Kinky Friedman was talking about lawmakers in his state when he said it:

How can you look at the Texas Legislature and still believe in intelligent design?

But then, how can you look at the Alabama Legislature and not have doubts about evolution?

Every year I look at the pander-monium that is this Alabama Legislature and wonder aloud if they have actually gotten worse. But every year I reach the same conclusion. Nah. They're dangerous and embarrassing every year. It's just who they are.

Singer, writer, politician and wise guy Kinky Friedman. (file)

These are some of the most, um, memorable bills of this year's session.

HB23 - the Can't Let it Go Bill. By Rep. Dickie Drake. This would force public schools to teach cursive writing by the end of third grade. Because: a) You want a guy with no teaching experience setting curriculum, and b) the world has gone to hell in a handwriting class since they stopped teaching stone tablet carving in the public schools. Next year, Drake will propose a return of buggy whip making classes in technical schools.

HB1 - the Tower of Babel Bill by a host of panderers. This bill purports to stop schools from discriminating against a student or parent on the basis of religion by allowing religious expression in schools. So praise God or Allah or Buddha or Great Spirit or Krishna or Vishnu or Yahweh or the Flying Spaghetti Monster or Absolutely Nothing to your heart's content. Everybody gets a turn, because school is where this needs to happen.

HB151 - the Dare Defend Our Rights But Not Yours Bill, Part 1, by Tuscaloosa Rep. Bill Poole. This one would allow for warrantless arrests at schools. Because ... fear is hot right now.

HB119 - the Citizens Have No Recourse Bill, by Rep. Steve McMillan of Baldwin County. This bill would expand sovereign immunity to all city and county workers, meaning teachers and workers of all description could not be sued unless they screw up ... on purpose. Because as much as we say we hate government in Alabama, what we really hate is government that is accountable.

HB150 - the Stay Out of Our Personal Life Protection Bill, also by Poole. This would force parents contemplating divorce to go to a "Marriage Dissolution Program" before splitting up. Gay couples can no doubt split up any time they want.

HB10 - the You Think Speed Traps are Bad Now Bill, also by Poole. This one would let court costs and docket fees go into the state general fund - which is prohibited now. Because what good is crime, if you can't use it to prop up your state finances.

HB59 - the Give Away the Farm Protection Act, by Houston County's Rep. Paul Lee. Currently Alabama law lets governments trying to lure businesses abate taxes for up to 10 years -- which has led to complaints that the state leaves too much on the table. This bill, as originally introduced, would double that abatement time to 20 years. A revised version does add some safeguards, such as demanding proof that incentives are due.

HB88 - the Some of My Best Friends are Crustaceans Bill, by Baldwin County's Joe Faust. It designates the brown shrimp as Alabama's state crustacean - because we have to get color involved in everything.

SB166 - the I Hate Pecan Pie Bill by Sen. William Beasley - would make the Lane Cake Alabama's official desert. What's wrong with peach cobbler, Bill?

SB104 - the You Called Me Fat in the First Degree Bill, by Sen. Arthur Orr, would make cyber bullying a crime, and force teachers to report it. What could possibly go wrong?

Of course there are so many more - many of greater significance. The "Just Trust Us" Charter School Legislation, the "Hurry Up and Burn 'Em" bill to return the electric chair to speed up executions, and the assortment of "Freedom from Gay People" bills.

I'm with you, Kinky. And maybe evolution is just a theory after all.