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Articles from the October 1, 2023 edition


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  • It's Official – Alabama will have New Congressional Districts.

    Steve Flowers|Oct 1, 2023

    It’s official and final, Alabama will elect our seven member congressional delegation under new lines next year. The federal court has spoken. The special master drawing the lines has acted and the final omnipotent power, the U.S. Supreme Court, has concurred and confirmed the decision. It is over. The result that the plaintiffs desired has been decreed by the courts. There will be a new second majority Black Congressional district. This accomplishment has been sought for decades. Now the q...

  • Why do employers seem to favor a 401(k)/ 403(b) over the older pension plans?

    Ron Holtsford|Oct 1, 2023

    In 1978, Congress passed a new tax code which included a new provision in the Internal Revenue Code, being section 401(k). The 401(k) provision is used by employers in the private for-profit sector. The 403(b) provisions are very similar but used by non-profits. Since the 1980’s the 401(k) and 403(b) section retirement plans have become generally favored over pension plans. Pension plans were entirely driven by the employer. Pension plans make the employer consider the length of service of t...

  • ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

    Robert Tate|Oct 1, 2023

    As I write this Robservation, I must admit that I am angry. I once got some words of wisdom from a writing mentor and he told me that you should never write when you are angry. Once your words have been set loose, they can never be recalled. It is much like the spoken word. That is exactly the reason I refuse to argue with my wife. We have been married for 38 years now and I cannot tell you the last time we had an argument about anything. 30 years? Probably. When I was young and dumb no doubt....

  • We Must Reclaim Our Global Leadership

    Perry O Hooper Jr|Oct 1, 2023

    America is falling far behind in the global arms race – specifically in the realm of hypersonic missile technology. With China and Russia making leaps and bounds, boasting speeds of Mach 10 and Mach 27 respectively, the United States finds itself in an unfamiliar, even precarious, position: playing catch-up. To truly grasp the magnitude of the challenge we face, it's essential to understand the sheer speed of these hypersonic missiles. Mach 10 is an astounding 7,672 mph, while Mach 27 is an a...

  • Remembering the Life and Legacy of Lee Kuan Yew

    Justice Will Sellers|Oct 1, 2023

    Imagine a country in the 20th century that in a matter of 30 years went from a per capita income of $500 to one of $50,000. Imagine further that the country had no natural resources and was roughly 150 times smaller than Alabama. And what would we think about a leader who achieved such spectacular results? Meet Lee Kuan Yew, who, had he lived, would be 100 years old this month. From 1959 to 1990 he served as prime minister of Singapore and was largely responsible bringing a third world country i...

  • Seven Pillars of Conservatism

    John W. Giles|Oct 1, 2023

    If you have read any of my previous work, we talk a lot about economic, social, moral and constitutional conservatism. This level of conservatism does not happen by accident. It takes years to develop a depth in conservatism; this is why you do not want a novice Republican running for office, they will always disappoint you. One cannot wake up one day and say Republicans are winning, decide to qualify, color in the conservative squares and off you go. Very Shallow Thinking!! Let’s discuss the S...

  • Appeal to Judges Manasco, Moorer & Marcus; Mapping Our Future

    John Sophocleus|Oct 1, 2023

    As expected, the three Judge panel in Birmingham rejected another disingenuous Congressional district voting map submitted by our Montgomery politburo. Much ink has spilled w.r.t. keeping ‘communities of interest’ intact… one manifestation of ever cascading collateral damage driven by addressing symptoms instead of repairing the problem as population continually increases. We’ve witnessed far too much rhetoric evoking the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause and Section 2 of the Voting Ri...

  • Honoring Our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Oct 1, 2023

    The valiant veteran, Col Henry P. Fowler, served 26 years in the united States Air Force. As a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War, he was shot down, captured and survived six years as a POW in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. His Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) was fighter pilot and Staff Judge Advocate. His 19 medals, decorations, ribbons and citations included: Silver Stars (two), the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with Valor Device, Purple Hearts (two) and Air Medals (three). He was selected as...

  • Honoring Our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Oct 1, 2023

    COL MICHAEL VERNE CHURCH: AGE 74 Col Michael Verne Church served 30 years in the United States Army. His Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was Light Infantry. His medals, awards, citations, and decorations included: Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2nd award), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Award (4th award), Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service...

  • Honoring Our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Oct 1, 2023

    TECH SERGEANT KENNETH ALLEN JACKSON Tech Sergeant (TSgt) Kenneth Allen Jackson served four years on active duty with the United States Air Force and 20 years in the Alabama Air Force National Guard. His Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) was Administrative Specialist. He received the following medals, decorations and awards: Air Force Good Conduct Award, Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Award and Small Arms Expert Marksman Medal. TSgt Jackson was born December 23, 1944 to his...

  • Honoring Our Heroes

    Martha Poole Simmons|Oct 1, 2023

    IN MEMORY OF: EVERETT K. COLE March 7, 1949 - September 1, 2023 Lance Corporal (Ret.) Everett K. Cole left this world suddenly on Friday evening, 9/1/2023. He was 74 years old. He leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Alice Law Cole, daughters Tina Cole Campbell, Meloney (Eric) Gwin, and Helen Diboll as well as grandchildren, nieces, great nieces, nephews, uncle and cousins. He was a man who loved his family, friends and his country. He enjoyed being a Marine and loved God. A Celebration was held...

