7. aldotcom’s “reporters” continue whining about Alabama holidays

• In Alabama, former President Abraham Lincoln doesn’t get mentioned in Alabama’s Presidents Day, since the state still calls the holiday George Washington/Thomas Jefferson Day. So, while Lincoln doesn’t get a specific mention, neither do most presidents, past or current. Lincoln’s birthday isn’t even a national holiday, and Alabama isn’t the only state that does this.
• This point was presented by Leada Gore from AL.com on Presidents Day this week, where she specifically mentioned how “Alabama omits Civil War president Abraham Lincoln in Presidents Day holiday” in the headline and then goes on to lament, “The state holiday omits Lincoln, who led the Union against the Confederacy made up of Alabama and other Southern states during the Civil War.” Members of Alabama’s media do this all the time and can’t help themselves.

6. Saban isn’t going home anytime soon

• University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban said at an Alabama Football Coaches Association clinic that he doesn’t plan to retire any time soon. Saban said that he’s been asked “when I wanna retire,” but questioned, “Retire from what?”
• Saban described retirement as an “empty abyss” and added, “[T]he very challenges that I talk about and the things in our profession that concern me – for you and for me both, in your game and our game – that’s what keeps me going. That’s why I get up every day. That’s why I can’t sleep at night sometimes. So why would I quit doing that? I haven’t figured that one out yet.”

5. Trucker convoy headed to D.C.

• The same day that Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared he needs to keep his emergency powers going in fear of protesters reappearing in the capital city, an American version of the protest has set its sights on Washington, D.C.
• The “People’s Convoy” released a statement declaring that it will work with local authorities “in order to ensure a 100% safe, lawful, and peaceful journey.” But some organizers have determined that their goal is to shut down the Beltway later this week. Business owner Bob Bolus says the target is D.C. He advised, “I’ll give you an analogy of that of a giant boa constrictor that basically squeezes you, chokes you and it swallows you, and that’s what we’re going to do.” Interestingly, the media seems to be concerned about the protests disrupting daily commutes, a real concern that was missing from any protests in the recent past.

4. Vote to be held on constitutional carry

• Legislation that would remove the statewide requirement for concealed carry permits will likely be considered by the State House of Representatives this week, according to House Speaker Mac McCutcheon (R-Monrovia).
• The legislation has received heavy criticism from law enforcement across the state, specifically sheriffs, but proponents say that it’s a constitutional issue and only rightful that citizens shouldn’t be required to obtain a permit before exercising their rights.

3. Brooks pushing Trojan Horse theory with Durant

• U.S. Representative Mo Brooks (R-Huntsville) recently held a campaign event where he was asked about a possible connection between U.S. Senate candidate Mike Durant and The Lincoln Project, where Brooks offered to “go into a bit more detail” about the allegation.
• Brooks referenced a FoxBusiness.com article, saying, “That pretty well itemizes how a liberal, Big Tech group of gazillionaires recruited and helped organize the campaign on Mike Durant to run for United States Senate.” The group More Perfect Union has been tied to Durant’s campaign, and Brooks said they’re “not conservative.” He added, “[T]hey did their homework before they chose who they were going to recruit to run and help win. And in their judgment, Mike Durant fit their non-conservative requirement.”

2. The United States is reducing pressure on China

• According to reports, the Department of Justice will be rolling pack portions of the “China Initiative” that’s meant to fight spying from the country and is an important national security program.
• The decision to roll back parts of the program comes after there have been protests against the program, including a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting the initiative be ended. Some activists have claimed that there are Chinese-American citizens unfairly targeted by the program.

1. Guess that’s a “nyet” on a Putin-Biden summit

• It’s been reported that soon after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the independence of areas of Ukraine, he quickly sent “peacekeeper” officers into the area to keep the situation under control and “keep the peace.” President Joe Biden suggested a meeting with Putin if Russia doesn’t invade, but that seems to be off the table.
• However, according to Russia expert Rebekah Irina Koffler, “Having recognized the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics and signed treaties today, Russia will most certainly deploy armed forces, imminently, to occupy these breakaway territories.” Koffler has also predicted that “Moscow will declare victory on February 23, the Soviet Army Day.”