In the Herald’s continuing mission to bring you up to date on the news from other parts of the country, here’s a brief look at the political situation in Alabama.

Sexual toys have been banned by a state law upheld by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. Viagra and other such, ah, “compensatory” products are still quite legal. It’s worth noting that the spectacularly conservative 11th Circuit Court Judge Birch, who upheld Florida’s ban on gay adoption rights, actually came out against the decision, citing a fundamental democratic right to privacy.

State legislators have decided to retain the current language in the state Constitution, including references to “separate but equal” public facilities, schooling, and public services for blacks.

Finally, a bill is afoot in the state legislature to ban “gay books”. This includes any books that include references to homosexuality or contain homosexual characters. Alabamans looking to read biographies of Alexander the Great, the book of Genesis, or Alice Walker’s The Color Purple will have to consult libraries in some other state.

These stories are their own commentary.