty knows no bounds in this administration,” she said.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts also assigned blame to the GOP.

Appraising the Federal Indictment of Letitia James

The legal clashes between New York Attorney General Letitia James and President Donald Trump took a U-turn with a federal indictment on Oct. 9 charging James with mortgage fraud. The government says when James bought a house in Norfolk, Virginia, she told the mortgage broker it would be a second home in order to get a lower interest rate, but she then used it as a rental property.

James called the charges in the indictment “baseless.” News reports say the house was purchased for her great-niece who lived in the home rent-free, though James has listed a few thousand dollars in income from the property.

Legal experts have questioned the merits of the indictment. “In my experience, federal prosecutors would not have seriously pursued something this minor,” James Kainen, a professor with expertise in real estate and white collar crime at Fordham University School of Law, told us in an email. “The indictment is disproportionate and inconsistent with established prosecutorial norms.”

Here, we’ll look at the allegations and facts surrounding the case, the history of animosity between Trump and James, and what experts say about the weight of the charges.

The case was brought by the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia amid pressure from Trump to pursue his longtime political adversaries. In a Sept. 20 post on Truth Social, apparently addressed to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump cited social media posts calling for the prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey, Sen. Adam Schiff and James. “They’re all guilty as hell,” Trump’s post said, adding, “JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!” (Comey was indicted Sept. 25 on charges of lying to Congress.)

James is scheduled for an initial court appearance on Oct. 24 on charges of bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia said James “faces penalties including up to 30 years in prison per count, up to a $1 million fine on each count, and forfeiture.” The release also noted, “Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.”

RFK Jr. Misleads About Antidepressants and School Shootings

This story discusses suicide. For anyone experiencing thoughts of suicide, help is available from the 988 lifeline.

A day after a shooting at a school in Minnesota, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed, as he has before, that certain antidepressant drugs, known as SSRIs, “might be contributing to violence” in such cases. Experts say there is no direct evidence linking SSRIs to mass shootings. He also falsely claimed SSRIs have black box warnings for homicidal ideation.

On Aug. 27, an assailant fired through the windows of the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, killing two students and injuring 21 others, before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The suspect, identified as Robin Westman, was a 23-year-old former student of the school who in 2020 legally changed their name to reflect a female gender identity. Authorities have not yet identified a motive, although the Minneapolis police chief said Westman “clearly had a deranged obsession with previous mass shooters.”

The day after the shooting, Kennedy appeared on “Fox & Friends,” and when asked whether he was looking into whether gender-affirming drugs might be behind the shooting, the secretary pivoted to SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

“We’re launching studies on the potential contribution of some of the SSRI drugs and some of the other psychiatric drugs that might be contributing to violence,” Kennedy said. “You know, many of them … have black box warnings that warn of suicidal ideation and homicidal ideation. So we need — we can’t exclude those as a culprit.”

“This kind of violence is very recent. It’s a new thing in human history,” he added. “There was no time in the past when people would walk into a church or a classroom and start shooting people. And it’s not really happening in other countries. It’s happening here. And we need to look at all of the potential culprits that might be contributing to that.”