Hoover police and elected officials are trying to drive Hispanics out of the city through a pattern that includes racial profiling, illegal searches and unlawful incarceration, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court by attorney George Huddleston III on behalf of Anel Mancero-Ramirez of Alvaro Obregon, Mexico.

Huddleston told the Birmingham News he wants the court to order the practices stopped and declared unconstitutional and the lawsuit asks for monetary damages. Hoover officials declined to comment.

Hispanics file suit against Hoover

Speaking of saving the world by making condoms fun, Brazilian artist Adriana Bertini intends to turn condoms, which she considers the best form of protection against AIDS, into an everyday object that both men and women use as naturally as a piece of clothing.

Thousands of condoms come together to form a sumptuous evening gown, an elegant trouser suit, a flamboyant sheath dress or even a wild samba outfit. It’s a feast of sartorial delights with only one common ingredient: latex.

“My clothes are a militant act,” Bertini says. She is becoming known in her native country and in international activism circles for her unique contribution to the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic devastating Brazil and Africa.

“I felt the need to create a new form of thinking, to try to wake people up to the reality of the situation, to make them aware of the risks they face with HIV and AIDS,” she said. “You understand, condoms must become as basic as a pair of jeans and as necessary as a great love.”

Bringing condoms out of the closet

Now that’s what we call making art that makes a difference.

Former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman proclaimed his innocence on government corruption charges Wednesday and HealthSouth Corp. founder Richard Scrushy also pleaded not guilty to charges he gave Siegelman $500,000 for a seat on a state health board.

Paul Hamrick said later that Republican prosecutors have been trying to get Siegelman since shortly after he took office in 1999, according to the AP.

“Seven years and untold amounts of money have been spent on this unholy crusade,” Hamrick said.

Full AP story

Now we have no idea if this is an unholy crusade or a holy crusade, but if the verdict in the original Scrushy trial is any indication, it may very well turn out to be a failed crusade. First of all, it’s an amended indictment by the federal grand jury. Not a good sign for the prosecution.

We don’t know much about U.S. Attorney Leura Garrett Canary, and there’s not much information about her on the Middle District Web site. One thing is striking right away, however. ALL the U.S. attorneys listed are women. The key questions? Are they all Republicans appointed by Bush who go to the same church?

Well, how long will it take the press here to start blaming Scrushy’s donations to black churches in this case? It’s all about going to the right church, right?