The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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Winter Olympics 2018...
I have to admit that I kind of pride myself on being a fairly up-to-date guy on World War II history when it comes to the air war in Europe. For those of you who may have been reading my column for several years, I think you probably know that already. Well about eight years ago when I was doing some research on my book about Luftwaffe pilot Hans-Joachim Marseille, I came across an interesting photograph. It was a photograph of a black man sitting under the wing of a P-40 in North Africa circa 1...
A few weeks back my column illuminated the career and influence attained by our senior U.S. Senator Richard Shelby. In the column and in my book, “Six Decades of Alabama Political Stories,” I reference the fact that our current senior senator will be regarded as one of Alabama’s greatest U.S. Senators. I consider Lister Hill, John Sparkman, and Richard Shelby in that triumvirate. However, history more than likely will reveal that Shelby is eclipsing Hill and Sparkman in the annals of senat...
There are two instances in which a President can be removed from power by Congress and/or high ranking Executive branch officials. The first is impeachment which requires a simple majority in the House of Representatives and a 2/3 vote by the Senate. You will recall if you are old enough that President Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives but not removed because 2/3 of the Senate did not also vote to impeach him. The recent suggestions by Democrats have more to do with remo...
The immigration debate is heated up once again. In true “reality showmanship” Pres. Trump has made for some great sound bites and TV coverage but little of substance. When asked as a candidate how he would accomplish his ends of securing the border and getting Mexico to pay for it Mr. Trump simply asserted “MANAGEMENT.” Well management is NOT an answer, but nonetheless revealing. One who uses eminent domain takings, federal bankruptcy laws, etc. to redistribute wealth in their favor certain...
This is from a speech given by Louis Ingram. Last month we examined the paradigm of our Constitution: fear of government power, and some of the reasons for that fear. We saw that government is a zero sum game pitting power against freedom. We also saw how the awesome Washington atmosphere generates a feeling of self-importance, and how power is useless if it goes unused. Finally, we saw that We The People fire only a fraction of our so-called representatives every two years, despite the fact...
During the course of a lifetime, one will encounter someone who has character, conviction, determination and a sense of purpose that influences your life more than most. Such a man is admired, respected, loved and imitated in word and deed. Such a man was Coach Raymond Boykin. He was the same as a player, as a coach and as an educator. His personality was always the same. He made time for others. He was interested in your successes, your failures and your pain when life was difficult. He was...
The news alert came across my phone that Tuesday morning as I was preparing to leave home for my new discipleship class, an extremely timely one titled God of Order. Another school shooting, this time in Kentucky. Two more innocent teenagers killed, 16 others shot, and 7 more injured as they fled for their lives. I remember thinking, “Not again, Father God…please, not again.” Yes, and yet again, while the families and loved ones grieve the loss of these children, another senseless tragedy become...
At 12:01a.m. on January 20, 2018, a dually elected group of Senators with the mandate of representing their United States constituents in their states failed to remember who elected them and what their purpose is. Instead, they used an important opportunity reflecting fiscal responsibility to its citizens by creating an unfair and un-American tactic meant to obtain benefits and opportunity for people who never elected them to their position in the first place. The very people who used their...
Do you have anyone in your family who has been affected by Alzheimer's, Dementia, a stroke or who has suffered an accident that has left them in a position to have to receive 24 hour care? If so, do you know how they paid for it? In a lot of cases, these individuals or their family members had to pay for that care out of pocket. And because those resources are often very limited, they end up having to move in with other family members like their children or siblings and those family members...
Not since the “War of Northern Aggression” has the United States of America been less united than it is today. Watching the Democrats vigorous pouting during President Donald Trump's State of the Union message last month, the situation would have been funny had it not been more serious. It was almost as if Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton had returned to life to sit in the Capitol, frowning and posturing as President Trump gave his “State of the Union” speech. As the public viewed...
“Rosie the Riveter” is an American icon representing women working in factories during World War II. These women learned new jobs and filled in for the men who were away at war. They produced much of the armaments and ammunition to supply the war effort. They also paid FICA on their wages, contributing to the Social Security program. These “Rosies” embodied the “can-do” spirit immortalized in a poster by J. Howard Miller. Both the image and the spirit live on today. If you asked Rosie about...