  • COLUMBUS: EVANGELIST OR WAR CRIMINAL

    Col. John Eidsmoe|Oct 1, 2023

    During a recent speaking engagement in Columbus, Ohio, I asked to see the Columbus statue near City Hall. My hosts sadly informed me that, after a protest that claimed Columbus had engaged in violence and enslaved Native Americas, in 2020 the statue had been placed in storage and will be replaced by “a work of art that better represents the people of Columbus.” Why, we should ask, did Columbus come to America? It wasn’t to prove the world is round; every educated person in 1492 knew that. Isaia...

  • Tascalusa's Burial Ground

    John Martin|Oct 1, 2023

    This month marks the 483rd anniversary of Hernando de Soto's great battle at Mauvila, a location that so far has not been found and examined. But one thing that has been discovered is a small mound complex that yielded the graves of important natives who had fought there, possibly including the great chief, Tascalusa. The Pine Log Creek site (1Ba462), in the Alabama-Tombigbee Confluence Basin, might have seemed to be a routine native-American burial at first, but it has turned out to be a...

  • Tuberville Sponsors Legislation to Protect Alabama's Shrimp Industry

    Tommy Tuberville|Oct 1, 2023

    WASHINGTON, D.C – This week, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), John Boozman (R-AR), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) in introducing the Prioritizing Offensive Agricultural Disputes and Enforcement Act to protect U.S. agriculture while ensuring that the food which appears on U.S. store shelves meets U.S. health standards. The Prioritizing Offensive Agricultural Disputes and Enforcement Act establishes a joint task force o...

  • Confederate Indians

    John M Taylor|Oct 1, 2023

    Recently, the Native American Guardians Association (NAGA) lobbied the Washington Commanders football team to bring back the Redskins name. Billy Dieckman, Kiowa Tribe member and NAGA adviser, described Redskins as “a status symbol for elite warriors.” (Fox News) A poll was cited showing 90% of American Indians see it as a positive term. It is also likely that some American Indians do not appreciate being canceled, such as the way Land O Lakes terminated the “Mia” image (some Indians support...

  • SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (SSA) SERVICES IN MONTGOMERY

    Kylle McKinney|Oct 1, 2023

    HOW SSA.GOV HELPS YOU We’re excited to announce the addition of two helpful screening tools on SSA.gov! These tools are the Benefits Screener and the Card Replacement Screener. The Benefit Screener helps you determine your eligibility for benefits and the Card Replacement Screener helps you request a replacement Social Security card. Let’s go over how you can use these tools. Benefits Screener You can access the Benefits Screener tool at www.ssa.gov/prepare/check-eligibility-for-benefits to det...

  • Southern Cuisine - October

    David Spooner|Oct 1, 2023

    Remember that this is the ending of summer and the starting of Fall. One of the joys of Fall is enjoying the delicious and comforting meals that are typical of the season. In the South, there are many dishes that celebrate the bounty and flavor of autumn, such as fried okra, sweet potato casserole, collard greens, apple pie, tomato pie, and pecan pie. These are some of the most popular meals in the South and they can be made with fresh, local ingredients that are harvested this time of year. A...

  • Southern Gardening - Potpourri for October

    Judge Peggy Givhan|Oct 1, 2023

    October heralds in the first full month of fall, with cooler temperatures and of course "falling" leaves. So after doing all the weeding during summer, we now have the task of raking leaves. One good thing about these leaves is that they make good soil in a compost pile. So as with most unpleasant things, there is a happy ending. We also celebrate Columbus Day on October 9th, however, I believe there are a few States that are trying to cancel this holiday. There may have been other countries who...

  • OUTDOOR TRUTHS: Bow Season for Deer

    Gary Miller|Oct 1, 2023

    One of the difficulties in hunting mountainous areas is that we not only have to set our stands up according to the wind directions but also according to what are called thermals. Thermals are normal wind currents that change as air cools down or heats up. In the evening the cool air falls and when the temperatures heat up in the morning, the warmer air rises. This means if you are hunting from a tree stand on the top of a ridge in the evening, your scent is most likely going to be carried into...

  • Legacy

    Dr. Lester Spencer|Oct 1, 2023

    The Three Big Impact Quesions Several years ago I read about a survey that was taken of 100 people over the age of 90. They were ask this simple question: If you had your life to live all over again, what would you do different? The top three responses were: 1. I would reflect more. 2. I would risk more. 3. I would invest more in things that outlast me. These three responses served as a catalyst to me and caused me to start thinking about the impact I wanted to make with my life. I want to live...

  • Tears & Laughter: Don't be rude!

    Amanda Walker|Oct 1, 2023

    Did you see the report – “Parenting priorities: international attitudes towards raising children” – conducted by King’s College London that found American parents are the least likely to think good manners matter for children? The survey included participants from 24 countries asking them to choose five qualities they thought were essential for children to learn at home. Those choices were good manners, tolerance, independent, hard work, and respect for others. In Egypt, parents evidently...

  • "God's Plans are Perfect"

    Trisston Wright Burrows|Oct 1, 2023

    Hi friends! Thought of the day…Can we please stop doing two things? Adding “and” and “but” to the end of God’s plans. Here’s what I mean by that. We have a tendency to want to put our own spin on things. So often when God shares His plans with us, we say “Yes, I will do that AND I’m also going to do this other thing that I want to do.” Or God will tell us to do something and we’ll say “I will follow the plan, BUT maybe not this one part of it because I don’t want to do it.” God’s plans are perf...

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