Well, we finally made it to the month of February and we only have 6 days left in deer Season. But in February in Alabama another subject comes to my mind and that is the subject of Prescribe Burning. The following article is from one of the premier land managers in our state, Mr. Ted DeVos Of Bach and DeVos Forestry and Wildlife Services. Images and thoughts of woodland fire are typically that it is bad! However, this is probably because most people are not familiar with the benefits of...
Ringtail cats are not related to the cat family but are members of the raccoon family, Procyonidae which also includes Kinkajous, and Coatimundis. Ringtails are cat sized animals that resemble a mix between a fox and a raccoon. The face is fox-like, with a pointed snout, and the body is raccoon-like and elongated. The top side of the animal is yellow to dark brown or black, and the underside is a whitish buff. The ears and eyes are large and the eyes are ringed by white fur. The tail is very...
Now don't you feel better? In fact, there's no better way to calm your mind and boost your spirits than by humming a happy tune. Plus, evidence suggests that the simple act of humming may help keep your sinuses healthy. Now that we're nearing the end of another terrible flu season, we can notice another great reason for you to Hum. (Hold on to your knickers - we're about to get a bit graphic). Way up in the “gold-digger” territory of your nose exist thousands of tiny hair-like structures cal...
Is there something wrong with this winter’s weather? We had two snowfalls of over three inches each, and days when the temperature never got above freezing, and a few days later three inches of rain in a couple of hours. One can look at what happened as a blessing. The freeze and snow will kill the mosquitoes, and the rain will raise the water table so the ground will be just right for planting this spring. We need to start now to be ready for the beautiful spring weather that will come s...
We all celebrate this month as the month of cupids fluttering around dispensing love and kisses to everyone. With our lives bustling around us, we may do well to be quiet and think of all the things in our lives which give us joy and love. Gardens can do just that--giving us peace, well being, and a profound sense of creativity. As I have said before, I feel closest to God when I am outside working in and admiring my garden. In winter, I may only be viewing a Kiss me at the Gate shrub blooming...
Citizens Academy It is time to register for our first Citizens Academy of 2018, which begins on February 26th. This is a free course and it meets every Monday from 6:00-7:00pm for six weeks. Instructors from each department within the Sheriff's Office will teach the course. While our goal is to make you aware of what is going on in your community, how to report suspicious activities/crimes as well as how things are handled from a law enforcement perspective, Sheriff Cunningham would like to...
Autauga County Sheriff's Office 2017 CrimeStopper of the Year Congratulations to Investigator Steven Geon for being named Autauga County Sheriff's Office Crime Stopper of the Year for 2017. Investigator Geon received the award for the following reason. In April 2017 Investigator Geon took a report of a 9 year old girl who has been sexually abused by her biological father. Investigator Geon during his investigation obtained a confession from the offender. Geon charged the offender with 2 counts...
Just about everybody now understands the law of natural selection. It is very simple and obvious—the strong survive and reproduce; the weak perish and die out—what we call “Survival of the fittest.” But in the beginning, when Charles Darwin first introduced it, many people became very angry and claimed that it was blasphemy and against the Word of God. In the early 20th century, people in America were taking interest in eugenics—selectively breeding people to promote the propagation of the st...
This article could be a catalyst for some IMPORTANT discussions about the spiritual direction and mission of your church! Please read, and I would love to hear your feedback. My email is listed below. How do you view your church? Do you view your church primarily as a Cruise Ship or as a Battleship? It makes all the difference in how you view the spiritual direction and mission of your church! Here are some questions to ponder which may help you determine which way you truly see your church. If...
There are two types of people in Alabama this week – those who have the flu, and the handful of running scared fearful ones who don’t. Bless their hearts. I was one of them until a few short days ago. I had gone out of my way to try and not catch it. I had upped the Vitamin C, was getting plenty of rest, cleaning with Clorox, washing my hands like I had a compulsive disorder, and avoiding people in general. I had all but taken to wearing a surgical mask and carrying a can of Lysol around wit...
Well my friends, it’s that time of year again…hearts, roses, balloons, stuffed animals that sing songs of love. Store shelves overflow with symbols of love. They began the day after New Year's to get ready for Valentine’s Day. Do you know that more roses are sold on that day than any other day in the year? All over the world, it is the day that people show their love for someone special. It is a great occasion to express love and appreciation for any of your loved ones, but it is just as importa...
Showcasing Tallassee, Alabama businesses and activities......